ORANGE RIVER COLONY, S.--MAJOR-GENERALS BRUCE-HAMILTON AND C.
KNOX--JULY
Great success having attended the construction of the line of
defensible posts extending across the Orange River Colony, from
Jacobsdal to Ladybrand, a gradual development of the blockhouse system
was kept up in order to maintain the security of traffic and form a
barrier to the encroachment of roving bands. A continuous line of
blockhouses at intervals of a mile apart, following the course of the
river from Aliwal North to Bethulie, and running from thence along the
railway _viâ_ Stormberg, Rosmead, Naauwpoort Junction, de Aar, to
Kimberley was commenced in July, and another (starting northward from
Frederikstad to the source of the Mooi River, Breedt's Nek along the
Magaliesberg) for the purpose of maintaining the connection with the
garrison at Commando Nek was begun at the same time by two battalions
under the command of Colonel Mackenzie, Suffolk Regiment. Colonel
Pilkington, with the South African Constabulary, engaged in like
activities to the east of the Pretoria-Vereeniging line, his line of
posts extending from Eerste Fabriken, by Springs and Heidelberg, to
the Vaal River. It was thus hoped that between the Vaal and Modder
Rivers, by means of a converging number of columns, the Boers would be
swept from all sides against the British barriers and driven to
surrender. To this end the two forces of Generals Bruce-Hamilton and
C. Knox were operating in the Orange River Colony during the last half
of July.
The former had thus disposed his troops. At Jacobsdal and Luckhoff
were Colonels Williams and Dawkins respectively, and moving on
Edenburg _viâ_ Wepener, were Colonels Rochfort and Du Moulin. Edenburg
was reached on the 17th of July, after which all the columns were
moved west of the railway, to act as a support to the barrier of
police posts along the Modder from Bloemfontein to Jacobsdal,
garrisoned by South African Constabulary, and also as stops to the
enemy when pressed southward from the Vaal River. To Colonel Rochfort
was allotted the region around Petrusburg; farther west (at Blaauwbank
and Negdraai Drifts on the Riet River) came Colonel Williams, while
the line of the Orange River (between Norval's Pont and Ramah) was
guarded by the columns of Colonels Du Moulin and Dawkins. Colonel
Rochfort very speedily reaped the reward of many days and nights of
vigilance. Rumour told of a burgher gang under Commandant Myburg
which, with a view to rushing into the Cape Colony, was encamped on
the Riet, and to defeat this programme he made an arrangement as smart
as it was successful. On the night of the 27th of July, acting in
concert with Colonel Lowry Cole (who was under his orders in the
vicinity), he marched in the small hours to the spot--between
Dassiespoort and Jagersfontein Drift--where the laager had been
located. Dawn found the enemy surrounded. There was the usual rush,
and roar, and scrimmage, in the course of which Myburg was dangerously
wounded. The commandant was secured, together with his Field-Cornet,
Kock, twenty-four of his men, 100 of his horses, and many carts. Not
less energetic was Captain Going with a detachment of Mounted
Infantry, who at the same time was engaging Van den Bergs' gang in a
laager close by. A few days later (on the 30th) more prisoners and
stock were secured in the regions of Fauresmith by the combined
efforts of Majors Bogle Smith and Damant.
Meanwhile, from the 1st to the middle of July, General C. Knox's
columns (Pilcher and Thorneycroft) scoured the country between
Brandfort, Senekal, and the Basutoland border, and, finding but few of
the enemy, Colonel Pilcher betook himself to Thabanchu, while Colonel
Thorneycroft went to Ladybrand. After the 17th the troops, divided in
four small columns and sprayed fan-like, were sweeping toward the
Orange, in search of straggling marauders, Colonel Pilcher's troops,
under Major Kean and Colonel Taylor, moving, _viâ_ Reddersburg and
Dewetsdorp, upon Bethulie (reached 26th July); while Colonel
Thorneycroft's columns (under Major Copeman and Colonel Minchin)
marched by the Smithfield Commissie Drift, and Wepener Rouxville
roads, to Aliwal North, where they arrived on 28th. A not
insignificant haul was the result of this sweep, for, though little
opposition was encountered, some prisoners, 2300 horses, 1800 cattle,
and 126 vehicles were secured. These troops, at the end of the month,
extended their operations to the west of the line, into the area
between the railway and the Philippolis-Fauresmith Road; and, while
Colonel Thorneycroft, from Aliwal North, passed _viâ_ Jagersfontein
Road Station and Kruger's Siding towards Jagersfontein, Colonel
Pilcher marched West from Bethulie along the right bank of the Orange,
to Philippolis and northwards to Fauresmith. All the troops of General
Knox had reached the Fauresmith-Edenburg Road by the 8th of August,
Colonel Thorneycroft plus 28 prisoners, 1000 horses, 69 waggons, and
much stock. They then were marched south of the Riet River to act in
conjunction with General Bruce-Hamilton's columns.
These columns, in August (minus that of Major Damant detached to help
in General Knox's operations of that period), continued, in various
portions of the south-west of the Orange River Colony, to harass the
commandos of Hertzog, Lategan, and Nieuwhoudt. A brilliant surprise
was prepared by Colonel Lowry Cole for Hertzog on the night of the
24th. The enemy--his laager sheltered by a protecting kloof--was
reported to be comfortably ensconced near Vaalhoek. Consequently the
British band, marching in the small hours and with the utmost secrecy
_viâ_ Liebenberg's Pass, Slaghtkraals, and Nitkomst, came at dawn to a
point which commanded the guerilla's lair. The success of the
manoeuvre was complete--there was the usual roar and rampage, the
usual scurry and hurry, the ringing of rifles and of hoofs, and,
finally, 14 prisoners, 29 rifles, 54 saddles, 43 horses, and all the
goods and chattels of the foe were secured. The remainder of Hertzog's
crew of eighty bolted towards Zootenberg.
ORANGE RIVER COLONY, N.--MAJOR-GENERAL ELLIOT
While the sweeping operations were taking place in the south of the
Orange River Colony, General Elliot pursued his activities in the
north of it. From Springfield Drift on the Wilge River, his three
columns (under Brigadier-General Broadwood, Lieutenant-Colonel De
Lisle, and Colonel Bethune) moved between the Wilge River and
Liebenberg's Vlei, while General Rundle's force acted in co-operation
to the east of the Wilge. Beyond a rush on the rearguard of the
central column--De Lisle's--shortly after it had left Reitz, little
opposition was met with. The troops then moved towards Heilbron, the
right column (Broadwood's) passing through Frankfort. During this
march some brilliant episodes made the 12th of July eventful. In the
first place Colonel Harrison, who had energetically been hunting the
enemy for some time past, planned a night excursion which was so
successfully carried forward that his 300 Imperial Yeomanry returned
with 12 prisoners, 9 carts, and 60 horses! In the second, General
Broadwood, warily backing on Reitz to discover if the enemy, according
to custom, had sought refuge by closing in behind the line of march of
the troops, had some exciting and profitable adventures. He, indeed,
almost landed the big fish, Steyn, in the net which hauled in a shoal
of government officials of the late Free State. General Broadwood's
plan was to surround the town of Reitz before daybreak, but owing to
the necessity of making a forced march of thirty miles to rear of the
other two columns and the unavoidable delay occasioned by loss of
touch by a connecting file during the night, three-quarters of an hour
were lost, and the troops, instead of approaching the town at their
ease, were forced to gallop straight at it. The result was that,
owing to the fatigue of the horses, the biggest prize, Steyn, got
safely away; but his departure was ignominious. Seizing the first pony
he could find, coatless, bootless--a dilapidated picture of
embarrassed somnolence--he made off, carrying with him just his skin
and his beard, but leaving behind £11,500 (mostly in Orange Free State
notes), 800 sovereigns, and £32 in his waistcoat pocket, his official
papers (some remarkable and enlightening correspondence with the
leaders of the Transvaal Boers), his guerilla government officials,
together with Generals A. P. Cronje and T. B. Wessels, Commandant
Davel and Field-Cornet Steyn (his brother). Pursuit on jaded horses
was useless, therefore General Broadwood had to rest content with the
magnificent results he had already obtained. He then returned to join
his brigade--skirmishing by the way, but suffering only two
casualties--and took his place in General Elliot's line after having,
during the short period of absence, covered sixty miles of country.
