IN THE WESTERN TRANSVAAL--JANUARY TO MAY
In the early part of the year we find Lord Methuen busily occupied in
dealing with an incursion of the enemy from the south-western part of
the Transvaal into Griqualand. Operating from Vryburg and Taungs, he,
with his mobile columns, performed an incalculable amount of work. He
withdrew the garrison from Schweitzer Reneke, routed the Boers that
were surrounding Daniel's Knil, provisioned the garrison of Kuruman,
and eventually hunted De Villiers' hordes into the Transvaal. That
done, he marched in the beginning of February, _viâ_ Wolmaranstad, to
Klerksdorp, following up and dispersing the aforesaid hordes as he
went. At Hartebeestefontein he came very violently into collision with
them, and though they made a stout effort to resist his advance, he
forced them to give way. His captures during these proceedings
amounted to forty prisoners and many thousand head of stock. Lord
Methuen reached Klerksdorp on the 19th of February and went on to
Potchefstroom, where he commenced co-operating with the sweeping
movements of Generals Babington and Cunningham. These officers, on
General French's departure from the western side of the Transvaal,
held a line from Oliphant's Nek to Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom, and
kept an eye on the machinations of Delarey and other malcontents in
these regions. In spite of their vigilance a concentration was
effected in the Gatsrand on the 31st, and a small force at
Modderfontein was overwhelmed by superior numbers before General
Cunningham could come to its relief. Two more small columns, the one
under Colonel Shekleton, South Lancashire Regiment, the other under
Colonel Benson, R.A., were now placed at the disposal of General
Cunningham to help in the work of clearing the ground between the
western railway line and the Vaal.
* * * * *
At the end of February Lord Methuen's force, together with the small
column under Colonel Benson, was actively engaged in hunting bands of
marauders in the triangle--Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom, Ventersdorp. On
the 4th of March the troops marched from Klerksdorp towards Hoopstad,
thence to withdraw the garrison. _En route_ they, having left their
convoy under strong escort on the road to Commando Drift, made a night
descent on Wolmaranstad with the intention of liberating the British
and Boer State prisoners who were known to be detained there. But at
dawn when they arrived they discovered that the place was deserted!
The sole, though not unimportant, result of their exertions was the
capture of the Landdrost, Pearson, a person who had rendered himself
notorious in connection with the cases of Messrs. M'Lachlan and Boyd,
who with three burghers were shot at Wolmaranstad. The particulars of
the dastardly murder of these men must be recorded, as they serve to
show the innate brutality of the Boers, which in the earlier part of
the war had been suppressed in hope to seduce the sympathy of the
Powers. The news of the execution of five British subjects--so-called
rebels--by Delarey's commando was brought to Klerksdorp by Mrs.
M'Lachlan, whose husband, father, and brother-in-law had been among
the victims. Most of them were burghers who had surrendered or left
the country prior to the war, while the others were alleged to have
taken up arms. The man Boyd, a British subject, had been detained in
jail since July 1900 by the Landdrost, who induced him, with two
others, to indite a message to the English praying them to come to
their rescue. This was afterwards made the plea for sentencing the
three to death. Among others sentenced were two burghers named
Theunissen, well-known farmers of Klerksdorp, who had surrendered with
General Andreas Cronje's commando in June, and had taken the oath of
neutrality and refused to break it. Mrs. M'Lachlan, the daughter of
the elder Theunissen, gave an account of her loss, narrating how she
had taken coffins to the place of execution to bury the bodies of her
father, brother, and husband, to whom she had been married only two
years, while another lady made the following statement:--"The Boers
have forty of our men prisoners there. Eight or ten have been
condemned to be shot. They were tried by the late Landdrost of
Klerksdorp, a man named Heethling, in conjunction with other members
of the Court. The sentences were confirmed by Generals Smuts and
Delarey, who sent men to carry them out. The four who were shot were
Mr. Theunissen, his son, his son-in-law, Mr. M'Lachlan, and Mr. Boyd.
