PROGRESS IN OCTOBER 1901
It may be remembered that on the 15th of October Colonel Colville
pounced on a convoy that was moving after the Boers in their flight
towards Swaziland. On that border he remained while General Plumer's
force (released, as we know, from the south-east of the Orange Colony
owing to the state of quietude there) acted on the, by now, almost
impassable blockhouse line between Wakkerstroom and Colonel Colville's
column. Meanwhile General Walter Kitchener's troops, with those of
Colonels Campbell, Garratt, and Stewart, moved like a big broom
sweeping up the stragglers south of the line, till news came in that
Botha, instead of taking the Swazi direction, had veered north and was
with a small column hanging around Amsterdam. To catch the Boer
general Colonels Rawlinson and Rimington pushed on from Standerton on
the 19th of October. They reached Amersfoort on the 21st, and on the
25th, after a perilous night march over ground seamed with small posts
of protecting Boers, he succeeded in surrounding the farm near
Schimmelhoek, where the Boer chief was reported to be. Colonel
Rimington's men were ordered to make for the farm, avoiding the main
laager and posts, while those of Colonel Rawlinson moved between
Ermelo and the farm--but though the movement was admirably carried out
and Colonel Rimington's troops rushed the farm, the enemy had been
forewarned and was on the alert. Botha had but a moment to bolt in,
but that moment he used. Though he and all but four of his men got
away in safety, his personal property and some papers, very
enlightening to the British, fell into their hands. The main laager
having retreated north towards Lake Chrissie, pursuit was abandoned,
and Colonels Rawlinson and Rimington returned at the end of the month
to Volksrust and Zandspruit respectively.
General G. Hamilton and Colonel Pulteney were meanwhile moving, in
continuous torrents of rain, around Utrecht and Vryheid in order to
block all Boer attempts to break through northern Natal into the
Orange Colony; and further south General Bruce-Hamilton, with the
troops of General Spens and Colonel Allenby, hunted the Vryheid and
Ngomi region with incessant activity, despite all the impediments of
fog and bog and downpour. Scrimmage and skirmish varied the monotony
of the hard work, and in the end 21 killed, 11 wounded, and 160
unwounded Boers, together with carts, ammunition, cattle, and
foodstuffs, bore testimony to the pluck and endurance of the troops
engaged.
[Illustration: THE FIGHT AT BRAKENLAAGTE: BOERS CHARGING
Drawing by John Charlton]
TRANSVAAL (EAST)
Colonel Benson was at this time continuing his system of midnight
annoyance, which was telling on the nerves of the enemy and causing
Botha to rack his brains to arrange a plan of getting quit of so
ubiquitous and "slim" an antagonist. Moving from Middelburg on the
20th--with 3rd and 25th Mounted Infantry, three squadrons of Scottish
Horse, 4 guns 84th Battery, two pom-poms, and the Buffs--Benson began
moving to the south. He surrounded a laager south of Brugspruit on
the 22nd, captured 37 prisoners, and marched next day to Bethel and on
towards Rietkuil. During this march, on the 25th, the rearguard was
heavily engaged by some 700 Boers under Groblaar, Trichardt, and
Erasmus, who hoped to stop the night manoeuvres for a bit. But the
Dutchmen were quickly repulsed (with the loss of Civil Surgeon
Robertson and one man), and Colonel Benson moved on, impeded by many
thunderstorms, towards Brugspruit _viâ_ Bakenlaagte. At this place
there was considerable sniping, while the enemy on all sides, in the
mists and fogs and rains, collected under Botha and Groblaar in order
to effect a junction and at last bring things to a crisis. Colonel
Benson, who hoped to halt at Bakenlaagte, found the place on the 30th
already in possession of the enemy. Some fighting followed and the
Boers took themselves off, and the columns moved gradually into camp
covered by the rearguard, composed of 2 companies of Mounted Infantry,
2 squadrons 2nd Scottish Horse, 2 guns 84th Field Battery R.A., and
one company of the 2nd Battalion the Buffs, the whole under the
command of Major Anley, 3rd Mounted Infantry. The guns, a company of
the Buffs, and 50 Mounted Infantry took up a position on an irregular
ridge some 2500 yards from the camp, screened by posts of Mounted
Infantry and the Scottish Horse on either flank and south of the
ridge. The enemy meanwhile, in the wind and sleet and rain, taking
advantage of the fact that the storm was bursting in the face of the
British columns and of the vast expanse of rolling downs and the
convenient hollows with which they were familiar, were creeping and
congregating ant-like round flanks and rearguard. No sooner had the
column and baggage got into camp and arrangements been made for
defence than they began to advance in formidable array. Major Anley at
noon, while about to carry out an order for the screen of Mounted
Infantry and Scottish Horse to fall back on the remainder of the guard
at Gun Hill, suddenly found himself in close contact with the foe.
