On August 31, 1846, transports having arrived from England for the
conveyance of the 1st Battalion to the Cape, they re-embarked;
Head-quarters on board the ‘Equestrian’ transport, consisting of
Captains Macdonell’s, Rooper’s, and Stewart’s companies, with Staff
and band; and the left wing consisting of Captains Horsford’s,
Murray’s, and Gibson’s companies, on board the ‘Fairlie’ under
Captain Horsford.
The latter vessel arrived first, reaching Table-bay on October 30.
Here an order was at once given to land the women and children; and
to take in supplies and camp-equipments. This being done the left
wing sailed on November 4, for Algoa bay, where they arrived on the
12th and anchored opposite the town of Port Elizabeth.
On the day following their departure the ‘Equestrian’ arrived at
Table-bay, and having in like manner landed heavy baggage, women and
children, and taken in stores and camp-necessaries, proceeded to
Algoa bay on the 11th and arrived there about November 20.
On the 14th the ‘Fairlie’ having drawn as near the shore as possible,
surf-boats came alongside, and were soon filled and rowed to the
shore until they took the ground. Then Fingoes carried the Riflemen
pick-a-back to the dry sand. As soon as all were landed, they marched
through the town of Port Elizabeth, and piled arms and encamped about
half-a-mile beyond it to the left of the Graham’s-town road. The
necessary supplies and equipments having been procured, not without
difficulty which Horsford’s energy and perseverance surmounted, this
wing began its march under a burning sun for Kaffirland. They reached
Graham’s-town, a distance of about 100 miles, on the 23rd.
They halted here on the 24th and on the following day moved to
Manley flats; on the 26th to Cawood’s post; and on the 27th reached
Waterloo-bay. The next day, after receiving a field ration of rice,
salt, sugar, and green coffee (these troops being thus supplied with
that valuable but unusable berry in its natural state, as they were
afterwards in the Crimea) they marched to Newton Dale; on the 29th
to Fort Peddie; on the 30th to the Chalumna river; and on December 1
joined the 2nd Division of the army, which was commanded by Colonel
Henry Somerset of the Cape Mounted Rifles. In this march the men
suffered severely from the sun; their faces being almost skinned as
their forage-caps had no peaks; and their shakos had been given into
store at Graham’s-town, and were never returned to them.
The Head-quarter wing disembarked at Port Elizabeth, on November 25;
commenced their march, by the same route, on the 24th, and joined
the 2nd Division of the army, then encamped on the Buffalo river, on
December 12.
On December 21 the Battalion marched, and on the 25th encamped near
the great Kei river, and during the rest of the month furnished
frequent patrols on both banks. One Rifleman was killed, and one
wounded by the Kaffirs on December 31 in the performance of these
duties.
The Depôt companies embarked on January 28, 1846, at the North Wall,
Dublin, in the steamer ‘Albert’ for Liverpool, where they landed on
the following day; and proceeded by rail-road to London, and thence
to Dover, which they reached on the following day, and were quartered
in the Castle; furnishing a subaltern’s detachment to Sandgate Castle.
On May 18 they marched to Chatham; and after a short stay there
proceeded in a steamer to Sheerness on June 1.
The 2nd Battalion left Halifax, in H.M.S. ‘Belleisle’ on August 1,
and arrived at Montreal on the 22nd and were there quartered during
the remainder of the year.
The Service companies of the 1st Battalion with the exception of
Captain Gibson’s company which was left on the other side of the
Kei river not having returned from a previous expedition, marched
on January 2, 1847, at three P.M., with the Division commanded by
Lieutenant-General Sir Peregrine Maitland, for the Kei river, and
arrived within about two miles of it at seven in the evening, and
halted for the night. The march had been a very hot one; but soon
after sunset a tremendous storm of thunder, lightning and hail came
on; this was followed by a deluging rain, which drenched the men to
the skin in a few minutes. They had no tents; no fires; not even
pipes were allowed to be lighted, nor was a word permitted to be
spoken above a whisper. For the Kaffirs were near them; and had they
known exactly where the troops were bivouacked would have attacked.
But the night was very dark, and they remained unmolested.
On the 3rd the Riflemen in advance forded the Kei river, here about
350 yards wide, and knee deep, and waited on the other bank for
the Division. After breakfast, rifles were fired off and cleaned
from the effects of the last night’s rain, and they marched towards
Butterworth. On reaching a hill, afterwards well known to Riflemen
by the name of Mount-Misery, they halted and bivouacked for the
night. On the next morning at daylight they resumed their march,
and arrived at the Missionary Station of Butterworth at six in the
evening: a distance of nearly thirty miles. The Missionary’s house
and the church were in ruins, having been burnt down; but every wall
and corner which remained was occupied by the weary soldiers, glad
of even such insufficient shelter. For scarcely had the outlying
picquets been posted, when heavy and continuous rain came on, and
lasted throughout the night.
On the 5th Captain Gibson’s company rejoined. The rain still
continuing the men suffered much. They were glad to gather stones
on which to lie, to keep them off the streaming ground; and even
these were sometimes washed away by the rills formed in paths and
tracks. This rain continued during the whole of the 6th and until the
afternoon of the 7th; nearly seventy hours of incessant rain.
On the 6th five days’ ration of biscuit, which had from December 29
been reduced to six ounces a day, was served out to the men; but
hunger takes no account of Commissariat measurement, and long before
the expiration of the five days, the Riflemen were picking gum off
the trees, and eating it to assuage their need.