General Elliot, with only three of his force wounded, reached the
railway _viâ_ Heilbron on the 16th of July without further adventure,
his total haul being 8 Boers killed and wounded, 61 prisoners, 4000
horses, 3600 cattle, 5400 rounds of ammunition, and many vehicles!
Before proceeding further, it is interesting to inspect the following
letters found in Steyn's baggage, as they serve to throw light on the
situation at this time from the Boer point of view:--
FROM STATE SECRETARY REITZ, DATED MAY 10, 1901, TO STEYN
"Meeting held of Transvaal Government with Commandant Botha,
Commandant Viljoen, and General J. C. Smuts, considered
condition of our country and following facts:--
"First.--Numbers of our Burghers are continually surrendering.
This means more and more to unsuccessful termination, as
Government and officials left without Burghers entails heavy
responsibility on Government.
"Secondly.--Supply of ammunition so nearly exhausted that we
shall be unable to engage enemy in another big fight, we shall
be brought to a state of helpless flight unable to protect
stock. In immediate future we shall be unable to feed our
commandos.
"Thirdly.--On account of above, Government becoming weaker,
losing support, becoming disorganised.
"Fourthly.--Not only our nation will be destroyed, but it will
also be considered that leaders have erred, and all hope of
continuation of national sentiment will be lost.
"Fifthly.--Hitherto nation and Government awaited result
European complications and mission of our deputation.
Government feel most strongly their duty obtain definite
assurances.
"Having considered above points Government has determined--
"1. To obtain permission to send messenger to President Kruger
point out terrible condition country.
"2. If request refused we will ask for armistice to obtain
opinion both nations of future policy to put an end to present
state of affairs. We leave it to you to suggest other
solutions, but you must carefully consider that this Government
is convinced that the time has passed for us to let matters
drift on as at present, and that the time has come to take the
final step." Usual ending. (Signed) "REITZ."
President Steyn's reply (dated 15th May) acknowledges receipt of
letter; continues letter:--
"Great blow to me. Month ago discussed matters with your
Government, agreed not to ask for armistice until things
reached utmost extremity. Shall we obtain armistice? I think
nothing has happened entitle us to armistice to obtain opinion
of our nations. It is true Boksburg commando lost laager;
General Viljoen was obliged to burn his, and blow up his Long
Tom; but in spite of this we have not come to last extremity.
"Free State been four months without cannon. I also know of men
laying down their arms, officers becoming cowardly. Our
ammunition has long been scarce enough, still [some] left to
continue. You ask what prospect of successful termination. I
ask what chance was there for two small Republics when they
declared war against mighty power of England? You will answer,
'We have trusted in God's help and foreign intervention. What
reason have we for refusing to place further reliance on God?'
I have seen last European papers; I firmly believe
complications will take place in Europe within next few months,
which will gain our good fortune. Knowing leaders of our
deputation, I cannot believe they would sit here without hope
of intervention, knowing how we struggle and strive, for I know
they love their Fatherland sufficiently to frankly ask the
British to end the war if in their opinion intervention is
hopeless. The fact that these men remain in Europe convinces me
that our case is not hopeless. When armistice comes I shall ask
opinion of my nation. If they refuse to give in their
determination will be mine also. I do not approve of sending
messenger to Europe, it shows our hand. I am deeply hurt you
having taken this determination without asking my advice and
have acted so hurriedly. If you have not despatched messenger
do not do so until I can call my advisers. I have sent for
General De Wet; he will be here next week. I will then send you
opinion.
"In your letter you say you are afraid your officers will be
left alone on commando.
"Here officers may surrender, but Burghers will remain
steadfast. I must point out that the Orange Free State has not
only spent blood and money, but will have lost its freedom by
trying to help the sister Republic, and all reliance of one
Afrikander on another will be destroyed for ever. It is
ridiculous to think that when flooded with scum of Europe,
Afrikander spirit will remain. If we wish to remain a nation
now is the time to struggle. Hope you received Natal newspaper,
stating Milner going nominally on leave; truth being he not
allowed a free hand. In later English paper I have seen
Kitchener and he cannot pull together.
"I enclose cutting _Natal Witness_--'Public mind in England
getting very uneasy about South Africa. There are possibilities
which we are not at liberty to mention, and would, if we were,
we could not (_sic_).'
"All these things convince me we shall be destroying all hope
for our nation if we now surrender. Brothers, stand fast--take
courage to your disheartened Burghers. I have received verbal
information that Commandant Hausbrock had engagement with
English, drove them back three times. As soon as I can call a
council I will send a reply; do not take any further steps till
you have heard from me." Usual ending follows. (Signed)
"STEYN."
Further activities were pursued between the 16th and 24th of the
month, when the troops were concentrated at Klerksdorp, activities
which had the twofold object of intercepting Boers who might be
fleeing before General Fetherstonhaugh's force (which was sweeping the
area between Lichtenburg and Klerksdorp), and of taking up assigned
positions for the contemplated drive southward from the line of the
Vaal to the Modder. Here again the force marched not empty-handed, 15
prisoners, 120 horses, 25 cases of dynamite, stock, vehicles, and
ammunition being the prizes of numerous smartly-executed surprise
visits by patrols. Viewing the number of captures in the way of
horses, it seemed difficult to comprehend why more mobility could not
be secured to the troops, but in reality only 20 per cent. of the
prizes were fit for remount purposes, the remainder being brood mares,
foals, &c.
While General Elliot was placing his force in the position above
described, precautionary measures had to be taken against a
recrudescence of mischief in the direction of Kimberley. Report spoke
of a contemplated reinforcement of the guerillas in the Cape Colony by
recruits from the Orange River Colony and the Transvaal. General Smuts
was associated with the movement, and the swelling hordes were to join
and pass through Hoopstad on their career of devastation. Accordingly
Colonel Henry, who was moving between Bloemhof and Christiana, was
appointed to keep an eye on the Hoopstad district. On the 16th of July
he crossed the Vaal at a point some twenty-three miles south-west of
Hoopstad, and promptly secured some prisoners, waggons, and horses
that were doubtless about to form part of the reinforced commando. On
the 24th, in this district, he was joined by Major Paris, R.M.A., with
the Kimberley column, which he had summoned from Warrenton. This
officer on the way had come in collision with some 150 of the enemy,
and had succeeded, through the gallantry of Dennison's Scouts, in
routing them from a strong position. The day after, effecting a
juncture with Colonel Henry's force, he again came on the enemy under
Commandants Badenhorst and Erasmus, and Field-Cornet Van Aswegan. The
Boers were in some strength, but Major Paris's little force
(consisting of 230 mounted men, 2 guns, a pom-pom, and 30 infantry,
carried in carts) was equal to the occasion. The Boers were surrounded
and attacked from three sides, and after a running fight, in which the
74th Squadron Imperial Yeomanry, the Kimberley Light Horse, and
Dennison's Scouts distinguished themselves, the enemy dispersed with
amazing celerity, leaving seven burghers on the field and their
field-cornet a prisoner. One of the British party was killed and three
were wounded.
