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- float: left; - margin-right: 1em } - -.align-right { clear: right; - float: right; - margin-left: 1em } - -.align-center { margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto } - -div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } - -/* SECTIONS */ - -body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } - -/* compact list items containing just one p */ -li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } - -.first { margin-top: 0 !important; - text-indent: 0 !important } -.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } - -span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } -img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } -span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } - -.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } - -/* PAGINATION */ - -@media screen { - .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage - { margin: 10% 0; } - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -</style> -<title>IAN HAMILTON'S MARCH</title> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="Ian Hamilton's March" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Winston Spencer Churchill" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1900" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="41487" /> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2012-11-17" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="Ian Hamilton's March" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta content="Ian Hamilton's March" name="DCTERMS.title" /> -<meta content="march.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> -<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> -<meta content="2012-11-25T23:36:58.407848+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> -<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> -<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> -<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41487" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta content="Winston Spencer Churchill" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> -<meta content="2012-11-17" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> -<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> -<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.20a4 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> -<style type="text/css"> -.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.toc-pageref { float: right } -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } -</style> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="ian-hamilton-s-march"> -<h1 class="center document-title level-1 pfirst title"><span class="x-large">IAN HAMILTON'S MARCH</span></h1> - -<!-- this is the default PG-RST stylesheet --> -<!-- figure and image styles for non-image formats --> -<!-- default transition --> -<!-- default attribution --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>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 </span><a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a><span> -included with this eBook or online at -</span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Title: Ian Hamilton's March -<br /> -<br />Author: Winston Spencer Churchill -<br /> -<br />Release Date: November 17, 2012 [EBook #41487] -<br /> -<br />Language: English -<br /> -<br />Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line"><span>*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>IAN HAMILTON'S MARCH</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container coverpage"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 58%" id="figure-118"> -<span id="cover"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Cover</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container frontispiece"> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 53%" id="figure-119"> -<span id="ian-hamilton-from-the-picture-by-john-s-sargent-r-a"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-front.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">IAN HAMILTON. </span><em class="italics">From the Picture by</em><span class="italics"> John S. Sargent, R.A.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container titlepage"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="x-large">IAN HAMILTON'S MARCH</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BY -<br />WINSTON SPENCER CHURCHILL</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- class: smaller - -AUTHOR OF "LONDON TO LADYSMITH VIA PRETORIA," -"THE RIVER WAR," ETC. --> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- class: smaller - -TOGETHER WITH EXTRACTS FROM -THE DIARY OF LIEUTENANT \H. FRANKLAND -A PRISONER OF WAR AT PRETORIA --> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics medium">WITH PORTRAIT, MAPS AND PLANS</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">TORONTO -<br />THE COPP, CLARK COMPANY, LIMITED</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container verso"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">COPYRIGHT, 1900, BY -<br />WINSTON SPENCER CHURCHILL</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics small">All rights reserved</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container dedication"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">THIS COLLECTION OF LETTERS -<br />IS INSCRIBED TO -<br />LIEUT-GENERAL IAN HAMILTON, C.B., D.S.O. -<br />WITH WHOSE MILITARY ACHIEVEMENTS -<br />IT IS LARGELY CONCERNED</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">PREFACE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>This book is a continuation of those -letters to the </span><em class="italics">Morning Post</em><span> newspaper on the -South African war, which have been lately -published under the title 'London to -Ladysmith </span><em class="italics">via</em><span> Pretoria.' Although the letters -had been read to some extent in their serial -form, their reproduction in a book has been -indulgently regarded by the public; and I -am encouraged to repeat the experiment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The principal event with which the -second series deals is the march of -Lieutenant-General Ian Hamilton's column on -the flank of Lord Roberts's main army -from Bloemfontein to Pretoria. This force, -which encountered and overcame the brunt -of the Boer resistance, which, far from the -railway, marched more than 400 miles -through the most fertile parts of the -enemy's country, which fought ten general -actions and fourteen smaller affairs, and -captured five towns, was, owing to the -difficulties of telegraphing, scarcely attended -by a single newspaper correspondent, and -accompanied continuously by none. Little -has therefore been heard of its fortunes, nor -do I know of anyone who is likely to write -an account.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The letters now submitted to the public -find in these facts their chief claim to be -reprinted. While written in the style of -personal narrative I have hitherto found -it convenient to follow, they form a -complete record of the operations of the flank -column from the day when Ian Hamilton -left Bloemfontein to attack the Waterworks -position, until he returned to Pretoria after -the successful engagement of Diamond Hill.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Although in an account written mainly -in the field, and immediately after the actual -events, there must be mistakes, no care has -been spared in the work. The whole book -has been diligently revised. Four letters, -which our long marches did not allow me to -finish while with the troops, have been added -and are now published for the first time. -The rest have been lengthened or corrected -by the light of after-knowledge and -reflection, and although the epistolary form -remains, I hope the narrative will be found -to be fairly consecutive.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I do not want the reader to think that -the personal incidents and adventures -described in this book are extraordinary, and -beyond the common lot of those who move -unrestricted about the field of war. They -are included in the narrative, not on account -of any peculiar or historic interest, but -because this method is the easiest, and, so far -as my wit serves me, the best way of telling -the story with due regard at once to detail -and proportion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In conclusion I must express my -obligations to the proprietors of the </span><em class="italics">Morning Post</em><span> -newspaper for the assistance they have given -my publishers in allowing them to set up -the copy as each letter arrived from the war; -to the DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH, to whom I -am indebted for the details of the strength -and composition of the force which will be -found in the Appendix, and for much -assistance in the attempt to attain accuracy; -and thirdly, to MR. FRANKLAND, whose -manly record of the heavy days he passed as -a prisoner in Pretoria may help to make this -book acceptable to the public.</span></p> -<p class="left pnext"><span class="medium">WINSTON SPENCER CHURCHILL.</span></p> -<p class="left pnext"><span class="smaller">LONDON: -<br /></span><em class="italics smaller">September</em><span class="smaller"> 10, 1900.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">CONTENTS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><span class="smaller">CHAPTER</span></p> -<ol class="upperroman simple"> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-roving-commission">A Roving Commission</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#exit-general-gatacre">Exit General Gatacre</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#at-half-way-house">At Half-Way House</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#two-days-with-brabazon">Two Days with Brabazon</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#two-days-with-brabazon-continued">Two Days with Brabazon--*Continued*</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-dewetsdorp-episode">The Dewetsdorp Episode</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#id1">Ian Hamilton's March</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#ian-hamilton">Ian Hamilton</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-action-of-houtnek">The Action of Houtnek</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-army-of-the-right-flank">The Army of the Right Flank</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#lindley">Lindley</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#concerning-a-boer-convoy">Concerning a Boer Convoy</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#action-of-johannesburg">Action of Johannesburg</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-fall-of-johannesburg">The Fall of Johannesburg</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-capture-of-pretoria">The Capture Of Pretoria</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#held-by-the-enemy">"Held By The Enemy"</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#action-of-diamond-hill">Action Of Diamond Hill</a></p> -</li> -</ol> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#appendix">APPENDIX</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><span class="medium">Composition of Lieut.-General Ian Hamilton's Force</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">PORTRAIT.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#ian-hamilton">IAN HAMILTON</a><span class="medium"> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . </span><em class="italics medium">Frontispiece</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics small">From the Picture by</em><span class="small"> JOHN S. SARGENT, R.A.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">MAPS AND PLANS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#operations-in-the-orange-free-state-april-1900">Operations in the Orange Free State, April, 1900</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#diagram-explaining-hamilton-s-action-at-israel-s-poorte-the-25th-of-april">Diagram Explaining Hamilton's Action at Israel's Poorte, the 25th of April</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#diagram-explaining-french-s-operations-round-thabanchu-the-25th-and-27th-of-april">Diagram Explaining French's Operations Round Thabanchu, the 25th and 27th of April</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#diagram-explaining-the-action-of-houtnek">Diagram Explaining the Action of Houtnek</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#diagram-to-explain-the-passage-of-the-sand-river-10th-of-may-1900">Diagram to Explain the Passage of the Sand River, 10th of May, 1900</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#ian-hamilton-s-action-at-the-sand-river-10th-of-may-1900">Ian Hamilton's Action at the Sand River, 10th of May, 1900</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#ian-hamilton-s-action-before-johannesburg">Ian Hamilton's Action before Johannesburg</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#plan-of-the-operations-of-11th-and-12th-of-june-1900">Plan of the Operations of 11th and 12th of June, 1900</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#diagram-explaining-the-action-of-diamond-hill">Diagram Explaining the Action of Diamond Hill</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#map-of-march-from-bloemfontein-to-pretoria">Map of March from Bloemfontein to Pretoria</a><span class="medium"> </span><em class="italics medium">At end of book</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-roving-commission"><span class="x-large">IAN HAMILTON'S MARCH</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">CHAPTER I</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A ROVING COMMISSION</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">In the train near Pieters, Natal: March 31.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Ladysmith, her garrison and her rescuers, -were still recovering, the one from the effects -of long confinement, the other from -over-exertion. All was quiet along the Tugela -except for the plashing of the waters, and -from Hunger's Poorte to Weenen no sound -of rifle or cannon shot disturbed the echoes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The war had rolled northward: the floods -of invasion that had isolated--almost -overwhelmed--Ladysmith and threatened to -submerge the whole country had abated and -receded, so that the Army of Natal might -spread itself out to feed and strengthen at its -leisure and convenience on the reconquered -territory.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Knox's (Ladysmith) Brigade went into -camp at Arcadia, five miles west of the town. -Howard's (Ladysmith) Brigade retired to -the breezy plains south of Colenso. Clery's -Division--for the gallant Clery, recovered -from his sickness, had displaced the gallant -and successful Lyttelton--moved north and -encamped beyond Elandslaagte along the -banks of Sunday's River. Hunter's Division -was disposed with one brigade at -Elandslaagte and one at Tinta Inyoni. Warren, -whom it was no longer necessary to send to -the Cape Colony, established himself and -his two brigades north of Ladysmith, along -the railway line to the Orange Free State. -Brocklehurst, with the remnants of what had -once been almost a Cavalry Division, and -now could scarcely mount three squadrons, -occupied a neighbouring plain, sending his -regiments one by one to Colenso, or even -Mooi River, to be re-horsed; and around all -this great Army, resting after its labours and -preparing for fresh efforts, the Cavalry -brigades of Dundonald and Burn-Murdoch -drew an immense curtain of pickets and -patrols which extended from Acton Homes -in the east, through Bester's Station right -round to Wessels Nek and further still, and -which enabled the protected soldiers within -to close their eyes by night and stretch their -legs by day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile, the burghers had all retreated -to the Drakensburg and the Biggarsburg -and other refuges, from which elevated -positions they defied intrusion or attack, and -their scattered line stretched in a vast -crescent even around our widely extended front -from the Tintwa Pass, through Waschbank -to Pomeroy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But with the exception of outpost -skirmishes, wholly unimportant to those not -engaged in them, a strange peace brooded over -Natal, and tranquillity was intensified by the -recollection of the struggle that was over -and the anticipation of the struggle that -impended. It was a lull in the storm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All this might be war, but it was not -journalism. The tempest for the moment had -passed, and above the army in Natal the sky -was monotonously blue. It was true that -dark clouds hung near the northern horizon, -but who should say when they would break? -Not, at any rate, for three weeks, I thought, -and so resolved to fill the interval by -trying to catch a little of the tempest elsewhere.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After the relief of Ladysmith four courses -offered themselves to Sir Redvers Buller. -To stand strictly on the defensive in Natal -and to send Lord Roberts every gun and man -who could be spared; to break into the Free -State by forcing Van Reenen's Pass or the -Tintwa; to attack the twelve thousand Boers -in the Biggarsburg, clear Natal, and invade -the Transvaal through the Vryheid district; -and, lastly, to unite and reorganise and -co-operate with Lord Roberts's main advance -either by striking west or north.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Which course would be adopted? I made -inquiries. Staff officers, bland and -inscrutable--it is wonderful how well men can keep -secrets they have not been told--continued -to smile and smile. Brigadiers frankly -confessed their ignorance. The general-in-chief -observed pleasantly that he would 'go for' -the enemy as soon as he was ready, but was -scarcely precise about when and where.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was necessary to go to more humble -sources for truth, and after diligent search I -learned from a railway porter, or somebody -like that, that all attempts to repair the -bridge across the Sunday's River had been -postponed indefinitely. This, on further -inquiry, proved to be true.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now, what does this mean? It means, -I take it, that no direct advance against the -Biggarsburg is intended for some time; and -as the idea of reducing the Natal Army to -reinforce the Cape Colony forces has been -definitely abandoned the western line of -advance suggests itself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It would be absurd to force Van Reenen's -Pass with heavy loss of life, when by waiting -until the main Army has reached, let us say, -Kroonstad, we could walk through without -opposition; so that it looks very likely that -the Natal troops will do nothing until Lord -Roberts's advance is more developed, and -that then they will enter the Free State -and operate in conjunction with him, all -of which is strategy and common-sense -besides. At any rate there will be a long -delay.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Therefore, I said to myself, I will go to -Bloemfontein, see all that may be seen there -and on the way, and rejoin the Natal Army -when it comes through the passes. Such -was the plan, and the reader shall be a -witness of its abandonment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I left the camp of Dundonald's Brigade -early in the morning of the 29th of March, -and riding through Ladysmith, round the -hill on which stands the battered convent, -now serving as headquarters, and down -the main street, along which the relieving -Army had entered the city, reached the -railway station and caught the 10 A.M. down -train.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We were delayed for a few minutes by the -departure for Elandslaagte of a train load of -Volunteers, the first to reach the Natal Army, -and the officers hastened to look at these -citizen soldiers. There were five companies -in all, making nearly a thousand men, fine -looking fellows, with bright intelligent eyes, -which they turned inquiringly on every -object in turn, pointing and laughing at the -numerous shell holes in the corrugated iron -engine sheds and other buildings of the station.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A few regulars--sunburnt men, who had -fought their way in with Buller--sauntered -up to the trucks, and began a conversation -with the reinforcement. I caught a -fragment: 'Cattle trucks, are they? Well, -they didn't give us no blooming cattle -trucks. No, no! We came into Ladysmith -in a first-class doubly extry Pullman -car. 'Oo sent 'em? Why, President ---- -Kruger, of course,' whereat there was much -laughter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I must explain that the epithet which the -average soldier uses so often as to make it -perfectly meaningless, and which we -conveniently express by a ----, is always placed -immediately before the noun it is intended to -qualify. For instance, no soldier would under -any circumstances say '---- Mr. Kruger has -pursued a ---- reactionary policy,' but -'Mr. ---- Kruger has pursued a reactionary ---- -policy.' Having once voyaged for five days -down the Nile in a sailing boat with a -company of Grenadiers, I have had the best -opportunities for being acquainted with these -idiomatic constructions, and I insert this -little note in case it may be useful to some of -our national poets and minstrels.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The train started across the well-known -ground, and how fast and easily it ran. -Already we were bounding through the scrub -in which a month before Dundonald's leading -squadrons, galloping in with beating hearts, -had met the hungry picket line.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Intombi Spruit hospital camp was reached -in a quarter of an hour. Hospital camp no -longer, thank goodness! Since the bridge -had been repaired the trains had been busy, -and two days before I left the town the last -of the 2,500 sick had been moved down -to the great hospital and convalescent camps -at Mooi River and Highlands, or on to the -ships in the Durban Harbour. Nothing -remained behind but 100 tents and -marquees, a stack of iron cots, the cook -houses, the drinking-water tanks, and 600 -graves. Ghastly Intombi had faded into -the past, as a nightmare flies at the dawn of day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We sped swiftly across the plain of -Pieters, and I remembered how I had toiled -across it, some five months before, a -miserable captive, casting longing eyes at the -Ladysmith balloon, and vigilantly guarded -by the Boer mounted escort. Then the -train ran into the deep ravine between -Barton's Hill and Railway Hill, the ravine the -Cavalry had 'fanned' on the day of the -battle, and, increasing its pace as we -descended towards the Tugela, carried us -along the whole front of the Boer position. -Signs of the fighting appeared on every -side. Biscuit tins flashed brightly on the -hill-side like heliographs. In places the -slopes were honey-combed with little stone -walls and traverses, masking the sheltering -refuges of the Infantry battalions during -the week they had lain in the sun-blaze -exposed to the cross-fire of gun and rifle. -White wooden crosses gleamed here and -there among the thorn bushes. The dark -lines of the Boer trenches crowned the hills. -The train swept by--and that was all.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I knew every slope, every hillock and -accident of ground, as one knows men and -women in the world. Here was good cover. -There was a dangerous space. Here it was -wise to stoop, and there to run. Behind -that steep kopje a man might scorn the -shrapnel. Those rocks gave sure protection -from the flanking rifle fire. Only a month -ago how much these things had meant. If -we could carry that ridge it would command -those trenches, and that might mean the hill -itself, and perhaps the hill would lead to -Ladysmith. Only a month ago these things -meant honour or shame, victory or defeat, life -or death. An anxious Empire and a waiting -world wanted to know about every one of -them--and now they were precisely what I -have said, dark jumbled mounds of stone and -scrub, with a few holes and crevices scratched -in them, and a litter of tin-pots, paper, and -cartridge cases strewn about.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The train steamed cautiously over the -temporary wooden bridge at Colenso and -ran into the open country beyond. On we -hurried past the green slope where poor -Long's artillery had been shot to bits, past -Gun Hill, whence the great naval guns had -fired so often, through Chieveley Camp, or -rather through the site of Chieveley Camp, -past the wreck of the armoured train--still -lying where we had dragged it with such -labour and peril, just clear of the -line--through Frere and Estcourt, and so, after -seven hours' journey, we came to Pietermaritzburg.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An officer who was travelling down with -me pointed out the trenches on the signal -hill above the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Seems queer,' he said, 'to think that the -Boers might so easily have taken this town. -When we dug those trenches they were -expected every day, and the Governor, who -refused to leave the capital and was going to -stick it out with us, had his kit packed ready -to come up into the entrenchments at an -hour's notice.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was very pleasant to know that those -dark and critical days were gone, and that -the armies in the field were strong enough to -maintain the Queen's dominions against any -further invasion; yet one could not but -recall with annoyance that the northern part -of Natal was still in the hands of the -enemy. Not for long, however, shall this endure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After waiting in Pietermaritzburg long -enough only to dine, I proceeded by the -night train to Durban, and was here so -fortunate as to find a Union boat, the </span><em class="italics">Guelph</em><span>, -leaving almost immediately for East London. -The weather was fine, the sea comparatively -smooth, and the passengers few and -unobtrusive, so that the voyage, being short, -might almost be considered pleasant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The captain took the greatest interest in -the war, which he had followed with -attention, and with the details and incidents of -which he was extraordinarily familiar. He -had brought out a ship full of Volunteers, -new drafts, and had much to say concerning -the British soldier and his comrades in arms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The good news which had delighted and -relieved everyone had reached him in the -most dramatic and striking manner. When -they left England Roberts had just begun -his welcome advance, and the public anxiety -was at its height. At Madeira there was an -English cable to say that he was engaging -Cronje, and that no news had arrived for -three days. This was supplied, however, by -the Spanish wire, which asserted with -circumstantial details that the British had been -heavily defeated and had fled south beyond -the Orange River. With this to reflect on -they had to sail. Imagine the doubts and -fears that flourished in ten days of -ignorance, idleness, and speculation. Imagine -with what feelings they approached -St. Helena. He told me that when the -tug-boat came off no man dared hail them for -news. Nor was it until the launch was -alongside that a soldier cried out nervously, -'The war, the war: what's happened there!' -and when they heard the answer, 'Cronje -surrendered; Ladysmith relieved,' he said -that such a shout went up as he had never -heard before, and I believed him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After twenty-four hours of breeze and -tossing the good ship found herself in the -roads at East London, and having by this -time had quite enough of the sea I resolved -to disembark forthwith.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="exit-general-gatacre"><span class="large">CHAPTER II</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">EXIT GENERAL GATACRE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Bethany: April 13.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>If you go to sleep when the train leaves -East London, you should wake, all being -well, to find yourself at Queenstown.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Queenstown lies just beyond the high -water-mark of war. The tide had flowed -strong after Stormburg, and it looked as if -Queenstown would be engulfed, at any rate -for a time. But Fortune and General -Gatacre protected it. Sterkstroom entrenched -itself, and prepared for daily attacks. -Molteno was actually shelled. Queenstown -suffered none of the horrors of war except -martial law, which it bore patiently rather -than cheerfully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Nothing in the town impresses the -traveller, but at the dining-room of the railway -station there is a very little boy, about twelve -years old, who, unaided, manages to serve, -with extraordinary dispatch and a grand air, -a whole score of passengers during the brief -interval allowed for refreshments.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Five months earlier I had passed along -this line, hoping to get into Ladysmith -before the door was shut, and had been struck -by this busy child, who seemed a product of -America rather than of Africa. Much had -happened in the meantime, not so far from -where he lived. But here he was still--the -war had not interfered with him, -Queenstown was beyond the limit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At Sterkstroom a line of empty trenches, -the Red Cross flag over a hospital, and an -extension to the cemetery enclosure filled -with brown mounds which the grass had -not yet had time to cover, showed that we -had crossed the line between peace and war. -Passing through Molteno, the last -resting-place of the heroic de Montmorency, the -train reached Stormburg. Scarcely any -traces of the Boer occupation were to be -seen; the marks of their encampments -behind the ridge where they had laagered--a -litter of meat tins, straw, paper, and the like, -the grave of Commandant Swanepoole and -several nameless heaps, a large stone (in the -station-master's possession) with the words -engraved on it: 'In memory of the -Transvaal commando, Stormburg, December -1899,' and that was all. The floods had -abated and receded. This was the only -jetsam that remained.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At Stormburg I changed my mind, or, -rather--for it comes to the same thing and -sounds better--I made it up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I heard that no immediate advance from -Bloemfontein was likely or even possible for -a fortnight. Therefore, I said, I will go to -Capetown, and shelter for a week at 'The -Helot's Rest.' After all, what is the use of -a roving commission if one cannot rove at -random or caprice?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So to Capetown I went accordingly--seven -hundred miles in forty-eight hours of -bad trains over sections of the line only -newly reopened. But to Capetown I will -not take the reader. Indeed, I strongly -recommend him to stick to the war and keep -his attention at the front, for Capetown at -this present time is not an edifying place. -Yet, since he may be curious to know some -reason for such advice, let me explain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Capetown, which stands, as some writers -have observed, beneath the shadow of Table -Mountain, has been--and may be again in -times of peace--a pleasant place in which -to pursue business or health; but now it is -simply a centre of intrigue, scandal, -falsehood, and rumour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The visitor stays at the Mount Nelson -Hotel, if he can be so fortunate as to secure -a room. At this establishment he finds all -the luxuries of a first-class European hotel -without the resulting comfort. There is a -good dinner, but it is cold before it reaches -him; there is a spacious dining-room, but it -is overcrowded; there are clean European -waiters, but they are few and far between.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the hotel, in its garden, or elsewhere -in the town, all the world and his wife are -residing--particularly the wife.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We used to think, in the Army of Natal, -that Lord Roberts's operations in the Free -State had been a model of military skill -and knowledge, and, in a simple way, we -regarded French as one of the first cavalry -soldiers of the age.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All this was corrected at Capetown, and -I learned with painful disenchantment that -'it' (the said operations) had all been a -shameful muddle from beginning to end; -that the field-marshal had done this and that -and the other 'which no man in his senses,' -&c., that French was utterly ... and as -for Lord Kitchener, Capetown--let us be -just, imported social Capetown--was -particularly severe on Lord Kitchener.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was very perplexing; and besides it -seemed that these people ought to know, for -they succeeded in making more news in the -twenty-four hours than all the correspondents -at the front put together. The whole -town was overrun with amateur strategists -and gossiping women. There were more -colonels to the acre than in any place -outside the United States, and if the social -aspect was unattractive, the political was -scarcely more pleasing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Party feeling ran high. Some of the -British section, those tremendous patriots who -demonstrate but do not fight--not to be on -any account compared with the noble -fellows who fill the Volunteer corps--pot-house -heroes, and others of that kidney, had just -distinguished themselves by mobbing -Mr. Schreiner in the streets.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Dutch section, some of them the -men who, risking nothing themselves, had -urged the Republics to their ruin, all of whom -had smiled and rubbed their hands at the -British reverses, sat silent in public, but kept -a strict watch on incoming steamers for -members of Parliament and others of more -influence and guile, and whispered honeyed -assurances of their devotion to the Empire, -coupled with all sorts of suggestions about -the settlement--on the broad general -principle of 'Heads I win, tails you lose.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>British newspapers advocated short shrift -to rebels--'Hit 'em hard now they're down'; -'Give them a lesson this time, the dirty -Dutchmen!' Dutch papers recorded the -events of the war in the tone, 'At the end -of the battle the British, as usual, fled -precipitately, leaving 2,000 killed, </span><em class="italics">our</em><span> -loss'--no, not quite that, but very nearly; -everything, in fact, but the word 'our'--'one -killed, two slightly wounded.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Let no one stay long in Capetown now -who would carry away a true impression of -the South Africans. There is too much -shoddy worn there at present.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Only at Government House did I find -the Man of No Illusions, the anxious but -unwearied Proconsul, understanding the -faults and the virtues of both sides, -measuring the balance of rights and wrongs, and -determined--more determined than ever; -for is it not the only hope for the future -of South Africa?--to use his knowledge -and his power to strengthen the Imperial ties.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All this time the reader has been left on -a siding at Naauwpoort; but does he -complain of not being taken to Capetown? We -will hasten back together to the healthier -atmosphere of war.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Indeed, the spell of the great movements -impending in the Free State began to catch -hold of me before I had travelled far on the -line towards Bloemfontein. Train loads of -troops filled every station or siding. A -ceaseless stream of men, horses, and guns -had been passing northwards for a fortnight, -and on the very day that I made the journey -Lord Kitchener had ordered that in future -all troops must march beyond Springfontein, -because the line must be cleared for the -passage of supplies, so that, besides the trains -in the sidings, there were columns by the -side of the railway steadily making their -way to the front.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The one passenger train in the day -stopped at Bethany. I got out. To go on -was to reach Bloemfontein at midnight. -Better, then, to sleep here and proceed at -dawn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Are there many troops here?' I asked. -They replied 'The whole of the Third -Division.' 'Who commands?' 'Gatacre.' That -decided me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I knew the general slightly, having made -his acquaintance up the Nile in pleasant -circumstances, for no one was allowed to -pass his mess hungry or thirsty. I was -very anxious to see him and hear all about -Stormberg and the rest of the heavy -struggle along the eastern line of rail. I found -him in a tin house close to the station. -He received me kindly, and we had a long -talk. The General explained to me many -things which I had not understood before, -and after we had done with past events he -turned with a hopeful eye to the future. At -last, and for the first time, he was going to -have the division of which he had originally -been given the command.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'You know I only had two and a half -battalions at Sterkstroom and a few colonial -horse; but now I have got both my brigades -complete.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I thought him greatly altered from the -dashing, energetic man I had known up the -river, or had heard about on the frontier or -in plague-stricken Bombay. Four months -of anxiety and abuse had left their mark on -him. The weary task of keeping things -going with utterly insufficient resources, and -in the face of an adroit and powerful -enemy in a country of innumerable kopjes, -where every advantage lay with the Boer, -had bowed that iron frame and tired the -strange energy which had made him so -remarkable among soldiers. But when he -thought of the future his face brightened. -The dark days were over. The broken -rocky wilderness lay behind, and around -rolled the grassy plains of the Free State. -He had his whole division at last. -Moreover, there was prospect of immediate -action. So I left him, for it was growing -late, and went my way. Early next -morning he was dismissed from his command -and ordered to England, broken, ruined, -and disgraced.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I will not for one moment dispute the -wisdom or the justice of his removal. In -stormy weather one must trust to the man -at the helm, and when he is such a man as -Lord Roberts it is not a very hard thing -to do. But because General Gatacre has -been cruelly persecuted in England by -people quite ignorant of the difficulties of -war or of the conditions under which it is -carried on in this country, it is perhaps not -out of place to write a few words of -different tenor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gatacre was a man who made his way -in the army, not through any influence or -favour which he enjoyed, but by sheer hard -work and good service. Wherever he had -served he had left a high record behind him. -On the Indian frontier he gained the -confidence of so fine a soldier as Sir Bindon -Blood, and it was largely to his reputation -won in the Chitral Expedition that his -subsequent advancement was due. At Bombay -in 1897 he was entrusted with the duty of -fighting the plague, then first gripping its -deadly fingers into the city. No one who -is at all acquainted with the course of this -pest will need to be told how excellent was -his work. After the late Soudan campaign -I travelled from Bombay to Poona with a -Parsee gentleman, a wealthy merchant of the -plague-stricken town, and I well remember -how he dilated on the good which Gatacre -had done.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'He was our only chance,' said the black -man. 'Now he is gone, and the sickness -will stay for ever.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gatacre's part in the Soudan campaign -has been described at length elsewhere. His -courage has never been questioned, because -the savage critics did not wish to damage -their cause by obvious absurdities. If I were -to discuss his tactics in the Boer war here I -should soon get on to ground which I have -forbidden myself. It is sufficient to -observe that Gatacre retained the confidence -and affection of his soldiers in the most -adverse circumstances. When the weary -privates struggled back to camp after the -disastrous day at Stormburg they were quite -clear on one point: 'No one could have -got us out but him.' Two days before he -was dismissed the Cameron Highlanders -passed through Bethany, and the men -recognised the impetuous leader of the Atbara -charge; and, knowing he had fallen among -evil days, cheered him in the chivalry of the -common man. The poor general was much -moved at this spontaneous greeting, which -is a very rare occurrence in our phlegmatic, -well-ordered British Army. Let us hope -the sound will long ring in his ears, and, as -it were, light a bright lamp of memory in -the chill and dreary evening of life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Exit General Gatacre. 'Now,' as my -Parsee merchant remarked, 'he is gone'; -and I suppose there are, here and there, -notes of triumph. But among them I will -strike a note of warning. If the War Office -breaks generals not so much for incapacity -as for want of success with any frequency, -it will not find men to fight for it in brigade -and divisional commands. Every man who -knows the chances of war feels himself -insecure. The initiative which an unsympathetic -discipline has already killed, or nearly -killed, in younger officers, will wither and die -in their superiors. You will have generals -as before, but they will not willingly risk the -fruits of long years of service in damnable -countries and of perils of all kinds. They -will look at the enemy's position. They will -endeavour to divide responsibility. They -will ask for orders or instructions. But they -will not fight--if they can possibly help it, -and then only on the limited liability -principle, which means the shedding of much -blood without any result. Besides, as an -irreverent subaltern remarked to me: 'If -you begin with Gatacre, where are you -going to end? What about poor old ----?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But I dare not pursue the subject further.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="at-half-way-house"><span class="large">CHAPTER III</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">AT HALF-WAY HOUSE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Bloemfontein: April 16.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>After a decent interval let the curtain -rise on a new act. The scene and most of -the characters are different, but it is the -same play. The town--a town of brick and -tin--stands at the apparent edge of a vast -plain of withered grass, from whose -inhospitable aspect it turns and nestles, as if for -protection, round the scrub-covered hills to -northward. From among the crowd of -one-storied dwelling-houses, more imposing -structures, the seats of Government and commerce, -rise prominently to catch the eye and -impress the mind with the pleasing prospect of -wealthier civilisation. Here and there are -towers and pinnacles, and, especially -remarkable, a handsome building surrounded in the -classic style by tall white pillars, and, -surmounted by a lofty dome, looks like a -Parliament House, but for the Red Cross -flag which flies from the summit and -proclaims that, whatever may have been its -former purposes, the spacious hall within is -at last devoted to the benefit of mankind. -The dark hills--their uncertain outline -marked at one point by the symmetrical -silhouette of a fort--form the background -of the picture: Bloemfontein, April, 1900.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It is five o'clock in the afternoon. The -Market-square is crowded with officers and -soldiers listening to the band of the Buffs. -Every regiment in the service, every Colony -in the Empire is represented; all clad in -uniform khaki, but distinguished by an -extraordinary variety of badges.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Each group is a miniature system of -Imperial Federation. The City Volunteer talks -to a Queensland Mounted Infantryman, who -hands his matchbox to a private of the Line. -A Bushman from New Zealand, a Cambridge -undergraduate, and a tea-planter from -Ceylon stroll up and make the conversation -general. On every side all kinds of men -are intermingled, united by the sympathy of -a common purpose and soldered together in -the fire of war. And this will be of great -consequence later on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The inhabitants--bearded Burghers who -have made their peace, townsfolk who never -desired to make a quarrel--stand round and -watch complacently. After all, there are -worse things than to be defeated. Demand -is keen, the army is wealthy, and prices -are high. Trade has followed hard on the -flag which waves from every building; and, -whether it be for merchandise or farm -produce, the market is buoyant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officers congregate about the pretentious -building of the club, and here I find -acquaintances gathered together from all the -sentry beats of the Empire, for the regular -army usually works like a kaleidoscope, and, -new combinations continually forming, scatter -old friends in every direction. But here -all are collected once more, and the man we -met on the frontier, the man we met 'up -the river,' the man we met at manoeuvres -with the comrade of Sandhurst, the friend -or enemy of Harrow days, and the rival of -a Meerut tournament, stand in a row -together. Merry military music, laughing faces, -bright, dainty little caps, a moving throng, -and the consciousness that this means a -victorious British Army in the capital of the -Free State, drive away all shadows from the mind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One cannot see any gaps in the crowd; -it is so full of animation that the spaces -where Death has put his hand are not to -be seen. The strong surges of life have -swept across them as a sunny sea closes over -the foundered ship. Yet they are not quite -forgotten.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Hullo, my dear old boy, I am glad to see -you. When did you get up here? Have -you brought ---- with you? Oh, I am sorry. -It must have been a fever-stricken hole that -Ladysmith. Poor chap! Do you remember -how he .... Charlie has gone home. He -can never play polo again--expanding bullet -smashed his arm all to bits. Bad luck, wasn't -it? Now we've got to find a new back .... and ----- was killed at Paardeberg .... spoiled -the whole team.' The band struck -into a lively tune. 'How long is it going to -last?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'With luck it ought to be over by October, -just a year from start to finish.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'I thought you said something about -Pretoria the third week in March.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Ah, I must have meant May, or, perhaps, June.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Or August.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Who can tell? But I think this is the -half-way house.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The conversation stops abruptly. Everyone -looks round. Strolling across the middle -of the square, quite alone, was a very small -grey-haired gentleman, with extremely broad -shoulders and a most unbending back. He -wore a staff cap with a broad red band and -a heavy gold-laced peak, brown riding boots, -a tightly-fastened belt, and no medals, orders, -or insignia of any kind. But no one doubted -his identity for an instant, and I knew that I -was looking at the Queen's greatest subject, -the commander who had in the brief space of -a month revolutionised the fortunes of the -war, had turned disaster into victory, and -something like despair into almost inordinate -triumph.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Other soldiers of career and quality mingle -with the diversified throng. Macdonald sits -on a bay pony near the club verandah talking -to Martyr of the Mounted Infantry and of -Central African repute. Pole-Carew, who -came to the Cape as Sir Redvers Buller's -camp commandant, and passed at a bound to -brigadier-general, and by another still greater -leap to the command of the Eleventh -Division, canters across the square. General -French and his staff have just ridden up. -But the central figure holds all eyes, and -everyone knows that it is on him, and him -alone, that the public fortunes depend.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Such was the scene on the afternoon of -my arrival in Bloemfontein. What of the -situation? The first thing to be done after -the occupation of the town was to re-open -the railway. The presence of a large army -in their rear and the swift advance of Gatacre -and Clements compelled the invaders to -withdraw from Cape Colony, so that Norval's -Pont and Bethulie bridges were once more -in British hands. Both were, however, -destroyed or partially destroyed. Besides these, -various other smaller bridges and culverts -had been blown up. All these were forthwith -repaired by the engineers, and through -communication by rail was established -between the advanced Field Army in the Free -State and the sea bases at East London, -Port Elizabeth, and Capetown.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the meantime the Army at Bloemfontein -lived on the reserve of rations it had -carried from Modder River. When the railway -was opened the line from Modder River was -dropped. A broad-gauge railway, even -though it be only a single line, is usually -capable of supplying an army of at least -50,000 men with considerable ease, and the -reader may remember how the Natal -Government Railway was able to support 30,000 -men through January and February, to -transport reinforcements and sick, and to run all -its ordinary traffic in addition. But the -repaired or provisional bridges on the -Bloemfontein line caused so much delay that the -carrying power of the railway was seriously -diminished. When a permanent bridge has -been blown up two alternatives present -themselves to the engineers: a high level -or a low level substitute. The high level -bridge, such as was thrown across the Tugela -after the relief of Ladysmith, takes much -longer to build, but, when built, trains are -run straight over it with very little -diminution of speed. It is, moreover, secure -against floods.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The low level bridge must be approached -by zigzag ramps, which impose frequent -shuntings, and cause great delay; and it is, -of course, only to be trusted when there are -no floods. But it has this inestimable -advantage in military operations: speed in -construction. The Army must be fed -immediately. So the low level bridges were chosen; -hence an early but reduced supply. When -this was further minimised by the passage of -reinforcements the commissariat depôts could -scarcely make headway, but must be content -to feed the Army from day to day and -accumulate at the rate, perhaps, of only one day -in three, or even one in four. It was, -therefore, evident that no offensive movement -to the northward could be made for several weeks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>See how the stomach governs the world. -By the rapid invasion of their territories, by -the staggering blows which they had been -dealt at Kimberley, Paardeburg, Poplar -Grove, and Dreifontein, and by the bad -news from Natal, the Boers in the Free -State were demoralised. If we could have -pressed them unceasingly the whole -country would have been conquered to the -Vaal River. Encouraged by Lord -Roberts's Proclamation, and believing that all -resistance in the Southern Republic was -at an end, great numbers of Free Staters -returned to their homes, took the oath of -neutrality, and prepared to accept the inevitable.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But while the Army waited, as it was -absolutely forced to wait, to get supplies, to -get horses--to get thousands of horses--to -give the Infantry new boots, and all arms a -little breathing space, the Boers recovered -from their panic, pulled themselves together, -and, for the moment, boldly seized the offensive.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Great, though perhaps temporary, were -the advantages which they gained. The -belief that the war in the Free State was at an -end, which had led so many of the Burghers -to return to their farms, was shared to some -extent by the British commander, and loudly -proclaimed by his colonial advisers. To -protect the farmers who had made their -peace the Imperial forces were widely -extended. A line was drawn across the Free -State from Fourteen Streams, through -Boshof, Bloemfontein, and Thabanchu, south of -which it was assumed that the country was -pacified and conquered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile Olivier and the southern -commando, recalled from their operations in the -Cape Colony, were making a hurried, and, -as it seemed, a desperate march to rejoin the -main Boer forces. They expected the attack -of the same terrible Army which had already -devoured Cronje; nor was it until they reached -Ladybrand and found only Pilcher with a -few hundred men snapping at their heels -that they realised that the bulk of the -British troops were for the moment practically -immobile at Bloemfontein. Then they turned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pilcher fled warily before them, and fell -back on Broadwood's Brigade, near -Thabanchu. With renewed courage and strong -reinforcements from their friends north of -the line of occupation they pressed on. -Broadwood was compelled to fall back on -the Ninth Division, which was camped west -of the waterworks. He made a twenty-mile -march at night and laagered in the -small hours of the morning, thinking, as -most people would think, that pursuit was -for the time being shaken off. Morning -broke, and with it a Boer cannonade.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I do not intend to be drawn into a -detailed description of the action that followed. -For many reasons it deserves separate and -detailed consideration, chiefly because it -shows the Boer at his very best: crafty in -war and, above all things, deadly cool. In -a word, what happened was this: The shells -crashed into the laager. Everyone said, -'Take the blasted waggons out of the shell -fire. We will cover their retreat'; which -they did most beautifully: Broadwood -displaying all the skill which had enabled him -to disentangle the reconnaissance of the 5th -of April near the Atbara from the clutches -of the Dervishes. The said waggons -hurried out of the shell fire only to fall into the -frying-pan of an ambuscade. Guns, prisoners, -and much material fell into the hands of the -Boers. The Ninth Division retreated -suddenly--too suddenly, say the Army, with -other remarks which it is not my business to -transcribe--on Bloemfontein, and the force -of the storm fell on Gatacre.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gatacre had a post at Dewetsdorp: three -companies of the Royal Irish Rifles, two of -Mounted Infantry. So soon as he heard of -the retirement of the Ninth Division he sent -orders by many routes for his post to fall -back too. They fell back accordingly; but at -Reddersburg the net closed round them. -Let us judge no man harshly or in ignorance. -Fighting followed. With a loss of eight -killed and thirty-one wounded, the retreating -troops surrendered when relief was scarcely -five miles away. Everything curled back -on to Bloemfontein and the railway line, -which it was </span><em class="italics">vital</em><span> to hold. Reinforcements -were thrust to the front to meet the -emergency: Rundle, with the Eighth Division, -was diverted from Kimberley to -Springfontein; Hunter, with the Tenth Division -(our old friends the Irish and Fusilier -Brigades), started from Natal, thus condemning -Buller to the strict defensive, and the Boers -swept southward.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now, in accordance with the terms of -Lord Roberts's Proclamation, many farmers -of the Free State, fighting men of the Boer -Army--that is to say, who had thought that -all was up: deserters, in other words--had -come into the British posts, made their -submission, taken the oath, and returned to their -farms. The Boers were very angry with -these people. What protection could we -give them? Some, it is said--it may be a -lie--were shot by the enemy. Most of them, -from fear or inclination, rejoined their commandos.