From first to last they were most brutally treated. The execution was
a sad spectacle. The prisoners, on being taken out of jail, grasped
one another's hands. They were placed in a row and shot down one by
one. Mr. Boyd received three bullets, but was still alive when put
into the grave. The Boers then fired again, and all was over. It was
nearly being my husband's fate, but, thank God, he escaped. Mr. George
Savage was also condemned to be shot, but he has been insane since his
trial. His wife has gone with Mrs. Pienaar to try to get the sentence
commuted. Mrs. Pienaar being with her may possibly have some
influence."
From all accounts it appeared that the man Pearson, who was
captured by Lord Methuen, was prime actor in the barbarous drama, and,
handcuffed, he was removed to await his trial.
[Illustration: CECIL J. RHODES AT GROOTE SCHUUR.
A Memory.
From "War Impressions" by Mortimer Menpes, by arrangement with Messrs
A. & C. Black].
The column while returning to the convoy was attacked by a commando of
some 400, under Du Tot and Potgeiter, from the hills, who paid for their
presumption by losing eleven killed and wounded to our seven--a price
seldom paid by these bands of "artful dodgers." Finding the river
impassable at Commando Drift, the troops marched along the right bank of
the Vaal in hopes to cross lower down. The drifts, Bloemhof and
Christiana, were also not negotiable, and finally the force moved to
Fourteen Streams and crossed by the railway bridge. Brigadier-General
the Earl of Errol now assumed command of the force, as Lord Methuen was
placed on the sick list.
Here it must be noted, that after the departure of Lord Methuen for
Hoopstad, Colonel Benson continued to operate to the south of the
railway in the Gatsrand, and along the right bank of the Vaal. His
small yet active column was ever in touch with the Boers, and many of
them had hair-breadth escapes, yet, in spite of all, they secured many
prisoners, 1090 head of cattle, and forty-five waggons. On the 4th of
April Colonel Benson left his troops to be merged into the force of
General Dixon (who had succeeded General Cunningham in command of the
column south of the Magaliesberg), while he assumed a more important
command on the eastern line.
To return to Lord Methuen's force. As the Hoopstad garrison had yet to
be withdrawn, the troops now under Lord Errol started thither on the
28th of March, a simultaneous movement being made by a mobile column
from Kimberley. The object of the expedition was achieved and the
garrison removed to Warrenton by the 7th of April, but not without a
skirmish on the way with Badenhorst's commando at Steenbokpan. Lord
Methuen soon recovered, and on the 23rd of April, resuming command,
transferred his force to Mafeking in order to move early in May on
Lichtenburg.
This town, at the beginning of March, had been an object of attention
to Delarey, Smuts, Celliers, and Vermaas and their bands. The garrison
(200 Yeomanry, 300 1st Northumberland Fusiliers, and two guns)
commanded by Colonel C. G. Money, had been vigorously attacked on the
3rd, the assault beginning at 3 A.M. and continuing with unabated
vigour till midnight. The enemy, numbering some 1500, with one gun,
found that there were two sides in the game of annoyance, and that the
defenders were ready and willing to give as much as they got. Indeed
they gave considerably more, for while our casualties amounted to two
officers (Major W. Fletcher and Second-Lieutenant H. D. Hall) and
fourteen men killed, and twenty-six wounded, the Boers left behind
them sixty killed and wounded and seven prisoners.
General Babington now marched to the rescue from the north-west of
Krugersdorp _viâ_ Ventersdorp. Here Colonel Shekleton was to have met
him with supplies, but owing to the terrific weather, and the
difficulty of moving wheeled transport in an incessant deluge, the
arrangements of both forces were delayed and considerable
inconvenience caused, and General Babington was unable to reach
Lichtenburg till the 17th. By this time the bands of Delarey had, of
course, made good their escape. But they were hunted to
Hartebeestefontein and deprived of many waggons and teams, while
sixty-two prisoners were netted, and eight killed.
Delarey, with 500 men and three guns, on the 22nd attacked a strong
patrol of the 1st Imperial Light Horse under Major Briggs at Geduld.
The Boers made a sudden swoop on the party and endeavoured to cut them
in two, but this gallant 200, with a solitary "pom-pom," fought
doggedly for two and a half hours till reinforcements could arrive,
when they defeated the Dutchmen absolutely, killing eleven and
wounding thirteen. Unfortunately two gallant officers were lost.