Brigadier-General Gilbert Hamilton's column was also on the track of
the raiders, he having moved from Klerksdorp to Wolmaranstad (on the
21st) in order to fulfil his share of the hunt. At Wolmaranstad he
remained not long inactive, for the news of slinking Boers in the
neighbouring kopjes came to his ears, and he quickly determined on a
surprise visit to their haunts. The dawn of the 26th found Commandant
Potgieter and his hardy crew surrounded in their laager at Blinklip,
and General Hamilton, at the cost of only two men wounded, succeeded
in putting eleven Boers out of action and securing ten more, together
with waggons, horses, and supplies.
Farther to the east on the line of the Vaal, Colonel Western--who also
had been at Klerksdorp--spent his time in reconnoitring along both
banks of the river to Venterskroom and back to Coalmine Drift, where
he was in a position to join the columns of Colonel Henry and General
Elliot, which were ranging themselves in readiness for the main sweep
south from the Vaal, on the west of the main line.
General Elliot's force was now swelled by the column--from
Klerksdorp--of Colonel Sir H. Rawlinson, and that--from Reitzburg--of
Colonel Garratt. From these three columns he organised a fourth,
consisting of 1st Dragoon Guards and two guns under Colonel Owen.
* * * * *
Of Colonel Garratt's movements prior to his operations in connection
with General Elliot at the end of July, a word must be said. On the
9th of July he moved to the junction of the Wilge and Vaal Rivers in
order to demonstrate to the west of General Bullock, upon the right
flank of General Elliot's troops as they marched through Frankfort and
Heilbron to the railway. Here, on the right bank of the Vaal, he came
on a Boer laager, captured it, and made several prisoners. Later on,
on the 21st, having filled up with supplies, his mounted troops chased
two Boer convoys which were trekking on either bank of the Vaal near
Lindique Drift, and succeeded in securing twenty-five Dutchmen,
together with their waggons, carts, and cattle. Eleven of the enemy
were killed and wounded in the fray. Smuts was engaged on the
following day, but he and his gang fled to the hills, whence it was
impossible to dislodge them. Finally, with the assistance of Colonel
Rawlinson from the north and General Cunningham from Vereening, the
Boers were routed from their snug positions and forced to take to the
plains. Eighteen, however, were captured, and more waggons, horses,
and cattle. Colonel Garratt then took up his assigned position on
General Elliot's left.
To better understand the comprehensive nature of the general sweep
which followed, reference to a map is now desirable. In General
Elliot's position on the 29th of July we have the Vaal River at our
back, the main railway line on our left, the Kimberley-Mafeking line
on our right. The various columns were disposed so that the right
rested on the Vaal south of Wolmaranstad, and the left (Rawlinson) at
Vredefort. On the extreme right came Colonel Henry at Hoopstad; in
rear of the left on a wide front came Colonel Garratt, for the purpose
of netting fugitives who might break north. In due time, as stops on
the east (simultaneously with the advance of Colonel Rawlinson),
issued Major Pine Coffin and Colonel Barker (from Kroonstad and Vet
River Stations respectively), and as stop on the west (to carry on and
lengthen, as it were, Colonel Henry's right arm) came General Plumer,
in the region between Boshof and Modder River Station.
[Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL WALTER KITCHENER.
Photo London Stereoscopic Co.]
All the bristles being prepared, the great military broom commenced
operations on the 29th of July. The events of the end of the month
would make a volume of adventure of themselves. A night march by
General Broadwood to Bothaville--which was found deserted--caused the
fleeing Boers to rush helter-skelter into the net spread for them
by Colonel de Lisle, who, with his smart South Australians, had the
satisfaction of taking possession of eighteen prisoners and twelve
waggons. A grand raid on a farmhouse on the 30th of July was
accomplished by Colonel Lowe and the 7th Dragoon Guards, who, as
reward of their enterprise, secured eleven armed prisoners, together
with their rifles, bandoliers, and horses.
[Illustration: JULY 29, 1901.--GENERAL ELLIOT'S SWEEP S. OF THE VAAL]
Then, on the 2nd of August, followed a smart capture of a laager near
Graspan by some of Colonel Owen's men (King's Dragoon Guards) under
Captain Quicke. This distinguished and now deeply lamented officer
pursued the convoy for fourteen miles, and though he had but seven men
with him succeeded in capturing it, though a large force of the enemy
was at hand! His "bag" consisted of 4000 cattle and 65 waggons. A
dashing affray also took place between 200 South Australians (under
Major Shea, 15th Bengal Lancers) and Smuts' commando near Vet River.
The Colonials, splendidly led by Major Shea, Captain Watt, and
Lieutenant M'Farlane, surrounded the farm in the dead of night, and
pressing forward on foot, with fixed bayonets, made a rush on the
commando. But the Boers had enmeshed their stronghold with a wire
network which served to delay the troops, during which period most of
the hostile gang were able to escape. But five fell, and eleven were
secured, including Field-Cornet Wolmarans of Potchefstroom, who was
taken by gallant Shea himself. On the following day (3rd) General
Broadwood swept up 7 waggons and 2000 cattle, while Colonel Lowe,
after undertaking an eighteen-mile march, surprised a laager, secured
13 of its inhabitants, 86 waggons, and 56 horses. Tremendous hauls on
the 6th and 7th of August put Colonel Lisle in possession of 40
prisoners, 147 waggons, 600 horses, and 2000 cattle; and on the 8th
Colonel Henry and Lieutenant-Colonel Carr-Ellison (commanding 250 of
the 4th Imperial Yeomanry) succeeded in capturing two laagers and a
goodly knot of prisoners.
Meanwhile General Plumer, moving from the Modder River Station on the
4th, had proceeded to effect a junction with Colonel Henry. (How
General Plumer came to be at Modder River at this period must be
explained. After his return from Carolina to Bloemfontein in the
second week of July, he had moved viâ Bains Vlei, Kruger's Drift,
Poplar Grove, Koodoosrand, and Pandamfontein, skirmishing often by the
way, and reaching Modder River plus 11 prisoners, 200 cattle, and 62
horses.) Here his troops, divided in two columns under Colonels Colvin
and Sir John Jarvis, completed the encircling cordon to the west.
During the movement, Sir John Jarvis, be it noted, after a twenty-five
mile march, succeeded in securing, near Botha's Hoek, 15 Boers.
The details of General Elliot's march are full of savour, of heroism,
and of activity; but the story of swoops, surprises, and surrenders of
raiders would outrun the limits of a volume. It is only possible
therefore to record the results, which, early in August, showed that
17 Boers had been killed and wounded and 326 captured; 2600 horses,
20,000 cattle, 377 waggons, 371 other vehicles, and 12,500 rounds of
ammunition had also been secured.
