TRANSCRIBERS' NOTE:
In this plan text version, text in italics in the original is surrounded
with _underscores_. Text in bold in the original is surrounded with
=equals signs=. Text in an ornate font (awards of the Victoria Cross)
is surrounded by #hash marks#.
The following publishers' note was bound into the middle of the book.
To simplify reading of that section and allow interested readers to
view it easily, it has been moved here.
Corrections are individually listed at the end of the text.
PUBLISHERS' NOTE.
The prolongation of the War far beyond the calculation of those best able
to form an opinion on the subject has necessarily affected the plan of
Creswicke's "South Africa and Transvaal War," and in consequence the
completion of the work in a manner satisfactory to subscribers, and
worthy of a book now widely recognised as a great History of the
Campaign, has been most carefully considered by both Author and
Publishers. They have decided to adhere closely to the plan of the work
sketched in the original prospectus; that is to say, Volume VI. will
bring to a close the History of the War so far as the annexation of the
Transvaal is concerned. All the important and daring movements that
culminated in the occupation of Lydenburg and the flight of Kruger are
treated in graphic detail. A condensed account is also given of the
subsequent Guerilla Warfare down to March 1901.
At the end of the Volume will be found the valuable Appendix matter
announced in Prospectus:--
(1.) =Gazetteer.= This gives in alphabetical order all the information
that is required as to places in South Africa. =Military terms are also
fully explained.=
(2.) =Biographical Record.= No attempt has been made elsewhere to deal
biographically in one list with the prominent actors connected with the
South African Campaign. This list, which would form in itself a good
sized volume crowded with facts, will be of permanent value.
(3.) =Recipients of the Victoria Cross=: giving details regarding those
who have earned this honour during the War up to the date of publication.
It is evident, however, that the Guerilla operations, spread over so
large an area as they are, would themselves furnish material for an
extensive book. In view, therefore, of the importance of this unique
development of the campaign, the military interest of the story, and the
many heroic deeds which deserve the fullest recognition possible, the
Publishers have decided to issue =an additional and strictly
supplementary Volume= dealing with Lord Kitchener's regime as
Commander-in-Chief and the Guerilla War. This additional volume will be
uniform as regards general style, number of illustrations, price, &c.,
and it is hoped that it will be found possible to include in it some
account of the ultimate settlement and the resources of the new Colonies.
The Publishers are confident that subscribers will find this a valuable
addition to the work.
* * * * *
Readers interested in this work are requested to assist the writer of the
narrative by forwarding authentic letters or accounts throwing light on
the military operations subsequent to Lord Roberts's departure from South
Africa. The names of correspondents will not be made public, and their
communications will be returned if desired. All letters should be
addressed, LOUIS CRESWICKE, Esq., c/o Messrs T. C. & E. C. Jack,
Causewayside, Edinburgh.
[Illustration: MUSTER OF THE CAPE TOWN GUARD ON THE PARADE GROUND CAPE
TOWN, FOR INSPECTION BY GENERAL BRABANT, JANUARY 12, 1901.
Photo by Alf. F. Hosking, Cape Town.]
SOUTH AFRICA
AND THE
TRANSVAAL WAR
BY
LOUIS CRESWICKE
AUTHOR OF "ROXANE," ETC.
WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS
IN SIX VOLUMES
VOL. VI.--FROM THE OCCUPATION OF PRETORIA TO
MR. KRUGER'S DEPARTURE FROM SOUTH AFRICA,
WITH A SUMMARISED ACCOUNT OF THE
GUERILLA WAR TO MARCH 1901
EDINBURGH: T. C. & E. C. JACK
MANCHESTER: KENNETH MACLENNAN, 75 PICCADILLY
1901
Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
At the Ballantyne Press
CONTENTS--VOL. VI
PAGE
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE v
OFFICIAL TABLE OF CASUALTIES IN SOUTH AFRICA viii
CHAPTER I
AT PRETORIA, JUNE 5 TO 10 1
THE BATTLE OF DIAMOND HILL, JUNE 11 TO 12 12
GUARDING THE COMMUNICATIONS 19
CHAPTER II
GENERAL BULLER'S OPERATIONS--ROUTING THE BOERS FROM LAING'S NEK,
MAY 19 TO JUNE 12 27
THE ADVANCE FROM LAING'S NEK TO STANDERTON--JOINING HANDS WITH
LORD ROBERTS'S FORCE, JUNE 13 TO 22 32
CHAPTER III
IN ORANGE RIVER COLONY (EAST), JUNE 37
IN THE WESTERN TRANSVAAL, JUNE TO JULY 9 40
CHAPTER IV
THE BATTLE OF BETHLEHEM--THE SURRENDER OF PRINSLOO 43
AFFAIRS IN AND AROUND PRETORIA--THE CAPTURE OF MIDDELBURG 54
PROTECTING THE KRUGERSDORP-POTCHEFSTROOM RAILROAD 66
CHAPTER V
CHASING DE WET IN THE WESTERN TRANSVAAL 70
PLOTS AND PROCLAMATIONS, AUGUST 81
CHAPTER VI
GENERAL BULLER'S MOVEMENTS--CLEARING THE TRANSVAAL BETWEEN
VOLKSRUST AND BELFAST 88
CHAPTER VII
THE LYDENBURG CAMPAIGN 93
THE ORANGE RIVER COLONY 112
THE WESTERN TRANSVAAL 117
EXIT MR. KRUGER 120
CHAPTER VIII
GUERILLA WARFARE 125
AFTERWORD 137
BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF NOTABLE PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE SOUTH
AFRICAN CAMPAIGN 152
RECIPIENTS OF THE VICTORIA CROSS 191
LEXICON OF TERMS AND PLACES CONNECTED WITH THE CAMPAIGN 197
DEATHS IN ACTION AND FROM DISEASE 208
LIST OF CASUALTIES 211
INDEX 213
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS--VOL. VI.
MAP ILLUSTRATING GENERAL BULLER'S CAMPAIGN IN NATAL,
MAY-JUNE 1900 _At Front_
1. _COLOURED PLATES_
PAGE
MUSTER OF THE CAPE TOWN GUARD _Frontispiece_
THE GRENADIER GUARDS 8
THE HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY 56
THE VICTORIA MOUNTED RIFLES 72
THE ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS 120
THE 2ND NORTHAMPTON REGIMENT 140
MARKET SQUARE, JOHANNESBURG 148
COMMANDER AND ABLE-SEAMAN, R.N. 192
2. _FULL-PAGE PLATES_
AUSTRALIAN BUSHMEN ON THE MARCH 24
A HISTORIC BATTLEFIELD: MAJUBA 32
PRINSLOO'S COMMANDO RETREATING TO THE BRANDWATER BASIN 44
PRINSLOO'S LAST STAND IN THE VALLEY OF THE LITTLE CALEDON 48
THE SURRENDER OF PRINSLOO'S FORCE 52
ALGOA BAY AND PORT ELIZABETH 64
BOERS TAKING THE OATH OF NEUTRALITY 88
PRISONERS' CAMP AT NOOITGEDACHT 96
THE NIGHT CHARGE OF THE 19TH HUSSARS NEAR LYDENBURG 104
THE DÉBÂCLE: ON THE TRACK OF A FLEEING COMMANDO 112
SIMON'S TOWN, CAPE COLONY 124
BURNING THE FARM OF A TREACHEROUS BURGHER 128
THE HARBOUR, EAST LONDON 132
THE INSPECTION OF COLONIAL SOLDIERS AT WINDSOR 136
RETURN OF THE CITY IMPERIAL VOLUNTEERS 144
DURBAN, NATAL 200
3. _FULL-PAGE PORTRAITS_
THE EARL OF AIRLIE 16
MAJOR-GENERAL CLEMENTS, D.S.O. 40
DE WET 80
MAJOR-GENERAL BARTON 152
H.R.H. PRINCE CHRISTIAN 160
SIR FRANCIS CLERY, K.C.B. 168
MAJOR-GENERAL SMITH-DORRIEN, D.S.O. 176
LIEUT.-GENERAL TUCKER, C.B. 184
4. _MAPS AND ENGRAVINGS IN THE TEXT_
MAP OF SEAT OF WAR 5
PLANS--BATTLE OF DIAMOND HILL 14, 16
LINES TORN UP BY DE WET 22
BATTLE OF ALMOND'S NEK (MAJUBA) 28
REPAIRING LAING'S NEK TUNNEL 31
RAILWAY MAP--E. AND S.E. OF PRETORIA 33
" " W. AND S.W. OF PRETORIA 41
" " E. ORANGE RIVER COLONY AND NATAL 45
POSITION OF TROOPS ROUND THE BRANDWATER BASIN BEFORE THE
SURRENDER OF PRINSLOO 50
NITRAL'S NEK 58
MAP ILLUSTRATING THE EASTWARD MOVE FROM EERSTEFABRIEKEN
TO MIDDELBURG 64
MAP--THE BATTLEFIELDS OF PRETORIA 73
COMMANDO'S NEK, MAGALIESBERG 79
A CAPITAL ON WHEELS 94
MAP--LYDENBURG CAMPAIGN 104
BARBERTON 107
HARRISMITH 113
MAJOR-GENERAL BRABAZON 155
BRIGADIER-GENERAL BROADWOOD 155
LIEUT.-COLONEL DALGETY 161
HON. SIR W. HELY-HUTCHINSON 169
MAJOR-GENERAL HUTTON, C.B. 171
COLONEL KEKEWICH 172
LIEUTENANT ROBERTS, V.C. 182
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL THORNEYCROFT 186
CAPTAIN TOWSE, V.C. 186
SURG.-GENERAL W. D. WILSON 189
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE--VOL. VI.
JUNE 1900.
5.--The British flag hoisted in Pretoria.
7.--The 4th Battalion Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters) captured
by the enemy at Roodeval.
9.--Klerksdorp surrendered to General Hunter.
11.--Lord Methuen gained a complete victory over De Wet.
12.--Almond's Nek having been forced the previous day, the Boers
evacuated Laing's Nek and Majuba at nightfall, and General Buller
encamped four miles north of Volksrust.
The battle of Diamond Hill. Lord Roberts defeated Botha 15 miles east of
Pretoria. The Boers retreated in the night farther east.
13.--The Boers continued their aggressions on the Senekal-Ficksburg
line. The Senekal-Winburg telegraph line was damaged. General
Lyttelton occupied Wakkerstroom.
14.--Rustenburg occupied by General Baden-Powell.
Botha's rearguard surprised and "thoroughly routed" by General Ian
Hamilton's Mounted Infantry.
Position on Zand River attacked by 800 Boers with three guns. Enemy
driven off by General Knox.
15.--Column left Pretoria to meet General Baden-Powell and repair
telegraph between Pretoria and Rustenburg.
18.--General Baden-Powell arrived at Pretoria.
General Hunter occupied Krugersdorp.
19.--Lord Methuen defeated De Wet at Heilbron.
20.--Extinction of rebellion in Cape Colony. Surrender of De Villiers.
22.--Lord Dundonald occupied Standerton.
24.--General Clements defeated the Boers at Winburg.
General Ian Hamilton occupied Heidelburg.
26.--Boer attack repulsed near Senekal, and enemy's laager burned.
27.--Attack on British at Roodeval Spruit. Boers beaten off.
JULY 1900.
1.--Generals Hunter and MacDonald joined hands at Frankfort.
