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[Illustration: "ALL THAT WAS LEFT OF THEM."
THE BLACK WATCH AFTER THE BATTLE OF MAGERSFONTEIN.
From the Drawing by R. Caton Woodville.]
SOUTH AFRICA
AND THE
TRANSVAAL WAR
BY
LOUIS CRESWICKE
AUTHOR OF "ROXANE," ETC.
WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS
IN SIX VOLUMES
VOL. II.--FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR TO
THE BATTLE OF COLENSO, 15TH DEC. 1899
EDINBURGH: T. C. & E. C. JACK
1900
CONTENTS--VOL. II.
PAGE
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE vii
CHAPTER I
THE CRISIS AT HOME 1
IN SOUTH AFRICA 2
THE OCCUPATION OF DUNDEE 7
THE BATTLE OF GLENCOE 14
ELANDSLAAGTE 20
THE RETREAT FROM DUNDEE 32
SIR W. PENN SYMONS--GLENCOE 35
THE BATTLE OF REITFONTEIN 36
LADYSMITH 38
THE BATTLE OF LOMBARD'S KOP 41
THE DISASTER OF NICHOLSON'S NEK 45
THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH 51
CHAPTER II
THE SIEGE OF MAFEKING 55
KIMBERLEY 64
CHAPTER III
NATAL 70
THE INVASION OF CAPE COLONY 76
THE BATTLE OF BELMONT 86
THE BATTLE OF GRASPAN 92
THE BATTLE OF MODDER RIVER 97
AFTER THE FIGHT 108
CHAPTER IV
THE INVESTMENT OF LADYSMITH 110
ESTCOURT 119
ARMOURED TRAIN DISASTER AT CHIEVELEY 121
ESTCOURT 126
THE FIGHT ON BEACON HILL 132
LADYSMITH 135
ESTCOURT AND FRERE 139
SURPRISES AT LADYSMITH 145
FRERE CAMP 151
CHAPTER V
ACTIVITY AT THE CAPE 154
WITH GENERAL GATACRE 159
THE REVERSE AT STORMBERG 163
AT THE MODDER RIVER 168
THE BATTLE OF MAJESFONTEIN 171
CHAPTER VI
CHIEVELEY CAMP 187
THE BATTLE OF COLENSO 188
FACSIMILE OF MS. OF MR. RUDYARD KIPLING'S WAR POEM "THE
ABSENT-MINDED BEGGAR" 203
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS--VOL. II.
CHART SHOWING STAFF APPOINTMENTS MADE
AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR _At front_
1. _COLOURED PLATES_
PAGE
"ALL THAT WAS LEFT OF THEM."
The Black Watch after the Battle of Majesfontein.
By R. Caton Woodville _Frontispiece_
OFFICER OF THE 9TH LANCERS 38
SERGEANT, KING'S ROYAL RIFLES 80
PRIVATE AND CORPORAL OF THE GORDON HIGHLANDERS 96
SERGEANT AND PRIVATE OF THE DUBLIN FUSILIERS 102
SIGHTING A NAVAL FIELD GUN 128
SERGEANTS OF THE ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY WITH
A 12-POUNDER 144
SERGEANT-MAJOR OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES LANCERS 154
2. _FULL-PAGE PLATES_
THE OUTBREAK OF WAR--THE DRAKENBERG MOUNTAINS 6
THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR--TRANSPORT LEAVING
ENGLAND FOR THE CAPE 16
THE BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE 26
BEFORE LADYSMITH--HORSE ARTILLERY GALLOPING
TO TAKE UP A NEW POSITION 42
LADYSMITH, NATAL 54
NIGHT SORTIE FROM MAFEKING 64
THE BATTLE OF BELMONT 90
THE BATTLE OF MODDER RIVER 106
SCENE ON THE TUGELA 112
REPELLING AN ATTACK FROM THE TRENCHES AROUND
LADYSMITH 138
FROM FRERE TO CHIEVELEY 150
STORMBERG PASS 160
THE MODDER RIVER 172
THE BATTLE OF COLENSO--QUEEN'S (ROYAL WEST
SURREY) REGIMENT LEADING THE CENTRAL ATTACK 188
THE BATTLE OF COLENSO--THE DUBLIN FUSILIERS
ATTEMPT TO FORD THE TUGELA 192
THE BATTLE OF COLENSO--THE LAST DESPERATE
ATTEMPT TO SAVE THE GUNS 198
3. _FULL-PAGE PORTRAITS_
LIEUT.-GENERAL J. D. P. FRENCH 22
MAJOR-GENERAL SIR W. PENN SYMONS, K.C.B. 32
GENERAL JOUBERT 48
COLONEL ROBERT S. S. BADEN-POWELL,
the Defender of Mafeking 58
RIGHT HON. SIR REDVERS HENRY BULLER,
K.C.B., V.C. 74
LIEUT.-GENERAL LORD METHUEN, C.B. 86
GENERAL SIR GEORGE STEWART WHITE, V.C.,
G.C.B., the Defender of Ladysmith 118
MAJOR-GENERAL ANDREW G. WAUCHOPE, C.B. 176
4. _MAPS AND ENGRAVINGS IN THE TEXT_
COLOURED MAP OF SEAT OF WAR _At Front_
MAP OF NORTHERN NATAL 9
POSITION OF FORCES BEFORE THE BATTLE OF GLENCOE 15
THE BATTLE OF GLENCOE 17
POSITION OF FORCES BEFORE THE BATTLE OF
ELANDSLAAGTE, NOON 21
PLAN OF BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE 25
MAP OF LADYSMITH AND SURROUNDING HEIGHTS 42
THE CREUSOT QUICK-FIRING FIELD GUN, OR
"LONG TOM" 44
4.7-INCH NAVAL GUN ON IMPROVISED MOUNTING 52
12-POUNDER NAVAL GUN ON IMPROVISED CARRIAGE 52
15-POUNDER FIELD GUN 62
AN ARMOURED TRAIN 68
THE MAXIM GUN 79
LORD METHUEN'S LINE OF ADVANCE 87
PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF BELMONT 90
PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF MODDER RIVER 101
COMPLETE MACHINE GUN DETACHMENT OF MOUNTED
INFANTRY 118
THE 5-INCH HOWITZER OR SIEGE GUN 127
FACSIMILE OF PAGE OF NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN
LADYSMITH DURING THE SIEGE 137
TELEGRAPH SECTION OF THE ROYAL ENGINEERS 144
4.7 NAVAL GUN ON CAPT. PERCY SCOTT'S
IMPROVISED CARRIAGE 154
MAP ILLUSTRATING THE OPERATIONS ON THE SOUTH
OF THE ORANGE RIVER 164
BATTLE OF MAJESFONTEIN 174
SKETCH PLAN OF POSITIONS AT MAJESFONTEIN 176
SKETCH PLAN OF BATTLE OF COLENSO 191
MAP SHOWING THE ATTEMPTED PASSAGE OF THE RIVER
BY GENERAL BULLER ON DECEMBER 15 194
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE--VOL. II.
OCTOBER.
11.--Boer Ultimatum time-limit expired. Great Britain commenced to
be at war with Transvaal and Orange Free State.
12.--Text of Great Britain's reply to Boer Ultimatum issued. It
stated that the conditions demanded were such as her
Majesty's Government deemed it impossible to discuss.
Mr. Conyngham Greene recalled.
Armoured train captured by Boers near Mafeking.
Colonel Baden-Powell moved a large force outside Mafeking, and
took up a strong defensive position.
13.--Newcastle abandoned.
14.--Sir R. Buller and Staff left England.
15.--Boers occupied Newcastle.
16.--Dundee evacuated.
17.--Parliament opened.
Successful sortie by Colonel Baden-Powell from Mafeking.
Armoured train in action near Kimberley during reconnaissance.
18.--Mr. Balfour announced that the Militia and Militia Reserves
were to be called out.
19.--Transvaal flag hoisted at Vryburg.
20.--Boers repulsed by British at Talana Hill (Glencoe).
21.--General French, with about 2000 men, attacked a Boer force
under General Kock at Elandslaagte.
22.--General Symons promoted to be Major-General.
General Yule retired from Dundee on Ladysmith.
23.--Death of General Symons.
Mafeking bombarded.
Transvaal National Bank seized at Durban.
24.--Sir George White engaged Boers at Reitfontein.
Services accepted of Sir William M'Cormac, President of the
Royal College of Surgeons, to attend the wounded.
26.--Generals Yule and White joined forces at Ladysmith.
Bombardment of Mafeking commenced.
28.--Boers were closing round Ladysmith.
Proclamation issued declaring the Boer "commandeering" of
certain portions of Cape Colony null.
30.--Engagement at Lombard's Kop.
Sir George White sent out from Ladysmith to Nicholson's Nek a
Mountain Battery, with the Irish Fusiliers and the
Gloucesters, to turn the enemy's right flank. Mules, with
guns and reserve ammunition, stampeded into enemy's lines.
After gallantly defending their position for six hours, men's
ammunition was exhausted, and about 800 were captured. Naval
Brigade did excellent work.
31.--Sir Redvers Buller landed at Cape Town.
NOVEMBER.
1.--Boers invaded Cape Colony.
2.--Free Staters' position at Besters brilliantly taken by
cavalry. Boers lost heavily; our casualties slight. Boers
treacherously used white flag.
Colenso evacuated by the British.
Arrangements for a supplementary Naval Brigade completed.
Orders issued for mobilising the Militia.
3.--Naauwpoort and Stormberg evacuated by the British garrisons.
5.--Death of Commander Egerton, of _Powerful_.
6.--Ladysmith isolated.
9.--Boers attacked Ladysmith, and repulsed with heavy loss.
Orders issued for mobilisation of a Fifth Division.
10.--Engagement of Belmont. Colonel Keith Falconer killed.
11.--Captain Percy Scott, of H.M.S. _Terrible_, appointed
commandant of the forces defending Durban.
12.--Lord Methuen arrived at Orange River.
14.--Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Warren appointed to command
the Fifth Division for service in South Africa.
15.--Armoured train wrecked by Boers near Frere. Mr. Winston
Churchill and a number of Dublin Fusiliers and Volunteers
captured.
Boers defeated at Estcourt.
16.--Fighting near Orange River.
17-22.--Transports arrived at Cape Town with 22,000 troops.
20.--Lord Methuen's force reached Witteputts.
23.--Lord Methuen attacked Boers at Belmont.
Boers routed at Willow Grange.
25.--Lord Methuen engaged the Boers at Graspan (Enslin), and after
four hours' hard fighting carried position.
26.--Mooi River Column joined at Frere by General Hildyard.
28.--Lord Methuen engaged enemy, 8000 strong, at Modder River, and
after ten hours' desperate fighting, drove them back.
30.--Sixth Division for South Africa notified.
DECEMBER.
2.--General Clery reached Frere.
3.--Transport _Ismore_ wrecked 180 miles north of Cape Town--all
troops landed.
6.--Sortie from Kimberley. Major Scott Turner killed.
7.--Arundel occupied by British.
8.--British sortie from Ladysmith, Lombard's Kop being carried.
9.--General Gatacre sustained serious reverse at Stormberg, having
been misled by guides.
Lieutenant-Colonel Metcalfe, 2nd Rifle Brigade, with 500 men
from Ladysmith, captured Surprise Hill, destroying a
howitzer.
10.--General French drove the enemy from Vaal Kop.
11.--Lord Methuen attacked 12,000 Boers entrenched at Majesfontein,
but attack failed, although British troops held their
position. Major-General Wauchope, Major Lord Winchester, and
Colonel Downman killed.
13.--General French defeated 1800 Boers between Arundel and
Naauwpoort. British loss, 1 killed, 8 wounded.
14.--Orders given for the mobilisation of a Sixth Division, and a
Seventh in reserve.
Sir Charles Warren and Staff arrived at the Cape.
15.--General Buller suffered a serious reverse at Colenso, troops
having to retire to Chieveley, leaving behind 11 guns.