General Elliot, on the conclusion of his operations between the Vaal
and the Modder, withdrew his columns to east and west to the railway
to refit. He himself reached Truter's Drift on the 9th of August.
General Plumer returned to Modder River Station; Colonel Henry moved
back to Boshof, and from thence to Luckhoff, where he operated during
August; and Colonels Rawlinson and Western betook themselves to Glen
and Bloemfontein respectively. General Elliot's programme was now to
prepare at Glen for a fresh advance to the north-east, of a line
Ladybrand, Sannah's Post, Glen. But of this anon.
ORANGE RIVER COLONY, E.--LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR L. RUNDLE
General Rundle, as we know, had marched north from Harrismith
simultaneously with General Elliot's advance from Springfield Drift on
the 4th of July. Till the 12th, the force, marching in three columns,
moved uneventfully to the line Tafel Kop-Maidstone-Driespruit. But, on
the 12th, the very day that Colonel Harrison in one place and General
Broadwood in another were trouncing the enemy and putting them to
flight, the Imperial Yeomanry came in for some exciting experiences. It
so happened that forty men of the Yeomanry under Lieutenant Edgell left
Colonel Harley's (centre) column to communicate with that of General
Campbell (right). Promptly Commandant Charles Botha got wind of the
movement of the small party and attacked them. But the plucky band,
though young Edgell, the sergeant, and four men were wounded at the
first volley, held their own, and finally the enemy was routed, leaving
their leader dead on the field.
The following account of a yeoman's experiences serves to show how
Charles Botha met his death: it fails, however, to describe the
gallantry and resource of Corporal F. M. Grove, 53rd Company Imperial
Yeomanry, who, when the officer and sergeant were wounded, took
command, fortified a post, and kept off the Boers till relief came:--
"The 12th of July I shall never forget. It was the worst day I
have ever had. We had reached camp and had done a good day's
work, having captured tons of mealies. It was found that we
could not heliograph to Rundle, who was sixteen miles on our
right; so they had to send a despatch, and our lieutenant with
forty men had to take it. As we were rounding Bothasberg we
came face to face with fifty or sixty Boers. There was
absolutely no cover, and as it was too late to dismount there
was only one thing to do--to charge. That we did, splitting
them in all directions. Had we been a cavalry regiment with
swords and known how to use them, we could have cut them to
pieces. Our lieutenant, the Hon. Wyatt Edgell, led us, whip in
hand, and was the first to go down with a bullet in his leg
just above the knee. Shots were coming like hail. Charles
Botha, who was at the head of the commando, kept shouting,
'Surrender! surrender!' but he was shot dead with one bullet
behind the ear and another in the shoulder. Six of his men
stuck to him like glue, but he was too big for them to get
away, being about six feet one inch in height and weighing
seventeen stone. It is a marvel to me that we were not
annihilated. We built a breastwork of stones, being fired on
all the time. When it was dark the guide made his way back to
camp for help, but the groans of the wounded throughout the
night were horrible. In the morning we were relieved, and the
Boers came out under a flag of truce for half-an-hour to bury
their dead. We went to Vrede next, and after a day's rest left
that place in a shocking state. We killed thousands of sheep
and put them in every house. The stench in a week will be
horrible; it is to prevent the Boers from returning."
The following day, in order to clear the line of advance from Boers
who were scurrying eastwards, General Rundle directed Colonel Harley
to close towards General Campbell in order to strengthen the right
flank, and on the 14th the hills south-east of Vrede were occupied,
and communication with Colonel Rimington (who had marched to the
latter place to catch the scattered hordes that might be pushed
towards him) was established. General Rundle, with his own and Colonel
Rimington's prizes, proceeded over the Klip River to Standerton and
was joined by Colonel Reay (left), who had crossed the Vaal at
Robert's Drift. His total haul, irrespective of the prisoners handed
over by Colonel Rimington, amounted to 13 prisoners, 7000 horses, 35
vehicles, and 1000 tons of forage. Twelve Boers were killed and
wounded. The British force lost four men, while one officer and
fifteen men were wounded. From Standerton, having refilled with
supplies, General Rundle marched south on the 20th. Starting from
Bothaberg, south-west of Vrede, he moved to Witkoppies, some thirty
miles south-west of that town, and finally scoured the hilly country
lying between the Natal border and the Vrede-Harrismith Road. The
Boers, gnome-like, popped and "potted" from their hiding-places, but
cautiously kept from open battle; nevertheless, General Rundle
returned to Harrismith with 6 prisoners, 3590 horses, 679 trek oxen,
and 4760 cattle. Twelve Boers during the march had been killed and
wounded.
On the 8th of August General Campbell marched with a column (Grenadier
Guards, Leinster Regiment, 1st Battalion Imperial Yeomanry, and four
guns and a pom-pom) through Retief's Nek in connection with a movement
of General Elliot's, which should have driven the enemy into the
Brandwater Basin, where General Campbell would have secured them; but
the Boers knowingly made for the north, and thus General Campbell's
captures were limited to waggons, carts, and horses. Colonel Harley
meanwhile was employed in escorting supplies from Harrismith to
Bethlehem, which at this date became the centre for a new column under
Brigadier-General Sir John Dartnell. This force consisted of two
regiments of Imperial Light Horse, specially equipped to ensure
increased mobility.
ORANGE RIVER COLONY, N.--COLONEL RIMINGTON--BRIGADIER-GENERAL
BULLOCK--BRIGADIER-GENERAL SPENS
Of Colonel Rimington's activities prior to his meeting with General
Rundle we barely know the outline. On the 13th of July his troops
displayed an immense amount of dash in a smart set-to with some Boers
who, with their convoy, were on the north-east of Gambokshoekberg. The
enemy's rearguard covering the march was forced from its position by
the rapid rush of the mounted troops, who scattered the band, killed
six of the foe, took ten prisoners, and 2000 head of cattle, which
prizes were handed over to General Rundle on the occasion of the
meeting near Vrede, of which we know. His hands free, Colonel
Rimington then proceeded from Vrede to Heilbron, skirmishing by the
way. From this time till August he operated in the triangle between
Heilbron, Lindley, and Kroonstad, engaging in the same energetic
system of night marching and surprise which was being everywhere
vigorously carried forward, with first-rate results. Fourteen Boers
killed, 36 prisoners, 24 voluntary surrenders, 68 ox-waggons, 52
vehicles, 5300 cattle was an excellent sum-total to bear witness to
the work accomplished at that time.
General Bullock meanwhile, in July, had been sweeping the
neighbourhood of Villiersdorp and Cornelia for the purpose of brushing
Boers into the arms of General Elliot during the move of that officer
from Springfield to Heilbron. But these wary Dutchmen were wide-awake
and not to be entrapped. He therefore returned to Heidelberg, where
General Spens took over command. Flying columns under Colonel Jenner
and Major Gough now went to work with a will, and each column had the
satisfaction of arriving at Heilbron in August, having captured a
convoy apiece with the total loss of one man killed and four wounded.
In the course of General Spens' sweep from Heidelberg to Heilbron his
troops brought in 42 prisoners, 110 carts, 5600 cattle, and the
supplies before named. In August he left Heilbron and renewed his
activities in the direction of Kroonstad.