They were continuing to advance in great numbers, galloping and
shouting and firing. He at once commenced to retire on Gun Hill, but,
in the very act, the Boer force appeared over the rise, and absolutely
regardless of the British guns came on and on and stormed through
Scottish Horse and Mounted Infantry, many of whom were killed before
they had time to fire. The Boers then dismounted and formed up on dead
ground whence they could work their way to a position within close
range of the guns on the crest, while themselves in comparative
safety. The original escort, the company of Buffs posted to the front
of the guns on the south side of the ridge, was captured and the
Mounted Infantry Company of the Yorkshire Light Infantry and the
squadron of Scottish Horse who promptly formed up on the flanks of the
guns, despite their gallant efforts, found themselves unable to offer
serious resistance to the terrific volleys of the foe.
With the exception of the western end of the ridge, which was held by
a party of mounted infantry till dark, the whole gradually fell into
the enemy's hands. When Colonel Benson became aware of the nature of
the attack he ordered two more companies of the Buffs to reinforce the
rearguard on the ridge, but these could not succeed in reaching a
position whence their fire could be brought to bear. He himself was
one of the first to fall, hit in three places.[8] Referring to the
death of this hero and the doings of his warlike band at the critical
moment when the Boers made their fierce onslaught on the defenders of
the ridge, Mr. Bleloch of the _Morning Post_ wrote:--
"A squadron of Scottish Horse had just gained the edge of the
ridge to defend the guns when the Boers charged. Colonel Benson
and his staff were stationed near the guns. When the Boers got
to the ridge they shot down, almost in the first few minutes,
the greater number of the defenders, and it was the stubborn
defence of the survivors which checked their further advance
and prevented them at the time from rushing the ridge first,
and possibly the camp afterwards. The defence of the ridge
saved the column from imminent disaster, and inflicted on the
Boers a heavy penalty for their daring attack. Unfortunately it
was only done at the cost of many valuable lives.
"Shortly after Major Murray was killed several Boers
approached, shouting 'Hands up!' Corporal Bell, the son of Sir
James Bell, shouted back 'No surrender!' and kept on firing. He
killed one Boer, and immediately afterwards another Boer shot
him from a distance of twenty paces. Other Boers then fired at
him, and he was killed. A man named Bradshaw Smith, who was
found lying dead near Corporal Bell, carried on his duty in the
same spirit. He had a pile of empty cartridge cases by him, and
wounded survivors state that he killed or wounded thirty Boers
with his own rifle before he received a fatal shot. Lieutenant
Kelly, who had received his commission only three weeks before
the fight, fell near the same spot. He came from Australia, and
was advanced rapidly to the rank of sergeant and then to that
of lieutenant. He was one of the best fighting men in the
regiment. He cheered and rallied his men in the most fearless
manner, being wounded many times before he fell for good. When
picked up he was found to be literally shot through and
through.
"These are conspicuous examples among a band of heroes. To the
men of the Scottish Horse, the Yorkshire Mounted Infantry, and
the artillerists is due the credit of maintaining the defence
when it appeared to be almost hopeless. Knowing full well that
only a few were left they held on, firing or selling their
lives dearly, and keeping it up until almost the last man fell.
The latest accounts show that out of 92 men of the Scottish
Horse on the ridge, 88 were killed or wounded. Scotland may
well be proud when at the end of a wearisome war she can send
out men who die willingly and fearlessly in the performance of
their duty."