At this time Sir Peregrine Maitland being recalled, left the army;
and the command of the division again devolved on Colonel Somerset.
Fine weather having at last come on, the men wrung out and rinsed
their wet shirts and dried them in the sun. In the evening the rifles
were inspected and the ammunition examined; for much of it had been
damaged by the wet. On the 8th at six in the morning, they marched
for Spring-Flats where they arrived at eleven. After a halt of three
hours, during which the weakly men and those who had sore feet fell
out of the ranks and were marched to the Kei under an officer of
another regiment, they resumed their march for Kreili’s Corner, and
halting at six o’clock, bivouacked for the night.
At dawn on the 9th, intelligence having come in of a quantity of
cattle, said to be a few miles ahead, they marched towards Kreili’s
Corner; and with a halt of one hour for breakfast, and two for
dinner, continued their march till eight in the evening, when they
bivouacked.
Next day at daylight they moved on in the hope of coming up with the
cattle; but nothing being seen of them, the cavalry pushed on at ten
o’clock; while the infantry continued their march till two in the
afternoon. At four the cavalry appeared with 12,000 cattle which they
had captured at Kreili’s Corner; and 100 men of the Battalion were
detailed as a cattle guard. Rain now began again; and the ration
consisted of fresh beef only, the biscuit being all consumed, and
that without salt to season it. Firewood too was scarce; and there
were no tents.
On the 11th the Riflemen halted in bivouack, rain still continuing;
and on the 12th marched for Spring-Flats under a burning sun. Many
Kaffirs were on the surrounding hills; but few ventured within range.
One however was shot by one of the cattle guard, when attempting to
steal cattle. On the 13th a company of the Rifle Brigade and one of
another regiment were sent to the Kei river with the captured cattle;
but on their arrival the river was found to be unfordable, and the
current running at a rapid rate. They had therefore to return; and
on their arrival at the second hill (Mount-Misery) an order reached
them to send out a patrol in search of Captain Gibson, for whom
great fears were entertained. This officer, and Assistant-Surgeon
Howell, had accompanied the party of weakly and disabled men which
had marched from this place on the 8th. While this party were halted
on January 11 near the ford of the Kei, waiting for the fall of the
river to enable them to cross, some cattle were observed grazing on
the hills about three miles off. Captain Fraser, of the 6th Foot, who
was in command of these invalids, directed all the men who were able
to march to proceed, under Captain Gibson, to endeavour to capture
these cattle, which were beyond the bank which reached from the river
half way up the hills.
After the party, which was accompanied by Assistant-Surgeon Howell
and by Lieutenant the Honourable W. J. G. Chetwynd of the 73rd
Regiment, had marched about an hour by a rather wide path through the
bank, they arrived at a bend in the path. Unhappily the officers,
unsuspicious of any attack, were marching ahead of their men, between
seventy and 100 yards from the leading files. When therefore they
took the bend in the road, they were entirely hidden from them. At
this moment the Kaffir Chief, Pato, observing their defenceless
position, rushed upon them with about 200 of his followers, and
before the detachment could come up, killed all three officers.
The little detachment under a sergeant of the 6th Foot, made good
its retreat, gradually retiring, and whenever the Kaffirs attacked,
turning round and firing a volley.
The patrol sent out to recover the remains of these officers, after
marching about three hours through thick bush, came upon their
bodies which they brought into the bivouack at Spring-Flats, where
they arrived about nine in the evening. They were interred by the
officers and men of the Battalion on the next day at a place called
Shaw’s fontein; bushes being burnt over the graves, to prevent the
Kaffirs discovering the place of their interment, and exhuming and
desecrating their remains.
The Riflemen who had acted as this patrol marched again on the 14th
for the Kei river, it having been reported that it was fordable;
but this proved to be a mistake, at least as far as infantry was
concerned; though the cavalry had forded; not, however, without some
loss. Again, therefore the Riflemen had to return and bivouack on
Mount-Misery. And the rest of the Battalion was moved up to the same
place.
They remained here during the next three days, suffering great
privations. For the swollen state of the river did not admit of
supplies being brought over. In consequence, too, of a soldier of
another regiment who had gone out for water having been found killed
and stripped, a stringent order was issued that no men were to go
for water, except in armed parties of thirty, under an officer, and
accompanied by two non-commissioned officers. This water duty was
exceedingly fatiguing; as the men had to go down two very steep hills
into a kloof,[193] about a mile distant, and to reascend them loaded
with water. Want and exposure too began to tell heavily on the men;
and the seeds of much subsequent disease were to be traced to this
bivouack. At last on the 18th the Riflemen marched at ten o’clock
from this hill and bivouacked near the banks of the river. It had
fallen sufficiently for the Commissariat to get over some stores; and
the famished Riflemen on reaching their bivouack found coffee, sugar,
salt, and a ration of biscuit awaiting them; and what they welcomed
almost as much, tobacco; which for many days they had not had, and
the want of which they had vainly tried to supply by smoking leaves
of the Kaffir tea-tree dried in the sun. On the 19th the cattle were
driven through the river by fifties at a time; and at two o’clock the
Battalion began to ford it. The water was still deep, and the current
running six or seven miles an hour. A stout rope was made fast to
each bank, and reeved through three waggons placed at equal distances
in the bed of the river. This made a good hand-rail for the men. But
the leading files having difficulty in stemming the current, and the
succeeding files crowding on them, a sort of animated dam was formed
which had the effect of sending the current boiling between them; and
the water, which was but little above the hips on the lower side, was
dammed up nearly to the armpits on the upper. However all got over in
safety except one man (Private James King) who, letting go the rope,
was swept off by the current with arms and accoutrements, and never
afterwards seen or heard of. The succeeding companies, not crowding
so much, got over with less difficulty. After fording the river the
Battalion marched about six miles, and then bivouacked near the
Commissariat waggons. Yet this short march took them about four hours
to accomplish: so much were they weakened by their late privations.