General Hector Macdonald appointed to succeed General
Wauchope.
CHART OF STAFF APPOINTMENTS MADE AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR, AS
ISSUED BY THE WAR OFFICE, 7TH OCTOBER, 1899.
LINES OF COMMUNICATION.
The Lines of Communication will be under the general command and
direction of Lieut.-General Sir F. W. E. F. Forestier-Walker, K.C.B.,
C.M.G.
The following Officers will be employed and will have the Staff position
shown opposite their names:--
Names of Officers Selected. Staff Position.
Colonel H. H. Settle, C.B., Colonel on Staff.
D.S.O., p.s.c.
Captain F. A. Molony, p.s.c., Staff Officer to Colonel on
R.E. Staff.
Colonel J. W. Murray, p.s.c. Colonel on Staff.
Colonel W. D. Richardson, C.B. Deputy Adjutant-General for
Supplies and Transport.
Lieut.-Colonel F. F. Johnson, Staff Officer to Deputy
Army Service Corps Adjutant-General for
Supplies and Transport.
Brevet-Colonel C. H. Bridge, Deputy Adjutant-General
C.B., Army Service Corps for Transport.
Brevet-Major (local Director of Railways.[A]
Lieut.-Colonel) E. P. C.
Girouard, D.S.O., R.E.
Captain H. G. Joly de Staff Officer to Director of
Lotbiniere, R.E. Railways.
Captain (local Major) J. H. \
Twiss, R.E. } Assistant Directors of
Captain (local Major) V. } Railways.[B]
Murray, R.E. /
Major J. E. Capper, R.E. \ Deputy-Assistant Directors
Captain H. C. Manton, R.E. } of Railways.
Capt. W. D. Waghorn, R.E. /
Major (local Lieut.-Colonel)
A. E. Wrottesley, R.E. Director of Telegraphs.[A]
Colonel R. S. R. \
Fetherstonhaugh, h.p. }
Brevet-Colonel C. P. Ridley, }
2nd Bn. Manchester Regt. }
Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel P. T. }
Rivett-Carnac, 1st Bn. } Station Commandants.[A]
West Riding Regt. }
Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel H. P. }
Shekleton, p.s.c., 1st Bn. }
South Lancashire Regt. /
Capt. J. G. Baldwin, Royal \
Garrison Artillery }
Captain A. E. Lascelles, 2nd } Staff Officers to Station
Bn. Norfolk Regt. } Commandants.[C]
Captain C. R. Ballard, 1st }
Bn. Norfolk Regt. }
Captain C. V. C. Hobart, }
D.S.O., 2nd Bn. Grenadier }
Guards /
Brevet-Colonel E. W. D. Ward, \
C.B., Army Service Corps. } Assistant
Col. J. K. Trotter, C.M.G., } Adjutant-Generals.
p.s.c. }
Lieut.-Col. F. W. Bennet, R.E. }
Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel H. M. }
Lawson, p.s.c., R.E. /
Lieut.-Colonel S. H. Winter, \
Army Service Corps }
Lieut.-Colonel W. R. Winter, }
Army Service Corps }
Lieut.-Col. R. B. M'Comb, }
Army Service Corps } Deputy-Assistant
Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel F. W. B. } Adjutant-Generals.
Landon, Army Service Corps }
Major J. H. Poett, p.s.c., }
2nd Bn. Dorsetshire Regt. }
Major C. Rawnsley, Army }
Service Corps }
Major R. B. Gaisford, p.s.c., }
Royal Scots Fusiliers }
Brevet-Major E. G. T. }
Bainbridge, 2nd Bn. East Kent }
Regt. }
Major R. C. B. Haking, p.s.c., }
Hampshire Regt. }
Major A. W. Thorneycroft, }
2nd Bn. Royal Scots }
Fusiliers }
Captain E. H. Hughes, p.s.c., }
1st Bn. York and Lancaster }
Regt. }
Captain G. S. St Aubyn, King's }
Royal Rifle Corps /
Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel J. Adye, \
p.s.c., Royal Garrison }
Artillery }
Major H. N. C. Heath, p.s.c., }
Yorkshire Light Infantry }
Brevet-Major C. J. Mackenzie, }
1st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders }
Major R. L. Walter, 7th Hussars }
Major E. F. Gosset, p.s.c., }
2nd Bn. East Yorkshire Regt. }
Brevet-Major A. G. }
Hunter-Weston, R.E. }
Major G. D. Baker, p.s.c., }
Royal Garrison Artillery }
Major E. S. C. Kennedy, West } General Duty.
India Regt. }
Captain A. W. Elles, 2nd Bn. }
Yorkshire Light Infantry }
Captain E. St G. Pratt, 1st }
Bn. Durham Light Infantry }
Capt. C. B. Jervis-Edwards, }
1st Bn. Duke of Cornwall's }
Light Infantry }
Captain F. B. Maurice, }
Derbyshire Regt. }
Lieutenant W. M. C. Vandeleur, }
2nd Bn. Essex Regt. }
Lieutenant G. P. Appleby, }
1st Bn. Bedfordshire Regt. }
Lieutenant F. S. Reeves, 1st }
Bn. East Kent Regt. /
COLERIDGE GROVE, M.S.
WAR OFFICE, _4th October 1899_.
_Note._--The above list only shows the Officers employed on Staff duties
on the Lines of Communication. It does not show those employed on
medical, ordnance, clerical, supply, pay, &c., services.--C. G.
FOOTNOTES:
[A] Graded as Assistant Adjutant-Generals.
[B] Graded as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals.
[C] Graded as Staff Captains.
NATAL FIELD FORCE.
Staff Position. Names of Officers Selected.
General Officer Commanding Lieutenant-General Sir G. S.
(Lieut.-General on Staff) White, V.C., G.C.B.,
G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E.
Assistant Military Secretary Colonel B. Duff, C.I.E.,
p.s.c., Indian Staff Corps.
Aides-de-Camp (2) Captain R. G. Brooke, D.S.O.,
7th Hussars.
Captain F. Lyon, R.F.A.
Assistant Adjutant-General Colonel I. S. M. Hamilton,
C.B., D.S.O.
Deputy-Assistant (_a_) Major F. Hammersley,
Adjutant-Generals p.s.c., Lancashire Fusiliers.
(_b_) Major E. R. O. Ludlow,
p.s.c., Army Service Corps.
Officer Commanding Royal Lieut.-Colonel and Brevet-Col.
Artillery C. J. Long, R.H.A.
Commanding Royal Engineer Lieut.-Colonel W. F. N. Noel,
(Colonel on Staff) R.E.
Principal Medical Officer Lieut.-Colonel R. Exham,
R.A.M.C.
Medical Officer Major J. F. Bateson, M.B.,
R.A.M.C.
Chaplains (2) Rev. L. J. Matthews (R.C.)
Rev. E. G. Macpherson, B.A.
Assistant Provost-Marshal[D] Major A. G. Chichester, 1st
Bn. Royal Irish Regt.
Signalling Officer Captain J. S. Cayzer, 7th
Dragoon Guards.
FOOTNOTES:
[D] Graded as a Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General.
4TH DIVISION.
Staff Position. Names of Officers Selected.
General Officer Commanding Colonel (local Lieut.-General)
(Lieut.-General on Staff) Sir W. P. Symons, K.C.B.
Aides-de-Camp (2)
Assistant Adjutant-General Colonel C. E. Beckett, C.B., p.s.c.
Deputy-Assistant (_a_) Major and
Adjutant-Generals Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel Sir
H. S. Rawlinson, Bart.,
p.s.c., 2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards.
(_b_) Captain T. D. Foster,
Army Service Corps.
7TH BRIGADE.
Major-General Colonel (local Major-General)
F. Howard, C.B., C.M.G.,
A.D.C.
Aide-de-Camp Captain H. E. Vernon,
D.S.O., 4th Bn. Rifle
Brigade.
Brigade-Major Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel Hon.
C. G. Fortescue, C.M.G.,
p.s.c., Rifle Brigade.
8TH BRIGADE.
Major-General \
Aide-de-Camp } To be nominated locally.
Brigade-Major /
3RD CAVALRY BRIGADE.
Major-General Colonel (local Major-General)
J. F. Brocklehurst, M.V.O.
Aide-de-Camp Lieutenant H. W. Viscount
Crichton, Royal Horse
Guards.
Brigade-Major Captain G. P. Wyndham, p.s.c.,
16th Lancers.
COLERIDGE GROVE, M.S.
WAR OFFICE, _3rd October 1899_.
STAFF OF 1ST ARMY CORPS.
Staff Position. Names of Officers Selected.
General Officer Commanding General Rt. Hon. Sir R. H.
Army Corps (General Buller, V.C., G.C.B.,
Commanding-in-Chief) K.C.M.G.
Military Secretary Colonel Hon. F. W. Stopford,
C.B., p.s.c.
Aides-de-Camp (4) Captain H. N. Schofield, R.A.
Captain C. J. Sackville-West,
King's Royal Rifle Corps.
Lieutenant A. R. Trotter, 2nd
Life Guards.
2nd Lieut. C. A. Howard,
Shropshire Light Infantry.
Chief of the General Staff Major-General Sir A. Hunter,
(Major-General on Staff) K.C.B., D.S.O.
Aide-de-Camp Brevet-Major A. J. Kings,
Royal Lancaster Regt.
Deputy Adjutant-General Colonel A. S. Wynne, C.B.
Assistant Adjutant-Generals Colonel H. S. G. Miles, M.V.O.,
(2) p.s.c.
Colonel C. W. H. Douglas,
A.D.C.
Deputy-Assistant (_a_) Lieut.-Colonel C. a
Adjutant-Generals (4) Court, p.s.c.
(_a_) Major L. E. Kiggell,
p.s.c., Royal Warwickshire
Regt.
(_b_) Major P. J. Lewis, Army
Service Corps.
(_b_) Major A. H. Thomas,
Army Service Corps.
Commandant, Head-Quarters[E] Colonel R. Pole-Carew, C.B.,
h.p.
Principal Medical Officer Surgeon-General W. D. Wilson,
M.B.
Medical Officers Major W. G. A. Bedford, M.B.,
R.A.M.C.
Captain M. L. Hughes, R.A.M.C.
Provost Marshal[E] Major Hon. J. H. G. Byng,
p.s.c., 10th Hussars.
Intelligence Duties--
Assistant Adjutant-General Major E. A. Altham, p.s.c.,
(1) Royal Scots.
Deputy-Assistant Major H. J. Evans, p.s.c.,
Adjutant-Generals (2) Liverpool Regiment.
Captain Hon. F. Gordon,
p.s.c., Gor. Highlanders.
Deputy-Assistant
Adjutant-General for Lieut.-Colonel W. W. C.
Topography Verner, p.s.c.
Commanding Royal Artillery Colonel (local Major-Gen.)
(Major-General on Staff) G. H. Marshall.
Staff Officer, Royal Artillery Major H. C. Sclater, R.A.
Aide-de-Camp, R.A. Captain A. D. Kirby, R.F.A.
Chief Engineer (Major-General Colonel (local Major-Gen.) E.
on Staff) Wood, C.B.
Staff Officer, Royal Engineers Major E. H. Bethell, p.s.c.,
Royal Engineers.
Aide-de-Camp, Royal Engineers Brevet-Major R. S. Curtis,
Royal Engineers.
Military Mounted Police[F] Brevet-Major R. M. Poore, 7th
Hussars.
Press Censor[F] Major W. D. Jones, p.s.c.,
Wiltshire Regt.
Principal Chaplain Rev. E. H. Goodwin, B.A.
Director of Signalling[E] Major (local Lieut.-Colonel)
E. Rhodes, D.S.O., Royal
Berks Regt.
Chief Ordnance Officer Colonel R. F. N. Clarke, Army
Ord. Department.
Principal Veterinary Officer Veterinary Lieut.-Colonel I. Matthews,
Army Veterinary Department.