Colonel Guinness[9] also fell by the guns, having fired the last shot
of case on the advancing enemy before he was killed. Captain C. W.
Collins (Cheshire Regiment), who died of his wounds, Lieutenant
Jackson (King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment), Lieutenant Sloan
(R.A.M.C.), Lieutenant Robertson (Scottish Horse), played glorious
parts in this melancholy scene, and Lieutenants Bircham and Crichton
(King's Royal Rifle Corps) distinguished themselves by remaining
gallantly in command of their respective units though severely wounded
early in the fight. The attack on the camp itself was easily driven
off, but no further reinforcements could be sent to the ridge, nor
were guns in camp able to materially assist the defence with the
rearguard. All hands in camp worked hard to entrench the position
which, before night, was rendered so strong that no subsequent attack
was made. Colonel Wools-Sampson took command of Colonel Benson's
column, and on the 31st the columns of Colonel Barter and General G.
Hamilton went hot foot to his support. The bulk of the enemy with the
captured guns had, however, disappeared beyond the reach of the
British force. Of the losses on both sides Mr. Bleloch wrote:--
"Of Colonel Benson himself every voice proclaims him a hero.
Though grievously wounded, he sent back to Major Wools-Sampson,
telling him not to send out the ambulances because the Boers
would take the opportunity of removing the guns, but to
continue bursting shrapnel just on and over the ridge to
prevent any further advance of the enemy. Major Wools-Sampson
acted on these orders, and it was in imminent danger from our
own gun and Maxim firers, as well as from the enemy, that some
of the survivors of the Scottish Horse and Yorkshires moved
about helping their wounded and dying comrades. Dr. Sloane, of
the Scottish Horse, is praised by every one. The fire from the
camp and from the other positions commanded by Major
Wools-Sampson checked any further advance of the enemy. The
Boers had paid dearly for their bravery, and their enthusiasm
died down, though they continued a heavy fire all round the
position. Major Wools-Sampson had taken every measure for the
safety of the camp. He reinforced the southern positions held
by the 25th Mounted Infantry, under Major Eustace, and called
up all the Transport Commissariat officers and men to aid in
defending the camp proper. When Colonel Benson was brought in
about nine o'clock at night he told Major Wools-Sampson to see
to his defences, because Botha had stated that unless he
surrendered he would attack in the morning with 1400 men. The
men were put to work entrenching, and by daylight the position
was impregnable. The heroism on the ridge and the clever
dispositions of the determined soldier commanding the camp had
baulked the Boers, and Botha admitted that the fight was a
failure. Between 200 to 300 Boers are known to have been killed
and wounded. Man for man the losses were about equal on each
side, but we have suffered the greater loss in the death of the
gallant leader of the column and his equally brave associates.
Men like Benson, Guinness, Murray, Lindsay, and Thorold, and
the other officers who fell are difficult to replace.
Lieutenant Straker, of the Scottish Horse, who was thrown from
his horse and stunned, while retiring to the ridge, was taken
prisoner, and remained with the Boers next day. Being
conversant with the taal, he learned many things from the Boers
which confirm their disappointment at the result of the fight."
Among the forty-four Boers killed was General Opperman. General Chris
Botha and 100 of his men were wounded.
The British casualties in addition to Colonel Benson were:--
KILLED.
Royal Artillery--Lieut.-Col. E. Guinness, Lieut. Maclean. Scottish
Horse--Major F. D. Murray, Capt. M. W. Lindsay, Capt. Inglis, Lieut.
Kelly, Lieut. Woodman. Yorkshire Light Infantry (3rd Mounted
Infantry)--Capt. F. T. Thorold, Lieut. E. V. J. Brooke, Lieut. R. E.
Shepherd. East Kent Regiment--2nd Lieut. A. J. Corlett.
WOUNDED.
Coldstream Guards--Capt. Eyre Lloyd (since dead) Cheshire
Regiment--Capt. C. W. Collins, severe. Northamptonshire
Regiment--Capt. A. A. Lloyd, D.S.O., slight. King's Royal Rifle
Corps--Lieut. H. F. W. Birchan, severe; Lieut. T. G. Dalby, severe;
Lieut. R. Seymour, severe. Scottish Horse--Capt. Murray; Lieut. W.