On the 20th they halted to rest; and to clean arms and accoutrements.
In the afternoon there was a general parade; but it was of a motley
crew. The clothing was some of it in rags; some patched with leather;
some men had no shoes; some wore sandals made of raw hide and
fastened with thongs. And those who had seen the smart Battalion
three months before could scarcely have recognised it in the gaunt,
unshaven, and ragged warriors on this parade.
On the 21st they marched about fourteen miles and joined the division
in the general camp.
On the 25th the Battalion marched to King William’s-town and arrived
there on the following day.
On the 31st two companies, Captain Horsford’s and (late) Gibson’s,
commanded by Lieutenant Hardinge,[194] crossed the Buffalo river
and marched for Fort Peddie, being ordered to join the camp of
the 6th Foot, to form a force under Lieutenant-Colonel Michel;
the Head-quarters and remaining four companies of the Battalion
continuing at King William’s-town.
On February 4 the two detached companies marched to Tamaka; and
on the next day, crossing the Keiskamma river at the Line drift,
proceeded to Buckraal.
On the 6th they started about four in the morning, and marched to
the Fish river bush, a few miles to the right of Fort Peddie, where
they arrived about ten and halted for breakfast. But just as the
Riflemen were lighting their fires, an order was issued that the two
companies were to skirmish through the bush; and if no enemy opposed
them to skirmish on to Trumpeter’s drift.[195] Leaving their untasted
breakfasts, they dashed into the bush and made their way through it
in extended order, until two in the afternoon, when they halted and
breakfasted. And at three, falling in again, proceeded through the
bush till they emerged from it on the Graham’s-town road about a
mile from the great Fish river; to which they advanced, and forded
it, the water reaching to the middle, just at sun-set. After this
hard day’s work they marched into the barrack built on the bank of
the river; and were hospitably received by a detachment of the 91st
which then occupied it.
A private, who had been missing when they fell in after breakfast,
made his appearance here about eleven at night; and his arrival
unharmed was a sufficient proof that no Kaffirs were lurking in the
bush. On February 7 these two companies marched to Fort Peddie.
On February 1 the Head-quarters consisting of four companies had
marched from the Kei river to King William’s-town, where they
encamped on the 3rd, forming part of the 2nd Division, of which
Lieutenant-Colonel George Buller, who had arrived from England,
assumed the command. But the Battalion was broken up into numerous
detachments on the frontier for the purposes of patrols and escorts.
On the 9th one of the companies at Fort Peddie under the command
of Lieutenant Hardinge marched to Newton Dale (leaving Horsford’s
company at Fort Peddie). A few days after their arrival there an
officer of the Cape Town volunteers applied for a patrol to pursue
Kaffirs, who, eluding the vigilance of the troops on the frontier,
had driven off almost all the cattle to within a few miles of
Graham’s-town. He stated that he had tracked them to the Fish
river, where he had left his men, who were utterly unable to follow
them further. A patrol of 2 sergeants and 40 men under Lieutenant
Oxenden[196] was immediately turned out; and after a quick march of
three hours came up with the Kaffirs in the bush. They were about
seventy in number, and were broiling the flesh of one of the cattle,
which they had just killed, over their fires; some were sitting on
the ground smoking; and all had their wallets, or leathern bags,
taken off and laid on the ground; while the stolen cattle were
feeding in the dell. The Riflemen, creeping up, poured in a volley
which killed seven and wounded eleven; the rest running into the bush
escaped. The patrol, recapturing the cattle, marched back with them
to Newton Dale, where they arrived about eleven at night, bringing
with them the assegais and leathern bags of the Kaffirs. This was the
first occasion on which the Riflemen and the Kaffirs were in such
close quarters.
This company was employed until June 18 escorting supplies to the
frontier as far as Fort Peddie. It then proceeded to Line drift,
where it had the duty of escorting supplies from that place to King
William’s-town. On September 9 it rejoined the Battalion.
On February 10 two companies under Captain Rooper marched for the
river Temacha, where they arrived on the same day; and on March 20
proceeded to Fort Peddie.
On March 24 Horsford’s company removed from Fort Peddie to the Goolah
heights, where it was employed on patrol duty, until June 17 when it
rejoined Head-quarters.
On the 25th Rooper’s company left Fort Peddie for Wesleyville
arriving there on the 29th, on April 7 proceeded to Chalumna post,
and on June 14 marched for Head-quarters at King William’s-town where
they rejoined on the following day.
On April 5 Macdonell’s[197] company left Head-quarters at King
William’s-town for Mount Coke, arriving there on the same day; and
returned to Head-quarters on September 14. On the 6th Murray’s
company marched from Fort Peddie on escort duty, and arrived at the
Goolah heights on the Keiskamma on the 19th, whence it rejoined
Head-quarters on September 14.
During the time these companies were employed on patrol duty, a
private belonging to a party sent out in search of cattle, having
lost his way in the bush, came near a kloof, in which he heard the
voices of Kaffirs. Lying concealed he watched their movements. Some
Kaffirs arrived with arms, which they handed to their companions, who
concealed them in a ravine. The Rifleman, still contriving to escape
observation, watched his opportunity and made his way back to the
camp, and, on his report of what he had seen, a party of Cape Mounted
Rifles were sent out to search for the concealed arms.