4.--General Buller's forces and those of the Commander-in-Chief joined
at Vlakfontein.
Entire railway from Natal to Johannesburg in hands of the British.
General Paget drove the enemy from strong positions towards Bethlehem.
7.--General Buller arrived at Pretoria.
Bethlehem captured by Generals Clements and Paget. De Wet put to flight.
11.--Squadron of Scots Greys, five companies of the Lincolnshire
Regiment, with two guns of the O Battery of the Royal Horse
Artillery, captured at Nitral's Nek. General Smith-Dorrien
successfully engaged the Boers near Krugersdorp.
16.--Determined attacks by Boers on left flank of British posts in the
Pretoria district. Enemy driven off with loss.
19.--General Little engaged De Wet near Lindley, and broke up his
forces.
21.--Advance begun from Pretoria east, along Delagoa Bay Railway.
A supply train, with 100 Welsh Fusiliers, captured near Honing Spruit.
23.--The Black Watch capture a hill at Retief's Nek. The Highland Light
Infantry were compelled to retire from a steep hill above the Nek.
25.--Lord Roberts's force reached Balmoral on the way to Middelburg.
French's Cavalry and Hutton's Mounted Infantry put Boers to flight
six miles south of Balmoral.
Boers flee in disorder before Lord Roberts's advance. General French
crosses Oliphant's River.
26.--Philip de Wet, younger brother of Christian de Wet, surrendered at
Kroonstad.
General Hunter occupied Fouriesburg.
General MacDonald, after fighting a rearguard action, blocked Naauwpoort
Nek.
27.--Occupation of Middelburg by advance guard of Lord Roberts without
opposition.
30.--Surrender of Generals Prinsloo, A. J. Villiers, and Crowther, and
4000 Boers to General Hunter.
AUGUST 1900.
4.--Surrender of Harrismith to General MacDonald.
10.--Discovery of the plot at Pretoria to kidnap Lord Roberts and the
British officers.
Pursuit of De Wet continued.
12.--De Wet escaped.
16.--Eland's River garrison relieved.
24.--Lord Roberts left for the front in the Eastern Transvaal to operate
against General Botha.
25.--Lieutenant Hans Cordua shot in Pretoria for his participation in
the plot against Lord Roberts.
26.--Great battle near Dalmanutha.
Capture of Commandant Olivier and his two sons at Winburg.
27.--Important positions captured near Dalmanutha.
28.--General Buller's troops occupied Machadodorp.
Bergendal occupied.
29.--Kruger fled to Nelspruit.
The Boers evacuated Helvetia, which was occupied by General Buller.
30.--British occupation of Waterval Boven.
Release of about 2000 British prisoners at Nooitgedacht.
SEPTEMBER 1900.
1.--Lord Roberts annexed to the British Empire the South African
Republic, which henceforth will be known as the Transvaal Colony.
4.--General Buller and Botha engaged at Lydenburg.
Siege of Ladybrand raised.
6.--British occupied Lydenburg. Botha retreated.
8.--Spitz Kop captured.
11.--Kruger, having fled from the Transvaal, arrived in Portuguese
territory, and proceeded to Lorenzo Marques.
13.--Lord Roberts issued a proclamation calling upon the Boers to
surrender.
General French occupied Barberton.
16.--British occupied Nelspruit.
20.--British occupation of Kaap Muiden.
24.--Arrival of the British at the Portuguese frontier. Evacuation of
all the Boer positions near the frontier.
25.--Lord Roberts telegraphed to the Lord Mayor of London that the City
Imperial Volunteers might be expected home "before November 5th."
Surrender of Boers to the Portuguese.
OCTOBER 1900.
3.--Return of General Buller to Lydenburg after having marched through
the whole of the hilly country to the north as far as Pilgrim's
Rest, and having occupied the principal Boer positions.
9.--Continuous series of engagements in the Transvaal and Orange River
Colony, and defeat of De Wet, who was driven north, across the Vaal,
at Venterstroom.
10.--General Buller prepared to return home.
11.--Anniversary of Kruger's insolent ultimatum.
19.--Mr. Kruger left Lorenzo Marques for Europe, and made his exit from
the political stage.
24.--General Buller left Cape Town for England.
Koffyfontein besieged.
25.--The Transvaal formally annexed.
NOVEMBER 1900
3.--Koffyfontein relieved.
6.--Engagement with De Wet near Bothaville.
16.--Conspirators against Lord Roberts arrested.
18.--Lord Roberts met with an accident at Johannesburg.
23.--Garrison at Dewetsdorp surrendered to De Wet.
27.--General Charles Knox in touch with De Wet at Beyersberg.
29.--Lord Kitchener took over the command in South Africa.
DECEMBER 1900.
5.--De Wet crossed the Caledon with a view to entering Cape Colony.
11.--Lord Roberts left Cape Town for England.
De Wet, after being turned northward by General Knox, moved towards
Reddersburg.
13.--Reverse to General Clements near the Magaliesberg.
Brabant's Horse mishap near Zastron.
19.--Boers under Delarey routed.
Boer raid into Cape Colony.
21.--War Office arranged for reinforcements.
22.--Boer movement in Cape Colony checked.
26.--General Charles Knox engaged with De Wet near Leeuw Kop.
28.--De Wet, frustrated in his attempt to break through to the south,
withdrew to Senekal.
Cape raiders driven northward.
29.--British garrison at Helvetia captured.
30.--Preparations made for the frustration of a more ambitious Boer raid
into Cape Colony.
JANUARY 1901
1.--"Call to arms" at Capetown. Enthusiastic response.
7.--Boers attacked Belfast, Wonderfontein, Nooitgedacht, Widfontein, and
Pan, and after sharp fighting were dispersed.
10.--Machadodorp attacked by night. Post gallantly defended.
12.--Boers driven eastward from Witwatersberg by General French.
Activities in Cape Colony to frustrate Hertzog's advance.
22.--Death of Queen Victoria. Lamentation throughout the world.
23.--Colonels De Lisle, Scobell, and Collenbrander drove the enemy out
of Calvinia and Van Rhynsdorp, and pursued him north to Carnarvon.
28.--General French marched eastward, clearing the valley of the Wilge
River.
FEBRUARY 1901.
6.--General French, after encountering little resistance, entered
Ermelo. General Smith-Dorrien repulsed 2000 of the enemy. His
losses were 23 killed and 52 wounded.
9.--Eastern movement continued in deluges of rain, but invasion of Natal
by Botha eventually frustrated.
10.--De Wet, after many contests with the British forces in Orange River
Colony, succeeded in crossing the river at Sand Drift.
14.--Animated chases after De Wet.
23.--De Wet succeeded in recrossing the river after losing 200
prisoners, all his guns, ammunition, and waggons.
27.--Lengthy negotiations for the promotion of peace took place between
Lord Kitchener and Commandant Botha, which negotiations eventually
fell to the ground.
OFFICIAL TABLE OF CASUALTIES IN SOUTH AFRICA.
The following is a table of casualties in the Field Force, South Africa,
reported during the month of December 1900, and total casualties reported
since the beginning of the war, up to and including the month:--
[Transcribers' Note: In order to fit the table within the standard
Project Gutenberg constraints, column headings have been keyed as
follows:
D: Died of Wounds in South Africa (included in wounded).
M: Missing and Prisoners.
T: Total Killed, Wounded, Missing and Prisoners.
O: Officers.
N: N.C.O.'s and Men.]
+---------------------------+--------+-----------+-------+---------+-----------+
| | Killed.| Wounded. | D | M | T |
| Casualties in Action. +---+----+----+------+--+----+---+-----+----+------+
| | O | N | O | N |O | N | O | N | O | N |
+---------------------------+---+----+----+------+--+----+---+-----+----+------+
|Nooitgedacht, December 13 | 9| 57| 11| 183|..| 12|[A]|18[A]| 20 | 258|
|Other casualties | 4| 141| 41| 382| 4| 71| 2| 101 | 47| 624|
| +---+----+----+------+--+----+---+-----+----+------+
|Total casualties | | | | | | | | | | |
| reported during the month| 13| 198| 52| 565| 4| 83| 2| 119 | 67| 882|
| +---+----+----+------+--+----+---+-----+----+------+
|Total casualties reported | | | | | | | | | | |
| up to and including the| | | | | | | | | | |
| month-- | | | | | | | | | | |
| Belmont, | | | | | | | | | | |
| November 23, 1899 | 3| 50| 25| 220| 1| 21|...| ...| 28| 270|
| Colenso, | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 15, 1899 | 7| 134| 43| 719| 2| 20| 21| 206| 71| 1039|
| Driefontein, | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 10, 1900 | 5| 58| 29| 342| 1| 18|...| 2| 24| 402|
| Dundee, October 20, 1899 | 8| 43| 21| 84| 3| ...| 25| 305| 44| 432|
| Elandslaagte, | | | | | | | | | | |
| October 21, 1899 | 5| 50| 30| 169|..| 6|...| 4| 35| 223|
| Enslin (Graspan), | | | | | | | | | | |
| November 25, 1899 | 3| 14| 6| 162| 1| 4|...| 9| 9| 185|
| Farquhar's Farm and | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nicholson's Nek, | | | | | | | | | | |
| October 30, 1899 | 6| 56| 9| 244|..| 10| 43| 927| 58| 1227|
| Johannesburg and | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pretoria, capture of | 3| 20| 34| 132| 1| 8| 5| 38| 42| 190|
| Karee, near Brandfort, | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 29, 1900 | 1| 20| 9| 152| 1| 11|...| ...| 10| 172|
| Ladysmith, Relief of, | | | | | | | | | | |
| February 19 to 27, 1900| 22| 241| 91| 1530| 3| 80| 1| 11| 114| 1782|
| Magersfontein, | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 11, 1899 | 23| 167| 45| 645| 3| 35|...| 91| 68| 903|
| Monte Christo | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Colenso), &c., | | | | | | | | | | |
| February 15 to 18, 1900| 1| 13| 8| 180|..| 3|...| 4| 9| 197|
| Modder River, | | | | | | | | | | |
| November 28, 1899 | 4| 66| 20| 393|..| 32|...| 2| 24| 461|
| Paardeberg, | | | | | | | | | | |
| February 16 to 27, 1900| 18| 245| 74| 1137| 6| 69| 6| 58| 98| 1440|
| Potgeiter's Drift, | | | | | | | | | | |
| February 5 to 7, 1900 | 2| 23| 18| 326|..| 8|...| 5| 20| 354|
| Pretoria, east of, | | | | | | | | | | |
| June 11 and 12, 1900 | 8| 6| 16| 128| 1| 4| 1| 3| 25| 137|
| Reddersburg, | | | | | | | | | | |
| April 3 and 4, 1900 | 2| 10| 2| 33| 1| 1| 8| 397| 12| 440|
| Rietfontein, | | | | | | | | | | |
| October 24, 1899 | 1| 11| 6| 98|..| 4|...| 2| 7| 111|
| Sanna's Post, | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 1900 | 3| 15| 16| 122| 2| 7| 18| 408| 37| 545|
| Senekal, May 29, 1900 |...| 38| 7| 127| 1| 5|...| 12| 7| 177|
| Spion Kop, &c., | | | | | | | | | | |
| January 17 to 24, 1900 | 30| 276| 53| 1061| 6| 52| 4| 314| 87| 1651|
| Stormberg, | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 10, 1899 |...| 31| 7| 51|..| 1| 13| 620| 20| 702|
| Uitval's Nek, | | | | | | | | | | |
| July 11, 1900 | 3| 16| 3| 53|..| 3| 4| 186| 10| 255|
| Willow Grange, | | | | | | | | | | |
| November 23, 1899 |...| 11| 1| 66|..| 2| 1| 8| 2| 85|
| At Ladysmith, during | | | | | | | | | | |
| Investment-- | | | | | | | | | | |
| Battle of January 6, | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1900 | 14| 164| 33| 287| 4| 25|...| 2| 47| 453|
| Other casualties | 6| 60| 36| 280| 3| 29|...| 12| 42| 352|
| At Kimberley during | | | | | | | | | | |
| Investment | 2| 36| 15| 124|..| 4| 1| 3| 18| 163|
| At Mafeking during | | | | | | | | | | |
| Investment | 5| 64| 10| 152|..| 9| 1| 41| 16| 257|
| Other casualties |139|1278| 562| 5434|57| 564|152| 4372| 853|11,084|
| +---+----+----+------+--+----+---+-----+----+------+
| Total casualties in | | | | | | | | | | |
| action reported up to |324|3216|1209|14,451|97|1035|304| 8042|1837|25,709|
| December 31 | | | | | | |[B]| [B] | | |
+---------------------------+---+----+----+------+--+----+---+-----+----+------+
FOOTNOTES:
[A] In this action 15 officers and 560 men were reported missing. The
great majority of these were captured, but were released on December 16.