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The whole of the right-hand bottom -corner of the Free State was overrun. -Southward still hastened the Boer forces. -Brabant was the next to feel the tempest. -His garrison in Wepener was assailed, -surrounded, fought well--perhaps is now fighting -desperately. Other Boers approached the -rebel districts of Cape Colony. The lately -penitent rebels stirred, are stirring.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mark, by the way, this sedition is not the -result of misplaced generosity but of military -misfortunes. No one expects beaten men to -be grateful; but, under certain conditions, -they will be loyal. An enemy at their -throats is not one of those conditions. -Southward still sweep the commandos -</span><em class="italics">with empty carts</em><span>, for this is the most fertile -of all the Republican territories; and, in the -meanwhile, what are we doing? Divisions -and brigades are being moved by a strong -yet deliberate hand. The hope--general -and special idea in one--is to catch these -bold fellows who have thrust their heads -thus far into the lion's mouth and -enjoyed until now such immunity. Wepeper -making a brave defence; Brabant marching -through Rouxville to bar their advance; -Rundle, Chermside, and Brabazon striking -east from Edenburg to shut the door behind -them with two Infantry divisions, twenty-four -guns, and 2,000 Yeomanry; and, further -north, the great Bloemfontein Army--four -Infantry divisions, Hamilton's 10,000 -mounted men, French's four Cavalry -brigades, and many guns--is almost ready to -move. Assuredly these Boers are in a -dangerous place. Will they escape? Will they, -perhaps, carry some part of the intercepting -lines with them as a trophy of victory? -'Qui vivra verra,' and, if these letters -continue, 'who runs may read,' for I purpose to -journey </span><em class="italics">viâ</em><span> Edenburg to Reddersburg -to-morrow, and thence on to the point of -collision, which must mark the climax of this -extremely interesting event henceforward to -be called 'The Operations in the Right-hand -Bottom Corner of the Free State.'</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="two-days-with-brabazon"><span class="large">CHAPTER IV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">TWO DAYS WITH BRABAZON</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Before Dewetsdorp: April 21.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>When the incursion of the Boers into the -recently pacified districts became known, the -Eighth Division (Rundle) was diverted from -Kimberley, whither it was proceeding, and -concentrated at Springfontein. The Third -Division (Chermside, in supersession of -Gatacre) massed at Bethany. Still more -troops were needed to guard the line and -clear the country.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Redvers Buller was asked whether he -could co-operate by forcing Van Reenen's -Pass and bringing pressure on the enemy's -line of retreat. His position in the centre -of the triangle of Natal was, however, an -inconvenient one. The strategic advantages -possessed by the Boers in this scene of the -war have before been noticed. But it may -be worth while to explain them again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The enemy possess the superiority of an -enveloping frontier. If Sir Redvers Buller -moves west through Van Reenen's Pass to -make the diversion required in the Free -State, down will come the Boers from the -Biggarsburg on his communications and into -South Natal. If he moves north to attack -the Biggarsburg positions in order to clear -Natal he will cut the Boers on his left flank -and line.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>According to the best information there -are three thousand Boers on the Drakensburg -Passes, and ten thousand on the Biggarsburg. -Buller, therefore, would have preferred -to mask Van Reenen's with the -Ladysmith Division (Fourth, Lyttelton), -which was getting well and strong again, -and move northwards with the Second, -Fifth, and Tenth Divisions. He did not -consider until northern Natal should be -cleared that he could safely move westward. -On the other hand, the need in the Free -State was urgent, and it was therefore -arranged that the Tenth Division (Hunter) -should come by sea to East London--one -brigade to replace the division diverted from -Kimberley, one brigade to Bethulie, and that -the rest of the Natal Field Army should -remain strictly on the defensive until the -situation was materially altered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Practically, therefore, five brigades of -troops were available for the operations in -the right-hand bottom corner: Hart, with a -brigade of Hunter's Division at Bethulie, -the Third and Eighth Divisions under -Chermside and Rundle at Springfontein and -Bethany. Besides these powerful bodies, -which were quite independent of the -communication troops or the Bloemfontein -Army, there were fourteen hundred -Yeomanry and Mounted Infantry under General -Brabazon, and Brabant's Colonial Brigade, -about two thousand five hundred strong.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It is scarcely necessary to follow all the -movements in exact detail. Rundle formed -a column at Edenburg, and, marching to -Reddersburg, joined his force to part of -Chermside's Division from Bethany, thus -having under his immediate command eight -battalions, four batteries, and Brabazon's -Mounted Brigade. Another brigade was -collecting at Edenburg under Campbell. -Hart was moved north-east towards -Rouxville, where was also Brabant with a -thousand horse. The rest of Brabant's force, -some fifteen hundred strong, were blockaded -in Wepener by the enemy. Such was the -situation when I left Bloemfontein on the -morning of the 17th.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I travelled prosperously; came by rail to -Edenburg, trekked from there in drenching -rains, most unusual for this time of year, -and greatly increasing the difficulties of -supply; and, resting for the night at -Reddersburg, caught up the marching column in its -camp, about eleven miles from Dewetsdorp, -on the night of the 19th.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The position of the various troops was -then as follows: Rundle, with eight -battalions, four batteries, and fifteen hundred -horse at Oorlogs Poorte, about twelve miles -from Dewetsdorp; Campbell, with two -battalions and a battery near Rosendal, -marching to join him; the Grenadier Guards -double marching through Reddersburg to -catch up the main force; Hart, with four -battalions in Rouxville; Brabant, with one -thousand horsemen eight miles north of -Rouxville; Dalgety, with a garrison of -fifteen hundred men, holding Wepener.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 83%" id="figure-120"> -<span id="operations-in-the-orange-free-state-april-1900"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-048.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Operations in the O.F.S. April, 1900.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>So far as could be learned the enemy had -about seven thousand men with twelve guns -south of the Bloemfontein-Thabanchu line -under Commandants Olivier and De Wet, -and with this force, which made up in -enterprise and activity what it lacked in numbers -or material, they were attempting to -blockade and attack Wepener, to bar the road of -Rundle's column to Dewetsdorp, and to -check Brabant and Hart at Smithfield. -Besides proposing this ambitious programme, -the Boers sent their patrols riding about the -country commandeering all pacified farmers -under threats of death.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We had a very pleasant ride from -Reddersburg, and it was evening when we -rounded the shoulder of a grassy hill and -saw the camp of the main British column -before us. It lay about the foot of a -prominent knoll rising from a broad plain, which -was in striking contrast to the mountains of -Natal, and seemed to promise ample -opportunity to the regular soldier. 'Camp' is, -perhaps, an inaccurate description, for there -were scarcely any tents to be seen, and the -rolling ground was littered with swarms of -grazing horses and oxen, and overspread -with an immense canopy of white smoke -from the hundreds of gleaming grass fires -lighted to cook the soldiers' suppers. I -presented myself to Sir Leslie Rundle, who -received me courteously, and briefly -explained the outlines of the situation. We -had arrived in the nick of time. The whole -force would march at dawn. The scouts -had exchanged shots during the day. The -Kaffir spies reported that the enemy would -fight on the morrow. What could be better? -So with much satisfaction we went to bed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a biting chill in the air when -the first light of dawn began to grow in the -sky, nor was I the only one who searched a -modest kit for some of those warm clothes -which our friends at home have thoughtfully -been sending out. The South African -winter was drawing near. But the sun soon -rose, and we shivered no longer. The -Cavalry were early astir. Indeed their mounted -squadrons in silhouette against the -morning sky was my first waking impression, and -by half-past five all were in motion. I -started a little later, but it was not long -before I overtook them. Though the -command was not a large one it presented -several interesting features.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For the first time I saw the Imperial -Yeomanry in the field. Trotting across the -beautiful green pasture land in a most -extended formation, to which they seemed -readily to adapt themselves, were seven -hundred Yeomen, all good men and true, -who had volunteered to fight because they -understood the main causes of the quarrel, -and from personal conviction earnestly -desired to be of some assistance to the State, -and who were, moreover, excellently -mounted on smart, short-docked cobs, which they -sat and rode like the sportsmen they mostly were.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We were moving along in a wide formation, -which secured us against all possibilities -of surprise, when suddenly I noticed that the -scouts far in front were halted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Tit-tat, tit-tat': two shots from a high -plateau to the right. Shots fired towards -you, I must explain, make a double, and -those fired away from you a single, report.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We had flushed one of the enemy's -outposts. Riding nearer, I could see their -figures--seven in all--exposed on the -skyline. This showed they were only an -outpost, and wished to make us believe they -were more. When the Boer is in force he -is usually invisible. Still, the position was a -strong one, and it is always a possibility -worth considering with the Boer that he -may foresee your line of thought, and just -go one step further, out of contrariness. -General Brabazon therefore halted his centre -squadrons and detached a turning force of -three companies of Yeomanry to the right.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We waited, watching the scouts exchange -shots with the Boer picket, and watching--for -it was a very pretty sight--the Yeomanry -spread out and gallop away to the flank like -a pack of hounds in full cry, each -independent, yet the whole simultaneous. In a -quarter of an hour they were scrambling -up the steep sides of the plateau almost -in rear of the obstructive picket, which -hurriedly departed while time remained. Then -the centre swung forward, and the whole -Cavalry force advanced again, the greater -part of it moving on to the plateau, where a -running fight with the Dutch outposts now -commenced at long range.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Several times we thought that we had -unmasked their main position, and that the -Cavalry work for the day was over; but each -time Brabazon's turning movement on the -right, the execution of which was entrusted -to Colonel Sitwell, a very dashing officer of -Egyptian note, compelled them to fall back. -After an hour of this sort of thing we were -in possession of practically the whole of the -plateau, which turned out to be of large -extent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Beyond it, commanding it, essential to it, -yet not of it, was a steep rocky kopje. The -swift advance and the necessity of pressing -the enemy had left the Infantry a long way -behind. The General felt, however, that this -point must be secured. McNeill made a -dash for it with the scouts. The Yeomanry -galloped off to the right again, as if about -to surround it, and the Boers allowed -themselves to be bounced out of this strong and -important position, and scampered away to -a smooth green hill a mile in rear. -Brabazon made haste to occupy the captured -kopje in force, and did so just in time, -for as soon as the turning force--two -companies (I am going to call them squadrons in -future) of yeomanry and a company of -Mounted Infantry--approached the green -hill, the musketry suddenly grew from an -occasional drip into a regular patter, and -there was the loud boom of a field gun. -We had found the main Boer position, -and the Cavalry came to a standstill. The -enemy now directed a very sharp fire on -the captured kopje, which, it seems, they -originally intended to hold had they not been -hustled out of it as has been described. -They also shelled the Yeomanry--who -were continuing the flank movement--rather -heavily as they retired, inflicting some loss.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We had now to wait for the Infantry, and -they lagged on the road. The Boer fire -began to take effect. Several soldiers were -carried wounded off the top of the -hill--one poor fellow shot through both -cheekbones. Others had to lie where they were -struck because it was not possible to move -them while the fire was so accurate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the reverse slope, however, there was -good cover for man and horse. Some of the -men were engaged for the first time, and -though their behaviour was excellent, the -General thought it necessary to walk along -the firing line and speak a few words here -and there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Infantry still lagged on the road, but -at about two o'clock Sir Leslie Rundle -himself arrived. The firing about the kopje -had been loud, and a rumour--who starts -these tales?--ran back along the marching -columns that the Cavalry were hard pressed, -were running short of ammunition, and that -the Boers were turning both flanks. At any -rate, I found anxious faces in the divisional -staff.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Rundle considered that the retention of -the kopje was of first importance, and Sir -Herbert Chermside, his second in command, -fully agreed with him. But the Infantry of -the advanced guard were alone near enough. -It was decided to push them on. At this -moment a reassuring message arrived from -Brabazon engaging that he could hold his -own, and hoping the Infantry would not be -hurried so as to lose their breath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Everyone was very cheerful after this, -and when at last the leading battalion--the -Worcester Regiment--marched to the kopje -all were able to admire the fine cool way in -which they crossed the dangerous ground -behind it; and I myself saw three pom-pom -shells strike all around a young officer, who -waved his rifle thereat in high delight, and -shouted out loudly, 'By the left!' an order -the purport of which I am as uncertain as -the reader, but which, doubtless, was -encouraging in spirit. When the Infantry had -relieved the mounted men the latter -withdrew to safer positions, and as the evening -was drawing on the action came to an end--by -mutual consent and by the effective -intervention of the British Artillery.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The events of the next day, though -according to the scale of the war unimportant, -were nevertheless instructive from the -military point of view, and, so far as they -concerned me, sufficiently exciting to require, if -not to deserve, a letter to themselves.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="two-days-with-brabazon-continued"><span class="large">CHAPTER V</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">TWO DAYS WITH BRABAZON (</span><em class="italics medium">continued</em><span class="medium">)</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Camp before Dewetsdorp: April 22.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Whether I am to see the white cliffs of -Dover again I know not, nor will I attempt -to predict. But it seems that my fortunes -in this land are to be a succession of -adventures and escapes, any one of which would -suffice for a personal experience of the -campaign. I acquit myself of all desire to seek -for these. Indeed, I have zealously tried to -avoid all danger except what must attend a -War Correspondent's precarious existence. -This I recognise as a necessary evil, for the -lot of the writer in the field is a hard and -heavy one. 'All the danger of war and -one-half per cent. the glory': such is our -motto, and that is the reason why we expect -large salaries. But these hazards swoop on -me out of a cloudless sky, and that I have -hitherto come unscathed through them, -while it fills my heart with thankfulness to -God for His mercies, makes me wonder why -I must be so often thrust to the brink and -then withdrawn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>However, I will tell the tale of the doings -of the Army, and what happened to me -shall fill its proper place, so that the reader -may himself be the judge of the matter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The night of the 20th passed quietly, but -the Boers were awake with the sunrise and -saluted us with discharges of the 'pom-pom,' -which, as far as I could see, did no harm to -anyone. We could not press the attack on -the previous day because the Infantry were -tired out and the enemy's position of -sufficient natural strength to make an assault a -serious business. In the night the -Dutchmen had been busy, and the black lines of -entrenchments marked the hill-sides. When -I inquired whether there would be a battle -or not that day, staff officers pointed over -the veldt to a column of dust which was -coming slowly nearer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>General Campbell, with three battalions -(including two of her Majesty's Guards) -and a battery, was marching to join the main -column. It was necessary, in view of the -entrenchments and the approaching -reinforcements, to wait until the force was -complete. The event would be decided on the -morrow, and meanwhile Brabazon and the -mounted troops--Cavalry, I shall call -them--were to make a reconnaissance of the Boer -left.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The brigade, which included the Mounted -Infantry, and was about a thousand strong, -moved southward behind the outpost line -and, making a rapid and wide circuit, soon -came on the enemy's left flank. Here we -waited while patrols were pushed out and -while Brabazon was clearing his own right -by a still wider turning movement. The -patrols soon drew the fire of the Boer -pickets, and the rifle shots began to ring out -in the clear cool air of the morning. -Presently a party of a dozen Boers appeared in -the distance, galloping down towards a farm -whence they might fire on the gradually -advancing Cavalry. The General asked the -subaltern in charge of our two guns whether -they were within range. The young officer -was anxious to try. We watched the -experiment with attention.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The practice was extremely good. The -first shell burst in the middle of the Boer -horsemen, who at once spread into a looser -formation. The next exploded in front of -them, and all the seven shells that were -fired fell within measurable distance of someone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For the first time in this war I saw the -Boers show what I consider cowardice; for -without anyone being killed or wounded the -whole party turned back and, abandoning -their intention or duty, scurried away to -cover behind the long swell of ground over -which they had come. The Boer Army in -Natal was not thus easily dissuaded from its -objects.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile the flanking movement was in -progress, and as the ground to our right was -gradually made good and secured by Colonel -Sitwell, Brabazon pushed his centre forward -until McNeill's scouts were cantering all -over the slopes where the Boers had just -been shelled, and hunting such of the enemy -as tarried to safer and more remote -positions. At last we arrived at the edge of the -swell of ground. It fell steeply towards a -flat basin, from the middle of which rose a -most prominent and peculiar kopje. Invisible -behind this was Dewetsdorp. Round it -stood Boers, some mounted, some on foot, -to the number of about two hundred.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Our rapid advance, almost into the heart -of their position, had disturbed and alarmed -them. They were doubtful whether this was -reconnaissance or actual attack. They -determined to make certain by making an -attempt to outflank the outflanking cavalry; -and no sooner had our long-range rifle fire -compelled them to take cover behind the hill -than a new force, as it seemed, of two -hundred rode into the open and passing across -our front at a distance of, perhaps, 2,000 -yards, made for a white stone kopje on our right.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angus McNeill ran up to the General. -'Sir, may we cut them off? I think we can -just do it.' The scouts pricked up their ears. -The General reflected. 'All right,' he said, -'you may try.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Mount, mount, mount, the scouts!' cried -their impetuous officer, scrambling into his -saddle. Then, to me, 'Come with us, we'll -give you a show now--first-class.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A few days before, in an unguarded -moment, I had promised to follow the fortunes -of the scouts for a day. I looked at the -Boers, they were nearer to the white stone -kopje than we, but, on the other hand, they -had the hill to climb, and were probably -worse mounted. It might be done, and if it -were done--I thought of the affair of Acton -Homes--how dearly they would have to pay -in that open plain. So, in the interests of -the 'Morning Post,' I got on my horse and -we all started--forty or fifty scouts, McNeill -and I, as fast as we could, by hard spurring, -make the horses go.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was from the very beginning a race, and -recognised as such by both sides. As we -converged I saw the five leading Boers, -better mounted than their comrades, outpacing -the others in a desperate resolve to secure -the coign of vantage. I said, 'We cannot -do it'; but no one would admit defeat or -leave the matter undecided. The rest is -exceedingly simple.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We arrived at a wire fence 100 yards--to -be accurate 120 yards--from the crest of the -kopje, dismounted, and, cutting the wire, -were about to seize the precious rocks -when--as I had seen them in the railway cutting -at Frere, grim, hairy and terrible--the heads -and shoulders of a dozen Boers appeared; -and how many more must be close behind them?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a queer, almost inexplicable, -pause, or perhaps there was no pause at all; -but I seem to remember much happening. -First the Boers--one fellow with a long, -drooping, black beard, and a chocolate-coloured -coat, another with a red scarf round -his neck. Two scouts cutting the wire fence -stupidly. One man taking aim across his -horse, and McNeill's voice, quite steady: -'Too late; back to the other kopje. Gallop!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the musketry crashed out, and the -'swish' and 'whirr' of the bullets filled the -air. I put my foot in the stirrup. The horse, -terrified at the firing, plunged wildly. I tried -to spring into the saddle; it turned under -the animal's belly. He broke away, and -galloped madly off. Most of the scouts -were already 200 yards off. I was alone, -dismounted, within the closest range, and a -mile at least from cover of any kind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One consolation I had--my pistol. I -could not be hunted down unarmed in the -open as I had been before. But a disabling -wound was the brightest prospect. I turned, -and, for the second time in this war, ran for -my life on foot from the Boer marksmen, -and I thought to myself, 'Here at last I -take it.' Suddenly, as I ran, I saw a scout. -He came from the left, across my front; a -tall man, with skull and crossbones badge, -and on a pale horse. Death in Revelation, -but life to me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I shouted to him as he passed: 'Give me -a stirrup.' To my surprise he stopped at -once. 'Yes,' he said, shortly. I ran up to -him, did not bungle in the business of -mounting, and in a moment found myself behind -him on the saddle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then we rode. I put my arms around -him to catch a grip of the mane. My hand -became soaked with blood. The horse was -hard hit; but, gallant beast, he extended -himself nobly. The pursuing bullets piped -and whistled--for the range was growing -longer--overhead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Don't be frightened,' said my rescuer; -'they won't hit you.' Then, as I did not -reply, 'My poor horse, oh, my poor ---- -horse; shot with an explosive bullet. The -devils! But their hour will come. Oh, my -poor horse!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I said, 'Never mind, you've saved my -life.' 'Ah,' he rejoined, 'but it's the horse -I'm thinking about.' That was the whole of -our conversation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Judging from the number of bullets I -heard I did not expect to be hit after the first -500 yards were covered, for a galloping horse -is a difficult target, and the Boers were -breathless and excited. But it was with a -feeling of relief that I turned the corner of -the further kopje and found I had thrown -double sixes again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The result of the race had been watched -with strained attention by the rest of the -troops, and from their position they knew -that we were beaten before we ever reached -the wire fence. They had heard the sudden -fierce crackle of musketry and had seen what -had passed. All the officers were agreed -that the man who pulled up in such a -situation to help another was worthy of some -honourable distinction. Indeed, I have -heard that Trooper Roberts--note the name, -which seems familiar in this connection--is -to have his claims considered for the -Victoria Cross. As to this I will not pronounce, -for I feel some diffidence in writing -impartially of a man who certainly saved me from -a great danger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Well satisfied with my brief experience -with the scouts, I returned to General -Brabazon. While we had been advancing -deeply into the Boer flank, they had not been -idle, and now suddenly, from the side of the -solitary kopje behind which they had -collected, three guns came into action against us. -For ten minutes the shell fire was really -hot. As these guns were firing with black -powder, the smoke springing out in a thick -white cloud from the muzzle warned us -whenever a projectile was on its way, and, I -think, added to the strain on the nerves. -You could watch the distant artillery. -There was the gun again; four or five -seconds to wonder whether the shell would -hit you in the face; the approaching hiss -rushing into a rending shriek; safe over; -bang! right among the horses a hundred -yards behind. Here comes the next--two -guns fired together this time. Altogether, -the Boers fired nearly thirty shells--several -of which were shrapnel--on this small space -of ground. But fate was in a merciful -mood that day, for we had but one man -killed and five or six--including the -General's orderly--wounded by them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was, however, evident that this could -not endure. Brabazon had not cared to -bring his own two guns into such an advanced -position, because they were not horse -guns, and might not be able to get away -safely if the Boers should make a strong -counter attack. Indeed, so long as the loss -of guns is considered a national disaster -instead of only an ordinary incident of war, -Cavalry officers will regard them rather as -sources of anxiety than as powerful weapons.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without guns it was useless to stay, and -as, moreover, Sir Leslie Rundle's orders -were that the Cavalry were not to be severely -engaged, Brabazon decided to withdraw the -reconnaissance, and did so most successfully, -after an instructive little rearguard action. -He had penetrated far into the enemy's -position; had compelled him to move his -guns and disturb his frontal dispositions; had -reconnoitred the ground, located the laagers, -and come safely away with the loss of little -more than a dozen men. Had there been -on this day an Infantry support behind the -Cavalry we should have hustled the enemy -out of his whole position and slept -triumphantly in Dewetsdorp.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Leslie Rundle was much impressed -by the vigour and success of the Cavalry, -whose fortunes were watched from the -plateau, and as evening came the report spread -through the camp that a general engagement -would be fought on the next day. He also -decided to entrust the direction of the actual -turning attack to General Brabazon, who, -besides his Cavalry force, was to have twelve -guns and an Infantry brigade under his -command.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With every feeling of confidence in the -issue the Army went to bed, impatient for -the dawn. But in the dead of night a -telegram arrived from Lord Roberts, instructing -Rundle not to press his attack until he was -in touch with Pole-Carew and other reinforcements; -and it thus became evident that the -operations had grown to an altogether larger -scale.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-dewetsdorp-episode"><span class="large">CHAPTER VI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE DEWETSDORP EPISODE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Bloemfontein: May 1</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Sometimes it happens that these letters -are devoted to describing small incidents, -and often personal experiences in a degree of -detail which, if the rest of the campaign -were equally narrated, would expand the -account to limits far beyond the industry of -the writer or the patience of the reader. At -others many important events must be -crowded into a few pages. But though the -proportions of the tale may vary, I shall not -deserve criticism so long as the original -object of conveying a lively impression of the -war is strictly pursued; nor should the -reader complain if, for his instruction or -amusement, he is made one day to sit with -the map of the Orange Free State spread -before him, and move little flags to show the -course of the operations, and on another day -is invited to share the perils of a scout's -patrol or try the chances of a cavalry -skirmish. To-day there is much to tell, and we -must remain almost beyond the sound of the -cannon watching a distant panorama.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The object of the operations was in any -case to relieve Wepener, and to clear the -right hand bottom corner of the Orange Free -State of the Boers, and, if the enterprise -prospered and the fates were kind, to cut off -and capture some part of their forces. In all -five columns were in motion. There were to -be demonstrations along the east of the -railway line, increasing in earnestness according -as they were nearer the south, and the -lowest columns were to actually push the matter -through. Ian Hamilton, with 2,000 Mounted -Infantry, was ordered to demonstrate -against the waterworks position. French, -supported by Pole-Carew, was instructed to -move on Leeukop. Rundle, in conjunction -with Hart and Brabant from the southward, -was to force his way to Dewetsdorp and to -relieve Wepener. What befell his column -on April 20 and 21 has already been -described. The attack on the Boer position -in front of Dewetsdorp had not been made -on the 20th because Sir Herbert Chermside -pointed out that the Infantry were fatigued -with marching. The next morning the -smooth hills were crowned with entrenchments, -and it was thought better to wait for -Campbell's Brigade, which would arrive at -sundown.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The 22nd was to be the day of battle. -Meanwhile Sir Leslie Rundle had -telegraphed to Lord Roberts describing the -horseshoe position of the enemy, and its -strength, explaining that with the small -mounted force at his disposal any attack -which he might make would develop into -something very like a frontal attack, and -would be costly. A strong memorandum had -previously been circulated among divisional -and brigade commanders condemning, -almost prohibiting, frontal attacks, and the -General, not unnaturally, wished to assure -himself that the price of victory would not -be grudged. When this telegram reached -Bloemfontein it was apparently misunderstood. -'Rundle is hung up,' they said. 'He -can't get on'; and hence the reply which -arrived in the dead of night, and prevented -the attack of the 22nd. 'Wait till you get -into touch with Pole-Carew,' or words to that -effect. So the powerful force--almost equal -in strength to that with which Sir George -White had resisted the first fury of the -Boers when, with 25,000 men under the -Commandant-General himself, they burst -into Natal--was relegated to some days of -pusillanimous waiting in front of a position -held by scarcely 2,500 men.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After breakfast on the morning of the -unfought battle I climbed to the top of the -hill the cavalry had seized two days -before, and which the soldiers had christened -"Brab's kopje.' A fifteen hundred yards -musketry duel was proceeding, and it was -dangerous to put one's head over the stone -shelters even for a minute to look at the -Boer entrenchments on the green slope -opposite. But such was not my purpose. I -scanned the northern horizon. Far away -on a peak of the misty blue hills there -flashed a diamond. It was Pole-Carew. -Half an hour later another star began to -twinkle further to the eastward. French -and his cavalry were riding steadily -forward, 'fighting, too,' said the heliograph, -'but pushing them back.' The scale of the -operations had grown indeed. No less -than five infantry and three cavalry brigades, -with more than seventy guns, were involved -in the business of dislodging 2,500 Boers -from their position in front of Dewetsdorp.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The 23rd passed quietly, except for an -intermittent bombardment of our camp by -the Dutch guns and a Vickers-Maxim and -the usual patter of musketry along the -outposts. The diamond points on the distant -hills seemed nearer and more to the east -than before, and in the afternoon Brabazon -was sent to reconnoitre towards them. As -the Yeomanry emerged from the shelter of -the plateau the Boer Creusot gun espied -them. Brabazon, with half a dozen officers -or orderlies, was riding fifty yards in front -of his brigade.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'See there,' said the Dutch gunners, -'there is the Hoofd Commandant himself; -take good aim.' So they did, and from a -range of 5,000 yards burst their shell within -two yards of the General's horse. 'Wonderful,' -said Brabazon; 'why can't our forsaken -artillery shoot like that?' and he ordered -the brigade to canter by troops across the -dangerous ground. I watched the scene -that followed from comparative safety, 600 -yards nearer the Boer gun. Troop by troop -the Yeomanry emerged from shelter. As -each did so the men opened out to dispersed -order and began to gallop; and for every -troop there was one shell. From where I -stood the spectacle was most interesting. -Between the shrieking of the shell -overhead and its explosion among the galloping -horsemen there was an appreciable interval, -in which one might easily have wagered -whether it would hit or miss.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Yeomanry were very steady, and for -the most part ran the gauntlet at a nice, -dignified canter, pulling into a walk as soon -as the dangerous space was crossed. After -all no one was hurt, except three men who -broke their crowns through their horses -falling on the rocky ground. Indeed, I think, -speaking from some experience, that we can -always treat these Creusot 9-pounders with -contempt. They fling a small shell an -immense distance with surprising accuracy, but -unless they actually hit someone they hardly -ever do any harm. An ordinary bullet is -just as dangerous, though it does not make -so much noise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At Vaal Krantz, in Natal, Dundonald's -Brigade and other troops lived quite -comfortably for three days under the fire of a -98-pounder gun, which in all that time only -killed one soldier of the Dublin Fusiliers, -two natives, and a few beasts. The wholesale -aspect of artillery fire is not obtained -unless at least a dozen guns are firing -percussion shell or unless shrapnel can be used. -At present the Boers often cause us a great -deal of trouble with single guns, which, -though they do scarcely any material harm, -disturb every one, so that camps are shifted -and marching columns ordered to make -long </span><em class="italics">détours</em><span>; whereas we ought to shrug -our shoulders, as Ladysmith did, pay the -small necessary toll, and go our ways -uninterruptedly. But I am being drawn into -detail and discussion, which, if I am ever to -catch up the swift march of events, must be -rigorously excluded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The 23rd passed quietly for times of war, -and the Boer riflemen and artillerists fired -busily till dusk without doing much harm. -We wondered how much they knew of the -'increased scale' of the operations. Did -they realise the enormous strength of the -forces closing round them? Were they -going to be caught as Cronje was caught? It -was hardly likely. Yet they were certainly -holding all their positions in force at -nightfall, and meanwhile the spring of the trap -was compressed and the moment for releasing -it arrived.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The morning of the 24th was unbroken by -a single shot. Rundle, now in touch with -Pole-Carew, swung his division to the left, -pivoting on Chermside, to whom he entrusted -the defence of the plateau. Brabazon with -his Mounted Brigade formed the extreme -outer flank of this sweeping movement. His -orders were to join French, who drove inward -from the north, somewhere behind Dewetsdorp -on the Modder River. So we started, -and, with much caution and the pomp of -war, turned the enemy's left, and in solemn -silence bore down on the flank and rear of -his position.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile, Chermside on the plateau was -struck by the entire cessation of fire from the -Boer lines opposite to him. He sent scouts -to reconnoitre. Single men crept up the hill, -looked into the trenches, and found--nothing. -The Boers had retreated swiftly in the night. -They enjoyed good information of all our -movements and designs, had foreseen the -impossibility of withstanding the great forces -operating against them. They delayed us -with the appearance of strength until the last -minute. On the night of the 22nd they sent -off their waggons towards Thabanchu. On -the 23rd they made their effort against -Wepener, and attacked the garrison heavily, -and on the night of the 24th, having failed -at Wepener, they performed a masterly -retreat, the assailants of Wepener marching -northwards </span><em class="italics">via</em><span> Ladybrand, the covering -force at Dewetsdorp moving on Thabanchu.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And so it was that when, as directed, -Brabazon circled round the enemy's left flank -and struck the Modder River--here only a -rocky ditch with occasional pools of -mud--and when French, moving from Leeukop -round and behind their right flank, met him, -they found the Dutch already departed, and -Dewetsdorp again under the Union Jack. -The strong jaws of the rat-trap shut together -with a snap. I saw them--black across the -open plain--two great horns of cavalry and -guns; but the rat had walked comfortably -away some hours before. Chermside moving -over the empty trenches occupied the town. -Rundle, reaching it an hour later, owing to -his turning movement, hurried on through it -to the Modder, and laid Brabazon's dusty -squadrons on the retreating enemy. Indeed, -the latter officer was already at the trot -towards Thabanchu when French himself -arrived--a large and magnificent staff, -'pom-poms,' horse artillery, and two -cavalry brigades--and assumed supreme command.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He immediately stopped the pursuit, sent -Brabazon back to relieve Wepener--which -place had by its plucky defence, like -Jellalabad, relieved itself--and entered -Dewetsdorp, where he remained until the next -day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Such is the story of Dewetsdorp, which -cannot be contemplated with feelings of wild -enthusiasm. The Wepener situation was -cleared up, and the Boers were persuaded -to retire from the right hand bottom corner -of the Free State towards Ladybrand and -Thabanchu at an exceedingly small price -in blood. On the other hand, the enemy -might boast that 2,500 Burghers with six -guns had contained 13,000 troops with -thirty guns for a week, while their -brethren worked their wicked will on Wepener, -and had only been dislodged by the setting -in motion of more than 25,000 men and -seventy guns.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The movements which followed the -occupation of Dewetsdorp need not take long -in the telling. French's occupation of the -town instead of pursuing the enemy was not -in accordance with the Commander-in-Chief's -ideas, and the cavalry leader was forthwith -ordered to follow the Boers at his best pace -to Thabanchu. He started accordingly at -daylight on the 25th, and Rundle with the -Eighth Division followed at noon. Chermside -remained at Dewetsdorp with part of -the Third Division, and was entrusted with -the re-establishment of order through the -disturbed districts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Brabazon marched on Wepener and -collected the garrison. Their defence of -seventeen days, under continual rifle and -shell fire, in hastily dug trenches, which -they were unable to leave even at night; -exposed to several fierce attacks; in spite -of heavy losses and with uncertain -prospects of relief, will deserve careful -attention when full accounts are published, -and is a very honourable episode in the -history of Brabant's Colonial Brigade, and -particularly in the records of the Cape -Mounted Rifles, who lost nearly a quarter -of their strength.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bringing the defenders with him, and -having communicated with Hart and Brabant, -Brabazon returned to Dewetsdorp, and was -ordered to move thence to Thabanchu, which -he did in an exceedingly convenient hour, -as it turned out, for a certain convoy with -an escort of Scots Guards and Yeomanry. -Pole-Carew and the Eleventh Division -returned to Bloemfontein to take part in the -main advance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Boers made good their retreat. They -took with them twenty-five prisoners of the -Worcester Regiment, who had blundered -into their camp before Dewetsdorp, armed -only with cooking pots, which they meant to -carry to their regiment on 'Brab's kopje,' -and great quantities of sheep and oxen. -They halted in Ladybrand, and to the north -and east of Thabanchu in a most pugnacious -mood. Indeed, they had no reason to be -discontented with the result of their southern -incursion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They had captured seven guns and nearly -1,000 prisoners. They had arrested and -carried off a good many farmers who had laid -down their arms and made their peace with -the British Government. They had -harried all who received the troops kindly, -had collected large quantities of supplies -which they had sent north, and, lastly, had -delayed the main advance by more than -five weeks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Owing to the great disproportion of the -forces the fighting had not been of a severe -nature, and the losses were small. In the -skirmishes before Dewetsdorp about forty -men were killed and wounded, mostly in -Brabazon's Brigade. In the action at -Leeukop and the subsequent fighting which -attended French's march several officers and -fifty men were stricken, and a squadron of -the 9th Lancers, which was required to -attack a kopje, suffered severely, having nearly -twenty casualties, including Captain Stanley, -a very brave officer, who died of his wounds, -and Victor Brooke (of whom more will be -heard in the future) who had his left hand -smashed. Captain Brasier-Creagh, 9th -Bengal Lancers, commanding Roberts's Horse, -was killed at Leeukop, and his many friends -along the Indian frontier will not need to be -told that by his death Lord Roberts's Army -suffered a loss appreciable even among the -great forces now in the field.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="id1"><span class="large">CHAPTER VII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">IAN HAMILTON'S MARCH</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Winburg: May 8.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The unsatisfactory course of the operations -in the south-eastern corner of the Free -State, and the indecisive results to which -they led, were soon to be arrested and -reversed by a series of movements of surprising -vigour and remarkable success. Of all -the demonstrations which had been intended -against the enemy to the east of the railway, -Hamilton's advance towards the waterworks -position, being the most northerly, was to -have been the least earnestly pressed. The -orders were: 'If you find the waterworks -weakly held, which is not likely, you may -try to occupy them, and, in the event of -success, may call up Smith-Dorrien's Brigade to -strengthen you.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On this General Ian Hamilton, who now -commanded the imposing, but somewhat -scattered, Mounted Infantry Division, started -from Bloemfontein on the 22nd of April with -about 2,000 Light Horse, Australians, and -Mounted Infantry, and one battery of Horse -Artillery. On the 23rd he arrived before the -waterworks, reconnoitred them, found them -weakly held, or, at any rate, thought he could -take them, attacked, and before dark made -himself master of the waterworks themselves, -and of the drift over the river which led to -the hills beyond, into which the enemy had -retired. Smith-Dorrien's Brigade was called -up at once, arrived after dark, and the next -morning the force crossed at the drift, and -the whole position was occupied. The -enemy offered a slight resistance, which was -attributed by some to a deep design on their -part to lure the column into a trap further to -the east, and by others to the manner in -which the attack was delivered. The news -o the capture of this strong and important -place, which secures the Bloemfontein water -supply, was received with great satisfaction -at headquarters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile the operations round Dewetsdorp -came to their abortive conclusion, and -it became evident that the Boers had evaded -the intercepting columns and were making -their way northwards by Thabanchu. What -was to be done? Had the officer -commanding at the waterworks any suggestion -to make? Most certainly, and the suggestion -was that he should be permitted to advance -himself and occupy Thabanchu. This was -the answer that was expected and desired. -Permission, and with it a field battery, was -accordingly given, and, on the 25th of April, -the column moved out of the waterworks -position towards Thabanchu. It consisted -of Ridley's Brigade of Mounted Infantry, -which included a large proportion of -colonials--Australians and New -Zealanders--Smith-Dorrien's Infantry Brigade (Gordons, -Canadians, Shropshires, and Cornwalls), with -twelve guns.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The country to the east of Bloemfontein -is at first smooth and open. Great plains of -brownish grass stretch almost to the horizon, -broken to the eye only by occasional -scrub-covered hills. To any one unaccustomed to -the South African veldt they appear to offer -no obstacle to the free movement of cavalry -or artillery; nor is it until one tries to ride in -a straight line across them that the treacherous -and unimagined donga and the awkward -wire fence interpose themselves. But -beyond the Modder River, on which the -waterworks are situated, the surface of the ground -becomes rocky and hilly, and the features -increase in prominence until Thabanchu -Mountain is reached, and thereafter the -country uprears itself in a succession of -ridges to the rugged and lofty peaks of -Basutoland.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thabanchu, a small village, as we should -regard it in England, a town of comparative -commercial importance in the Orange Free -State, and of undoubted strategic value -during this phase of the operations, stands at -the foot of the precipitous feature that bears -its name. It is approached from the -direction of Bloemfontein by a long, broad, -flat-bottomed valley, whose walls on either side -rise higher and higher by degrees as the road -runs eastward. The eastern end of this wide -passage is closed by a chain of rocky kopjes, -whose situation is so curious and striking that -they seem to be devised by nature to resist -the advance of an invader. The kopjes, -rising abruptly from the flat glacis-like ground, -are a strong rampart, and the whole -position, resting on apparently secure flanks, -creates a most formidable barrier, which is -called locally Israel's Poorte.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Along the valley, on the 25th of April, -Hamilton proceeded to march with his entire -force, Ridley and the Mounted Infantry -being a considerable distance in front of the -main body. At ten o'clock a heavy fire of -musketry and artillery was opened at an -extreme range from the hills on the left hand -side of the column. Ignoring this, which -proved afterwards to be only a Boer -demonstration, Ridley continued his march, -and Hamilton followed, until, at a little -after eleven o'clock, both were brought to a -stand-still before the Israel's Poorte position, -which was found to be occupied by the -enemy, estimated at 800 strong, with several -guns.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a personal reconnaissance, and in -spite of a most disquieting report that the -Boers had just been reinforced by 'two -thousand men in four lines,' the General -resolved to attack. His plan was simple -but effective. It resembled very closely Sir -Bindon Blood's forcing of the 'Gate of Swat' -at Landakai in 1897. The front was to be -masked and contained by a sufficient force -of infantry and all the guns. The rest of the -troops were to stretch out to the left and -swing to the right, the infantry along the -left hand wall of the valley, the mounted -men actually the other side of the wall.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Accordingly, the Canadian Regiment and -the Grahamstown Volunteers (Marshall's -Horse) moved forward in extended order--25 -yards interval between men--to within -about 800 yards of the enemy's position, and -here, just out of the range of serious harm, -they lay down and opened a continuous -musketry fire. Both batteries came into -action forthwith and shelled the crest line -with satisfactory energy. Smith-Dorrien, -with the remaining three battalions of his -brigade, moved to the left, and began working -along the ridges. Ridley, breaking out of -the valley into the more open ground beyond, -began to move against the enemy's line of -retreat.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 66%" id="figure-121"> -<span id="diagram-explaining-hamilton-s-action-at-israel-s-poorte-the-25th-of-april"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-091.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">DIAGRAM EXPLAINING HAMILTON'S ACTION AT ISRAEL'S POORTE, THE 25TH OF APRIL.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Four hours passed, during which the -Boers indulged the hope that the frontal -attack would be pushed home, and at the end -of which they found their right flank turned -and their rear threatened. Immediately, -with all the hurry of undisciplined troops who -feel a hand on their communications, they -evacuated the position, and, running to their -horses, galloped away. The Canadians and -Grahamstown Volunteers thereupon arose -and occupied the line of kopjes, and thus the -door was opened and the road to Thabanchu -cleared. Our losses in this smart action -were about twenty killed and wounded, -among whom were no less than five -officers of the Grahamstown Volunteers. The -Dutch left five corpses on the field, and -doubtless carried away a score of wounded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>General Hamilton, pushing on, entered -Thabanchu the same night, and the British -flag was again hoisted over the town. The -Imperialist section of the community, who -had in the interval between the evacuation -and reoccupation of the town been subjected -to much annoyance at the hands of the Boers, -were naturally shy, and afraid to make any -sign of welcome. The southern commandos -from Dewetsdorp and Wepener had by hard -marching already passed behind Thabanchu -with their convoys. On the 26th French -and his Cavalry, covering the march of -Rundle's (Eighth) Division, arrived, and, -since he was a lieutenant-general, took the -command out of Hamilton's hands for a time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had come northwards from Dewetsdorp -with the Cavalry Brigades, and was an -eyewitness of the operations round Thabanchu -which occupied the 26th and 27th. Thabanchu -Mountain is a lofty and precipitous -feature of considerable extent, and, towards -the south, of indefinite shape. To the north, -however, it presents a wide bay, on whose -grassy shores rising from the more arid plain -the Boer laagers were reported to stand. -The enemy held the crest of the crescent-shaped -mountain with guns and riflemen, and -in order that no one should pry behind it -they extended on their right a few -hundred trustworthy fellows, who, working in -the most scattered formation, gave to their -position an enormous front of doubtful -strength.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the afternoon of the 26th, with a view -to further operations on the following day, a -force of Mounted Infantry, supported by -galloping Maxims and a Horse Battery, was -sent to reconnoitre, and if possible to hold the -hill, henceforward called 'Kitchener's Horse -Hill.' The troops gained possession of the -feature without fighting, though a few Boers -were seen galloping along the ridges to the -right and left, and an intermittent musketry -fire began. A garrison to hold the hill was -detailed, consisting of Kitchener's Horse, a -company of the Lincoln Mounted Infantry, -and two Maxim guns; but just as the sun -sank this plan was changed by the officer -commanding the force, and the whole were -ordered to retire into Thabanchu. On the -Indian frontier it is a cardinal rule to retire -by daylight and sit still when overtaken by -night in the best position at hand. In this -war experience has shown that it is usually -better to remain on the ground, even at a -heavy cost, until it is quite dark, and then to -retreat, if necessary. The reason of the -difference is, that while close contact with an -Afridi armed with a four-foot knife, active as -a cat and fierce as a tiger, is to be avoided -as much as possible, no soldier asks better -than the closest contact with a -Dutchman. But though the teaching of both -wars may seem contradictory on many -points, on one point it is in complete -agreement: twilight is the worst time of all -to retire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The consequences of this ill-timed change -of plan were swift. The Boers saw the -retrograde movement, and pressed boldly -forward, and Kitchener's Horse, finding -themselves closely engaged, were unable to -move. A sharp and savage little fight -followed in the gloom. The Boers crept -quite close to the soldiers, and one fierce -greybeard was shot through the head eight -paces from the British firing line, but not -until after he had killed his man. The -reports which reached the town, that -Kitchener's Horse were 'cut off' on a kopje -four miles from the camp, induced General -French to send the Gordon Highlanders to -their relief. This battalion started at about -ten o'clock, and were put on their road to -the northward. But in the darkness and the -broken ground they lost their way, marched -five miles to the south, occupied another -hill, and did not rejoin the command until -the afternoon of the next day, an absence -which, since no inquiries could discover them, -caused much anxiety. Kitchener's Horse -meanwhile, under Major Fowle, of the 21st -Lancers, made a plucky defence, beat off -the Boers, and managed at about eleven -o'clock to effect their retreat undisturbed. -The losses in the affair were twelve or -fourteen men killed and wounded, including -one officer, who was shot through the head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Very early the next morning the whole -force marched out of the town, and French's -operations were this day designed to compel -the enemy to retreat from his positions -in rear of Thabanchu Mountain, and if -possible to surround some part of his force. -The information at General French's disposal -could not, however, have been very accurate, -for in my telegram of the 26th I wrote that -'more than 2,000 Boers' were collected to -the north of Thabanchu, and the Press -Censor erased this and substituted the words -'small parties.' If this latter view had been -correct it is probable that the operations of -the following day would have been attended -by a greater measure of success.