General J.C. Smuts answered that the meeting could empower the

Governments to accept the proposal, and to add that they did so with

such and such provisos.

Commandant A.J. Bester (Bloemfontein) thought that there had been enough

said, and recommended that the discussion be closed.

Commandant F.E. Mentz (Heilbron) also thought that it was not necessary

to argue any more. He believed that the war could not be continued. In

Heilbron, Bloemfontein, and part of Bethlehem there were not five head

of cattle left. The helpless condition of the women and children also

demanded consideration. The state of the country was becoming so

desperate that they were now obliged to break away from the kraals. He

himself had been compelled to this not long ago, and had lost forty men

in one day. He would have to leave his district, but could not bring it

to his heart to leave the women behind. It was quite clear to him that

the war must be stopped, for some parts of the Transvaal were absolutely

unable to go on fighting. Moreover, were the war to continue, commando

after commando would go over to the enemy.

General Kemp (Krugersdorp) took a more encouraging view of affairs. He

would stand or fall with the independence. His mandate was to that

effect. His conscience also would not justify him in taking any other

course. He thought that the proposal of the English Government was

vague, that there was not sufficient provision for the Boer losses in

it, and that it treated the Dutch language as a foreign tongue.

Circumstances had often been dark, and the darkness would pass away this

time as it had done before. Remembering the commission which had been

given to him by the burghers, he could not do otherwise than vote for a

continuation of the war.

Vice-President Burger: "I have already given my opinion. I am sorry that

the meeting seems to be divided. It is necessary for the welfare of our

nation that we should be of one mind. Are we to continue the war? From

what I have seen and heard, it is clear to me that we cannot do so. I

repeat that there is no possibility of it, neither does any real hope

exist that by doing so we should benefit the nation. It is idle to

compare our condition in the struggle in 1877-1881 with that in which we

now find ourselves; I speak from experience.

"It is true that the victory was then ours; that it was so is due to the

help which we received from outside. The Orange Free State remained

neutral, but assistance came from President Brand in South Africa and

from Gladstone in England: thus it was not by our own sword that we were

enabled to win.

"It will be asked why, if we have kept up the struggle for two years and

a half, can we not still continue to do so?

"Because, in the meantime, we have become weaker and weaker, and if we

persist the end must be fatal. What grounds have we for expecting that

we may yet be victorious? Each man we lose renders us weaker; every

hundred men we lose means a similar gain to the enemy. England's

numerical strength does not diminish; on the contrary, there are even

more troops in the country at this moment than when Lord Roberts had the

command. England also has used our own men against us, and has not been

ashamed of arming the Kaffirs; the enemy are learning from our own men

in what way they should fight--he must be blind indeed who cannot see

these facts.

"I do not think we can appropriately call this altogether a 'war of

faith.' Undoubtedly we began this war strong in the faith of God, but

there were also two or three other things to rely upon. We had

considerable confidence in our own weapons; we under-estimated the

enemy; the fighting spirit had seized upon our people; and the thought

of victory had banished that of the possibility of defeat.

"The question still remains, What are we to do? I have no great opinion

of the document which lies before us: to me it holds out no inducement

to stop the war. If I feel compelled to treat for peace it is not on

account of any advantages that this proposal offers me: it is the weight

of my own responsibility which drives me to it.

"If I think that by holding out I should dig the nation's grave, nothing

must induce me to continue the struggle.

"Therefore I consider it my duty, as leader of our nation, to do my

utmost that not one man more shall be killed, that not one woman more

shall die.

"The sacrifice must be made; is not this also a trial of our faith? What

shall we gain by going on? Nothing! It is obvious that further

surrenders will take place--here of a few, there of many--and our

weakness will increase.

"We shall also be obliged to abandon large areas of the country. Will

this make us stronger? Rather, will it not enable the enemy to

concentrate still more? And the abandoned tracts--to whom will they

belong? To the enemy!