TRANSVAAL, S.W.--OPERATIONS OF GENERAL FETHERSTONHAUGH--CLEARING THE
MAGALIESBERG--JULY
In July Major-General Fetherstonhaugh's force (in four columns, under
Brigadier-General Dixon and Colonels Sir H. Rawlinson, E. Williams,
and Hickie) operated from the Magaliesberg to Zeerust (reached on the
10th), and from thence back to Klerksdorp. The early part of the march
was highly eventful, particularly for Colonels Williams and Hickie,
who were repeatedly assailed by the enemy from almost inaccessible
hiding-places. They nevertheless assisted in producing excellent
results, and Roberts' and Kitchener's Horse highly distinguished
themselves. In the end 13 Boers were killed and wounded, 26 were taken
prisoners, 47 voluntarily surrendered, and 13 burghers, who had been
imprisoned by their own men, were released. Waggons and cattle in
plenty were secured. Nearer Zeerust all seemed placid; farmsteads and
agriculture showed little sign of a state of war. On the return
movement (begun on the 12th) General Fetherstonhaugh marched his right
centre column through Lichtenburg, his own three columns being on the
right, and that of General Dixon on the left. Thus the enemy, fighting
continually, was driven day by day before him towards the region
shortly to be swept by General Elliot's fan of troops. Large
quantities of stores (unearthed from caves in the hills or discovered
bricked up in the houses) were destroyed, 10 Boers were killed or
wounded, and 22 prisoners taken. Klerksdorp was reached on the 21st of
July after a particularly hard march, in which Colonel Hickie's
column especially suffered from the scarcity of water in the district.
General Dixon ere this had returned to Krugersdorp. General
Fetherstonhaugh, after a brief rest, set out on the 27th along the
Taung-Vryburg line, where the enemy was reported to be active. On his
right now moved Lord Methuen (from Lichtenburg), while Colonel Von
Donop of Lord Methuen's force swept from Kraaipan and Geysdorp on the
west of the hills, and Colonel Scott with a small column co-operated
from Vryburg. The area was soon denuded of foodstuffs, and 58
prisoners of war were taken. Six of the enemy were killed.
While these energetic movements were going forward General Gilbert
Hamilton was scouring the Klerksdorp Ventersdorp district, and Colonel
Allenby was searching some almost unassailable positions round the
Magaliesberg. His columns nevertheless scored some successes. On the
daybreak of the 9th of July they surprised some Boers who were
laagered at Zeekoehoek, and though many of them made good their escape
to the hills, their field-cornet and twelve comrades were seized. On
the 11th the enemy was again discovered in an almost inaccessible
position on the Magaliesberg, but what the mounted men failed to
accomplish the artillery achieved, and soon the mountain heights were
ablaze with the flames of the burning laager and two waggons of
dynamite and ammunition which had been blown up.
Later, in conjunction with Colonel Kekewich (who at Krugersdorp had
taken over command of General Dixon's column), Colonel Allenby set
about a further clearance of the Magaliesberg passes; but by the 7th
of August the whole region had become too hot for the Boers' liking,
and they evacuated it, enabling the British to occupy Breedt's Nek and
establish a post on the summit. To thoroughly protect this favourite
haunt of the Boers from their future visits two other columns were
also engaged. Major-General Barton moved with a force from Pretoria to
west of Commando Nek, clearing the country of supplies and
establishing the network of posts to be occupied by the South African
Constabulary, while Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Basing (with the Royal
Dragoons, two guns and a pom-pom) covered the construction of the
Frederikstad-Breedt Nek line of blockhouses, and kept up communication
from thence to General Barton's column.
TRANSVAAL, E.--LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR BINDON BLOOD
General Viljoen's commando being still to the fore, north of the
Delagoa line, the operations of July were mainly directed against him.
General Blood, taking command of General Babington's column, and
followed by General W. Kitchener, moved on the 10th of July from
Springs to Middelburg. Here, later, he was joined by Colonel Campbell,
who had been engaged in conducting a reconnaissance north of the line
from Elands River Station towards Wagen Drift. Though the utmost
energy and activity prevailed on all sides, the results were
disappointing. Owing to the vast expanse of country and the Boers'
intimate acquaintance with all its nooks and crannies, they were able
to play the game of hide-and-seek with impunity, taking care never to
be caught in the open, and to avoid every chance of a collision.
Colonel Benson in his operations, however, had better luck. Moving
from Dullstroom on the 9th of July, with Colonel Park on his right, he
soon managed to discover the whereabouts of Viljoen's commando.
Promptly the Dutchman was routed from his position at Middelkraal by
the 2nd Scottish Horse, a glorious set of "irregulars," many of them
hailing from Australia, who were first and foremost in every
"ticklish" exploit. Indeed there was no end of their pluck; and on
this occasion a mere handful of them, under their smart leaders Major
Murray and Captain Lindley, contrived to keep at bay the hostile herd
till the arrival of supports. Having dispersed the guerillas, Colonel
Benson dealt in an equally effective manner with Muller's men on the
west, a party of raiders who were now driven north from the
neighbourhood of Witpoort. Reports presently said that Viljoen was
still lingering somewhere in the west, consequently the 18th Mounted
Infantry pushed off in pursuit, and succeeded in catching and
capturing the tail of his convoy and some fifteen waggons. While the
Colonel moved his main body--on the 11th--in the direction of
Paardekloop, the 2nd Scottish Horse circled around towards the
Tautesberg, unearthing and capturing prisoners and horses by the way
and discovering vehicles hidden in the kloofs, which Viljoen had
evidently deposited there for a "rainy day." This notable leader was
discovered on the 15th of July at Laatstedrift, on the right bank of
the Olifant River, whither Colonel Benson had moved after the arrival
of a convoy brought by General Spens from the railway to Brinkwater.
An inspiriting feature of this discovery was the wonderful tenacity of
Lieutenant Kelly of the Scottish Horse, who, though wounded in the
stomach at the onset, had no sooner located the enemy than he crawled
under heavy fire to inform the officer commanding! A smart engagement
followed--an engagement creditable to both sides--and after some close
fighting both the enemy's flanks were turned, and they were sent
scuttling across the river into the thick bush country on the west. In
the course of these varied operations 20 Boers were captured and 17
killed or wounded; 110 horses, 64 waggons, and a large quantity of
ammunition were secured. More prisoners had also been seized by
General Spens in the course of his move with the convoy to Brinkwater
and back to Middelburg, where he arrived on the 20th. Soon after this
date he proceeded to take command of another column.