An attack on the Amatola mountains having been decided on, supplies
of all kinds were collected at King William’s-town. On August 2,
during a hurricane, a fire broke out which for some time threatened
the destruction of the place and of the stores there collected. But
by the exertions of the Battalion, the fire was got under and the
greater part of the stores and ammunition saved from destruction.
On this occasion Lieutenant-General Sir George Berkeley issued a
General Order commending ‘the coolness and judgment displayed by
Lieutenant-Colonel Buller,’ and ‘the discipline and energy of the
troops, by which a great calamity was averted;’ and conveying to them
‘his best thanks for their exertions.’
On September 17 the detached companies having all rejoined, the
Battalion under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Buller marched from
King William’s-town towards the Amatola mountains, halting on that
night on the Deba Flats, and on the 18th near Fort White. On the 20th
the Battalion (with about 300 of the Burgher force) accompanied by
fifty mules carrying provisions for six days and ammunition, marched
to Fort Cox, situated on a high projection over the Keiskamma river,
which winds round its base; and arriving there at eight o’clock in
the evening, bivouacked for the night.
Before daybreak on the 21st the Battalion marched; and after fording
the Keiskamma, without opposition or loss, though not without
difficulty, advanced through a dense wood to the valley of the
Amatola, and encamped at the head of the valley. During this march
no attack was made by the Kaffirs, who retreated as the Riflemen
approached; and their huts were burned by the troops, the flames
lighting up the valley on every side.
On this evening Colonel Buller’s force was joined by another column
under Colonel Campbell.
On the morning of the 22nd at dawn the Battalion, as well as the
other troops, marched to the Amatolas, and crossing their lofty
and precipitous ridge, forded the Wolf river, a tributary of the
Keiskamma, and ascended another ridge, where a third column under
Colonel Somerset joined them. From this point Colonel Buller detached
the Burgher force; and advanced with his Battalion to a valley on the
Goolah river, where they encamped for the night, with the other two
columns.
On the 23rd the troops under Colonel Campbell having returned to the
rear, those under Colonel Somerset and the Riflemen under Colonel
Buller moved into the Keiskamma basin; and Colonel Somerset’s
division having soon afterwards marched to the great Kei river, the
Battalion remained in the Keiskamma basin, constantly engaged in
active pursuit of the Kaffirs who were starved out and everywhere
driven out.
The nature of the ground Sandilli and his people occupied, a deep
valley near Wolf river, rendered it unapproachable by cavalry, but
was exactly suited to the operations of Riflemen. And by their
constant patrols, acting from camps well stored with provisions,
Sandilli was completely foiled; his cattle destroyed or scattered;
his followers driven away; and he himself hunted from place to place.
And the result of these operations[198] was that Sandilli the Gaika
chief, the principal leader of the Kaffirs, surrendered himself, with
ten of his principal men, on October 19 to Colonel Buller. After
his capture Sandilli stated that on October 12 he had been nearly
made a prisoner by a patrol of the Regiment. They lost their way in
skirmishing in the bush, and by this chance he escaped. He admitted
that he must otherwise have been taken or killed.
This terminated that campaign, and the four companies, Head-quarters
of the Battalion, were afterwards kept unoccupied in the Keiskamma
basin, though perfectly efficient for the field. While on the Great
Kei river, where operations were still going on, their presence and
assistance would have been of great consequence. However the arrival
of Sir Harry Smith soon changed the face of affairs, and brought the
war to a termination.
On November 14 Captain Murray’s company marched from Fort Stokes
to the Kei river and was employed in active operations against the
Kaffirs.
On December 4 part of the Battalion under Colonel Buller left the
Amatola mountains for King William’s-town, and arrived the same day.
And on the 25th the remainder, under command of Captain Horsford,
followed them to King William’s-town.
From hence the Battalion was again broken up into detachments; and a
company under Lieutenant Cartwright marching from King William’s-town
on the 29th for Mount Coke, arrived there the same day and occupied
it as a post.
On December 23 Sir Harry Smith was received at King William’s-town,
the band of the Battalion playing ‘God save the Queen,’ and ‘See the
Conquering Hero comes.’ When the cheers of the assembled concourse
subsided, Sir Harry rode up to the Battalion and complimented Colonel
Buller on having the command of such a body of men, and the Riflemen
on their advantage in having such a commander; and he noticed ‘that
bravery and endurance which they had displayed during the long and
harassing warfare through which they had struggled.’[199]
The Depôt companies remained at Sheerness during the early part of
this year, detaching one company to Canterbury on March 26.
On July 13 and 14 the Depôt companies, in two divisions removed from
Sheerness to Bristol; the detachment from Canterbury joining them on
the way at Maidstone; and arriving on the 15th and 16th they were
quartered at Bristol during the remainder of the year.
The 2nd Battalion continued at Montreal till August 1847; on the 10th
of which month the Head-quarter division marched to Lachine; and
there embarking proceeded to Toronto. The left wing under Captain
Wilkins on the 17th embarked at Lachine and proceeded to Kingston.
Sir D. L. Gilmour, Colonel Commandant, having died at Rome on March
22, Major-General Sir Harry Smith, Bart., G.C.B., succeeded him as
Colonel Commandant of the 2nd Battalion, April 16, 1847.
The 1st Battalion were stationed at King William’s-town, with one
company detached at Fort Murray and another at Fort Waterloo; and
no changes, beyond the occasional relief of these detachments, took
place during the first half of the year 1848.