"In all probability this is our last meeting. I do not believe that we

shall be given another chance to negotiate: we shall be deemed too

insignificant. If we reject this proposal, what prospects have we in the

future? If we accept it, we can, like a child, increase in size and

strength, but with its rejection goes our last opportunity.

"Fell a tree and it will sprout again; uproot it and there is an end of

it. What has the nation done to deserve extinction?

"Those who wish to continue the war are influenced chiefly by hope; but

on what is this hope founded? On our arms? No. On intervention? By no

means. On what then? No one can say.

"I am sorry that the Transvaal and the Orange Free State are at variance

on this point, and I regret that it is the Transvaal which has to

declare itself unable to proceed further; but the enemy have

concentrated all their forces in this State, and we can hold out no

longer."

Mr. L. Jacobsz: "I have hitherto not spoken, because I am a

non-combatant. I have also suffered much, although less than others. I

have listened to what has been said, but my opinion is not changed by

the views I have heard expressed.

"I repeat now what I said at Klerksdorp, namely that the struggle cannot

continue. I have noted the condition of the country, which is such that

the commandos can no longer be supported. I would point out the

condition of the women and children, of whom many are dying, and all are

exposed to great dangers. If there was a chance of succeeding in the

end, then we might hold out, but there is no such chance; there is no

possibility of intervention, and the silence of the deputation is

ominous.

"I sympathize with the heroes present at this meeting; we must have a

foundation for our faith, and we cannot altogether compare our people

with the people of Israel. Israel had promises made to them; we have

none. I would further point out that, in the interests of the nation, it

will not do to surrender unconditionally: the terms before us may be

deceptive, but they are the best obtainable.

"With regard to the difficulty of those delegates who consider that they

are bound to act as they have been commissioned, I am of the same

opinion as Judge Hertzog and General Smuts."

Commandant J.J. Alberts (Standerton) spoke more or less in the same

strain. He was of opinion that the war should be finished by ceding

territory, but, failing this, that it should be ended on any terms

obtainable.

Vice-President de Wet expressed his opinion that, considering the short

time at their disposal, they should proceed, if possible, to make some

proposal.

General D.A. Brand said that he would have spoken if he had not thought

that enough had been said; he considered it desirable to close the

discussion, and was willing to make a proposal.

Veldtcornet D.J.E. Opperman (Pretoria South) considered that the

difficulties of continuing the war, and of accepting the proposal, were

equal. Some of his burghers would fight no longer. What troubled him

most was the condition of the women; it went to his heart to see these

families perish. He was of opinion that, for the sake of the women and

children who were suffering so intensely, the proposal should be

accepted under protest.

Veldtcornet J. Van Steedden, seconded by Veldtcornet B.J. Roos, moved

that the discussion be now closed.

The meeting was adjourned after prayer.

[Footnote 120: The step of a tired horse.]

SATURDAY, MAY 31ST, 1902.

The meeting was opened with prayer.

General Nieuwouwdt, seconded by General Brand, made the following

proposal:--

"This meeting of special deputies from the two Republics, after

considering the proposal of His Majesty's Government for the

re-establishment of peace, and taking into consideration (_a_) the

demands of the burghers in the veldt and the commissions which they had

given to their representatives; (_b_) that they do not consider

themselves justified in concluding peace on the basis laid down by His

Majesty's Government before having been placed in communication with the

delegates of the Republic now in Europe, decides that it cannot accept

the proposal of His Majesty's Government, and orders the Governments of

the two Republics to communicate this decision to His Majesty's

Government through its representatives."

Mr. P.R. Viljoen, seconded by General H.A. Alberts, made a proposal,

amended afterwards by General Smuts and Judge Hertzog, which appears

later on under the proposal of H.P.J. Pretorius and C. Botha.

A third proposal by General E. Botha and General J.G. Celliers was laid

upon the table, but subsequently withdrawn.