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The plan was clear and vigorous. Gordon's -Cavalry Brigade was to move to the -right, round the east of Thabanchu -Mountain, and force their way into the plains -behind it. It was hoped that the Lancers, -of which this brigade is entirely composed, -would find some opportunity for using their -dreaded weapon. Hamilton was to push back -the weak Boer right, and open the way for -Dickson's Cavalry Brigade to pass through -and join hands with Gordon. Rundle, -whose infantry were tired from their long -march from Dewetsdorp, was to demonstrate -against the Boers' centre and hold the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The action opened with the re-occupation -of Kitchener's Horse Hill by Smith-Dorrien's -Infantry Brigade, who advanced in determined -style, and by a sweeping movement -of Ridley's Mounted Infantry. Both these -undertakings, which were directed by -Hamilton, prospered. The Boer right, which was -very thin, was brushed aside, and the road -for the cavalry was opened. At, and not -until, nine o'clock, French's leading squadrons -began to appear on the plain, and by ten -the whole of Dickson's Brigade had passed -through the gap and were safely extended in -the undulating plains beyond.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 70%" id="figure-122"> -<span id="diagram-explaining-french-s-operations-round-thabanchu-the-25th-and-27th-of-april"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-099.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">DIAGRAM EXPLAINING FRENCH'S OPERATIONS ROUND THABANCHU, THE 26TH AND 27TH APRIL.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Wishing to see, for the first time, Cavalry -and Horse Artillery working in suitable -country, I rode down from my post of observation -on Kitchener's Horse Hill and trotted -and cantered until I caught up the squadrons. -It was evident that the left enveloping arm -was making good progress. Already we -could almost look into the bay behind -Thabanchu Mountain. If Gordon were only -getting on as well we might join hands -with him, and enclasp a goodly catch of -prisoners. So the brigade continued to -advance from ridge to ridge, and presently -Boers began to gallop across the front to -escape, as was thought, from the net we -were drawing round them. At all of these--the -Horse Artillery and the pom-poms--British -pom-poms at last--fired industriously. -But as the enemy kept a respectful distance -and an open formation, only a few were seen -to fall. The others did not fly very far, but -gathered together in what soon became -considerable numbers outside the net, near -a peaked hill, which does not appear in my -sketch, but which the reader may bear in -mind as lying to the left rear of the turning -Cavalry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last Dickson's advance reached a point -between Thabanchu Mountain and the -peaked hill, so that no more Boers could -escape by that road; and we saw the others, -three or four hundred in number, riding -about, up and down, or round and round in -the bay, like newly-caught rats in a cage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this everyone became very excited. -'Gordon must have headed them back,' it -was said. 'Only a few more men and we -might make a bag.' Where could men -be found? Somebody suggested asking -Hamilton. The helio twinkled: 'Come and -help us make a bag,' it said, in somewhat -more formal language. And Hamilton -came forthwith, leaving positions which were -of much value; collecting every man he -could lay his hands on--weary mounted -Infantry, a tired-out battery, and all of -Smith-Dorrien's Brigade that could march fast -at the end of a long day--he hurried to seize -and line the northern spurs of Thabanchu -Mountain, prepared to risk much to strike -a heavy blow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The movement of Infantry and guns to -support him encouraged Dickson to press -still further forward, and the whole brigade -advanced nearly another mile. At length -we overtopped a smooth ridge, and found -ourselves looking right into the bay or -horseshoe of mountains. Now at last we -must see Gordon. 'There he is,' cried -several voices, and looking in the direction -shown I saw a majestic body of horse streaming -out of the centre of the bay towards the -north-west. But was it Gordon? At least -4,000 mounted men were riding across our -front, hardly two miles away. Surely no -brigade was so numerous. Yet such was -the precision of the array that I could not -believe them Boers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Boers their numbers, however, proved -them to be; and not their numbers alone, -for before we had watched this striking -spectacle long, two large puffs of smoke -leapt from the tail of the hostile column, and -two well-aimed shells burst near our Horse -Battery. At the same time patrols from -the left rear hurried in with the news that -the Boers who had already escaped from our -imagined 'trap' were advancing in force, -with two more guns, to cut us from the rest -of the army.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for Gordon, there was no longer any -doubt about his fortunes. Far away to the -eastward the horseshoe wall of mountains -dipped to a pass, and on the sides of this -gateway little puffs of smoke, dirty brown -against the darkening sky, showed that -Gordon was still knocking with his Artillery -at the door, and had never been able to -debouch in the plains behind it. Moreover, -the dangerous hour of twilight was not long -distant. Dickson determined to retreat while -time remained, and did so without any -unnecessary delay. Whereat the Boers came -down on our rear and flank, opening furious -fire at long range, and galloping eagerly -forward, so that the brigade and its guns, so -far from entrapping the enemy, were all -but entrapped themselves; indeed, the -brigadier's mess cart, the regimental water -carts, and several other little things, which, -being able only to trot, could not 'conform -to the general movement,' were snapped up -by the hungry enemy, who now pressed on -exulting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile Hamilton had taken some risks -in order to promote the expected entrapping. -He had now to think of himself. First, the -Boer advance must be stopped, and, secondly, -the force which had, in the hopes of grasping -the Boers, let go its hold on Kitchener's -Horse Hill, must be withdrawn within the -Thabanchu picket line. The General, -however, was equal to both requirements. -Judiciously arranging some force of Infantry and -guns, he peppered the advancing Boers -heavily, so that at 800 yards they wheeled about -and scurried to the shelter of adjacent kopjes. -This advantage restored the situation. -Hamilton remained on the ground till dark, and -then, with the whole of Ridley's and -Smith-Dorrien's commands, returned safely into -Thabanchu.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During the day rifle and artillery fire had -been constant; but as the fighting had been -conducted at extreme ranges, which neither -side showed much anxiety to diminish, the -slaughter was small. Indeed, I do not think -that a dozen men were stricken in either -army. So far as the British were concerned, -the result of the day's operations was a -qualified success.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Boers were evidently prepared to -retreat from Thabanchu, but they proposed to -do so in their own time and at their most -excellent discretion, and it was quite evident -that we had not succeeded in any way in -hindering or preventing them. It was also -clear that, far from being 'in small parties,' -their strength was nearly 6,000, so that on -the whole we might congratulate ourselves -on having moved in ignorance and taken no -great hurt, The only point about the action -difficult to understand was the behaviour of -the Boers who had ridden about like caged -rats. Why should they do so when they -knew that their line of retreat to the -north-east was perfectly secure? I can only -conclude that this particular commando had -arranged to retire northwards towards the -peaked hill, and were annoyed at being -prevented from joining their comrades at the -point where their waggons, and, consequently, -their dinners, were awaiting them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the evening of this instructive, but -unsatisfactory, day, Hamilton received orders -from Lord Roberts to march north on -Winburg in conformity with the general advance -of the army. For this purpose his force was -to be largely increased, and the operations -which followed require the space of another -letter. French remained for some days at -Thabanchu, but attempted no further serious -operations against the enemy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Only one other incident of interest -occurred in the neighbourhood of Thabanchu. -After his relief of Wepener, Brabazon was -ordered thither </span><em class="italics">via</em><span> Dewetsdorp. On the -28th, dusty and tired at the end of a long -march, he arrived with his Yeomanry at the -foot of a pass among the hills. A Kaffir -lounged into the bivouac and asked the -General whether he would like to see some -pretty shelling, for that there was a fine -show at the top of the valley. Brabazon, -much interested, mounted his horse forthwith, -and, guided by the Kaffir through devious -paths, reached a point which afforded an -extensive view.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There, in the twilight, lay a British -convoy, stoutly defended by a company of the -kiddies and a few Yeomanry, and shelled--as -the Kaffir had said--with great precision -by two Boer guns. The General thereupon -gave the Kaffir a 'fiver' to carry a letter -through the Boer lines to the commander of -the convoy, telling that officer to hold out -manfully, and promising that with the dawn -Brabazon and the Imperial Yeomanry would -come to his aid.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Kaffir succeeded in his mission. The -convoy was encouraged, and, good as his -word, with the daylight came the General, at -whose approach the Boers fled incontinently, -so that Brabazon, the Yeomanry, and the -convoy came in safety and triumph into -Thabanchu together.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="ian-hamilton"><span class="large">CHAPTER VIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">IAN HAMILTON</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">London: August 10, 1900.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton was -born at Corfu in 1853. His father, the late -Colonel Christian Monteith Hamilton--then -a captain, but who eventually commanded -the 92nd Highlanders--was the eldest son -of John George Hamilton and of Christina -Cameron Monteith, daughter of Henry -Monteith of Carstairs, sometime Member -of Parliament for Lanarkshire. His mother, -the late Maria Corunia Vereker, was -daughter of John, third Viscount Gort, by Maria -O'Grady, daughter of Viscount Guillamore.[#] -The Hamilton family is one of the elder -branches of the Scottish Hamiltons, and -represents the male line of the Hamiltons -of Westport. One of his ancestors on his -father's side, a Colonel Hamilton, was for -several years an aide-de-camp of the first -Duke of Marlborough, and it was therefore -something in the nature of a coincidence -when Ian Hamilton found the present Duke -of Marlborough serving in a similar capacity -on his staff. It would not be quite correct -to call him a pure Celt, but some notice -should be taken by those interested in these -questions that his blood is mostly Celtic: -both of his grandmothers, Monteith and -O'Grady, being of Celtic stock, Scottish and -Irish respectively.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><span class="small">[#] </span><em class="italics small">Vide</em><span class="small"> Peerage, Gort and Guillamore.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>When Ian Hamilton was born his father -was serving with a detachment of the 92nd -Highlanders at Corfu. His mother died in -1856, and for the next ten years, the father -being constantly on duty with the regiment, -he and his younger brother, Vereker -Hamilton, who was born in 1856, lived with their -grandparents at Hapton, in the Holy Loch -in Argyllshire. Such a childhood on moor -and loch in a fine wild country was likely to -develop and brace nerve and muscle, and -stir the keen blood inherited from many -generations of warlike ancestors. He was -educated first at Cheam, and as he grew -sufficiently old at Wellington College. Here -he was very happy, and although he was not -especially noted for industry, his success in -the examinations at the end of each term -excused any neglect in its course. In 1872 -he passed the tests for the army, and, -according to the system at that time in force, was -offered the choice of going to Sandhurst or -living for a year abroad to learn a foreign -language thoroughly. The cadet chose the -latter, and was sent to Germany. Here he -had the good luck to make the close -friendship of a most distinguished old man. -General Dammers was a Hanoverian who had -fought against the Prussians at Langesalze, -and who, refusing a very high command -under the Prussians, lived at Dresden. -Although he himself remained aide-de-camp -to the ex-King of Hanover, he became -the centre of a group of Hanoverian -officers who had entered the Saxon service. -He was thus in touch with the latest school -of military thought, stimulated to its utmost -activity by the lessons of the great war -which had lately been concluded. From -General Dammers, Ian Hamilton learned -the German language, military surveying, -something of military history, and something -doubtless of strategy and the art of war. -The year thus passed very profitably. On -his return to England, however, the War -Office announced that they had changed -their minds and that for the future -everybody must go through Sandhurst. Such -protests as his father, himself an officer, was -entitled to make were overruled by the -authorities, and Ian Hamilton embarked -upon his military career having lost, through -no fault of his own, one year of seniority--a -year which Fortune had perhaps even then -determined to restore to him manifold.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In 1873 he entered the 12th Foot, and -after some months joined his father's old -regiment, the 92nd. At first with the 92nd, -and after 1881 with the 2nd battalion of the -regiment, the Gordon Highlanders, Ian -Hamilton followed the drum from garrison -to garrison, going through the military -routine, and plodding slowly up the first few -steps of the long ladder of promotion. -From the very first he interested himself in -musketry. He became himself a keen and -good rifle shot, and not with the military -rifle alone. He spent a long leave in -Kashmir on the fringe of the snows, and made a -remarkable bag. Indeed, some of his heads -attained nearly to the record dimensions, -and one big single-horned markhor enjoyed -the actual supremacy for several months.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then came the Afghan war. Ian Hamilton, -although only an infantry soldier, -became aide-de-camp, with Brabazon as -Brigade Major, to the unfortunate commander -of the British Cavalry Brigade. Early in -the campaign he was stricken down with -fever, and so avoided being drawn into the -controversy which raged for several years in -military circles around the actions in the -Chardeh valley. It would indeed have been -unfortunate if at this early stage in his -career he had been led into any antagonism -to the great General with whom his fortunes -were afterwards so closely associated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Boer war of 1881 found Hamilton -still a subaltern. He was ordered to South -Africa with his regiment, and went full of -eager anticipation. The regiment, composed -almost entirely of soldiers inured to the -hardships and disdainful of the dangers of -war, was in the most perfect condition to -encounter the enemy, and, as is usual in -British expeditions on the outward voyage, -they despised him most thoroughly. It was -not to be dreamed of that a parcel of ragged -Boers should stand against the famous -soldiers of Kabul and Kandahar. They -discussed beforehand the clasps which would -be given upon the medal for the campaign. -They were to be Laing's Nek, Relief of -Potchefstroom, and Pretoria 1881. No one -had then ever heard the name of Majuba -Mountain. Yet there was to be the first -encounter between Highlanders and Dutchmen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The dismal story of Majuba is better -known than its importance deserves. Had -that action been fought in this war it would -perhaps have gone down to history as the -affair of the 27th of February. Instead, it -was accepted as a stricken field, and might, -such was the significance that was attached -to it, have changed the history of nations. -It needs no repetition here save in so far as -it is concerned with Ian Hamilton. Majuba -Mountain may in general terms be described -as a saucer-topped hill. Sir George Colley -and his six hundred soldiers, picked from -various units (that all might share the glory), -sat themselves down to rest and sleep, and -dig a well in the bottom of the saucer. One -weak picket of Gordon Highlanders was -thrust forward over the rim on to the outer -slope of the hill to keep an eye on those -silent grey patches which marked the Boer -laagers far below. Hamilton was the -subaltern in command. As the day gradually -broke and the light grew stronger, he saw -from the very lifting of the curtain the -course of the tragedy. Boers awoke, -bustled about their encampments; looked up -just as Symons' Brigade looked up on the -morning of Talana Hill, and saw the sky-line -fringes with men. More bustle, long delay, -much argument and hesitation below, a little -boasting rifle fire from some of the British -soldiers: 'Ha, ha! got you this time I -think!'--and then, straggle of horsemen -riding in tens and twenties towards the foot -of the mountain. Hamilton reported -accordingly. The action of Majuba Hill had -begun. Pause.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was--so it has been described to -me--a long donga that led up the steep -slope. Into the lower end of this the Boer -horsemen disappeared. Hamilton moved his -score of men a little to their right, where -they might command this zig-zag approach as -much as the broken ground would allow, and -reported again to the General or whoever -was directing affairs--for Colley, wearied with -the tremendous exertion of the night climb, -was sleeping--'Enemy advancing to attack.' He -also made a few stone shelters. Pause -again. Suddenly, quite close, darting -forward here and there among the rocks and -bushes of the donga--Boers! Fire on them, -then. The Gordons' rifles spluttered -accordingly, and back came the answer hot and -sharp--a close and accurate musketry fire -pinning the little party of Regulars to the -earth behind their flimsy shelters. No one -could show his head to fire. Soldiers would -hold a helmet up above the sheltering stone -and bring it down with two and three bullets -through it. Could half a company fight a -battle by itself? What were others doing? -Hamilton felt bound to send another report. -He left the half company in charge of the -sergeant, got up, ran up the slope, and -dropped into safety the other side of the -saucer-shaped rim. The distance was scarcely -forty yards, yet two bullets passed through -his kilt in crossing it. Where was the -General? A staff officer, ignorant and -therefore undisturbed, said that the General was -sleeping. 'He knew,' said the staff officer, -'what was going on. No need for a -subaltern of Highlanders to concern -himself.' Hamilton returned, running the gauntlet -again, to his men. The fire grew hotter. -The Boers began to creep gradually nearer. -Their front attack widened and drew around -the contours of the hill. Were all the -force asleep? One more warning at any -rate they should have. Again he darted -across the open space with the swish of -bullets around him. Again he found the -staff. But this time they were annoyed. It -is such a bore when young officers are jumpy -and alarmist. 'It's all right,' they said: and -so it was within the saucer. The bullets -piped overhead as the wind howls outside -the well-warmed house. But a sudden -change impended.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hamilton rejoined his men just as the -Boers attacked at all points. The little -picket of Highlanders, utterly unable to -withstand the weight of the enemy's -advance, ran back to the rim of the saucer -intermingled with the Boers, who fired their -rifles furiously at them, even putting the -muzzles to the men's heads and so -destroying them. In Sir William Butler's book, -written almost entirely with the view of -exonerating Sir George Colley, it is -suggested that his advanced picket fell back in -a panic. The truth is that they were swept -backward by overwhelming force after they -had three times reported to the General the -development of a heavy attack. Of the -seventeen men under Ian Hamilton in this -advanced position twelve were shot dead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The survivors of the picket with the -pursuing Boers reached the rim together, and -became visible to the main force. -Astounded by this apparition, the troops who -were lying down in the saucer rose up -together, and, some accoutred, some with their -coats off, Highlanders, sailors, and linesmen, -ran forward and fired a ragged volley. The -Boers immediately lay down and replied, -causing heavy loss. A furious musketry -fight followed between the Dutch in cover -along the rim and the British among the -rocks across the centre of the saucer. This -was ended by the appearance of other Boers -on the high ground at the northern end of -the plateau. Without orders or order, -exposed to a terrible fire, ignorant of what was -required of them, the soldiers wavered. -One last chance presented itself. Hamilton -rushed up to the General in the impetuosity -of youth: 'I hope you'll forgive my -presumption, sir, but will you let the Gordon -Highlanders charge with the bayonet?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'No presumption, young gentleman,' -replied Colley, with freezing calmness. 'We'll -let them charge us, and then we'll give them -a volley and a charge.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the word the whole scene broke into -splinters. The British troops abandoned -their positions and fled from the ground. The -Boers, standing up along the rim, shot them -down mercilessly--sporting rifles, crack shots, -eighty yards' range. Hamilton saw a figure -scarcely ten yards away aiming at him, raised -the rifle he found himself somehow possessed -of to reply. Both fired simultaneously. The -British officer went down with his wrist -smashed to pieces. He rose again: the rear -crest was near. The last of the fugitives -were streaming over it. One dash for liberty! -The fire was murderous. Before the distance -was covered his tunic was cut by one bullet, -his knee by another, and finally a splinter of -rock striking him behind the head brought -him down half stunned to the ground--luckily -behind the shelter of a small rock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The firing stopped. The Boers began -to occupy the position. Two discovered the -wounded man. The younger, being much -excited, would have shot him. The elder -restrained him. 'Are you officer, you -damned Englishman?' said they.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Yes.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Give your sword.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now Hamilton's sword had belonged to -his father before him. He replied by offering -them money instead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Money!' they cried; 'give it up at once,' -and were about to snatch it away when a -person of authority--it is said Joubert -himself--arrived. 'Voorwarts,' he said to the -burghers, and in spite of their desire to -plunder he drove them on. Hamilton -thanked him. 'This is a bad day for us.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'What can you expect,' was the answer -characteristic of the Boer--the privileged of -God--'from fighting on a Sunday?'</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Then they collected the prisoners and -helped Hamilton to walk back to the British -position. Colley lay dead on the ground. The -Boers would not believe it was the General. -'Englishmen are such liars.' Hector -Macdonald--grim and sad--hero of the Afghan -war, now a prisoner in the enemy's hand, -watched the proceedings sullenly. The Boers -picked out the surrendered prisoners. They -looked at Hamilton. He was covered with -blood from head to foot They said: 'You -will probably die. You may go.' So he -went; staggered, and crawled back to camp, -arrived there delirious the next morning. -The wrist joint is composed of eight separate -bones. The bullet, breaking through, had -disarranged them sadly, had even carried -one or two away. If he had consented to -amputation he would soon have been -convalescent. But a soldier must preserve all -he can. What with fever and shock he -nearly died. For six months he was an -invalid. But the hand was saved, so that -now the General can hold an envelope -between his paralysed and withered fingers, -and sometimes hold a cigarette. For all -other purposes it is useless, and when he -rides it flaps about helplessly--a glorious deformity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After some months of doubt as to -whether he should leave the army and throw -himself entirely into the literary pursuits -which had always possessed for him a keen -attraction, Hamilton decided to remain a -soldier.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He next saw service in the Soudan: he -was not intended to make this campaign, -for the battalion to which he belonged was -serving in India, and there has always been -much jealousy between the Indian and the -Egyptian British officer. But he happened -to be coming home on leave, and when the -steamer reached Suez it occurred to him to -ask himself why he should not go up the -Nile with the columns which were being -formed. He got out of the ship accordingly -and ran across the sands to the train -which was standing in the station. Had he -not caught it he would have returned to the -ship. But he was in time. Next day he -arrived in Cairo, and while waiting there for -his luggage he applied for employment. It -was refused, officers were not allowed to -volunteer. The Gordon Highlanders, his only -hope, had their full complement of officers. -They had no vacancy for him. Hamilton -did not, however, give up his idea easily. -He resolved to travel as far as Wady Halfa -and renew his application there. He -journeyed south with Colonel Burnaby, and -after a week of train and river-boat arrived -at the whitewashed mud huts in the midst -of a vast circle of sand which marked the -base of the British Expeditionary forces, -both desert and river columns.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What followed has happened so often that -it is well worth the attention of young -officers. Be it always remembered that the -regulations of the army are formed to make -all people quite alike one uniform pattern -and on one level of intelligence--not yet -the highest. You do not rise by the -regulations, but in spite of them. Therefore in -all matters of active service the subaltern -must never take 'No' for an answer. He -should get to the front at all costs. For -every fifty men who will express a desire to -go on service in the mess or the club, and -will grumble if they are not selected, there -is only about one who really means business -and will take the trouble and run the risk of -going to the front on the chance. The -competition is much less keen when you get -there. I know something of this myself, -and am convinced of its truth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The subaltern really stands on velvet in -the matter. If he succeeds all is well. If -he gets rebuked and ordered down, he must -try again. What can the authorities do? -They cannot very well shoot him. At the -worst they can send him back to his -regiment, stop his leave for six months, and some -choleric old martinet who was a young man -once, though he had half forgotten it, will -write in some ponderous book in Pall Mall -against the offender's name: 'Keen as -mustard--takes his own line--to be noted for -active service if otherwise qualified.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Of course everyone was delighted to see -Hamilton at Wady Halfa. They appointed -him to a vacancy which had meanwhile -occurred in the Gordon Highlanders, and gave -him a company and a boat in the River -Column. Through all the hard campaign that -followed he served with credit. The -fortunes of the troops who worked their way -up the Nile have not been so closely studied -as those of the columns which plunged into -the desert and fought at Abu Klea and Abu -Kru. But it was nevertheless one of the -most picturesque enterprises of our military -history. The broad boats toiling forward -against the current of the river, making -perhaps three miles a day, obstructed by -frequent cataracts and menaced continually by -the enemy, the scouts on the banks, the lines -of men on the tow ropes, the red sand of -the desert, the hot steel sky, and the fierce -sunlight slanting in between rocks of the -Nile gorge, are materials from which a -fascinating sketch might be painted. Hamilton's -boat became somehow the head of the rear -column. At length there came a day when -they told of expected opposition, dervish -encampments, and a certain rocky ridge said -to be lined with riflemen. The leading -column of boats was hurried forward. By some -mischance Hamilton's boat became the rear -boat of the leading column. At any rate, -his company alone of the Gordon -Highlanders fought in the action of Kirbeckan next -day. Nothing succeeds like success. -Hamilton received the Distinguished Service -Order for his services.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After the Nile Expedition of 1885 had -reached its sad conclusion, Hamilton -returned to India and became an aide-de-camp -on the staff of Lord Roberts, who was then -commanding the Madras army. The -question of musketry training for Infantry was -at that time much discussed, and Lord -Roberts was determined to do something to -improve the shooting of the British army. In -his book 'Forty-one Years in India' he tells -us how he and his staff formed themselves -into a team and had many exciting rifle -matches with the regiments in the Madras -command. In all this Hamilton's skill with -the rifle and the keen interest he had always -shown for musketry--his first regimental -appointment had been to be Musketry -Instructor--stood him in good stead, and -when Lord Roberts became Commander-in-Chief -in India his aide-de-camp, who had -meanwhile served in the Burmah campaign, -was made Assistant Adjutant-General for -Musketry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In 1886 he married Jean, daughter of -Sir John Muir, Baronet, of Deanston, -Perthshire. He had now determined to -persevere in the military profession, and -devoted himself to it with great assiduity. -His literary talents were turned to military -subjects. He published a book on -musketry in the army entitled 'The Fighting of -the Future.' It was strong and well -written. The introduction of the magazine rifle -has modified many of his conclusions, but at -the time the book attracted a great deal of -attention. He found time, however, to -write on other things, and there are still -extant from his pen: 'A Jaunt in a Junk,' an -account of a cruise which he made with his -brother down the west coast of India; a -volume of verses, 'The Ballad of Hadji and -the Boar'; and one or two other writings. -He preserved and extended his acquaintance -with literary men, particularly with -Andrew Lang, whom he powerfully -impressed, and who inscribed a volume of -poems to him in the following compulsive lines:</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><em class="italics">TO COLONEL IAN HAMILTON</em></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -<div class="line"><span>To you, who know the face of war,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>You, that for England wander far,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>You that have seen the Ghazis fly</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From English lads not sworn to die,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>You that have lain where, deadly chill,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The mist crept o'er the Shameful Hill,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>You that have conquered, mile by mile,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The currents of unfriendly Nile,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And cheered the march, and eased the strain</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When Politics made valour vain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Ian, to you, from banks of Ken,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>We send our lays of Englishmen!</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><span>After doing much useful work in the -Musketry Department he became one of -the Assistant Quartermaster-Generals in -India. From this office he managed to -sally forth to the Chitral Expedition, for his -services in which on the lines of communication -he was made Commander of the -Bath. He next became Deputy -Quartermaster-General, and it was evident that if he -chose to continue to serve in India he -would ultimately become the head of the -Department. In 1897 the Great Frontier -War broke out. Hamilton was appointed -to command one of the brigades of the -Tirah Expeditionary Force. He was at the -time on leave in England. He returned at -speed, assumed command, and led his -brigade through the Kohat Pass in the first -movement of the general advance. It -looked as if his chance in life had come. -He had a magnificent force under him. -He enjoyed the confidence of the -General-in-chief, Sir William Lockhart, and only a -few miles away the enemy awaited the -advancing army on the heights of Dargai. -The next morning his horse shied suddenly. -He was thrown to the ground and broke his -leg. They carried the brigadier away in a -doolie, his brigade passed to another, and -the campaign in Tirah was fought without him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ian Hamilton took this bitter disappointment -with philosophical composure. 'Perhaps,' -he said to me one day in Calcutta, 'I -should have lost my reputation had I held -my command.' But it was easy to see how -much he felt the lost opportunity and the -enforced inaction. At length his leg was -mended--after a fashion. He persuaded a -medical board to pass him as sound. The -campaign continued. There was, however, -no vacancy at the front. For several weeks -he waited. Presently Sir Bindon Blood--who -was preparing for his invasion of Buner, -and who knew Hamilton well--applied for -him to command his lines of communication. -Obstacles were, however, raised by -the Indian War Office, and the proposal fell -through. At last, in February, when it -seemed certain that a spring campaign must -be undertaken against the Afridis, Sir -William Lockhart decided to replace General -Kempster by some other brigadier, and Ian -Hamilton was again sent to the front. The -hopes or fears of a further campaign proved -unfounded. The Afridis gradually paid -their toll of rifles, and their jirgahs made -submission. The fighting was practically -over. Yet in much skirmishing as occurred -while Hamilton's brigade were holding the -advanced posts in the Bara valley his care -and eagerness attracted attention, and, small -as was his share in the campaign, Sir -William Lockhart gave him an honourable -mention in the despatches.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the restoration of order along the -North-West Frontier Hamilton was offered -the temporary position of Quartermaster-General -in India. Anxious, however, for -home employment, and fully alive to the -importance of not becoming too closely -identified with any particular military set, he -declined this important office and proceeded -to England on a year's leave. After some -delay he was appointed commandant of the -School of Musketry at Hythe, and from this -post he was twice withdrawn to command -brigades at the Manoeuvres. When Sir -George White was sent to Natal in -September 1899 Hamilton accompanied him as -Assistant Adjutant-General. The War -Office are therefore entitled to plume -themselves upon his successes, for he is one of -the few men originally appointed who have -increased their reputation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ian Hamilton's part in the Boer war is -so well known that it will be unnecessary to -do more than refer to it here. He displayed -a curious facility for handling troops in close -contact with the enemy, and practically from -the beginning of the fighting he held the -command of a brigade. It was Hamilton whose -influence went so far to counteract the -astounding optimism of the gallant Penn -Symons. It was Hamilton who was to have led -the bayonet attack by night on the Boer -laagers two days before Talana Hill was fought. -It was Hamilton to whom French entrusted -the entire disposition of the Infantry and -Artillery at Elandslaagte, who arranged the -attack, rallied the struggling line, and who -led the final charge upon the Boer entrenchment. -Again after Lombard's Kop, when the -army reeled back in disorder into Ladysmith, -it was Hamilton's brigade which, judiciously -posted, checked the onset of the victorious -enemy. During the defence of Ladysmith -Hamilton's section of the defence included -Cæsar's Camp and Wagon Hill. He has -been censured in the Press for not having -fortified these positions on their outer crests, -and it was said in the army after the 6th of -January that this neglect caused unnecessary -loss of life. How far this criticism may be -just I do not now propose to examine. The -arguments against entrenching the outer -crest were that heavy works there would -draw the enemy's artillery fire, and that the -Imperial Light Horse, who were to have -defended this section, said they preferred to -avail themselves of the natural cover of rocks -and stones. The reader would be well -advised to defer judgment until some serious -and historical work on the campaign in Natal -is published. At present all accounts are -based on partial and imperfect evidence, nor -do I think that the whole true account of a -single action has yet been written.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Whatever the rights of this question may -be, it is certain that on the 6th of January Ian -Hamilton, by his personal gallantry and -military conduct, restored the situation on Wagon -Hill. Indeed, the Homeric contest, when -the British General and Commandant Prinsloo -of the Free State fired at each other at five -yards' range, the fierce and bloody struggle -around the embrasure of the naval gun, and -the victorious charge of the Devons, may -afterwards be found to be the most striking -scene in the whole war.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After the relief of Ladysmith, Roberts, -who knew where to find the men he wanted, -sent for Hamilton, much to the disgust of -Sir Redvers Buller, who proposed to keep -this good officer for the command of one of -his own brigades. On reaching Bloemfontein -he was entrusted with the organisation -of the Mounted Infantry division, a post from -which he could conveniently be drawn for -any service that might be required. Of the -rest some account will be found in these -letters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ian Hamilton is, as the fine portrait by -Sargent, reproduced as the frontispiece of -this book, shows him, a man of rather -more than middle height, spare, keen eyed, -and of commanding aspect. His highly -nervous temperament animating what -appears a frail body imparts to all his -movements a kind of feverish energy. Two -qualities of his mind stand forward -prominently from the rest. He is a singularly -good and rapid judge of character. He -takes a very independent view on all -subjects, sometimes with a slight bias -towards or affection for their radical and -democratic aspects, but never or hardly -ever influenced by the set of people with -whom he lives. To his strong personal -charm as a companion, to his temper never -ruffled or vexed either by internal irritation -or the stir and contrariness of events, his -friends and those who have served under -him will bear witness. He has a most -happy gift of expression, a fine taste in words, -and an acute perception of the curious -which he has preserved from his literary -days. But it is as a whole that we should -judge. His mind is built upon a big scale, -being broad and strong, capable of thinking -in army corps and if necessary in continents, -and working always with serene smoothness -undisturbed alike by responsibility or -danger. Add to all this a long experience in -war, high military renown both for courage -and conduct, the entire confidence and -affection of the future Commander-in-Chief, the -luck that has carried him through so many -dangers, and the crowning advantage of -being comparatively young, and it is evident -that here is a man who in the years that are -to come will have much to do with the -administration of the British Army in times -of peace and its direction in the field.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-action-of-houtnek"><span class="large">CHAPTER IX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE ACTION OF HOUTNEK</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Winburg: May 8</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Ian Hamilton's orders were to march -north from Thabanchu on Winburg by the -Jacobsrust road, and he was expected, if no -opposition was encountered, to reach his -destination by the 7th of May. The column -with which he started from Thabanchu was -composed of Smith-Dorrien's 19th Infantry -Brigade, Ridley's Mounted Infantry Brigade, -and two batteries of artillery; but at -Jacobsrust he would receive a strong reinforcement, -consisting of Bruce-Hamilton's 21st Brigade -of Infantry, Broadwood's Cavalry Brigade, -two batteries of field and one of horse -artillery, and two 5-in. guns. This accession -would raise his force to a total of 7,500 -Infantry, 4,000 mounted men, and thirty-two -guns--an imposing command for an officer -who had not yet had time to take the -badges of a colonel off his shoulders. The -first thing, however, was to reach -Jacobsrust, and effect the junction with -Bruce-Hamilton's force.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Thabanchu column started at -daybreak on the 30th of April, and when it was -within three or four miles of Houtnek Poorte -the enemy suddenly unmasked field guns and -'pom-poms,' and opened a long range fire -with them from the east on the right flank -of the marching troops. Colonel Bainbridge, -with the 7th Corps of Mounted Infantry, -wheeled up to contain this force of the -enemy, and at the same time De Lisle--of -polo fame--pushed forward boldly at a -gallop with the 6th Corps and the New -Zealanders, and seized a commanding position -about 2,000 yards south of the actual nek. -Colonel Legge, meanwhile advancing on the -left front, noticed that Thoba Mountain was -weakly held by the enemy, and thereupon -ordered Kitchener's Horse to attack it, thus -anticipating the order which the General was -himself about to send. These dispositions, -which were made on their own initiative by -the various Mounted Infantry officers, -enabled a deliberate view of the situation to be -taken.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The pass of Houtnek consists of two -parallel grassy ridges separated by a smooth -shallow valley a little more than a mile -across, and devoid of cover. On the east -the pass runs up into sharp rocky kopjes, -strengthened by successive lines of stone -walls trailing away towards the main laagers -of the enemy. Both the centre and the left -flank of the Boer position refused all -opportunity of attack. The Dutch right was -scarcely more encouraging. On the west of -the pass rose the great mountain of Thoba, -an uneven battlefield, better suited to Boers -than to British troops. Yet as it was on -Hamilton's safer flank, dominated the rest of -the enemy's position, could be turned by -mounted troops making a very wide detour, -and being, moreover, the only way, the -General resolved to attack it.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 66%" id="figure-123"> -<span id="diagram-explaining-the-action-of-houtnek"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-140.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Diagram Explaining the Action of Houtnek</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>At 9.30 the Infantry began to come up, -and at ten o'clock the approaches to the -Boer position were strongly occupied. As -soon as Kitchener's Horse were seen to have -made good their footing on Thoba Mountain, -Hamilton ordered General Smith-Dorrien -to support them with part of his brigade, -which was accordingly done, two companies -of the Shropshires, the Gordon Highlanders, -and four companies of the Canadians being -successively worked up on to the hill under -a heavy shell fire from the enemy. This -practically disposed of the whole force, -which was soon engaged all along the line, -the Mounted Infantry holding the enemy -off the right and right rear, the Cornwalls -guarding the baggage, one-half Smith-Dorrien's -Brigade containing the front, and the -other half with Kitchener's Horse pushing -the flank attack on Thoba Mountain. As -soon as the Boers understood the designs of -the British on Thoba they made a strong -effort to regain and hold that important -feature. At first the troops made good -progress; but as the enemy received continual -reinforcements the resistance became more -severe, until, presently, far from gaining -ground, they began to lose it. At last, about -two o'clock, some one hundred and fifty of -the German corps of the Boer force advanced -from the northern point of Thoba in four -lines across the table top to drive the British -off the hill. So regular was their order that -it was not until their levelled rifles were seen -pointing south that they were recognised as -foes, and artillery opened on them. In spite -of an accurate shell fire they continued to -advance boldly against the highest part of the -hill, and, meanwhile, cloaked by a swell of -the ground, Captain Towse, of the Gordon -Highlanders, with twelve men of his own -regiment and ten of Kitchener's Horse, was -steadily moving towards them. The scene -on the broad stage of the Thoba plateau was -intensely dramatic. The whole army were -the witnesses.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two forces, strangely disproportioned, -drew near to each other. Neither was -visible to the other. The unexpected collision -impended. From every point field glasses -were turned on the spectacle, and even -hardened soldiers held their breath. At last, -with suddenness, both parties came face to -face at fifty yards' distance. The Germans, -who had already made six prisoners, called -loudly on Captain Towse and his little band -to surrender. What verbal answer was -returned is not recorded; but a furious -splutter of musketry broke out at once, and in -less than a minute the long lines of the -enemy recoiled in confusion, and the top of the -hill was secured to the British. Among the -foreigners wounded in this encounter, was -Colonel Maximoff.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Towse, for his conspicuous -gallantry, and for the extraordinary results -which attended it, has been awarded the -Victoria Cross; but, in gaining what is above -all things precious to a soldier, he lost what -is necessary to a happy life, for in the -moment when his military career was assured -by a brilliant feat of arms, it was terminated -by a bullet which, striking him sideways, -blinded him in both eyes. Thus do Misery -and Joy walk hand in hand on the field of war.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All this time the rifle and gun fire along -the whole front had been continuous, and as -the day wore on without the British making -good their hold on Thoba Mountain the -enemy gathered in a more and more -threatening attitude on the right of the -column, and by four o'clock at least 1,500 -men were collected, with guns and -'pom-poms,' which threw shell into the rear -guard and transport. Hamilton, however, -was determined to fight the matter out. He -therefore directed that all troops should post -guards on their front, lie down wherever -darkness found them, and prepare to renew -the action at daybreak. He then -telegraphed to General French for some -assistance, the need of more mounted troops -being painfully felt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At dawn on May-day fighting recommenced, -and soon after six o'clock parties of -the Gordons and Canadians succeeded in -gaining possession of the two peaks of -Thoba Mountain. Besides this, half a -company of the Shropshires, under -Colour-sergeant Sconse, managed to seize the nek -between them, and though subjected to a -severe cross fire, which caused in this small -party ten casualties out of forty, maintained -themselves stubbornly for four hours. The -points which dominate the flat top of the -mountain were thus gained.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile reinforcements, consisting of -the 8th Hussars, a composite Lancer -regiment, the East Yorkshire, and a field -battery, had arrived from Thabanchu, and -the approach of Bruce-Hamilton's force from -the direction of Kranz Kraal was also felt. -General Ian Hamilton now ordered Colonel -Clowes, commanding the Cavalry, to move -right round Thoba Mountain and threaten -the Boer line of retreat as a preliminary and -accompaniment of the main Infantry assault, -which had now become inevitable. Clowes's -force was strengthened by the addition of a -horse battery. The newly-arrived Infantry -and the field battery had to be diverted to -support the right and right rear, where the -pressure was now very strong.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At about eight A.M. General Smith-Dorrien -had himself gone up to the top of -Thoba Mountain to direct personally the -decisive movement when the time should -come. A little before one o'clock, the -progress of the Cavalry being satisfactory, he -determined to settle the matter, so that if -successful the force might get its baggage -over the pass before dark. He therefore -formed a line of Infantry right across the -plateau, two companies of the Shropshires in -the centre, and one and a half company of -the Gordons on either flank. The advance -was sounded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The troops moved forward with alacrity. -For a few moments the fire was heavy, but -the Boers knew themselves bested, and on -the soldiers raising the cheer that precedes -the actual assault they rushed to their -horses, and the whole of Thoba Mountain -was won. The rest of the position now -became untenable, and the enemy, to the -number of 4,000, promptly evacuated it, -galloping swiftly back in the direction of -Jacobsrust.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A few troops of the 8th Hussars alone got -near enough to charge; half-a-dozen -Dutchmen were sabred, and one was shot dead by -an officer, Lieutenant Wylam. The Boers -who were making the attack on the right -retreated at the same time as their comrades, -and the transport, no longer molested, passed -safely over the pass and parked for the night -on the northern side. No trustworthy -estimate can be formed of the enemy's loss; -but a score of prisoners were taken, and an -equal number of bodies were found on the -position.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The British casualties were fortunately -slight considering the fire and its duration, -and did not exceed a hundred officers and men.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The next day the junction between the -columns was effected, and Ian Hamilton's -force formed, with reference to the main -advance, the Army of the Right Flank, and -was composed as follows:[#]</span></p> -<pre class="literal-block"> -<span>Infantry. { 19th Brigade } Smith-Dorrien - { 21st Brigade } Bruce-Hamilton - -Mounted { 1st M. I. } Ridley - Infantry. { Brigade } - -Cavalry. { 2nd Cavalry } Broadwood - { Brigade } - - { 3 Batteries F.A. } -Artillery. { 2 Batteries H.A. } Waldron - { 2 5-in. Guns. }</span> -</pre> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><span class="small">[#] For full composition see Appendix.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>This force was supported by the Highland -Brigade and two 4.7 naval guns, under -General Colvile, who was directed to follow -the leading column at a distance of ten miles. -Hamilton proposed to march forward on the -2nd of May, but an order from headquarters -enjoined a halt; nor was it until the -afternoon of the 3rd that the force reached -Jacobsrust, as it is called by the inhabitants; -Isabellasfontein, as our maps record. A -little cavalry skirmishing in the neighbourhood -of the camp resulted in the death of -one Lancer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the 4th of May the whole army moved -forward again, Lord Roberts passing through -Brandfort towards Smaldeel, Hamilton -continuing his march on Winburg. This day -did not pass without fighting, for scarcely -had the troops left camp when a patter of -musketry warned the General that his -Cavalry had become engaged. Riding forward, -he was the witness of a very dashing -cavalry exploit. Across the line of advance -was drawn up a strong force of the enemy, -estimated at 4,000 men and thirteen guns. -These, in a good position along a range of -wooded bluffs, promised a sufficient task for -the troops during the day. But now, -suddenly, from the direction of Brandfort, a -new army of Boers began to appear, riding -swiftly down to join hands with their -comrades athwart the road, and fall on the left -flank of the column.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The thing was urgent, and perhaps vital. -But between the fast converging Boer forces, -at the angle where they would meet, ran a -long ridge of indefinite extent. General -Broadwood at once, without a moment's -delay, galloped forward, and with two -squadrons of the Guards' Cavalry and two of the -10th Hussars seized it. The Boers were -already scrambling up its lower slopes. A -sharp fight immediately opened. Kitchener's -Horse, hurrying up in support, occupied a -further point of the ridge, and the Dutch, -after a determined but futile attempt to clear -the hill, fell back. The junction of the two -Boer columns was prevented. It seems that -the whole of their plan for the day was based -on this first condition, and in an army where -every individual soldier must have the -details of any plan explained to him it is not -easy to make fresh dispositions on the field.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Indeed, a sort of panic seems to have -taken hold of the enemy, for without waiting -for the Infantry attack to develop they fled -forthwith at great speed, galloping madly -across the drift--as the British proprietor -of Welcome Farm told me--horsemen and -guns, pell-mell, in downright rout, pursued, -so swift was their departure, only by the shells -of the Horse Artillery.