Commandant Venter was among the Boer slain, and Field-Cornet Wolmarans
among the wounded. The report of an eye-witness was as follows:--
"The Imperial Light Horse made another fine performance some time ago,
on two successive days, when they knocked the stuffing out of Delarey
near Klerksdorp. Delarey tackled a hundred and sixty men of the 1st
Light Horse and a "pom-pom" with eight hundred men. Our fellows had a
warm time of it, but being well handled by Major Briggs beat off the
attack. The following day, reinforcements having come up, they pushed
forward, and after a stiff engagement utterly routed Delarey, taking
ten guns and his convoy, besides killing and wounding a hundred and
sixty-seven Boers and taking a lot of prisoners. This was done almost
entirely by Volunteers and the Suffolks. The Boers in the first fight
charged right through the Imperial Light Horse, whose ammunition was
exhausted, but were driven back by the fire of about twenty-five men
who were holding the horses."
General Babington on the 22nd commenced the task of sweeping the enemy
to the north, while Colonel Shekleton operated against Delarey's right
flank. With mounted troops and guns only the commander dashed after
the Boers and overtook their rearguard, which was driven in near
Ventersdorp. Again Colonel Grey's New Zealanders and Bushmen
distinguished themselves, for on the 25th, while the enemy attempted
to take up another position to cover the withdrawal of their convoy,
the dashing Colonials, under Major O'Brien, closed in from both flanks
and fairly "mopped it up." The result of the exciting march was the
capture of 140 prisoners, two 15-pounder guns, one pom-pom, six
Maxims, 160 rifles, 320 rounds 15-pounder ammunition, 15,000 rifle
ammunition, 53 waggons, and 24 carts. Twenty-two dead and 32 wounded
Boers were left on the field, while General Babington's loss was only
two killed and seven wounded. These summary actions, in which the
officers and men of the Imperial Light Horse, the 4th New Zealand
Regiment, and the 6th Imperial Bushmen played so prominent a part,
were most disconcerting to the foe, who now, owing to want of horses,
guns, and supplies, had their wings clipped, and were unable to evade
the pursuing columns. Much of the success of the proceedings was due
to the excellent service rendered by Colonel Grey, Major Gossett
(Cheshire Regiment), Major Burrows (38th Battery R.F.A.), Major
O'Brien (6th Imperial Bushmen), Lieutenant Kinton (Royal Welsh
Fusiliers), Captains Walker and Arthur (4th New Zealand Regiment),
Lieutenants Thomas and Doyle (6th Imperial Bushmen), Captains Norman,
Brierley, and Donaldson, and Lieutenants Dryden and Holbrig (Imperial
Light Horse), Captains Stanton, R.A., and Logan, and Major Cookson
(I.S.C.).
From the 2nd to the 6th of April there were more Boer-hunts towards
Tafelkop, and many small collisions with Smuts' marauders at Rietpan
and elsewhere. General Babington now returned to Ventersdorp, and from
thence made for Smuts' main laager at Goedvooruitzicht. Marching by
night across the swampy country and over the hills, Colonel Rawlinson,
with the men of Roberts' and Kitchener's Horse, prepared a little
surprise for the slumbering Dutchmen. At daybreak on the 14th April
the laager was rushed by the dashing British band, while the enemy in
consternation took to their heels. Five or six hundred fled, leaving
six killed, ten wounded, twenty-three prisoners, one 12-pounder gun,
one pom-pom, two ammunition waggons, eighteen rounds 12-pounder
ammunition, 500 rounds of pom-pom ammunition, 12,000 rounds of rifle
ammunition, twelve waggons and carts, and a large number of cattle.
Only three of the British party were wounded.
Operations still continued against Delarey, who had concentrated his
commando (numbering 2000) in the hilly country around Hartebeestefontein,
and from thence proceeded hungrily to pounce on a convoy passing from
General Babington's camp at Syferkuil to Klerksdorp. But the escort,
admirably handled, succeeded in frustrating the designs of the enemy,
whose exploit cost them twelve killed and six wounded.