Mr. F.W. Reitz considered it to be his duty not only to the nation but

also to himself as a citizen, to say that, in case the proposal of the

British Government should be accepted, it would be necessary for the

meeting to make provisions as to whose signatures should be attached to

the necessary documents. He himself would not sign any document by which

the independence would be given up.

Remarks were made by several members on the first proposal, and Mr. P.R.

Viljoen asked that no division should arise.

Vice-President de Wet then said that, as the time was limited, and all

could not speak, he would propose that a Commission should be nominated

in order to draw up a third proposal in which various opinions of the

members should be set down; and that, whilst the Commission was occupied

in this way, the Orange Free State delegates on their part and those of

the South African Republic on their part, should meet in order that an

understanding might be come to between them. They must endeavour to come

to a decision, for it would be of the greatest possible advantage to

them.

Commandant-General Botha thought that this hint should be taken. They

had suffered and fought together: let them not part in anger.

The above-mentioned Commission was then decided upon, and Judge Hertzog

and General Smuts were elected.

Then the Orange Free State delegates went to the tent of Vice-President

de Wet, whilst those of the South African Republic remained in the tent

in which the meeting was held.

After a time of heated dispute--for every man was preparing himself for

the bitter end--they came to an agreement, and Judge Hertzog read the

following proposal:--

"We, the national representatives of both the South African Republic and

the Orange Free State, at the meeting held at Vereeniging, from the 15th

of May till the 31st of May, 1902, have with grief considered the

proposal made by His Majesty's Government in connexion with the

conclusion of the existing hostilities, and their communication that

this proposal had to be accepted, or rejected, unaltered. We are sorry

that His Majesty's Government has absolutely declined to negotiate with

the Governments of the Republics on the basis of their independence, or

to allow our Governments to enter into communication with our

deputations. Our people, however, have always been under the impression

that not only on the grounds of justice, but also taking into

consideration the great material and personal sacrifices made for their

independence, that it had a well-founded claim for that independence.

"We have seriously considered the future of our country, and have

specially observed the following facts:--

"Firstly, that the military policy pursued by the British military

authorities has led to the general devastation of the territory of both

Republics by the burning down of farms and towns, by the destruction of

all means of subsistence, and by the exhausting of all resources

required for the maintenance of our families, the subsistence of our

armies, and the continuation of the war.

"Secondly, that the placing of our families in the concentration camps

has brought on an unheard-of condition of suffering and sickness, so

that in a comparatively short time about twenty thousand of our beloved

ones have died there, and that the horrid probability has arisen that,

by continuing the war, our whole nation may die out in this way.

"Thirdly, that the Kaffir tribe, within and without the frontiers of the

territory of the two Republics, are mostly armed and are taking part in

the war against us, and through the committing of murders and all sorts

of cruelties have caused an unbearable condition of affairs in many

districts of both Republics. An instance of this happened not long ago

in the district of Vrijheid, where fifty-six burghers on one occasion

were murdered and mutilated in a fearful manner.

"Fourthly, that by the proclamations of the enemy the burghers still

fighting are threatened with the loss of all their movable and landed

property--and thus with utter ruin--which proclamations have already

been enforced.

"Fifthly, that it has already, through the circumstances of the war,

become quite impossible for us to keep the many thousand prisoners of

war taken by our forces, and that we have thus been unable to inflict

much damage on the British forces (whereas the burghers who are taken

prisoners by the British armies are sent out of the country), and that,

after war has raged for nearly three years, there only remains an

insignificant part of the fighting forces with which we began.

"Sixthly, that this fighting remainder, which is only a small minority

of our whole nation, has to fight against an overpowering force of the

enemy, and besides is reduced to a condition of starvation, and is

destitute of all necessaries, and that notwithstanding our utmost

efforts, and the sacrifice of everything that is dear and precious to

us, we cannot foresee an eventual victory.

"We are therefore of opinion that there is no justifiable ground for

expecting that by continuing the war the nation will retain its

independence, and that, under these circumstances, the nation is not

justified in continuing the war, because this can only lead to social

and material ruin, not for us alone, but also for our posterity.