[B] Of these, 293 officers and 7052 men have been released or have
escaped, and 4 officers and 92 men have died in captivity.
+------------------------------------------+---------+----------+
| Other Casualties. |Officers.| N.C.O.'s |
| | | and Men |
+------------------------------------------+---------+----------+
|Reported during the month-- | | |
| Died of disease in South Africa | 11 | 445 |
| Accidental deaths in South Africa | 1 | 24 |
| Invalids sent home | 87 | 1437 |
| +---------+----------+
|Total up to and including the month-- | | |
| Died of disease in South Africa | 174 | 7011 |
| Accidental deaths in South Africa | 5 | 200 |
| Invalids sent home-- | | |
| Wounded | } | { 5662 |
| Sick | } 1638 | {30243 |
| Not specified which | } | { 1081 |
+------------------------------------------+---------+----------+
|Total reduction of the Field Force, South | | |
| Africa, due to casualties. | | |
| | | |
|Reported during the month-- | | |
| Killed in action | 13 | 198 |
| Died of wounds in South Africa | 4 | 83 |
| Died of disease in South Africa | 11 | 445 |
| Accidental deaths in South Africa | 1 | 24 |
| Missing and prisoners | 2 | 119 |
| Sent home as invalids | 87 | 1437 |
| +---------+----------+
| Total | 118 | 2306 |
| +---------+----------+
|Totals reported up to and including the | | |
| month-- | | |
| Killed in action | 324 | 3216 |
| Died of wounds | 97 | 1035 |
| Prisoners who have died in captivity | 4 | 92 |
| Died of disease | 174 | 7011 |
| Accidental deaths | 5 | 200 |
| +---------+----------+
| Total deaths in South Africa | 604 | 11,554 |
| Missing and prisoners (excluding those | | |
| who have been recovered or have | | |
| died in captivity) | 7 | 898[C]|
| Sent home as invalids | 1638 | 36,986[C]|
| +---------+----------+
| Total, South African Field Force | 2249 49,438 |
| | \ / |
| | 51,687[D] |
+------------------------------------------+---------+----------+
|Total reduction of the Military Forces | | |
| through war in South Africa-- | | |
| Deaths in South Africa | 604 | 11,554 |
| Missing and prisoners | 7 | 898[D]|
| Invalids sent home who have died | 4 | 243 |
| Invalids sent home who have left the | | |
| Service as unfit | ... | 1570 |
| +---------+----------+
| | 615 14,265 |
| | \ / |
| | 14,380[E] |
+------------------------------------------+--------------------+
FOOTNOTES:
[C] Of these, 243 have died, 1570 have been discharged from the Service
as unfit, and 654 are in hospital.
[D] This total includes a number of men reported "missing" who
subsequently rejoined, but whose return has not yet been notified.
[E] The difference between these two numbers is due to the fact that the
great majority of the men invalided home have recovered and rejoined for
duty. (See note B.)
[Illustration: T. C. & E. C. Jack. Edinburgh.
MAP ILLUSTRATING GENERAL BULLER'S CAMPAIGN IN NATAL--MAY-JUNE 1900.]
SOUTH AFRICA AND THE TRANSVAAL WAR
CHAPTER I
TO QUEEN VICTORIA
"May children of our children say,
'She wrought her people lasting good;
'Her court was pure; her life serene;
God gave her peace; her land reposed;
A thousand claims to reverence closed
In her as Mother, Wife, and Queen;
'And statesmen at her council met
Who knew the seasons when to take
Occasion by the hand, and make
The bounds of freedom wider yet
'By shaping some august decree,
Which kept her throne unshaken still,
Broadbased upon her people's will,
And compass'd by the inviolate sea.'"
--TENNYSON.
PRETORIA
Pretoria, like most South African towns, dozes in the lap of the hills,
dozes tranquilly in a haven of generous nature, as dozed her Dutchmen in
the midst of growing civilisation. The place from the distance is fair to
the eye, poplar-groved, verdant, and picturesque, with the glimmer of red
roofs cutting against the green, and veils of gauzy clouds, now grey, now
purple, now azure, interlacing the hills and linking them with the sky.
Its quaint, old, low-storeyed houses--in some cases thatched like
bungalows--and its more modern tenements roofed with zinc, and bounded by
pleasant rose-gardens tangled with flowers, seemed to the new-comers
strangely suburban in contrast with the imposing Government buildings and
shops which were soon alive with all the fluster of nineteenth-century
money-getting.
For the great entry made, the capital was swift to resume its everyday
aspect, and trade grew even brisker than before. Famine prices reigned:
though in some hotels where comforts were many, baths and sanitary
arrangements were primitive. The Boers were busy "making hay while the
sun shone," consequently living became twice as expensive as in England;
and, what was worse, with the enormous and somewhat voracious army to be
fed, supplies threatened at no very remote date to become exhausted.
At first all things seemed to denote that the war was practically over,
that nothing remained but to accept the surrender of the defeated Boers,
and to settle quickly the administration of the conquered Republics. By
degrees, however, disappointment set in--disappointment not unmixed with
alarm. The redoubtable Christian de Wet had theories of his own; he put
on his shoulders the mantle of the deposed Cronje, and set to work to
show his generalship by destroying the railway in the south, cutting the
telegraph wires, and generally harassing the lines of communication.
Indeed, there was every appearance that the late investing forces might
in their turn become invested in the capital. Postal and telegraphic
communications were cut, supplies and reinforcements were menaced, and
gradually the sunny outlook of conquest grew nebulous.
The defeated forces also began to concentrate at Machadodorp, beyond
Middelburg, where Mr. Kruger was actively engaged in conference with his
friends. They were not devoid of funds, for it was found that before
leaving Pretoria the Boer officials had provided themselves with £300,000
from the National Bank, and while this sum lasted and he remained in the
country, it was argued that Mr. Kruger's schemes of bribery and
corruption might be expected to continue, and even develop. Still Lord
Roberts was undismayed! He had foreseen attacks on his communications,
but had hazarded all on the one throw of reaching the capital before the
Boers could gather together their forces for organised resistance,
pushing forward in the only way possible if the conquered were to be left
breathless. Napoleon's advice to one of his marshals, "A
commander-in-chief should never give rest either to the victor or the
vanquished," had been followed to the foot of the letter, as the French
say.
In this notable march the marvellous genius of Lord Roberts had been
shown in many ways, but in courage before all. He had adapted his
fighting dispositions on a system specially suitable to the
idiosyncrasies of the Boers--had observed their natural disinclination to
take the initiative, their failure to act on the offensive rather than
the defensive, and, on this discovery, had invented new tactics which
were exactly appropriate and eminently successful. His infantry had made
the centre of the advancing line to east and west of the rail,
perpetually threatening the enemy with frontal attack, while active and
competent wings of mounted troops unceasingly wheeled round both flanks,
threatening to turn them so soon as opportunity should offer. Thus the
Boers, for fear of being outflanked, were forced to extend their front
till the central position--at the railway line--became too weak for
resistance, and they had of necessity to retreat, and continue to
retreat, till they were too exhausted to do more than run.
At the Chief's masterly combinations, his ingenious synchronal schemes,
his almost prophetic foresight regarding the positions of the enemy, and
the effect of his every move upon those positions, it is impossible not
to marvel--as at the amazing boldness and rapidity of execution with
which was developed a design which brought him with his enormous army in
little more than a month from Bloemfontein to Pretoria.
From the following general order issued on his arrival at his destination
it is possible to understand the magnitude and the daring of the Chief's
plan, which, merely to read of, renders one almost breathless:--
"PRETORIA, _June 7_.
"In congratulating the British Army in South Africa on the
occupation of Johannesburg and Pretoria, the one being the
principal town and the other the capital of the Transvaal, and
also on the relief of Mafeking after a heroic defence of over
200 days, the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-chief desires to
place on record his high appreciation of the gallantry and
endurance displayed by the troops, both those who have taken
part in the advance across the Vaal River and those who have
been employed in the less arduous duty of protecting the line
of communication through the Orange River Colony.
"After the force reached Bloemfontein on March 13, it was
necessary to halt there for a certain period. Through railway
communication with Cape Colony had to be restored before
supplies and necessaries of all kinds could be got up from the
base. The rapid advance from the Modder River, and the want of
forage _en route_, had told on the horses of the cavalry,
artillery, mounted infantry, and the transport mules and oxen,
and to replace these casualties a considerable number of
animals had to be provided. Throughout the six weeks the army
remained halted at Bloemfontein the enemy showed considerable
activity, especially in the south-eastern portion of the Orange
River Colony, but by the beginning of May everything was in
readiness for a further advance into the enemy's country, and
on the 2nd of that month active operations were again
commenced.
"On May 12, Kroonstad, where Mr. Steyn had established the
so-called government of the Orange Free State, was entered. On
May 17, Mafeking was relieved. On May 31 Johannesburg was
occupied, and on June 5 the British flag waved over Pretoria.
"During these thirty-five days, the main body of the force
marched 300 miles, including fifteen days' halt, and engaged
the enemy on six different occasions.
"The column under Lieutenant-General Ian Hamilton marched 400
miles in forty-five days, including ten days' halt. It was
engaged with the enemy twenty-eight times.
"The flying column under the command of Colonel B. Mahon, which
relieved Mafeking, marched at the rate of nearly fifteen miles
a day for fourteen consecutive days, and successfully
accomplished its object, despite the determined opposition
offered by the enemy.
"The newly raised battalion of the City of London Imperial
Volunteers marched 500 miles in fifty-four days, only once
having two consecutive days' halt. It took part in twenty-six
engagements with the enemy.
"During the recent operations the sudden variations in
temperature between the warm sun in the daytime and the bitter
cold at night have been peculiarly trying to the troops, and
owing to the necessity for rapid movement the soldiers have
frequently had to bivouac after long and trying marches without
firewood and with scanty rations.