[Illustration: COLONEL BENSON
(Photo by Russell & Sons, London)]
Lord Methuen, who had resumed command of his force, now marched from
Mafeking to Lichtenberg to co-operate in the movement for surrounding
the aggressive commandos that were now rendered abnormally adventurous
by famine and ferocity. General Dixon moved from the Krugersdorp
district to arrest the rush of them to north-east, while Colonel E.
Williams, with a fresh column of mounted Australians, stood in
readiness at Klerksdorp to reinforce General Babington. On the 4th of
May Generals Methuen and Babington tackled the desperadoes between
Kaffir's Kraal and Brakpan, and after a brisk engagement one
12-pounder gun, seven prisoners, and five waggons were captured. The
enemy were hunted, till, after their usual custom, they dispersed in
ones and twos into the shadow of the hills.
[Illustration: CHARGE OF THE BUSHMEN AND NEW ZEALANDERS ON THE BOER
GUNS DURING THE ATTACK ON BABINGTON'S CONVOY NEAR KLERKSDORP, MARCH
24, 1901
Drawing by R. Caton Woodville]
An account of the interesting operations was given by a trooper of the
10th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry, which regiment had been over a year
on service with Lord Methuen, and was now thinking of home:--
"Lord Methuen's advance troops left Mafeking at daybreak on May 1, and
the whole column entered Lichtenberg on the 3rd, bringing along with
it a huge convoy of supplies. Lichtenberg was not looking so
picturesque as it did four months ago. The recent stormy times there,
and in the immediate vicinity, had necessitated the removal of a great
many trees; moreover, extra trenches had been dug and other strong
barricades built. Winter is now upon us, and the parched and worn
herbage as well as the changing tints in the foliage seemed to
harmonise, so to speak, with the melancholy surroundings. However, the
cheery strains of music which greeted us as we entered the town and
rode along a little avenue of weeping willows made us forget our
troubles for awhile. It was the fine band of the Northumberland
Fusiliers playing in a desolate orchard.
"At 3 A.M. the following morning two squadrons of Yeomanry marched out
as mounted escort to the convoy. The column followed in its wake an
hour or so later. It was about an hour after daylight when four men of
the 37th, who were riding in advance, had the good fortune to capture
two prominent Boers--Messrs. Lemmer and Viljoen. One of them was
riding a 'jibber,' and in order to get the animal along had tied it to
that of his comrade. Consequently, when the gentlemen were taken by
surprise, their capture was easy. We saw several Boers scampering away
from some farmhouses just before we bivouacked, but, happily, they did
not molest our outposts during the day. Next morning the general had
his fighting column well on the march quite an hour before daybreak.
The convoy left half-an-hour earlier. Smoking was strictly prohibited
as long as it was dark. As soon as it grew light the 37th Squadron
were sent out in advance. Half-an-hour later the Boers attacked our
rearguard, but were repulsed after a short though severe fight, in
which Paget's Horse lost one killed and two wounded. Meanwhile the
37th had pushed forward and gained some kopjes in front. Here they
came in touch with General Babington's column. Thus the two columns
practically met, and then Delarey, Smuts, and De Camp drew up the bulk
of their forces on highly advantageous ground on Methuen's right front
and Babington's left. Wheeling his mounted troops round into position,
Lord Methuen began to attack the enemy without delay, but the position
in front was deemed almost impregnable. I saw swarms of mounted Boers
on the hillside, and several rode down to try to draw us on to the
attack. The general quickly ordered Colonel Meyrick, who was in
command of the Yeomanry, to execute a flank movement on the right,
leaving General Babington to take the matter in hand on the other
side. Hereabouts the 37th rejoined the main body after a long gallop,
and again took up their original position at the head of the regiment.
Colonel Meyrick led his men along at a smart pace, and as we breasted
a rise in the road we viewed several Boers breaking away across the
open. Soon afterwards the brigadier sent the 5th out on the right,
whilst he himself led the main body to the left with the idea of
driving the enemy from his positions in front. The Boers, however, did
not show much inclination to fight.