Orderly Veterinary Officer
CORPS TROOPS.
Officer Commanding Corps Colonel C. M. H. Downing.
Artillery (Colonel on Staff)
Adjutant Captain E. S. E. W. Russell,
Royal Field Artillery.
Officer Commanding Royal Horse Lieut.-Colonel W. L. Davidson,
Artillery Royal Horse Artillery.
Adjutant, R.H.A. Captain G. W. Biddulph, Royal
Horse Artillery.
Officer Commanding F.A. (I.) Lieut.-Colonel J. S. S.
Barker, p.s.c., R.F.A.
Adjutant Captain E. J. Duffus, R.F.A.
Officer Commanding Field Lieut.-Colonel P. C. E.
Artillery (II.) Newbigging, R.F.A.
Adjutant Captain E. C. Cameron, Royal
Field Artillery.
Officer Commanding Corps Lieut.-Colonel C. A.
Troops, Royal Engineers Rochfort-Boyd, R.E.
Adjutant Lieut. S. D. Barrow, R.E.
FOOTNOTES:
[E] Graded as Assistant Adjutant-General.
[F] Graded as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals.
1ST ARMY CORPS--1ST DIVISION.
Staff Position. Names of Officers Selected.
General Officer Commanding Lieut.-General P. S. Lord
(Lieut.-General on Staff) Methuen, K.C.V.O., C.B.,
C.M.G.
Aides-de-Camp (2) Major H. Streatfield,
Grenadier Guards.
Captain J. A. Bell-Smyth,
1st Dragoon Guards.
Assistant Adjutant-General Colonel R. B. Mainwaring,
C.M.G.
Deputy-Assistant (_a_) Brevet Lieut.-Colonel
Adjutant-Generals H. P. Northcott, C.B.,
p.s.c., Leinster Regt.
(_b_) Major R. H. L. Warner,
p.s.c., Army Service Corps.
Assistant-Provost-Marshall[G] Captain R. J. Ross, 1st Bn.
Middlesex Regt.
Chaplains (2) Rev. T. F. Falkner, M.A.
Rev. E. M. Morgan (R.C.)
Principal Medical Officer Colonel E. Townsend, C.B.,
M.D., R.A.M.C.
Medical Officer Major C. H. Burtchaell, M.B.,
R.A.M.C.
Divisional Signalling Officer Lieut. Hon. E. D. Loch,
D.S.O., 1st Bn. Grenadier
Guards.
1ST BRIGADE.
Major-General Major-General Sir H. E.
Colvile, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Aide-de-Camp Captain G. C. Nugent,
Grenadier Guards.
Brigade-Major Captain H. G. Ruggles-Brise,
p.s.c., Grenadier Guards.
2ND BRIGADE.
Major-General Major-General H. J. T.
Hildyard, C.B., p.s.c.
Aide-de-Camp Lieut. A. Blair, King's Own
Scottish Borderers.
Brigade-Major Major L. Munro, p.s.c.,
Hampshire Regt.
FOOTNOTES:
[G] Graded as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General.
1ST ARMY CORPS--2ND DIVISION.
Staff Position. Names of Officers Selected.
General Officer Commanding Major-General (Local
(Lieut.-General on Staff) Lieut.-General) Sir C. F.
Clery, K.C.B., p.s.c.
Aides-de-Camp (2) Major F. E. Cooper, Royal
Artillery, p.s.c.
Captain L. Parke, Durham Light
Infantry.
Assistant Adjutant-General Major and Bt.-Colonel B. M.
Hamilton, p.s.c., East
Yorkshire Regiment.
Deputy-Assistant (_a_) Captain H. E. Gogarty,
Adjutant-General p.s.c., Royal Scots
Fusiliers.
(_b_) Captain W. G. B. Boyce,
Army Service Corps.
Assistant Provost-Marshal[H] Major G. F. Ellison, p.s.c.,
Royal Warwickshire Regt.
Chaplains (2) Rev. A. A. L. Gedge, B.A.
Rev. J. Robertson (P.).
Principal Medical Officer Colonel T. J. Gallwey, M.D.,
C.B., R.A.M.C.
Medical Officer Major W. Babtie, M.B., C.M.B.,
R.A.M.C.
Divisional Signalling Officer Lieut. J. S. Cavendish, 1st
Life Guards.
3RD BRIGADE.
Major-General Maj.-Gen. A. G. Wauchope,
C.B., C.M.G.
Aide-de-Camp Captain J. G. Rennie, R.H.
Brigade-Major Major and Bt.-Lieut.-Col. J. S.
Ewart, p.s.c., Cameron
Highlanders.
4TH BRIGADE.
Major-General Major-General Hon. N. G.
Lyttelton, C.B.
Aide-de-Camp Captain Hon. H. Yarde-Buller,
Rifle Brigade.
Brigade-Major Captain H. H. Wilson, p.s.c.,
Rifle Brigade.
FOOTNOTES:
[H] Graded as a Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General.
1ST ARMY CORPS--3RD DIVISION.
Staff Position. Names of Officers Selected.
General Officer Commanding Major-General (local Lieut.-Gen.)
(Lieut.-General on Staff) Sir W. F. Gatacre, K.C.B.,
D.S.O., p.s.c.
Aides-de-Camp (2) Lieutenant A. J. M'Neill, 1st
Bn. Seaforth Highlanders.
Assistant Adjutant-General Colonel R. E. Allen, p.s.c.
Deputy-Assistant (_a_) Lieut.-Colonel W. H. H.
Adjutant-Generals Waters, M.V.O., p.s.c.
(_b_) Major P. E. F.
Hobbs, Army Service Corps.
Assistant Provost-Marshal[I] Captain J. R. F. Sladen,
p.s.c., East Yorkshire Regt.
Chaplains (2) Rev. E. Ryan (R.C.)
Rev. R. Armitage, M.A.
Principal Medical Officer Lieut.-Colonel J. D. Edge,
M.D., R.A.M.C.
Medical Officer Maj. G. E. Twiss, R.A.M.C.
Divisional Signalling Officer Captain S. Fitz G. Cox, 2nd
Bn. Lincolnshire Regt.
5TH BRIGADE.
Major-General Major-General A. Fitzroy Hart,
C.B., p.s.c.
Aide-de-Camp Captain Hon. St L. H. Jervis,
King's Royal Rifle Corps.
Brigade-Major Major C. R. R. MacGrigor,
p.s.c., King's Royal Rifle
Corps.
6TH BRIGADE.
Major-General Major-General G. Barton, C.B.,
p.s.c.
Aide-de-Camp
Brigade-Major Captain J. A. E. MacBean,
D.S.O., p.s.c., Royal Dublin
Fusiliers.
FOOTNOTES:
[I] Graded as a Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General.
STAFF OF CAVALRY DIVISION.
Staff Position. Names of Officers Selected.
General Officer Commanding Col. (Lieut.-General) J. D. P. French.
(Lieut.-General on Staff)
Aides-de-Camp (2) Lieutenant J. P. Milbanke,
10th Hussars.
Assistant Adjutant-General Colonel Hon. G. H. Gough,
C.B., p.s.c.
Deputy-Assistant (_a_) Major D. Haig, p.s.c., 7th
Adjutant-Generals Hussars.
(_b_) Major G. O. Welch, Army Service
Corps.
Officer Commanding, Royal Horse Lieut.-Colonel F. J. W.
Artillery Eustace, R.H.A.
Adjutant, R.H.A. Capt. A. D'A. King, R.H.A.
Chaplain (1)[K] Rev. W. C. Haines
Principal Medical Officer Lieut.-Colonel W. Donovan,
Royal Army Medical Corps.
Medical Officer Major H. G. Hathaway,
Royal Army Med. Corps.
Assistant Provost-Marshal[L] Captain P. A. Kenna, V.C., 21st
Lancers.
Intelligence Department--
Deputy-Assistant Captain Hon. H. A. Lawrence,
Adjutant-General p.s.c., 17th Lancers.
1ST BRIGADE.
Major-General Col. (local Major-General)
J. M. Babington.
Aide-de-Camp Lieutenant F. W. Wormald, 7th
Hussars.
Brigade-Major Captain C. J. Briggs, 1st
Dragoon Guards.
Officer Commanding Mounted Major and Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel
Infantry[J] E. A. H. Alderson, p.s.c.,
Royal West Kent Regt.
Adjutant Mounted Infantry[L] Captain H. M'Micking, Royal
Scots.
2ND BRIGADE.
Major-General Colonel (local Major-Gen.)
J. P. Brabazon, C.B., A.D.C.
Aide-de-Camp Major Hon. C. E. Bingham, 1st
Life Guards.
Brigade-Major Captain Hon. T. W. Brand, 10th
Hussars.
Officer Commanding Mounted Captain and Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel
Infantry[J] R. J. Tudway, 2nd Bn. Essex
Regt.
Adjutant Mounted Infantry[L] Captain H. L. Ruck-Keene,
Oxford. Light Infantry.
FOOTNOTES:
[J] Graded as Assistant Adjutant-General.
[K] Will act for both Brigades.
[L] Graded as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals.
COLERIDGE GROVE, M.S.
_2nd October 1899._
SOUTH AFRICA AND THE TRANSVAAL WAR
CHAPTER I
THE CRISIS AT HOME
"Patience, long sick to death, is dead. Too long
Have sloth and doubt and treason bidden us be
What Cromwell's England was not, when the sea
To him bore witness, given of Blake, how strong
She stood, a commonweal that brooked no wrong
From foes less vile than men like wolves set free,
Whose war is waged where none may fight or flee--
With women and with weanlings. Speech and song
Lack utterance now for loathing. Scarce we hear
Foul tongues, that blacken God's dishonoured name
With prayers turned curses and with praise found shame,
Defy the truth whose witness now draws near
To scourge these dogs, agape with jaws afoam,
Down out of life. Strike, England, and strike home."
--ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE.
In the face of the insolent Ultimatum which had been addressed to Great
Britain by the South African Republic, the nation closed its ranks and
relegated party controversy to a more appropriate season. The British
people were temporarily in accord. A wave of indignation surged over the
country, and united men of different shades of politics and of varying
religious creeds, making them forget their private feuds, and remember
only the paramount fact that they were sons of the Empire. There were
some, it is true, who remained afar off--a few exceptions to prove the
rule of unanimity, beings with souls so dead that never to themselves
had said, "This is my own, my native land," and who yet looked upon the
Boer as an object of commiseration. But these were, first, men linked
either by birth or family ties with the Afrikander cause; second,
fractious Irishmen and political obstructionists who posed for notoriety
at any price; and, third, eccentrics and originals, whose sense of
opposition forbade them from floating at any time with the tide of
public opinion. Every one else cried aloud for a chance to uphold Great
Britain's prestige, and the War Office was so beset with applications
from volunteers for the front that it was found almost impossible even
to consider them. Nor was the excitement confined to officers alone.
Recruiting went on apace, and not only did recruits pour in, but
deserters, who had slunk away from regimental duty, now returned and
gave themselves up, praying to be allowed to suffer any penalty and then
march out to battle as soldiers of the Queen! Two Royal Proclamations
having been issued--the one directing the continuance in army service,
until discharged or transferred to the reserve, of soldiers whose term
of service had expired or was about to expire; the other, ordering the
army reserve to be called out on permanent service--some 25,000 men
received notice to rejoin the colours. These in large numbers promptly
appeared. The New South Wales Lancers, who had been going through a
course of cavalry training at Aldershot, at once volunteered their
services and started for the Cape amidst scenes of great enthusiasm.
Other colonial troops were as eager to join, and the spirit of military
rivalry throughout Her Majesty's dominions was both amazing and
inspiriting.
Queensland had the honour of opening the ball. Her sympathy with the
policy of Great Britain and her loyalty to the mother country was shown
in practical form. She intimated, in the event of hostilities, her
willingness to send 250 mounted infantry and a machine-gun to the front.