But scarcely had the war with the Kaffirs been brought to a
successful conclusion, when the Dutch Boers, not only within the
colony but beyond the Orange river and in Natal, who, during the
months of June and July had exhibited unmistakable symptoms of
disaffection, broke out into open rebellion; and being headed by one
Pretorius, a Dutch colonist of some influence and of considerable
ability, assembled in great force beyond the Orange river.
Sir Harry Smith at once took energetic measures to attack them. A
force consisting of two companies, Captains Murray’s and Hardinge’s,
of the 1st Battalion, two of the 45th, two of the 91st and two
squadrons of the Cape Mounted Rifles, with two six-pounders, was
ordered to proceed at once to Colesberg. Colonel Buller was in
command of the whole force and Major Beckwith of the infantry. The
two companies of Riflemen were made up to a strength of eighty rank
and file each; each man carried sixty rounds of ammunition, and all
were in light marching order, carrying their great coats or blankets,
but not their knapsacks.
On August 4 the Riflemen marched; and, though delayed by the state
of the river Buffalo, which was swollen by the rains, and which they
passed by india-rubber pontoons, arrived on the 21st at Colesberg,
within about twenty-one miles of the Orange river.
On the next morning they continued their march and halted on the
high-ground on the left bank of the Orange river, there between 250
and 300 yards broad, and then unfordable.
Several attempts were made unsuccessfully to construct a raft; but,
at last, a hawser was thrown across and fastened to a tree on the
opposite bank, and then a lighter rope was passed over, by which
the india-rubber pontoon, which had been brought up by the Riflemen
from King William’s-town, was worked backwards and forwards. On the
23rd Captain Murray’s company was carried over. And on the three
following days the remainder, and the baggage were taken across; not
without difficulty, on account of the steepness of the banks leading
to the place of embarkation, and the rapidity of the current. The
embarkation was superintended by Colonel Buller; the disembarkation
by Major Beckwith. However by sunset on the 26th the whole force was
conveyed across, and encamped on the right bank of the river.
On the 27th the troops marched at daylight, the Riflemen leading
the infantry (the Cape Corps being in advance), and after a march
of about twenty miles, encamped on the plains near Phillipolis, at
Benlois Hoek.[200]
On the 28th, marching at daybreak, the Riflemen encountered swarms
of grey locusts which actually obscured the light of the sun. They
proceeded past Phillipolis, a village of the Griqua Kaffirs, and
after a march of about twenty miles encamped for the night.
On the 29th they continued their march at dawn; and after proceeding
about ten miles, halted at some deserted farm-houses to breakfast.
These were situated on the slope of a hill overlooking an extensive
plain, called the Boemplaats, which extending about twelve miles was
terminated by a range of low, rocky hills, rising one above another
in height. Those on the right projected into the plain. Through these
hills the road or track wound; and on them the Boers, estimated at
about 2,500 or 3,000 in number, had taken up their position, adding
to its natural strength a kind of breastwork of piled stones. Had it
been defended by disciplined troops, under a competent leader, it
would have been if not impregnable, at least not to be forced without
most serious loss. While the Riflemen were at breakfast the tidings
reached them that they were soon to meet their enemy; and when
breakfast was over, rifles were looked to, and packets of cartridges
loosened. As soon as they fell in, Sir Harry Smith addressed them.
No one could do so, on such an occasion, with more authority and
experience; for he had fought in their ranks (or, while on the Staff,
at their side) from Monte Video to Waterloo, in the Peninsula, in
America, in Holland, in Belgium. He reminded them of the glorious
deeds there done, ending an inspiriting address by declaring that he
would drive the arch-rebel Pretorius and his followers like rats from
those hills. He was answered by such a cheer as Riflemen can give to
an old Rifleman who leads them into the fight.
Resuming their advance about eleven o’clock they arrived at the foot
of the hills between one and two P.M. Colonel Buller then ordered
the Cape Corps to advance and to endeavour to turn the position in
front and by both its flanks. But the Boers receiving them with a
heavy fire, and some mistake having occurred in executing the order,
they retired, and cleared the front for the Riflemen, who in extended
order advanced and drove the enemy at the point of the sword from the
first, and through the second range of heights; and kept up a galling
fire on them, as they retreated to the third and highest crest. Here
they rallied their whole force, and delivered a telling fire, under
which men and officers fell fast. But nothing could stand the dash
of the Riflemen; this last position was carried; and at the end of
two hours’ hard fighting, the Boers fled after a short attempt at
resistance behind the walls of a kraal.[201]
Then the troops were formed at quarter distance behind the guns,
which opened with grape and shrapnel, on the flying enemy; delivering
their fire; limbering up and advancing to the front; then firing
again. Thus the pursuit was continued for about eleven miles;
until from sheer inability to proceed further the troops halted at
Culverfontein for the night.
The loss of the Riflemen in this action was severe. Colonel Buller
was severely wounded, and his horse was killed under him; Captain
Murray and 6 rank and file were killed or died of their wounds;
Captain Hardinge and 8 rank and file were wounded, and Lieutenant and
Adjutant Julius Glyn[202] had his horse killed under him.
Murray was leading his company when he was hit in the shoulder and
his arm was shattered. Glyn, who was near him, ordered some men to
take him to the rear; but before he could dismount, another shot
struck him, which passed through the body and injured the spine.