General Beatson meanwhile, on the night of the 7th of July, had done
some highly effective work. His surprise visit to the laager of
Commandant Trichard, which was located some twenty-five miles north of
Middelburg, resulted in the breaking up of the marauding gang and the
dispersal of them into the rugged country round Olifant River. The
commandant himself merely escaped by "the skin of his teeth." Further
pursuit being useless, the General returned to Middelburg and assisted
in the hunt for Viljoen, who was not to be caught, however, for he had
warily doubled back to his friendly kopjes on the right bank of the
Olifant. Returning to Bronkerspruit Station along the Wilge River
General Beatson, while searching in all the adjacent kloofs, came on
twenty-five waggons containing ammunition and clothing. As the duties
of most clearing columns were very much alike, some quotations from an
officer's letter may serve to show the nature of the work and of the
country to be cleared of Boers and supplies:--
"The usual proceeding is as follows: On the first day we occupy
the high ridges on each side of one of the huge valleys, or
kloofs, as they are called. This the Boers, with the exception
of a few 'snipers,' who wound or kill one or two of our
advanced scouts, do not attempt to oppose. Then begins the
difficulty. From each side the ground slopes down very
steeply--in many places it means recourse to hands and
knees--for about a mile; then comes a sheer precipice about 100
feet deep, and at the bottom a valley about 100 to 500 yards
broad, with a stream in the middle and very thickly wooded. On
each side of the main valley the cliffs are broken by smaller
kloofs running up them, and they contain any number of caves
and huge boulders. On the whole, one of these valleys makes
about as difficult a bit of country to clear as any you could
imagine. The Boers lie hidden among the rocks and in caves, and
'snipe' from them heavily at any man attempting to climb down
the precipitous sides. We generally spend a day or two in
shelling and advancing as far as the edges of the precipices,
and then on the night before we send our infantry down into the
valley most of the Boers escape. They dispute every inch of the
way until they see that the position is untenable for them.
Then off they go."
The writer of the letter mentioned a particular instance of this kind
of work, in which the Boer women hung white flags all over their
laager, and some Boers took advantage of the fact that the British
gunners duly respected the flags to hide among the rocks round the
laager, and to "snipe" the troops as they advanced. He continued:--
"We slept out at night; it was fearfully cold; we had no
blankets, and only half rations. We were ordered on the next
morning to get the guns down a long spur jutting out into the
valley. This appeared to be impossible, as the ground was
fearfully steep and stony, and there was no road. However, with
the aid of 50 Highlanders and a lot of rope, we managed to get
down after two hours' hard work. The position was a beautiful
one, being only 1700 yards from the place occupied by the Boers
on the previous day. We would probably have had some casualties
from rifle fire, being on exposed ground, but the Boers
appeared to have left during the night. Our infantry entered
the kloof from both sides, and spent two days in collecting
cattle and in blowing up 50,000 rounds of Boer rifle
ammunition. The Boer families were brought in, and made more
comfortable than they had ever been before. The Boers all say
that they do not mind deserting their wives, as they know that
we look after them, and make them more comfortable at
Middelburg than they were when living on the veldt."
In the course of General Beatson's operations on the 11th of July he
had the misfortune to lose his intelligence officer, Lieutenant
Anderson, R.E., a brilliant and zealous soldier, who was shot while
galloping ahead with an advance party of Victorians and Mounted
Infantry in hot chase after a gang of Boers.
[Illustration: BOERS CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF CUTTING THE TELEGRAPH WIRES
Drawing by Wal Paget]
With troops refitted, General Kitchener and Colonel Campbell now sped
north from Middelburg, bent on getting in touch with the quarry.
General Kitchener was successful. At Blaauwbank, on the 29th, a brisk
engagement--a brilliant chase by the 19th Hussars, followed by the
18th in support, and a rush with fixed bayonets--resulted in the
recapture of the two pom-poms taken from the Victorians on the 11th of
June, and the seizure of 32 prisoners and 20 waggons of Viljoen's
commando. The commandant himself made haste to withdraw to north and
north-west of the Olifant.
On this day (29th) General Sir Bindon Blood, with Colonel Benson's
column, moved from Wonderfontein to Carolina. The march was not
without incident, for by night, at Mooitley, the troops of Colonel
Benson made a smart swoop upon a Boer laager, and possessed themselves
of 17 prisoners, 50 horses, and 10 waggons. A few days later another
descent on the marauders in the same neighbourhood swelled the list of
captures by 29 prisoners (five of whom were Botha's despatch riders),
70 horses, and 5 carts.
August opened with more surprises, skirmishes, and surrenders in other
directions. At Diepkloof, on the Kruis River, General Kitchener, on
the 3rd, dispersed a small commando, leaving two dead Boers on the
field, and taking 13 prisoners. Colonel Park, between Lydenburg and
Dullstroom, had also some exciting tussles, after which he proceeded
to scour the country between Roos Senekal and the Tautesberg.
STANDERTON-HEIDELBERG--LIEUTENANT-COLONEL COLVILLE
Lieutenant-Colonel Colville, from Greylingstad, spent the end of July
in scouring the district north of the railway line between the
Waterval River and Leeuwspruit, and defeating the mischievous
activities of gangs under Alberts, Mears, and Pretorius. It must be
remembered that these guerilla chiefs were paid £25 a month by the
Boer Government for their services, and that they had this to gain and
nothing to lose by adhering to their policy of resistance. The Boer
Government, according to rumour, had now formed a new seat (its seats
were so many and so portable that it is difficult to remember them!)
at Watervalshoek, about twenty-six miles north of Greylingstad,
consequently it was decided that this hotbed of disorder must be
assailed without delay. Thereupon, on the 4th of August, three forces
were moved out--Colonel Colville's and Colonel Stewart's (Johannesburg
Mounted Rifles) to Rooipoort (ten miles west of Bethel), while Colonel
Bewicke-Copley marched from Springs towards Watervalshoek. From
Rooipoort Colonel Stewart searched the northern road through
Drefontein and Saltpeter Krantz, while Colonel Colville exerted his
vigilance along the southern route to Watervalshoek. He reaped his
reward. At the junction of the Waterval River and Klipspruit he
suddenly spied a Boer convoy--the convoy of General Alberts--on the
march. Immediately all was excitement. Away went his gallant men,
racing and galloping over a good seven miles, never ceasing their rush
till the convoy was hounded down, till the whole bunch of guerillas,
with 28 loaded waggons, 12 carts, 55 horses, 1400 cattle, and 2000
rounds of ammunition were seized.
Meanwhile, the Boer Government had again vanished into thin air!
Colonels Colville and Stewart moved to Standerton, while Colonel
Bewicke-Copley hustled bands of flying Dutchmen, who disappeared into
the valley of the Wilge.
CAPE COLONY--JULY
General French, in the middle of July, organised a big combined
movement to dislodge the raiders from the Camdeboo Mountains near
Graaf Reinet. The activities of the troops, brilliant as they had
been, had not entirely purged the Cape Colony of the offensive
element, and gangs of guerillas were still popping out here and there,
in their mischief assisted by traitors, whose Janus faces it took some
time to unmask. General French's efforts were now directed against
rebels and raiders, and in a particularly successful series of hunts
several Boers were killed and wounded, and 31 prisoners, mostly Cape
rebels, were captured.
The combined commandos of Fouché and Myburg made an unusual
demonstration on the 14th of July, and actually attacked the Connaught
Rangers, under Major Moore, who, while escorting a convoy, were camped
in a position between Aliwal North and Jamestown. It took some hours
of determined fighting to beat off the ferocious enemy, who were
splendidly posted on high hills, and were only defeated by dusk. Three
officers and 17 of our wounded were left to tell the tale of stubborn
resistance. The enemy were pursued by Colonel Munro, and caught after
a wearing chase south-west of Jamestown. Some of their number were
killed and some were forced to retreat upon the "Connaughts," who, as
may be imagined, received them in passing with considerable warmth.
By the end of the month, Fouché, owing to the incessant vigilance of
Colonel Munro and Major Moore, found the Colony too hot to hold him.