Campbell, severe; Lieut. C. Woodman, dangerously; Lieut. Firns,
dangerously; Lieut. A. T. Wardrap, severe. East Kent Regiment--Capt.
Ronald, slight; Second Lieut. L. H Soames, severe; Second Lieut. W.
Greatwood, slight. Yorkshire Light Infantry--Lieut. L. H. Martin,
severe. Killed--Fifty-four non-commissioned officers and men.
Wounded--One hundred and sixty non-commissioned officers and men (four
since dead.)
Colonel Park at this time worked in the Heidelberg district, Colonels
Hacket-Thompson and Bewicke Copley in support of the Constabulary
Posts, and Colonel Rawlinson in Heidelberg. Colonel Hacket-Thompson on
the 14th of October routed a Boer gang that threatened the Pietersburg
line, and on the way north Major Ross (Canadian Scouts) surprised and
broke up Field-Cornet Jan Visagie's commando at Kranspoort. So much
opposition did the Boers offer in the rugged country near Tweefontein,
that Colonel Williams with 600 Australians was sent from Klerksdorp to
reinforce Colonel Hacket-Thompson. On the 26th, while moving by
Kameelpoort to Wolvekraal, a Boer picket was driven in, and fifty
prisoners with their effects were taken. On the 27th the difficult
Witnek defile--a pass six miles long--was forced by Col. Williams, in
spite of the Boers, who held it in great strength and brought a
pom-pom to bear on the troops. The splendid advance of the Australians
eventually forced the enemy to give up his hold and take to his heels,
leaving five dead on the ground and four prisoners in our hands.
Colonel Colenbrander's men (Kitchener's Fighting Scouts) between the
6th and 21st scoured the hitherto untraversed region between Warmbaths
and Magalapyi on the Rhodesian Railway. They visited Boer haunts which
had been carefully located beforehand and pounced on various Boer
supply depots, with the result that on return, on the 2nd of November,
they showed a bag of 45 prisoners, 10 voluntary surrenders, 67 rifles,
4000 rounds of ammunition, and a large number of waggons and cattle.
Colonel Hawkins (commanding Colonel Wood's column) displayed rival
activity in the region west of the rail between Nylstroom and
Geelhout, and his captures amounted to 97 prisoners, among whom were
Field-Cornets J. J. Van Staden, J. P. Botha, J. Duverhage, Captain G.
Coetzee, Adjutant Muller, and C. Schutte (former Landdrost of
Pretoria), besides rifles, ammunition, waggons, cattle, and horses.
TRANSVAAL (WEST)
Colonel Kekewich from Rustenburg and Lord Methuen from Zeerust engaged
in a converging movement for sweeping up Boers in the direction of
Lindley's Poort, but Boers being shy, these officers returned to their
original posts. While Lord Methuen was marching from Zeerust towards
Lindley's Poort, Colonel Von Donop from Zeerust moved in the direction
of Tafel Kop. On his way back, on the 24th, at Kleenfontein (between
Wonderfontein and Wilgeboom Spruit), he was confronted by over 1000
Boers under Generals Delarey, Kemp, and Celliers. These had taken
advantage of the thick scrub through which the British were moving to
gallop to close quarters and set upon the little force.
Fighting was ferocious, particularly round the two guns (4th Battery
R.F.A.), and the heroism shown by one and all, particularly by the
gunners, it is scarcely possible to exaggerate. One officer, 17 men of
the gun detachments, 26 escort of the Northumberland Fusiliers (some
60 strong), were either killed or wounded in this desperate and
successful defence. All distinguished themselves in one way or
another; notably young Lieutenant Hill (R.F.A.), who sacrificed his
life, two gunners, Neil and Murphy, and drivers Divers and Platt.