He lived till about midnight; and was buried under a peach-tree at
Boemplaats. Sir Harry Smith in communicating his death to his father,
Major-General the Honourable Sir Henry Murray, says that ‘he proved
himself a most gallant officer; his loss deeply regretted by the men
of his company.’
In this letter Sir Harry Smith observes that ‘this outburst of
rebels has cost as smart an affair as I ever witnessed.’ Yet he had
witnessed many; and some of them very smart affairs. ‘Your son,’ he
continues, ‘led an attack as bold as it was successful, under a storm
of fire, in a difficult position, but fell an honour to his father
and to his country.’[203]
The wounded were left at Boemplaats, except Colonel Buller, who was
conveyed with the troops.
About ten o’clock at night the tents arrived and the Battalion
encamped. It had marched more than twenty-six miles; had fought a
sharp action; and followed the enemy with a most active pursuit.
But they were not long to rest. They paraded at one o’clock on the
morning of the 30th and by two o’clock leaving blankets, tents and
all that could impede rapidity of march behind them, were again
following up the Boers. Both the companies of Riflemen were now
commanded by 2nd Lieutenants, the Hon. Henry Clifford[204] and W. W.
Knight, and they led the column as an advanced guard.
About daylight they arrived at a place called Welman’s Pass, where
it was thought that the enemy might make a stand. Accordingly the
Riflemen were extended, and skirmished over the hills on each side,
which commanded the defile. However nothing was seen of the Boers,
who were in fact utterly disorganised and demoralised by their defeat
at Boemplaats, and who never attempted to rally.
The Riflemen continued their march and halted for the night at a
Dutch farm-house, named Bethany.
Pursuing their march they arrived at Bloem-fontein on September 2;
and halted there until the 4th. During this time a General Court
Martial was held to try some rebel Boers, and an English deserter
from the 45th, who had acted as a leader of the revolted Dutch, and
they were sentenced to death. On the 4th (the sentence having been
executed) the Riflemen marched at daybreak for Weinberg, a settlement
on the Vial river, and arrived there on the 7th. Here Sir Harry
Smith received the unconditional submission of the rebellious Dutch;
and fell back to Bloem-fontein on September 14. The Governor having
directed a field-work to be erected here the Riflemen worked at it,
until its completion, when it was garrisoned by the 45th and 91st
detachments; and the Riflemen marched for King William’s-town on
October 16.
In the expedition thus concluded, the Riflemen had marched between
1,100 and 1,200 miles; had crossed several difficult rivers with
insufficient means of transit, had worn their clothing to shreds and
their shoes off their feet. General Orders highly laudatory of the
conduct of the officers and men were issued by Sir Harry Smith, both
on August 30, immediately after the fight at Boemplaats, and also
on his leaving the troops at Bloem-fontein on September 15. Colonel
Buller was appointed Companion of the Bath, and Major Beckwith
received the brevet rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.
During the time the Battalion was near King William’s-town the men
were employed in building. ‘They built a town, they built barracks,
they built houses for their officers, some of “wattle-and-daub,”
some of bricks, and roofed with various materials. They also made
an aqueduct some three or four miles long to supply the camp with
water, and for the purpose of irrigation. When we left they had more
than half built permanent barracks of stone. That was all done by one
battalion, without neglecting any of its military duties.... We had
a daily parade, inspected arms, &c., and saw that the men were in
proper order, and then dismissed them to their working parties.’[205]
The Service companies being reunited at King William’s town furnished
a detachment on October 18, to Fort Murray; and another, of a
company, on November 3, to Forts Grey and Glamorgan.
The Depôt companies continued at Bristol during the whole of this
year; the only change being that a subaltern’s detachment proceeded
to Trowbridge on May 10 and rejoined the Depôt at Bristol on July 6.
No change took place in the quarters of the 2nd Battalion during the
year 1848, which remained with one wing, Head-quarters, at Toronto,
and the other at Kingston: the Reserve Battalion companies being
still at Quebec.
The 1st Battalion continued in 1849 at King William’s-town, without
other change than the occasional relief of its detachments.
The Depôt companies were during the whole year stationary at Bristol.
And on September 27 they furnished a guard of honour, consisting of
a captain, 3 subalterns, 5 sergeants, 2 buglers, and 100 rank and
file, to attend Her Majesty Queen Victoria, at the Gloucester Railway
Station, on her return from Scotland.
No event worth recording occurred in the 2nd Battalion, which
continued at Toronto and Kingston with its Reserve at Quebec,
until November 20; when a detachment consisting of 1 subaltern, 3
sergeants, 2 buglers, and 80 rank and file proceeded from Toronto for
Mina bay, under the command of Captain Cooper, with the object of
quelling disturbances at the Bruce mines.
The eventful history of this detachment cannot better be given than
in the words of a letter addressed by Captain Cooper (now Sir Astley
Paston Cooper, Bart.) to the Assistant-Adjutant-General at Kingston:--
‘Sault Ste. Marie, Hudson’s bay Company’s Fort,
‘December 16, 1849.
‘Sir,--I have the honour to report for the information of the
Major-General commanding, that bad weather and the lateness of
the season, combined with various accidents and delays, having
frustrated our efforts to make Mina bay, we have been obliged to
return to the Sault Ste. Marie, where we have now been obliged
to go into quarters for the winter. Our failure is however the
less to be regretted as the ring-leaders in the affair have been
captured, and all the Indians, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, have left Mina bay, and returned to their homes for the
winter.