"All the time Colonel Meyrick was being seconded by Colonel Lawson of
the 10th, who now dismounted his men and led them to the attack. A few
volleys sufficed, however, for at this moment a pom-pom made its
appearance on the scene, and after waiting long enough to receive a
few well-directed shells from it the Boers gave way and galloped off
in little parties as hard as they could go. In a few minutes the
Yeomanry were in hot pursuit of the enemy. 'Ware hole' was a constant
cry all day long, and casualties occurred from the treacherous state
of the ground. Now before us lay a vast plain, beyond which was a long
straggling range of kopjes. Thither the Boers had retreated in haste.
The 5th were still on our right, and I saw a body of mounted men on
our left. All the troops Colonel Meyrick had with him were Colonel
Lawson and four broken squadrons of the 10th. But there was no drawing
rein. Four men were sent forward to scout the country on the left
front and four somewhere else. The remainder galloped to the left
flank. Hereabouts some troops were detached from the main body in
order to capture some waggons; and a few minutes later two men of the
37th--Nichols and Brown--who had been sent forward to reconnoitre,
captured a gun (a twelve-pounder, O Battery, Royal Horse Artillery,
lost at Colenso). Three Boers were in charge of it, but one
immediately took to his heels and escaped, and the other two--two
beardless boys--were too much out of breath with their efforts of
whipping up and shouting at the jaded team of mules to do anything but
throw up their arms. One of the youngsters burst into tears when he
was disarmed.
"Notwithstanding all this, the two colonels still kept up the pursuit,
and came across some more waggons four miles ahead. Here, however, the
enemy were in strong numbers, and a few of our men fell foul of some
Boers in a mealie field, but miraculously escaped. Soon afterwards the
officer commanding received a message from the General recalling him,
but it was not till then that Colonel Meyrick led back his scanty
followers to escort the plunder into camp. It was a curious procession
that wended its way across the veldt. Jolting along in front were
several captured waggons with a slender escort. Then came Colonel
Meyrick, on his good dun horse, with his injured arm still in a sling,
followed by his orderlies. Next in order a pom-pom and the captured
gun, which was being driven along by the two ragged Dutch boys; two
waggons, a Cape cart, and an ambulance waggon, the officers and the
remnant of the 10th bringing up the rear. Just before we reached camp
we passed Lord Methuen, sitting on the ground, writing his despatches.
The troops bivouacked near Paarde Plaats (where Methuen captured
Sellers's laager a short time ago), after having been in the saddle or
on foot for twelve hours.
"Next morning the mounted troops marched as far as Hartebeestefontein,
and the men took advantage of a brief halt in the picturesque village
to loot oranges, of which there were any quantity in the orchards and
gardens, though mostly green ones. Eventually the troops bivouacked
about six miles from the village. The General ordered a rest on the
next day; but afterwards the men did some very heavy marching in order
to keep in touch with the other columns. Although Babington made
another big haul and Rawlinson shelled the Boers, Methuen did not get
another chance of having a smack at the enemy. The column reached
Mafeking on Sunday, 12th inst.--a cold, dusty morning.
"Lord Methuen's old yeomen entrained at Mafeking _en route_ for the
south at 1 P.M. yesterday, 14th inst. The General himself paid his
'old comrades-in-arms' the high compliment of coming down to the
station in order to see them off. He met with a splendid ovation, and
was carried shoulder-high and safely deposited on a temporary platform
amidst rounds of applause. Then every yeoman pressed eagerly forward
to shake the outstretched hand of their gallant leader. Lord Methuen
seemed deeply impressed with the enthusiastic reception accorded him.
But it was the only way we had of expressing our gratitude and
admiration. There was no speech."
The above letter describes not only the last operations but the last
farewell of the "Old Yeomanry." Before parting with them, some
statistics regarding the brave and serviceable men who were leaving
the scene of their activities may not be out of place.