Compelled by the above-named circumstances and motives, we commission

both Governments to accept the proposal of His Majesty's Government, and

to sign it in the name of the people of both Republics.

"We, the representative delegates, express our confidence that the

present circumstances will, by accepting the proposal of His Majesty's

Government, be speedily ameliorated in such a way that our nation will

be placed in a position to enjoy the privileges to which they think they

have a just claim, on the ground not only of their past sacrifices, but

also of those made in this war.

"We have with great satisfaction taken note of the decision of His

Majesty's Government to grant a large measure of amnesty to the British

subjects who have taken up arms on our behalf, and to whom we are united

by bonds of love and honour; and express our wish that it may please His

Majesty to still further extend this amnesty."

Mr. P.R. Viljoen then withdrew his proposal.

Commandant H.P.J. Pretorius, seconded by General C. Botha, presented the

proposal, as read by the Commission.

General Nieuwouwdt also withdrew his proposal, but it was at once taken

over by General C.C.J. Badenhorst, seconded by Commandant A.J. Bester,

of Bloemfontein.

The meeting then adjourned till the afternoon.

* * * * *

In the afternoon at 2.05 it again met.

Proceeding to the voting, the proposal of H.P.J. Pretorius, seconded by

General C. Botha, was accepted, by fifty-four votes against six. Then

Vice-President Burger spoke a few words suitable to the occasion as

follows:--"We are standing here at the grave of the two Republics. Much

yet remains to be done, although we shall not be able to do it in the

official capacities which we have formerly occupied. Let us not draw our

hands back from the work which it is our duty to accomplish. Let us ask

God to guide us, and to show us how we shall be enabled to keep our

nation together. We must be ready to forgive and forget, whenever we

meet our brethren. That part of our nation which has proved unfaithful

we must not reject."

Later, Vice-President Burger spoke a few words of farewell to the

Commandant-General, to the Members of the Executive Councils, and to the

delegates.

In the afternoon, as it turned out for the last time, Commandant

Jacobsz, seconded by General Muller, made the following proposal, which

was unanimously accepted by the meeting:--

"This meeting of Delegates, having in view the necessity of collecting

means to provide for the wants of the suffering women and children,

widows and orphans, and other destitute persons, who have through this

war come to a condition of want, and also having in view the

desirability of nominating a Committee, whose duty it shall be to

arrange the necessary steps in this matter, and to finally decide on the

management and distribution of the donations received, decides:--

"To nominate the Hon. Messrs. M.J. Steyn, S.W. Burger, L. Botha, C.R. de

Wet, J.H. De la Rey, A.P. Kriel, and J.D. Kestell, as the Committee, to

carry out all arrangements for the above-mentioned purposes, that may

seem desirable and expedient to them, and also to appoint new Members,

Sub-Committees and working Committees; and the said Committee is

empowered to draw up regulations, and to amend them from time to time as

shall seem to them expedient.

"This meeting further decides to send abroad from the above-mentioned

Committee, Messrs. C.R. de Wet, L. Botha, and J.H. De la Rey, in order

that they may help in collecting the above-mentioned donations."

Then this--the last meeting of the two Republics--was closed with

prayer.

Index

Aard, Commandant Frans van--

Election as Commandant of Kroonstad, 115

Killed in engagement between Kroonstad and Lindley, 157

Abraham's Kraal--Bombardment by British, Boer Flight, 52

_Achterlaaiers_, 3

Active Service--Calling up of Orange Free State Burghers, 4

Commando Law as to Equipment, Provisions, etc., 3

Notification to Orange Free State Burghers to hold themselves in

readiness, 3

Alberts, Capt.--Tribute to, 243

Albrecht, Major--Command of Boer Reinforcements at Koedoesberg, 28

Ammunition--Amount possessed by Boers in 1902, 408

Capture of Ammunition by the Boers, 173

Dewetsdorp, 178

Doornspruit, Capture of Train near, 132

Roodewal--Amount captured, 103

Digging up, 191, 193

Disposal of, 104, 106

Tweefontein, 282

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Ammunition hidden in Cave, 298