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The losses in this brief affair were not -large, and almost entirely among the Cavalry. -In those few minutes of firing on the ridge -about a dozen troopers had been hit. Lord -Airlie was slightly wounded in the arm, and -Lieutenant Rose, Royal Horse Guards, was -killed. He had bee sent forward to see -what lay beyond the further crest of the hill, -and found that deadly riflemen lay there -waiting for a certain victim. He fell pierced by -several bullets, and lived only for half an hour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This officer was a most zealous soldier. -Though possessed of private means which -would have enabled him to lead a life of ease -and pleasure, he had for several years -devoted himself assiduously to the military -profession. He went to India as a volunteer -during the Tirah Campaign, and served with -distinction on Sir Penn Symons' staff--general -and aide-de-camp both vanished now, as -the foam fades in the wake of a fast ship! -From India he hastened to West Africa, and -in that vile and pestilential region won a -considerable reputation; indeed, he was to -have received the Distinguished Service -Order for his part in recent operations there -had not another war intervened. He -arrived at the Cape, scarcely a month ago, full -of hope and energy. This is the end; and -while it is one which a soldier must be ready -to meet, deep sympathy will be felt for the -father, from whom the public necessities -have now required two gallant sons.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Though the disorderly and demoralised -nature of the Boer flight through Welcome -Farm was known throughout the British -Army, it was not expected that so strong a -position as the bluffs behind the Vet River -would be yielded without a shot fired. This, -nevertheless, proved to be the case, for when, -on the morning of the 6th, Hamilton -resumed his advance, he found that no force -of the enemy stood between him and Winburg.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He therefore sent, shortly after noon, a -staff officer, Captain Balfour to wit, under flag -of truce, with a letter to the mayor of the -town summoning him forthwith to surrender -the town and all stores therein, and -promising that if this were done he would -use every effort to protect private property, -and that whatever foodstuffs were required -by the troops should be paid for. This -message, which was duly heralded by the sound -of a trumpet, concluded by saying that unless -an acceptance was received within two hours -the General would understand that his offer -had been declined.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thus accredited, Captain Balfour made his -way into the town and was soon the centre -of an anxious and excited crowd of burghers -and others who filled the market square. -The mayor, the landdrost, and other -prominent persons--indeed, all the inhabitants--were -eager to avail themselves of the good -terms, and a satisfactory settlement was -almost arranged when, arriving swiftly from -the northeast, Philip Botha and a commando -of 500 men, mostly Germans and Hollanders, -all very truculent since they were as yet -unbeaten, entered the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A violent and passionate scene ensued. -Botha declared he would never surrender -Winburg without a fight. Dissatisfied with -the attentions paid him by Captain Balfour, -he turned furiously on him and rated him -soundly. Several of the Free Staters had -asked what would be done to them if they -laid down their arms. Balfour had replied -that they would be permitted to return to -their farms, unless actually captured on the -field. This Botha held to be a breach of the -laws of war, and he thereupon charged the -officer with attempting to suborn his -burghers. What had he to say that he should not -be made a prisoner? 'I ask favours of no -Dutchman,' replied Balfour, sternly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Arrest that man!' shouted Botha, in a -fury; 'I shall begin shooting soon.' At -these shameful words a great commotion -arose. The women screamed, the mayor -and landdrost rushed forward in the hopes -of averting bloodshed. The Boers raised -their rifles in menace, and the unarmed -British envoy flourished his white flag indignantly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For several minutes it seemed that an -actual scuffle, possibly a tragedy, would -occur. But the influence of the townsfolk, -who knew that their liberty and property lay -in the hands of the Imperial General, and -that the great siege guns were even then -being dragged into effective range, prevailed, -and Philip Botha, followed by his men, -galloped furiously from the square towards the -north.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That afternoon General Ian Hamilton -entered Winburg at the head of his troops. -Under a shady tree outside the town the -mayor and landdrost tendered their -submission and two large silver keys. The Union -Jack was hoisted in the market-place amid -the cheers of the British section of the -inhabitants, and, as each battalion marching -through the streets saw the famous emblem -of pride and power, bright in the rays of the -setting sun, these feeble or interested -plaudits were drowned in the loud acclamations -of the victorious invaders.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hamilton was expected to arrive on the -7th, if no opposition was encountered, He -had fought nearly every day, and reached the -town on the evening of the 5th.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-army-of-the-right-flank"><span class="large">CHAPTER X</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE ARMY OF THE RIGHT FLANK</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Kroonstadt: May 16, 1900.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>On the same day that Ian Hamilton's -force won their fight at Houtnek, to wit, the -1st of May, the advance of the main army -towards Pretoria, long expected, long -prepared, long delayed, began, and the Eleventh -Division marched north from Bloemfontein -to join the Seventh, which was entrenched -at Karree Siding. On the 3rd both -Infantry divisions moved forward along the -railway, their left protected by Gordon's -Cavalry Brigade and Hutton's Mounted Infantry, -and after a sharp cannonade drove the Boers -from their positions covering Brandfort and -entered the town. The advance was -resumed on the 5th, and the enemy were again -met with, this time holding the line of the -Vet River. Another artillery action ensued, -in which the British 5-inch and naval 4.7 -guns were very effective, and at the end of -which the West Australians and other parts -of Hutton's Mounted Infantry force, pushed -across the river in gallant style and captured -an important kopje. The Dutchmen then -retreated, and the Field-Marshal's headquarters -on the 6th were fixed in Smaldeel. His -losses since leaving Bloemfontein had not -amounted to twenty-five men.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ian Hamilton, in spite of the long marches -his troops had made, was impatient to push -on from Winburg without delay, and, -following the track to Ventersburg, to seize the -drifts across the Sand River, twenty miles to -the north. The great speed of his last -movement had outpaced the Boers, and their -convoys were struggling along abreast of, and -even behind, the British column, trying -vainly to slip across our front, and join the -burgher forces accumulating for the defence of -Kroonstadt. By marching forthwith--great -though the strain might be--the General -hoped to secure the bloodless passage of the -river, and perhaps cut up some of these same -toiling convoys. Accordingly, having -collected from the town about three days' -stores--Sir Henry Colvile helping him unselfishly -with mule waggons--he set his brigades in -motion on the afternoon of the 6th, and -marched nine miles towards the Sand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Lord Roberts had decided to remain -at Smaldeel until his temporary bridge over -the Vet River was made and the trains -running, and he did not choose to run the risk -of the Boers concentrating all their forces -upon any single division of his army, such as -would be incurred if Hamilton pushed -forward alone. The principle was indisputable; -but, of course, in practice it resolved itself -into another instance of balancing drawbacks, -for delay gave the enemy time to get -his breath, and meant that the Sand River -passage would be opposed. Besides, if the -Boers had flung all their strength upon -Hamilton, we were 7,000 bayonets, 3,000 horse, -and nearly forty guns, and would have beat -them off with a shocking slaughter. To us -it seemed a great pity to wait; but to the -Chief, in whose eyes the Army of the Right -Flank was but one column of that far-flung -line which stretched from Rundle near -Senekal, along the front of the main army to -Methuen near Boshof, Hunter at Warrenton, -and Mahon far away on the fringe of -the Kalahari desert, it must have been a very -small matter, and certainly not one -justifying any loss of cohesion in the general -scheme. So I have no doubt that it was -right to make us halt on the 7th and 8th.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the former of these two days of rest -Lord Roberts sent for General Hamilton to -meet him at a point on the branch railway -line mid-way between Winburg and Smaldeel, -and they had a long private conference -together. On the 9th, the whole army -marched forward again towards the Sand -River. I rode with the General, who -managed somehow to find himself among the -cavalry patrols of the right flank guard, -and we watched with telescopes three long -lines of dust in the eastward, which, under -examination, developed into horsemen and -waggons marching swiftly north and turning -more and more across our front. It was -clear that if we had pushed on without -halting, all these commandos would have been -prevented from reaching Kroonstadt. The -General contemplated them hungrily for -some time, but they were too far off to -attack, bearing in mind the great -combination of which we were a part. The -flanking patrols, however, exchanged a few -shots.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The march was not a long one, and by -mid-day we reached the halting-place, a mile -south of the river. The headquarters were -fixed in a large farm which stood close to the -waggon-track we followed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This farmhouse was certainly the best -purely Dutch homestead I have ever seen in -the 500 miles I have ridden about the Free -State. It was a large square building, with -a deep verandah, and a pretty flower-garden -in front, and half a dozen barns and stables -around it. The construction of a dam across -the neighbouring spruit had formed a wide -and pleasant pool, in which many good fat -ducks and geese were taking refuge from the -wandering soldier. At the back, indeed, on -all sides but the front of the farm, rose a -thick belt of fir-trees. Within the house the -ground-floor was divided into three excellent -bedrooms, with old-fashioned feather-beds -and quaint wooden bedsteads, a prim but -spacious parlour, a kitchen, pantry, and -storeroom. The parlour deserved the greatest -attention. The furniture was dark and -massive. The boards of the floor were deeply -stained. In the middle was a good carpet -upon which an ample oval table stood. The -walls were hung with curious prints or -coloured plates, and several texts in Dutch. -One pair of plates I remember represented -the ten stages of man's life and woman's life, -and showed both in every period from the -cradle to the grave, which latter was not -reached until the comfortable age of one -hundred. The woman's fortunes were -especially prosperous. At birth she sprawled -contentedly in a cradle, whilst loving -parents bent over her in rapture, and dutiful -angels hung attendant in the sky. At ten -she scampered after a hoop. At twenty she -reclined on the stalwart shoulder of an -exemplary lover. At thirty she was engaged -in teaching seven children their letters. At -forty, she celebrated a silver wedding. At -fifty, still young and blooming, she attended -the christening of a grandchild. At sixty, it -was a great-grandchild. At seventy she -enjoyed a golden wedding. At eighty she was -smilingly engaged in knitting. Even at -ninety she was well preserved, nor could she -with reason complain of her lot in life when, -at a hundred, the inevitable hour arrived. -'Be fruitful and multiply,' was the meaning -of a Dutch text on the opposite wall, and a -dozen children black and white (little Kaffirs, -the offspring of the servants, playing with -the sons and daughters of the house) showed -that the spirit of the injunction was -observed; and these are things with which the -statesman will have to reckon.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The inmates of the farm consisted of the -old man, a venerable gentleman of about -sixty years, his dame, a few years younger, three -grown-up daughters, a rather ill-favoured -spinster sister, and seven or eight children -or grandchildren of varying ages. There -were in all seven sons or grandsons--two -were married and had farms of their own; -but all, including even one of fourteen, were -'on commando' at the wars, some, perhaps, -looking at us and their home from the -heights across the river.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The General politely requested shelter -for the night, and a bedroom and the -parlour were placed at his disposal; not very -enthusiastically, indeed, but that was only -natural. The staff settled down in the -verandah so as not to disturb the family. -Ian Hamilton, keenly interested in -everything, began at once to ask the old lady -questions through an interpreter. She gave -her answers with no good grace, and when -the General inquired about her youngest -fighting son--he of fourteen--her sour face -showed signs of emotion, and the conversation -ended for the day. On the morrow, -however, just before he crossed the river, he -had to come back to the telegraph-tent -pitched near the farm, and found time to -see her again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Tell her,' he said to the interpreter, 'that -we have won the battle to-day.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They told her, and she bowed her head -with some dignity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Tell her that the Dutch will now -certainly be beaten in the war.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No response.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Perhaps her sons will be taken prisoners.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No answer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Now tell her to write down on a piece -of paper the name of the youngest, and -give it to my aide-de-camp; and then when -he is captured she must write to me or -to the Hoofd-General, and we will send -him back to her, and not keep him a prisoner.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She thawed a little at this, and expressed -a hope that he had been comfortable while -beneath her roof, and then--for the guns -were still firing--he had to hurry away. -But the aide-de-camp remained behind for -the paper.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During the time we spent in this homely -place I made a thorough inspection of the -farm, especially the parlour, where I found -one very curious book. It was a collection -of national songs and ballads, compiled, and -in part written, by Mr. Reitz. I afterwards -succeeded in buying another copy in -Ventersburg; indeed, it has been widely -disseminated. The first part consists of patriotic -Boer poems--the Volkslied, the Battle of -Majuba, the Battle of Laings Nek, and -other similar themes. The second half of -the book is filled with Reitz's translations of -English songs and well-known ditties into -the </span><em class="italics">taal</em><span>. John Gilpin, besides being a -burgher of credit and renown, was eke a -Field-Cornet of famous Bloemfontein. Young -Lochinvar had come from out of the Boshof -district. The Landdrost's daughter of -Winburg found a lover no less faithful than a -famous swain of Islington. The pictures -were mightily diverting. The old -Field-Cornet Gilpin--'Jan Jurgens,' as he called -himself now--was shown galloping wildly -along, on a pulling Basuto pony, through -the straggling streets of, let us say, -Ventersburg, his slouch hat crammed over his eyes, -his white beard flapping in the wind, while a -stately vrouw, four children, and a Kaffir, -flung up their hands in mingled wonder and -derision.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One piece began:</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Engels! Engels! alles Engels! Engels wat jij siet en hoor.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Ins ons skole, in ons kerke, word ons modertaal vermoor.</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><span>I cannot read Dutch, but the meaning and -object of the book were sufficiently clear -without that knowledge.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>F. W. Reitz, sometime President of the -Free State, now State Secretary of the -Transvaal, looked far ahead, and worked -hard. This, the foundation-stone of a -vernacular literature, was but one act in the -long scheme of policy, pursued, year in year -out, with tireless energy, and indomitable -perseverance, to manufacture a new Dutch -nation in South Africa--the policy which, -in the end, had brought a conquering army -to this quiet farm, and scattered the -schemers far and wide. But what a game it must -have been to play! Only a little more -patience, a little less pride and over-confidence, -concessions here, concessions there, anything -to gain time, and then, some day--a mighty -Dutch Republic, 'the exchange of a wealthier -Amsterdam, the schools of a more learned -Leyden,' and, above all--no cursed Engels.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I was considering these matters, only -suggested here, when messengers and the sound -of firing came in from the eastward. The -news that small parties of Boers were -engaging our right flank guard did not prevent -Hamilton riding over to meet the Chief, nor -tempt us to quit the cool verandah of the -farm; but when, suddenly, at about three -o'clock, fifty shots rang out in quick -succession, scarcely 500 yards away, every one -got up in a hurry, and, snatching pistols and -belts, ran out to see what mischance had -occurred. The scene that met our eyes was -unusual. Down the side of the hill there -poured a regular cascade of antelope--certainly -not less than 700 or 800 in number--maddened -with fear at finding themselves in -the midst of the camp, and seeking frantically -for a refuge. This spectacle, combined -with the hope of venison, was too much for -the soldiers, and forthwith a wild and very -dangerous fire broke out, which was not -stopped until fifteen or twenty antelopes -were killed, and one Australian Mounted -Infantryman wounded in the stomach. The -injury of the latter was at first thought to be -serious, and the rumour ran that he was dead; -but, luckily, the bullet only cut the skin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thus disturbed, I thought it might be -worth while to walk up to the outpost line -and see what was passing there. When I -reached the two guns which were posted on -the near ridge, the officers were in -consultation. Away across the Sand River, near -two little kopjes, was a goodly Boer -commando. They had just arrived from the -east of our line of march, and having skirted -round our pickets had set themselves down -to rest and refresh. Spread as they were on -the smooth grass, the telescope showed every -detail. There were about 150 horsemen, -with five ox-waggons and two guns. The -horses were grazing, but not off-saddled. -The men were lying or sitting on the ground. -Evidently they thought themselves out of -range. The subaltern commanding the guns -was not quite sure that he agreed with them. -Some Colonial Mounted Infantry officers -standing near were almost indignant that the -guns should let such a chance slip. The -subaltern was very anxious to fire--'really think -I could reach the brutes'; but he was afraid -he would get into trouble if he fired his guns -at any range greater than artillery custom -approves. His range finders said '6,000.' Making -allowances for the clear atmosphere, -I should have thought it was more. At last -he decided to have a shot. 'Sight for 5,600, -and let's see how much we fall short.' The -gun cocked its nose high in the air and flung -its shell accordingly. To our astonishment -the projectile passed far over the Boer -commando, and burst nearly 500 yards beyond -them: to our astonishment and to theirs. -The burghers lost no time in changing their -position. The men ran to their horses, and, -mounting, galloped away in a dispersing -cloud. Their guns whipped up and made for -the further hills. The ox-waggons sought the -shelter of a neighbouring donga. Meanwhile, -the artillery subaltern, delighted at the -success of his venture, pursued all these objects -with his fire, and using both his guns threw -at least a dozen shells among them. Material -result: one horse killed. This sort of -artillery fire is what we call waste of ammunition -when we do it to others, and a confounded -nuisance when they do it to us. After all, -who is there who enjoys being disturbed by -shells just as he is settling himself -comfortably to rest, after a long march? And who -fights the better next day for having to -scurry a mile and a half to cover with iron -pursuers at his heels? Even as it was an -opportunity was lost. We ought to have -sneaked up six guns, a dozen if there were a -dozen handy, all along the ridge, and let fly -with the whole lot, at ranges varying from -5,000 to 6,000 yards with time shrapnel. -Then there would have been a material as -well as a moral effect. 'Pooh,' says the -scientific artillerist, 'you would have used -fifty shells, tired your men, and disturbed -your horses, to hit a dozen scallawags and -stampede 150. That is not the function of -artillery.' Nevertheless, function or no -function, it is war, and the way to win war. -Harass, bait, and worry your enemy until -you establish a funk. Once he is more -frightened of you than you are of him, all -your enterprises will prosper; and if fifty -shells can in any way accelerate that happy -condition, be sure they are not wasted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The afternoon passed uneventfully away, -though the outposts were gradually drawn -into a rifle duel with the Dutch sharpshooters -in the scrub across the river. In the -evening the General returned from his -conference with Lord Roberts, and told us the -passage was to be forced on the morrow all -along the line. The Army of the Right Flank -would cross by the nearest drift in our -present front. The Seventh Division inclining to -its right would come into line on our left. The -Field-Marshal, with the Guards and the rest -of Pole-Carew's Division, would strike north -along the line of the railway. French, with -two Cavalry brigades and Hutton's Mounted -Infantry brigade, was to swing around the -enemy's right and push hard for Ventersburg -siding. Broadwood from our flank, with the -Second Cavalry Brigade, and such of the -Second Mounted Infantry Brigade as could -be spared, was to be thrust through as soon -as the Boer front was broken, and try to join -hands with French, thus, perhaps, cutting off -and encircling the Boer right. The diagram--it -is not a map--on page 172 will help to -explain the scheme.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 66%" id="figure-124"> -<span id="diagram-to-explain-the-passage-of-the-sand-river-10th-of-may-1900"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-172.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">DIAGRAM TO EXPLAIN THE PASSAGE OF THE SAND RIVER, MAY 10, 1900. The dotted lines show what was proposed; the continuous lines show what was done. The crosses indicate the Boers.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>The operation of the next day was one -of the largest and most extended movements -of the war, although, probably from this -cause, it was attended by very little loss of -life. Upon the British side six Infantry and -six Mounted brigades, with rather more than -100 guns, were brought into action along a -front of over twenty-five miles. The Boers, -however, still preserved their flanks. Upon -the west they succeeded in holding up -French, and on the east they curled round -Hamilton's right and rear so that his action -here, which in its early stages resembled that -afterwards fought at Diamond Hill, was of a -piercing rather than a turning nature. But -in thus amazingly extending their scanty -forces, which, altogether, did not number -more than 9,000 men, with twenty-five guns, -the enemy became so weak all along their -front that the attacking divisions broke -through everywhere, as an iron bar might -smash thin ice, with scarcely any shock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the evening of the 10th, the British -forces, in their extended line, lay spread -along the south bank of the river, just out of -cannon-shot of the Boer positions on the -further side. French, indeed, did not rest -content with securing his ford twelve miles -to the west of the railway, but pushed his -two brigades across before dark. The wisdom -of this movement is disputed. On the one -hand, it is contended that by crossing he -revealed the intention of the Commander-in-Chief, -and drew more opposition against -himself the next day. On the other, it is -urged that he was right to get across -unopposed while he could, and that his purpose -was equally revealed, no matter which side -of the river he stayed. During the night -Ian Hamilton, at the other end of the line, -seized the drift in his front with a battalion, -which promptly entrenched itself. Tucker, -who proposed to cross near the same point, -despatched the Cheshire regiment for a -similar purpose. The single battalion was -sufficient; but the importance and wisdom of -the movement was proved by the fact that -the enemy during the night sent 400 men to -occupy the river bank and hold the passage, -and found themselves forestalled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At daybreak the engagement was begun -along the whole front. I am only concerned -with Ian Hamilton's operations; but, in order -that these may be understood, some mention -must be made of the other forces. French -advanced as soon as it was light, and almost -immediately became engaged with a strong -force of Boers, who barred his path, and -prevented his closing on the railway as intended. -A sharp Cavalry action followed, in which -the Boers fought with much stubbornness; -and the Afrikander Horse, a corps of -formidable mercenaries, even came to close -quarters with Dickson's brigade, and were -charged. French persevered throughout the -day, making very little progress towards the -railway, but gaining ground gradually to the -north. Although his casualties numbered -more than a hundred, he was still some -distance from Ventersburg siding at nightfall. -The centre attack properly awaited the -progress of the flanking movements, and was, -during the early part of the day, contented -with an artillery bombardment, chiefly -conducted by its heavy guns. Tucker and -Hamilton, however, fell on with much -determination, and were soon briskly engaged.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ian Hamilton began his action at half-past -five, with his heavy guns, which shelled -the opposite heights leisurely, while the -Infantry and Cavalry were moving off. The -Boer position before us ran along a line of -grassy ridges, with occasional kopjes, which -sloped up gradually and reached their -summits about a mile from the river. But besides -this position, which was the objective of the -force, the Boers, who held all the country to -the east, began a disquieting attack along -our right and right rear, and although the -Mounted Infantry, and principally Kitchener's -Horse, under Major Fowle, held them -at arm's length throughout the day, the firing -in this quarter caused the General some concern, -and occupied the greater part of his attention.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At six o'clock the Twenty-first Brigade -began to cross the river, and Bruce-Hamilton, -stretching out to his left, soon developed a -wide front. The Boers now opened fire with -two or three field-guns and a 'pom-pom,' -which latter was quickly silenced by our -heavy pieces. At the same time, the -Nineteenth Brigade, who were containing the -enemy's left, became engaged with their -skirmishers in the scrub by the river. The -four batteries of Field Artillery also came -into action, and were pushed forward across -the drift as soon as sufficient space was gained -by the Infantry. At a little after seven the -head of General Tucker's Division appeared -on the plain to our left, and that determined -officer thrust his men over the river in most -vigorous style. Moreover, seeing -Bruce-Hamilton committed to an assault, he swung -two of his own batteries round to the -eastward, and so rendered us material assistance.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 65%" id="figure-125"> -<span id="ian-hamilton-s-action-at-the-sand-river-10th-of-may-1900"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-176.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">IAN HAMILTON'S ACTION AT THE SAND RIVER, MAY 10, 1900. The crosses indicate the Boers.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Both Smith-Dorrien, who directed the two -Infantry brigades, and Ian Hamilton were -fully alive to the grave dangers of crowding -too many troops on to a narrow front, and -the Infantry attack was very sparingly fed -with supports, until it became completely -extended. This condition was attained about -eleven o'clock, when the Camerons were sent -across the river to clear the scrub and -prolong the line to the right. Bruce-Hamilton -now had his deployment completed, and -with an admirable simultaneity the whole of -the assaulting Infantry rose up and advanced -together upon the enemy's position, covered -by the heavy fire of twenty-six guns. The -panorama was now very extensive. Far -away to the left the smoke of lyddite shells, -and the curious speck of the war-balloon high -in the clear air, showed that the centre was -engaged. The whole of the Seventh -Division had crossed the Sand, and were now -curving to the north-west amid a crackle of -fire. Before us the slopes were sprinkled -with brown dots moving swiftly upwards. -The crest of the ridge was fringed with -exploding shells. For a few minutes the Boers -fired steadily, and the dust jumped amid the -Sussex Regiment and the City Imperial -Volunteers. But both Infantry and Artillery -attacks were far beyond the capacity of the -defence to resist, and by noon the whole of the -heights beyond the Sand were in the British -possession.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ian Hamilton had meanwhile ordered -baggage and Cavalry to cross. Broadwood -was over the enemy's position almost as soon -as the Infantry. He proceeded to move in -the direction of Ventersburg siding. The -enemy, however, had covered themselves -with a strong rearguard, and the Cavalry -were soon opposed by three guns and a -force of riflemen of considerable numbers. -Whether Broadwood would have thought it -worth while to make here the effort which -he afterwards made in the action of -Diamond Hill, and order a charge, is uncertain; -for at this moment a misunderstanding arose -which induced him to change his plans -altogether.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Boer pressure on our right rear had -been growing stronger and stronger all the -morning, and at length Hamilton, wishing to -check the enemy sharply, so as to draw his -rearguard over the river after his baggage, -told his chief of artillery to find him a -battery. Now it happened that only one of the -two horse batteries, 'P,' had been able to go -with the Cavalry, the other, 'Q,' being too -tired to keep up. The chief of artillery -therefore proposed to send for the tired -battery. Unfortunately, by some mistake, either -in giving or taking the order, the orderly -was sent for 'P' instead of 'Q.' The man, -a sergeant-major, galloped across the river, -and, understanding that the matter was -urgent, hurried after Broadwood, overtook him -just as he was becoming engaged, and -demanded the battery. Broadwood, who knew -that Hamilton would never deprive him of -his guns except for some very urgent reason, -sent them at once, abandoned his movement -to the north-west, which indeed was now -impracticable without artillery, and concluding -that the rearguard was seriously involved, -turned sharply to the east to assist them. -Explanations arrived too late to make it -worth while to revert to the original plan, -and, perhaps, seeing that French was unable -to make Ventersburg siding, it was just as -well that Broadwood did not try alone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Broadwood's latest movement, or the -action of the artillery, or the knowledge that -the British had successfully forced the -passage of the river at all points, induced the -Boers who were assailing the rearguard to -desist, and the musketry in that quarter -gradually died away. Meanwhile, by the -exertions of Lieutenant-Colonel Maxse, the -baggage had mostly been dragged across -the river, and Ian Hamilton made haste to -overtake his victorious Infantry, who had -already disappeared into the valley beyond -the enemy's position. By the time that we -reached the top of the high ground, -Bruce-Hamilton's leading battalions were nearly a -mile further on, and the tail of Broadwood's -brigade was vanishing in a high cloud of -dust to the eastward. The City Imperial -Volunteers, who had lost a few men in the -attack, were resting on the hill after their -advance, and eating their biscuits. Several -dead Boers had been found lying among the -rocks, and a burial party was at work -digging a grave for these and for four of our -own men who had fallen close by. There -were also a few prisoners--Transvaalers for -the most part--who had surrendered when -the troops fixed bayonets. Four miles away -to the north-east the trees and houses of -Ventersburg rose from a grassy hollow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The General decided to bivouac in the -valley beyond the enemy's position, and to -set his pickets upon the hills to the -northward. He also sent an officer with a flag of -truce into Ventersburg to demand the -surrender of the town, and directed Broadwood -to detach a regiment and some Mounted -Infantry to occupy it, should the enemy -comply. In case they should desire to hold the -town the 5-inch guns were brought into -position on the captured heights.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hoping to secure some supplies, particularly -bottled beer, before everything should -be requisitioned by the army, I rode forward -after the flag of truce had gone in and -waited where I could see what followed. -When, about an hour later, a cavalry force -began to advance from the direction of -Broadwood upon the town, I knew that all -was well, and trotted on to join them. My -road led me within a few hundred yards of -the town, but, luckily for me, I did not -enter it alone, and hurried to join the troops. -All of a sudden the ominous patter of rifle -shots broke the stillness of the evening, and, -turning to whence the sound came, I saw a -score of Boers standing on the sky-line -about a mile away and firing at the advancing -Cavalry, or, perhaps, for I was much nearer, -at me. The next minute there galloped -out of the town about a score of Dutchmen, -who fled in the direction of their friends on -the western sky-line. Had I ridden straight -into the town I should have run into these -people's jaws. I lost no time in joining -the Cavalry, and entered the streets with the -squadron of Blues. It was a miserable little -place, not to be compared with Winburg. -There were a few good stores and a small -hotel, where I found what I sought; but the -whole town was very dirty and squalid. -Thirty or forty troopers of Roberts's Horse were -firing at the fugitive burghers from the edge -of the buildings and gardens, while a score -of reckless fellows were galloping after them -in excited pursuit. The Boers on the hill -kept up a brisk fire to help their comrades -in, and not a few of the bullets kicked up -the dust in the village streets, without in the -least disturbing the women and children who -crowded together to look at the war, in -blissful ignorance of their danger. When some -of these people were told that they would -perhaps be killed if they came out of their -houses while the fighting was going on, they -clutched their children and sought shelter -with an energy at which, since, after all, -nobody was hurt, it was pardonable to laugh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Night put an end to all skirmishing, and -under its cover the Boers retreated--the -greater part to Kroonstadt, which, be it -remembered, they meant to hold to the death; -but a considerable proportion to the east, -where they collected with the commandos -under Christian de Wet. Broadwood's -brigade had captured about a dozen waggons -and thirty prisoners. In all there were -fifty-two unwounded and seven wounded -Boers in our hands at the end of the day. -The casualties in Hamilton's force were -under fifty. Tucker and Pole-Carew may -have lost the same number between them. -French, who encountered the most stubborn -resistance, had a little over 120. But, in -any case, the passage of the Sand River in -this long straggling action was cheaply won -at a cost of under 250 officers and men.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All our beasts were so exhausted by the -labour of dragging the waggons through the -steep and rocky drift of the Sand, and by the -long pull up the hills on the opposite side, -that few of the regiments got their baggage -that night, and hence it was impossible to -make an early start next morning. But it -was known that the Field-Marshal meant -to reach Kroonstadt on the next day, and as -all the information at our disposal indicated -that the Boers were entrenching a strong -position along a line of wooded bluffs called -the Boschrand, just south of the town, every -minute of halt was grudged.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We moved at eleven o'clock, heading -direct for Kroonstadt, and persevered for two -hours after the sun had set, making in all -nearly seventeen miles. The country to our -left was flat and open, and as we converged -upon the main army we could see, like red -clouds with the sunset behind them, the long -parallel lines of dust, which marked the -marches of the Seventh and Eleventh -Divisions; and we knew besides, that, beyond -both columns and west of the railroad, French -was driving his weary squadrons forward -upon another wide swoop. The army drew -together in the expectation of a great action. -But for all our marching we could never -make up the extra distance we had to cover -in coming diagonally from the flank, and as -darkness fell we realised that the Seventh -Division was drawing across our front, and -that Pole-Carew with the guard was striding -along ahead of us all. That night Lord -Roberts slept at America Siding, scarcely -six miles from the Boschrand position.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ian Hamilton marched on again at dawn, -transport and convoys struggling along miles -behind, and the fine-drawn yet eager Infantry -close upon the heels of the Cavalry screen. -At times we listened for the sound of guns, -for if the enemy stood, the Field-Marshal -must come into contact with them by eight -o'clock. And when, after nine o'clock, no -cannonade was heard, the rumour ran through -the army that the Boers had fled without -giving battle, the pace slacked off, and the -Infantry began to feel the effects of their -exertions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At eleven a message from Lord Roberts -reached General Broadwood to say that it -did not matter by which road Hamilton's -column marched in, as the enemy was not -holding his positions. Thereupon I -determined, since there was to be no battle, to -see the capture of Kroonstadt, and being -mounted on a fresh pony I had bought at -Winburg, a beautiful and tireless little beast, -by an English blood sire out of a Basuto -mare, I soon left the Cavalry behind, caught -up the rear of Tucker's transport, pushed on -four or five miles along the line of march of -his division, struck the tail of the Eleventh -Division, and finally overtook the head of -the Infantry columns about three miles from -the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lord Roberts entered Kroonstadt at about -mid-day with all his staff. The Eleventh -Division, including the Guards' Brigade, -marched past him in the market square, and -then, passing through the town, went into -bivouac on the northern side. The rest of -the army halted south of Kroonstadt. Gordon's -Cavalry Brigade a mile from the town; -the Seventh Division and Ian Hamilton's -force three miles away, in a wide valley -among the scrub-covered, trench-rimmed hills -the Boers had not dared defend. French, -whose turning movement had again been -obstinately opposed, reached the railway -line north of the town too late to intercept -any rolling stock. Indeed, Major Hunter -Weston, a daring and enterprising engineer, -arrived at the bridge he had hoped to blow -up only to find that it had been blown up by -the enemy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thus, by one long spring from Bloemfontein, -Kroonstadt, the new capital of the Free -State, was captured. It has the reputation -of being one of the prettiest places in the -Republic, but even when allowances are -made for the circumstances under which we -saw it, it does not seem that its fame is just. -The town looked a little larger than -Winburg, though not nearly so clean and -well-kept, and the whole place was smothered -in reddish dust, and dried up by the sun. -The Boers retreated northward along the -railway, in spite of all President Steyn's -exhortations, which included the public -sjambokking of several unwilling burghers, and -did not stop except to wreck the permanent -way until they reached Rhenoster kopjes. -The President, with the members of the -Executive Council and the seat of -Government--which needs to have a good pair of -legs beneath it in times like these--withdrew -to Lindley, whither, for various reasons, it -soon became desirable to follow them.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="lindley"><span class="large">CHAPTER XI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">LINDLEY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Heilbron: May 22, 1900.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Having arrived thus prosperously at -Kroonstadt, Lord Roberts determined to -halt until his supplies were replenished and -the railway line from Bloemfontein in -working order. Moreover, in the expectation of -a general action outside the town, he had -concentrated all his troops and had drawn -the Army of the Right Flank close in to the -main force. Before he advanced again -towards the enemy's position on the -Rhenoster River, he wished to extend his front -widely, as he had done in the previous -operation. The scheme of advance by -converging columns required a pause after each -concentration before the movement could be -repeated; so that while the Field-Marshal -himself remained stationary his energetic -Lieutenant was again on the move.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>General Ian Hamilton, with the same -troops as before and an addition of four -'pom-poms,' started from his camp outside -Kroonstadt on the 15th, and after a short -march encamped on the eastern side of the -town preparatory to moving on Lindley, -whither President Steyn had withdrawn. -The question of supplies was a very -troublesome one, and it was no light matter to -thrust out fifty miles into a hostile country -with only three and a half days' food and -forage in hand. Suppose anything should -happen to the convoys which were to follow. -Meat in plenty could be found everywhere, -but the stores of flour and other farinaceous -goods which the farm-houses might contain -were insufficient and precarious. Even the -benefits of the abundant meat supply were -to some extent discounted by the scarcity of -wood, for it is not much satisfaction to a -soldier to be provided with a leg of mutton if -he has no means of cooking. The deficiencies -were hardly made good by the arrival of -a small convoy, the greater part of which -consisted of disinfectants for standing camps, -and the rest--so valuable in a grass -country--of compressed hay.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Nevertheless, being determined, and trusting, -not without reason, in his supply officer, -Captain Atcherley, Hamilton started on the -16th, and the Infantry bivouacked eighteen -miles from Kroonstadt on the Lindley road--it -would perhaps be less misleading to -write track. The Cavalry brigade with one -corps of Mounted Infantry under Broadwood -were pushed ten miles further on, and seized -a fine iron bridge, not marked on any map, -which spans an important spruit at -Kaalfontein. Here trustworthy information was -received that a large force of Boers with -guns was retreating before Rundle's column -(Eighth Division) northwards upon Lindley, -and deeming it important to occupy the town -before they arrived, Hamilton ordered the -Cavalry to hurry on and take possession of -the heights to the north of it. It was a -double march when ordinary marches were -long. The result, however, justified the -effort. Broadwood 'surprised'--the word is -taken from the Boer accounts--Lindley on -the 17th. Scarcely fifty Boers were at hand -to defend it. A waggon with 60,000*l.* in -specie barely escaped from the clutches of -the Cavalry. After a brief skirmish the town -surrendered. The British loss was three -men wounded. Broadwood then retired as -directed by his chief to the commanding hill -to the north to bivouac. This hill may for -convenience be called 'Lindley Hill' in the -subsequent narrative.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Infantry and baggage also made a -long march on the 17th, but as the road was -obstructed by several bad spruits or </span><em class="italics">dongas</em><span>, -they were still fourteen miles from Lindley -when night closed in. Even then the -transport was toiling on the road, and a large -part of it did not come in, and then in an -exhausted condition, until after midnight. I -wonder how many people in England realise -what a </span><em class="italics">spruit</em><span> is, and how it affects military -operations. Those who live in highly -developed countries, where the surface of the -earth has been shaped to our convenience by -the patient labour of many years, are -accustomed to find the road running serenely -forward across the valleys, and they scarcely -notice the bridges and culverts over which -it passes. All is different in South Africa. -The long column of transport trails across -the plain. The veldt in front looks smooth -and easy going. Presently, however, there -is a block. What is the matter? Let us -ride forward to see: and so onward to where -the single string of waggons merges in a -vast crowd of transport, twenty rows abreast, -mule carts, Cape carts, ox waggons, -ambulances, and artillery, all waiting impatiently, -jostling each other, while drivers and -conductors swear and squabble. Here is the -spruit--a great chasm in the ground, fifty -feet deep, a hundred yards from side to side. -The banks are precipitous and impassable at -all points except where the narrow single -track winds steeply and unevenly down. -The bottom is a quagmire, and though the -engineers are doing their best to level and -improve the roadway, it is still a combination -of the Earl's Court water chute and the -Slough of Despond. One by one, after a -hot dispute for precedence, the waggons -advance. The brakes must be screwed up -to their tightest grip lest the ponderous -vehicles rush forward down the slope and -overwhelm their oxen. Even with this -precaution the descent of each is a crash, a -scramble, and a bump. At the bottom like -a feather-bed lies the quagmire. Here one -waggon in every three sticks. The mules -give in after one effort--unworthy hybrids. -The oxen strain with greater perseverance. -But in the end it is the man who has to do -the hauling. Forthwith come fatigue parties -of weary men--it has been a long march -already to soldiers fully equipped. Drag -ropes are affixed, and so with sweat, blood, -and stretching sinew, long whips cracking -and whistling, white men heaving and natives -yelping encouragement, another waggon -comes safely through. And there are seven -miles of transport!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the morning of the 18th the Infantry -were about to move off, when a patter of -rifle shots to the north of the road reminded -us of the presence of the enemy. A foraging -party of Major Rimington's Guides had -ridden up to a farm, which stood in full view -of the camp and flew (or was it hoisted -afterwards?) a white flag. Arrived there, they -were received by a volley from five Boers in -hiding near. Conceive the impudence of -these people: five Boers, within a mile of -eight thousand British and a powerful -Cavalry force, fire on a foraging party! -Luckily no harm done; Cavalry gallop out -angrily; Boers vanish among remoter kopjes. -'But,' said the General, 'what about my convoys?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So it was arranged that Smith-Dorrien -should be left where he was (twelve miles -west of Lindley) with his own brigade, one -battery, and a corps of Mounted Infantry to -help in the expected convoy, and should cut -off the corner and rejoin the column at the -end of its first march towards Heilbron. -Ian Hamilton with the rest of the troops -then moved on to Lindley. The march lay -through the same class of country hitherto -traversed--a pleasant grassy upland which, -if not abundantly supplied with water by -nature, promised a rich reward to man, -should he take the trouble to construct even -the simplest irrigation works. Spruits ran -in all directions, and only required an -ordinary dam, like the bunds the peasants -build in India, to jewel each valley with a -gleaming vivifying lake. The husbanding -of water would repair the scarcity of wood, -and the tenth year might see the naked -grass clothed and adorned with foliage. -But at present the country-side is so sparsely -populated that the energies of its inhabitants -could not produce much effect upon the -landscape. The unamiable characteristic of the -Boer, to shun the sight of his neighbour's -barn, has scattered the farms so widely that -little patches of tillage are only here and there -to be seen, and the intervening miles lie -neglected, often not more than twenty acres of -a six thousand acre property being brought -into cultivation, which seems rather a pity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The fair face of the land under its smiling -sky was not unmarked by the footprints of -war. In the dry weather the careless habits -of the soldiers were the constant cause of -grass fires. The half-burnt match, tossed idly -aside after a pipe was lighted, or an unguarded -spark from a cooking fire, kindled at once an -extensive conflagration. The strong winds -drove the devouring blaze swiftly forward -across the veldt, clouding the landscape by -day with dense fumes of smoke and scarring -the scene by night with vivid streaks of flame. -So frequent were these grass fires that they -became a serious nuisance, wasting in an hour -many acres of grazing, proclaiming the -movement and marking the track of the -army, stifling the marching columns with -pungent odours, destroying the field -telegraph, and only extinguished by the heavy -dews of the early morning. But in spite of -repeated injunctions in the daily orders, the -accidents--for which, indeed, there was every -excuse--continued, and the plains of -brownish grass were everywhere disfigured with -ugly patches of black ashes which, as the fires -burnt outwards, would spread and spread, -like stains of blood soaking through khaki.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length the track, which had been -winding among the smooth undulations, rounded -an unusually steep hillock of kopje -character, and we saw before us at the distance -of a mile the pretty little town of Lindley. -The Cavalry bivouacs covered the nearer -slopes of the high hill to the northward. -The houses--white walls and blue-grey roofs -of iron--were tucked away at the bottom of -a regular cup, and partly hidden by the dark -green Australian trees. We rode first of all -to Broadwood's headquarters, following the -ground wire which led thither. Arrived -there we learned the news. Boer laagers and -Boer patrols had been found scattered about -the country to the south-east and north-east. -There was occasional firing along the picket -line. The town had upon most searching -requisition yielded nearly two days' supply, -and, most important of all, Piet De Wet, -brother of the famous Christian, had sent in -a message offering to surrender with such of -his men as would follow his example, if he -were permitted to return to his farm. -Broadwood had at once given the required -assurance, and Hamilton on his arrival had wired -to Lord Roberts fully endorsing the views -of his subordinate, and requesting that the -agreement might be confirmed. The answer -came back with the utmost despatch, and was -to the effect that surrender must be -unconditional. De Wet, it was remarked, was -excluded from the favourable terms of the -Proclamation to the Burghers of the Orange -Free State, by the fact that he had -commanded part of the Republican forces. He -could not therefore be permitted to return to -his farm. I need not say with what -astonishment this decision was received. The -messenger carrying the favourable answer -was luckily overtaken before he had passed -through our picket line and the official -letter was substituted. Piet De Wet, who -awaited the reply at a farm-house some ten -miles from Lindley, found himself presented -with the alternative of continuing the war -or going to St. Helena, or perhaps Ceylon; -and as events have shown he preferred the -former course to our loss in life, honour, and -money.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the afternoon I rode into Lindley to -buy various stores in which my waggon was -deficient. It is a typical South African town, -with a large central market square and four -or five broad unpaved streets radiating -therefrom. There is a small clean-looking hotel, -a substantial gaol, a church and a schoolhouse. -But the two largest buildings are the -general stores. These places are the depôts -whence the farmers for many miles around -draw all their necessaries and comforts. -Owned and kept by Englishmen or -Scotchmen, they are built on the most approved -style. Each is divided into five or six large -well-stocked departments. The variety of -their goods is remarkable. You may buy a -piano, a kitchen range, a slouch hat, a bottle -of hair wash, or a box of sardines over the -same counter. The two stores are the rival -Whiteley's of the country-side; and the -diverse tastes to which they cater prove at -once the number of their customers, and the -wealth which even the indolent Boer may -win easily from his fertile soil.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Personally I sought potatoes, and after -patient inquiry I was directed to a man who -had by general repute twelve sacks. He -was an Englishman, and delighted to see the -British bayonets at last. 'You can't think,' -he said, 'how we have looked forward to this -day.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I asked him whether the Dutch had -ill-used him during the war.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'No, not really ill-used us; but when we -refused to go out and fight they began -commandeering our property, horses and carts at -first and latterly food and clothing. Besides, -it has been dreadful to have to listen to all -their lies and, of course, we had to keep our -tongues between our teeth.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was evident that he hated the Boers -among whom his lot had been cast with great -earnestness. This instinctive dislike which -the British settler so often displays for his -Dutch neighbour is a perplexing and not a -very hopeful feature of the South African -problem. Presently we reached his house -(where the potatoes were stored). Above -the doorway hung a Union Jack. I said--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'I advise you to take that down.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Why?' he asked, full of astonishment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The British are going to keep the country, -aren't they?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'This column is not going to stay here for ever.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'But,' with an anxious look, 'surely they -will leave some soldiers behind to protect us, -to hold the town.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I told him I thought it unlikely. Ours -was a fighting column. Other troops would -come up presently for garrison duty. But -there would probably be an interval of at -least a week. Little did I foresee the rough -fighting which would rage round Lindley for -the next three months. He looked very -much disconcerted; not altogether without -reason.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'It's very hard on us,' he said after a pause. -'What will happen when the Boers come -back? They're just over the hill now.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'That's why I should take the flag down -if I were you. If you don't fight, keep your -politics till the war is over!' He looked -very disappointed, and I think was asking -himself how much his enthusiasm had -compromised him. After we had settled the -potato question to his satisfaction and I had -sent the sack away upon my pack pony, he -perked up. 