Lieutenant Hobbs (R.E.), a prodigy of valour; Captain Laing
(R.A.M.C.), 5th Imperial Yeomanry, who tended the wounded regardless
of the heavy fire; Lieutenant Baldwin, who fought like a lion; and
Lieutenant Caird, who was killed, were a few of many who behaved
nobly. The men were heroic as their officers. Sapper Ryder, for
instance, hearing the guns were in difficulties, galloped alone to
them and joined in their defence, subsequently fetching reinforcements
under heavy fire. Sergeant Roland (Bechuanaland Rifles), too, in the
same deadly hail, collected men and carried messages with the
daredevil courage for which he is notable. Sergeant Browning (4th
Battery R.F.A.) kept his gun in action till the Boers were upon him,
when he endeavoured to remove the breech screws and got wounded in the
act. Sergeant Miller (1st Northumberland Fusiliers), whose splendid
services have been noted on many occasions, collected men and set them
to hold an important position, and Sergeant Baily of the same regiment
distinguished himself by his determination and bravery.
The Boers, repulsed on all sides, eventually drew off, leaving 40 dead
and 5 wounded, including Commandant Oosthuyzen (since dead), on the
field.
Colonel Kekewich had also some noteworthy adventures. On the 28th he
marched to attack a laager at Beestekraal on the Crocodile River.
Having concealed his troops in the hollows around Hartebeestspruit,
he, on the following day, resumed his march. At night his mounted
troops, under Colonel Duff, moved towards Beestekraal, while his
infantry moved to Klipplatt. The western approaches to the Boers' camp
being unguarded, they fell victims to the surprise prepared for them.
Resistance they soon found to be futile, and Colonel Kekewich marched
back to Rustenburg plus 78 prisoners (including B. A. Klopper, former
chairman of the Volksraad) and many waggons and horses.
OCTOBER IN THE ORANGE RIVER COLONY
Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. J. Byng from Kroonstad spent the best part
of October pouncing on commandos. On the 13th he attacked a laager at
Jackfontein and captured 18 prisoners, and later in the month (the
25th) he surrounded Spanneberg's laager at Huntersolei, securing, with
Field-Cornets Spanneberg and Oosthuyzen, 20 burghers; 11 extra
prisoners were captured near Plessis Rush. On the 2nd of November he
moved to Heilbron to take up his position for combined operations in
the direction of Reitz. At Heilbron was Colonel Wilson (Kitchener's
Fighting Scouts), who with Major Damant at Frankfort continued to
cover the completion of the blockhouse line in that region. Major
Damant on the 13th caught and engaged 300 Boers near Naudesdrift on
the Wilge, and two days later handled somewhat vigorously a gang of
500 whom he drove to the Bothersberg, capturing Adjutant Theron in the
course of the operation. More prisoners were secured before the end of
the month.
General Elliot's columns, under Broadwood, with the energetic Lowe and
De Lisle, continued to operate north of Harrismith, but they were much
hampered both by rinderpest and by incessant rains. Nevertheless
Colonel De Lisle, working independently, surprised a Boer laager on
the 15th, in the neighbourhood of the Wilge River, and made a fine
haul of vehicles and cattle, in addition to the fifteen prisoners
taken. General Broadwood, with 700 of his own men and some detachments
of General Rundle's force, made an expedition to the eastern extremity
of the Brandwater Basin, which resulted in the capture of a few
prisoners and much ammunition. General Campbell remained in the region
constructing forts, in order to baulk the enemy at important points.
From Bethlehem Colonel Briggs (1st Imperial Light Horse), with his
dashing men, carried on a series of exciting raids, thus clearing the
country for twenty-eight miles round.
Major-General C. Knox and Colonel Rochfort, under the general control
of Lieutenant-General Tucker, engaged in operations for the completion
of the clearance of the south-eastern portion of the Orange Colony,
where Commandants Brand, Ackerman, and Coetzee still struggled to make
themselves baneful. They gave considerable trouble, as their intimate
acquaintance with the country made their deft dodges for prolonging
the game of hide-and-seek highly successful. Still, in spite of their
evasive tactics, 125 were taken and seven killed or wounded.