"The cheerful spirit in which these difficulties have been
overcome and hardships disregarded are deserving of the highest
praise, and in thanking all ranks for the successful efforts to
obtain the objects in view, Lord Roberts is proud to think that
the soldiers under his command have worthily upheld the
traditions of her Majesty's army in fighting, in marching, and
in the admirable discipline which has been maintained
throughout a period of no ordinary trial and difficulty.
(Signed) ROBERTS, Field-Marshal."
As may be imagined, the man who could accomplish so much in so short a
span of time remained unperturbed by a vision of clouds on the horizon.
He knew that though with the fall of Pretoria the campaign nominally
ended, there were many minor passages at arms to be expected in various
parts of the two Republics. There were the remnants of Botha's army to
north and east; there were De Wet and his marauders playing havoc with
lines and telegraph wires, prowling in search of ill-defended convoys,
and inspirited to fresh deeds of aggression by the successful capture of
Colonel Spragge's Yeomanry; there were Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp to be
occupied by Sir Archibald Hunter, and Griqualand to be finally pacified
by Sir Charles Warren.
[Illustration: MAP OF THE SEAT OF WAR.]
Still, it was unpleasant to receive the report that while the main army
had been advancing, an immense force of Boers, through a series of
unfortunate mistakes, had succeeded in capturing in the vicinity of
Vredefort Road, a convoy and an escort of a company and a half of
Highlanders on its way to Heilbron. The outline of the unhappy affair was
painful in the extreme. As the mysterious circumstances attending the
movements of the convoy have not yet been fully sifted, it would be
unfair to accept the numerous criticisms offered on the subject, and
details regarding the capture are so lost in the "fog of war," that it is
difficult to give an account of the series of muddles that brought about
disaster. It appeared that though the enemy were lurking everywhere the
convoy was travelling from Winburg under escort of only a company and a
half "odd" men of the Brigade with orders to pick it up at Kroonstad,
which place was subsequently changed to Heilbron. At Vredefort the party
were to leave the rail and go by road; but shortly it received orders to
await an escort that was being sent from Heilbron. General Hector
MacDonald wired that it should not proceed further till escorted by a
strong force of mounted troops, infantry, and artillery, as he himself,
during his five days' march, had been repeatedly in collision with the
foe. The officer in command laagered up. Next day an orderly reconnoitred
and failed to detect the presence of the enemy. Suspicion had been
aroused, however, by the disappearance of a Colonial conductor, who, it
seems, used the occasion to report to De Wet, who promptly seized the
time and the opportunity. He sent in with a flag of truce a terse
message, "I have 1200 men and five guns. Surrender at once." An hour
earlier Major Haig with 600 men, marching from Vredefort Road, had got to
within two miles of the convoy, but hearing that the railhead was
threatened had turned back. The convoy was therefore at De Wet's mercy,
and he knew it. He refused to give any terms, so the small party
capitulated! General Hector MacDonald, in defence of his Highlanders, who
were evidently not at fault, gave a concise account of the circumstances
attending the misadventure--an account more trustworthy than those of
outsiders--
"While the Brigade was at Wynberg, a company of the Black Watch
was sent as escort to a convoy of pom-pom ammunition to
Smalldeel railway station, and a day or two later half a
company of Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders with captured arms
and ammunition, and we were informed that they would join us at
Kroonstad. The Brigade, however, instead of going to Kroonstad,
marched by way of Ventersburg and Lindley to Heilbron, while
the detached companies marched by the railway to Roodeval. As
we were opposed--practically surrounded--for the last five days
of our march, a wire was sent to Smalldeel not to send in a
convoy until it could be escorted by a strong force of mounted
troops, infantry, and artillery. The Commandant at Smalldeel,
however, sent away the convoy under escort of the company and a
half of Highlanders, with the result that it was captured.
Perhaps the Commandant was acting under orders from the army
headquarters, and that remains to be seen."
Certain it was that the Highland Brigade, who had already been subsisting
on frugal, one may say starvation, fare was left in a sorry plight, and
fully appreciated the significance of the saying that too many cooks will
spoil the broth. On the shoulders of which of the cooks the blame will
eventually rest remains to be seen.
It was the opinion of some that sufficient precautions were not taken to
insure the expedition's transmission of supplies, and the entrenchment
and strong fortification of small bodies of troops sent to guard the line
of rail; and also that there was an insufficiently co-ordinated system of
intelligence, in consequence of which commanding officers moving with
detached forces were without definite information regarding the movements
and destination of other forces, friendly or inimical, which might have
to be encountered.
The mishaps of Sanna's Post--the capture of the Yeomanry and other
corps--were thought to have been occasioned by the absence of a general
staff--a general staff trained by years of practice to the exigencies of
life in the field. Such a staff of trained and picked officers was
educated by Napoleon for his use under his personal supervision, while
Lord Roberts, with a gigantic army of 200,000 men, had a merely
improvised machine. He had certainly Lord Kitchener at his elbow, but
this officer's duties developed into those of the "handy-man"--now
organiser, now fighter, now administrator in rebellious districts--thus
depriving the Chief of the clockwork apparatus that should be represented
by the General Staff, at a time when generals and troops, like engines
and railway carriages, had to be timed to arrive and depart from stations
on the hard-and-fast principles of Bradshaw.
At this date with Lord Roberts in Pretoria were two and a half infantry
divisions, a cavalry division, and a mounted infantry division, Wavell's
Brigade having been left at Johannesburg, while the other half proceeded
to the Capital.
General Hunter's Division, joined by Colonel Mahon's force, was operating
at Ventersdorp, while Colonel Plumer without opposition occupied Zeerust,
the officials agreeing to take the oath provided they were protected from
their fellow-countrymen. Elsewhere, across the Orange River Colony, the
troops were fairly well expanded. General Colvile with the Highland
Brigade was near Heilbron, and south of him Lord Methuen, while at
Lindley was General Paget. At Senekal and Hammonia were General Clements
and General Rundle respectively. South of these again, Generals Chermside
and Brabant were operating.
It was imagined that the combined vigilance of these officers had
entirely protected the communications in the Orange River Colony, but on
the 7th of June the unquenchable Dutchmen succeeded in cutting line and
telegraph wire north of Kroonstad, and in taking prisoners most of the
4th Battalion of the Derbyshires (Sherwood Foresters), who were guarding
the district. Of the battalion, the Colonel, a lieutenant, and
thirty-four rank and file were killed, five officers and ninety-nine men
were wounded, and the rest, save six, made prisoners!
The story ran thus: At dusk on the 4th, the Derbyshire Militia Regiment
arrived at Roodeval and pitched their camp in the lee of a string of
kopjes that shelved away to the west, and terminated in a high hump
which, jutting out of the plain, commanded rail, camp, and the
surrounding hills. Owing to the darkness it was impossible to do much in
the way of reconnoitring, and though some scouts and natives warned the
commanding officers that Boers had been espied in the vicinity, little
notice was taken. The pickets, which had been posted on a range of
kopjes north of the camp, were strengthened, and some few shots fired at
distant snipers. Then the party laid themselves down to rest, and slept
placidly. Before dawn they were awakened by the furious crackling of
musketry, and even as the men turned out with their rifles, they dropped.
One after another as they left their tents fell victims to the unseen
foe. The fact was, the pickets had been attacked and driven in, and the
enemy occupied the range which commanded the British troops. Presently
the early morning was humming with shot and shell, the Boers now having
brought four big guns and a pom-pom to bear on the unfortunate camp and
the bald plain that surrounded it. Valiantly the militiamen, raw and
unfledged warriors as they were, fought; long, bloody, and disastrous
hours passed, and they, falling thick as autumn leaves, continued to hold
out in a completely defenceless position till the plain was littered with
dead and wounded--more than eighty of them now lying in a trap from which
it was impossible to escape. Colonel Baird-Douglas,[1] wounded in four
places, fought like a lion, encouraging his men, and vowing to shoot the
first who should display a white flag. Then he dropped exhausted and
breathed his last. Finally 420 prisoners were taken, including the
following officers of the 4th Derbyshire Regiment:--
Captain J. Humber, Captain C. P. Piers, Captain A. M. W.
Mohun-Harris, Captain E. M. Wilmot, Captain R. C. Fenwick,
Captain and Adjutant R. Britten, Lieutenant P. C. Shepard,
Second-Lieutenant A. C. Hewitt, Second-Lieutenant J. L.
Heymann, Second-Lieutenant H. L. Napier, Second-Lieutenant H.
M. Milward, Second-Lieutenant J. H. W. Becke, Second-Lieutenant
J. H. Mathias, Second-Lieutenant H. S. Anderson,
Second-Lieutenant E. N. T. Collin, Hon. Lieutenant and
Quartermaster M. M'Guire. Among the killed
were:--Lieutenant-Colonel Baird-Douglas and Lieutenant Horley.
Among the wounded:--Colonel Wilkinson, Captain Bailey,
Second-Lieutenants Hall and Lawder, Lieutenant Blanchard,
Canadian Infantry (attached to 4th Derbyshire).
It was said that after the capture the commandants, on bringing the
prisoners to the station, were seen cordially shaking hands with a
railway official as though exchanging congratulations. This circumstance
was one of many which bore witness to the innumerable acts of treachery
and duplicity with which commanding officers had to contend.
[Illustration:
Colour-Sergeant. Sergeant-Major.
THE GRENADIER GUARDS.
Photo by Gregory & Co., London.]
On the same day, in the same locality, there was another engagement,
which resulted in the capture of a number of the Railway Pioneer Corps.
According to an account in the _Bloemfontein Post_, the corps was
awakened at 5.26 in the morning by an unusual stir among the sentries. A
moment afterwards a voice was heard asking, "Can any one speak Dutch?" A
man, evidently a burgher, approached Captain Grant McDonnel and
Lieutenants Blanchard and Hayes with a note from the Boer commandant in
the vicinity, stating that he had 1200 men and five guns with him, and
adding that he would give the British force ten minutes in which to
surrender. The bearer, after delivering the note, went back to a large
body of Boers mounted on horses, who had by this time approached so close
as to be plainly visible.
The Pioneer Corps, realising their dangerous position, endeavoured
hastily to improvise a barricade with a number of railway trucks, and
also requisitioned a large quantity of biscuit and meat tins for the
purpose. The orders of Captain Gale were speedily carried out, and soon
his little force, numbering 160, were completely sheltered behind the
barricade. The Boers, after waiting the specified ten minutes, and
perceiving the efforts of the British to offer resistance, immediately
opened fire, pouring volley after volley on the force. Captain Gale and
two pioneers fell from the rifle fire, while shrapnel shells bursting
near killed three men. The enemy then directed their heavy artillery on
the barricades and station buildings, the latter being practically
destroyed. The Boers were now only fourteen hundred yards away, and well
hidden. An endeavour was made to have the wounded conveyed to safety
behind a large tank, but a shell from the Boer guns exploded among the
horses and the animals stampeded.
Firing from heavy guns was afterwards heard coming from the opposite
direction to the Boers. Hopes were high among the gallant force that
relief was at last arriving from Kroonstad. The pioneers, however, soon
became too painfully aware that the firing came from another body of the
enemy, who had surrounded the 4th Derbyshire Regiment the same morning.
Although the firing continued, an outlying patrol attempted to reach the
pioneers. The whole of the Boer guns were now worked with increased
energy, and soon the want of ammunition compelled the British force to
surrender. The report then went on to say that Commandant De Wet, mounted
on an English charger, advanced and asked the number of British killed.