According to the official record of the casualties in South Africa
during the twelve months ending March 27, the Imperial Yeomanry losses
had been 185 killed, 642 wounded, 388 died of disease, 49 died of
wounds, 571 invalided; deaths from accidents, 20; missing, 205;
prisoners, 497--total, 2557. The majority of the missing had
reappeared, and the prisoners were released. At the end of July 1900,
the strength of the Yeomanry in South Africa was: 536 officers, 10,195
men--total, 10,731; in February, before the reinforcements had
arrived, the strength had been reduced to 495 officers, 7500
men--total, 7995; on May 1 the figures read 800 officers, 22,304
men--total, 23,104. The Imperial Yeomanry Hospitals had also done
invaluable work. Both Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener eulogised the
scheme, and the most eminent surgeons endorsed the opinions of the
military authorities. The movement, it may be remembered, was started
by Lady Georgiana Curzon (now Countess Howe), and an influential
committee was appointed to carry out the work. The total record of
patients treated at Deelfontein, Mackenzie's Farm (now taken over by
the Government), Pretoria, and Bloemfontein, and by the Field Hospital
up to the middle of May was 17,070. During April, May, and June, the
whole of the original force (together with the Australian and New
Zealand contingents) was withdrawn from the country and their places,
in course of time, were taken by 16,000 new yeomen and new Colonial
contingents, but these, though apt and willing, were naturally
incapable of filling at once the huge gap made by the loss of these
trained and seasoned men.
* * * * *
To resume. During April, energetic measures were set on foot in
Namaqualand by Colonel Smith and Colonel Shelton. Colonel Shelton had
now organised a field column to work in the arid district,
Bushmanland, the first contingent of sixty men and three officers,
commanded by Captain Montagu, having started to reinforce the advance
post at Agenthuis, which was held by Lieutenant Rich and a small
patrol. These, meanwhile, were attacked by the enemy, and fought with
them for five hours. They then had to evacuate the place.
Zeerust was still in a state of siege, but the North Lancashire
Regiment and some Yeomen engaged the raiders and gave them a warm day,
fighting being pursued with unabated zeal from daylight till dusk. The
New Zealanders next shelled the Boers' meeting-place and disturbed
their little plans, and showed them that the inconvenience of the
besieged might be shared by the besiegers. A party of the North
Lancashires surprised the Boers and wounded three of their number, and
later, on the 29th, driven desperate by want of sufficient provisions,
the scouts made a grand sortie, and captured a plentiful supply of
oxen.
Everywhere in the west there was unrest, owing to the damage created
by the desperadoes. Belmont Station was attacked and the telegraph
instruments damaged, and in the Montzani district Captain Tupper,
Liverpool Regiment, and twelve men had an unpleasant time near
Taaiboshpan, but gained the day after three hours' fighting. Elsewhere
Lieutenant Barton (Bedfordshire Regiment) found himself surrounded in
a farm. A day of tussle was spent there, but in the night the British
escaped. Colonel Walford thereupon set himself to work to scour and
purge the district.
APRIL. ORANGE RIVER COLONY--OPERATIONS OF GENERAL BRUCE-HAMILTON AND
GENERAL RUNDLE
Now that the Boers, in small bands, were being forced northward from
Cape Colony and from Kruitzinger's hunting-ground, preparations were
made near Bethulie and along the Orange River for their reception. To
this end General Lyttelton moved the troops of General Bruce-Hamilton
and Colonel Hickman from Dewetsdorp and Wepener, and these--in
conjunction with Colonel Haig's columns--were so ranged by the 5th
April, as to defeat any great incursion of marauders into the Orange
River Colony. But, save for the clever capture by Colonel Munro, with
150 Bethune's Mounted Infantry and a pom-pom, of a convoy and
eighty-three prisoners (including Commandant Bester and Lieutenant
Lindigne of the Staats Artillery), little took place, and General
Bruce-Hamilton was enabled to return to his position at Dewetsdorp. On
the 13th of April he succeeded General Lyttelton in his command, as
that officer was leaving for England, and Colonel Haig moved to take
charge of operations in Cape Colony. On both sides of the river the
sweeping up of stores and capture of Boers proceeded apace, and the
total result of General Bruce-Hamilton's April activities was the
capture of ninety-five prisoners, 300 horses, and an abundance of live
stock.