New Zealand followed suit; she also offered two companies of mounted
rifles fully equipped at the cost of the Colony. These offers were
gratefully accepted. Not to be behind-hand, Western Australia and
Tasmania made similar offers, and Her Majesty's Government gladly agreed
to accept one unit of 125 men from each. The Parliament of Victoria
voted the despatch of a contingent of 250 men to South Africa, and the
Governments of New South Wales and South Australia actively discussed
similar measures. This expression of Colonial public opinion, embodying
as it did the independent judgments of so many free juries, uninfluenced
by personal or direct interests, had a significance which, besides being
politically important, was eminently satisfactory. All Her Majesty's
dominions, on which the sun never sets, were at this critical moment
holding hands in a wide circle that encompassed the earth, and the
picture of the small mother country with all her big children gathered
around her in her hour of need was not one that the romance of history
can afford to disregard.
IN SOUTH AFRICA
Before hostilities had actually begun, refugees from Johannesburg began
to pour down to Natal and the Cape, and there were daily reports of
insults received by the Uitlanders at the hands of the Boers. Ladies
were spat upon, and passengers suffered indignities sufficient to make
an Englishman's blood boil. Fresh troops began to arrive from India, and
Sir George White, in a chorus of farewell shouts, "Remember Majuba,"
went off from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. This was on the 7th of October
1899. At that time the troops were thus distributed:--
At Pietermaritzburg--1st Battalion Manchester Regiment and
Mounted Infantry Company; 2nd Battalion King's Royal Rifle
Corps.
At Estcourt--Detachment Natal Naval Volunteers; Natal Royal
Rifles.
At Colenso--Durban Light Infantry.
At Ladysmith--5th Lancers; Detachment 19th Hussars; Brigade
Division, Royal Artillery; 10th Mountain Battery, Royal Garrison
Artillery; 23rd Company, Royal Engineers; 1st Battalion
Devonshire Regiment; 1st Battalion Liverpool Regiment, and
Mounted Infantry Company; 26th (two sections) British Field
Hospital, and Colonial troops.
At Glencoe--18th Hussars; Brigade Division, Royal Artillery;
1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, and Mounted Infantry
Company; 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, and Mounted
Infantry Company; 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and
Mounted Infantry Company; 6th Veterinary Field Hospital.
There was also one Company 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle
Corps at Eshowe, and a detachment of the Umvoti Mounted Rifles
at Helpmakaar.
Meanwhile, at Pretoria, the Boers, protesting at the notice taken of the
"chimerical grievances of the so-called Uitlanders," made energetic
efforts to appoint General Viljeon, a rabid anti-Briton, in place of
General Joubert as Commander-in-Chief of the Transvaal forces.
The troops under Commandant Cronje, the hero of Potchefstroom, advanced
nearer to the border, in the direction of Mafeking, and in the
expectation of attack, this town was securely fortified, while all the
women and children were advised to leave. The fortification of Kimberley
was also commenced. The European exodus from all quarters continued,
defenceless men and women alike being subjected to insult and
ill-treatment by the Boers. Mr. Kruger's birthday was kept at Pretoria
with general rejoicing, and on the following day a telegram was sent by
President Kruger to the _New York World_ saying:--
"Through the _World_ I thank the people of the United States
most sincerely for their sympathy. Last Monday the Republic
gave Great Britain forty-eight hours' notice within which to
give the Republic an assurance that the present dispute would
be settled by arbitration or other peaceful means, and that the
troops would be removed from the borders. This expires at five
to-day. The British Agent has been recalled. War is certain.
The Republics are determined, if they must belong to Great
Britain, that a price will have to be paid which will stagger
humanity. They have, however, full faith. The sun of liberty
will arise in South Africa as it arose in North America."
From this letter it was patent that Mr. Kruger was either pursuing his
policy of bluff, or had made long and elaborate preparations for war
with the British. On the same date an announcement was published in the
town of Pretoria:--
"GOVERNMENT HOUSE, _October 11_.
"Her Majesty's Agent at Pretoria was to-day instructed to make
the following communication to the Government of the South
African Republic: 'The Imperial Government have received with
great regret the peremptory demands of the Government of the
South African Republic conveyed in the telegram of October 9.
You will inform the Government of the South African Republic
that the conditions demanded by the Government of the South
African Republic are such as Her Majesty's Government deem it
impossible to discuss. With the delivery of the above,' the
Imperial Government add, 'as the Transvaal Government stated in
their Note that a refusal to comply with their demands would be
regarded as a formal declaration of war, the British Agent is
instructed to ask for his passports.'"
Of course, this news caused intense excitement, and all who had remained
sanguine of peace now gave up hope. At Bloemfontein President Steyn
simultaneously issued a Proclamation to the Burghers of the Free State.
He said that "the sister Republic is about to be attacked by an
unscrupulous enemy, who has long looked for a pretext to annihilate the
Afrikanders."
He went on to say that the people of the Orange Free State were bound to
the Transvaal by many ties, as well as by formal treaty, and solemnly
declared, in the presence of the Almighty, that they are compelled to
resist a powerful enemy owing to the injustice done to their kith and
kin.
Solemn obligations, continued the Proclamation, have not protected the
Transvaal against an annexation conspiracy. When its independence
ceases, the existence of the Orange Free State as an independent State
will be meaningless. Experience in the past has shown that no reliance
can be placed on the solemn promises and obligations of Great Britain
when the Administration at the helm is prepared to tread treaties under
foot.
After giving a historical sketch of the wrongs which he alleged had been
done to the Transvaal, President Steyn said: "The original Conventions
have been twisted and turned by Great Britain into a means of exercising
tyranny against the Transvaal, which has not returned the injustice done
to it in the past. No gratitude has been shown for the indulgence which
was granted to British subjects, who, according to law, had forfeited
their lives and property. Compliance with the British demands would be
equivalent to the loss of our independence, which has been gained by our
blood and tears. For many years British troops have been concentrating
on the borders of the Transvaal in order to compel it by terrorism to
comply with British claims. The crafty plans of those with whom love of
gold is the motive are now being realised. While acknowledging the
honour of thousands of Englishmen who abhor deeds of robbery and
violence, the Orange Free State execrates the wrongful deeds of a
British statesman."
After expressing confidence that the Almighty would help and aid them,
and counselling the Burghers to do nothing unworthy of Christians and
Burghers of the Free State, the President concluded with the following
words: "Burghers of the Free State, stand up as one man against the
oppressor and violator of right."
Meanwhile Sir George White, accompanied by Colonel Ian Hamilton
(Assistant Adjutant-General), Colonel Duff (Assistant Military
Secretary), Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry Rawlinson, and Captains Brooke
and Lyon, aides-de-camp, was proceeding on his journey to Ladysmith. The
principal British camps were situated near Glencoe Junction and
Ladysmith, and around these some twelve or fifteen thousand Boers were
reported to be stationed between Sandspruit, Volksrust, and
Wakkerstroom, while on the western side the Natal border was threatened
by the Orange Free State's forces, which were posted in the
neighbourhood of Van Reenen's Pass.
A Proclamation, signed by Sir Alfred Milner and Mr. Schreiner, was
issued in Cape Town, warning British subjects of their duty to the
Queen, while at the same time the German Consul-General officially
ordered his countrymen to remain neutral. A similar warning was given by
the German Consul to Germans in Johannesburg. Preparations were made for
the immediate landing of a Naval Brigade from the British battleships in
Simon's Bay, and volunteers of all kinds hurried to tender their
services for special corps. In Pretoria a further manifesto was issued,
calling on Afrikanders to resist the British demands, and accusing Lord
Salisbury, Mr. Chamberlain, and Sir Alfred Milner of pursuing a
"criminal policy." It also declared that it was perfectly clear that the
desire and object of Great Britain was to deprive the Transvaal Republic
of its independence on account of the gold-mining industry on the Rand.
The manifesto went on to say that Great Britain had offered two
alternatives--a five years' franchise or war. It pointed out that the
difference between the two Governments of two years in the matter of the
franchise had been considered as a sufficient justification for Her
Majesty's Government to endeavour to swallow up the Republics, and it
reminded the Afrikanders that God would assuredly defend the right.
The manifesto was signed "Francois Willem Reitz, Secretary of State." It
created a profound sensation, and a million copies were printed in Dutch
and English.
By this time General Viljoen, in command of the Free State artillery,
was marching towards Albertina, and a party of Boers was encroaching on
the Natal border near Berg. Newcastle was warned that a state of war had
begun. It was abandoned by the British, and taken possession of by the
Boers, while Mafeking held itself in readiness to withstand the enemy.
At Sandspruit the Boers were scattered in various camps over a wide
area, and on the Portuguese border the Barberton and Lydenburg
commandoes were concentrating. Terrified refugees were still fleeing to
the Cape in such large numbers that it was almost impossible to find
accommodation for them, and large sums of money were being subscribed
both there and in Great Britain for the relief of the unhappy exiles.
Mr. Rhodes, as usual, gave munificently in aid of the sufferers, and Sir
Alfred Milner exerted himself to save the unhappy victims of British and
Boer disagreement from destitution. The treatment that these poor
persons received from the Boers in the course of their journey caused
intense indignation, and profound sympathy was felt for the homeless
ones who thus suddenly had been cast adrift from domestic comfort to
complete poverty.
It was now believed that, following the precedent of 1881, an attempt
would be made to isolate Mafeking and Kimberley, and carry on irregular
sieges at these places. The enemy's forces on the northern frontier of
Natal were estimated at some 13,000 men, while at Mafeking and Kimberley
they were supposed to number some three thousand each. On the east, the
seaport of Lorenzo Marques now sprung into great importance, and the
supposed neutralisation of the harbour was effected.
On the 11th of October Mr. Coningham Greene, the British Agent in
Pretoria, left that place for Cape Town; and on the 14th General Sir
Redvers Buller, as Commander-in-chief of the British forces engaged
against the Boer Republics, started from England. The state of war had
commenced in earnest. The Boers in hot haste began to issue further
Proclamations, and President Steyn continued to call on his Burghers to
"stand up as one man against the oppressor and violator of rights."
Twenty-four hours later they were over the border, tearing up railway
lines and severing telegraph wires, and thus cutting off communication
between Mafeking, Vryburg, Rhodesia, and Cape Colony. The investment of
Kimberley was imminent, but it was generally believed that the Diamond
City was strong enough to hold its own till our troops should come to
the rescue. The First Brigade of the Army Service Corps started on the
20th of October from Southampton, the second left on the following day,
and the third sailed on Sunday the 22nd. About the same time the
Canadian Government decided to contribute 1000 men for service in South
Africa, and the New Zealand Contingent sailed for the Cape.
[Illustration: THE OUTBREAK OF WAR--THE DRAKENBERG MOUNTAINS WHERE THE
BOERS WERE LAAGERED.]
In spite of the energetic movements that were suddenly set on foot, a
few pessimists ventured to declare that we would be bound to reap the
results of our previous unpreparedness, and that in consequence of our
procrastination and the weakness of the Government in not having taken
the initiative and allowed us to mobilise earlier, the Boers would get a
good six weeks' start--a loss it would be hard for the best tacticians
or the finest fighting men in the world to retrieve. But the mouths of
the grumblers were silenced. Every one was convinced that the fate of
the nation was perfectly safe in the hands of Sir Redvers Buller and Mr.
Thomas Atkins, and, so convinced, thousands upon thousands flocked to
see them off, and roared their God-speed with cheery British lungs,
albeit with sad and anxious hearts.