Looking at the dead body of Captain Gale, the Boer commandant remarked
sympathetically, "Poor man. Very sad. Bury him at once." He also
courteously allowed the body to be wrapped in a Union Jack. De Wet is a
tall, heavily built man, with a brown beard. He wore a tweed suit and an
overcoat, and carried a rifle and bandolier. Attached to his gold chain
was a medal, on which was a representation of Kruger's head. De Wet was
very polite to his captives, and kindly expressed his sorrow at having
to destroy two thousand bags of mails. Unless he did so, he added, the
young Boers would open the letters.
The bags were afterwards ripped open, and the Boers looted the baggage.
One burgher found a number of bank notes as part of his spoil, while
others obtained tobacco, cigars, and various medical comforts. Lieutenant
Thurston, Cape Pioneer Railway Regiment, and Lieutenant Staffkett, Cape
Pioneer Railway Regiment, were made prisoners. Some of the prisoners were
called together and made to take off parts of their dress, which the
Boers then donned. The British wounded were well attended to, and were
subsequently removed to the Yeomanry Hospital at Kroonstad.
As a consequence of these attacks De Wet obtained possession of the line,
which became so twisted and uptorn as to resemble unfinished Jacob's
ladders to heaven, while Pretoria found itself minus its longed-for home
letters, and standing hourly in fear of running short of food. Still
affairs were going on as though nothing had happened. The Town Council
temporarily continued its duties. An English Burgomaster was chosen, and
a new Court of Justice was established. Colonel Maxse became the head of
the police, and many Colonials who volunteered for civil employment were
given posts of importance. Owing to the many acts of duplicity practised
by the Boers who had surrendered, more stringent regulations regarding
oath-breakers were promulgated. The publication of malicious and false
reports was forbidden, and a sharp look-out was kept over the movements
of the spies with which the capital was still swarming.
One hundred and forty-eight officers, and 3039 men were released, and
these were rearmed from the 2000 stands of arms which were given up in
Pretoria on and after the British occupation. The list of the officers
who had been suffering imprisonment at the hands of the Boers is a long
one, and dates almost from the outset of the war:--
18th Hussars--Lieutenant-Colonel B. D. Moller, Major H. A. F.
Greville, and Captain and Adjutant W. P. M. Pollock. Army
Veterinary Department--Veterinary Lieutenant F. H. Shore. 1st
King's Royal Rifles--Lieutenant B. J. Majendie and Lieutenant
F. M. Crum. 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers--Captain M. P. E.
Lonsdale, Lieutenant C. Garvice, Lieutenant C. T. W. Grimshaw,
and Second Lieutenant T. H. C. Frankland. 10th Mountain Battery
Royal Garrison Artillery--Major G. E. Bryant, Lieutenant G. D.
Wheeler, Lieutenant G. R. Nugent, Lieutenant W. H. Moore, and
Second Lieutenant G. T. W. Webb (attached). 1st Gloucester
Regiment--Major S. Humphery, Major W. R. P. Wallace, Captain S.
Duncan, Captain Connor, Lieutenant A. Bryant, Lieutenant F. C.
Nisbet, Lieutenant R. M. M. Davy, Lieutenant F. A. Brent,
Lieutenant C. S. Knox, Lieutenant W. A. M. Temple, Lieutenant
A. H. Radice, Lieutenant J. Ingram, Lieutenant P. H. Short,
Lieutenant R. L. Beasley, Second Lieutenant W. S. Mackenzie,
Second Lieutenant H. H. Smith, Lieutenant and Adjutant W. L. B.
Hill, Lieutenant and Quartermaster R. J. Gray. 1st Royal Irish
Fusiliers--Lieutenant-Colonel F. R. C. Carleton, Major F. H.
Munn, Captain A. R. Burrowes, Lieutenant A. E. S. Heard,
Lieutenant C. E. Southey, Lieutenant W. G. B. Phibbs,
Lieutenant H. B. Holmes, Lieutenant A. H. C. MacGregor,
Lieutenant A. L. J. M. Kelly, Second Lieutenant R. J. Kentish,
Second Lieutenant C. E. Kinahan, and Second Lieutenant R. W. R.
Jeudwine. Rhodesian Horse--Lieutenant A. E. Harenick. Natal
Carabineers--Lieutenant A. J. Gallwey. 2nd West Yorks
Regiment--Major H. de T. C. Hobbs. 2nd Northumberland
Fusiliers--Major W. E. Sturges, Captain E. W. Fletcher, Captain
F. B. Morley, Second Lieutenant G. R. Wake, and Second
Lieutenant L. B. Coulson. 2nd Dorsetshire Regiment--Lieutenant
F. W. Radcliffe. 2nd Royal Irish Rifles--Captain A. V. Weir,
Lieutenant E. J. Christie, Second Lieutenant L. G. B. Rodney,
Second Lieutenant P. G. W. Maynard, Captain V. J. Kelly,
Captain W. J. M'Whinnie, Captain A. C. D. Spencer, Lieutenant
E. H. Saunders, Second Lieutenant T. L. B. Soutry, and Second
Lieutenant J. C. Bowen-Colthurst. 1st Suffolk
Regiment--Lieutenant S. J. B. Barnardiston, Captain W. G.
Thompson, Captain C. A. H. Brett, and Second Lieutenant F. W.
Wood-Martin. 2nd Devonshire Regiment--Lieutenant-Colonel G. M.
Bullock, Major J. M'N. Walter, and Lieutenant G. N. F.
Smyth-Osbourne. 2nd Essex Regiment--Lieutenant W. F. Bonham.
Royal Field Artillery--Lieutenant-Colonel H. V. Hunt. 66th
Battery Royal Field Artillery--Major W. Y. Foster, and
Lieutenant G. L. Butler (attached). 14th Battery Royal Field
Artillery--Major A. C. Bailward, Lieutenant A. C. Birch, and
Second Lieutenant C. F. Holford. Royal Scots Fusiliers--Captain
D. H. A. Dick, Captain H. H. Northey, Lieutenant E. Christian,
Lieutenant M. E. M'Conaghey, Lieutenant C. F. H. Rumbold, and
Lieutenant G. C. Briggs. 1st Connaught Rangers--Captain G. H.
Ford-Hutchinson, and Second Lieutenant E. V. Jones. Cape
Mounted Police--Inspector E. W. Blyth, and Sub-Inspector W. A.
Genllond. South African Light Horse--Captain H. Fitzherbert.
12th Lancers--Lieutenant N. M. H. Tristram. 2nd Coldstream
Guards--Lieutenant H. Chandos-Pole-Gell. Reserve of
Officers--Lieutenant C. M. Grenfell, late 10th Hussars. 6th
Dragoon Guards--Lieutenant F. E. Till. Royal Horse
Guards--Captain W. F. Ricardo. 2nd Lancashire
Fusiliers--Captain W. F. Elmslie and Captain G. H. B. Freeth.
Royal Lancaster Regiment--Major G. A. Carleton. King's Royal
Rifles--Major O. S. W. Nugent. 2nd Wiltshire Regiment--Major H.
A. Stock. Royal Engineers Militia--Lieutenant J. H. Prior
(attached Suffolk Regiment). 1st Oxfordshire Light
Infantry--Major F. J. Evelegh. Kitchener's Horse--Captain W.
Vaughan, Captain A. S. Arnold, Lieutenant Burghuys, Lieutenant
H. D. Duban, Lieutenant W. J. Horne, Lieutenant J. Sampson,
Lieutenant L. A. Myburgh, and Lieutenant N. A. N. Black. 6th
Dragoons--Lieutenant G. K. Ansell. 2nd Bedford
Regiment--Lieutenant G. D. Jebb. 1st Royal Munster
Fusiliers--Lieutenant D. Best (? Lieutenant T. A. D. Best.
Inniskilling Fusiliers). 2nd Lancashire
Fusiliers--Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. Blomfield. Victoria
Rifles--Captain T. M. M'Inerney. Scouts--Lieutenant W. Hockley.
British South Africa Police--Lieutenant H. Chapman. Royal Horse
Artillery--Major J. C. Wray, Captain H. Rouse, Captain G. H. A.
White, Lieutenant F. H. G. Stanton, and Lieutenant F. L. C.
Livingstone-Learmonth. Northumberland Fusiliers--Lieutenant H.
S. Toppin. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry--Lieutenant H. T.
Cantan. 2nd Royal West Kent--Lieutenant R. J. T. Hildyard. Army
Service Corps--Lieutenant C. J. Croxford. Indian Staff
Corps--Lieutenant R. J. Stewart (attached Army Service Corps).
Roberts's Horse--Veterinary Captain P. D. Bray, Lieutenant J.
F. Hawkins, Lieutenant H. R. Horne, and Lieutenant T. J.
Truter. King's Royal Rifle Corps--Lieutenant G. H. Martin.
Welsh Regiment--Lieutenant R. H. Metge. 1st Royal
Dragoons--Second Lieutenant T. D. Pilkington. Royal Artillery,
Staff--Captain H. T. Tennant. Durham Light Infantry--Second
Lieutenant L. J. P. Butler. South African Light Horse--Captain
J. C. Kirkwood. Cape Police--Captain A. Bates. Brabant's
Horse--Captain P. M. W. Little, and Lieutenant H. A. Steele.
9th Lancers--Lieutenant S. R. Theobald. Yorkshire Light
Infantry--Captain G. G. Ottley. 1st Australian
Horse--Lieutenant J. W. Wilkinson. 6th Dragoons--Lieutenant N.
W. Haig. Prince Alfred's Volunteer Guards--Lieutenant W. B.
Everton. Lumsden's Horse--Lieutenant C. E. Crane. Royal
Engineers--Lieutenant M. T. Webber. 10th Hussars--Lieutenant
Anderson Pelham, and Lieutenant Crichton. 2nd East
Kent--Lieutenant W. G. F. Barnard. Eastern Province
Horse--Lieutenant J. M. P. Bowker. 16th Lancers--Captain C. J.
Eccles. Cameron Highlanders--Captain MacEwen. Intelligence
Department--Captain L. G. Dennison. Police Magistrate--C. H.
Hilliard. Newspaper Correspondents--Lord Rosslyn, Lord C.
Manners, and M. H. Donohue.
The following officers, prisoners of war, were found in hospital:--
Lieutenant the Hon. D. R. H. Anderson-Pelham, and Lieutenant C.
W. H. Crichton, 10th Hussars (convalescent after enteric
fever); Lieutenant H. Chapman, British South Africa Police
(contusion, convalescent); Lieutenant G. H. Martin, King's
Royal Rifle Corps (tonsillitis, cured); Lieutenant R. H. Metge,
1st Welsh Regiment (neuralgia, cured); Lieutenant G. C. Briggs,
1st Royal Scots Fusiliers (doing well); Major F. H. Munn, Royal
Irish Fusiliers (neuralgia, cured); Major J. C. Wray, Royal
Horse Artillery (convalescent); Lieutenant N. W. Haig, 6th
Dragoons (enteric fever, seriously ill, but improving).
Nine hundred and ninety prisoners were removed, however, and, it was
believed, were taken some forty miles from Komati Poort.