He therefore betook himself across the Orange near Aliwal North. But
Kruitzinger kept up the excitement by dodging in the mountains south
of Cradock. From thence he pounced, on the 21st of July, upon Colonel
Crabbe and his column. The sudden outburst of musketry at close
quarters, as it were from the bowels of the hills, caused the horses
to stampede, and the loss of 200 horses at a critical moment was found
to be no trifling matter. A horrible tussle ensued, but luckily at the
end of the day Colonel Crabbe was able to withdraw to Mortimer Station
with his force, five of whom were wounded.
[Illustration: CONCENTRATION CAMP AT NORVAL'S PONT]
Colonel Scobell's encounter with the enemy on the 23rd was more happy
in its results. He formed part of the cordon which was pushing the
enemy towards the Orange, and during the operation the indefatigable
Colonel Lukin and 90 Cape Mounted Rifles under Captain Cosgrove made a
grand swoop upon Lategan's laager, fought and defeated 150 of the foe,
captured 10 prisoners (including a field-cornet, Buys by name) and 105
saddles and horses. But it was what may be called a "touch-and-go"
affair, for at one time Lieutenant Welby with only twelve men was
surrounded by forty Boers, whom he withstood for an hour till rescued.
Not less successful were the columns of Colonels Doran and Wyndham and
the energetic Captain Lund. (This officer, on the 19th, secured a
waggon containing the rifles of Smits' commando.) But such of the
enemy as got away now dispersed under cover of darkness into the
remote bridle-paths, and bided their time in their well-chosen coigns
of vantage, where in ones and twos they were unassailable. General
French was therefore obliged to arrange a backward and southward
movement of the fan of columns from a line Vlakfontein, Richmond,
Middle Mount, Middelburg, Schombie, Steynsburg, Stormberg, so as to
force the scattered bands northwards again. From the 29th of July to
the 3rd of August was passed in this manoeuvre, wearing but
remunerative, for by the end of this time the raiders slipped through
the loopholes intentionally made by the columns, which had been
ordered to contract their fronts for this purpose, and once more the
troops (extended laterally on a line Beaufort West, Pearston, Drennan
Station, Cameron's Glen, Cathcart) had the satisfaction of pressing
the enemy north towards the line of blockhouses on the Steynsburg-De
Aar line. The only big commando that remained south was Scheepers',
which a detached force of 10th Hussars, 12th Lancers, and two guns
proceeded to chase.
The process of attrition was going forward slowly and surely. The
numbers of captures were monthly increasing, but the organised system
of intimidation pursued by the Boer leaders against both burghers,
who, if left to themselves, would have surrendered, and natives, who
went in fear of their lives, and became informants, made the work of
settlement exceedingly harassing. In these circumstances, Lord
Kitchener "considered it advisable to form some specially mobile
columns for independent and rapid action in different parts of the
country, generally at some distance from the operations of other
troops." These columns were given a free hand in respect to their
movements, and acted at any time on intelligence gained by themselves
in addition to such as might be received from headquarters.
[Illustration: DELAGOA BAY.
Drawing by Donald E. M'Cracken.]
THE SITUATION--AUGUST
In May Sir Alfred Milner paid a visit to England, and his reception in
Great Britain left no doubt in the mind of people at home and abroad
regarding the determination of the Government to adhere to their South
African policy. The King conferred on him the dignity of a Baron, and
both in the City of London and in that of Cape Town there were
rejoicings at the honour done to one who had served the cause of Great
Britain with such skill and unswerving devotion. In August Lord
Milner returned to his duties as High Commissioner for South Africa
and Administrator of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, much
benefited by the brief rest from his labours.
As it was found necessary to adopt sterner measures to crush the
lingering guerilla warfare, Lord Kitchener issued, on the 7th of
August, the following Proclamation:--
"Whereas the late Orange Free State and the late South African
Republic have been annexed to his Majesty's dominions;
"And whereas his Majesty's forces are and have for some
considerable time been in complete possession of the seats of
Government of both the aforesaid territories, with their public
offices, and the whole machinery of administration, as well as
of all the principal towns and the whole of the railway lines;
"And whereas the great majority of the Burghers of the two late
Republics, to the number of thirty-five thousand, exclusive of
those who have fallen in the war, are now either prisoners or
have submitted to his Majesty's Government, and are living
peaceably in towns or camps under the control of his Majesty's
forces;
"And whereas the Burghers of the late Republics still in arms
against his Majesty are not only few in numbers, but have lost
almost all their guns and munitions of war, and are devoid of
regular military organisation, and are therefore unable to
carry on regular warfare or to offer any organised resistance
to his Majesty's forces in any part of the country;
"And whereas those Burghers who are still in arms, though
unable to carry on regular warfare, continue to make isolated
attacks upon small posts and detachments of his Majesty's
forces, to plunder or destroy property, and to damage the
railway and telegraph lines, both in the Orange River Colony
and the Transvaal and in other portions of his Majesty's South
African Dominions;
"And whereas the country is thus kept in a state of
disturbance, checking the resumption of agricultural and
industrial pursuits;
"And whereas his Majesty's Government is determined to put an
end to a state of things which is aimlessly prolonging
bloodshed and destruction and inflicting ruin upon the great
majority of the inhabitants, who are anxious to live in peace
and to earn a livelihood for themselves and their families;
"And whereas it is just to proceed against those still
resisting, and especially against those persons who, being in a
position of authority, are responsible for the continuance of
the present state of lawlessness, and are instigating their
fellow-Burghers to continue their hopeless resistance to his
Majesty's Government;
"Now therefore I, Lord Kitchener, &c., under instructions from
his Majesty's Government, proclaim and make known as follows:
"All commandants, field cornets, and leaders of armed bands,
being Burghers of the late Republics, still engaged in
resisting his Majesty's forces, whether in the Orange River
Colony and the Transvaal or in any other portion of his
Majesty's South African Dominions, and all members of the
Governments of the late Orange Free State and the late South
African Republic, shall, unless they surrender before the 15th
of September next, be permanently banished from South Africa;
the cost of the maintenance of the families of all Burghers in
the field who shall not have surrendered by 15th September
shall be recoverable from such Burghers, and shall be a charge
upon their property movable and immovable in the two Colonies."
The Proclamation was the result of correspondence which had taken
place between Sir H. E. M'Callum, Governor of Natal, and Mr.
Chamberlain. The Governor's telegram, dated 24th July, ran thus:--
"I sent you by last mail long minute submitted to Ministers
containing following suggestions:
"Protracted continuance of hostilities vitally affecting
interests of Natal is viewed with grave concern. Raids into the
Colony frequently render it impossible for loyalists to return
to farms and avocations. Feeling of unrest among natives
created by raids, revenue suffering, trade paralysed, railways
monopolised by military, towns overcrowded with refugees and
persons awaiting return to Transvaal, stock being affected with
disease due to introduction of captured stock from the new
Colonies, famine prices prevailing, Colony still subject to
censorship and martial law.
"Under these circumstances Ministers advocate sterner measures
to crush present guerilla warfare. They point out that Boers
still fighting have little to lose, that their women and
children are protected and well treated, and that their farms
are safe from confiscation, therefore Boers free from anxiety
and encouraged to continue in the field, growing accustomed to
life of pillaging and looting, and communicate frequently with
refugee camps which thus are source of danger. Those who are
not rebels know that if captured they will be treated as
prisoners of war and released at the conclusion of hostilities.