Amnesty--General Amnesty for Boer Sympathisers in Cape Colony and Natal,

proposed, 322

Annexation of the South African Republic--Battles fought after the

alleged Annexation, 229

Peace Negotiations at Pretoria, References to the Annexation, 367

Armistice to admit of attendance of Officers at the Vereeniging Meeting

(May, 1902), 315

Misunderstanding on the part of the British Columns, 317

Arms, Surrender of, _see_ titles Banishment and Surrender

Assistant-Commander-in-Chief Gen. de Wet obtaining Post from

Government, 95

Assistant-Commander-in-Chief of the Orange Free State--

Prinsloo, Mr. Marthinus, Illegal Election of, 126

Steenekamp, Commandant, Nomination of, 144

Badenhorst, Siege of, by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 77, 78

Abandonment of Siege, 79

Badenhorst, Veldtcornet, 94

Vice-Commander-in-Chief in Districts of Boshof, etc., Appointment, 159

Baggage Animals of British Troops--Exhaustion of, 148

Use of, 279

Baker's, Col., Column--Commander-in-Chief de Wet lying in wait with a

view to Reprisals, 271

Banishment Proclamation of Aug. 7, 1901 (Lord Kitchener's

Proclamation), 247-250

Battles fought subsequent to, 252

Burghers, Effect on, 252

Kitchener's, Lord, Letter to Commander-in-Chief de Wet enclosing copy

of Proclamation, 247

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Reply, 248

Officers, Effect on, 250

President and Commander-in-Chief of Transvaal and Orange Free

State--Replies, 250, 251, 257, 258

Steyn's, President, Letter to Lord Kitchener, 251-259

Terms of, 247-251

Bank Notes of the South African Republic--Peace Terms, Arrangements for

honouring Notes, 380

Prisoners of War, Opportunity of sending in Notes for Payment, 386

Barbed Wire Fences, _see_ Wire Fences

Barton, Gen., Attack on at Frederiksstad by Commander-in-Chief de Wet

and Gen. Liebenberg, 164-167

Beijers, Gen.--Continuance of the War, Spirit of the Nation an

obstacle--Speech at Vereeniging Conference, 410

Waterberg District, Situation in--Report to the Vereeniging

Conference, 339

Bergh, Capt.--Attacks on Boer Forces with bands of Kaffirs, 271

Bester, Commandant A.J.--Continuance of the War, Argument in favour of

at the Vereeniging Conference, 421

Bester Station, Skirmish at, 10

Bethlehem--Commandants of Boer Forces, Appointments, 227, 228

Defence of--British Reinforcements, Arrival of, 121, 122

Dispositions of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 120, 121

_Voetgangers_ on Wolhuterskop, Bravery of, 121, 122

Engagement near, 194, 195

Fall of, 122

Bethlehem Commando--Fidelity of Burghers, 94, _note_

Bezuidenhoutspas--Occupation by Vrede Commando, 7, 8

Biddulphsberg Engagement--English wounded burnt by veldt fire, 84

"Big Constable"--Transvaalers mistaking President Steyn for Police

Agent, 86, 87

Birkenstock, Mr.--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, etc., 399

Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging

Conference, 343

Blauwbank, Fight at, 30

British Camp abandoned--Booty taken by Boers, 33, 34

British Convoy, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Attack on, 32, 33