On the 8th a curious experience was related by some of the Canadian
Mounted Infantry, who, happening to lose their way and pass,
unchallenged, the Boer lines, found themselves at the little town of
Hebron. The inhabitants imagining them to be the forerunners of a British
force, promptly surrendered arms and ammunition. The Canadians, with a
due sense of humour, engaged in the formalities with becoming gravity,
commandeered an ox-waggon, loaded it with their booty and returned again
through the Boer lines, plus eighty-eight rifles and a big store of
ammunition!
THE BATTLE OF DIAMOND HILL
The outlook was not a cheery one. The enemy, split into small factions,
were bent on playing havoc north and south, and horrible rumours were
afloat which contrived to annoy, perplex, and discourage those who, in
the absence of newspapers and correspondence, gave rein to their
imagination. General Maxwell, who was acting as Governor of Pretoria in
this emergency, inaugurated a system of official bulletins, which served
to distribute what intelligence there might be, and sustain the drooping
spirits of the community. The prolongation of the war, after all seemed
to have been skilfully accomplished, was depressing to even the most
ardent and bellicose mortals. Still more so was it to those who had had
their fill of fighting, and who could not number the list of their
engagements even with the fingers of both hands. It was known that Botha,
after the surrender of the city, had retired with a small force to a
crevice in the hills some fifteen miles east, astride the Delagoa Bay
Railway, and that round him he was gathering a goodly number of burghers,
who assisted him in intimidating other burghers who might have been
willing to tender their submission. As all overtures towards peaceable
negotiations failed, it was necessary to take definite action, and this
on the 11th of June Lord Roberts accordingly did. A great combined
enveloping movement was planned out. General French, with Porter's and
Dickson's Cavalry Brigades, and Hutton's Mounted Infantry, marched out on
the left of the Chief, while General Ian Hamilton with Broadwood and
Gordon's Cavalry Brigades, and Ridley's Mounted Infantry, and General
Bruce Hamilton's Infantry Brigade on his right, prepared to assail the
tremendous frontage of the left of Botha's position. The Dutchman,
perched on a series of steep and irregular hills, and strongly protected
in front, had placed most of his force on his flanks. These he knew by
experience to be his vulnerable points, and against these he divined that
Generals French and Ian Hamilton would be operating. General Pole-Carew,
in the centre, advanced his Division, numbering some 6000 bayonets and
twenty guns, in support of General Ian Hamilton. He moved eastward along
the line and engaged in a duet with the enemy with long-range guns, a
duet which lasted during the whole day. It was found that the enemy's
position extended some sixteen miles, their left, the Diamond Hill, being
so strong and so extended that movement of an enveloping kind was thought
to be almost impossible. Nevertheless, while General French (assisted by
Hutton's Mounted Infantry), through country inimical to cavalry
operations, was perilously and vigorously engaged in making a wide detour
in order to envelop the right flank of the enemy and hold him from
swelling his numbers elsewhere, General Ian Hamilton on the enemy's left
flank (some six miles south of the line), his ambitions centred on
Diamond Hill and the line of rail beyond, operated correspondingly. Far
to right, in a somewhat crab-like fashion, moved the cavalry; Gordon's
Brigade--the outer pincer as it were--wheeled round the almost
impregnable stronghold of the Boers; to left, Ridley's Brigade and De
Lisle's Corps of Mounted Infantry--forming the left or inner
pincer--twisted towards Pienaar's Poort, while Broadwood's Brigade--the
head and front of the creature--endeavoured to spit forth and pierce
through this central gap, and if possible get behind the Boers on Diamond
Hill. Early in the day the southern slopes of Diamond Hill became the
scene of contest between Ridley's Brigade and the enemy, whose rifles
poured their sleet over the advancing mass and whose guns clamoured
loudly in the distance. Broadwood's Brigade, meanwhile, began a bold
advance--across a spruit and over a plain to a passage towards the
railway line--an advance which was hailed more boisterously than
pleasantly by a converging storm from the enemy's heavy guns. Still the
cavalry pushed forward, while Lieutenant Conolly with two horse guns was
set to clear the course. But the Boers, inch by inch, stubbornly
contested the way. The stentorian tones of warring artillery were heard
in an argument that lasted hours, while parties of Boer riflemen
approached with such audacity with a view to the annihilation of the
gunners of Q Battery and the capture of their pieces, that for protection
sake the 12th Lancers were ordered to charge. Unfortunately, at this
critical juncture their commander, the Earl of Airlie, who already had
had his horse shot under him, was seeking a new charger. He joined his
regiment in time to lead to the attack, but taking a more northerly
direction than was intended, he found himself exposed to a murderous
tornado from the southern slopes of Diamond Hill. Nevertheless, the
charge of the valiant band, small though it now was, had a glorious
result. Away scudded the Boers to both sides, scattering over the
distance towards Diamond Hill, while their oppressive propinquity to the
British guns and Broadwood's right flank was brought to an abrupt close.
This done, Lord Airlie decided, as the horses were too jaded and
overworked to engage in effective pursuit, to become no further involved.
He was about to withdraw his regiment when suddenly a bullet caught him,
and, almost instantly, he fell dead. Thus the Empire lost one of its
finest soldiers, one of its most honourable, well-beloved of men.[2] The
charge cost the regiment two officers and seventeen troopers, a
deplorable loss considering its diminished size since the commencement of
operations. At the same hour, while Gordon's Brigade was heavily engaged
on the right, the Boers became so obstreperous that the Household Cavalry
had been ordered to charge. This order was obeyed with zest. The
Dutchmen, numerous as they were, took in at a glance all that was meant
by the approaching whirlwind--a flashing avalanche of naked blades--and
turned tail. Away they fled over their grassy ridges, seized their horses
and made off so quickly that none of the Lifeguardsmen and few of their
chargers were sacrificed to the dashing exploit. It was thought that the
whole body of the foe were on the move, but this was not the case. The
congregating crowds of the enemy amid the scrub-covered ridges around the
main position had yet to be cleared off. Accordingly, soon after noon,
the 21st Brigade (Bruce Hamilton) advanced, cleverly clambering up the
crests, which had previously been scoured by artillery, and finally
succeeded in folding back the formidable wave of Dutchmen which guarded
the line, and forcing them, such as could escape, amid a hurricane of
bullets, to gallop to fresh cover. Dusk set in early, but the troops,
sticking to the ground they had won, covering a front of some 25 miles,
there bivouacked for the night.
[Illustration: _Scale, Diagram is about 16 miles square._
BATTLE OF DIAMOND HILL--POSITION ON 11TH JUNE[3]]
Early the next day (the 12th) the Dutch overture began, the foe operating
vigorously with their long-range guns. They were evidently unappeased,
and meant a dogged resistance. General Ian Hamilton was among the first
to be hit, but not dangerously. The incident caused not a little concern,
for this remarkably energetic officer had become, as it were, almost
hoary with fighting the Boers. From early days when he commanded the
infantry at Elandslaagte to the splendid defence at Wagon Hill he had
been eternally to the fore, brilliant in intellect and unfailing in dash
and daring. After his entry to the Free State he had fought his way from
Israel's Poort, Thabanchu, Houtnek, and on through all the varied phases
of the advance of the right wing of the army towards Pretoria. It was no
marvel that the thought of his even temporary disablement caused
consternation. Fortunately it was discovered that no bones were broken,
and the gallant officer, though in some pain, refused to leave the field.
[Illustration: BATTLE OF DIAMOND HILL--POSITION ON 12TH JUNE]
At midday General Bruce Hamilton's Brigade made a brilliant attack on the
Diamond Hill plateau. The Derbyshires to the right, the City Imperial
Volunteers in the middle, the Sussex on their left, grandly advanced amid
an enfilading fire of considerable warmth, which only ceased its horrible
activity when the 82nd Field Battery, under Major Conolly, by a feat of
herculean energy, was dragged to the rocky heights, and vomited vengeance
at a distance of 1700 yards from the stubborn enemy. But though it
ultimately had the effect of silencing the Boers, it did not accomplish
its arduous task without grievous loss. Gunners were hit on all sides,
and horses dropped in the moment of unlimbering, but the gallant work
never ceased, and, though a scene of carnage reigned around, the guns
with unflinching and heroic persistence continued to pour on the hills
their cleansing fires for two mortal hours. In the late afternoon the
Guards came into action, and more guns, the Boers having rapidly taken up
a position near the railway, and to the drumming of mighty pieces and the
whistling tune of musketry the twilight set in. Face to face the
belligerents grew lost in mist. Preparations were then made for the
complete rout of the Boers on the morrow, but when morning arrived it was
found that the Dutch hordes had made themselves scarce. Pursuit was
attempted, but the horses were too exhausted for more heavy work. The
Westtralians, however--150 of them belonging to Colonel de Lisle's
Corps--were unappeased. They pushed on to a point whence the Boer army, a
crowd of some 4000, with waggons, cattle, and guns, could be seen
crossing Bronkher's Spruit. That place of grievous memories, where
Colonel Anstruther[4] fell victim to Boer perfidy, awoke its own ghosts,
for scarcely had the Dutchmen reached the fatal area than an avenging
sleet from the magazines of the Westtralians brought them to a state of
panic. In an instant Dutchmen, waggons, guns, were scattering in all
directions, while the Colonials, expending 20,000 rounds of ammunition,
coolly plied their rifles in their coign of vantage till the numbers of
the enemy were sensibly thinned by death, wounds, or flight. Thus was
given the finishing touch to a battle which had a double purpose. It
served to clear the way for forty miles to the east and relieve Pretoria
of the too close attentions of the massed enemy, and it engaged many of
the Boers who had fallen back from Laing's Nek on the taking of Pretoria,
thus assisting General Buller's operations at Volksrust, which have yet
to be described. Sir Redvers, in his turn, aided the main scheme by
causing the Boers to feel that their rear would shortly be threatened,
and that even retreat to the east must now have its geographical limits.
[Illustration: LIEUT.-COLONEL THE EARL OF AIRLIE (12th Lancers)
Killed at Battle of Diamond Hill, June 11th
Photo by Bassano, London]
General French was unable to fulfil his part of the programme, firstly,
because the Boers saw through his plan, and secondly, because his
Division was merely the shadow of the goodly Division that had flown to
Kimberley in February, and his operations were entirely handicapped, not
only by the nature of the country, but by the nature of his tools.
General Ian Hamilton was little better off. Broadwood's Brigade, which
once had numbered 1800, was now reduced to 400, while the Household
Cavalry mustered only 63, the 12th Lancers 120, and the 10th Hussars 200.
Not only were the regiments reduced in numbers, but their mounts were now
of the most heterogeneous description, Basuto, Argentine, and Cape ponies
doing duty for chargers, and in many cases utterly unequal to the
exertion expected of them. Without this explanation it would be difficult
to comprehend why so apparently large a force should have been unable to
do more than rout the enemy. But when it is once understood that a
considerable part of Lord Roberts's army was now represented merely _on
paper_, the difficulties of the latter part of the campaign may be better
conceived.
The C.I.V.'s had two days of stiff battle. A private, giving an account
of his experiences, declared that they were the heaviest days' fighting
he had seen. "The C.I.V.'s were in the firing line both days, and our
casualties were about sixty. One of our lieutenants had a very sad death
just in front of my company. I have heard two names given to the action,
but I don't know which is correct; they are Diamond Hill and Donkerskoek.