THE OCCUPATION OF DUNDEE
Late in September a force consisting of two battalions of infantry, a
regiment of cavalry, and two field-batteries was hurriedly pushed
forward to occupy Dundee. Affairs between the British and the Boers were
nearing a crisis. It was beginning to be believed that the Dutchmen
meant to take the initiative and strike a blow against our supremacy in
South Africa, though some at home were still shilly-shallying with
sentimental arguments as to the propriety of fighting our "brother Boer"
at all. As we now know, it wanted but the smallest move on the part of
the British to bring things to a head. Large commandoes were gathered
together with a rapidity which would have been marvellous had the Boers
not designedly brought about the issue of war, and the frontier of the
northern angle of Natal was threatened. Dundee is an important
coal-mining centre situated some forty-eight miles north-east of
Ladysmith. Why it was chosen as our advance post is hard to decide. Its
communications with Ladysmith were open to attack from either flank,
and, in the light of after events, we see that the position there of a
detached force was highly precarious. General Sir George White in an
official despatch thus describes his action in the matter:--
"Since my arrival in the Colony I had been much impressed by the exposed
situation of the garrison of Glencoe, and on the evening of October 10 I
had an interview on the subject with his Excellency the Governor, at
which I laid before him my reasons for considering it expedient, from a
military point of view, to withdraw that garrison, and to concentrate
all my available troops at Ladysmith. After full discussion his
Excellency recorded his opinion that such a step would involve grave
political results and possibilities of so serious a nature that I
determined to accept the military risk of holding Dundee as the lesser
of two evils. I proceeded in person to Ladysmith on October 11, sending
on Lieutenant-General Sir William Penn Symons to take command at
Glencoe.
"The Boers crossed the frontier both on the north and west on October
12, and next day the Transvaal flag was hoisted at Charlestown. My great
inferiority in numbers necessarily confined me strategically to the
defensive, but tactically my intention was, and is, to strike vigorously
whenever opportunity offers."
Everything at this juncture depended on the rapidity with which our army
at home could be mobilised and sent to the Cape, and though we took to
ourselves some credit for the energy displayed by all concerned, we were
really scarcely up to date in the matter of activity. For instance, in
1859 it took only thirty-seven days for France to collect on the river Po
a force of 104,000 men, with 12,000 more in Italy, while in 1866 the
Prussian army, numbering 220,000 men, were placed on the frontiers of
Saxony and Silesia in a fortnight. But more expeditious still was Germany
in 1870. In nine days she was able to mobilise her forces, and in eight
more to send to the French frontier an army of 400,000 soldiers and 1200
guns! We had, it is true, to ship off our troops a distance of some 8000
miles, but, without counting this--a natural disadvantage--there were
others--many others, the upshot of red-tapism--to be contended with. This
Sir George White was beginning to feel, but his sufferings in regard to
the initial delay were threefold later on.
To return to Dundee. It was maintained both by the Government and the
people of Natal that the valuable coal supply should be protected, and
an attempt was therefore made to guard it. The misfortune was that from
the first Lieutenant-General Sir W. Penn Symons--who, before the arrival
of Sir George White, commanded in Natal--seemed to be ill acquainted
with the enormous forces that the Boers could bring to bear against him.
It was true that he could not at that time be certain, any more than
appeared to be the Government at home, that the Free Staters would join
the Republicans; but to any one acquainted with the subject, the fact
that President Steyn had pulled the strings of the Bloemfontein affair
was sufficient evidence of a contemplated alliance. With the Free State
neutral, the aspect of affairs might have been entirely changed, and
Dundee, with Ladysmith to support it, might have held its own. As it
was, these small places were from the first placed in the most
unenviable quandary.
General Symons, on the arrival of Sir George White in Natal, took
command of the forces in Dundee, and began active preparations for the
reception of the Dutchmen.
[Illustration: MAP OF NORTHERN NATAL. SCALE 15 STATUTE MILES TO THE
INCH.]
The latter, immediately after the declaration of war, took possession of
Newcastle, and our patrols soon came in touch with the enemy. In spite
of their animated and aggressive movements, however, Sir W. Penn Symons
was disinclined to believe that the enemy meant a serious attack upon
Dundee, and though fully prepared for hostilities, he was somewhat
amazed when really informed of the rapid advance of the united
Republicans. But he lost no time. He made inquiries, and satisfied
himself that he was in a position of some danger and that he must
promptly leap to action. The chief difficulty of the situation lay in
the number of passes through which the Boers with their easily mobilised
forces could manage to pour in bodies of men, and the limited number of
British troops at General Symons's disposal. From the movements of the
Boers it was obvious that the plan of attack had long been cleverly and
carefully arranged. The Free State Boers on the 12th of October seized
Albertina Station, near the Natal frontier, and took possession of the
key, the stationmaster having to make his way on a trolley to Ladysmith.
There, as yet, all was externally peaceful, as though no enemy were
near, but a suppressed anxiety to be "up and at 'em" prevailed among the
troops. Their ardour was in nowise damped by the incessant rain that
fell, and converted the surrounding country into a wide morass, nor by
the snow that followed, which gave the Drakenberg Mountains an
additionally impregnable aspect and rendered them at once picturesque
and forbidding.
A steady increase of the commandoes in the neighbourhood of Doornberg
continued, and an attack within a few days seemed imminent.
Thereupon a large number of troops left Ladysmith for Acton Homes, where
a Boer commando of four miles long was reported to be laagered. But the
Boers retreated, and the troops remained some ten miles from Ladysmith,
the Dublin Fusiliers alone moving back to Glencoe, whence they had come
by train by order of General Symons.
At Glencoe we had, as before stated, some 4000 men, but report said that
General Viljeon had an enormous force, nearly double ours in number,
which was lying at the foot of Botha's Pass, one and a half miles on the
Natal side of the Border. Besides this, General Kock had a commando at
Newcastle. The invasion of Natal by the Boers in three columns was
formally announced by an official statement from the Governor:--
"PIETERMARITZBURG, _October 16_.
"Natal was invaded from the Transvaal early on the morning of the 12th
inst., an advance being made by the enemy in three columns. On the right
a mixed column of Transvaal and Free State Burghers with Hollander
Volunteers marched through Botha's Pass. In the centre the main column,
under General Joubert's personal command, crossed Lang's Nek and moved
forward _via_ Ingogo. On the left a large commando advanced from
Wakkerstroom _via_ Moll's Nek and Wool's Drift. The object of all three
columns was Newcastle, which was occupied on the night of the 14th, the
central column having slept the previous night at Mount Prospect,
General Colley's old camping-place. On Sunday an advance party of 1500
Boers, with artillery, pushed south of Ingagane, but the greater portion
of this commando retired later in the day on Newcastle. A Boer force
which had been concentrating at De Jager's Drift captured six Natal
policemen. A picket of the King's Royal Rifles Mounted Infantry has
exchanged a few shots with the enemy. This has hitherto been the only
fighting.
"A large force of Free State Boers, estimated at from 11,000 to 13,000,
is watching the passes of the Drakensberg from Olivier's Hoek to
Collins's Pass. They have pushed a few patrols down the berg, but
hitherto the main force has not debouched from the actual passes, which
are being intrenched."
As will be seen, the advance of the foe seemed to be converging on Sir
George White's position from all directions, and threatening Glencoe
from the north, east, and possibly west. Still the troops remained
cheerful and looked forward to a brush with the enemy. On the 18th
hostilities were begun by the Free State commando moving about ten miles
down the Tintwa Pass. They opened fire with their artillery on some
small cavalry patrols, but their shooting was distinctly inferior, and
no one was injured. They retreated on the advance of the 5th Lancers.
Several more commandoes were known to have advanced to join a force
stationed at Doornberg, some twelve miles from Dundee, and the enemy's
scouts having also been seen some seven miles off Glencoe, an engagement
was expected at any moment. An interesting account of this interval of
suspense was given by an officer writing on the 16th October from
Dundee, interesting and pathetic, too, when, in reading it, we remember
that the gallant fellow to whom the writer alluded is alive no longer.
He said:--
"Hitherto there has been no fighting at all, but our patrols are in
touch with the enemy. I was out on my first patrol the day before
yesterday since the declaration of war. My orders were to start at 6
A.M., push on about twelve miles along the Newcastle road, and stay out
till about 6 P.M. I went out to a small hill about four miles from the
camp and reconnoitered, and then went on to a place called Hadding
Spruit, where I found a few people at the station and the stationmaster.
This is at present the terminus of the line, all the rolling stock north
of this having been sent south, and all the wires cut and instruments
removed by the railway people. There is a large coal-mine here, and the
people are in a deadly funk about being blown up. I pushed on to a large
kopje, a few miles this side and west of Dannhauser, and climbed to the
top, where I spent an hour or so, as from there one can see as far as
Ingagane Nek, four miles this side of Newcastle, the place I sketched.
Just as I looked over the top of the hill I saw two men on ponies with
guns. They were talking to a Kaffir. I at once put them down as Boers,
and thought of firing at them, but decided not to disclose my position
and watch them. This was lucky for them, as I caught them later, and
found them to be refugees flying from the Boers, who I discovered were
in occupation of Ingagane and Newcastle, and had their patrols out
nearly to Dannhauser.
"I then went on to Dannhauser, which consists of a railway station, two
farms, a store, a couple of coolie stores, a mine, and a few huts. We
approached with magazines charged and expected to see a Boer every
minute, but found that they were not expected to come down as far as
that till next day. I then made my way slowly back by the main road, and
reached camp about 5 P.M., when I found that the other patrol (six men
and an officer is the strength of each) had proceeded to De Jager's
Drift and had not returned. A telephonic communication from the
police-station at De Jager's Drift said, 'A large force of forty Boers
have crossed Buffalo to cut off your patrol. Am trying ...'--and then
ended abruptly. It eventually transpired that the Boers rushed the
police-station before the message could be completed. Thackwell, who was
in command of the patrol, pursued twelve Boers up to the river. Then
thirty-four crossed to our side, and twelve lower down, the twelve
trying to cut him off behind. However, he retired on to a nek behind,
and as they did not come on, he moved off in about half an hour by
another road. This was lucky for him, as he saw the twelve men who had
crossed by Landsman's Drift disconsolately coming down from a lot of
rocks where they had been lying in wait for him on the road he had come
by.
"There seems to have been something going on at Kimberley. I wish they
would buck up here and do something. I am on picket to-night, which
means no sleep and a lot of bother, as the picket is about seven miles
from camp at the junction of the Vant's Drift and De Jager's Drift
roads, where there is a chance of being plugged at. The picket on the
Helmakaar road was shot at the other night.
"One of the armoured trains came up here yesterday--an ugly-looking
beast with the engine in the middle, all covered with iron, so that only
just the top of the funnel is visible. I do not believe in them. If any
one puts a dynamite cartridge under a rail--pop! up goes the armoured
train.
"I think this will be a very interesting war, as the railway will play
such an important part in the tactics. Thus the other day we sent the
Dublin Fusiliers down to Ladysmith to repel an expected attack at
half-an-hour's notice, and brought them back the same night....
"We are under an awfully nice General--one Penn Symons--a real good
chap."
On the 18th of October the Carabineers were in touch with the enemy in
the neighbourhood of Bester's Farm a great part of the day, and
Lieutenant Galway, son of the Chief-Justice of Natal, who remained to
watch his troops off the kopje, was reported missing. The Carabineers
were compelled to retire owing to being completely outnumbered by the
Boer force, and had they not done so they would have run the risk of
being cut off from their supports. There were some hair-breadth escapes,
and Major Taunton, who was riding at the head of his squadron, came
through a vigorous hail of bullets quite uninjured.
Major Rethman, in command of 300 Natal Mounted Rifles, also actively
engaged the enemy near Acton Homes, but was also compelled to retire for
fear of being cut off. Being quite conversant with Boer tactics, he
refused to be drawn by the pretence of retreat made by the Dutchmen,
knowing that concealed forces of the enemy in great numbers were waiting
to entrap him. Major Rethman, believing in the old saw that brevity is
the soul of wit, reported his loss as "one hat."
The Dutchmen now advanced. An armoured train, sent by Sir George White
to bring in wounded from Bester's Farm, returned discomfited, as the
rails over the bridge four miles off Ladysmith had been tampered with.