'Come and see my garden,' he -said, and nothing loth I went. It was not -above a hundred yards square, but its -contents proclaimed his energy and the -possibilities of the soil. He explained how he -had dammed a marshy sluit in the side of -the hills to the eastward. 'Plenty of water -at all seasons: this pipe you see, only a -question of piping: as much water as ever I want: -twenty gardens: grow anything you like, -potatoes mostly, cabbages (they were -beauties), tomatoes and onions, a vine of sweet -white grapes, a bed of strawberries over -there--anything: it only wants water, and there's -plenty of that if you take the trouble to get it.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The signs of industry impressed me. -'How long,' I asked, 'have you been here?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Eight years last February,' he replied; -'see those trees?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He pointed to a long row of leafy trees -about twenty feet high, which gave a cool -shade and whose green colour pleased the -eye after looking at so much brown grass. I -nodded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'I planted those myself when I came: -they grow quickly, don't they? Only a question -of water, and that is only a question of work.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then I left him and returned to the camp -with my potatoes and some information thrown in.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The next morning before breakfast-time -there was firing in the picket line south of -Lindley. The patter of shots sounded across -the valley, and upon the opposite slopes the -British patrols could be seen galloping about -like agitated ants. I was at the moment -with General Hamilton. He watched the -distant skirmish from his tent door for a -little while in silence. Then he said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The scouts and the Kaffirs report laagers -of the enemy over there, and over there, and -over there' (he pointed to the different -quarters). 'Now either I must attack them -to-day or they will attack me to-morrow. If I -attack them to-day, I weary my troops; and -if I don't we shall have to fight an awkward -rear-guard action to get out of this place to-morrow.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He did not say at the time which course -he meant to follow, but I felt quite sure he -would not take his troops back very far to -the south or south-east to chastise impalpable -laagers. We were running on schedule time -and had to make our connections with the -main army, to securing whose smooth and -undisturbed march all our efforts must be -directed. So I was not surprised when the -day passed without any movement on our part.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Very early on the 20th the brigades were -astir, and as soon as the light was strong -Broadwood's Cavalry began to stream away -over the northern ridges. The guns and the -greater part of the Infantry followed them -without delay, so that by seven o'clock the -great column of transport was winding round -the corner of Lindley Hill on the road to -Heilbron. The fact that parties of the enemy -had been observed on all sides except the -west, made the operation of disentangling the -force from Lindley difficult and dangerous. -Broadwood's duty was to clear the way in -front. Legge's corps of Mounted Infantry -guarded the right flank: and Ian Hamilton -himself watched the movement of the rear -guard, which consisted of the Derbyshire -Regiment, Bainbridge's corps of Mounted -Infantry and, as a special precaution, the -82nd Field Battery.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The full light of day had no sooner -revealed the march of the troops than the -watching Boers began to feel and press the -picket line: and an intermittent musketry -spread gradually along the whole three -quarter circle round Lindley. At eight o'clock -our troops evacuated the town itself, at nine, -the convoy being nearly round Lindley Hill, -the pickets commenced to draw in. This -was a signal for decided increase in the -firing. No sooner were the outposts clear of -the town than the Boers in twos and threes -galloped into it and began to fire from the -houses. All kinds of worthy old gentlemen, -moreover, who had received us civilly enough -the day before, produced rifles from various -hiding-places and shot at us from off their -verandahs. Indeed, so quickly did the town -revert to the enemy's hands that Somers -Somerset, the despatch rider of the 'Times,' -was within an ace of being caught. He had -arrived late the night before, and having -found a comfortable bed at the hotel went to -sleep without asking questions. The next -thing he remembers is the landlord rushing -into his room and crying in great excitement -that the Boers were in the town. He -scrambled into his clothes and, jumping on his -horse galloped through the streets and was -not fired at till he was more than a quarter -of a mile away. History does not record -whether among such disturbing events he -retained his presence of mind sufficiently to -settle his hotel bill.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The General and his staff had watched the -beginnings of the action from the now -deserted camping ground, a dirty waste, -littered with rubbish and dotted with the -melancholy figures of derelict horses and mules. -So soon as the retiring pickets drew north -of the town, he mounted and made his way -to the top of Lindley Hill. From this -commanding table-top the whole scene of -action, indeed the whole surrounding country, -was visible. At our feet beyond the -abandoned bivouac lay the houses of Lindley -giving forth a regular rattle of musketry. -On either side, east and west, rose two -prominent kopjes held by companies of Mounted -Infantry briskly engaged. The tail of the -transport serpent was twisting away into -safety round the base of our hill. Far away -on the broad expanse of down parties of -Dutch horsemen cantered swiftly forward; -and along a road beyond the eastern kopje -rose a steady trickle of mounted men. -They moved in true Boer fashion--little -independent groups of four and five, now -and then a troop of ten or a dozen, here -and there a solitary horseman riding back -against the general flow. At no particular -moment were more than thirty to be seen -on the mile of dusty road. Yet to an -experienced eye the movement seemed full of -dangerous significance. One became -conscious of a growing accumulation of force -somewhere among the hills to the eastward. -The General, who had served on the Indian -frontier, understood rear-guard actions, and -his face was grave, as I had not seen it when -larger operations were toward; and at this -moment the boom of a heavy gun told us -that the advanced troops were also engaged. -The Boers knew what they wanted. There -was an air of decision about their -movements which boded no good to rear or right -flank guard. Gallopers were sent off, one to -warn the right corps of Mounted Infantry, -another to bid the main body of the force -go dead slow, another to the threatened -eastern kopje to learn the state of affairs -there. The rear-guard battery was brought -up on to the table-top, and came into -action. This was, I think, the key of the -situation. The battery planted on Lindley -Hill, and casting its shells now in one -direction, now in another, compelled the -assailants to keep their distance, and helped the -pickets into safety and new positions further -back. It called to mind some famous -knight of history or romance holding an -angry rabble back beyond the sweep of his -long sword, while his comrades made good -their retreat. Under this good protection -the pickets, having dutifully held their -positions until the convoy was well on its road, -scampered in, and the battery itself began -to think about retiring. But the trickle of -Boers along the eastern roadway had not -stopped. Seven or eight hundred men -must have passed already; and those that -now came galloped as if they had some very -tangible objective. 'Look out, the right flank!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But now, the rear guard having -disengaged itself from Lindley town, the -General's place was with his main body, and we -set off to trot and gallop the seven miles -that intervened between the head and tail -of our force. The firing in front had ceased -before we came up. Indeed, the affair had -not been of any importance. About seven -hundred Boers with three or four guns had -obstructed the advance near the Rhenoster -River; had even checked the Cavalry screen; -Tenth Hussars had two officers wounded; a -dozen other casualties in the Brigade; -Infantry and guns wanted to clear the way. -A Cavalry brigade is not a kopje-smashing -machine. 'Never mind, here come the -cow-guns. Now we shall see.' Indeed, as soon -as the head of the 21st Brigade began to -deploy, the five-inch guns and a field -battery opened on the enemy, who thereupon -fled incontinently across the river, pursued -by the fire of the guns and of the Cavalry -'pom-poms.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We were just congratulating ourselves -upon the success of these curious -operations--curious because the drill books do not -contemplate both sides fighting rear-guard -actions at the same time--when half a dozen -riderless horses galloped in from somewhere -miles away on the right flank. Evidently -sharp fighting was proceeding there; the -flow of Boers had meant mischief. The -peaceful landscape told no tale. No sound -of musketry, nor sign of action could be -distinguished. Indeed, in this scattered -warfare one part of a force may easily be -destroyed without the rest even knowing that -a shot has been fired. 'Why scatter them?' -asks the armchair strategist. 'Because if -you don't scatter, and haven't got soldiers -who are good enough to act when scattered, -you will all get destroyed in a lump together.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The General sent directions to the rear -guard to communicate with the flank guard; -kept another corps of Mounted Infantry -handy to support either if necessary, and -turned his attention to getting his brigades -across the Rhenoster River. While this was -proceeding the head of Smith-Dorrien's -column, which had marched prosperously -from their bivouac near Kaalfontein, came -into view, and the Army of the Right Flank -stood again united, a fact which suggests -some consideration of its functions in the -general scheme of Lord Roberts's advance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After Kroonstadt had been captured the -republican forces on the railway retreated to -the line of the Rhenoster. Half a mile to -the north of this river there rises abruptly -from the smooth plain a long line of rocky -hills, and in this strong position the Boers -had determined to make a stubborn stand. -Any force advancing along the railway would -indeed have found it a difficult and costly -business to cross the river and dislodge an -enemy so posted. Other low hills trending -away to either flank would have made any -turning movement an exceedingly extended -and probably a useless operation, for the -enemy being on the inside of the circle would -have been able to confront the attack -wherever it might fall. But the Rhenoster River, -as the reader will see by a glance at the map, -rises considerably south of the point where it -intersects the railway; and so soon as Ian -Hamilton's force was across it, the Boers -holding the kopjes position were in considerable -danger of being cut off. The effect of -our crossing the Rhenoster between Lindley -and Heilbron should therefore be to clear -the march of the main army. All fell out as -Lord Roberts had expected; although the -Boers had made great preparations to defend -Rhenoster, had constructed strong -entrenchments and made sidings to detrain their -heavy guns, they evacuated the whole -position without a shot being fired, compelled -by the movement of a column forty miles -away to their left flank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All who understood the scope and cohesion -of the operations were delighted at the -prospect of getting across the Rhenoster -River. The General was determined, rear -and flank guard actions notwithstanding, to -have his army and transport over that night: -and two practicable crossings having been -found, Infantry, Cavalry, guns and baggage -began to push across. The last was now -increased by the arrival of Smith-Dorrien, who -brought with him a much needed convoy -with sufficient supplies to carry us on to -Heilbron and a march beyond. It was -midnight before all the waggons were across; but -though this cruel day of march and sun tore -the hearts out of the transport animals, and -the flocks of sheep were so weary they could -scarcely be driven along, we knew that the -exertions had not been made in vain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Late in the evening came the news from -the right flank guard. They had waited, -fearing to expose the rear guard to a flank -attack. The rear guard had made good its -retreat. A gap had sprung up between the -two bodies. The vigilant Boers had pounced -in and stampeded the horses of one Mounted -Infantry company. A sharp, fierce fight -followed; rear guard hearing the fusillade -swung in to help. Ultimately the Boers -were checked sufficiently to enable rear and -flank guards to cut inwards together and -draw off: but it was by general agreement -of participants a very unpleasant affair. The -officer commanding the company whose -horses were stampeded had particularly -interesting experiences. The Boers galloped right -in among his men, and a confused scrimmage -followed: officer was running towards -stampeded horses; on the way he passed a -burgher; 'Surrender,' cried the Dutchman. -'No,' retorted the officer--an Irishman--(with -suitable emphasis) and ran on, -whereupon burgher dismounted and began -shooting; had four shots and missed every one. -Meanwhile officer reached shelter of a -convenient rock, turned in just indignation, fitted -his Mauser pistol together and fired back. -The burgher, finding his enemy behind cover, -and himself in the open--by no means the -situation for a patriot--jumped on his horse, -and would have galloped away but that the -officer managed to hit him in the leg with -his pistol, and so he dropped, according to -the account of an eye-witness, 'like a shot rook.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The local advantage, however, rested with -the Boers, who hit or captured the greater -part of the squadron, including twenty -wounded. Concerning these latter, Piet De -Wet sent in a flag of truce during the night -offering to hand them over if ambulances -were sent, and several wounded Boers whom -we had taken were given up. This was -accordingly done. Our total losses during -the 20th were about sixty, some of whom -were officers. The Boers admitted a loss of -twenty killed and wounded, and it may easily -have been more. The army bivouacked on -the north bank of the Rhenoster within two -marches of the town of Heilbron, upon which -it was now designed to move.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="concerning-a-boer-convoy"><span class="large">CHAPTER XII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">CONCERNING A BOER CONVOY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Heilbron: May 22.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Heilbron lies in a deep valley. About it -on every side rolls the grassy upland country -of the Free State, one smooth grey-green -surge beyond another, like the after-swell of -a great gale at sea; and here in the trough -of the waves, hidden almost entirely from -view, is the town itself, white stone houses -amid dark trees, all clustering at the foot of -a tall church spire. It is a quiet, sleepy little -place, with a few good buildings and pretty -rose gardens, half-a-dozen large stores, a -hotel, and a branch line of its own.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For a few days it had been capital of the -Free State. The President, his secretaries, -and his councillors arrived one morning from -Lindley, bringing the 'seat of government' -with them in a Cape cart. For nearly a week -Heilbron remained the chief town. Then, as -suddenly as it had come, the will-o'-the-wisp -dignity departed, and Steyn, secretaries, -councillors, and Cape cart, hurried away to -the eastward, leaving behind them rumours -of advancing hosts--and (to this I can -testify) three bottles of excellent champagne. -That was on Sunday night. The inhabitants -watched and wondered all the next day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the Tuesday morning, shortly after the -sun had risen, Christian De Wet appeared -with sixty waggons, five guns, and a -thousand burghers, very weary, having trekked -all night from the direction of Kroonstadt, -and glad to find a place of rest and -refreshment. 'What of the English?' inquired -the new-comers, and the Heilbron folk -replied that the English were coming, and so -was Christmas, and that the country to the -southward was all clear for ten miles. -Thereat the war-worn commando outspanned their -oxen and settled themselves to coffee. Forty -minutes later the leading patrols of Broadwood's -Brigade began to appear on the hills -to the south of the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Looked at from any point of view, the -British force was a formidable array: -Household Cavalry, 12th Lancers and 10th -Hussars, with P and Q Batteries Royal Horse -Artillery (you must mind your P's and Q's -with them), two 'pom-poms,' and two -galloping Maxims; and, hurrying up behind -them, Light Horse, Mounted Infantry, -Nineteenth and Twenty-first Brigades, thirty -field-guns, more 'pom-poms,' two great -5-in. ox-drawn siege pieces ('cow guns' as the -army calls them), and Ian Hamilton. It was -an army formidable to any foe; but to those -who now stared upwards from the little town -and saw the dark, swift-moving masses on -the hills--an avalanche of armed men and -destructive engines about to fall on -them--terrible beyond words.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'And then,' as the poet observes, 'there -was mounting in hot haste,' saddling up of -weary ponies, frantic inspanning of hungry -oxen cheated of their well-earned rest and -feed, cracking of long whips, kicking of -frightened Kaffirs; and so pell-mell out of -the town and away to the northward hurried -the commando of Christian De Wet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Cavalry halted on the hills for a while, -the General being desirous of obtaining the -formal surrender of Heilbron, and so -preventing street-fighting or bombardment. An -officer--Lieutenant M. Spender-Clay, of the -2nd Life Guards--was despatched with a flag -of truce and a trumpeter; message most -urgent, answer to be given within twenty -minutes, or Heaven knows what would happen; -but all these things take time. Flags of -truce (prescribe the customs of war) must -approach the enemy's picket line at a walk; -a mile and a half at a walk--twenty minutes; -add twenty for the answer, ten for the return -journey, and nearly an hour is gone. So we -wait impatiently watching the two solitary -figures with a white speck above them draw -nearer and nearer to the Boer lines; 'and,' -says the brigadier, 'bring two guns up and -have the ranges taken.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was just a chance that while all -were thus intent on the town, the convoy and -commando might have escaped unharmed, -for it happened that the northern road runs -for some distance eastward along the bottom -of the valley, concealed from view. But the -clouds of dust betrayed them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Hullo! what the deuce is that?' cried an -officer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'What?' said everyone else.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Why, that! Look at the dust. There -they go. It's a Boer convoy. Gone away.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And with this holloa the chase began. -Never have I seen anything in war so like a -fox hunt. At first the scent was uncertain, -and the pace was slow with many checks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before us rose a long smooth slope of -grass, and along the crest the figures of -horsemen could be plainly seen. The tail of the -waggon train was just disappearing. But -who should say how many rifles lined that -ridge? Besides, there were several -barbed-wire fences, which, as anyone knows, will -spoil the best country.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Broadwood began giving all kinds of -orders--Household Cavalry to advance slowly in -the centre; 12th Lancers to slip forward on -the right, skirting the town, and try to look -behind the ridge, and with them a battery of -horse guns; 10th Hussars, to make a cast -to the left, and the rest of the guns to walk -forward steadily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Slowly at first, and silently besides; but -soon the hounds gave tongue. Pop, pop, -pop--the advanced squadron--Blues--had -found something to fire at, and something -that fired back, too; pip-pop, pip-pop came -the double reports of the Boer rifles. -Bang--the artillery opened on the crest-line with -shrapnel, and at the first few shells it was -evident that the enemy would not abide the -attack. The horsemen vanished over the sky-line.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The leading squadron pushed cautiously -forward--every movement at a walk, so far. -Infantry brigadiers and others, inclined to -impatience, ground their teeth, and thinking -there would be no sport that day, went -home criticising the master. The leading -squadron reached the crest, and we could see -them dismount and begin to fire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We were over the first big fence, and now -the scent improved. Beyond the first ridge -was another, and behind this, much nearer -now, dust clouds high and thick. The -General galloped forward himself to the -newly-captured position and took a comprehensive -view. 'Tell the brigade to come here at -once--sharp.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A galloper shot away to the rear. Behind -arose the rattle of trotting batteries. -The excitement grew. Already the patrols -were skirting the second ridge. The Boer -musketry, fitful for a few minutes, died -away. They were abandoning their second -position. 'Forward, then.' And forward -we went accordingly at a healthy trot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In front of the jingling squadrons two -little galloping Maxims darted out, and -almost before the ridge was ours they were -spluttering angrily at the retreating enemy, -so that four burghers, as I saw myself, -departed amid a perfect hail of bullets, which -peppered the ground on all sides.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But now the whole hunt swung northward -towards a line of rather ugly-looking -heights. Broadwood looked at them sourly. -'Four guns to watch those hills, in case -they bring artillery against us from -them.' Scarcely were the words spoken, when there -was a flash and a brown blurr on the side of -one of the hills, and with a rasping snarl a -shell passed overhead and burst among the -advancing Cavalry. The four guns were on -the target without a moment's delay.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Boer artillerists managed to fire five -shots, and then the place grew too hot for -them--indeed, after Natal, I may write, -even for them. They had to expose themselves -a great deal to remove their gun, and -the limber and its six horses showed very -plainly on the hillside, so that we all hoped -to smash a wheel or kill a horse, and thus -capture a real prize. But at the critical -moment our 'pom-poms' disgraced -themselves. They knew the range, they saw the -target. They fired four shots; the aim was -not bad. But four shots--four miserable -shots! Just pom-pom, pom-pom. That was -all. Whereas, if the Boers had had such a -chance, they would have rattled through the -whole belt, and sent eighteen or twenty -shells in a regular shower. So we all saw -with pain how a weapon, which is so terrible -in the hands of the enemy, may become -feeble and ineffective when used on our side by -our own gunners.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After the menace of the Boer artillery -was removed from our right flank, the -advance became still more rapid. Batteries -and squadrons were urged into a gallop. -Broadwood himself hurried forward. We -topped a final rise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then at last we viewed the vermin. -There, crawling up the opposite slope, clear -cut on a white roadway, was a long line of -waggons--ox waggons and mule waggons--and -behind everything a small cart drawn by -two horses. All were struggling with -frantic energy to escape from their pursuers. -But in vain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The batteries spun round and unlimbered. -Eager gunners ran forward with -ammunition, and some with belts for the -'pom-poms.' There was a momentary pause -while ranges were taken and sights aligned, -and then----! Shell after shell crashed -among the convoys. Some exploded on -the ground, others, bursting in the air, -whipped up the dust all round mules and -men. The 'pom-poms,' roused at last from -their apathy by this delicious target and -some pointed observations of the General, -thudded out strings of little bombs. For a -few minutes the waggons persevered -manfully. Then one by one they came to a -standstill. The drivers fled to the nearest -shelter, and the animals strayed off the road -or stood quiet in stolid ignorance of their -danger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And now at this culminating moment I -must, with all apologies to 'Brooksby,' change -the metaphor, because the end of the chase -was scarcely like a fox hunt. The guns had -killed the quarry, and the Cavalry dashed -forward to secure it. It was a fine bag--to -wit, fifteen laden waggons and seventeen -prisoners. Such was the affair of Heilbron, -and it was none the less joyous and exciting -because, so far as we could learn, no man on -either side was killed, and only one trooper -and five horses wounded. Then we turned -homewards.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the way back to the town I found, -near a fine farmhouse with deep verandahs -and a pretty garden, Boer ambulance -waggons, two German doctors, and a dozen -bearded men. They inquired the issue of -the pursuit; how many prisoners had we -taken? We replied by other questions. -'How much longer will the war last?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'It is not a war any more,' said one of the -Red Cross men. 'The poor devils haven't -got a chance against your numbers.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Nevertheless,' interposed another, 'they -will fight to the end.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I looked towards the last speaker. He -was evidently of a different class to the rest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Are you,' I asked, 'connected with the -ambulance?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'No, I am the military chaplain to the -Dutch forces.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'And you think the Free State will -continue to resist?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'We will go down fighting. What else -is there to do? History and Europe will do -us justice.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'It is easy for you to say that, who do -not fight; but what of the poor farmers and -peasants you have dragged into this war? -They do not tell us that they wish to fight. -They think they have been made a catspaw -for the Transvaal.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Ah,' he rejoined, warmly, 'they have no -business to say that now. They did not say -so before the war. They wanted to fight. -It was a solemn pledge. We were bound -to help the Transvaalers; what would -have happened to us after they were conquered?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'But, surely you, and men like you, knew -the strength of the antagonist you challenged. -Why did you urge these simple people to -their ruin?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'We had had enough of English methods -here. We knew our independence was -threatened. It had to come. We did not -deceive them. We told them. I told my -flock often that it would not be child's play.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Didn't you tell them it was hopeless?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'It was not hopeless,' he said. 'There -were many chances.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'All gone now.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Not quite all. Besides, chances or no -chances, we must go down fighting.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'You preach a strange gospel of peace!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'And you English,' he rejoined, 'have -strange ideas of liberty.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So we parted, without more words; and I -rode on my way into the town. Heilbron -had one memory for me, and it was one -which was now to be revived. In the -hotel--a regular country inn--I found various -British subjects who had been assisting the -Boer ambulances--possibly with rifles. It is -not my purpose to discuss here the propriety -of their conduct. They had been placed in -situations which do not come to men in -quiet times, and for the rest they were -mean-spirited creatures.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While the Republican cause seemed -triumphant they had worked for the Dutch, -had doubtless spoken of 'damned rooineks,' -and used other similar phrases; so soon as -the Imperial arms predominated they had -changed their note; had refused to go on -commando in any capacity, proclaimed that -Britons never should be slaves, and dared -the crumbling organism of Federal -government to do its worst.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We talked about the fighting in Natal -which they had seen from the other side. -The Acton Homes affair cropped up. You -will remember that we of the irregular -brigade plumed ourselves immensely on this -ambuscading of the Boers--the one undoubted -score we ever made against them on the Tugela.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Yes,' purred my renegades, 'you caught -the damned Dutchmen fairly then. We were -delighted, but of course we dared not show -it.' (Pause.) 'That was where De Mentz -was killed.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>De Mentz! The name recalled a vivid -scene--the old field-cornet lying forward, -grey and grim, in a pool of blood and a litter -of empty cartridge cases, with his wife's -letter clasped firmly in his stiffening fingers. -He had 'gone down fighting;' had had no -doubts what course to steer. I knew when -I saw his face that he had thought the whole -thing out. Now they told me that there had -been no man in all Heilbron more bitterly -intent on the war, and that his letter in the -'Volksstem,' calling on the Afrikanders to -drive the English scum from the land, had -produced a deep impression.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Let them,' thus it ran, 'bring 50,000 -men, or 80,000 men, or even'--it was a wild -possibility--'100,000, yet we will overcome -them.' But they brought more than -200,000, so all his calculations were disproved, -and he himself was killed with the responsibility -on his shoulders of leading his men -into an ambush which, with ordinary -precautions, might have been avoided. Such are -war's revenges. His widow, a very poor -woman, lived next door to the hotel, -nursing her son who had been shot through the -lungs during the same action. Let us hope -he will recover, for he had a gallant sire.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="action-of-johannesburg"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">ACTION OF JOHANNESBURG</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Johannesburg: June 1.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>On the 24th of May, Ian Hamilton's -force, marching west from Heilbron, struck -the railway and joined Lord Roberts's main -column. The long marches, unbroken by a -day's rest, the short rations to which the -troops had been restricted, and the -increasing exhaustion of horses and transport -animals seemed to demand a halt. But a more -imperious voice cried 'Forward!' and at -daylight the travel-stained brigades set forth, -boots worn to tatters, gun horses dying at -the wheel, and convoys struggling after in -vain pursuit--'Forward to the Vaal.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And now the Army of the Right Flank -became the Army of the Left; for Hamilton -was directed to move across the railway line -and march on the drift of the river near -Boschbank. Thus, for the first time it was -possible to see the greater part of the -invading force at once.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>French, indeed, was already at Parys, but -the Seventh and Eleventh Divisions, the -Lancer brigade, the corps troops, the heavy -artillery, and Hamilton's four brigades were -all spread about the spacious plain, and made -a strange picture; long brown columns of -Infantry, black squares of batteries, sprays -of Cavalry flung out far to the front and -flanks, 30,000 fighting men together, behind -them interminable streams of waggons, and, -in their midst, like the pillar of cloud that -led the hosts of Israel, the war balloon, full -blown, on its travelling car.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We crossed the Vaal on the 26th -prosperously and peacefully. Broadwood, with -his Cavalry, had secured the passage during -the previous night, and the Infantry -arriving found the opposite slopes in British -hands. Moreover, the Engineers, under the -indefatigable Boileau, assisted by the strong -arms of the Blues and Life Guards, had cut -a fine broad road up and down the steep -river banks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Once across we looked again for the halt. -Twenty-four hours' rest meant convoys with -full rations and forage for the horses. But -in the morning there came a swift messenger -from the Field-Marshal: main army crossing -at Vereeniging, demoralisation of the enemy -increasing, only one span of the railway -bridge blown up, perhaps Johannesburg -within three days--at any rate, 'try,' never -mind the strain of nerve and muscle or the -scarcity of food.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Forward again. That day Hamilton -marched his men eighteen miles--('ten -miles,' say the text-books on war, 'is a good -march for a division with baggage,' and our -force, carrying its own supplies, had ten -times the baggage of a European division!)--and -succeeded besides in dragging his -weary transport with him. By good fortune -the Cavalry discovered a little forage--small -stacks of curious fluffy grass called manna, -and certainly heaven-sent--on which the -horses subsisted and did not actually starve. -All day the soldiers pressed on, and the sun -was low before the bivouac was reached. -Nothing untoward disturbed the march, and -only a splutter of musketry along the -western flank guard relieved its dulness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At first, after we had crossed the Vaal, the -surface of the country was smooth and -grassy, like the Orange River Colony, but as -the column advanced northwards the ground -became broken--at once more dangerous and -more picturesque. Dim blue hills rose up -on the horizon, the rolling swells of pasture -grew sharper and less even, patches of wood -or scrub interrupted the level lines of the -plain, and polished rocks of conglomerate or -auriferous quartz showed through the grass, -like the bones beneath the skin of the -cavalry horses. We were approaching the Rand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the evening of the 27th, Hamilton's -advance guard came in touch with French, -who, with one Mounted Infantry and two -Cavalry brigades, was moving echeloned -forward on our left in the same relation to -us as were we to the main army.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The information about the enemy was -that, encouraged by the defensive promise of -the ground, he was holding a strong position -either on the Klip Riviersburg, or along the -line of the gold mines crowning the main -Rand reef. On the 28th, in expectation of -an action next day, Hamilton made but a -short march. French, on the other hand, -pushed on to reconnoitre, and if possible--for -the Cavalry were very ambitious--to -pierce the lines that lay ahead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I rode with General Broadwood, whose -brigade covered the advance of Hamilton's -column. The troops had now entered a -region of hills which on every side threatened -the march and limited the view.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At nine o'clock we reached a regular pass -between two steep rocky ridges. From the -summit of one of these ridges a wide -landscape was revealed. Northwards across our -path lay the black line of the Klip Riviersburg, -stretching to the east as far as I could -sec, and presenting everywhere formidable -positions to the advancing force. To the -west these frowning features fell away in -more grassy slopes, from among which, its -approach obstructed by several rugged -underfeatures, rose the long smooth ridge of the -Witwatersrand reef. The numerous grass -fires which attend the march of an army in -dry weather--the results of our carelessness, -or, perhaps, of the enemy's design--veiled -the whole prospect with smoke, and made -the air glitter and deceive like the mirages in -the Soudan. But one thing showed with -sufficient distinctness to attract and astonish -all eyes. The whole crest of the Rand ridge -was fringed with factory chimneys. We had -marched nearly 500 miles through a country -which, though full of promise, seemed to -European eyes desolate and wild, and now -we turned a corner suddenly, and there -before us sprang the evidences of wealth, -manufacture, and bustling civilisation. I might -have been looking from a distance at Oldham.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The impression was destroyed by the -booming of shotted guns, unheard, by God's -grace, these many years in peaceful -Lancashire. French was at work. The haze and -the distance prevented us from watching -closely the operations of the Cavalry. The -dark patches of British horsemen and the -white smoke of the Dutch artillery were -the beginning and the end of our observations. -But, even so, it was easy to see that -French was not making much progress.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the afternoon wore on the loud -reverberations of heavy cannon told that the -Boers had disclosed their real position, and we -knew that something more substantial than -Cavalry would be required to drive them -from it. In the evening French's brigades -were seen to be retiring across the Klip -River, and the night closed in amid the rapid -drumming of the Vickers-Maxims covering -his movement, bringing with it the certainty -of an Infantry action on the morrow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At twelve o'clock a despatch from the -Cavalry division reached Hamilton. French's -messenger said that the cavalry were having -a hot fight and were confronted by several -40-pounder guns, but the stout-hearted -commander himself merely acquainted Hamilton -with his orders from headquarters, to march -via Florida to Driefontein, and made no -allusion to his fortunes nor asked for -assistance. Indeed, as we found out later, his -operations on the 28th had been practically -confined to an artillery duel, in which, though -the expenditure of ammunition was very -great and the noise alarming, the -casualties--one officer and eight men--were -fortunately small.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the Boers, seeing the Cavalry retire at -dusk, claimed that they had repulsed the first -attack; their confidence in the strength of -the Rand position was increased; their -resistance on the next day was consequently -more stubborn; and the 'Standard and -Diggers' News' was enabled to terminate a long -career of exaggeration and falsehood by -describing one more 'bloody British defeat -with appalling slaughter.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The event of the next day admitted of no -such misinterpretation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The orders from headquarters for the 29th -were such as to involve certain fighting -should the enemy stand. French, with the -Cavalry Division, was to march around -Johannesburg to Driefontein; Ian Hamilton -was directed on Florida; the main army, -under the Field-Marshal, would occupy -Germiston and seize the junctions of the -Natal, Cape Colony, and Potchefstroom lines. -These movements, which the chief had -indicated by flags on the map, were now to be -executed--so far as possible--by soldiers on -the actual field.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The operations of the main army are not -my concern in this letter; but it is necessary -to state the result, lest the reader fail to -grasp the general idea, and, while studying -the detail, forget their scale and meaning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Advancing with great speed and -suddenness through Elandsfontein, Lord Roberts -surprised the Boers in Germiston, and after -a brief skirmish drove them in disorder from -the town, which he then occupied. So -precipitate was the flight of the enemy, or so -rapid the British advance, that nine -locomotives and much other rolling stock were -captured, and the line from Germiston -southward to Vereeniging was found to be -undamaged. The importance of these -advantages on the success of the operations can -scarcely be over-estimated. The problem of -supply was at once modified, and though the -troops still suffered privations from scarcity -of food, the anxieties of their commanders -as to the immediate future were removed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>French had camped for the night south -of the Klip River, just out of cannon shot -of the enemy's position, and at eight o'clock -on the morning of the 29th he moved off -westward, intending to try to penetrate, or, -better still, circumvent, the barrier that lay -before him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Such ground as he had won on the -previous day he held with Mounted Infantry, -and thus masking the enemy's front he -attempted to pierce if he could not turn his -right. For these purposes the force at his -disposal--three horse batteries, four -'pom-poms,' and about 3,000 mounted men--was -inadequate and unsuited. But he knew that -Ian Hamilton, with siege guns, field guns, -and two Infantry brigades, was close behind -him, and on this he reckoned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Firing began about seven o'clock, when -the Boers attacked the Mounted Infantry -Corps holding the positions captured on the -28th, and who were practically covering the -flank movement of the rest of the Cavalry -Division and the march of Hamilton's -column. The Mounted Infantry, who were -very weak, were gradually compelled to fall -back, being at one time enfiladed by two -Vickers-Maxims and heavily pressed in front.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But their resistance was sufficiently -prolonged to secure the transference of force -from right to left. By ten o'clock French -had gone far enough west to please him, and -passing round the edge of a deep swamp -turned the heads of his regiments sharply -to their right (north), and moved towards -the Rand ridge and its under features.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By the vigorous use of his Horse Artillery -he cleared several of the advanced kopjes, -and had made nearly two miles progress -north of the drainage line of the Klip River, -when he was abruptly checked. A squadron -sent forward against a low fringe of rocks, -clumping up at the end of a long grass glacis, -encountered a sudden burst of musketry fire, -and returned, pursued by shell, with the -information that mounted men could work no -further northwards.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile Hamilton, who had determined -to lay his line of march across the Doornkop -ridges (of inglorious memory), and -whose Infantry, baggage, and guns were -spread all along the flat plain south of the -Klip, was drawing near. French halted his -brigades and awaited him. The instructions -from headquarters defined very carefully the -relations which were to be observed between -the two Generals. They were to co-operate, -yet their commands were entirely separate. -Should they attack the same hill at once, -French, as a lieutenant-general and long -senior to Hamilton, would automatically -assume command. But this contingency was -not likely to arise from the military situation, -and the good feeling and mutual confidence -which existed between these two able -soldiers, and which had already produced golden -results at Elandslaagte, made the possibility -of any misunderstanding still more remote.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>French was joined by Hamilton at one -o'clock, and they discussed the situation -together. French explained the difficulty of -further direct advance. He must move still -more to the west. On the other hand, -Hamilton, whose force was eating its last day's -rations, could make no longer </span><em class="italics">détour</em><span>, and -must break through there and then--frontal -attack, if necessary. So all fitted in -happily. The Cavalry division moved to the left -to co-operate with the Infantry attack by -threatening the Boer right, and, in order that -this pressure might be effective, Hamilton -lent Broadwood's Brigade and two corps of -Mounted Infantry to French for the day. -He himself prepared to attack what stood -before him with his whole remaining force.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By two o'clock the Cavalry in brown -swarms had disappeared to the westward, -both Infantry brigades were massed under -cover on the approaches of the Rand ridge, -and the transport of the army lay accumulated -in a vast pool near the passage of the -Klip--here only a swamp, but further east a -river. The artillery duel of the morning had -died away. The firing on the right, where -the Mounted Infantry still maintained -themselves, was intermittent. The reconnaissance -was over. The action was about to begin, -and in the interval there was a short, quiet -lull--the calm before the storm. The -soldiers munched their biscuits silently under -the sun blaze. The officers and staff ate a -frugal luncheon. Ian Hamilton with his -aide-de-camp, the Duke of Marlborough, -shared the contents of my wallets. I -watched the General closely. He knew -better than the sanguine people who declared -the Boers had run away already. No one -understood better than he what a terrible foe is -the rock-sheltered Mauser-armed Dutchman. -In spite of its cavalry turning movement, -and other embellishments, the impending -attack must be practically frontal. Supply -did not allow a wider circle: to stop was to -starve; and the position before us--half-a-dozen -clusters of rock, breaking from the -smooth grass upward slopes, except in colour -like foam on the crest of waves, natural -parapet and glacis combined, and, beyond all, the -long bare ridge of the Rand lined with who -should say what entrenchments or how many -defenders--a prospect which filled all men -who knew with the most solemn thoughts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For my part, having seen the Infantry -come reeling back in bloody ruin two or three -times from such a place and such a foe, -though I risked no repute on the -event--scarcely my life--I confess to a beating -heart. But the man who bore all the -responsibility, and to whom the result meant -everything, appeared utterly unmoved. -Indeed, I could almost imagine myself the -General and the General the Press -Correspondent, though perhaps this arrangement -would scarcely have worked so well.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At three o'clock precisely the Infantry -advanced to the attack. Major-General -Bruce-Hamilton directed the left attack with the -Twenty-first Brigade, and Colonel Spens the -right with the Nineteenth Brigade. The -whole division was commanded by General -Smith-Dorrien. The lateness of the hour -gave scarcely any time for the artillery -preparation, and the artillery came into action -only a few minutes before the infantry were -exposed to fire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It must be noticed that the combination -of the batteries and the support which they -afforded to the attack was scarcely so -effective as might have been expected from the -number of guns available. But the General -commanding a mixed force is bound to trust -the various specialists under him, at least -until experience has shown them to be -deficient in energy or ability.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Infantry advance was developed on -the most modern principles. Each brigade -occupied a front of more than a mile and -three quarters, and the files of the first line -of skirmishers were extended no less than -thirty paces. Bruce-Hamilton, with the left -attack, started a little earlier than the right -brigade, and, with the City Imperial -Volunteers in the first line, soon had his whole -command extended on the open grass.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A few minutes after three, French's guns -were heard on the extreme left, and about -the same time the firing on the right swelled -up again, so that by the half-hour the action -was general along the whole front of -battle--an extent of a little over six miles.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 67%" id="figure-126"> -<span id="ian-hamilton-s-action-before-johannesburg"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-249.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">IAN HAMILTON'S ACTION BEFORE JOHANNESBURG</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>The left attack, pressed with vigour, and -directed with skill by General Bruce-Hamilton, -led along a low spur, and was designed to -be a kind of inside turning movement to -assist the right in conformity with the Cavalry -action now in full swing. The City Imperial -Volunteers moved forward with great dash -and spirit, and in spite of a worrying fire -from their left rear, which increased in -proportion as they moved inwards towards the -right, drove the Boers from position after -position. While there is no doubt that -French's pressure beyond them materially -assisted their advance, the rapid progress of -this Twenty-first Brigade entitled them and -their leader to the highest credit. The -Cameron Highlanders and the Sherwood -Foresters supported the attack. The Boers -resisted well with artillery, and their shells -caused several casualties among the advancing -lines; but it was on the right that the -fighting was most severe.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The leading battalion of the Nineteenth -Brigade chanced--for there was no selection--to -be the Gordon Highlanders; nor was it -without a thrill that I watched this famous -regiment move against the enemy. Their -extension and advance were conducted with -machine-like regularity. The officers -explained what was required to the men. -They were to advance rapidly until under -rifle fire, and then to push on or not as they -might be instructed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With impassive unconcern the veterans -of Chitral, Dargai, the Bara Valley, -Magersfontein, Paardeburg, and Houtnek walked -leisurely forward, and the only comment -recorded was the observation of a private: -'Bill, this looks like being a kopje -day.' Gradually the whole battalion drew out -clear of the covering ridge, and long dotted -lines of brown figures filled the plain. At -this moment two batteries and the two -5-in. guns opened from the right of the line, -and what with the artillery of French and -Bruce-Hamilton there was soon a loud cannonade.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Dutch replied at once with three or -four guns, one of which seemed a very heavy -piece of ordnance on the main Rand ridge, -and another fired from the kopje against -which the Gordons were marching. But the -Boer riflemen, crouching among the rocks, -reserved their fire for a near target. While -the troops were thus approaching the -enemy's position, the two brigades began -unconsciously to draw apart. Colonel Spens' -battalions had extended further to the right -than either Ian Hamilton or Smith-Dorrien -had intended. Bruce-Hamilton, pressing -forward on the left, found himself more and -more tempted to face the harassing attack -on his left rear. Both these tendencies had -to be corrected. The Gordons were deflected -to their left by an officer, Captain -Higginson, who galloped most pluckily into the -firing line in spite of a hail of bullets. -Bruce-Hamilton was ordered to bear in to his right -and disregard the growing pressure behind -his left shoulder. Nevertheless a wide gap -remained. But by this mischance Ian -Hamilton contrived to profit. Smith-Dorrien -had already directed the only remaining -battalion--the Sussex--to fill up the interval, -and the General-in-Chief now thrust a -battery forward through the gap, almost flush -with the skirmish line of the Infantry on its -left and right.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The fire of these guns, combined with the -increasing pressure from the turning -movements both of Bruce-Hamilton and French, -who was now working very far forward in -the west, weakened the enemy's position on -the kopje which the Gordons were -attacking. Yet, when every allowance has been -made for skilful direction and bold leading, -the honours, equally with the cost of the -victory, belong more to the Gordon Highlanders -than to all the other troops put together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The rocks against which they advanced -proved in the event to be the very heart of -the enemy's position. The grass in front of -them was burnt and burning, and against -this dark background the khaki figures -showed distinctly. The Dutch held their -fire until the attack was within 800 yards, -and then, louder than the cannonade, the -ominous rattle of concentrated rifle fire burst -forth. The black slope was spotted as -thickly with grey puffs of dust where the -bullets struck as with advancing soldiers, -and tiny figures falling by the way told of -heavy loss. But the advance neither checked -nor quickened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With remorseless stride, undisturbed by -peril or enthusiasm, the Gordons swept -steadily onward, changed direction half left -to avoid, as far as possible, an enfilade fire, -changed again to the right to effect a -lodgment on the end of the ridge most suitable -to attack, and at last rose up together to -charge. The black slope twinkled like jet -with the unexpected glitter of bayonets. -The rugged sky-line bristled with kilted -figures, as, in perfect discipline and -disdainful silence, those splendid soldiers closed on -their foe.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Boers shrank from the contact. Discharging -their magazines furiously, and firing -their guns at point-blank range, they -fled in confusion to the main ridge, and the -issue of the action was no longer undecided.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Still the fight continued. Along the whole -Infantry front a tremendous rifle fire blazed. -Far away to the left French's artillery -pursued the retreating Boers with shells. The -advanced batteries of Hamilton's force fired -incessantly. The action did not cease with -the daylight. The long lines of burning -grass cast a strange, baleful glare on the field, -and by this light the stubborn adversaries -maintained their debate for nearly an hour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length, however, the cannonade slackened -and ceased, and the rifles soon imitated -the merciful example of the guns. The chill -and silence of the night succeeded the hot -tumult of the day. Regiments assembled -and reformed their ranks, ambulances and -baggage waggons crowded forward from the -rear, the burning veldt was beaten out, and -hundreds of cooking fires gleamed with more -kindly meaning through the darkness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The General rode forward, to find the -Gordons massed among the rocks they had -won. The gallant Burney, who commanded -the firing line, was severely wounded. -St. John Meyrick was killed. Nine officers and -eighty-eight soldiers had fallen in the attack; -but those that remained were proud and -happy in the knowledge that they had added -to the many feats of arms which adorn the -annals of the regiment--one that was at least -the equal of Elandslaagte or Dargai; and, -besides all this, they may have reflected that -by their devotion they had carried forward -the British cause a long stride to victory, -and, better than victory, to honorable peace. -Ian Hamilton spoke a few brief words of -thanks and praise to them--'the regiment my -father commanded and I was born in'--and -told them that in a few hours all Scotland -would ring with the tale of their deeds. And -well Scotland may, for no men of any race -could have shown more soldier-like behaviour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then we rode back to our bivouac, while -the lanterns of searching parties moved hither -and thither among the rocks, and voices -cried 'Bearer party this way!' 