‘I stated in my last communication that the captain of the
“Propeller” had engaged to be ready to start from the Sault
river on the evening of Thursday, the 4th inst.; but about
four o’clock that afternoon a gale commenced that rendered it
impossible for the boats to continue to take the freight on
board, and eventually swamped a scow that we had engaged for
the purpose. The wind did not abate sufficiently to allow us to
assume our operations till the Friday following; and we completed
the embarkation of men and stores on that day. Just however as
we were about to start, a fresh delay occurred, arising from a
dispute between the captain of the vessel and the engineer, who
being the only one left at the Sault, felt himself at liberty to
make his own terms, and who refused to go at all unless he got
237 dollars for his trip, paid in advance. The captain refused
to give it him, and at one time it seemed very doubtful whether
we should not be obliged to return again to the Hudson’s bay
Company’s Fort. This settled, we started about seven P.M. to a
place about seven miles up the river, called Wood Dock, where we
were to take in more wood, it having been found impossible to
provide a sufficient quantity at the Sault. On arriving there we
found that the ice had collected in such quantities in the bay
that it was impossible to approach the “Propeller” to the wharf.
After making a variety of attempts to cut through the ice, carry
the boats on &c. to no purpose we were obliged to give it up for
that night.
‘The following morning we managed to land nearly the whole of
the troops, by pulling them round the ice to a place where the
wind and current had broken it up sufficiently to allow us to get
through. Carrying the wood from the wharf to the boats and thence
to the ship occupied about eight hours; and we did not get under
weigh again until about four P.M.
‘During the whole of the time we had been thus delayed, the
weather had been perfectly fair; but we had scarcely started when
a wind sprang up, which gradually increased to such a height,
that the funnel was bent, one of the stays gave way, the stove
and everything else in the cabin was overturned, and the binnacle
and compass upset and rolled about the deck.
‘Not being able, from the rolling of the vessel, to put back the
compass properly in its place, the helmsman was steering partly
by guesswork, and we drifted about five points out of our course.
At half-past eleven P.M. the ship struck hard on a point of
land on the American shore, called White Fish point, the bottom
happening fortunately to be sandy, and the sea right on, the
captain got the foresail on her and allowed her to drive up into
the shallow so far as she would, to obviate the heavy bumpings,
to prevent her broaching to, receiving the seas on her broadside.
The conduct of the men, when the ship struck, was most admirable,
inasmuch as the general rocky nature of the coast along the
shore of the Lake Superior was well known to everyone on board.
No one knew where we were; and White Fish point was perhaps the
only place on Lake Superior where such an accident could have
occurred without the vessel being instantaneously broken up.
Had the men not obeyed the command to stand still, but had they
rushed on deck, as the captain of the ship afterwards told me he
fully expected they would have done, at least one half of them
would have been washed overboard and drowned; as the deck was as
slippery as ice could make it, and there was no bulwark round
it other than a slight open railing, scarcely a foot high. Both
the captain and subordinate officers of the vessel afterwards
expressed their astonishment at the coolness and discipline the
soldiers displayed. We remained at White Fish point till about
half-past three P.M. Monday without any apparent possibility of
getting the ship off, occupying ourselves in the meantime with
landing the freight for the purpose of lightening the vessel, and
making what arrangement we could for passing the winter where we
were. About that hour, however, by working the vessel back with
all the steam the engine would bear, and rigging a derrick, they
got us off again; and about ten A.M. Tuesday, we again proceeded
towards Mina Bay and had arrived to within eight miles of the
place, when the wind shifted to the SW. and commenced blowing
again with such violence, that they were obliged to put about and
return to White Fish point for shelter. After remaining there
till noon, Wednesday, and the weather not at all improving, the
captain represented to me the impossibility of reaching the bay
this fall.
‘I then wrote to him requesting his opinion in writing; his
answer to which I enclose. We anchored in the Sault river on
Wednesday evening, and I am now getting the men settled in
quarters in the store-houses of the Hudson’s bay Company’s Fort;
and I trust that in a few days they will be made tolerably
comfortable for the winter. From the time the men left Toronto
till we returned to the Sault, they had never slept in a bed, or
taken off their clothes; yet in despite of that, and of the cold
and wet they have daily endured, we have no sickness whatever. I
am also happy to be able to inform you that the conduct of the
detachment continues to be exemplary.
‘I have the honour to be,
&c. &c. &c.,
‘A. P. COOPER.
‘Capt. Commanding detachment.’
On December 3, the left wing of the Battalion removed from Kingston
and joined Head-quarters at Toronto.
In March 1850, the 1st Battalion being ordered home, were relieved
on the frontier by the 6th Foot; and on April 2, three companies
marched from King William’s-town to Fort Glamorgan, there to await
the arrival of H.M. steam-vessel ‘Hermes’ for conveyance to Table-bay.
And on May 20 the remaining three companies, with Head-quarters,
marched from King William’s-town to Fort Glamorgan, and arrived there
on the next day.
On the departure of the Battalion from the frontier, a very
complimentary District Order was issued by Colonel Mackinnon,
commanding at King William’s-town, thanking the officers,
non-commissioned officers and men for their excellent conduct while
under his command.
Free discharges having been offered to such of the men as desired to
settle in South Africa, 165 non-commissioned officers and men availed
themselves of them; and being paraded on April 30, were there and
then handed their discharges by Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith.
On May 25 the Head-quarters, with three companies, embarked at Fort
Glamorgan, in surf-boats, and were conveyed on board the ‘Hermes,’
which started for Table-bay, at which place they disembarked on the
29th.
On the 31st they were inspected at Cape Town by Sir Harry Smith,
previous to their embarkation for home, who took leave of his old
Corps in the following characteristic General Order:
‘Head-quarters, Cape Town, May 31, 1850.