It was found that a farm, which had been deserted earlier in the day,
was now in the occupation of the Boers, but these, though established on
the south side of the line, made no effort to attack the train and
allowed it to return unmolested. Rumours of fighting were in the air,
and skirmishes between advance parties of British troops and Boers were
the order of the day. A report reached the Glencoe camp that the Boers
had been seen some seven miles off, whereupon Major Laming with a
squadron of the 18th Hussars rode out to reconnoitre. Lieutenant Cape,
the advanced officer's patrol, discovered a strong advance party of the
enemy, who delivered a heavy fire, but fortunately without result. This
most probably was due to the swift and clever manoeuvring of the
Hussars.
The Carabineers and Border Mounted Rifles, who were in action nearly the
whole of the 18th of October, returned to camp at three in the morning
of the 19th. They were quite worn out and famished, having been for
twenty-four hours without food, and three days and two nights in the
saddle. Considering the excitement and fatigue, they were in excellent
spirits. Their experience was a novel one, for on this occasion the
Boers, who usually prefer to skulk under cover, made incipient rushes
at certain points. They gave way, however, before the pressing
attentions of the Maxims, and fled helter-skelter to cover again; but
their departure was on the principle of "those who fight and run away
live to fight another day." They reserved themselves for a more decisive
effort.
At midday on the 19th a mixed train running from Ladysmith to Dundee was
captured by the enemy about a mile off Elandslaagte Station, which
stands about fifteen miles from Ladysmith, and is the first station from
thence on the line. A war correspondent was taken prisoner, four
Carabineers were wounded, and some horses and cattle seized. Telegraphic
communication in the north was cut off, and four trucks of stores in the
Elandslaagte Station were captured.
THE BATTLE OF GLENCOE
On the night of the 19th, Sir W. Penn Symons discovered that he was
surrounded by the enemy. Three of their columns were converging on his
position--one from the north-west under General Erasmus by the
Dannhauser-Hattingspruit road; one from Utrecht and Vryheid by
Landsman's Drift from the east, under Commandant Lucas Meyer; and a
third under General Viljoen from Waschbank on the south, this latter
being the force which cut through the Ladysmith-Dundee railway.
The Boer plan was to deliver simultaneously different attacks from all
sides of the Glencoe camp. The column under Erasmus was to open the
attack from the north-west, and falling back, was to draw Symons in
pursuit away from his camp. Then Viljoen and Meyer were to close on the
pursuers from either flank and annihilate them.
Fortunately this skilfully-devised programme was not fulfilled. For this
reason: The force under Lucas Meyer was the first to arrive, and its
leader, impatient to secure the glories of war, decided on an
independent course of action. Before the other columns could put in an
appearance he opened the attack. On the hills round Glencoe the Boers
had posted cannon, and from thence at daybreak on the 20th of October
Meyer's gunners began to fire plugged shells into the camp. A flash--a
puff of smoke--a whizz and a crash! Hostilities had begun! By 5 A.M. all
General Symons's troops were under arms. It was evident that the enemy
were in force, and that their guns were some half-a-dozen in number.
Their range was 5000 yards, but, fortunately, their shots, though well
directed, flew screaming overhead and buried themselves in the soft
earth, doing no damage whatever. A few tents fell, a few marquees were
torn up. That was all. Our artillery soon came into action, at first at
too long a range, but afterwards--from a position south of Dundee--with
greater success. They then replied to the enemy's challenge with
considerable warmth and excellent effect; and, since our batteries
numbered some three to one, by 11.30 o'clock the enemy's Krupps were
silenced. In the meantime the infantry, the 1st King's Royal Rifles and
the 2nd Dublin Fusiliers, formed for attack opposite the enemy's
position, which was situated some two miles off at the top of an almost
impregnable hill. Huge boulders margined the sides of it, and half-way
up an encircling wall added to the impassability of the position. But
the word impossible is not to be found in the dictionary of a soldier,
and General Symons gave an order. The hill was to be taken. The bugles
rang out; the infantry fixed bayonets. Then was enacted another, only a
grander, Majuba, but now with the position of the contending forces
inverted. Doubtless the memory of that historic defeat inspired our men,
for they evidently decided that what the Boer had done, the Briton also
could do, and, spurred by their officers, who showed an absolute
disregard of the possibilities of danger, went ahead and carried the
crest in magnificent style. No such brilliant achievement of British
infantry has been recorded since Albuera. But this, as we shall see, was
not accomplished in a moment. It involved tremendous exposure in
crossing an open plain intersected with nullahs under a terrific fire,
followed by a long spell of dogged climbing, finally on hand and knees,
over more than a mile of broken, sometimes almost perpendicular, ground,
and in the midst of an incessant and furious fusilade.
[Illustration: POSITION OF FORCES BEFORE THE BATTLE OF GLENCOE.]
At 7.30 A.M. the head of the Hattingspruit column appeared; appeared but
to vanish--for it was at once saluted by the 67th Field Battery, and
being unprepared for this somewhat boisterous attention, made haste to
beat a retreat. At 8.50 the infantry brigade was ordered to advance.
Soon the Dublin Fusiliers and the Rifles, who had been reinforced by the
Royal Irish Fusiliers, were steadily moving on, firing by sections, and
using what cover the ground afforded. Overhead, from the hill
described, and from another south of the road, the ever-active shells
continued their grim music, while all around was the dense curtain of
fine rain that drizzled down like wet needles from an opaque sky, making
a screen between the opposing forces. But on and on, led by their
gallant officers, our infantry continued to toil, their advance ever
covered by the 13th and 67th Field Batteries--under the command
respectively of Major Dawkins and Major Wing--while the enemy from above
poured upon them volley after volley as hard as rifles would let them.
When half-way up, where the kopje was girded by a flat terrace and a
stone wall, the troops, scattered by the terrific fire, hot, drenched,
and panting with their climb, made a halt. There, under the lea of the
hill, it was necessary to get "a breather," and to gather themselves
together for the supreme effort. The scene was not exhilarating. The
grey mist falling--the scattered earth and mud rising and spluttering,
the shrieking shells rending the air, already vibrant with the whirr of
bullets--the closer sounds and sights of death and destruction--all
these things were sufficient to stem the courage of stoutest hearts.
Still the British band remained undaunted, still they prepared boldly
for the final rush. Presently, with renewed energy the three gallant
regiments, steadily and determinedly as ever, started off, scaled the
wall, clambered up the steep acclivity, and finally, with a rush and a
roar as of released pandemonium, charged the crest.
The rout of the enemy was complete. At the glint of the steel they
turned and ran--ran like panic-stricken sheep, helter-skelter over the
hill, in the direction of Landmann's and Vant's Drifts. Their retreat
was harried by cavalry and mounted infantry, and, so far as it was
possible, in view of the inaccessible position, by the field artillery.
At this juncture the enemy displayed a white flag--without any intention
of surrender, it appears--but our firing was stopped by order of the
artillery commander. Two guns and several prisoners were captured,
together with horses and various boxes of shells for Maxim, Nordenfeldt,
and Krupp quick-firing guns. Our wounded were many, and some companies
looked woefully attenuated as the remnant, when all was over, whistled
themselves back to camp. Their gallant leader, General Penn Symons, who
had taken no precautions to keep under cover, but, on the contrary, had
made himself conspicuous in being accompanied by a lancer with a red
flag, fell early in the fight, mortally wounded. His place was taken by
Brigadier-General Yule, whose position at that time was far from
enviable. A message had been brought in by scouts, stating that some
9000 Boers were marching with the intention of attacking the British in
the rear, and that at the very moment the advancing multitude might be
cloaked in a dark mist that was gathering round the hills. Fortunately
the hovering hordes failed to appear, and the first big engagement of
the war terminated in a glorious victory for British arms.
[Illustration: THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR--TRANSPORT LEAVING ENGLAND FOR
THE CAPE.
Drawing by Charles J. de Lacia.]
From all accounts the two hostile columns numbered respectively 4000 and
9000 men, and against these forces Sir Penn Symons had at his command in
all about 4000. Among these were the 13th, 67th, and 69th Field
Batteries, the 18th Hussars, the Natal Mounted Volunteers, the 8th
Battalion Leicester Regiment, the 1st King's Royal Rifles, the 2nd
Dublin Fusiliers, and several companies of mounted infantry. But on the
Dublin Fusiliers, the King's Royal Rifles, and the Royal Irish Fusiliers
fell the brunt of the work, the task of capturing the Boer position, and
the magnificent dash and courage with which the almost impossible feat
was accomplished brought a thrill to the heart of all who had the good
fortune to witness it.
[Illustration]
Though the fight was a successful one, a grievous incident occurred. The
18th Hussars had received orders at 5.40 A.M. to get round the enemy's
right flank and be ready to cut off his retreat. They were accompanied
by a portion of the mounted infantry and a machine-gun. Making a wide
turning movement, they gained the eastern side of Talana Hill and there
halted, while two squadrons were sent in pursuit of the enemy. From that
time, though firing was heard at intervals throughout the day, Colonel
Moeller, with a squadron of the 18th Hussars and four sections of
mounted infantry, was lost to sight. The rain had increased and the mist
covered the hills, and it was believed that in course of time this
missing party would return. But the belief was vain. In a few days it
was discovered that they were made prisoners and had been removed to
Pretoria. The following is a list of the gallant officers who were so
unluckily captured:--
Colonel Moeller, 18th Hussars; Major Greville, 18th Hussars;
Captain Pollok, 18th Hussars; Captain Lonsdale, 2nd Battalion
Dublin Fusiliers; Lieutenant Le Mesurier, 2nd Battalion Dublin
Fusiliers; Lieutenant Garvice, 2nd Battalion Dublin Fusiliers;
Lieutenant Grimshaw, 2nd Battalion Dublin Fusiliers; Lieutenant
Majendie, 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps; Lieutenant
Shore, Army Veterinary Department, attached to 18th Hussars.
An official account of the circumstances which led to the capture was
supplied by Captain Hardy, R.A.M.C., who said: "After the battle, three
squadrons of the 18th Hussars, with one Maxim, a company of the Dublin
Fusiliers, a section of the 60th Rifles and Mounted Infantry, Colonel
Moeller commanding, kept under cover of the ridge to the north of the
camp, and at 6.30 moved down the Sand Spruit. On reaching the open the
force was shelled by the enemy, but there were no casualties.
"Colonel Moeller took his men round Talana Hill in a south-easterly
direction, crossed the Vant's Drift road, captured several Boers, and
saw the Boer ambulances retiring. Colonel Moeller, with the B Squadron
of the Hussars, a Maxim, and mounted infantry, crossed the
Dundee-Vryheid railway, and got near a big force of the enemy, who
opened a hot fire, and Lieutenant M'Lachlan was hit.
"The cavalry retired across Vant's Drift, 1500 Boers following. Colonel
Moeller held the ridge for some time, but the enemy enveloping his
right, he ordered the force to fall back across the Spruit. The Maxim
got fixed in a donga (water-hole). Lieutenant Cape was wounded, three of
his detachment were killed, and the horses of Major Greville and Captain
Pollok were shot.
"The force re-formed on a ridge north of the Sand Spruit, and held it
for a short time. While Captain Hardy was attending to Lieutenant Crum,
who was wounded, Colonel Moeller retired his force into a defile,
apparently with the intention of returning to camp round the Impati
Mountain, and was not seen afterwards."
The following list of casualties shows how hardly the glory of victories
may be earned:--
Divisional Staff.--General Sir William Penn Symons, mortally
wounded in stomach; Colonel C. E. Beckett, A.A.G., seriously
wounded, right shoulder; Major Frederick Hammersley, D.A.A.G.,
seriously wounded, leg. Brigade Staff.--Colonel John
Sherston,[1] D.S.O., Brigade Major, killed; Captain Frederick
Lock Adam, Aide-de-Camp, seriously wounded, right shoulder. 1st
Battalion Leicestershire Regiment.--Lieutenant B. de W. Weldon,
wounded slightly, hand. 1st Battalion Royal Irish
Fusiliers.--Second Lieutenant A. H. M. Hill, killed; Major W.