'Are there -any more wounded here?' with occasional -feeble responses.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Owing to the skilful conduct of the attack, -the losses, except among the Gordons, were -not severe--in all about 150 killed and -wounded. The result of the fight--the -action of Johannesburg, as we called it--was -the general retreat of all the enemy west of -the town under Delarey and Viljoen northwards -towards Pretoria, and, in conjunction -with the Field-Marshal's movements, the -surrender of the whole of the Witwatersrand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>French, continuing his march at dawn to -Driefontein, captured one gun and several -prisoners. Ian Hamilton entered Florida, -and found there and at Maraisburg sufficient -stores to enable him to subsist until his -convoys arrived.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-fall-of-johannesburg"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE FALL OF JOHANNESBURG</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Johannesburg: June 2.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Morning broke and the army arose ready, -if necessary, to renew the fight. But the -enemy had fled. The main Rand ridge still -stretched across our path. Its defenders -had abandoned all their positions under the -cover of darkness. Already French's -squadrons were climbing the slopes to the -eastward and pricking their horses forward to -Elandsfontein (North). So Hamilton's force, -having but six miles to march to Florida, -did not hurry its departure, and we had -leisure to examine the scene of yesterday's -engagement. Riding by daylight over the -ground of the Gordon's attack, we were still -more impressed by the difficulties they had -overcome. From where I had watched the -action the Boers had seemed to be holding a -long black kopje, some forty feet high, which -rose abruptly from the grass plain. It now -turned out that the aspect of steepness was -produced by the foreshortening effects of the -burnt grass area; that in reality the ground -scarcely rose at all, and that what we had -thought was the enemy's position was only a -stony outcrop separated from the real line of -defence by a bare space of about 200 yards.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Looking around I found a Highlander, a -broad-shouldered, kind-faced man, with the -Frontier ribbon, which means on a Gordon -tunic much hard fighting; and judging with -reason that he would know something of -war, I asked him to explain the ground and -its effect.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Well, you see, sir,' he said, in quick -spoken phrases, 'we was regularly tricked. -We began to lose men so soon as we got -on the burnt grass. Then we made our -charge up to this first line of little rocks, -thinking the Boers were there. Of course -they weren't here at all, but back over there, -where you see those big rocks. We were -all out of breath, and in no order whatever, -so we had to sit tight here and wait.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Heavy fire?' I asked. He cocked his -head like an expert.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'I've seen heavier; but there was enough. -We dropped more than forty men here. 'Tis -here poor Mr. ---- was wounded; just behind -this stone. You can see the blood here -yet, sir--this mud's it.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I looked as required, and he proceeded:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'We knew we was for it then; it didn't -look like getting on, and we couldn't get -back--never a man would ha' lived to cross -the black ground again with the fire what it -was, and no attack to fright them off their -aim. There was such a noise of the bullets -striking the rocks that the officers couldn't -make themselves heard, and such confusion -too! But two or three of them managed to -get together after a while, and they told us -what they wanted done ... and then, -of course, it was done all right.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'What was done? What did you do?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Why, go on, sir, and take that other line--the -big rocks--soon as we'd got our breath. -It had to be done.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He did not seem the least impressed with -his feat of arms. He regarded it as a piece -of hard work he had been set to do, and -which--this as a matter of course--he had -done accordingly. What an intrepid -conquering machine to depend on in the hour -of need!--machine and much more, for this -was a proud and intelligent man, who had -thought deeply upon the craft of war, and -had learnt many things in a severe school.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had not ridden a hundred yards further, -my mind full of admiration for him and his -type, when a melancholy spectacle broke -upon the view. Near a clump of rocks -eighteen Gordon Highlanders--men as good -as the one I had just talked with--lay dead -in a row. Their faces were covered with -blankets, but their grey stockinged feet--for -the boots had been removed--looked very -pitiful. There they lay stiff and cold on the -surface of the great Banket Reef. I knew -how much more precious their lives had been -to their countrymen than all the gold mines -the lying foreigners say this war was fought -to win. And yet, in view of the dead and -the ground they lay on, neither I nor the -officer who rode with me could control an -emotion of illogical anger, and we scowled -at the tall chimneys of the Rand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>General Ian Hamilton, General Smith-Dorrien, -all their staffs, and everyone who -wished to pay a last tribute of respect to -brave men, attended the funerals. The -veteran regiment stood around the grave, -forming three sides of a hollow square--Generals -and staff filled the other. The mourning -party rested on their arms, reversed; the -Chaplain read the Burial Service, the bodies -were lowered into the trench, and the pipes -began the lament. The wild, barbaric music -filled the air, stirring the soldiers, hitherto -quite unmoved, with a strange and very -apparent force. Sad and mournful was the -dirge wailing of battles ended, of friendships -broken, and ambitions lost; and yet there -were mingled with its sadness many notes -of triumph, and through all its mourning -rang the cry of hope.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The whole of Hamilton's force had -marched by ten o'clock, but even before -that hour the advanced guard had passed -through Florida and picketed the hills -beyond. Florida is the Kew Gardens of -Johannesburg. A well-built dam across a broad -valley has formed a deep and beautiful lake. -Carefully planted woods of Australian pines -offer a welcome shade on every side. The -black and white pointed chimneys of the -mine buildings rise conspicuous above the -dark foliage. There is a small but comfortable -hotel, called 'The Retreat,' to which on -Sundays, in times of peace, the weary -speculators whose minds were shattered by the -fluctuations of the Exchange were wont to -resort for rest or diversion. Everywhere -along the reef the signs of industry and -commerce were to be seen. Good macadamised -roads crossed each other in all directions; -flashy advertisements caught the eye. A -network of telegraphs and telephones ran -overhead. The ground was accurately marked -out with little obelisks of stone into 'Deeps' -and 'Concessions,' and labelled with all the -queer names which fill the market columns -of the newspapers. In a word, it seemed--to -us dirty, tattered wanderers--that we had -dropped out of Africa and War, and come -safely back to Peace and Civilisation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Since the soldiers had eaten their last day's -rations, and the only food they had had that -morning came from any odds and ends the -regiments might have saved, it was imperative -to find some supplies. The Field-Marshal -had ordered that no troops should enter -Johannesburg until he should specially -direct; but, finding little to eat in Florida, -Hamilton sent his supply officer and a -squadron as far as Maraisburg; whence they -presently returned with a quantity of tinned -rabbit and sardines, and with the news that the -Boers were said to be occupying a position -near Langlaagte mine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During the morning we caught a train -and some prisoners. The train was returning -from Potchefstroom, guarded by six -armed burghers, and on rifles being pointed, -it stopped obediently and surrendered. The -other prisoners were brought in by the -Cavalry and Mounted Infantry, who had caught -them wandering about without their horses. -Among them was Commandant Botha--not -Louis or Philip--but Botha of the -Zoutspansburg commando, a brave and honest -fellow, who had fought all through the war -from Talana Hill until the last action; but -who was quite content that Fate had decided -he should fight no more. Hearing of him -under guard, and near headquarters, I went -to see him. He displayed no bitterness -whatever, and seemed quite prepared to -accept the decision of war. He inquired -anxiously whether he would be sent to -St. Helena, and evinced a childish horror of the -sea. While we were chatting, one of the -other Boer prisoners, who had been looking -hard at us, said, suddenly, in very good -English:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The last time I saw you, you were in my -position and I in yours.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He then went on to tell me that he had -been in the commando that destroyed the -armoured train. 'I felt very sorry for you -that day,' he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I remarked that it was much worse to be -taken prisoner at the beginning of a war -than near the end, as he was.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Do you think this is the end?' asked the -Commandant quickly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'I should ask you that.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'No, no--not yet the end. They will -fight a little more. Perhaps they will defend -Pretoria--perhaps you will have to go to -Lydenburg; but it will not be very long now.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And then, since both he and his companion -had been through the Natal campaign, -we fell to discussing the various actions. Ian -Hamilton came up while we were talking. I -had just told the Commandant that we -considered the Boers had made a fatal strategic -mistake in throwing their main strength into -Natal, instead of merely holding the passes, -masking Mafeking and Kimberley, and -marching south into the colony with every -man and gun they could scrape together. -He admitted that perhaps that might be so; -'but,' said he, 'our great mistake in Natal -was not assaulting Ladysmith--the Platrand -position, you know--the day after our victory -at Lombard's Kop. We blame Joubert for -that. Many of us wanted to go on then. -There were no fortifications; the soldiers -were demoralised. If once we had taken the -Platrand (Cæsar's Camp) you could not have -held the town. How many men had you on -top of it?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Only a picket for the first week,' said the -General.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Ah! I knew we could have done it. -What would have happened then?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'We should have had to turn you out.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Commandant smiled a superior smile. -The General continued: 'Yes--with the -bayonet--at night; or else, as you say, the -town could not have been held.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Presently,' said Botha, 'you pulled -yourselves together, but for three days after -Nicholson's Nek there was no fear of -bayonets. If we had stormed you then--(then -we had all our men and no Buller to think -about)--you would not have been able to -turn us out.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hamilton reflected. 'Perhaps not,' he -said, after a pause. 'Why didn't Joubert -try it?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Too old,' said Botha, with complete -disdain; 'you must have young men for fighting.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That was, so far as I remember, the end -of the conversation; but, a fortnight later, I -met Botha a free man in the streets of -Pretoria. He told me he had been released on -parole, so that evidently his frank manliness -had not been lost upon the General.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After lunch I became very anxious to go -into, and, if possible, through, Johannesburg. -An important action had been fought, -witnessed by only two or three correspondents; -and since the enemy lay between the force -and the telegraph wire no news could have -been sent home. Hamilton, indeed, had sent -off two of Rimington's Guides early in the -morning with despatches; but they were to -make a wide sweep to the south, and it was -not likely, if they got through at all, that -they would reach Lord Roberts until late. -The shortest, perhaps the safest, road lay -through Johannesburg itself. But was the -venture worth the risk? While I was -revolving the matter in my mind on the -verandah of the temporary headquarters, there -arrived two cyclists from the direction of the -town. I got into conversation with one of -them, a Frenchman, Monsieur Lautré by -name. He had come from the Langlaagte -mine, with which undertaking he was -connected. There were no Boers there, -according to him. There might or might not be -Boers in the town. Could a stranger get -through? Certainly, he thought, unless he -were stopped and questioned. He -undertook there and then to be my guide if I -wished to go; and it being of considerable -importance to get the telegrams through to -London, I decided, after a good many -misgivings, to accept his offer. The General, -who wanted to send a more detailed account -of his action, and to report his arrival at -Florida, was glad to avail himself even of -this precarious channel. So the matter was -immediately settled. Lautré's friend, a most -accommodating person, got off his bicycle -without demur and placed it at my disposal. -I doffed my khaki, and put on a suit of plain -clothes which I had in my valise, and -exchanged my slouch hat for a soft cap. Lautré -put the despatches in his pocket, and we -started without more ado.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The tracks were bad, winding up and down -hill, and frequently deep in sand; but the -machine was a good one, and we made fair -progress. Lautré, who knew every inch of -the ground, avoided all highways, and led me -by devious paths from one mine to another, -around huge heaps of tailings, across little -private tram lines, through thick copses of fir -trees, or between vast sheds of machinery, -now silent and idle. In three-quarters of an -hour we reached Langlaagte, and here we -found one of Rimington's scouts pushing -cautiously forward towards the town. We -held a brief parley with him, behind a house, -for he was armed and in uniform. He was -very doubtful of the situation ahead; only -knew for certain that the troops had not yet -entered Johannesburg. 'But,' said he, 'the -Correspondent of the </span><em class="italics">Times</em><span> passed me more -than two hours ago.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Riding?' I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Yes,' he said, 'a horse.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Ah,' said my Frenchman, 'that is no -good. He will not get through on a horse. -They will arrest him.' And then, being -quite fired with the adventure: 'Besides, we -will beat him, even if, unhappily, he escape -the Boers.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So we hurried on. The road now ran -for the most part down hill, and the houses -became more numerous. The day was nearly -done, and the sun drew close to the -horizon, throwing our long shadows on the white -track before us. At length we turned into a -regular street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'If they stop us,' said my guide, 'speak -French. Les François sont en bonne odeur -ici. You speak French, eh?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I thought my accent might be good enough -to deceive a Dutchman, so I said yes; and -thereafter our conversation was conducted in -French.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We avoided the main thoroughfares, -bicycling steadily on through the poorer -quarters. Johannesburg stretched about me on -every side, silent, almost deserted. Groups -of moody-looking people chatted at the street -corners, and eyed us suspiciously. All the -shops were shut. Most of the houses had -their windows boarded up. The night was -falling swiftly, and its shades intensified the -gloom which seemed to hang over the town, -on this the last day of its Republican existence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly, as we crossed a side lane, I saw -in the street parallel to that we followed, three -mounted men with slouch hats, bandoliers, -and that peculiar irregular appearance which -I have learned to associate with Boers. But -to stop or turn back was now fatal. After -all, with the enemy at their gates, they had -probably concerns of their own to occupy -them. We skimmed along unhindered into -the central square, and my companion, whose -coolness was admirable, pointed me out the -post-office and other public buildings, -speaking all the time in French. The slope now -rose against us so steeply that we dismounted -to push our machines. While thus circumstanced -I was alarmed to hear the noise of -an approaching horse behind me. With an -effort I controlled my impulse to look back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">Encore un Boer</em><span>,' said Lautré lightly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I was speechless. The man drew nearer, -overtook and pulled his horse into a walk -beside us. I could not help--perhaps it was -the natural, and, if so, the wise, thing to -do--having a look at him. He was a Boer sure -enough, and I think he must have been a -foreigner. He was armed </span><em class="italics">cap-à-pie</em><span>.' The -horse he rode carried a full campaigning kit -on an English military saddle. Wallets, -saddle-bags, drinking-cup, holsters--all were -there. His rifle was slung across his back, -he wore two full bandoliers over his -shoulders and a third round his waist--evidently -a dangerous customer. I looked at his face -and our eyes met. The light was dim, or -he might have seen me change colour. He -had a pale, almost ghastly visage, peering -ill-favoured and cruel from beneath a slouch -hat with a large white feather. Then he -turned away carelessly. After all, I suppose -he thought it natural a poor devil of a -townsman should wish to look at so fine a cavalier -of fortune. Presently he set spurs to his -horse and cantered on. I breathed again -freely. Lautré laughed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'There are plenty of cyclists in Johannesburg,' -he said. 'We do not look extraordinary. -No one will stop us.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We now began to approach the south-eastern -outskirts of the town. If the original -scheme of advance had been carried -out, Lord Roberts's leading brigade should -be close at hand. Lautré said, 'Shall we -inquire?' But I thought it better to wait. -As we progressed the streets became still -more deserted, and at last we found -ourselves quite alone. For more than half a -mile I did not see a single person. Then -we met a shabby-looking man, and now, -no one else being in sight, the night dark, -and the man old and feeble, we decided to -ask him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The English,' he said with a grin, 'why, -their sentinels are just at the top of the hill.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'How far?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Five minutes--even less.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Two hundred yards further on three -British soldiers came in sight. They were -quite unarmed, and walking casually forward -into the town. I stopped them and asked -what brigade they belonged to. They -replied Maxwell's.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Where is the picket line?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'We haven't seen no pickets,' said one of them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'What are you doing?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Looking for something to eat. We've -had enough of 'arf rations.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I said, 'You'll get taken prisoners or shot -if you go on into the town.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Wot's that, guvnor?' said one of them, -deeply interested in this extraordinary -possibility.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I repeated, and added that the Boers were -still riding about the streets.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Well, then, I ain't for it,' he said with -decision. 'Let's go back and try some of -them 'ouses near the camp.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So we all proceeded together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I discovered no picket line at the edge of -the town. Maxwell must have had one -somewhere, but it certainly did not prevent -anyone from passing freely; for we were -never challenged, and, walking on, soon -found ourselves in the middle of a large -bivouac. I now became of some use to my -companion, for if he knew the roads I knew -the army. I soon found some officers of my -acquaintance, and from them we learned -that Lord Roberts's headquarters were not -at Elandsfontein (South), but back at -Germiston, nearly seven miles away. It was -now pitch dark, and all signs of a road had -vanished; but Lautré declared he knew his -way, and, in any case, the messages--press -and official--had to go through.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We left the camp of Maxwell's Brigade -and struck across country in order to cut -into the main southern road. A bicycle -now became a great incumbrance, as the -paths wound through dense fir woods, -obstructed by frequent wire fences, ditches, -holes, and high grass. Lautré, however, -persisted that all was well, and, as it turned -out, he was right. After about an hour of -this slow progress we reached the railway, -and, seeing more camp fires away to the left, -turned along it. Half a mile in this -direction brought us to another bivouac, which -we likewise entered unchallenged. I asked a -soldier whose brigade he belonged to, but he -did not know, which was painfully stupid of -him. A group of officers were gathered -round an enormous fire a few yards away, -and we went up to them to ask. Chance -had led me to General Tucker's mess. I -had known the commander of the Seventh -Division in India, when he was stationed at -Secunderabad, and he welcomed me with -his usual breezy courtesy. He had been -sent off with his leading brigade late in the -afternoon to try to join hands with French, -and so complete the circle round Johannesburg; -but darkness had curtailed his march. -Besides this, no communications having yet -come through from the Cavalry, he was -uncertain where French was. Naturally he -was interested to hear what had passed on -the west of the town, and about the stirring -action of the previous day. From him I -got some whisky and water, and clear -directions to the Field-Marshal's headquarters. -They were, it appeared, two miles beyond -Germiston, a mile and a half west of the -road, in a solitary house on a small hill -which stood beyond a large tank. And in -case these indications might have been of -little avail in the dark, he led us a few feet -up the slope, and there we saw that, on the -blackness of the night, flamed a regular -oblong of glittering lights. It was the camp -of the Eleventh Division. Somewhere near -that were the Chief's headquarters. Thus -instructed, we resumed our journey.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Another half-hour of walking brought us, -as Lautré had promised, to a good firm -road, and the bicycles quickly made amends -for their previous uselessness. The air was -cold, and we were glad to spin along at a -fair ten miles an hour. At this rate twenty -minutes brought us into Germiston. Not -knowing where I should be likely to find -dinner, or a bed, I dismounted opposite the -hotel, and, seeing lights and signs of -occupation, went inside. Here I found Mr. Lionel -James, the principal Correspondent of -the </span><em class="italics">Times</em><span>. I asked him if his subordinate -had arrived from Hamilton's force. He -said 'No'; and when I told him he had -started two hours in front of me, looked -much concerned; whereat the Frenchman -could not conceal a heartless grimace. I -offered to give him some account of the -action for his own use (for what is more -detestable than a jealous journalist?), but he -said that I had had the good luck to come -through, and that he would not think of -depriving me of my advantage. Alas! the -days of newspaper enterprise in war are -over. What can one do with a censor, a -forty-eight hours' delay, and a fifty-word -limit on the wire? Besides, who can -compete with Lord Roberts as a special -correspondent? None against the interest of his -daily messages; very few against their style -and simple grace. Never mind. It is all -for the best.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We dined hastily and not too well, secured -the reversion of half the billiard table, -should all other couches fail, and set out -again, this time tired and footsore. After -two miles of dusty track the camp was -reached. I found more officers who knew -where Army Headquarters were, and at last, -at about half-past ten, we reached the -solitary house. We sent the despatches in by -an orderly, and after a few minutes Lord -Kerry came out and said that the Chief -wanted to see the messengers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now, for the first time in this war, I found -myself face to face with our illustrious leader. -The room was small and meanly furnished, -and he and his staff, who had just finished -dinner, sat round a large table which occupied -the greater part of the floor. With him were -Sir William Nicholson (who arranges all the -transport of the army, a work the credit of -which is usually given to Lord Kitchener) -and Colonel Neville Chamberlayne, his -private secretary, both of them soldiers of the -practical Indian school, where you have real -fighting, both of them serving once more -under their commander of Afghan days. -There, too, was Sir Henry Rawlinson, whom -I had last seen round Sir George White's -table, the night Dundonald broke into -Ladysmith; and Sir James Hills-Johnes, who won -the Victoria Cross in the Indian Mutiny, -and aides-de-camp and others whom I -cannot remember.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Field-Marshal rose from his place, -shook hands, and bade us, in most ceremonious -fashion, to be seated. He had read half -of Hamilton's despatch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The first part of this,' he said, 'we knew -already. Two guides--Rimington's, I think--got -in here about an hour ago. They had -a dangerous ride, and were chased a long -way, but escaped safely. I am glad to hear -Hamilton is at Florida. How did you get -through?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I told him briefly. His eye twinkled. I -have never seen a man before with such -extraordinary eyes. I remember to have been -struck with them on several occasions. The -face remains perfectly motionless, but the -eyes convey the strongest emotions. -Sometimes they blaze with anger, and you see hot -yellow fire behind them. Then it is best to -speak up straight and clear, and make an -end quickly. At others there is a steel grey -glitter--quite cold and uncompromising--which -has a most sobering effect on anyone -who sees it. But now the eyes twinkled -brightly with pleasure or amusement or -approbation, or, at any rate, something -friendly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Tell me about the action,' he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So I told him all I knew, much as it is -set down in these pages, though not nearly -at such length; but I don't think the tale -lost in the telling. From time to time he -asked questions about the Artillery concentration, -or the length of front of the Infantry -attack, and other technical matters, on which -I was luckily well-informed. The fact that -the troops had no rations seemed to disturb -him very much. He was particularly -interested to hear of Hamilton's novel attack 'at -thirty paces extension'; of the manner in -which the batteries had been rammed almost -into the firing line; but most of all he wanted -to hear about the Gordons' charge. When -I had done he said: 'The Gordons' always -do well.' Then he asked what we proposed -to do. Lautré said he would go back -forthwith; but the Chief said, 'Much better stay -here for the night; we will find you beds'; -so of course we stayed. He asked me -whether I meant to go back next morning. -I said that as I had got my messages to the -telegraph office I thought, upon the whole, -that I would not run any more risks, but -wait and see the British occupation of the -town. He laughed at this, and said that I -was quite right, and would be very ill-advised -to be caught again. Then he said that he -would send a letter to Hamilton in the -morning, bade us all 'good-night,' and retired to -his waggon. I, too, found a comfortable -bed--the first for a month--and being -thoroughly worn out soon fell asleep.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Part of Lord Roberts's letter that he wrote -to Ian Hamilton next day was published in -the orders of the flanking column. In some -way it explains why the private soldier will -march further for 'Bobs Bahadur' than for -any one else in the world.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'I am delighted at your repeated successes, -and grieve beyond measure at your poor -fellows being without their proper rations. A -trainful shall go to you to-day. I expect to -get the notice that Johannesburg surrenders -this morning, and we shall then march into -the town. I wish your column, which has -done so much to gain possession of it, could -be with us.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Tell the Gordons that I am proud to -think I have a Highlander as one of the -supporters on my coat-of-arms.'</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-capture-of-pretoria"><span class="large">CHAPTER XV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE CAPTURE OF PRETORIA</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Pretoria: June 8.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The Commander-in-Chief had good -reasons--how good we little knew--for wishing -to push on at once to the enemy's capital, -without waiting at Johannesburg. But the -fatigue of the troops and the necessities of -supply imposed a two days' halt. On the -3rd of June the advance was resumed. The -army marched in three columns. The left, -thrown forward in echelon, consisted of the -Cavalry Division under French; the centre -was formed by Ian Hamilton's force; and -the right or main column nearest the railway -comprised the Seventh and Eleventh Divisions -(less one brigade left to hold Johannesburg), -Gordon's Cavalry Brigade, and the -Corps Troops all under the personal -command of the Field-Marshal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The long forward stride of the 3rd was, -except for a small action against French, -unchecked or unopposed by the Boers, and -all the information which the Intelligence -Department could collect seemed to promise -a bloodless entry into the capital. So strong -was the evidence that at dawn on the 4th of -June Hamilton's column was diverted from -its prescribed line of march on Elandsfontein[#] -and drawn in towards the main army, -with orders to bivouac on Pretoria Green, -west of the town. French, whom the change -of orders did not reach, pursued his wide -turning movement, and encountered further -opposition in a bad country for cavalry.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><span class="small">[#] Yet another Elandsfontein, situated to the west of Pretoria.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>At ten o'clock it was reported that -Colonel Henry, with the corps of Mounted -Infantry in advance of the main column, was -actually in the suburbs of Pretoria -without opposition. The force continued to -converge, and Ian Hamilton had almost -joined Lord Roberts's force when the -booming of guns warned us that our anticipations -were too sanguine. The army had -just crossed a difficult spruit, and Colonel -Henry with the Mounted Infantry had -obtained a lodgment on the heights beyond. -But here they were sharply checked. The -Boers, apparently in some force, were -holding a wooded ridge and several high hills -along the general line of the southern Pretoria forts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Determined to hold what he had obtained, -Lord Roberts thrust his artillery well -forward, and ordered Ian Hamilton to support -Colonel Henry immediately with all mounted -troops. This was speedily done. The -horsemen galloped forward, and, scrambling up -the steep hillsides, reinforced the thin firing -line along the ridge. The artillery of the -Seventh Division came into action in front -of the British centre. The Boers replied -with a brisk rifle fire, which reached all three -batteries, and drew from them a very -vigorous cannonade.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile the Infantry deployment was -proceeding. The 14th Brigade extended for -attack. Half an hour later Pole-Carew's -batteries prolonged the line of guns to the -right, and about half-past two the corps and -heavy artillery opened in further prolongation. -By three o'clock fifty guns were in -action in front of the main army, and both -the Seventh and Eleventh Divisions had -assumed preparatory formations. The -balloon ascended and remained hanging in the -air for an hour--a storm signal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During this time Hamilton was pushing -swiftly forward, and Smith-Dorrien's 19th -Infantry Brigade occupied the line of heights, -and thus set free the mounted troops for a -turning movement. The 21st Brigade -supported. The heights were so steep in front -of Hamilton that his artillery could not come -into action, and only one gun and one -'pom-pom' could, by great exertion, be dragged -and man-handled into position. The fire of -these pieces, however, caught the Boers -holding the weeded ridge in enfilade, and was by -no means ineffective.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So soon as Hamilton had collected the -mounted troops he sent them to reinforce -Broadwood, whom he directed to move -round the enemy's right flank. The ground -favoured the movement, and by half-past -four the Cavalry were seen debouching into -the plain beyond the Boer position, -enveloping their flank and compromising their -retreat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Colonel de Lisle's corps of Mounted -Infantry, composed mainly of Australians, -made a much shorter circuit, and reaching -the level ground before the Cavalry espied -a Boer Maxim retreating towards the town. -To this they immediately gave chase, and the -strong Waler horses were urged to their -utmost speed. The appearance of this -clattering swarm of horsemen, must have been -formidable to those below. But we who watched -from the heights saw what Ian Hamilton, -who was in high spirits, described as 'a -charge of infuriated mice' streaming across -the brown veldt; so great are the distances -in modern war.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Towards four o'clock the cannonade all -along the front had died away, and only the -heavy artillery on the right of Pole-Carew's -Division continued to fire, shelling the forts, -whose profile showed plainly on the sky-line, -and even hurling their projectiles right over -the hills into Pretoria itself. So heavy had -the artillery been that the Boers did not -endure, and alarmed as well by the flank -movement they retreated in haste through -the town; so that before dusk their whole -position was occupied by the Infantry -without much loss. Night, which falls at this -season and in this part of the world as early -as half-past five, then shut down on the -scene, and the action--in which practically -the whole Army Corps had been engaged--ended.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The fact that the forts had not replied to -the British batteries showed that their guns -had been removed, and that the Boers had -no serious intention of defending their capital. -The Field-Marshal's orders for the morrow -were, therefore, that the army should -advance at daybreak on Pretoria, which it was -believed would then be formally surrendered. -Meanwhile, however, Colonel de Lisle, with -the infuriated mice--in other words, the -Australians--was pressing hotly on, and at -about six o'clock, having captured the flying -Maxim, he seized a position within rifle shot -of the town. From here he could see the -Boers galloping in disorder through the -streets, and, encouraged by the confusion that -apparently prevailed, he sent an officer -under flag of truce to demand the surrender. -This the panic-stricken civil authorities, with -the consent of Commandant Botha, obeyed, -and though no British troops entered the -town until the next day, Pretoria actually -fell before midnight on the 4th of June.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As soon as the light allowed the army -moved forward. The Guards were directed -on the railway station. Ian Hamilton's -force swept round the western side. Wishing -to enter among the first of the victorious -troops the town I had crept away from as a -fugitive six months before, I hurried -forward, and, with the Duke of Marlborough, -soon overtook General Pole-Carew, who, -with his staff, was advancing towards the -railway station. We passed through a -narrow cleft in the southern wall of mountains, -and Pretoria lay before us--a picturesque -little town with red or blue roofs peeping -out among masses of trees, and here and -there an occasional spire or factory chimney. -Behind us, on the hills we had taken, the -brown forts were crowded with British -soldiers. Scarcely two hundred yards away -stood the railway station.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Arrived at this point, General Pole-Carew -was compelled to wait to let his Infantry -catch him up; and while we were delayed a -locomotive whistle sounded loudly, and, to -our astonishment--for had not the town -surrendered?--a train drawn by two engines -steamed out of the station on the Delagoa -Bay line. For a moment we stared at this -insolent breach of the customs of war, and -a dozen staff officers, aides-de-camp, and -orderlies (no mounted troops being at hand) -started off at a furious gallop in the hopes of -compelling the train to stop, or at least of -scooting the engine-driver, and so sending it -to its destruction. But wire fences and the -gardens of the houses impeded the pursuers, -and, in spite of all their efforts, the train -escaped, carrying with it ten trucks of horses, -which might have been very useful, and one -truck-load of Hollanders. Three engines -with steam up and several trains, however, -remained in the station, and the leading -company of Grenadiers, doubling forward, -captured them and their occupants. These -Boers attempted to resist the troops with -pistols, but surrendered after two volleys had -been fired, no one, fortunately, being hurt in -the scrimmage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a further delay, the Guards, fixing -bayonets, began to enter the town, marching -through the main street, which was crowded -with people, towards the central square, and -posting sentries and pickets as they went. -We were naturally very anxious to know -what had befallen our comrades held -prisoners all these long months. Rumour said -they had been removed during the night to -Waterfall Boven, 200 miles down the -Delagoa Bay line. But nothing definite was -known.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Duke of Marlborough, however, -found a mounted Dutchman who said he -knew where all the officers were confined, -and who undertook to guide us, and without -waiting for the troops, who were advancing -with all due precautions, we set off at a gallop.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The distance was scarcely three-quarters -of a mile, and in a few minutes, turning a -corner and crossing a little brook, we saw -before us a long tin building surrounded by -a dense wire entanglement. Seeing this, and -knowing its meaning too well, I raised my -hat and cheered. The cry was instantly -answered from within. What followed -resembled the end of an Adelphi melodrama.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Duke of Marlborough called on the -commandant to surrender forthwith. The -prisoners rushed out of the house into the -yard, some in uniform, some in flannels, -hatless or coatless, but all violently excited. -The sentries threw down their rifles. The -gates were flung open, and while the rest -of the guards--they numbered fifty-two in -all--stood uncertain what to do, the -long-penned-up officers surrounded them and -seized their weapons. Some one--Grimshaw -of the Dublin Fusiliers--produced a -Union Jack (made during imprisonment out -of a Vierkleur). The Transvaal emblem -was torn down, and, amid wild cheers, the -first British flag was hoisted over Pretoria. -Time 8.47, June 5.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The commandant then made formal -surrender to the Duke of Marlborough of 129 -officers and 39 soldiers whom he had in -his custody as prisoners of war, and -surrendered, besides himself, 4 corporals and 48 -Dutchmen. These latter were at once -confined within the wire cage, and guarded by -their late prisoners; but, since they had -treated the captives well, they have now -been permitted to take the oath of neutrality -and return to their homes. The anxieties -which the prisoners had suffered during the -last few hours of their confinement were -terrible, nor did I wonder, when I heard the -account, why their faces were so white and -their manner so excited. But the reader -shall learn the tale from one of their number, -nor will I anticipate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At two o'clock Lord Roberts, the staff, -and the foreign attachés entered the town, -and proceeded to the central square, wherein -the Town Hall, the Parliament House, and -other public buildings are situated. The -British flag was hoisted over the Parliament -House amid some cheers. The victorious -army then began to parade past it, -Pole-Carew's Division, with the Guards leading, -coming from the south, and Ian Hamilton's -force from the west. For three hours the -broad river of steel and khaki flowed -unceasingly, and the townsfolk gazed in awe -and wonder at those majestic soldiers whose -discipline neither perils nor hardships had -disturbed, whose relentless march no -obstacles could prevent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With such pomp and the rolling of drums -the new order of things was ushered in. -The former Government had ended without -dignity. One thought to find the President--stolid -old Dutchman--seated on his stoep -reading his Bible and smoking a sullen pipe. -But he chose a different course. On the -Friday preceding the British occupation he -left the capital and withdrew along the -Delagoa Bay Railway, taking with him a -million pounds in gold, and leaving behind -him a crowd of officials clamouring for pay, -and far from satisfied with the worthless -cheques they had received, and Mrs. Kruger, -concerning whose health the British people -need not further concern themselves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I cannot end this letter without recalling -for one moment the grave risks Lord -Roberts bravely faced in order to strike the -decisive blow and seize Pretoria. When he -decided to advance from Vereeniging without -waiting for more supplies, and so profit by -the enemy's disorder, he played for a great -stake. He won, and it is very easy now to -forget the adverse chances. But the facts -stand out in glaring outline: that if the -Boers had defended Pretoria with their forts -and guns they could have checked us for -several weeks; and if, while we were trying -to push our investment, the line had been -cut behind us, as it has since been cut, -nothing would have remained but starvation -or an immediate retreat on Johannesburg, -perhaps on the Vaal. Even now our -position is not thoroughly secure, and the -difficulties of subjugating a vast country, though -sparsely populated, are such that the troops -in South Africa are scarcely sufficient. But -the question of supplies is for the present -solved. The stores of Johannesburg, and still -more of Pretoria, will feed the army for -something over a fortnight, and in the meanwhile -we can re-open our communications, and -perhaps do much more. But what a lucky -nation we are to have found, at a time of sore -need and trouble, a General great enough to -take all risks and overcome all dangers.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="held-by-the-enemy"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">'HELD BY THE ENEMY'</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics small">Extracts from the Journal of Lieutenant H. Frankland, -<br />Royal Dublin Fusiliers, lately prisoner of -<br />war at Pretoria</em><span class="small">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Lieutenant Frankland was captured -by the Boers when the armoured train was -destroyed at Chieveley, in Natal, on the 15th -of November, 1899. He was carried as a -prisoner to Pretoria, where he arrived on the -19th of November, and where he remained -until the 5th of June, 1900, when Pretoria -fell and the greater part of the prisoners -were set free by their victorious comrades.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>'</span><em class="italics">November</em><span> 19*th.*--To wake up and find -oneself enclosed in the space of a few acres -for an indefinite period is scarcely pleasant; -however, one cannot always be miserable. -The monotony will, I have no doubt, become -very trying, but for the first few days I -have a good deal to do. The State Model -School, which has been turned into a prison -for the officers, is a building of rectangular -shape. A long corridor runs through the -centre, and on both sides of this are the -rooms, where the officers sleep. They are -supplied with a spring bed and two blankets -apiece, while the whole place is lighted by -electricity. At one end is the dining-room -and gymnasium.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'In front is the road, from which the -building is separated by iron railings. -Behind there is a sort of back garden where the -police and soldier servants live in tents, and -where the kitchen and the bath-room are -situated. This piece of ground is surrounded -on three sides by a six-foot fence of -corrugated iron, and the whole place is watched by -a cordon of armed police, about fifteen being -on duty always. The Government here -generously supplies the officers with bread and -water, half a pound of bully beef a day, and -groceries. We have a small piece of ground -and a gymnasium for exercise. As there are, -alas! about fifty officers here, we have formed -a sort of mess, and for the sum of three -shillings a day we improve our scanty allowance -of food. They have supplied us with a suit -of clothes each, but mine was much too big -for me. I began to write my diary this -evening, and had a long talk with Garvice in -my regiment, who told me how he had been -captured. Dinner 7.30; bed, and sleep.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">November</em><span> 20*th.*--It looks as if the rest -of my diary for several months would -contain each day the words, "the same as usual." I -have only been here forty-eight hours, but -the monotony has already begun to show -itself. Not the monotony only, but the want -of freedom, the want of news, the knowledge -that the rest of the war will be carried -out without my share in its victories, when, -had it not been for some unhappy fate, I -might yet have seen many an action--all -these combine to oppress and irritate my -mind. I tried to make a sketch of the -armoured train, but it was not a success, and I -must begin again to-morrow. The very -length of empty time in front of me makes -me quite patient.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">November</em><span> 21*st.*--It is getting extremely -hot. The lack of open space to walk in -makes me feel lazy, and one gets quite tired -after going a few times around the building. -What one most looks forward to are the -meals, and these are not very satisfying. But -of course I am still suffering from the -appetite of freedom, and I have no doubt that a -month or so of this sort of life will make me -feel less ravenous. I wrote some of my -diary, and commenced another sketch of the -armoured train, which I hope to be able to -send to the "Graphic." Churchill has written -asking to be released, but he does not expect -any result. The mosquitoes here are very -troublesome, and I have been constantly -bitten.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">November</em><span> 23*rd.*--The mail was supposed -to go to-day, so I found occupation in a few -letters. It is still very sultry. I succeeded -in getting through a good deal of my diary, -and, after writing nearly all day, played a -game of rounders in the evening. This last -occupation appears to cause much annoyance -to the police, who frequently get hit -by the ball. Another game here is fives, -which we play with a tennis ball in the -gymnasium. There seems to be some news about, -but we can get nothing out of these people. -By these people I mean Malan--a spiteful, -objectionable animal--who ought to be at -the front, were he not a coward; Opperman, -a slightly more agreeable person, of large -dimensions, and Dr. Gunning, a much more -amiable fellow. It seems absurd that they -do not allow us to buy papers. What harm -could we do with them?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Some of the restrictions are so childish, -and tend to make life here so sickening, that -I am sure if curses could harm the Transvaal -Government it would not be long-lived.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'This morning Churchill was visited by -De Souza, the Secretary of War, by the -Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and -others, and there followed a very animated -discussion about the causes and the justice of -the war. It was a drawn game, and they all -talked at once at the end, especially Churchill. -I am afraid for his sake he is not likely to be -exchanged or released. The Boers have got -to hear of the part he played in the armoured -train episode.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">November</em><span> 24*th.*--There is some news -abroad to-day. The Free Staters have been -attacked at Belmont by the British, probably -under Buller, but the result is uncertain. -Of course the Boers report a victory on their -side, but one gets quite accustomed to their -"victories." Dundee was a victory, likewise -Elandslaagte. I am getting on slowly with -my diary, and manage to make it occupy a -great deal of time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">November</em><span> 25*th.*--Evidently we have -won a victory at Belmont; its results are -immediately apparent here. They have -suddenly become much more lenient and -complacent. We are actually allowed -newspapers, and the President is considering the -question of beer. The papers admit that the -British drove the Free Staters from their -position at Belmont, but with great loss, -while that of the Boers is practically nil. -Rumours say that General Joubert is cut off -between Estcourt and Mooi River; how I -hope it is true!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">November</em><span> 26*th.*--The Rev. Mr. Hofmeyr -is a prisoner here, and held service -this morning, when he delivered a most -eloquent address. There is a harmonium in -one of the rooms, and Mr. Hofmeyr, who -sings very well, gives us some very good -music. He knows a lot of old English songs, -which are pleasant to hear, although they -rather suggest the Psalm beginning "By the -waters of Babylon." Hofmeyr, though a -Dutchman, is an ardent supporter of the -Imperial cause, and he has in consequence been -very cruelly treated by the Boers before he -came here.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'It is quite touching to see how the Boers -try to hide their defeat. All the accounts -are cooked, but even De Souza acknowledges -that if things go on as at present the -war will soon be over. There have been -several days' fighting south of Kimberley, and -Buller is advancing steadily. On the Natal -side Joubert passed Estcourt, and reached -Mooi River, where he was attacked by the -new division and defeated. In retiring he -was attacked by part of the Estcourt -garrison, result unknown. He will probably -retire on Colenso.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">November</em><span> 27*th.*--Not much news to-day. -According to the "Volksstem" British lost -fifteen hundred at Belmont, and the Boers -nine killed and forty wounded. However, -they can't deny that the Free Staters were -licked, and De Souza admits that Kimberley -will probably be relieved shortly. Moreover, -Khama is said to have risen. This has -disturbed them all exceedingly, and Opperman -is highly indignant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">November</em><span> 30*th.*--I find nothing to -record here except the scraps of news one gets -in the newspapers, all else is -monotonous--appalling monotony. In the evening one -feels it most, and sometimes I don't think I -can endure it for another month. All sorts -of absurd rumours are spread about here by -that intelligent paper the "Volksstem." The -latest is that four British regiments have -refused to fight, being in sympathy with the -Republican cause. I wonder whether Buller -will desert to the Boer side? The fact -remains that the papers give no news whilst -there must be plenty, and this looks as if the -untold news must be bad for them. We -hear that General Forestier-Walker has been -killed, and that Lord Methuen is seriously -wounded. This morning the rumour runs -that our troops have occupied Colenso. The -regiment is sure to be there. How I wish I -were with it!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">December</em><span> 4*th.*--No real news, but various -and contradictory rumours. The Boers have -begun to acknowledge their losses, and the -paper have long lists of killed and wounded. -Major ----, of the West Yorks, arrived -to-day, having been captured near Estcourt. -From him I learned that all was well there. -A few days ago three battalions--West -Yorks, Borderers and Second Queen's--went -out and attacked the Boers. Apparently the -engagement was indecisive, and the losses -on either side not very great. The rumour -goes that Buller is in Natal, and not in the -Free State after all. Of course he is -advancing to the relief of Ladysmith. We all -think that his plan will be to hold the Boers -in front of Colenso while he takes a large -force around by the flank. The Boers have -retired beyond the river, and have blown up -the Tugela railway bridge. On the other -side, Lord Methuen's Division is having -severe fighting; he has defeated the Boers -at Modder River, and the relief of Kimberley -is imminent. The papers do not publish -much news themselves, but occasionally -publish some of the English cuttings with -sarcastic editorial comments. In the Dutch -version of the "Volksstem" they slate the -Free Staters unmercifully for having run -away at Modder River.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Oh, that we might be exchanged. -Joubert has wired </span><em class="italics">via</em><span> Buller to England -advocating such a step.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">December</em><span> 15*th.