Our General said it was a second Spion Kop, the Boer position being so
fine, and the firing from the trenches so heavy. Our regiment had got to
within about 400 yards of the position, and had fixed bayonets, but had
to give up the idea of charging, for if we had half the regiment would
have been swept away. One of the Boer doctors was down at our hospital
after the first day's fight, and he told us that the Boers had lost about
600 that day. They must have lost another 600 the next day, as our
artillery was much nearer, and simply poured shells into them all day."
The total losses were about 200, but most deeply deplored by all ranks
was the gallant commander, the Earl of Airlie. He was as brave as he was
popular, and, like all his famous fighting race, was a soldier _born_,
not made. Besides his record of previous service, he had distinguished
himself in the Modder River battle, and was twice mentioned in despatches
by Lord Methuen. On one of these occasions he made himself notable for
the splendid dash with which he dismounted a section of his men and drove
back a party of Boers who were enfilading the British force. In May he
was wounded in the fighting round Welkom, was nursed to health at
Bloemfontein by Lady Airlie, and went again to the front just before the
surrender of Pretoria. Two other distinguished officers fell: Major the
Hon. L. Fortescue, and Lieutenant the Hon. C. Cavendish, 17th Lancers.
Besides those already noted the list of casualties during the various
engagements contained the names of:--
_Killed_:--12th Lancers--Lieutenant G. C. de C. Wright. 82nd
Battery Royal Field Artillery--Second Lieutenant W. S. Luce.
New South Wales Mounted Infantry--Lieutenant Drage. 1st Royal
Sussex Regiment--Captain C. J. K. Maguire. City Imperial
Volunteers--Lieutenant W. B. L. Alt. _Wounded_:--12th
Lancers--Second Lieutenant H. R. Milvain. F Battery Royal Horse
Artillery--Captain R. England. Royal Lancaster Regiment Mounted
Infantry--Captain J. M. Graham. Indian Staff Corps--Captain E.
Barnes. New South Wales Mounted Infantry--Captain W. Holmes,
Lieutenant W. R. Harrison. Kitchener's Horse--Lieutenant J. S.
Cape. 1st Royal Sussex Regiment--Second Lieutenant G. C.
Morphett. 1st Derbyshire--Captain T. H. M. Green, Lieutenant A.
S. Murray. 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles--Captain A. C.
Macdonald. 8th Hussars--Captain E. A. S. O'Brien. 1st
Coldstream Guards--Lieutenant Brett. Royal Army Medical
Corps--Major H. G. Hathaway. _Missing_:--12th Lancers--Captain
F. Egerton Green.
GUARDING THE COMMUNICATIONS--LORDS METHUEN AND KITCHENER
While the battle for the Delagoa railway line was being planned, Lord
Kitchener, with a small force, pushed south and joined Lord Methuen
(whose force was at Heilbron) at Vredefort station on the evening of the
10th of June. Together they decided to hunt the marauders.
In passing, it is interesting to note that at this time the following
militia corps were doing unostentatious but valuable and perilous service
on the lines of communication:--
3rd Royal Scots; 3rd Royal West Surrey; 3rd East Kent; 3rd
Royal Lancaster; 4th Royal Lancaster; 6th Royal Warwickshire;
3rd Norfolk; 4th Somerset Light Infantry; 4th West Yorkshire;
4th Bedfordshire; 3rd Yorkshire; 6th Lancashire Fusiliers; 4th
Cheshire; 3rd South Wales Borderers; 3rd King's Own Scottish
Borderers; 4th Scottish Rifles; 3rd East Lancashire; 4th East
Surrey; 4th South Staffordshire; 3rd South Lancashire; 3rd
Welsh; 4th Derbyshire; 6th Middlesex; 9th King's Royal Rifles
(North Cork Militia); 4th North Staffordshire; 3rd Durham Light
Infantry; 4th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders; 3rd Leinster;
5th Royal Munster Fusiliers; 5th Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
On the 11th Lord Methuen proceeded to scour the railway line, and found
the enemy prowling within rifle range on either side of his route.
Whereupon, at Rhenoster River, he overtook and engaged De Wet, over whom
a temporary victory was gained. The British commander succeeded in
capturing camp and etceteras, and scattering the Dutchmen in all
directions, though De Wet himself, with his usual nimbleness,
disappeared. During the day's engagement Lieutenant Erle, 12th Battalion
Imperial Yeomanry, was slightly wounded.
On Tuesday the 12th the force hurriedly advanced towards Kroonstad, owing
to a report that that town, garrisoned by a single battalion of the
Argyll and Sutherland Militia, had fallen a prey to the enemy.
Fortunately it was discovered that the rumour was groundless, and Lord
Methuen continued his southern march. On the 13th and 14th the Boers
pursued their system of annoyance around the railway, and directed a
storm of bullets on a construction train which had arrived under the
personal direction of Colonel Girouard, R.E., for the purpose of
repairing the depredations of the past few days. Luckily, thanks to the
pluck of the construction party (they were short of rifles, owing to many
having been left in the rear train), a very able defence was kept up all
night, until a party of mounted infantry--who at the first sound of
firing started to the rescue--arrived with their guns and routed the foe.
They came none too soon, for the Boers had made a fairly big haul, and
carried off some forty of the construction workers as prisoners. The
mounted infantry scurried after the retiring Dutchmen, but, as usual,
these had knowingly melted into twos and threes and were uncatchable. In
the attack on the train one man was killed and eleven wounded, including
Lieutenant Micklem, Royal Engineers, Second Lieutenant Bigge, Volunteer
Royal Engineers.
Meanwhile, at Virginia the garrison had an exceedingly trying time; but
owing to the energy of Colonels Capper and North and the troops under
them, and the conspicuous coolness and valour of Lieutenant Mitchell, the
Boers were repulsed. At daybreak on the 14th some 800 Boers, with one or
two pom-poms, a Maxim, and a field gun, ensconced themselves in the dense
scrub surrounding the Zand River post. The garrison consisted of four
companies 3rd Battalion Royal Lancasters under Colonel North (about 250
fit for duty), four companies Railway Pioneer Regiment under Major
Seymour (300 fit for duty), and some 25 men of the Royal Irish Regiment
(16 fit for duty) under Lieutenant Davenport. The position was a somewhat
extended one, the left being in advance trenches on broken and jungly
ground. This point the Boers attacked with determination, and were as
determinedly resisted by Lieutenant W. Mitchell and No. 3 Company Railway
Pioneer Regiment. The enemy in the dense bush were practically
surrounding the British party, but these fought doggedly, engaging their
assailants at very close quarters and keeping them at bay till nearly
noon, when the Dutchmen were ultimately driven out of their hiding-places
by an advance through the scrub of a line of reserve Railway Pioneer
Regiment, aided by half a company of Militia. Thus driven forth, they
made haste to retire before the arrival of a body of 170 Yeomanry (under
Lieutenant Crane), which had hastened to the rescue from the south. The
losses were comparatively small, owing to the marvellous grit of young
Mitchell, who, though wounded at the onset in both thighs, continued for
six hours to encourage and direct his men (there were only 22 of them
scattered in several small trenches), ordering them not to waste
ammunition, cheering them, and concealing from them, till the worst was
over, the fact that he himself was seriously wounded. Another gallant
officer, Major Seymour, distinguished himself, but he paid for his valour
with his life. He was killed while advancing with the extended line
through the bush to clear out the snipers. Lieutenant Clement of No. 2
Company of the Railway Pioneer Regiment was mortally wounded.
On the 18th Lord Kitchener, having restored communications, returned to
Pretoria, and Lord Methuen moved to Heilbron. Precautions to avert
further interruptions on the railway had been taken by establishing posts
within communicable distance of each other all along the line, connected
by a continually perambulating military train carrying field and
automatic guns.
A combined movement had again to be planned for the surrounding of De
Wet, who, though defeated on the 13th by Lord Methuen, and subsequently
by Lord Kitchener, was still displaying an elasticity of disposition
greatly to his credit, if discomforting to his pursuers. He and his
followers now rebounded in the direction of Heilbron, where on the 18th
he endeavoured to arrest the entry of Lord Methuen and a large convoy
which he was escorting. A smart engagement ensued, which, it was thought,
would have the effect of clearing the air. But peace was short-lived, as
we shall see.
The war at this time, though full of inspiriting events, was as hard,
perhaps harder, for the soldier than ever. There were the same chances of
being wiped out by shot, shell, or disease, but the honour and glory of
laying down one's life for one's country was bereft of its glamour. Tommy
Atkins now needed all his patience, all his pluck. There are men who can
face hostile artillery, but will squirm before a dentist. In these days
there were many seasoned fighters, who might be excused if they shrunk
from the railway accident or promiscuous sniping from invisible farms,
which was part and parcel of the guerilla form of warfare adopted by the
remnant of the Boer army--the malcontents, who, subversive of discipline
and hating the British race, had decided to fight to the bitter end.
Comments regarding the attitude of some of our troops have been made by
many who lack the large mind to look at the enormous army as a whole, and
who find pleasure in examining only its flaws with the microscope and
holding them up to public contempt. Such comments it is unnecessary to
reproduce. The brilliant British army, like all great and brilliant
things, must necessarily have the defects of its qualities, and it is
with the immense qualities and not the infinitesimal defects of victors
that the faithful recorder has to do. To return, then, to the
nerve-trying ordeals that formed part of the almost daily programme of
the soldier's duty.
At Honing Spruit, situated on the rail twenty-one miles north of
Kroonstad, an exciting affair took place on the 22nd of June, all the
more exciting as those engaged had but a few days previously been rescued
from durance vile in Pretoria prison. On the 14th a party of 16 released
officers from various regiments, with some 400 men, was ordered to
Elandsfontein, the station outside Johannesburg, which had been so
admirably secured by Colonel Henry's force.
On the 21st this party was moved on to Katbosh Camp, a mile or so beyond
Honing Spruit, where were stationed two companies of the Shropshires and
some mounted Canadians under the command of Colonel Evans. The officers
of the composite force were: Colonel Bullock, of the Devonshires,
commanding; Major Stock, of the Wiltshire Regiment; Major Carleton, Royal
Lancasters; Captains Elmslie and Freeth, of the Lancashire Fusiliers;
Lieutenants Bryant, Temple, Radice, Smith, Mackenzie, and Gray, of the
Gloucestershire Regiment; Jones, of the Connaught Rangers; Best, of the
Inniskilling Fusiliers; Prior, Engineer Militia; Colson, of the 5th
Fusiliers; and Wood-Martin, of the Suffolk Regiment. These, all of them,
had had sufficiently horrible experiences, both during the hardly fought
engagements in which they had been taken prisoners, and in the period of
incarceration at the Model School, and vowed never again to be caught
alive in the trap of the Dutchmen. They then hardly realised how near
that trap they were.
[Illustration: LINES TORN UP BY DE WET NEAR KROONSTAD. (Photo by D.
Barnett.)]
The night was unusually cold, and travelling in coal trucks was scarcely
an inspiriting beginning. In the gloom of early dawn the train reached
Honing Spruit Station. Some of the officers alighted and exercised
themselves to restore circulation--they were numb and weary--and in doing
so espied, in the east, the dark outlines of mounted figures approaching.