Blijdschap--Arrival of Laager of Women, 268

De Lange sentenced to death for High Treason at, 268, _note_

Massing of Commandos at, 268

_Blikkiescost_, 4

Blockhouse System--"Blockhead" System, alleged, 260

Boer Success in breaking through Blockhouses, 260, 261

Bothaville, Boers breaking through Blockhouse Line, 299

British loss of faith in Blockhouses, 291, 292

Cost of erection and maintenance, 262

Description of, 262

Districts surrounded by the British, 261

Failure of, alleged, 261

Lindley-Kroonstad Line, Boers breaking through, 287

Palmietfontein, Boers breaking through Line near, 289, 290

Prolongation of the War by, alleged, 263, 264

Small number of Captures effected, 260, 261

Springhaansnek--Commander-in-Chief de Wet breaking through the Line of

Blockhouses on the march to the South, 173

Thaba'Nchu and Sanna's Post, Forts between--Capture by

Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 201, 202

Trenches dug by British near Blockhouse Lines, etc., 288, 294, 295

Bloemfontein--Capture by British, 55

Defence of--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Arrangements, 54

Water Works--Occupation by General Broadwood, 61

"Boer Biscuits," 3

Boer Forces--

Burghers who had returned home after fall of Bloemfontein, Re-call to

the front, 71

Commandos left with Commander-in-Chief de Wet after fall of

Bloemfontein, _note_ 57

Confusion among Burghers at Holspruits, 294, 295

Discipline, _see_ that title

Disposition of Forces after fall of Bethlehem, 124

Harrismith Commando, Refusal to part with Waggons--Return

home, 161, 163

Medical Certificates, Abuse of, _note_ 59

Mobility, _see_ that title

Numbers at Outset of War, 408, 414, 415, 491

Numbers at the Termination of the War, 322, 338, 339, 347, 348, 359,

360, 361, 362

Orange Free State Commandos--

Commander-in-Chief, Election of, 6, 7

Harrismith, Concentration at, 4, 6-7

Heilbron Commando, _see_ that title

Number of Burghers ready to fight after fall of Pretoria, 94

Panic after Paardeberg, 48, 49, 51, 52, _note_ 57

Permission given to Burghers by Commander-in-Chief de Wet to return

home, 56, _note_ 57--Gen. Joubert's Protest, 57

Reduction in numbers due to Paardeberg Surrender, etc., 89, 90

Roberts', Lord, Surrender Proclamation--Effect on Numbers rejoining

Commandos, 60

Non-observance of Terms, Burghers returning to Commandos, 80

Separation of Free Staters and Transvaalers after fall of Kroonstad,

Reasons for, 89, 90

Boesmanskop Skirmish, 80

Boshof, Vrow--Gift of Clothes to Burghers who had swum the Orange

River, 221, 222

Bosman, Landdrost--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender,

etc., 404, 405, 406

Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902--Report to the

Vereeniging Conference, 361, 362

Botha--Capture at Honingkopjes, Subsequent Escape and Death, 110

Botha, Commandant-General--

Continuance of the War, Arguments against--Terms of Surrender,

etc., 414, 415

Estcourt Skirmishes--Capture of Armoured Train, etc., 19

Fortitude after Fall of Pretoria, 93

Independence of the South African Republic and Orange Free

State--Vereeniging Conference Delegates' power to decide as to

Independence, 411

Junction with Commander-in-Chief de Wet at

Rhenosterriviersbrug, 88, 89

Middelburg Peace Proposals, _see_ that title

Mission to Europe on behalf of Relief Fund Committee, 428

Peace Negotiations--Member of Commission of National Representatives

at the Pretoria Conference, 320, 365-396

Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging

Conference, 337, 338, 354-358

Botha, General Philip--

Dewetsdorp Defences, Occupation of, 175, 176

Engagement with General Knox's Forces, 194, 195

Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, 58

Reinforcements sent to Commander-in-Chief de Wet before Paardeberg,

Command of, 36, 37

Stinkfontein--Failure to recapture Position, 45

Storming of, 40

Tabaksberg, Engagement at, 83

Botha, Mr. Jan--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Tribute to, 150, 151