*--"</span><em class="italics">Tempus fugit</em><span>," and it -has not been quite so dull as usual. First, -and most important of all, Churchill has -escaped. Whether he has made it good or -not is still uncertain; but he has now been -gone two days, and I have great hopes. -Besides the excitement there has been a -very amusing side to the affair. Of course -Churchill was the very last person who ought -to have gone. He was always talking and -arguing with the officials, and was therefore -well known, and, indeed, scarcely a day -passed without Dr. Gunning or Mr. de Souza -inquiring for him. His plans for escape -were primitive; but, being still in prison, I -must not write anything about this part of -the affair. Let it suffice that Churchill got -away without any trace left behind. Next -morning, as it chanced, it was the day for -the barber to come and shave him, and -having only just woke up I put the barber -off rather feebly by saying that Churchill had -gone to the bath-room, and would not need -shaving. What should the detective who -accompanied the barber do but wait outside -the bath-room, and, finding no Churchill, -began to suspect. Gunning then came upon -the scene, closely followed by Opperman, both -asking and seeking anxiously for their -captive. Their distress at finding him gone -was really pathetic. They immediately put -on all kinds of restrictions. No papers, -calling rolls, not allowing anyone into the -yard outside the building after 8 P.M,, and -stopping all beer. I am reminded of the -fable "Le Corbeau et le Renard," which ends, -"Le Corbeau ... jura, mais un peu tard, qu'on -ne l'y prendroit plus." Curiously enough, -the day after Churchill had escaped an order -is said to have come from General Joubert -for his release. However, I have no doubt -but that this was all made up to excuse -themselves for not being able to catch him. -I do hope he gets away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Our spirits are constantly on the rise and -fall. At one time we are about to be -exchanged, at another nothing has been heard -of it; at one time there is a brilliant British -success, greatly modified, of course, by the -enlightened "Volksstem" editor, at another -a crushing British defeat, with all the -Generals and thousands of soldiers killed -and wounded. Yesterday we heard of the -splendid achievement of the British troops -in Ladysmith in smashing up the 84-pounder -at Lombard's Kop, several Howitzers and a -Maxim. Then came the defeat of General -Gatacre at Stormburg, and the capture of -600 prisoners, and on the top of this the -victory which the Boers claim at Magersfontein. -All this is very terrible. I think I -feel almost as miserable as I did the night I -was captured. Are the British troops ever -going to drive the Boers back? Will they -ever come and take Pretoria? or will they, -on the other hand, be driven back, and the -people at home get sick of the war, like in -'81, and--no, impossible--and yet who will -dare predict? It is too awful to hear all -these shocking reports, and to be able to do -nothing oneself. One always imagines on -these occasions one's presence at the scene -of fighting absolutely indispensable if there -is to be a victory. However, these miserable -days cannot last for ever. Perhaps they are -even now at an end. De Souza, with a -faltering voice, has confessed that Buller is -advancing at last in great force. He must win.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">December</em><span> 19*th.*--Worse than ever. -Buller has attacked in full strength at -Colenso and has been defeated with a loss of -ten guns and many hundred men. This is -too awful--I could have cried. The hand -of fate seems to be raised against us. The -only thing to do is to wait patiently till -the next disaster. The Stormburg prisoners -have arrived, the Colenso prisoners are -expected to-morrow. Everybody is cursing -the Generals; but they always think they -could do better themselves. I hear that -Hart's Brigade, with our regiment in it, -were caught in quarter column at close -range. They must have suffered terribly. -Never mind; Methuen has relieved Kimberley. -The officials all deny it, but it must -be true.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">December</em><span> 23*rd.*--No more news. The -authorities are getting more and more silly -and disagreeable; all kinds of babyish -restrictions are invented to annoy us. -Churchill has got to Delagoa Bay, and has wired -his safe arrival to De Souza. Hurrah!</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>'I have not dared until now, when all is a -failure, to set down in this book any -account of the one occupation that has -prevented us from going mad with disappointment -in these sad times. About the middle -of the month Haldane devised a plan of -making a tunnel from under our room -across the road. The five fellows in our -dormitory and Le Mesurier, who shifted his -abode for the purpose, began about ten days -ago. First, we thought of cutting a hole in -the floor, but, on looking round, we -suddenly found a trap-door already made. -Beneath the floor there is a curious place. -The rafters are supported by stone walls, so -that underneath there is a series of -compartments about twenty-four feet by four, with -access from one to another by means of -man-holes in each wall. We commenced -digging in the compartment next to the one -under the trap-door. The ground at first -was very hard, but with chisels and -implements taken from the gymnasium, we -managed to get down four feet of the shaft in -about four days. It was a queer sight to -see two half-naked figures digging away by -candle light, for we used to work in reliefs -of two--one to dig and the other to cast -away the earth in boxes or jugs. Suddenly, -one day, we broke through the hard crust -and came to some soft clay soil. We were -delighted at this, and expected to get -through it in no time; but, alas! with the -soft earth came water, and without pumps, -bale as we would, we could not get rid of it. -Every morning the shaft was completely -bilged; so, having dug down six feet, our -plan was brought to an end, and we had to -screw up our trap-door again in bitter -disappointment. The officers of the Gloucester -Regiment are digging too, but they are sure -to find the same difficulties.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">Christmas Day</em><span>, 1899.--I can scarcely -realise that it is Christmas, the day I have -hitherto spent at home with family and -friends. I can see the rooms decorated with -holly and "Merry Christmas" cut in white -paper and pasted on red Turkish twill -hanging over the doorway. A Merry -Christmas! What irony! The time, of course, -was bound to come when the circle at home -would be broken; but little did I dream -where or under what unhappy circumstances. -A Merry Christmas! to a prisoner--not -when his countrymen, victorious and -full of enthusiasm, are marching rapidly to -his release, but when the armies of his -country, beaten back, lie far away; when, -helpless himself, despair seizes his heart; when -reverses grow into disasters and the might -of the dear old land in which he trusted -seems to have weakened and died. A -Happy Christmas! with the New Year -black, uncertain, and unknown. Of course -we drank the health of the Queen at -dinner--in lime-juice. 'Twas all we had; but we -meant it none the less.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">December</em><span> 30*th.*--They say there were -only 1,200 casualties at Colenso; but we -have just heard that ---- and ---- of our -regiment have been killed. O, God! it -seems too awful. To hear of all one's friends -crippled or dead; all the best are picked off, -and here are we tied up quite safely with -our beastly skins unhurt, and not likely to -run into the slightest danger while our -comrades are losing their lives. We must win -this war.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>'</span><em class="italics">January</em><span> 1*st.*--I have had many arguments -as to whether this is the commencement -of a new century or not, and after -much reasoning I have decided that as it is -the year 1900, or the nineteen hundredth year, -it is the last of the nineteenth century and -not the beginning of the twentieth. Whatever -it may be, this is a hateful place to spend -the beginning of anything in. The "Volksstem" -printed a list of casualties to-day, and -I see that our regiment lost forty-two killed -at Colenso. What must the numbers of the -wounded have been? [Here follows a list -of wounded officers.] Sergeant Gage was -killed, and they say he was one of the first -to cross the waggon bridge. This looks as if -the regiment had stormed the bridge, which -is much better than being mown down in -quarter column. All these losses are -terrible, but I believe that Colenso is only a -reconnaissance in force. What must a battle be like?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The last week has been, if possible, more -dreary than usual. One of the fellows in -our room has made himself very obnoxious -lately, and has had to be sat upon severely. -I have never met such an ungentlemanlike -creature. It is all the more unpleasant in a -place like this, where we are so closely packed. -There are rumours of fighting near -Colesburg, probably by General French. The -Boers say the action is indecisive, which -means a victory for us.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">January</em><span> 7*th.*--Nothing of importance -has occurred lately. There has been a bit -of a fight with Opperman, who tried to take -away from Boscher, the local grocer, his -contract for the supply of our mess, on the -ground that Boscher had helped Churchill to -escape: Result a complete victory for us and -the reinstatement of Boscher. More Zarps, -as the policemen who guard us are called, -and poor little Gunning have been -commandeered. He prepares himself to go. His -reason is peculiar. Should his children, in -after years, ask him if he fought for the -freedom of the State, he would like to be able to -say "Yes." However, if he goes I hope he -will find a large rock to get behind and so -come back safely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'This afternoon a most alarming rumour -was started by somebody, namely: that -Ladysmith had fallen. Though I did not -actually believe it, we are always having such -frightful disasters that I felt very uncomfortable. -Later, however, we learned that all -was well.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">January</em><span> 10*th.*--Ladysmith has not fallen. -The news of the defeat of the Boers on the -Platrand has been confirmed, and, in spite of -their lies, we know their losses were heavy. -At Colesburg there was a night attack, and -a half battalion of the Suffolks got much -knocked about. Two of their officers came -in as prisoners yesterday; they say the Boers -have received large reinforcements at -Colesburg. There is a rumour that Dr. Leyds has -been arrested in Germany for trying to enlist -German Reservists. A British force is said -to be at Douglas, west of Kimberley. They -made a night attack and captured some stores -and ammunition. The Transvaalers in their -excitement succeeded in firing into the Free -Staters, shooting, among others, Opperman's -nephew. We offered our sympathies, but -after all it is one the less. This evening we -received a most excellent rumour that the -Boers had lost 900 men near Colenso. I -hope it is true, and that the Tugela has, -therefore, been crossed. This will be a step -towards the relief of Ladysmith. At -Colesburg the Boers are in a critical position. -Things seem to be looking up a bit. I wish -that we could get just a little truth. These -rumours torture and deceive.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">January</em><span> 14*th.*--All kinds of startling -rumours have been about to-day: The British -fighting in overwhelming numbers around -Ladysmith; Buller surprised and taken -prisoner at Pieters Station. Boers in a tight -corner at Colesburg. What can one -believe? All men are liars--in Africa! Life -is getting very unbearable. I am sure we -shall be a lot of lunatics when we are set free.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">January</em><span> 29*th.*--How we clamour for -news, and how our spirits rise and fall as -the rumours are favourable or bad. The -other day the prisoners arrived from the -Spion Kop fight. The result of the attack -on Spion Kop is not known. We took the -hill, but, for some reason, the rumour goes -that we have left it again and re-crossed the -river. Can this be another lie? We hear -that the regiment did not cross the waggon -bridge, but tried to swim the river at Colenso -last month. Very few got over. Hensley -was killed the other day at Spion Kop. One -can scarcely realise these losses, and I don't -think we shall until we join the mess and see -the sad gaps among familiar faces.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">February</em><span> 5*th.*--We have been getting a -fair share of good news lately, or, at least, -good rumours. The relief of Kimberley is -an established fact. Colesburg is on its last -legs, though news of its surrender to French -needs confirmation. There is fighting at the -Tugela, concerning which the latest bulletin -is "British have taken a position--Vaal -Krantz." Nor is this all, other factors are -at work besides the British Army. There is -considerable dissension between the Transvaalers -and the Free Staters. The former -complain that they are always put in the fore -front of the battle, while the latter rejoin that -not only are they invariably sent to the more -exposed kopjes, but that while they are -aiding the Transvaalers to fight in Natal they -are receiving no help in the defence of the -Free State.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">February</em><span> 12*th.*--It would take too long, -even when time is nothing but a curse, to -record all the items of news we have lately -received. So many startling rumours have -been confirmed and denied that I long to -know what is the real truth, but in the -Capital of this doomed country--in the very -metropolis of lies and liars--we shall never -learn the truth until our friends come to -bring it with them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'I have just finished reading "Esmonde," -which I enjoyed very much. One advantage -of my forced sojourn in this country is that -I may improve my education. Indeed, -reading occupies the greater part of our time, -though I myself cannot fix my attention on -a book for very long under these miserable -circumstances. The State Library has a -fair selection of books, and by paying a -small subscription the prisoners are allowed -to take out books therefrom. The only -forbidden fruits are the books of South -Africa; for these volumes, recording the -evil wrought by the British race on this -chosen people, are carefully stowed away for -fear of the English trying to destroy the -histories of their crimes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'This morning an officer of the South -African Light Horse was buried. To all -intents and purposes he was murdered by the -Transvaal Government. Although he had -typhoid fever he was thrown into prison, and -not until the authorities were pretty certain -he would die was he sent to the hospital. -Ten officers on parole went as pall-bearers -and we all subscribed for a very pretty wreath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Patience is played as a game here largely -by ancient Colonels and Majors, and -practised by us all with indifferent success as a -cruel necessity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">February</em><span> 17*th.*--Good news at last! -Kimberley has been relieved! Boers are -retiring in all directions. Lord Roberts, -with the British Army, has entered the Free -State. Warrenton has been occupied, there -is great consternation in Pretoria. Opperman -is furious. Perhaps the tide has begun to turn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To explain how we get news: Brockie, -a Sergeant-Major in the Imperial Light -Horse, knows a Zarp here and gets a certain -amount of news from him, which is not, -however, very trustworthy. When we first -came here an Englishman named Patterson, -employed in the Government telegraph -office, used to pass by the railings and -whisper the news. He only used to come when -there was good news to tell, and generally -ended with the words, Hurrah, hurrah! Since -he was always accompanied on these -occasions by a large St. Bernard, we called him -the Dogman. Lately he has elaborated and -improved his system of giving us news and -has begun to signal with a flag from the -passage of Mr. Cullingworth's house opposite. -Either he or one of the Misses Cullingworth -stands some way back in the passage so as -not to be visible to the Zarps and sends -messages, which are read by Captain Burrows -from the gymnasium window. As he is in -the telegraph office and sees all that passes, -the Dogman sends very truthful information.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">February</em><span> 18*th.*--More good news this -morning. Cronje is lost, strayed or stolen. -The Boers have been driven back at -Dordrecht. The British Army is within forty -miles of Bloemfontein. Buller has taken -the Tugela position. All this needs no -comment. "</span><em class="italics">Quo plus--eo plus----</em><span>." I meant -to quote a Latin phrase--the only one I ever -knew--but I cannot risk the tenses and -moods of he verbs. It means, however, the -more we have the more we want. We live, -as it were, from news to news. Two officers -arrived from Colesburg this morning. They -say Colesburg has never been quite -surrounded, only hemmed on three sides. -General French began to withdraw his Cavalry -about three weeks ago, sending away -detachments every night until only an Infantry -Brigade was left to sit in front of Colesburg, -occupying exactly the same extent of front -as before. The Boers never spotted this, so -that French and his Cavalry succeeded in -joining the Free State column, and the -Infantry Brigade, by making a great show of -their forces, was able to keep up the ruse -until the other day, when it was decided to -retire. Everything went well with the -retirement except for two companies of the -Wiltshire who were cut off and captured after a -gallant fight. I suppose all Governments lie -to a certain extent about their defeats, but -this Boer one takes the cake.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">February</em><span> 19*th.*--I have caught the -patience disease. I spent most of the day at -this interesting game, but found by 7 P.M. I -was rather sick of it. Le Mesurier told me -to-day that Haldane, Brockie, Grimshaw and -he had thought of a plan of escape. The -idea was to put out the electric light in the -house and in the yard by cutting the wire as -it entered the building in the roof above the -entrance. The sudden extinguishing of the -lights on a dark night would enable them to -creep to the back wall and climb over -unobserved by the Zarps, whose eyes would not -have become accustomed to the sudden -darkness, They had made small ladders, by -means of which they could climb over the -corrugated iron more easily and with less -noise. Once outside, they were going to -trek for Mafeking, which is only about one -hundred and eighty miles off. They had -meant to go to-night, but, though it was wet, -there was too much lightning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">February</em><span> 21*st.*--More good news both -from Stormburg and the Tugela. Our friend -Opperman is getting excessively polite. I -think one can best describe him as a greasy, -unwashed bully, oily physically and morally, -cruel to anyone in his power, cringing to -those he fears.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">February</em><span> 22*nd.*--We hear that Cronje is -completely surrounded. De Wet tried to -break the encircling cordon, but was defeated -with great loss. Buller has taken the -Boschkop and all the British troops have crossed -the Tugela.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'A very amusing article appeared in one -of the papers the other day, in which -Napoleon was termed "the Botha of the early -'10's." Botha the Napoleon of these days is -presumption, but Napoleon, the Botha of the -early '10's! I cannot help pitying the -editor of the "Volksstem," as he is only -allowed to publish good news, and must -really be at his wit's-end to know what to -put in now.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Haldane and the others had arranged to -go to-night, but unfortunately the sentry was -walking about the place which had been -chosen for getting over, so that the escape -was prevented.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">February</em><span> 24*th.*--Haldane and Co. have -tried again. This time they were determined -to go. Clough, the servant, was sent up </span><em class="italics">via</em><span> -the gymnasium on to the roof to cut the wire. -I gave the signal by going into the room -under the main switch and asking for a map. -The light went down temporarily but came -up again almost immediately. We were -much alarmed lest Clough should have got a -shock, but he came down all right, surprised -that the lights had not gone out. Of course -the escape was off.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">February</em><span> 25*th.*--We were all sure that -Clough had not cut the wires at all last night. -He had received a slight shock and then left -it, so it was arranged that Cullen should try. -However, the position of the sentry again -prevented any attempt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">February</em><span> 26*th.*--Best, of the Inniskilling -Fusiliers, arrived to-day from the Tugela. -He said that all were well down there, though -the fighting had been very severe, and that the -troops were beyond Pieters. Cronje had no -food and must surrender shortly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'This evening the lights went out without -any mistake. Opperman was greatly alarmed, -and the electrician could not find out what -was up. They all believed a football must -have hit the wire outside and put the light -out. Probably Clough had partially severed -the wires, and the football had completed -the damage. Now, however, the wire being -broken before it was quite dark, the -advantage of surprise would be lost. It was, -moreover, a bright night, and we noticed that -the light in the streets shone on the wall -where we had meant to climb over it. The -sentries were doubled, so we finally gave up -the plan and tried to think of another. We -are told that they will remove us to a new -place on the 1st of March, and, perhaps, this -will give us a better chance.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>'When I went into my room at about 9.30 -I found that Le Mesurier, Haldane, and -Brockie were having a discussion. As we -were to move in two days to the new prison -they argued "why not go to earth now." The -authorities would think they had -escaped under cover of the light going out -and would, if anything, hasten the removal -of the prisoners, leaving these three under -the floor to depart in peace when -opportunity offered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">February</em><span> 27*th.*--This morning -Opperman came into our room as usual to count -the number of prisoners in bed, and on -seeing three beds empty he fairly staggered with -astonishment. I was looking at him with -one eye and chuckled to myself at his -dismay. He went and asked Brett if he knew -anything about it. Brett asked innocently, -"About what?" Then I pretended to -wake up and ask Opperman what the hell he -meant by disturbing us at this hour. He left -the room in a fury, but presently returned -with Gunning and later with Du Toit, the -Chief of the Police, who examined everything -</span><em class="italics">à la</em><span> Sherlock Holmes, and expressed, -with a smile, his confidence in the recapture -of the flown birds. After breakfast the whole -house was cleared and searched. The rooms, -the cupboards, the roof--everywhere except -under the floor. Then they brought in a -dark lantern, and I really thought they had -discovered the fugitives at last, but Sherlock -Holmes never thought of the floor; his -reasoning did not carry him there. He -found Haldane's saw made out of a table -knife, and connecting this with the hole in -the roof of the gymnasium, and the wires -cut, he was sure they had gone away in the -darkness. The rest, such is their mutual -trust of one another in this country, were -quite sure somebody had been bribed. The -theories of the other officers in the prison are -diverting. The discussions as to how the -escaped had got out and where they had -gone were full of imagination, but quite off -the mark. In the afternoon Opperman and -Sherlock Holmes came in with a hat and -said the prisoners had been seen going over -the hills towards Mafeking and had dropped -the hat in question. By nightfall they had -been tracked to Koodoosburg, about thirty -miles out; and, indeed, the remains of their -midday meal had been found. O wise -detectives! This evening the Dogman went -into Cullingworth's house in a great state of -excitement and lit a candle at the verandah--a -sign of good news, and on Majuba day too!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">February</em><span> 28*th.*--We received the good -news which the Dogman's excitement last -night portended. Cronje has surrendered. -This was received through the British -Consul at Delagoa Bay. Buller has also driven -back the Boers, and Botha wired: "No use; -Burghers here won't face British." In the -afternoon we received the following wire: -"Cronje's surrender unconditional. Boers -retreating on the Biggarsburg," and in the -evening we heard that the British were -entering Ladysmith.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Three more officers replaced the three -escaped in my room. We did not let them -know about those underground, but I -managed to send food, news, and water down as -usual, also some hot cocoa at night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March</em><span> 1*st.*--Ladysmith is relieved. -Joubert wires: "On Lancers coming out of -Ladysmith my mounted men retired leaving -waggons and stores behind them." This -afternoon the Cullingworths signalled over: -"No more news, furthest telegraph station -Elandslaagte." Kruger has gone to the front -to exhort his burghers with texts. He was -preceded by a telegram which was sent to all -laagers. It is too long and too profane for -me to copy out. Nothing but texts and -psalms, showing that they are bound to win -"though the enemy compass them about," -as the Almighty is their own exclusive and -peculiar property. The "Volksstem" says: -"There seems to be some foundation for the -rumour that Cronje has surrendered, but the -report that Ladysmith has been relieved is -quite untrue, our burghers are still fighting -bravely south of that town. Should, -however, Ladysmith be relieved, the war will -only enter upon a new phase. We will then -have to defend our borders against the -greedy grasp of an unholy race. Now will -the British see what fighting with the Boers -really is. Now will the war begin in earnest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'(Sherlock Holmes & Co. are completely -off the track and all is well below.)</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March</em><span> 2*nd.*--There are no signs of our -moving into our new prison. This is very -disconcerting as our friends cannot stay -below much longer without getting ill. The -Zarps' tents have been moved into the road. -Opperman says because the yard was damp, -but I fancy they are afraid of an attack on -the Zarps. With the dumbbells in the -gymnasium it might be possible to overpower -them. The day was wet and dreary; I wrote -letters, Mr. Hofmeyr prayed for the -escaped. I have had to divulge the secret to -No. 12 room, owing to one of them -unfortunately seeing the trap-door open. They -were very nice about it, and will do nothing -to compromise the chances of success.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March 6*th.</em><span>--Our signals this morning -informed us that the President had wired to -Lord Salisbury, "Is it not time bloodshed -ceased? Will send peace proposals." These -people have got some nerve. First they -declare war against an Empire, and then they -expect that when they have had enough -they can demand a cessation of hostilities. -There are no signs of moving.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March</em><span> 7*th.*--The Ides of March, but I -don't expect Kruger will be murdered in the -forum of Pretoria. Those below are still all -right, though their condition is not enviable.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March</em><span> 8*th.*--The following telegrams -were received to-day by our signaller-in-chief -Burrows: (1) Fighting with De Wet; -(2) Occupation of Bloemfontein on the 6th. -I busied myself in drawing a picture of -Kruger going to the front to exhort his -burghers, on the wall my room. There -seems no chance of moving. Opperman -says they have not even put down the floor -in our new abode. Haldane wants to try to -make them move. He thought that if -Grimshaw vanished too it might alarm the -authorities, and make them anxious to move -us to a more secure place, but I feel -sure--and Grimshaw agrees with me--this would -only lead to the discovery of everything.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March</em><span> 11*th.*--I drew another large -picture on my wall, a sequel to the first. It -represents Kruger just escaping from Lord -Roberts, who with drawn sword appears to -be running after him at a good pace. My -picture No. 1 is entitled "President Kruger -goes to front to exhort his burghers;" No. 2 -"But returns on urgent business."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'As chances of a move seem so uncertain -and they are all determined below not to -give in, it has been decided to try to get out -by making a shallow tunnel, roofed in with -cupboard shelves, into the hospital. -Haldane is making arrangements with No. 12 -room, who, it appears, are following the same plan.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March</em><span> 12*th.*--The man who came for -grocery orders reported this morning that -Bloemfontein had fallen, but our signal was -that the British were within seven miles of -the Free State capital. Opperman saw my -portraits of Kruger this morning; I am -afraid he did not appreciate them as he -should have done. However, I told him -that with a pail of whitewash and a brush he -might obliterate them if he chose. (N.B.--Such -is the procrastinating nature of these -Boer-Hollander people that Opperman never -had the pictures removed, and this with -other things had, I believe, a good deal to -do with his own eventual removal.)</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'No. 12 decided to have nothing more to -do with the digging plan. We have -therefore arranged that Grimshaw, Garvice, and -I shall take part in the operation. Garvice -has not been informed of Le Mesurier's -whereabouts, but has decided to dig. The -Colonials in No. 20 room are also digging, -but theirs is to be a deep tunnel and I -doubt if they can master the water question.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March</em><span> 13*th.*--Tragedy. The Dogman -and Cullingworth have been commandeered -as undesirables, but intend, I fancy, to -escape to the British lines. We signalled to -him, "Good-bye, eternal gratitude, God -bless you!" The Dogman replied, "British -twenty miles north of Bloemfontein; -Good-bye; speedy release; will return with Bobs."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'We started our shaft under the big room -No. 16. Apparently we made a good deal -of noise, for the old Colonels were very -much alarmed and threatened to stop all -digging, though they did not know who the -culprits were. Opperman came into the -room when mining was in full swing below, -and it was all the occupants could do to -hustle him outside, drowning the noise of -the pick by stamping. We were rather -distressed and decided to wait a few days. -Garvice was very much startled when he -saw Le Mesurier. He describes his feelings -vividly. On going down by the trap-door -he remarked what an awful hole it was. -Suddenly, in the flickering candle-light he -saw a gaunt, bearded, unwashed face, and a -half-naked body. At first he could not -make out what it was, but when he at last -realised it was a brother officer he said you -could have knocked him down with a -feather had it not been that he was already -crawling on his stomach. The new shaft is -a long way off; when I went down I had to -crawl on hands and knees along passages -and through man-holes, backwards and -forwards in a regular maze of compartments, -and, indeed, had the candle gone out one -could easily have been lost. Haldane -looked very ill, but the others, except for -being covered with dirt, seemed well enough.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March</em><span> 14*th.*--Grimshaw went down this -evening to hold a confab. They have -managed to dig without making a noise by -wetting the earth. Grimshaw and I made the -trap-door into one piece by securing the -planks together and also made it so as to -batten down from underneath. I sent them -down jugs of water during the day to wash in.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March</em><span> 15*th.*--All went as usual this -morning. Grimshaw descended and did a -little digging. In the afternoon Opperman -brought the news that we were to be moved -to-morrow! Most of the officers were very -annoyed, but Grimshaw and I sent the -information below with gladness. Well, there -was no time to be lost. Food enough to -last them a week, all the bottles filled with -water, and everything that could possibly be -of any use to the cave-men was sent down. -We heard, however, and not to our surprise, -that others were thinking of going into their -respective holes so as to escape after we had -moved. As this could have had no other -effect than to cause the discovery all, we -were determined if possible to stop it. We -told Colonel Hunt, and he managed to -persuade all concerned to abandon their -schemes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'This settled, we set to work, after final -good-byes and handshakings, to putty up -the cracks between the boards of the -trap-door, which had already been fastened down -from underneath. This we succeeded in -doing to perfection, and after covering the -place well with dust, the trap-door could -scarcely have been located by anyone; -certainly not by those who did not know of its -existence.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March</em><span> 16*th.*--The Staats Model School -at an early hour was more than usually busy. -We were all packing up such belongings as -we had. I rolled everything in my mattress -and rugs, and secured with rope. Then the -gates were opened and all baggage was -moved out on the road ready to be packed -on the trolleys provided for the occasion. To -be outside those gates was to breathe fresh -air; to pass those barriers which had so long -defied our efforts and our wits was like going -out into another world. I went back into my -room, and by prearranged taps on the floor -Grimshaw signalled that all was well. I then -sang "For Auld Lang Syne" as a parting -farewell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The Government had generously provided -cabs for the convenience of the officers -(who afterwards found they had to pay), and -at about 10 A.M. the first cabs rolled off amid -the friendly farewells of many neighbours. -The long column of vehicles was escorted -by a motley guard, consisting of very old men -and tiny boys armed with Sniders and -sporting guns of ancient pattern.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'We soon passed out of the town and, -crossing a small river, began to crawl up a -steep hill. The roads outside of Pretoria -appear very much neglected, but, of course, -the money that should have been devoted to -general improvements was all spent in secret -service or in preparations for the war. We -soon arrived at our destination. The building -stands halfway up the side of a hill, and -is probably a much healthier place than the -Model School. Besides, the view is really -pretty. To the north, indeed, it is limited -by the tops of two hills. Southward lies -Pretoria, a collection of large Government -buildings and of small villas amid masses of -trees, nestling beneath a high range of hills, -along the crest of which rise the famous forts. -The view on the west is merely a vast plain -which reaches to the horizon, and a large hill -obliterates any view to the east.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The place itself consists merely of a long -white shanty with a fairly large compound -enclosed by formidable barbed-wire entanglements. -Outside are Opperman's house and -the Zarps' tents. There are electric lights all -round the enclosure, making escape a matter -of considerable difficulty. Inside, the place -looked more like a cattle-shed than -anything else. A long galvanised-iron building, -divided into a servants' compartment and -kitchen, eating rooms, sleeping room, and -four small bath-rooms. The sleeping-hall is -eighty-five by thirty yards long and -accommodates 120 officers, our beds being, roughly, -a yard apart. There is no flooring. The -drains consist of open ditches, while the -sanitary arrangements are enough to disgust any -civilised being. A strong protest was at -once sent in to the authorities, but I doubt -that it will have any effect.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March</em><span> 18*th.*--The greatest disadvantage -of this place over the Staats Model School is -that we can get no news.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March</em><span> 22*nd.*--Gunning gave us a small -baboon the other day, which was very fierce -at first, but has tamed wonderfully. There -are many different kinds of curious insects -here, not curious for this country, of course, -but which I have never seen before. The -"Praying Mantis" or "Kaffir God" is one of -the queerest. The whole place seems to be a -large ants' nest, and we have often witnessed -great fights between the different kinds. -Snakes also abound. A night-adder was -killed the other day. It was about thirteen -or fourteen inches long and very poisonous, -so Gunning says.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'We hear Gunning and Opperman are -going to the front to-morrow. I am very -sorry for the former, though the departure of -the latter is a great advantage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March</em><span> 23*rd.*--The Zarps and Opperman -departed for the front this morning. Their -place was taken by a new guard selected from -the Hollander Corps. The Commandant is -a pleasant fellow and a great improvement -on Opperman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March</em><span> 25*th.*--We had service as usual -this morning. This evening an attempt to -escape was going to be made by Ansell and -Co., but it never came off. There has been -no news of Haldane and the others, so I -suppose they are well away by now. This -evening the new Commandant had roll-call. -We call him "Pyjamas," because he wears -a suit of clothes for all the world like a pair -of pyjamas. His real name is Westernant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">March</em><span> 30*th.*--There has not been -anything very important to record for some days. -On Tuesday an attempt to escape was made -by Best. While one sentry was gossiping -with another he crept under the barbed wire. -As luck would have it, when Best had got -half way through, the sentry finished his -</span><em class="italics">tête-à-tête</em><span> and returned to his post. At first he -thought Best was a dog and called out -</span><em class="italics">footsack</em><span>,[#] but seeing he was a human being, -merely told him to go back. He might have -shot him with some excuse, so Best was -lucky in striking a kind-hearted man.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><span class="small">[#] Be off.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>'On Wednesday Joubert died. In respect -to him we sent a wreath. I don't think this -will have any effect on the war, as (and the -papers say as much) his moderate attitude in -the recent crisis had taken away much of his -popularity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">April</em><span> 3*rd.*--Hurrah! the papers this -evening report the safe arrival of Haldane, -Le Mesurier and Brockie at Lourenço -Marques, having travelled through -Swaziland. We were so glad to hear this news. -Alas! We also hear that sixteen officers -arrive to-morrow, and that seven guns were -captured with them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The Cullingworth girls came up this -evening and signalled with a handkerchief -that Mafeking had been relieved. I hope it -is true. We all admire the pluck of those -girls. We have already collected a large -subscription to get them and the Dogman -handsome presents.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'There was a large swarm of locusts yesterday. -So thick was the cloud that it quite -obliterated the view of the distant hills. They -continued passing over nearly all day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">April</em><span> 5*th.*--The prisoners arrived this -morning. They mostly belong to U -Battalion, R.H.A.; some to the M.I. and -Cavalry. I have not quite gathered the -circumstances of their capture, but they seem to -have been caught in a trap, owing to the -want of the ordinary precautions. The -convoy and one battery were practically held up -without firing a shot, but the other battery -got away. When marched off they heard -that another British force was pursuing so -that the guns may be recaptured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'They bring very little news; apparently -they have heard nothing about the relief of -Mafeking, though Warren was on his way -thereto. Roberts has been delayed in his -advance for the want of horses, but as this -has been remedied the forward movement -should begin shortly. Had the horses not -been so done after Abram's Kraal, they say -De Wet would have been caught and the -war over. Such is the fashion of war. If -so-and-so had happened--always "if"!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'There was great excitement this -evening caused by an attempted escape. The -electric wires had been tampered with, and -at about 10.30, by some device, Home, a -colonial, who is also an electrician, made the -current travel on a shorter circuit, thus -blowing out the main fuse and extinguishing all -the lights round the building. Hardly had -this happened than two shots were fired in -quick succession, and then another. The -escape failed, but all got back into the -building unwounded. Apparently the lights had -gone down, then up for a second, then finally out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'During the momentary flash Hockley, -of the escapees, had been seen and fired at. -However, "All's well that ends well," though -some say that two bullets went through the -dining-room. Sentries were doubled for the -night and patrols sent out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">April</em><span> 6*th.*--How the fortunes of war -vary! We seem to be going through a -series of small disasters. To-day the papers -have the report of a "Brilliant Boer Victory, -thirty-six miles south-east of Bloemfontein; -450 prisoners!!!" The only hope is that the -account is not "official." But we must be -ready for the worst. The leading article -says: "Within a few days Roberts will be -forced to evacuate the Free State. </span><em class="italics">His -retreat from Bloemfontein will be like -Napoleon's retreat from Moscow</em><span>."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">April</em><span> 11*th.*--The prisoners reported -captured some time ago have not arrived yet. -They always seem to be "expected to arrive -somewhere," but apparently have not yet -been actually seen by anybody. On Saturday -their capture was reported officially. On -Thursday English wires said that 300 Royal -Irish were surrounded. To-day they say the -prisoners are expected at Pretoria to-morrow! -Well, we shall see.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The last few days we have had many -good rumours about the capture of Boers and -British victories. To-day the papers say -that Lord Methuen is advancing on Boshof -(he must be there by now), and that Colonel -de Villebois has been killed. He apparently -and his men (100, so they say--probably 500) -were all killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. -A distinguished ex-French officer and his -foreign legion is a good bag.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The next piece of information is, quoting -from Boer paragraphs or head lines, "Fifteen -hundred English in a corner;" "Brabant's -Horse in a trap." Then, again, "There is -every hope of their surrender." So much for -this. But on the Dutch side we read that all -telegraphic communication with Ladybrand -and the south has been cut, so I rather fancy -the Boers have over-reached themselves for once.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The Boers have attacked our camps at -Elandslaagte, and because, when they shelled, -our camp tents were struck, they report that -the British fled. I wonder if Le Mesurier -was in this show.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'In all these fights, as usual, the Boers -"By the grace of God had (about) one man -killed and four wounded." This is heavy; -generally it is one horse and three mules. -"The enemy," of course, "must have lost -heavily." So the paragraphs run on. -Many are the funny expressions. "One -brave burgher succumbed to the explosion -of a bomb." "One of our guns </span><em class="italics">in firing</em><span> -damaged its sight and one of its wheels!" They -always end up with "Our burghers are -full of courage, and determined to withstand -the enemy to the last."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Various officials came up the day before -yesterday to inquire into the causes of the -protest we had sent in, signed by all the -officers here. They promised that -everything would be seen to; but they are -all--well they are Boer officials, and I doubt if -our lot is to be in any way improved.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The weather is getting much colder now, -though the sun is still hot by day. A few -stray shots whistled over the building to-day, -probably "accidentally on purpose." I hope -they do not begin sniping regularly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">April</em><span> 12*th.*--Alas! my hopes were -doomed to disappointment. Eight prisoners -arrived. They are mostly of the Irish -Rifles; unlucky regiment, twice the victims of -misfortune! There is among them a -gunner who was on the staff. As usual, they -bring little news, except a vivid account of -their own "show," which happened when -they were on a bill-posting expedition.[#] A -cart-load of packing cases came in to-day for -the prisoners of war. Seven tons have -already been sent to Waterval. These cases -contained papers, books, cigars, cigarettes, -tobacco and groceries, for which we were -very thankful, the more so to feel that the -people at home had not forgotten the -unhappy prisoners of war.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><span class="small">[#] Distributing the proclamation.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>'Since the new year one of the chief -topics of discussion and bets has been: "When -the war will be over." We have, alas! always -underestimated the length of our stay -here; had the prophecies of the more -sanguine come true, we would have been free -long ago. Some put the date of our release -at the Queen's birthday; others later, and a -few earlier. Personally, I have learnt since -I have been here the impossibility of -predicting what the future has in store. The -day will surely come, though would that -we knew the date, be it months hence, for we -might then cross off the days as they passed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">April</em><span> 17*th.*--The papers have given no -news for a considerable time. But rumours -of the wildest description have been spread. -Ever since Friday last rumour has persisted -in De Wet's capture, and, indeed, it seems -possible, even probable; having succeeded -in two captures, General De Wet was -not likely to be allowed to take another -bag without some counter move on Lord -Roberts's part. The papers to-day say -nothing on the English side about De Wet, -except that no news has been received -from him for a considerable time; but the -Dutch columns express anxiety as to his -whereabouts. He had surrounded Brabant, -they say, but strong columns came out of -Bloemfontein, and to-day no news has been -got, or, indeed, can be got, from the lost -General. Rumour also has it that Lucas -Meyer has been captured on the Natal side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'I have been continuing my sketches and -caricatures pretty regularly. I have also -been reading more lately. Being Easter -week, Mr. Hofmeyr held a service on Good -Friday, and administered the Holy -Communion on Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday! -If somebody had told me when first captured -that I should still be in prison on Easter -Sunday, I should have thought him mad, or -expected to go mad myself. 'Tis well we -know not the future, but always live on -hopes of early release.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'I have written and received a good many -letters. I think I am quite reforming in the -way of letter writing--that is, I am getting -into the way of writing four pages of tolerably -sensible stuff on nothing at all, which is -a sure sign of a good correspondent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Talking of being a prisoner, we have -heard more of those fortunate escaped -Fortunate! One cannot but think them -lucky, and envy them, now they are free, with -the just credit for their escape. But how -many hardships had they to suffer? Well, -to come to the point. Davy has just -returned from hospital, where he saw -Haldane's account of his escape in the "Standard -and Diggers' News." The trains did not -seem to fit in, and our friends had a lot of -walking to do. Le Mesurier sprained his -ankle; food ran out, and they had to live on -Kaffir food. Finally, getting into a coal -truck, where they were nearly discovered, -they crossed the border at Komati Poorte. I -envy them; but such success cannot be got -without daring. Luck has certainly followed -them, but I think their patience underground -won Fortune's favour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'We hear from Davy that the Dogman -and Cullingworth are prisoners, having been -arrested when trying to escape to the British -lines. Poor fellows! Though, as our friends -at home say of us, "They are safer in prison -than at the front." This saying always irritates -me. Every letter hints at it, as if safety -were the chief reward one hoped to get -during a war; one cannot help feeling bitter, -though our imprisonment is only the -payment for our very lives.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">April</em><span> 19*th.*--Roulette is in full swing -here. The arrangements are most ingenious, -and the dining-room after dinner is a regular -Monte Carlo.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'We had a large mess meeting to-day to -appoint a new mess committee, and to -discuss various questions as regards the -expenses, etc. It was a very amusing assembly, -rather too frivolous to carry any real motions. -Most of the speeches wandered off the point, -and we finally dispersed without deciding -anything of importance. One thing was, -however, serious. Colonel Hunt appealed -for further subscriptions for the sick soldiers -in hospital. They are apparently entirely -supported by charity, and by our subscriptions. -The Transvaal Government (although -boasting to be civilised) does not even -supply beds! This fact might, perhaps, -disillusion some who are so taken in by Boer cant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">May</em><span> 8*th.*--We have had an immense -amount of news lately. Roberts has begun -his big advance. Brandfort is in our hands, -also Winburg. The force advancing </span><em class="italics">via</em><span> -Boshof has reached Hoopstad, while the -British have crossed the Vaal at Fourteen -Streams. De Wet has not been heard of -for a considerable time. So much is -acknowledged in the papers. Rumours say -that we are behind Kroonstadt!! That De -Wet, Steyn, and 8,000 Boers have been -taken!! The English in the town think we -shall be released by the 24th of May. A -panic seems to have seized the Boers, and -excited meetings have been held. Kruger -summoned the Volksraad on Sunday, and -addressed them in stirring words, which, -while acknowledging the serious nature of -the situation, exhorted the burghers to -continue the struggle trusting in the Lord. -General Schalk Burger, while addressing -the townspeople, said that a stand might yet -be made, if not, the independence of the -Republic was at an end. The Church of -Pretoria has addressed petitions for peace to the -Churches of Great Britain and of Europe -and America. They pray that this unholy -bloodshed may cease. Kruger says -"Continue the struggle to the end." Is it for -England or for Kruger to give in?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'We have started a newspaper; it is -progressing. We call it the "Gram," because -at the Staats Model School all our news came -in under the popular names of signal-gram -(when news was signalled), Kaffir-gram -(when brought through the Kaffir). Brockiegram -(when Brockie succeeded in getting -information from the Zarps), and so forth. -Rosslyn is editor; Major Sturges sub-editor. -White, R.A., Wake, 5th Fusiliers, and -I, are the artists. The paper has been all -written out by Rosslyn, and is now being -hectographed. We hope to bring out -seventy good copies of the first number.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">May</em><span> 13*th.*--Though two or three -prisoners have arrived lately, we can get no -particular details of the news. There is no -doubt that a general advance has been -begun, but what point our troops have reached -is uncertain. Also, it is still a question -whether De Wet is captured or not. This -morning the most serious rumour came in, -to the effect that Mafeking had fallen, but I -can scarcely believe it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Yesterday Mr. Hofmeyr received the -welcome order to pack up his things and go. -He seemed very affected at saying good-bye -and nearly broke down. We all liked him -very much, and bade him a hearty farewell, -cheering him as he left the enclosure, and -singing "He's a jolly good fellow." We -shall miss him as well as his services.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Our paper came out yesterday and was a -great success. We hope to bring out a new -one on the Queen's Birthday, though it is an -awful labour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Life has not been so bad lately. Buoyed -up with hope of a speedy release, and -occupied with the "Gram," time has passed, in -my case, more quickly. We had a selling -lottery the other day for the day of our release. -The dates ranged from the 15th of May to -the 15th of August. The Queen's Birthday -was much in request, while "the field" (any -day after August 15th) went for six pounds.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The "Volksstem," of course, progresses -as usual. Having exhausted all other insults -on England, they commenced lately on the -Queen! During the present British advance -the mendacious powers of the editor are -once more brought to trial, and once more -he has not been found wanting. The burghers -are full of courage (running everywhere); -even the women wish to fight! There was, -indeed, a rumour that our present guard was -to be commandeered and the women put -here to look after us. Poor time for us! I -fancy we should be all shot! The Volksraad -sat the other day, and after Kruger and -others quoting a few scriptures the session -of 1900 was closed after sitting two days!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">May</em><span> 14*th.*--So much news has arrived -to-day, that I think I had better inscribe it, -while I remember. This morning came the -rumour that a good many Boers actually did -get into Mafeking, but, being unsupported, -still remain there. This evening's -"Volksstem" is truly a wonder. It gives more news -than it ever has given before. An attack was -made on Mafeking. The Boers took a -"fort," but were attacked by night, and lost -seven killed and "some" wounded and -prisoners. At present Carrington and Plumer -are proceeding to Mafeking by train, so that -it must have been relieved. Everywhere the -Boers fly, and the British troops entered -Kroonstadt on the 11th inst. Hunter, with -his 25,000 men, drove the enemy back at -Warrenton, and "the Boers are unable to -resist the advance of the forces at Vryburg."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'"But," says the "Volksstem," "the fact -that Kroonstadt is in the hands of the -enemy need create no alarm. As we retire our -line of defence becomes less and our -commandos can be concentrated to resist more -effectually the advance of the British forces. -Besides, many things may happen which will -put an entirely new face on the war. Our -delegation has reached America, &c., &c. -Lord Roberts' hastened advance is said to be -caused by his desire to reach Pretoria on the -Queen's Birthday, but might not the real -reason be the fear of foreign intervention? -Lord Roberts wishes to strike a decisive -blow before his forces are needed elsewhere. -Every day's delay is, therefore, an advantage -to our cause. Courage is all that is needed, -&c., &c."