P. Davison, wounded; Captain and Adjutant F. H. B. Connor,
wounded (since dead); Captain M. J. W. Pike, wounded;
Lieutenant C. C. Southey, wounded; Second Lieutenant M. B. C.
Carbery, wounded dangerously, face and shoulder; Second
Lieutenant H. C. W. Wortham, wounded severely, both thighs.
Royal Dublin Fusiliers.--Captain George Anthony Weldon, killed;
Captain Maurice Lowndes, wounded dangerously, left leg; Captain
Atherstone Dibley, wounded dangerously, head; Lieutenant
Charles Noel Perreau, wounded; Lieutenant Charles Jervis Genge,
wounded (since dead). 1st Battalion King's Royal
Rifles.--Killed: Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Gunning,[2] Captain
M. H. K. Pechell, Lieutenant J. Taylor, Lieutenant R. C.
Barnett, Second Lieutenant N. J. Hambro.--Wounded: Major C. A.
T. Boultbee, upper thigh, dangerously; Captain O. S. W. Nugent,
Captain A. R. M. Stuart-Wortley, Lieutenant F. M. Crum,
Lieutenant R. Johnstone, both thighs, severely; Second
Lieutenant G. H. Martin, thigh and arm, severely. 18th
Hussars.--Wounded: Second Lieutenant H. A. Cape, Second
Lieutenant Albert C. M'Lachlan, Second Lieutenant E. H.
Bayford.
The Boer force engaged in this action was computed at 4000 men, of whom
about 500 were killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. Three of their guns
were left dismounted on Talana Hill, but there was no opportunity of
bringing them away.
Our own losses were severe, amounting to 10 officers and 31
non-commissioned officers and men killed, 20 officers and 165
non-commissioned officers and men wounded, and 9 officers and 211
non-commissioned officers and men missing.
Though General Symons was known to be at the point of death, his promotion
was speedily gazetted, and it was some consolation to feel that the
gallant and popular officer lasted long enough to read of the recognition
of his worth by an appreciative country. The following is an extract from
the _Gazette_:--
"The Queen has been pleased to approve of the promotion of Colonel
(local Lieutenant-General) Sir W. P. Symons, K.C.B., commanding 4th
Division Natal Field Force, to be Major-General, supernumerary to the
establishment, for distinguished service in the field."
An officer who was taken prisoner by the enemy, writing home soon after
this engagement, made touching reference to some of the killed and
wounded: "Poor Jack Sherston! Several of the officers here saw him lying
dead on the hill at Dundee. When he left with the message entrusted to
him he said to me, 'I shall never return.' Poor Captain Pechell! He had
a bullet through the neck. General Symons was wounded and thrown from
his horse, but he remounted and was conducted to the hospital, where he
learnt that the height had been taken by our troops. His health improved
a little, but he died on the following Tuesday. What a list of losses
already! It is terrible to think that our own cannon were fired by
mistake on our men, killing a large number. I saw M'Lachlan when he was
wounded with a bullet in his leg. He went about on horseback saying that
it did not hurt him, but at last he had to go to the hospital. My
bugler, such a pleasant fellow, was hit in the head, the body, and the
throat, and killed on the spot.... From a wounded officer, who is a
prisoner, I hear that poor Cape had a bullet in the throat and another
in the leg. He emptied his revolver twice ere falling. He is progressing
towards recovery.... He had the command of our Maxim gun which fell into
the hands of the enemy. The entire detachment which worked the gun was
killed or wounded. At that moment bullets were whistling all round us.
Cape, I think, has been exchanged for one of the enemy's wounded. I
suppose that he will be sent home invalided. I wonder what the future
has in store for us? It is really heart-breaking to think that we are
penned in here without being able to do anything but wait."
ELANDSLAAGTE
Amongst other things, it was known in Ladysmith on the 18th of October
that General Koch's commando was moving to the Biggarsberg Pass on the
way to Elandslaagte. The advanced guard of the Boers finding a train at
the Elandslaagte station, attempted to seize it, but the driver with
remarkable pluck turned on steam, and, though pelted with bullets, got
safely to Dundee. The second train was captured, however, and with it
its valuable cargo of live stock, and two newspaper correspondents, who
were made prisoners. Finding that the enemy was gathered in force round
Dundee, and that an attack there was hourly to be expected, and,
moreover, that several Free State commandoes were shifting about round
Ladysmith, the inhabitants of that town had an uneasy time.
Major-General French, who had but recently arrived from England, was
directed by Sir George White to make a reconnaissance in force in the
neighbourhood of Elandslaagte. He moved his cavalry in the pouring rain
some twelve miles along the Dundee road, but besides locating the enemy,
and beyond the capture of two of their number, who seemed not
ill-disposed to be made prisoners, little was done. On the following
day, Saturday, another reconnaissance was made. General French with
Lieutenant-Colonel Scott Chisholme and the Imperial Light Horse, the
Natal Volunteer Artillery with six guns, supported by half a battalion
of the Manchesters, with railway and telegraph construction companies,
started in the direction occupied by the enemy on the preceding day.
General French's orders were simple and explicit, namely, to clear the
neighbourhood of Elandslaagte of the enemy and to cover the construction
of the railway and telegraph lines. The troops slowly proceeded along a
low tableland which terminated in a cliff. On a plain below this cliff
lay the station and village of Elandslaagte, and round and about this
settlement mounted Boers were swarming. These no sooner espied the
British than they made off as fast as their nimble steeds could carry
them, ascending in the direction of a high kopje some 5000 yards away.
Those who remained in the station were fired on by our Volunteer
Battery, while a squadron under Major Sampson moved round to the north
of them.
[Illustration: POSITION OF FORCES BEFORE THE BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE,
NOON]
The first two shells caused considerable consternation among the
Dutchmen, but they were soon returned with interest. Though the enemy
used smokeless explosives, their battery was revealed by the yellow
flash of the guns in the purple shadow of the hill. These guns were
worked with marvellous accuracy, but, fortunately, many of the
shells--fired with percussion fuses--dug deep into the sand before
bursting. The Volunteer Battery found their own guns so inferior to
those of the enemy that there was little chance of silencing them, and
General French, seeing there was no question of occupying Elandslaagte
with the small force at his disposal, moved his guns back towards his
armoured train, telephoned to Sir George White, and withdrew in the
direction of Modder's Spruit. There he awaited reinforcements from
Ladysmith. These at 11 o'clock began to appear: One squadron of the 5th
Dragoon Guards, one squadron of the 5th Lancers under Colonel King, and
two batteries of artillery, the latter having come out at a gallop with
double teams. Then the infantry arrived under Colonel Ian Hamilton, the
second half-battalion of the Manchester Regiment, a battalion of the
Devonshire Regiment under Major Park, and five companies of the Gordon
Highlanders under Lieutenant-Colonel Dick-Cunyngham, V.C.
At 3.30 P.M. General White arrived on the scene, but the executive
command of the troops engaged remained in the hands of General French.
The Boers were discovered to be magnificently posted on a
horseshoe-shaped ridge about 800 feet above the level of the railway to
north of the Ladysmith-Dundee road, standing almost at a right angle
from the permanent way, though some 2000 yards removed from it. On the
side nearing the railroad the ridge was crowned with a peaked kopje,
which hill was connected by a nek with another eminence of the same
kind. These hills were held by the enemy, while their laager was
situated on the connecting ridge. The position was strewn on both flanks
by very rough boulders which afforded excellent cover. On the main hill
were three big guns strongly posted at three different points so as to
command a wide expanse of country and leave a retreat open over the
hills in the direction of Wessel's Nek. Facing the ridge was a wide
expanse of veldt rising upwards in the direction of Ladysmith.
At four--an unusually late hour for the commencement of hostilities--the
first gun boomed out; the range was 4400 yards. A few moments of furious
cannonading, then the enemy's guns ceased to reply. The silence enabled
the artillerymen to turn their attention on a party of the foe who were
annoying them with a persistent rifle-fire on the right flank at a range
of 2000 yards. It was an admirable corrective, and the Boer
sharpshooters retired discomfited. Meanwhile the infantry had been
brought up in preparatory battle formation of small columns covered by
scouts. The position of the infantry was then as follows:--
The first battalion Devonshire Regiment, with a frontage of 500 yards
and a depth of 1300 yards, was halted on the western extremity of a
horseshoe-shaped ridge. The opposite end of this ridge, which was
extremely rugged and broken, was held by the enemy in force. The first
battalion Manchester Regiment had struck the ridge fully 1000 yards to
the south-east, just at the point where it begins to bend round
northwards. The second battalion Gordon Highlanders were one mile in
rear.
[Illustration: LIEUT.-GENERAL J. D. P. FRENCH.
Photo by Lambert Weston & Son, Folkestone.]
Now, no sooner had the Devonshire Regiment commenced to move forward
than they attracted the shell of the enemy, but owing to the loose
formation adopted, the loss at this time was slight. In spite of the
furious fire, the regiment still pushed on to within 900 yards of the
position, and then opening fire, held the enemy in front of them till 6
P.M. The batteries also advanced and took up a position on a ridge
between the Devonshire and Manchester Regiments, about 3200 yards from
the enemy. Then began an animated artillery duel, the roar of guns
mingling with the thunder of heaven, which at this juncture seemed to
have attuned itself to suit the stormy state of the human tempest that
was raging below. At this period considerable damage was done. Captain
Campbell, R.A., was wounded, an ammunition waggon overturned, and many
men and horses were killed or injured. For some time the interchange of
deadly projectiles was pursued with vigour, then the 42nd Field Battery
came into action. The Imperial Light Horse now moved left of the enemy's
position; some mounted Boers at once pushed out and engaged them. Soon
after this the guns from above ceasing firing, our gunners turned their
attention to the mounted Boers, who rapidly fell back. Then, as the sun
was setting and dark clouds were rolling over the heavens and screening
the little light that remained, the infantry pressed forward. The plan
was that while the Devonshire Regiment made a frontal attack, the
Manchester Regiment, supported by the Gordons with the Imperial Light
Horse on the right, were to advance along the sloping ridge, turn the
enemy's flank and force him back on his main position. This movement was
to be supported by the artillery, which was to close in as the attack
developed.
The Devons, under Major Park, marched out, as said, leading the way
across the plateau and into the valley coolly and deliberately, though
under a terrific fire from above. The Boer guns, which were served with
great courage, invariably gave tongue on the smallest provocation, and
the ground was ploughed up in every direction with bursting shell. But
fortunately few of the gallant Devons were hit. Later on they drew
nearer the position, and the regiment, halted under cover of convenient
ant-hills, and opened fire. The rifles of the enemy were not slow to
reply. Their Mauser bullets whirred like swarms of bees around the heads
of the plucky fellows, who, heedless of them, dauntlessly advanced to
within some 350 yards of the summit of the hill. There they awaited the
development of the flank attack.
Meanwhile the Manchesters, with the Imperial Light Horse and the
Gordons, were winding round the lower steeps, the Gordons bearing to the
right through a cutting in the hills. Here, ascending, they came under
the artillery fire of the enemy, the Boers having moved their guns.
Shells, and not only shells but huge boulders, dropped among the
advancing troops, crushing and mutilating, and leaving behind a streak
of mangled bodies. But though the ordeal was terrible, and the sound and
sight of wounded and bleeding were enough to paralyse the stoutest
heart, the ever "gay" Gordons plodded on, passing higher and higher,
while their officers leading, cheered and roared them up the precipitous
ascent. Thus they clambered and plodded, with men dropping dead at their
elbows, with torn and fainting comrades by their sides. A storm of rain
from the gathering thunderclouds drenched them through to the skin, but
they heeded it not. A storm of bullets from the Boers sensibly
diminished their numbers, but they never swerved. Then their gallant
commander fell. Colonel Dick-Cunyngham, the honoured and beloved, was
shot in two places. Several other dashing Scottish officers were
wounded, but many still heroically stumbled and reeled over the
boulders, some even waving their helmets to pretend they were unhurt,
and to encourage their companions to the great, the final move....