‘The 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade will be held in readiness
to embark for England on board the ship, “Duchess of
Northumberland,” having completed a colonial tour of ten years’
service, throughout which it has maintained the character for
discipline, bravery and interior economy which distinguished it
during the eventful period of the Peninsular War, under His Grace
the Duke of Wellington.
‘At the Cape of Good Hope in the Kaffir War and in a rapid, long,
and harassing march over the Orange river, for the suppression
of rebellion, the Riflemen were ever as distinguished for good
fellowship among their comrades of other regiments, as they were
formidable to their foes. Colonel Mackinnon the Commandant of
Kaffraria, thus reports of the Regiment:
‘“Nothing can have been more satisfactory than the conduct of the
Battalion ever since it has been in this district, and it has
been most ably commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith.”
‘In 1805 the Commander-in-Chief Sir H. Smith, joined this
Battalion then commanded by a Colonel Sidney Beckwith, (the uncle
of the present,) an officer of great military renown.
‘He has served with it during the most eventful period of its
career, and has never worn the Regimental uniform of any other
corps. The veteran and truly commendable affection, which is thus
created, leads His Excellency therefore fervently to hope for the
future welfare and honour of the Regiment.
‘“The true test of real excellence is not immediate success, but
durable fame;” and Sir Harry Smith trusts, with all his heart,
that this may ever be applicable to his old comrades of the Rifle
Brigade.’
On June 6 the Head-quarter division embarked at Cape Town in the
‘Duchess of Northumberland,’ and sailed the same day; and after
touching at St. Helena for water on the 19th, proceeded for England.
But the other division of 8 officers and 100 men of other ranks were
still at East London; where they embarked in surf boats on June 10
and 11, and were conveyed on board the ‘Hermes.’ They disembarked at
Falk bay on the 17th, and proceeded to Cape Town, where they were
quartered until July 11.
On that day they embarked on board the ‘Himalaya,’[206] and sailed on
the 12th for England.
We must now return to the movements of the Depôt companies which left
Bristol in two divisions on April 8 and 11, and arrived at Brecon on
the 9th and 11th.
They removed in three divisions from Brecon on June 17, 18 and 19,
and proceeded to Canterbury, where they arrived on the 19th, 20th
and 21st, and were there stationed until the arrival of the Service
companies.
The first division of these disembarked at Gravesend on Sunday,
August 11, and proceeded by railroad to Rochester, and marched into
Brompton Barracks Chatham; and on the 13th marched to Canterbury,
where they arrived the next day.
The second division did not reach Gravesend till September 23, when
they disembarked, and marched to Canterbury, where they arrived on
the 26th. Thus the whole Battalion was reunited; but owing to the
free discharges given in Africa it was greatly below its strength;
and recruiting was actively carried on and the staff and parties at
the principal stations in England, and at Edinburgh, Glasgow, and
Newry were directed, by order from the Horse Guards, to raise 160 men
at once for the Battalion; yet up to the end of the year it had only
succeeded in obtaining 114 recruits.
On December 30 and 31 the Battalion marched in two divisions from
Canterbury to Dover, where they were quartered; Head-quarters with
five companies in the Western heights, and five companies in the
Castle.
By an order from the Horse Guards dated February 6, 1850, the
Reserve Battalion of the 2nd Battalion was to be done away; and the
2nd Battalion and Reserve, of six companies each, were from April
1 to be absorbed into one Battalion of ten companies. The officers
(1 Lieutenant-Colonel, 2 Captains, 2 First Lieutenants, 2 Second
Lieutenants and an Adjutant), who thus became supernumerary, were
retained _en second_, until vacancies occurred. Pursuant to this
arrangement the six companies which formed the Reserve Battalion
left Quebec, where they had been stationed since their formation in
August 1846, and proceeded to Kingston in two divisions; the first,
consisting of three companies under Major Norcott, leaving Quebec
on May 1, and arriving at Kingston on the 3rd; the remaining three
companies leaving on the 8th, and arriving on the 11th.
The 2nd Battalion itself left Toronto, where it had been quartered
since August 1847, in two divisions on May 22 and 24, arriving at
Kingston on the following days respectively. Thus the Battalion and
its Reserve were amalgamated; and at Kingston reunited into one
Battalion.
FOOTNOTES:
[193] _i.e._ A wooded ravine or valley.
[194] Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Hardinge, retired.
[195] _i.e._ A ford.
[196] Colonel Charles Vernon Oxenden died April 26, 1868.
[197] Major-General Alexander Macdonell, C.B.
[198] ‘It was,’ says an historian of the war, ‘the useful green
jackets, the untiring Rifle Brigade, who worried Sandilli out of his
hiding-place among the mountains.’ (‘Five Years in Kaffirland,’ ii.
240, 2nd edition.)
[199] ‘Five Years in Kaffirland,’ by Mrs. Ward, ii. 329-30.
[200] Hoek, _i.e._ an inlet from a plain to high land, and from which
there is no outlet.
[201] _i.e._ An enclosure, generally for cattle.
[202] Major-General Glyn, C.B.
[203] ‘Annual Register,’ xc. 248.
[204] Colonel the Hon. H. H. Clifford, C.B., V.C.
[205] Colonel Evelyn (formerly of the Rifle Brigade) in the ‘Journal
of the Royal United Service Institution,’ vol. xiv. p. 103.
[206] Not the steam Troop-ship of that name; but a sailing Barque.