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The above is a </span><em class="italics">précis</em><span> of the "Volksstem" -leading article. Still they harp on foreign -intervention, but from what I gather from -recent Continental criticisms on the war, I -fancy their chances in this line are less than -at the beginning of the war. As to the -burghers' courage, I doubt if the majority of -them have much left. For many months the -Transvaal Government have whipped their -subjects to the fight; but even the worm -will turn, and to the simplest, or the most -ignorant, the Government promises and -hopes must seem vain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The day of our release is, perhaps, -approaching; but it does not do to be too -sanguine; one never knows where a check may -occur. Still I "plump" on the end of the -present month.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">May</em><span> 20*th.*--The month is drawing to a -close, and the day of our release is still a -matter of speculation. News is pretty -plentiful; even the "Volksstem" tries to hide -nothing. Roberts has made a great advance, -but whether he has halted at Kroonstadt or -not is uncertain. We all hoped he would -not stop until he had reached Pretoria.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'We have been very much alarmed lately -at the rumoured intention of the Government -to move us to Lydenburg, but at present it -is only a rumour. If we are moved we shall -have every prospect of being shunted about -the country with guerilla bands of Boers who -would keep us merely as hostages, if, -however, we are kept here we shall have every -chance of being released during the siege of -Johannesburg. The Boers, it is said, have -decided to hold that place and are not going -to blow up the mines. The defence of -Pretoria would be impossible with the troops at -their disposal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Life goes on as usual. The only diversion -that has lately occurred was the athletic -sports, which were got up by some energetic -people. The event took place yesterday, -and, on the whole, was a decided success. -The chief feature, however, of the day was -the betting. Several enterprising officers -kept books, but Haig, of the Inniskilling -Dragoons, cut the best figure in that line, and -it was chiefly owing to his amusing performance -that the day was a success. White has -made an excellent sketch of "Our Bookie" -for the next "Gram" number.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The sermon this morning is worth recording. -The Rev. Mr. Bateman delivered a -most extraordinary speech as part of his -service. Whether it was meant for our spiritual -edification, or merely intended to convey -news to us under the disguise of a text, was -not quite certain; but, by preaching on the -text that begins "as cold water is to the -thirsty soul, so is good news, &c.," he led us -to believe that we were to be released in a -very short time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Roulette has been going very strong. -Large sums have been lost and won.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">May</em><span> 25*th.*--Yesterday we, prisoners of -war, joined with the British Empire all over -the world in the celebration of the Queen's -Birthday. In our little enclosure we have -quite a representative British Empire--English, -Scotch, and Irish soldiers, Colonials, -South Africans, Australians, and civilians, -and, indeed, we only require a Canadian to -complete the list.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Yesterday evening we drank the Queen's -health in light port (rather nasty). The first -drops of wine or spirit I had tasted since the -18th of November. This was followed by -"God Save the Queen," sung by all with a -heartiness and feeling that I never heard -before. It must have sounded very well outside. -To us it was as it were "giving vent" to our -imprisoned feelings, while we also found in -it a link with our country, from which we -have for so many months been severed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'It is now pretty certain that Roberts -is resting his troops, and rumours have it -that the Boers have asked for an armistice. -Whether Lord Roberts celebrated the -Queen's Birthday by a victory or a peaceful -armistice remains to be seen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The "Volksstem" considers that it would -be a graceful act on the part of the State -President if he were to wire the Queen and offer -her as a birthday present the unconditional -release of all the British prisoners of war. -As the "Volksstem" is the official organ, -this may quite possibly be merely a feeler to -the public (if public there be in this -country). At any rate it would be an act worthy -of the wily Boer. He finds it a source of -trouble and expense feeding and guarding -5,000 prisoners, so he gives them away with -a pound of tea--I mean as a graceful act. -Whether the offer would be accepted is -uncertain. But we at any rate will be very -happy if the Transvaal Government puts us -over the border.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The weather (by day) is simply perfect. -Every morning the lovely air makes one -long for a walk or ride, and causes one to -chafe at the inability to roam beyond the one -hundred yards' enclosure. We are -henceforth to be allowed to have wine, but -personally I shall wait for freedom before I -indulge in that luxury again. The second -number of the "Gram" came out yesterday, -and, I believe, was much appreciated.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">May</em><span> 26*th.*--Two prisoners of war -arrived this morning. They were caught at -Lindley, which the Boers have apparently -reoccupied. They were taken across country -to the Natal railway, and then conveyed -straight to Pretoria. They say they have -heard firing at the Vaal, so I suppose Lord -Roberts is there. The Boers hold a strong -position south of Johannesburg, and they also -intend defending that town. One of the De -Wets is still on the right rear of our army, -but will be dealt with by Rundle's division -which is coming up that way. It is said that -De Wet at one time offered to surrender on -condition that he himself should not be made -a prisoner. But Roberts would receive none -but an unconditional surrender. Buller has -been ordered to force Laing's Nek at all -costs. The "Volksstem" says that Lord -Roberts's headquarters are at Honningspruit, -some way north of Kroonstadt, but this is -probably news of some days' standing. -There is also a rumour that our troops have -occupied Potchefstroom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">May</em><span> 19*th.*--At last our release seems -near at hand. Yesterday and to-day big -guns were heard plainly in the direction of -Johannesburg, which is now in our hands. -Boscher, the grocer, has just arrived, having -come up by the last train. He says that the -Dragoons were actually in the streets when -he left. I fancy to-morrow or next day will -see us out. Everybody is in the best of -spirits and full of excitement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Greatest excitement during dinner. -Mr. Hay and Mr. Wood came in and asked -Colonel Hunt to send twenty-four officers to -Waterval to look after the men. Kruger has -gone to Holland. The British are expected -here to-morrow, and we shall be free! We -sang "God Save the Queen" and cheered -Hay and the Commandant, who made a very -nice speech, saying he hoped to shake hands -with us outside. Oh! how I longed to see -the old regiment once more! The -Commandant says that there is still fighting at -Klipdrift, but a force of 4,000 men has -broken through and come here. I believe -there is a lot of looting going on in the town -now. Roulette is at an end. I can scarcely -write coherently, so excited am I. Fancy -being free; I can scarcely believe it! Six -and a half months' imprisonment, and about -to be freed! Thank God!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">May</em><span> 31*st.*--Too premature were our -hopes. Yesterday and to-day have been -spent in awful suspense. Distant guns have -been heard, Boers have been seen riding -about, and rumours of all kinds and -descriptions are rife. It is too awful this final -suspense. We do nothing in hope of a -speedy release, and we pass the day anxiously -scanning the horizon for the approach of -troops.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'All day commandos have gone through -the town, and one was seen on the plain -coming in from Mafeking. One commando -came up our way, and we were rather -surprised that they made no attempt to shoot -us. Indeed there was nothing to prevent -them. Three prisoners came in. They were -caught in or near Johannesburg. That town -was officially surrendered at 10 A.M. this -morning. The Boers intend making a sort -of stand (one of their usual ten-minute affairs -I suppose) at Irene, a place six miles south -of Pretoria, and a fight is expected there -to-morrow. Their line of flight is past our -abode and Waterval, and I should not be -surprised if, unable to face and shoot armed -men, some of these foreign ruffians shoot a -few prisoners.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The town is evidently to be handed over -quietly. The "Volksstem" is still covering -a sheet of paper with print, but seems to -take not the slightest interest in the war. -They speak of giving up Pretoria as one -of our papers might of a concert. Well, I -suppose it will come at last, but I shall -heave a sigh of relief when it does!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">June</em><span> 1*st.*--No sign of the British! But -we expect to hear guns to-morrow. There -are plenty of rumours about--Roberts -captured, French killed, &c. There was a good -deal of looting in the town yesterday, and -five men were shot. Our hopes of a few -days ago have been somewhat damped, and -most of us put our release down at a week -hence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The "Volksstem" is remarkable. The -editor is evidently wishful to avoid his -tarring and feathering, and scarcely speaks of -the war at all.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">June</em><span> 3*rd.*--I have almost given up -looking forward to our release, and have fallen -back into the ordinary monotonous life. -No guns have been heard, and therefore no -serious fighting can have taken place -anywhere near Pretoria. Rundle has been -reported as having received a check in the -Free State, and Lord Roberts is said to be -still in Johannesburg; otherwise there is no -news at all. Botha has taken matters into -his own hands, has kicked out the officials -appointed by Kruger, chosen a committee of -his own, and has arranged the defence of the -positions outside the town. He has therefore -made himself practically President of -what remains of the Transvaal. Kruger -went off with a million of hard gold, paying -the Government officials with dishonoured -cheques on the National Bank, from which -he has removed all the money. Every one -of his ministers thirsts for the old man's -blood, and perhaps it were best for him to -go further than Middelburg.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">June</em><span> 4*th.*--At about 8.30 this morning -firing was heard at no great distance, in the -south-west direction--field-guns, -"pom-poms," Maxims, and even musketry. At -about nine o'clock a shell was seen to burst -on an earthwork on a ridge of hills south of -the town. Field-glasses and telescopes were -immediately brought out, and we were well -entertained for the rest of the day. Shrapnel -burst all along the ridges, and presently -lyddite shells were planted on the hills. -The firing seemed very unmethodical, and -the Boers made little or no reply. On the -western kopjes shrapnel was seen bursting all -over the place, and we expected the Infantry -to attack them. But the lyddite shells were -certainly the most interesting. They burst -with a tremendous noise, throwing up clouds -of brownish earth. For some time the forts -seemed the mark our gunners were aiming -at, and these costly erections certainly -received their share--four shells pitching well -inside the west fort; but, later, the shells -were directed on the eastern outskirts of the -town. Whether these were intended for -the railway station, we could not make out; -but, otherwise, they seemed to have no -object. At about 4.30 the Boers were seen -leaving the western ridges and trekking at a -remarkable pace across the plain, disappearing -along the northern road. The day's -action was ended by a kind of </span><em class="italics">feu de joie</em><span> of -lyddite shells, which struck the two forts -and the surrounding hills. Then peace -ensued. The last few shots seemed to have -been fired by guns which were much closer -than at the commencement of the bombardment, -and the flight of the projectiles, which -we could distinctly hear, passed from west -to east, so that we hope our troops have -occupied the hills on the west.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The hills are burning to-night, and the -scene is strangely illuminated in honour of -our approaching rescue.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'</span><em class="italics">June</em><span> 5*th.*--A day of strangely mingled -hopes and fears. This morning at about 1.30 -the Commandant awoke us and ordered us -to pack up at once and prepare to march to -the railway, whence we were to be -transported by train down the Delagoa Bay line -to some station beyond Middelburg. All -were filled with consternation. To be -hurried away when release was so near at hand -seemed too awful. Words cannot express -my feelings. At last we decided to refuse -to go. Let them massacre us if they dared. -We reminded the Commandant of the -promise made to the officers the week -before that if they restrained the men in -Waterval neither they nor the men should -be transported. The Commandant replied -that he had his orders and must execute -them, and he rose to leave the building, but -we refused to let him or his lieutenant go, -and held them both prisoners. The -Commandant said that the guards would soon -come in to rescue him, but he eventually -promised to do his best to save us from -being deported, if we set him free. Then, -by Colonel Hunt's advice, for we did not -know when a commando might appear, we -returned to bed--you cannot shoot men -in their beds. And so passed the anxious -hours away till dawn. With the first streaks -of daylight we scanned the hills anxiously -for the British troops. We could see lines -of men moving on the race-course, but it -was impossible to make out what they were. -Presently, at about half-past eight, two -figures in khaki came round the corner, crossed -the little brook and galloped towards us. -Were they Boers come to order our -removal?--The advance scouts, perhaps, of a -commando to enforce the order! or were -they our friends at last? Yes, thank God! -One of the horsemen raised his hat and -cheered. There was a wild rush across the -enclosure, hoarse discordant yells, and the -prisoners tore like madmen to welcome the -first of their deliverers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'Who should I see on reaching the gate -but Churchill, who, with his cousin, the -Duke of Marlborough, had galloped on in -front of the army to bring us the good -tidings. It is impossible to describe our -feelings on being freed. I can scarcely -believe it, after seven months' imprisonment; -the joy nearly made up for all our former -troubles, and, besides, the war is not yet over.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'To close the scene we hoisted the Union -Jack which Burrows (one of the prisoners) -had made by cutting up a Vierkleur, on the -staff whence the Transvaal colours had so -long reminded us of our condition. I will -not write about the triumphal entry of Lord -Roberts and the army into Pretoria, -because that has been already told by so many -others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>'The Dogman and Cullingworth shared -our good fortune, both being speedily -released from the gaol where they had -languished since their attempt to get through -to the British lines, and with this happy fact -let me end my record of so many weary -days passed in uncertainty, disappointment, -and monotony, but borne, I hope, with -patience, and ending at last in joy.'</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="action-of-diamond-hill"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">ACTION OF DIAMOND HILL</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Pretoria: June 14.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The feeble resistance which the Boers -offered to our advance from Bloemfontein -favoured the hope that with the fall of -Pretoria they would sue for peace, and after the -almost bloodless capture of the town there -was a very general tendency to regard the -war as practically over. The troops who had -been marching for so many days with -Pretoria as their goal, not unnaturally hoped -that when that goal was achieved a period of -rest and refreshment would be given them. -But the imperious necessities of war -demanded fresh efforts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The successes gained in the Free State -by the redoubtable Christian De Wet, and -the cutting of the communications near -Rhenoster, awoke everyone to the fact that -further exertions were required. Though -the Boers under Botha had made but a poor -resistance in front of their capital, they were -encouraged by the news from the Free State -to adopt a more defiant attitude, and to make -what we hope has been almost a final effort. -As to that I will not be sanguine; but it is -certain that, whereas on the 7th and 8th of -June the Boer leaders in the Transvaal were -contemplating surrender, on the 9th and 10th -they were making all kinds of bold schemes -to harass and even entrap the British army.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the 7th the news ran through the -camp that Mrs. Botha had come through the -lines with some mission on her husband's -behalf, and General Schoeman had himself -made very decided overtures. On the 8th, -therefore, an armistice was observed by both -sides, and a conference on Zwartskop, where -Lord Roberts was to meet the Republican -generals, was arranged for the 9th; but when -the 9th came circumstances had changed. -The Field-Marshal had actually his foot in the -stirrup ready to ride to the meeting-place, -when a messenger arrived from Botha -declining, unless Lord Roberts had some new -proposal to make, to enter into any -negotiations. The consequence of this was an -immediate resumption of active operations.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The military situation was, briefly, that -Lord Roberts's army was spread around and -in Pretoria in various convenient camping -grounds, with the greater part of its force -displayed on the east and north-east sides of -the town; and that the Boers, under Botha -and Delarey, to the number of about 7,000, -with twenty-five guns, held a strong position -some fifteen miles to the east astride the -Delagoa Bay Railway. It was evident that -on any grounds, whether moral or material, -it was not possible for the conquering army -to allow the capital to be perpetually -threatened by the enemy in organised force, and, -indeed, to be in a state of semi-siege.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With the intention, therefore, of driving -the enemy from the neighbourhood, and in -the hope of capturing guns and prisoners, -a large series of combined operations was -begun. Practically all the available troops -were to be employed. But the army which -had marched from Bloemfontein had -dwindled seriously from sickness, from casualties, -and, above all, from the necessity of dropping -brigades and battalions behind it to maintain -the communications. We have already seen -how it was necessary to leave the Fourteenth -Brigade to hold Johannesburg, and now the -Eighteenth Brigade became perforce the -garrison of Pretoria, thus leaving only the -Eleventh Division, the corps troops, and Ian -Hamilton's force free for field operations.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Eleventh Division numbered, perhaps, -6,000 bayonets with twenty guns. Ian -Hamilton's force had lost Smith-Dorrien's -Brigade, which was disposed along the line -between Kroonstadt and Pretoria, and though -strengthened by the addition of Gordon's -Cavalry Brigade did not number more than -3,000 bayonets, 1,000 sabres, and 2,000 -rifle-armed Cavalry, with thirty guns. But -the shrinkage had been greatest among the -mounted troops. French's command of a -Cavalry Division, which should have been -some 6,000 mounted men, was scarcely, -even with part of Hutton's Brigade of -Mounted Infantry, 2,000. The two Cavalry -Brigades with Ian Hamilton mustered -together only 1,100 men, and Ridley's -Mounted Infantry, whose nominal strength was -at least 4,000, was scarcely half that -number in actuality. Brigades, therefore, were -scarcely as strong as regiments, regiments -only a little stronger than squadrons, and the -pitiful--absurd if it had not been so -serious--spectacle of troops of eight and ten men -was everywhere to be seen. It must, -therefore, be remembered that though the -imposing names of divisions and brigades might -seem to indicate a great and powerful force, -the army at Lord Roberts's disposal was -really a very small one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The enemy's position ran along a high -line of steep and often precipitous hills, which -extend north and south athwart the Delagoa -Bay line about fifteen miles east from -Pretoria, and stretch away indefinitely on either -side. The plan of the Field-Marshal was to -turn both flanks with Cavalry forces, and to -endeavour to cut the line behind the Boers, -so that, threatened by the attack of the -Infantry in front, and their retreat -compromised, they would have to fall back, -probably without being able to save some, at -least, of their heavy guns.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>French was directed to make a wide -sweep round the enemy's right flank north -of the railway. Pole-Carew, with the -Eighteenth Brigade and the Guards, was to -advance frontally along the railway; Ian -Hamilton to move parallel to him about six -miles further south; and Broadwood, who, -with the rest of the mounted troops, formed -part of Hamilton's force, was to endeavour -to turn the enemy's left. It was felt that, -important as were the objects to be gained, -they scarcely justified a very large sacrifice of -life. But though the Field-Marshal would -be content with the retreat of the enemy, -both Cavalry forces were intended to press -hard inward.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the 11th, the whole army was in -motion. French on the extreme left of the -British front, which was extended from flank -to flank about sixteen miles, soon came in -contact with the Boers, occupying strong -defensive positions, and he became sharply -engaged. During the day he continued to -persevere, but it was not until nightfall that -he was able to make any progress. Pole-Carew, -with the Eleventh Division, moved -eastward along the railway, extended in -battle formation, and engaged the enemy -with his long-range guns, to which the Boers -replied with corresponding pieces, including -a 6-in. gun mounted on a railway truck. -Though an intermittent bombardment -continued throughout the day, the operations in -the centre were confined to a demonstration.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile Broadwood and Ian Hamilton, -advancing on the right, found that the -Boers, besides occupying the whole line of -the Diamond Hill plateau, had also extended -their left flank, which was composed of the -Heidelburg commando and other South -Transvaal burghers, far beyond the reach of -any turning movement, and for this reason -the operations to the British right and right -centre became of a piercing rather than -of an enveloping nature. Hamilton -endeavoured to hold off the enemy's unduly -extended left by detaching a battalion, two -field guns, and Gordon's Cavalry Brigade -with its horse battery, in the direction of the -Tigerspoorte ridges. Ridley's Brigade of -Mounted Infantry curved inwards towards -the railway, and while these two forces -struck out, like the arms of a swimmer, -Broadwood's Brigade was intended to push -through the gap thus made.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A dropping musketry and artillery fire -began shortly after eight o'clock along the -front of the force engaged in containing the -Boers near Tigerspoorte, and half an hour -later Ridley's Brigade was engaged along the -southern slopes of Diamond Hill. Meanwhile, -Broadwood was advancing steadily to -the eastward, and crossing a difficult spruit -debouched into a wide, smooth, grass plain, -surrounded by hills of varying height, at the -eastern end of which was a narrow gap. -Through this the line of march to the railway -lay. He became immediately engaged with -the Boers round the whole three-quarters of -the circle, and a scattered action, presenting -to a distant observer no picturesque features, -and yet abounding in striking incidents, -began. The Boers brought seven guns, so -far as we could observe, against him, and -since the fire of these pieces was of a -converging nature, the Cavalry was soon -exposed to a heavy bombardment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In spite of this, Broadwood continued to -push on. The country was well suited for -Cavalry action, and the gap, or 'poorte,' as -it is called in this country, plainly visible -among the hills to the eastward, encouraged -him to try to break through. Accordingly, -at about eleven o'clock, he brought two -horse-guns, under Lieutenant Conolly,[#] into -a very forward position, with the design of -clearing his road by their fire. The Boers, -however, fought with a stubbornness and -dash which had long been absent from their -tactics. They were in this part of the field -largely composed of Germans and other -foreigners, of colonial rebels, and of various -types of irreconcilables.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span class="small">[#] A younger brother of that brilliant officer of the Scots Greys, -whose death at Nitral Nek a few weeks later was so great a loss -to his friends, his regiment, and his country.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>No sooner had these two guns come into -action than a very ugly attack was made on -them. The ridge from which they were -firing was one of those gentle swells of ground -which, curving everywhere, nowhere allows -a very extended view; and the Boers, about -200 strong, dashed forward with the greatest -boldness in the hope of bringing a close -musketry fire to bear on the gunners and of -capturing their pieces. So sudden was the -attack that their heads were seen appearing -over the grass scarcely 300 yards away. In -these circumstances the guns fired case shot, -but though they prevented the Boers from -coming nearer, it was evident that the -position was still critical. Broadwood was -compelled, therefore, to ask the 12th Lancers to -charge.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 67%" id="figure-127"> -<span id="plan-of-the-operations-of-11th-and-12th-of-june-1900"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-384.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">PLAN OF THE OPERATIONS OF 11TH AND 12TH JUNE, 1900</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>The continual shrapnel fire of the last few -hours had, in spite of their dispersed -formation, caused a good deal of loss among the -horses of the brigade. The Earl of Airlie, -who was riding with the brigadier, had had -his horse shot under him, and had gone away -to find another. He returned to place -himself at the head of his regiment just as it was -moving forward to the attack, and, perhaps -unacquainted with the latest development of -the action, he gave a direction to the charge -which was slightly more northerly than that -which Broadwood intended; so that, in -advancing, the regiment gradually came under -the fire of the enemy holding the lower -slopes of Diamond Hill, instead of falling -on those who were directly threatening the -guns. But it was a fine, gallant manoeuvre, -executed with a spring and an elasticity -wonderful and admirable in any troops, still more -in troops who have been engaged for eight -months in continual fighting with an elusive -enemy, and who must have regarded any -action, subsequent to the capture of Pretoria, -rather in the nature of an anti-climax.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Its effect was instantaneous. Though the -regiment scarcely numbered 150 men, the -Boers fled before them--those who were -threatening the guns towards the south, and -those immediately in the line of the charge -eastward and northward, towards Diamond -Hill. Had the horses been fresh and strong -a very severe punishment would have been -administered to the enemy; but with weary -and jaded animals--many of them miserable -Argentines, and all worn out with hard work -and scanty food--they were unable to -overtake the mass of fugitives who continued to -fly before them. A few, however, stood -boldly, and one man remained firing his -rifle until the charge was close on him, -when he shot Lieutenant Wright dead at -only a few yards distance, and then, holding -up his hands, claimed quarter. This was, -however, most properly refused. Altogether -ten Boers perished by the lance, and the -moral effect on those who escaped must -certainly have been considerable. But now in -pursuit the regiment gradually came nearer -to the enemy's main position, and drew a -heavy fire on their left flank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seeing this, and having obtained the -object with which he had charged--the -immediate relief of the guns--Lord Airlie gave -the order 'files about,' and withdrew his -regiment before it became too seriously -involved. As he issued this command he was -struck by a heavy bullet through the body, -and died almost immediately. So fell, while -directing his regiment in successful action, -an officer of high and noble qualities, trusted -by his superiors, beloved by his friends, and -honoured by the men he led. The scanty -squadrons returned in excellent order to the -positions they had won, having lost in the -charge, and mostly in the retirement, two -officers, seventeen men, including a private -of the 10th Hussars, who managed to join -in, and about thirty horses.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile the pressure on Broadwood's -right had become very severe. A large force -of Boers who were already engaging the -17th Lancers and the rest of Gordon's -Brigade, but who were apparently doubtful of -attacking, seeing the advance checked, now -swooped down and occupied a kraal and -some grassy ridges whence they could bring -a heavy enfilading fire to bear. Broadwood, -who throughout these emergencies preserved -his usual impassive composure, and whose -second horse had been shot under him, -ordered the Household Cavalry to 'Clear them out.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The troopers began immediately to -dismount with their carbines, and the General -had to send a second message to them, -saying that it was no good firing now, and that -they must charge with the sword. Whereon, -delighted at this unlooked-for, unhoped-for -opportunity, the Life Guardsmen scrambled -back into their saddles, thrust their hated -carbines into the buckets, and drawing their -long swords, galloped straight at the enemy. -The Boers, who in this part of the field -considerably outnumbered the Cavalry, might -very easily have inflicted severe loss on -them. But so formidable was the aspect of -these tall horsemen, cheering and flogging -their gaunt horses with the flat of their -swords, that they did not abide, and running -to their mounts fled in cowardly haste, so -that, though eighteen horses were shot, the -Household Cavalry sustained no loss in men.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These two charges, and the earnest fashion -in which they were delivered, completely -restored the situation; but though Broadwood -maintained all the ground he had won, -he did not feel himself strong enough, in -face of the severe opposition evidently to be -encountered, to force his way through the -poorte.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At about noon the Field-Marshal, who -was with the Eleventh Division, observing -an apparent movement of the enemy in his -front, concluded that they were about to -retreat, and not wishing to sacrifice precious -lives if the strategic object were attained -without, sent Ian Hamilton a message not, -unless the resistance of the enemy was -severe, to weary his men and horses by -going too far. Hamilton, however, had seen -how closely Broadwood was engaged, and -fearing that if he stood idle the enemy would -concentrate their whole strength on his -Cavalry commander, he felt bound to make an -attack on the enemy on the lower slopes of -Diamond Hill, and so hold out a hand to -Broadwood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He therefore directed Bruce-Hamilton to -advance with the Twenty-first Brigade. This -officer, bold both as a man and as a general, -immediately set his battalions in motion. The -enemy occupied a long scrub-covered rocky -ridge below the main line of hills, and were -in considerable force. Both batteries of -artillery and the two 5-in. guns came into -action about two o'clock. The Sussex -Regiment, moving forward, established -themselves on the northern end of the ridge, -which was well prepared by shelling, and -while the City Imperial Volunteers and -some parts of the Mounted Infantry, including -the Corps of Gillies, held them in front, -gradually pressed them out of it by rolling -up their right.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 67%" id="figure-128"> -<span id="diagram-explaining-the-action-of-diamond-hill"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-391.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">DIAGRAM EXPLAINING THE ACTION OF DIAMOND HILL</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>There is no doubt that our Infantry have -profited by the lessons of this war. The -widely-extended lines of skirmishers moving -forward, almost invisible against the brown -grass of the plain, and taking advantage of -every scrap of cover, presented no target to -the Boer fire. And once they had gained -the right of the ridge it was very difficult for -the enemy to remain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Accordingly at 3.30 the Boers in twenties -and thirties began to abandon their position. -Before they could reach the main hill, -however, they had to cross a patch of open -ground, and in so doing they were exposed -to a heavy rifle fire at 1,200 yards from the -troops who were holding the front.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From where I lay, on the left of the -Gillies' firing line, I could see the bullets -knocking up the dust all round the retreating -horsemen, while figures clinging to saddles or -supported by their comrades, and riderless -horses, showed that some at least of the -bullets had struck better things than earth. -So soon as they reached fresh cover, the -Dutchmen immediately reopened fire, and -two of the Gillies were wounded about this time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The City Imperial Volunteers then -occupied the whole of the wooded ridge. One -poor little boy, scarcely fourteen years old, -was found shot through the head, but still -living, and his father, a very respectable-looking -man, who, in spite of his orders from -the field-cornet, had refused to leave his son, -was captured; but with these exceptions the -Boers had removed their wounded and made -good their retreat to the main position. It -being now nearly dark the action was broken -off, and having strongly picketed the ground -they had won, the Infantry returned to their -waggons for the night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was now imperative to carry the matter -through, and in view of the unexpected -obstinacy of the enemy, the Field-Marshal -directed Pole-Carew to support Hamilton -with the brigade of Guards in his attack the -next day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Early the next morning Hamilton's Infantry -moved forward and re-occupied the whole -of the ground picketed the previous night. -On the right De Lisle's corps of Mounted -Infantry prepared to attack; the Cavalry -maintained their wedge-like position, and -exchanged shots all along their front with -the Boers; but no serious operations were -begun during the morning, it being thought -better to await the arrival, or, at least, the -approach, of the brigade which had been -promised.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During this interval the Boers shelled our -batteries heavily with their long range -30-pounder guns, and General Ian Hamilton, -who was sitting on the ground with his Staff -near the 82nd Field Battery, was struck by -a shrapnel bullet on the left shoulder. -Fortunately, the missile did not penetrate, but -only caused a severe bruise with numbness -and pain, which did not, however, make it -necessary for him to leave the field. The -case of this shell, which struck close by, ran -twirling along the ground like a rabbit--a -very peculiar sight, the like of which I have -never seen before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At one o'clock the leading battalion of the -Guards was observed to be about four miles -off, and Bruce-Hamilton's brigade was -therefore directed to attack. The Derbyshire -Regiment, which had been briskly engaged -during the morning, advanced up a flat tongue -of land on the right. The City Imperial -Volunteers moved forward in the centre, and -the Sussex on the British left. Though -this advance was exposed to a disagreeable -enfilade fire from the Boer 'pom-pom,' the -dispersed formations minimised the losses, -and lodgments were effected all along the -rim of the plateau. But once the troops had -arrived here the fight assumed a very -different complexion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The top of the Diamond Hill plateau was -swept by fire from a long rocky kopje about -1,800 yards distant from the edge, and was, -moreover, partially enfiladed from the -enemy's position on the right. The musketry -immediately became loud and the fighting -severe. The City Imperial Volunteers in -the centre began to suffer loss, and had not -the surface of the ground been strewn with -stones, which afforded good cover, many -would have been killed and wounded. -Though it was not humanly possible to know -from below what the ground on top of the -hill was like--we were now being drawn into -a regular rat-trap. It was quite evident that -to press the attack to an assault at this point -would involve very heavy loss of life, and, -as the reader will see by looking at the rough -plan I have made, the troops would become -more and more exposed to enfilade and -cross fire in proportion as they advanced.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After what I had seen in Natal the idea of -bringing guns up on to the plateau to -support the Infantry attack when at so close a -range from the enemy's position seemed a -very unpleasant one. But General -Bruce-Hamilton did not hesitate, and at half-past -three the 82nd Field Battery, having been -dragged to the summit, came into action -against the Boers on the rocky ridge at a -distance of only 1,700 yards.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This thrusting forward of the guns -undoubtedly settled the action. The result of -their fire was immediately apparent. The -bullets, which had hitherto been whistling -through the air at the rate of perhaps fifteen -or twenty to the minute, and which had -compelled us all to lie close behind protecting -stones, now greatly diminished, and it was -possible to walk about with comparative -immunity. But the battery which had reduced -the fire, by keeping the enemy's heads down, -drew most of what was left on themselves. -Ten horses were shot in the moment of -unlimbering, and during the two hours they -remained in action, in spite of the protection -afforded by the guns and waggons, a quarter -of the gunners were hit. Nevertheless, the -remainder continued to serve their pieces -with machine-like precision, and displayed a -composure and devotion which won them -the unstinted admiration of all who saw the action.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>About four o'clock General Ian Hamilton -came himself to the top of the plateau, and -orders were then given for the Coldstream -Guards to prolong the line to the left, and -for the Scots Guards to come into action in -support of the right. Two more batteries -were also brought forward, and the British -musketry and artillery being now in great -volume, the Boer fire was brought under -control. Ian Hamilton did not choose to -make the great sacrifices which would -accompany an assault, however, nor did his -brigadier suggest that one should be delivered, -and the combatants therefore remained -facing each other at the distance of about a -mile, both sides firing heavily with musketry -and artillery, until the sun sank and darkness -set in.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>General Pole-Carew, who with the Eighteenth -Brigade was still responsible for -containing the Boer centre across the railway, -now rode over to Hamilton's force, and plans -were made for the next day. It must have -been a strange experience for these two -young commanders, who, fifteen years ago, -had served together as aides-de-camp on -Lord Roberts's staff, to find themselves -now under the same chief designing a great -action as lieutenant-generals. It was decided -that Hamilton's force should move further -to the right and attack on the front, which, -on the 12th, had been occupied by De Lisle's -corps of Mounted Infantry, that the brigade -of Guards should take over the ground which -the Twenty-first Brigade had won and were -picketing, and that the Eighteenth Brigade, -which was now to be brought up, should -prolong the line to the left. But these -expectations of a general action on the morrow -were fortunately disappointed. Worsted in -the fire fight, with three parts of their -position already captured, and with the -lodgment effected by Colonel De Lisle's corps -on the left threatening their line of retreat, -the Boers shrank from renewing the conflict.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During the night they retreated in good -order from the whole length of the position -which they occupied, and marched eastward -along the railway in four long columns. -When morning broke and the silence proclaimed -the British the victors, Hamilton, in -order to carry out his original orders, marched -northward and struck the railway at -Elandsfontein station, where he halted. The -Mounted Infantry and Cavalry were -hurried on in pursuit, but so exhausted were -their horses that they did not overtake the -enemy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Such were the operations of the 11th, 12th, -and 13th of June, by which, at a cost of -about 200 officers and men, the country -round Pretoria for forty miles was cleared of -the Boers, and a heavy blow dealt to the -most powerful force that still keeps the field -in the Transvaal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After the action of Diamond Hill the -whole army returned to Pretoria, leaving -only a Mounted Infantry corps to hold the -positions they had won to the eastward. -French and Pole-Carew, whose troops had -marched far and fought often, were given a -much-needed rest. Ian Hamilton, whose -force had marched further and fought more -than either, was soon sent off on his travels -again. The military exigencies forbade all -relaxation, and only three days' breathing -space was given to the lean infantry and the -exhausted horses. By the unbroken success -of his strategy Lord Roberts had laid the -Boer Republics low. We had taken -possession of the Rand, the bowels whence the -hostile Government drew nourishment in -gold and munitions of war. We had seized -the heart at Bloemfontein, the brain at -Pretoria. The greater part of the railways, the -veins and nerves, that is to say, was in our -hands. Yet, though mortally injured, the -trunk still quivered convulsively, particularly -the left leg, which, being heavily booted, -had already struck us several painful and -unexpected blows.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To make an end two operations were -necessary: first, to secure the dangerous -limb, and, secondly, to place a strangling -grip on the windpipe somewhere near -Komati Poorte. The second will, perhaps, be -the business of Sir Redvers Buller and the -glorious Army of Natal. The first set -Hamilton's Brigades in motion as part of an -intricate and comprehensive scheme, which -arranged for the permanent garrisoning of -Frankfort, Heilbron, Lindley, and Senekal, -and directed a simultaneous movement -against Christian De Wet by four strong -flying columns.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had determined to return to England; -but it was with mixed feelings that I -watched the departure of the gallant column -in whose good company I had marched so -many miles and seen such successful fights. -Their road led them past Lord Roberts's -headquarters, and the old Field-Marshal -came out himself to see them off. First the -two Cavalry Brigades marched past. They -were brigades no longer; the Household -Cavalry Regiment was scarcely fifty strong; -in all there were not a thousand sabres. -Then Ridley's 1,400 Mounted Infantry, the -remnants of what on paper was a brigade of -nearly 5,000; thirty guns dragged by skinny -horses; the two trusty 5-inch 'cow-guns' -behind their teams of toiling oxen; -Bruce-Hamilton's Infantry Brigade, with the City -Imperial Volunteers, striding along--weary -of war, but cheered by the hopes of peace, -and quite determined to see the matter out; -lastly, miles of transport: all streamed by, -grew faint in the choking red dust, and -vanished through the gap in the southern line -of hills. May they all come safely home.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="appendix"><span class="large">APPENDIX</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics medium">COMPOSITION OF LIEUT.-GENERAL IAN HAMILTON'S FORCE</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">DIVISIONAL STAFF</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">LIEUTENANT-GENERAL IAN HAMILTON. -<br />C.B., D.S.O.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="left"><em class="italics">A.D.C.s</em><span>--Captain de Heriez Smith.</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last left pfirst"><span>Captain Balfour, late 11th Hussars. -<br />Captain Maddocks, R.A. -<br />Captain Duke of Marlborough, I.Y.</span></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">A.A.G.</em><span>--Lieut.-Colonel Le Gallais, 8th Hussars.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="left"><em class="italics">D.A.A.G.s</em><span>--Captain Vallentin, Somerset L.I.</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last left pfirst"><span>Captain Gamble, Lincoln Regiment. -<br />Captain Atcherley, A.S.C. -<br />Captain Kirkpatrick, R.E.</span></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Provost Marshal</em><span>--Captain Sloman, East Surrey Regiment.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Div. Signalling Officer</em><span>--Captain Ross, Norfolk Regiment.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">P.M.O.</em><span>--Colonel Williams, N. S. Wales A.M.C.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Divisional Troops</em><span>--Rimington's Guides under Major Rimington, Inniskilling Dragoons.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">2ND MOUNTED INFANTRY BRIGADE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BRIGADIER-GENERAL R. RIDLEY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">A.D.C.</em><span>--Captain Hood, Coldstream Guards.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Brigade Major</em><span>--Lieut-Colonel Mitford, East Surrey Regiment.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="left"><em class="italics">Staff Officers</em><span>--Captain Sir T. MacMahon, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last left pfirst"><span>Captain Eustace Crawley, 12th Lancers.</span></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">2ND MOUNTED INFANTRY CORPS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">Lieut.-Colonel de Lisle, Commanding Durham Light Infantry.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Staff Officer</em><span>--Captain Fanshawe, Oxford L.I.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">6th M.I. Battalion</em><span>--Captain Pennefather, Welsh Regiment.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">New South Wales Mounted Rifles</em><span>.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">West Australians</em><span>.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><span>1 Pom-pom.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">5TH MOUNTED INFANTRY CORPS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">Lieut.-Colonel Dawson, I.S.C.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Staff Officer</em><span>--Captain Ballard, Norfolk Regiment.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">5th M.I. Battalion</em><span>--Major Lean, Warwick Regiment.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Roberts' Horse</em><span>--Captain Baumgartner, East Lancashire Regiment.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Marshall's Horse</em><span>--Captain Corbett.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Ceylon M.I.</em><span>--Major Rutherford,</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><span>1 Pom-pom.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">6TH MOUNTED INFANTRY CORPS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">Lieut.-Colonel Legge, 20th Hussars.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Staff Officer</em><span>--Captain Hart, East Surrey Regiment.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">2nd M.I. Battalion</em><span>--Major Dobell.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Kitchener's Horse</em><span>--Major Cookson, I.S.C.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Lovat's Scouts</em><span>--Major A. Murray.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><span>1 Pom-pom.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">7TH MOUNTED INFANTRY CORPS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">Lieut.-Colonel Bainbridge, Buffs.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Staff Officer</em><span>--Captain Hamilton, Oxford L.I.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">7th M.I. Battalion</em><span>--Major Welch.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Burmah M.I.</em><span>--Captain Copeman.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><span>1 Pom-pom.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">P BATTERY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Ammunition Column</em><span>--Major Mercer, R.H.A.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Bearer Company and Field Hospital</em><span>--New South Wales Army Medical Corps.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">2ND CAVALRY BRIGADE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BRIGADIER-GENERAL BROADWOOD</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">A.D.C.</em><span>--Captain Aldridge, R.H.A.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Brigade-Major</em><span>--Captain Hon. T. Brand, 10th Hussars.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Signalling Officer</em><span>--Captain Sloane Stanley, 12th Lancers.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Household Cavalry</em><span>--Lieut.-Colonel Galley.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">10th Lancers</em><span>--Lieut-Colonel Fisher.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">12th Lancers</em><span>--Lieut.-Colonel Earl of Airlie.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Q Battery, R.A.</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Ammunition Column</em><span>--Captain Kincaid, R.A.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Bearer Company.</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Field Hospital.</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">19TH BRIGADE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">MAJOR-GENERAL SMITH-DORRIEN</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="left"><em class="italics">A.D.C.s</em><span>--Captain Hood, R.M.L.I.</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last left pfirst"><span>Lieut. Dorrien Smith, Shropshire L.I.</span></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Brigade Major</em><span>--Major Inglefield, East Yorkshire Regiment.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">74th Battery</em><span>--Major MacLeod.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">2nd Duke of Cornwall L.I.</em><span>--Lieut.-Colonel Ashby.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Shropshire L.I.</em><span>--Lieut.-Colonel Spens.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Gordon Highlanders</em><span>--Lieut.-Colonel MacBean.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Royal Canadians</em><span>--Lieut.-Colonel Otter.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Bearer Company and Field Hospital.</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">21ST BRIGADE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">MAJOR-GENERAL BRUCE-HAMILTON</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">A.D.C.</em><span>--Lieut. Frazer, Cameron Highlanders.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Brigade Major</em><span>--Major Shaw, Derbyshire Regiment.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">76th Battery</em><span>--Major Campbell.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">1st Royal Sussex</em><span>--Lieut.-Colonel Donne.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">1st Derby</em><span>--Major Gossett.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">1st Cameron</em><span>--Lieut.-Colonel Kennedy.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">City Imperial Volunteers</em><span>--Brigadier-Colonel MacKinnon; Colonel The Earl of Albemarle.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Bearer Company.</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Field Hospital.</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">LIEUT.-COLONEL WALDRON, R.F.A.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">8lst Battery.</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">82nd Battery</em><span>--Major Conolly.</span></p> -<p class="left pnext"><em class="italics">1 Section of Five-inch guns</em><span>--Captain Massey.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><em class="italics">Ammunition Column</em><span>--Captain Hardman.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">EFFECTIVE FIGHTING STRENGTH</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><span>11,000 Men. -<br />4,600 Horses. -<br />8,000 Mules. -<br />36 Field guns. -<br />2 Five-inch guns -<br />23 Machine guns. -<br />6 Pom-poms.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><span>The force left Bloemfontein, April 22. -<br />Arrived at Pretoria on June 5. -<br />Distance traversed, 401 miles in a straight line. -<br />Time on the march, 45 days. -<br />Halts, 10 days.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="left"><span>General actions on nine days:</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last left pfirst"><span>Israel's Poorte, April 25. -<br />Houtnek, April 30 and May 1. -<br />Welkom, May 4. -<br />Sand River, May 10. -<br />Affair of Lindley, May 20. -<br />Doornkop (Florida), May 29. -<br />Six Mile Spruit (Pretoria), June 4. -<br />Diamond Hill, June 11 and 12.</span></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><span>Eighteen days' skirmishes.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="left"><span>Towns captured:</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last left pfirst"><span>Thabanchu. -<br />Winburg. -<br />Ventersburg. -<br />Kroonstadt. -<br />Lindley. -<br />Heilbron. -<br />Johannesburg. -<br />Pretoria.</span></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 100%" id="figure-129"> -<span id="map-of-march-from-bloemfontein-to-pretoria"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-map-t.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">MAP OF MARCH FROM BLOEMFONTEIN TO PRETORIA (small version)</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 100%" id="figure-130"> -<img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 200%" alt=" " src="images/img-map.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">MAP OF MARCH FROM BLOEMFONTEIN TO PRETORIA (large version)</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line"><span>*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>IAN HAMILTON'S MARCH</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><span>A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h2> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We will update this book if we find any errors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This book can be found under: </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41487"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41487</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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. 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