The raiders, ragged and starving, were continually active. Kruitzinger
made an ineffectual effort to cross on the 4th, but was frustrated by
finding the troops of General Bruce-Hamilton in possession of the
river banks. Colonel White and Colonel Munro so actively scoured round
and about Springfontein that such Boers as there were quickly vanished
till a more opportune period. Others tried to sneak across at
Oudefontein Drift, but Major Murray's men discovered them in the act
and disposed of them. From the region of Brandford came the news of
the capture of a laager on the 2nd by the prowess of Thorneycroft's
Mounted Infantry, who, by night, had surrounded the camp of Bester and
caught him napping.
On the 7th of April, Colonel Thorneycroft moved towards Winburg to
deal with a minor concentration of the enemy in that neighbourhood.
The rumour of his approach served to defeat the Boers' object and
disperse them, and he consequently returned to Brandfort.
* * * * *
General Sir Leslie Rundle remained indefatigable. In March he was
still firmly holding his line--Ficksburg, Harrismith, Bethlehem, and
Vrede. But he was minus the mobile column under General Campbell,
which had temporarily reinforced the troops under General Wynne, and
was furnishing an escort under Colonel Inglefield on the
Utrecht-Luneberg line, whence General French (in the important
operations which have been described) drew his supplies. General
Campbell, after trying experiences (fighting perpetually in marsh and
morass, floating waggons across rivers, and crossing on rafts, &c.)
which delayed all his undertakings, returned to Harrismith on the 10th
of April. Later, General Rundle, finding the Boers had again buzzed
about Fouriesburg, left Harrismith for Bethlehem, reaching there on
the 24th. The enemy, some 300, dogged his footsteps and hung round his
flanks till it was necessary to whisk them off, which was accomplished
after four days' fighting. He was then able to move on _viâ_ Retief's
Nek, which he passed on the 29th, entering Fouriesburg unopposed on
the 2nd of May. He afterwards set about scouring the country in its
remotest valleys with flying columns, while Colonel Harley from
Ficksburg made similar excursions. These united activities were
fraught with considerable excitement and corresponding success. On the
31st of May, Colonel Harley left Fouriesburg and seized the
Slaapkrantz position without serious opposition, sending the Boers who
were fleeing before him into the arms of General Campbell. This
officer was moving from the direction of Bethlehem, and by a forced
march managed to reach Naauwpoort Nek in time to intercept the enemy's
convoy. From this date to the 8th of June, when they joined hands at
Elands River Drift, Colonels Harley and Campbell traversed the rugged
region north and south of the Roodebergen range, while a small column
from Harrismith watched the country to the east of Elands River Drift.
The results of these difficult operations and excursions against
Prinsloo's, Rautenhach's, and other commandos were as follows: 7 Boers
killed, 19 wounded, 101 Krupp shells, 4800 rounds of ammunition, 21
rifles, 43 vehicles, and 1450 horses. Foodstuffs, stores, and forage
in great quantities were captured or destroyed. The rest of June was
spent in clearing the Langeberg, the only district south of the
Harrismith-Bethlehem road which remained to be dealt with in the new
scheme of operations. The enemy hung mosquito-wise around the flanks
of the scouring columns, but they pursued their work and accounted for
15 Boers killed or wounded, 2770 horses, 56 vehicles, 4000 rounds of
ammunition, 7 rifles, and quantities of stores and stock. On the
conclusion of these operations, General Rundle returned to Harrismith,
where he remained till he started to co-operate with General Elliot's
march from Springfield Drift to Frankfort. Of which anon.
During June, Generals Rundle and Campbell bade farewell to the "Old
Yeomanry." The chief took the opportunity to express his especial
satisfaction with the excellent work done by them, saying that when
they joined he was without cavalry, and did not know what he should
have done without them.
An interesting incident, showing that the pluck and value of the
Imperial Yeomanry cannot be overrated, may here be quoted. On the 23rd
of June, the Harrismith Volunteer Light Horse and a few of the
Imperial Yeomanry visited a farm and captured 1500 horses, sheep, and
goats. While these were being driven in, Sergeant-Major Reid (11th
Battalion Imperial Yeomanry), who with two men was handling a flock,
was assailed by a party of twelve Boers. Reid promptly sent on the men
with the animals and lay down alone in the open and covered their
retreat.