"Ministers believe that excellent effect would be produced if
it were made generally known that if Burghers now in the field
do not surrender by given date, say, within one month, cost of
maintenance of all women and children will be chargeable
against immovable property of Burghers in the field; also that
Boer generals and leaders in the field should be informed that
unless they and their commandos surrender by date specified
they will be banished from South Africa for life when captured.
"In making these observations and recommendations Ministers
disclaim intention of appearing to reflect on military
operations, of which they realise the immense difficulties.
They will continue to render the Imperial Government every
assistance to secure settlement and pacification."
A telegram followed from Mr. Chamberlain to Lord Kitchener containing
the draft of the Proclamation, which was to be issued with the least
possible delay. Lord Kitchener was desired before issuing it, however,
to communicate its terms to the Governors of Cape Colony and Natal,
and ascertain whether their governments agreed to them. The proposal
was approved by the Colonial governors, the document received a few
emendations, and was issued as above.
There was, naturally, an outcry at all sterner measures that were
proposed, by what may be called the "Prolong-the-War Party"--the
pro-Boer orators who were daily, by their excited utterances,
betraying the Boers into the belief that their showy sympathy would
bring about practical results. But in reality the stern measure was
intended as a merciful measure to save desperate men from a suicidal
policy of resistance to the inevitable, the country from devastation,
and women and children from suffering. Their territories were annexed,
their leaders, most of them, were exiles or prisoners, hostilities had
developed from guerilla warfare to simple brigandage and outrage, and
the British were keeping up the supply of troops with the
determination of "fighting to a finish." Indeed, by the middle of
1901, there were 138,000 regulars, 58,000 Colonials, 23,000 yeomen,
20,000 militia, and 10,000 volunteers--a total of 250,000 men under
arms in South Africa. With this ever-increasing multitude bearing down
upon them, the days of the belligerents were numbered, but this they
doggedly refused to believe, or, even if they believed the worst, they
decided--like the wasp who parts with his sting only to die--on
leaving behind them the largest legacy of pain and trouble the
circumstances would admit.
The South African Constabulary by the middle of the year had grown
into an effective force, and were operating from the vicinity of the
railways and occupying fortified posts, and thus rendering themselves
exceedingly valuable in checking the efforts of the enemy to pass
through the cordon around the cleared districts. The Boers, by the
loss of their ox-waggons, were seriously impeded in regard to their
supply arrangements, and the series of captures which took place in
all parts of the country made a considerable drain on their numbers in
the field. Still, small gangs of three to four hundred men roving
loosely over the country could, in cases of emergency, concentrate and
cause vast trouble and annoyance and even danger to the small mobile
columns, broken up as they were, in order to operate over vast areas
in search of the scattered hordes.
Viewing the intense labour and increasing strain suffered by the
Commander-in-Chief at this time, it is pleasing to quote the letter of
an officer competent to speak regarding the magnificence of the steady
if slow work that was being accomplished:--
"We are eleven hours a day in the saddle on patrol duty, and
good solid work is being done by mobile columns. You will not
get much of our movements through the Press, as the policy of
secrecy is really the only safe one with the Cape Colony now
undermined by rebels from north to south. It would be difficult
to over-praise Lord Kitchener for his remarkable power of
self-control and ability to keep his own counsel. His ceaseless
efforts to get the right men into the higher and brigade
commands are recognised by all of us who have suffered in the
past from incompetent leaders. In spite of the clap-trap that
is being talked in Parliament by ignorant and vain knights of
the shires, I can assure you that a more humane and pacific
general never directed a force on active service, and this
testimony is from Boer and British alike."
Considerable stir was created in England among the so-called
humanitarians regarding the mortality of children in the concentration
camps, where the Boer families had of necessity to be housed and cared
for. The mortality was certainly high, but on strict inquiry it was
found that mainly through the ignorance, listlessness, and idleness of
the Boer mothers the sick infants were treated wrongly or neglected.
Dr. Jane Waterston, late President of the Women's Rand Relief
Committee, in a letter to the _Cape Times_, with level-headed brevity
discussed some points which the Boer sympathisers had carefully
ignored. She pointed out that--
"Ordinary colonial women who have been through the stress and
strain of the last two years are not very favourably impressed
by the present stir in England over the assumed privations of
the Boer women and children. If looting, flogging, ruining, and
train-wrecking can be dignified by such a name as war, they
hold that in all matters of supply our fighting men, who, as
well as fighting our battles, guard our women-folk or our sick
men, injured by wounds or disease in our service, come first
and foremost; after them come our own civilian population; and
lastly come our prisoners, or those Boers who have surrendered
or been brought in."
Again she said:--
"Large as was the sum collected in Great Britain by voluntary
subscriptions, at no time did the women and children of the
loyal colonial refugees of the poorer classes receive more than
mere sustenance. Judging, however, by some of the hysterical
whining going on in England at the present time it would seem
as if we might neglect or half starve our faithful soldiers,
and keep our civilian population eating their hearts out here
as long as we fed and pampered people who have not even the
grace to say 'thank you' for the care bestowed on them.
"As we see it, the problem before our military men is, how to
manage, feed, and care for large numbers of women and children,
and yet not feed the enemy and so prolong the war, or rather
existing brigandage. If the women are left on the farms with
food, that food will be promptly handed over to the commandos,
who would lightly take it all, and trust to British
soft-heartedness not to let their women and children die of
starvation, but to replenish all the empty larders by means of
scattered convoys, which would give them at the same time grand
chances of loot and first-rate practice in sniping. To obviate
this the military have had to make up their minds either to let
the women and children starve on their farms or else gather
them into large concentration camps. This war has been
remarkable for two things: first, the small regard that the
Boers, from the highest to the lowest, have had for their
womankind; and secondly, the great care and consideration the
victors have had for the same, very often ungrateful, women.
"It is the fault of the Boer men, not ours, that their women
and children are in concentration camps. The task of our _pro
tem._ rulers is not made easier by the fact that no
consideration of the stuff on a supply train being partly meant
for their own wives and children would hinder Boer husbands and
fathers from wrecking the train and destroying the food. They
comfort themselves with the thought that the soldiers may have
to go on half rations and tighten their belts, but 'these fools
of English will serve out as usual the daily ration to the
refugee camps.' At present there is the danger that the Boers
will waken up to have a care for their womenfolk, and will go
on fighting for some time so as to keep them in comfortable
winter quarters at our expense, and thus our women and children
will lose a few more of their husbands and fathers."
In corroboration of Dr. Waterston's statements it may also be noted
that the Government, while spending hundreds of thousands of pounds
monthly on the Boer refugees, had devoted only £50,000 towards the
Imperial Relief fund for helping the loyalists.
Naturally, among the British sufferers, the continual attempts to
propitiate an irreconcilable enemy were looked upon with disgust and
even suspicion, and very rejoiced were they to find that steps were
taken to arrest and remove Boer sympathisers in Johannesburg and
elsewhere, who were known to be assisting in a widening conspiracy to
get surrendered burghers to return to their commandos, and so
reproduce a recrudescence of hostilities. On all sides the lying
tongues of the Boer party, who had declared war and quitted the field,
strove to urge the remnants towards further resistance by declaring
that Great Britain was divided against itself, and that it had not
sufficient endurance to see the matter through.
[Illustration: CHURCH SQUARE, PRETORIA.
Drawing by Donald E. M'Cracken.]