OPERATIONS IN CAPE COLONY
General French, whose headquarters were at Middelburg, by his vigorous
measures to check the invasion, had so far swept the central districts
of the Colony that a large number of troops were freed to hunt the
south-western and north-eastern areas. On the 11th Lotter was
executed, and curiously enough on the same date the arrant raider and
desperate rebel Scheepers was captured by a patrol of the 10th Hussars
under Captain Shearman, at Koppie's Kraal, where he had been left too
ill to proceed. On his recovery he was tried on various charges, and
sentenced to death. As his case aroused considerable interest, a short
report of the trial is appended.
The Court sat at Graaff Reinet on December 18, 1901, and there were
sixteen charges brought against the prisoner--seven of murder, one of
attempted murder, one of placing prisoners in firing line, one of
ill-treating prisoners, three of flogging (one being a British subject
and two natives), one of destroying railways, one of train-wrecking,
and one including fifteen charges of arson.
The one charge on which the finding of "Not guilty" was returned was
the fifth, which related to the case of two scouts named John Jackspan
and Johannes Rooji, who were shot in September at Wildepaardefontein,
Montagu district. These men were shot, but the evidence went to show
that it was by the order of Commandant Van der Merwe, Scheepers being
on the farm at the time lying ill in a cart.
The first charge of murder on which a verdict of guilty was returned
was that of shooting two natives named Jacob Fillis and Kiedo,
captured when scouting in September at Secretaris Kraal; the second
was a charge of shooting a Kaffir policeman named Moycwka at Brakwater
in January 1901; the third was that of shooting a native, name
unknown, at Uitkomot, in March; the fourth was that of shooting a
native scout named James at Brighton in August; the sixth was the
shooting of a native named John Kennedy in the Worcester district in
September; and the seventh the shooting of Zederas, a native, at Kruis
River, the victim being first sjamboked. This was also in September.
The other charges were fully proved. In all fifty-two witnesses were
called for the prosecution.
Apart from two witnesses whom he called, Commandant Scheepers gave
evidence himself. He said his name was Gideon Jacobus Scheepers, that
he was a Free State Burgher, and head of the Heliographic Department
at Bloemfontein.
"I surrendered on the 10th October 1901, and at that time I
occupied the position of commandant in the combined forces of
the late South African Republic and Orange Free State. I was
promoted to the rank of commandant in the month of March last,
but through some cause which I do not know of the formal
appointment only reached me in August last. Previous to this I
held the rank of captain. On 15th November 1900, I and the
troops to which I belong came into the Cape Colony under
General De Wet's command, but General De Wet did not himself
come into this colony at that time. While we were with
Commandant Kruitzinger he was in chief command, but as soon as
the forces divided I was in chief command of my division.
Before I came into the Cape Colony, on above date, there was a
council of war held in the Free State, composed of all the
chief officers in command. At this council of war propositions
were made and carried that a letter should be written to Lord
Kitchener drawing his attention to the destruction by fire and
otherwise of property in the Free State and Transvaal, saying
that if this destruction did not cease the officers in command
of troops invading the Cape Colony would after a while receive
instructions to proceed with destruction in the colony of all
properties belonging to persons not friendly to the Republics.
Prior to this letter, one to the same intent and conveying the
same information had been written to Lord Roberts. In March
last proclamations issued by General De Wet and signed by
ex-President Steyn reached me, and the contents thereof was an
instruction to the officers in the Cape Colony to treat all
persons not on friendly terms with the Republics to the same
destruction of property as had been done by the British in the
Free State and Transvaal. I saw a copy of this proclamation in
one of the Graaff Reinet newspapers. My instructions and
proclamations I have handed over to my successor."
The prisoner then dealt with the various charges in detail, declaring
in respect of some that he had given no orders, as to others that the
men were shot after sentence by courts-martial, and that they were
spies. As to the destruction of railways, the train-wrecking, and the
burning of farms, he pleaded that he was only carrying out the
instructions of his superior officers. He vehemently denied having
ill-treated his prisoners.
[Illustration: GENERAL MAP OF THE EASTERN PORTION OF CAPE COLONY]
In the course of the trial the following telegram was received by the
president:
"_December 21st, 1901._
"Can fact that Scheepers spared my son's life--Grant, 12th
Lancers--in time of great excitement, September twenty-third,
be pleaded in mitigation of sentence if sentenced? Please
forward this to confirming office.