At last the signal for the charge was sounded. The bugle blared out and
was echoed and re-echoed. Then came flash of bayonet and sound of
cheering throats, the rush of Devons, Manchesters, Gordons, and
dismounted Imperials--a wild, shouting mass making straight for the
enemy's position.
To account for the presence of the Devons in the grand melee it is
necessary to go back somewhat, as the great assault was not accomplished
in a moment.
Our men were advancing in short rushes of about fifty yards, the Boers
all the while lying under cover and shooting till the troops were within
some twenty or thirty yards of them. Then the Dutchmen, as suited their
convenience, either bolted or surrendered.
When the end ridge was gained and the guns captured, the enemy's laager
was close in sight. A white flag was shown from the centre of the camps.
At this Colonel Hamilton gave an order. The "Cease fire" was sounded.
There was a lull in the action, some of our men commencing to walk
slowly down-hill towards the camp. Suddenly, without warning, the
crackle of musketry was heard, and a deadly fire poured from a small
sugar-loaf shaped kopje to east of the camp. For one short moment our
men, staggered by the dastardly action and the fierce suddenness of the
attack, fell back, and during this moment a party of some forty Boers
had stoutly charged uphill and effected a lodgment near the crest.
[Illustration: PLAN OF BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE]
But this ruse was a failure and their triumph short-lived. The 1st
Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who, as we know, had been holding the
enemy in front during the commencement of the infantry attack, and had
since then pushed steadily forward, had now reached to 350 yards from
the enemy. Here they lay down to recover breath before charging with
fixed bayonets. Five companies assaulted the hill to the left and five
to the right; and a detachment of these, arriving at the critical moment
when the Boers were making their last stand, helped to bring about the
triumphant finale.
Like the lightning that shot through the sky above, the Boers, at the
sound of the united cheers, had fled! Some scampered away to their
laager on the Nek, and from thence to other kopjes. Others filed in
troops anywhere, regardless of consequences. While they were in full
retreat, and the mists of darkness, like a gathering pall, hung over the
scene, the 5th Lancers and the 5th Dragoon Guards charged the flying
enemy--charged not once nor twice only, but thrice, dashing through the
scattered ranks with deadly purpose, though at terrible risk of life and
limb. Never were Boers so amazed. The despised worms--the miserable
Rooineks--had at last turned, and, as one of them afterwards described
it, they had "come on horses galloping, and with long sticks with spikes
at the end of them, picked us up like bundles of hay!"
The cost of victory, however, was heavy. Roughly estimated, we lost 4
officers and 37 men killed; 31 officers and 175 men wounded. Ten men
were missing. The Boers lost over 300 Burghers killed and wounded,
besides several hundred horses. Their hospital with wounded prisoners
was placed under the care of the British hospital, they having only one
doctor, who, with his primitive staff, was quite unable to cope with the
arduous work of attending the multitude of sufferers.
Numbers of the enemy of all nationalities--Germans, Hollanders, Irish,
and others--were made prisoners, and among them were General de Koch and
Piet Joubert, nephew of General Joubert. General Viljoen was killed. The
mongrel force, estimated at about 1200 strong, was commanded by Colonel
Schiel, to whom it doubtless owed its excellent tactical disposition.
This officer was wounded and taken prisoner. The _Times_ gave somewhat
interesting character sketches of prominent Boers who were killed or
wounded on this occasion:--
"General Koch was Minute-Keeper to the Executive, and was
President Kruger's most influential supporter. His son, Judge
Koch, was appointed to a seat on the Bench, but was not
popular, and was regarded as a puppet. The fighting Koch is not
to be confounded with the General Koch, who belongs to Vryheid,
and is a sterling warrior.
"Advocate Coster was State Attorney at the time of the Reform
trials, but resigned owing to President Kruger having insulted
him at a meeting of the Executive. He was an accomplished man,
a member of the Inner Temple, and was very popular with the
Dutch Bar.
"General Ben Viljoen was responsible for most of the
fire-eating articles which appeared in the _Rand Post_."
"Colonel Schiel was court-martialled in past days for shooting
four natives whom he accused of insubordination."
The courage of the Boers during this battle was immense. About two
thousand were engaged, and these, though certainly aided by the strength
of their position, fought valiantly, facing doggedly the heavy
consummately well-directed fire of the British artillery, and returning
it with undiminished coolness.
An interesting incident is mentioned in connection with the battle. When
the fire of the British guns became overwhelming, eight plucky Boers
dashed forward from cover, and, standing together, steadily opened fire
on the men of the Imperial Light Horse, with the evident purpose of
drawing their fire, while their comrades should change position. Out of
this gallant little band, only one man was left to tell the tale!
[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE--CHARGE OF THE 5th LANCERS.
Drawn by R. Caton Woodville.]
The following is the casualty roll of officers killed at the battle of
Elandslaagte:--
Imperial Light Horse.--Colonel Scott Chisholme,[3] commander,
killed; Major Wools Sampson, bullet wound, thigh, severely;
Captain John Orr, bullet wound, neck, severely; Lieutenant
William Curry, bullet wound, foot, severely; Lieutenant Arthur
Shore, bullet wound, chest, severely; Lieutenant and Adjutant
R. W. Barnes, wounded severely; Lieutenant Lachlan Forbes,
wounded severely; Captain Mullins, wounded; Lieutenant
Campbell, wounded; Lieutenant Normand, wounded. 21st Battery
Field Artillery.--Captain H. M. Campbell, bullet wound, chest,
severe; Lieutenant W. G. H. Manley, shell wound, head, severe.
Staff.--Captain Ronald G. Brooke, 7th Hussars, bullet wounds,
thigh and head, severe. 1st Battalion Devonshire
Regiment.--Second Lieutenant H. R. Gunning, severely, bullet
wound in chest; Second Lieutenant S. T. Hayley, severely,
bullet wounds in hand and leg; Second Lieutenant G. F. Green,
severely, bullet wound in forearm; Captain William B. Lafone,
slightly, bullet wound. 1st Battalion Manchester
Regiment.--Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Curran, bullet wound,
shoulder; Captain Charles Melvill, bullet wound, arm, severe;
Captain William Newbigging, bullet wound, left shoulder,
severe; Captain Donald Paton, bullet wound, thigh, severe;
Lieutenant Cyril Danks, bullet wound, scalp, slight. 2nd
Battalion Gordon Highlanders.--Killed: Major H. W. D. Denne,
Lieutenant C. G. Monro, Second Lieutenant J. G. D. Murray,
Lieutenant L. B. Bradbury. Wounded: Lieutenant-Colonel
Dick-Cunyngham, bullet wound, arm, severe; Major Harry Wright,
bullet wound, right foot, severe; Captain J. Haldane, bullet
wound, leg, severe; Captain Arthur Buchanan, bullet wound,
right side, severe; Lieutenant M. Meiklejohn, fractured
humerus, severe; Lieutenant C. W. Findlay, bullet wound, arm
and thigh, severe; Lieutenant J. B. Gillat (attached from
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders); Second Lieutenant I. A.
Campbell, bullet wound, head and chest, dangerous; Lieutenant
A. R. Hennessy (3rd Batt.), bullet wound, head and chest,
severe.
The following tribute to the memory of Colonel Scott Chisholme is taken
from Mr. John Stuart's correspondence to the _Morning Post_:--
"No death has been more severely felt than the Colonel's. He was a good
man and a good soldier, brave to the point of recklessness, a
wonderfully-inspiriting leader, and, as I judged from about
a month's knowledge of him, single-minded, fervent in all his work,
passionately in earnest. His regiment almost worshipped him. On the day
of the fight their keenness was increased because he was keen, and they
ignored the hardships they had gone through because he shared them and
took them lightly, and did his best to improve matters.
"During the fight he only took cover once or twice, going from troop to
troop, praising and encouraging the men in words that were always well
chosen, for no man could phrase his blame or praise more aptly. At the
last ridge he stopped to tie up the leg of a wounded trooper, and was
shot himself in the leg. Two of his men went to his assistance, but he
waved them off, telling them to go on with their fighting and to leave
him alone. Then he was shot in one of the lungs, and the men went to his
help, but while they were trying to get him to cover, a bullet lodged in
his head and killed him. The last words he was heard to say were, 'My
fellows are doing well.' His fellows will always remember that.
"I may be allowed to recall one or two interesting recollections of the
Colonel. One is the speech he delivered when the Maritzburg Club dined
him and his officers. Both he and General Symons spoke. Neither man was
an orator, and yet each was more convincing than many orators, speaking
simple, soldierly, purposeful words, words whose simplicity drove them
home. Almost a week before the battle I saw the Colonel arranging his
camp. He had taken off his tunic and helmet, and did twice as much
direction as any other officer, and he worked as hard as any of the men.
It was then, when I saw his vigour in full activity, that I realised his
wonderful capacity for work--a capacity of which I had often heard, but
which I had not been able to comprehend before.
"The last time I saw him was at the outspan before the battle began. He
came to a group of us and gave one or two orders in such pleasant words
that one knew that to obey him must in itself be a real delight. Then he
sat down and gossiped with us, first about his luck in the morning, when
a shell that hit the ground between his horse's feet had failed to
burst, and afterwards about luck in general. He advised the officers to
tell their men to sleep while they could, and then he said, 'Now I'll go
and get half-an-hour's sleep myself.' But at that moment an aide-de-camp
came saying that General French wanted to see him. When the Colonel
returned, it was to order his regiment to saddle up and prepare to
mount. In half-an-hour he was leading the attack on the first kopje.
"I like to think that before death smote him he knew that the battle was
won, and that his fellows had done well, as he expected that they would,
as he had helped them to do by example and generous encouragement."
A private of the Gordon Highlanders, in a letter dated Ladysmith,
November 2, gave a vivid account of the charge of the Gordons at
Elandslaagte, and described how Lieutenant-Colonel Dick-Cunyngham was
wounded when leading his men, and that officer's chagrin at his being
rendered impotent. He said: "We charged three times with the bayonet,
and my gun was covered with whiskers and blood, though I don't remember
striking anybody, but I was nearly mad with excitement, shells bursting
and bullets whizzing round like hail. I was close behind the commanding
officer when he was wounded. He was shot and had to sit down, but he
cheered on his men. 'Forward, Gordons,' he cried, 'the world is looking
at you. Brave lads, give it to the beggars, exterminate the
vermin--charge.' He then started crying because he could no longer lead
his battalion, and he would not retire from the field until the day was
won. He is a fine man to lead a battalion--as brave as a lion. The
Gordons were the last line, and we raced through the Manchesters and the
Devons and the Light Horse Volunteers, all charging together."
Here we have a proof how much the morale of soldiers may be influenced
by their immediate chief.
The _Natal Advertiser_ in its account of the final scene said:--
"By a quarter past six the Devonshire Regiment, the Gordon Highlanders,
and the Manchester Regiment, with the Imperial Light Horse, were in a
position to storm the Boer camp from the enemy's front and left flank,
and the signal for the bayonet charge was sounded. Then was witnessed
one of the most splendid pieces of storming imaginable, the Devons
taking the lead, closely followed by the Gordons, the Manchesters, and
the Light Horse, in the face of a tremendous, killing fire, the rattle
and roar of which betokened frightful carnage.... A bugler boy of the
5th Lancers shot three Boers with his revolver. He was afterwards
carried round the camp amid cheers."
So many acts of gallantry were performed that they cannot all be
related. It is impossible, however, to allow the wondrous pluck of
Sergeant Kenneth M'Leod to go unrecorded. During the charge this gallant
Scot was twice struck, once in the arm and once in the side. He however
continued to pipe and advance with the Gordons to their final rush.
Presently came more bullets, smashing his drones, his chanter, and his
windbag, whereupon the splendid fellow had to give in.