They promptly gave the alarm. Colonel Bullock proceeded in all haste to
get the men out of the trucks, and speedily they were formed up round the
station. An effort was then made with such picks and shovels as were at
hand to dig trenches. But these were a mere apology for shelter. They
made, however, according to an officer who scraped his little burrow for
himself, a "moral" support. Of other support, it must be owned, they had
little. A few officers were provided with Mausers, carbines, and
bandoliers of ammunition, but the force for the most part were saddled
with Martini-Henry rifles and black powder ammunition--rifles discarded
by the Boers, and left by them in the arsenal at Pretoria. These
venerable weapons were sighted at 1200 yards--the ordinary range of
Lee-Mitford or Mauser may be taken at 1500 to 2000 yards--and were served
out of necessity, owing to the insufficiency of ammunition for Mauser
rifles. Thus handicapped at the outset in the way of weapons of defence,
ragged and tattered, some in boots that were dropping to pieces, some
partly in uniform, partly in mufti, garbed exactly as they had been in
the prison, they found themselves once again in presence of the enemy.
Colonel Bullock, stouthearted and truculent as ever, at once wired for
help to Kroonstad, and with the line cut on both sides of him, and the
Boers blowing up culverts as they came along, prepared to make a stand
against the advancing foe. Meanwhile bang! bang! went a series of
explosions on every side, voicing a vindictive tale and promising
unthinkable horrors to come.
According to their slim tactics, and to find out the strength of the
party most probably, the Boers now sent forward a man with a white flag,
declaring by the messenger, that they had many men and guns, and that if
the force refused to surrender they would be annihilated. But the Boers
had got hold of the wrong man. The officer who had doggedly held firm in
the blood-dyed donga at Colenso till the Dutchmen had threatened to
murder the wounded unless he gave in, was not the man to surrender
without a tussle. Colonel Bullock quickly sent the messenger and his
white flag to the right about, and made preparations for stout resistance
till help should arrive. But it was a sorry piece of "bluff." They were
gunless, the old muskets were of little use, and the black powder was
objectionable, as it would have betrayed their positions and the
smallness of the force. It was therefore necessary to tackle the Boers
with extreme caution. "At first," said an officer who was engaged, "they
were only near the line to the north of us, covering the men who were
destroying the culverts and telegraph lines, but they gradually worked
round to the east, and about 8 or 8.30 down came the first
shell--shrapnel--from about 2000 yards away. The train all this time was
in the station, and I think they wanted to damage the engine, but their
shooting wasn't good enough. The engine went a little way up the line,
but found it cut, and had to return. Shells were pretty frequent now, and
bullets too numerous to be exactly pleasant, but Colonel Bullock and
Major Hobbs, who was second in command, were walking about seeing to
everything in the coolest possible way. No. 1 Company, under Captain
Elmslie, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, had made some small trenches facing
north, but when the Boers worked round to the east we were, of course,
enfiladed, so we got into a ditch running along the side of the line
north and south. They peppered us pretty well while we were getting
there, but only one man was hit in the arm. Previous to this poor Major
Hobbs, who, with the Colonel, had been sitting behind one of our small
shelters which did not anything like cover them, was shot through the
heart and killed." (Major Hobbs, it may be remembered, was the gallant
officer who was taken prisoner while tending a wounded man in the
brilliant engagement at Willow Grange.) "Young Smith, of the Gloucesters,
had been sent down the ditch near the line with seven men to try and get
a bit nearer to the Boers who were damaging the culverts. They had rather
a warm time, and Colonel Bullock sent Freeth, the adjutant, to bring them
back. Poor Smith was shot through the groin, and the bullet went right
through him. Two of his men were wounded and one killed out of the seven.
Smith got back with Freeth's help all right, and I found him afterwards
sitting up in bed smoking cigarettes and as unconcerned as possible."
A small tin house at the station was used as a hospital, and a Red Cross
flag was improvised with difficulty. It was composed of a pillow-case
with red bands made from strips of a Kaffir blanket discovered in the
house. This was mounted on the shaft of an uptilted cart, but the Boers
affected not to comprehend its meaning, and sent in a man under a white
flag to ask an explanation. Here the wounded were tended by Mr. Cheatle
who, by a stroke of luck, happened to occupy a saloon carriage in the
"held up" train. There was no other doctor. This well-known surgeon who
had gone out, _con amore_, as it were, with Sir William MacCormac, was on
his way home, thinking his errand of mercy was over. He came quickly in
action again, bringing his brilliant wits to meet a somewhat desperate
situation. His bandages were made from ladies' under garments found in a
wardrobe, from the bed sheets in the train, and for antiseptic powder he
had recourse to the carbolic tooth-powder in the possession of some of
the officers. When this came to an end he utilised boiled rags, and
persistently attended to the nerve-shaken wounded, who all the time were
torn with bodily agony and horror-stricken by the continual howling of
shells against walls and ground.
[Illustration: AUSTRALIAN BUSHMEN ON THE MARCH
Drawing by Allan Stewart, from details supplied by Surgeon Captain Watt,
New Zealand Roughriders]
Meanwhile the Boers plied their guns, shelling at the same time from
north and east--an antiphonal duet of most appalling description. One
shell broke through the saloon carriage, another buried itself in some
bales of wool which luckily protected the verandah of the hospital. To
this the only return that could be made was a persistent peppering with
the ancient Martinis, a peppering which was carried on for several hours.
The officers worked hard with their Mauser carbines. The one before
quoted said he fired off fifty-five rounds, but did not know with what
result, except that some Boers, exposing themselves on the sky line, very
quickly got down flat on the grass after he had taken a "steady pot" at
them at about 1400 yards' distance. He went on to say: "The Boers must
have known how we were armed, as it is quite against their custom to
expose themselves at all. At last we saw some men coming over the hill to
our right, and thought it was the relief force, but they turned out to be
Boers in khaki, some of whom, I believe, had helmets, probably taken from
the convoy they collared a week or two ago, somewhere in this
neighbourhood."
The telegram for help was despatched to Kroonstad about 7 A.M., but the
reinforcements did not arrive till nearly 3.30 P.M. The Boers early
became aware of their near approach, however, and began cautiously to
remove their four guns, two of which--15-pounders--were part of their
capture at Sanna's Post. Meanwhile the small force, who had been
straining every nerve and muscle for many hours, and meant to die in the
last ditch rather than surrender, were anxiously looking towards the
south for succour. Then, at last, the friendly scouts were seen coming
over the hill. Oh! the relief of it! The welcome rumour of help gave
energy to the men, who, after their long inactivity, had been suddenly
thrown, vilely armed, into vigorous action, and were by now well-nigh
exhausted. Away flew the hostile hordes, but not without having done a
fair day's work of destruction--line, telegraph, and culverts being
wrecked, one officer and three men killed, and one officer and seventeen
men wounded!
While this gang of Boers were worrying the Honing Spruit party, another
had attacked the Shropshires and Canadians at Katbosh Camp, and thus
deterred them from going to the assistance of their brothers in distress.
But it was owing to the splendid fighting of the Canadians that the
Dutchmen had found it impossible to close in round Honing Spruit, and the
party at the railway station were enabled to hold out till the relieving
force arrived. After the Boers left, the troops still remained in the
trenches, and strengthened them as much as possible; but the Argyll and
Sutherland Militia and some Mounted Infantry and a battery arrived from
Kroonstad, and the battery shelled some kopjes three miles away, where
the Boers--some 700 to 1000 of them, with three or four guns--were
collecting. It was said that the Boer loss was six killed, and that they
took away three waggons full of wounded, but this, of course, could not
be verified.
Some circumstances attending the brilliant resistance of the Colonials
are almost heroic. Lieutenant Inglis, with eight men of the Frontier
Police on worn-out ponies, were sent from the Katbosh Camp to
reconnoitre. They were suddenly surrounded by Boers, but fought
furiously, with the result that they made their way through, with the
loss of four, to an embankment which offered shelter. Fifty Boers then
came within short range and fired on them. A response from the British
remnant followed. There were presently only four of them, commanded by
Corporal Morden, who, Lieutenant Inglis being disabled, took his place.
Here, in the face of these terrible odds, the Corporal sent off Private
Miles to inform Colonel Evans of his plight. The messenger executed his
errand, and returned to assist his comrades. He was hit, but still
persisted in "having a go at the enemy." Then Corporal Morden dropped
with a bullet through the brain. Miles, wet with his own
gore--fainting--supported himself against a tussock and continued to
direct the firing of his brother and Private Kerr. Eventually the Boers
made off, but not before Kerr had been killed by a parting shot. Finally
the relief party arrived, and carried the few remaining heroes back to
camp. Among the day's casualties were: Major H. T. de C. Hobbs, West
Yorkshire Regiment, killed; Second Lieutenant H. H. Smith, 1st Gloucester
Regiment, severely wounded; Lieutenant W. M. Inglis, 2nd Canadian Mounted
Infantry, severely wounded. The total casualties amounted to thirty-one.
The programme of surprise parties, trapping of small forces, and abuse of
the white flag, continued with little variety. Owing to the disposition
of the British troops to east of the railway, and the scarcity of
supplies and transport that militated against their mobility, the Boers
were temporarily in the ascendant. It was no easy matter to have and to
hold the arteries of the great army whose head was Pretoria, and yet to
guard the railway lines and send reinforcements at a moment's notice to
points menaced by the agile commandos of the enemy, and consequently
those who were responsible for the safety of the communications lived the
life of Damocles--without that personage's certainty of whence the fatal
blow might be expected!
The maintenance of the safety of the line from Kroonstad to Pretoria was
in the hands of General Smith-Dorrien, who placed at every post two
companies with two or more guns. He himself eternally perambulated the
line, now repairing, now mounting guns, now despatching patrols, in fact,
playing with almost superhuman energy and vigilance the game of fox and
geese--the fox De Wet, the geese the long tail of communications. In
spite, however, of the surprising energy of the General, the dog fox--the
wiliest reynard that ever challenged chase--redoubled his activities.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Lieutenant-Colonel A. Baird-Douglas was a militia officer whose first
appointment was dated October 1, 1881. His name is to be found among the
list of officers of the reserve, who have held commissions in the Hon.
Artillery Company of London, Militia, Yeomanry, or Volunteers. He had
been Major and Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel of the 3rd Battalion of the
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders since March 1898; was attached to the 4th
(Militia) Battalion of the Derbyshire Regiment, which was embodied on the
4th of December 1899.
[2] The Earl of Airlie was born in 1856, and was the eldest son of the
seventh Earl, whom he succeeded in 1881. He was educated at Eton, and
entered the army in 1874. He served with the 10th Hussars in the Afghan
War in 1878-79. In that war he distinguished himself on more than one
occasion. He was present at the attack and capture of Ali Musjid, and in
the engagement at Futtehabad. He next saw active service in the Soudan
Expedition in 1884, and was present at the engagement at Temai. Then he
joined the Nile Expedition as brigade-major under Sir Herbert Stewart,
and was slightly wounded at Abu Klea, and in the reconnaissance to
Metemmeh. He was frequently mentioned in despatches for conspicuous
conduct, and for his distinguished services he received many medals,
clasps, and orders. From 1889 to 1895 he was on staff service as an
adjutant of the Hampshire Yeomanry Cavalry, and in 1897 he was appointed
lieutenant-colonel in command of the 12th Lancers, with which regiment he
went out to South Africa last year. He was a Scottish representative
peer, and deputy-lieutenant of the County of Forfar.
[3] This block and that on p. 16 are from "Ian Hamilton's March," by
permission of Mr. Winston Churchill and Messrs. Longmans.
[4] See vol. i. p. 71.