GRANT, Monymusk."
In reference to this telegram, Scheepers said:--
"Lieutenant Grant, 12th Lancers, as far as I have seen, has
done the bravest deed ever done by a British officer. It was
south-east of Oudtshoorn, along the Commanassie River, after
having wounded two and captured eight of my men, as he was
crossing the river I came upon him with four men. I shouted to
him, 'Hands up!' He was in the water on the point of crossing
the river, and as I shouted to him 'Hands up!' he paid no
attention. When I shouted to him a second time, 'Surrender, or
I'll shoot you down,' the four men with me pointed their guns
at him, when he dropped his gun and revolver and surrendered.
The men with me wanted to shoot him down, as he had wounded two
of my men; I ordered them not to do so. I ultimately captured
him and took him to a house and gave him a bed, and liberated
him." He also claimed that the one thousand three hundred
prisoners he had taken had been treated well.
Scheepers was found guilty, after five days' trial, on all charges
except the one of murder mentioned, and sentenced to death. The
sentence was confirmed by Lord Kitchener about a fortnight later, on
January 14, 1902, and the prisoner was shot at Graaff Reinet on
January 18, 1902.
Colonels Crabbe and Kavanagh hunted from Oudtshoorn to the north-west
Smuts', Bonwer's, and Pyper's rovers. Colonels Haig and Lukin engaged
in an animated chase, here, there, and everywhere, after Van der
Venter and his band of marauders, and at last the vigilant Lukin, on
the 21st of October, had the happiness of surprising the quarry six
miles south-west of New Bethesda. Fourteen prisoners were taken, and
one Boer lost his life in the affray. The rest of the party, as they
escaped westward on the 24th, were engaged by Colonel Scobell, who had
been chasing Smuts out of the Aberdeen district.
The month ended with combined operations for purging the place of the
commandos of Maritz, Smit, and Theron, and driving these undesirable
elements into the remote districts beyond Calvinia. In these lively
proceedings Colonels Capper and Wyndham and Captain Wormald were
engaged, and by the end of October they had reached the line Lambert's
Bay, Clanwilliam.
Colonel Monro's column, after covering the construction of a line of
blockhouses from Stormberg to Queenstown, commenced, in conjunction
with a force under Colonel Scobell, to hunt the enemy north of
Dordrecht. Meanwhile another line of blockhouses from De Aar to
Beaufort West was concluded, thus adding materially to the security of
the main line. The Proclamation of Martial Law at Cape ports was now
deemed necessary, and regulations were made by the Colonial Government
and the Commander-in-Chief with a view to minimising interference with
legitimate trade, preventing inconvenience to law-abiding persons;
adequate powers were secured for the military authorities to enable
them to deal with the plots and intrigues of Boer spies, sympathisers
at seaport towns, and to close to them this source of supply of
munitions of war. The previous non-existence of Martial Law had
enabled the enemy and his agents to carry on in security the
introduction of foreign recruits and communications with Europe.
[Illustration: GENERAL SIR BINDON BLOOD.
Photo Elliott & Fry, London.]
FOOTNOTES:
[8] Colonel Benson, who has died of the wounds received in the attack,
had played an active part in the present campaign, and had
accomplished much good work. He belonged to the Royal Artillery,
served in the Soudan, and was present in the engagement of Hasheen,
where he was slightly wounded, and at the destruction of Tamai. He
also took part in the expedition to Ashanti under Sir Francis Scott in
1895, and went with the Dongola Expedition under Lord Kitchener in
1896 as brigade-major of the mounted corps. He was twice mentioned in
despatches, and was granted several decorations.
[9] Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Davis Guinness, R.A., was the eldest
son of the late Mr. Thomas Hosea Guinness, who married Mary, heiress
of Mr. Charles Davis, of Coolmanna, county Carlow. He was educated at
Eton, became lieutenant in the Royal Artillery February 18, 1880;
captain on January 19, 1888; and major on September 23, 1897. He
married in 1889 the Hon. Lucy Matilda, eldest daughter of the sixth
Lord Massy, and leaves a son, Hugh Spencer, who was born in 1890.