Bothaville--Boers breaking through Blockhouse Line, 299

Surprise Attack by the British on Commander-in-Chief de Wet's

Forces--Boer Panic, 168-170

Losses of the Boers, 170-171

_Bout Span_, 5

Boys--Presence with Commandos, 287, 289, 290

Children killed and wounded, 289, 290, 295, 296

Brabant's, General, Successes, 50

Brabant's Horse--Attack on Commandant Kritzinger and Captain

Scheepers, 185, 186

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Opinion of, 75, 76

Brand, President--Assistance rendered to South African Republic in War

of 1877-1881, 422, 423

Brandfort, Boer Forces at--Hotels closed by Commander-in-Chief, 60

_Brandwachten_, 22

Breijtenbach, Veldtcornet B.H.--Continuance of the War, Impossibility of

Carrying on the Struggle, 403, 404

British Forces--Artillery, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Tribute to, 25

March from Bethlehem to Reitz, under guidance of Free

Staater, 263, 264

Sixty Thousand Men, Cordon of, 291, 292, 293, 294

Broadwood, General--Occupation of Thaba'Nchu, 65, 66

Retreat towards Thaba'Nchu before General Olivier, 62

Broodspioen, 207, 208

Bruwer, Commandant--Appointment to Command of Bethlehem

District, 227, 228

Buller, Sir Redvers--Drakensberg Frontier, Crossing of, 93

Landing at Cape Town, 21

Relief of Ladysmith, 50

Strength of Positions operated against by Sir Redvers Buller, 21

Bulwana Hill--Boers surprised by British, 21

Burger, Vice-President--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender,

etc., 398, 421, 422, 424, 425

Meeting with Orange Free State Government, Letter to President

Steyn, 301, 302

Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902--Address at the

Vereeniging Conference, 336, 337, 351-354

Steyn, President, Resignation of--Announcement at Vereeniging

Conference, 411

Cape Colony--

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Attempted Inroad--March towards Cape

Colony--

Blockhouses--Commander-in-Chief de Wet breaking through the Line at

Springhaansnek, 173, 187, 188, 189

Dewetsdorp--

Defences, British neglecting to hold, 175, 176

Storming of, 175-179

Forces under Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 172

"Good Hope" Farm, Engagement near, 181

Knox's, Gen., Arrival with British Reinforcements, 181

Gun and Amount of Ammunition taken, 173

Karmel, March towards, 181, 182

Knox's, Gen., Pursuit of Commander-in-Chief de

Wet, 185, 186, 187, 189, 190

Orange and Caledon Rivers in flood--Commander-in-Chief de Wet

"cornered," 182, 183

Prinsloo's, Commandant Michal, Commando--Appearance in the nick of

time, 187, 188

Retreat across Orange River, 184, 185

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Expedition into--

Capture of Farm held by British Troops, 207, 208

Courage and Endurance of Burghers, 212

Diminution in number of Boer Forces, 206, 207

Engagements with British Troops, 206, 207, 212

Escape of Boer Forces in the darkness, 216, 219, 220

Fodder, Lack of, 206, 207

Knox's, Gen., Movements, 201, 202, 203

Miraculous Nature of Boer Achievements, 223, 224

Moddervlei, Passage of--Boer Loss of Ammunition and Flour

Waggons, 208, 209, 210, 212

Officers serving with Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 195, 196

Position of Boer Forces after crossing Orange River, 205, 206

Retreat across Orange River, Difficulties of, etc., 217-224

Strategy employed to mislead Gen. Knox, 202, 203, 204

General Rising of Burghers, Impossibility of--Reports of Delegates at

the Vereeniging Conference, 340, 341, 342, 355, 360, 361, 405, 406

Position of affairs at the beginning of 1901--Colonial Burghers'

Sympathy with Boer Cause, 195, 196

Sheep-farming, success of in North-Western Districts, 211

Small Commandos sent to Cape Colony, Policy of, 234

Cape Mounted Rifles, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's opinion of, 77, 78

Cartwright, Mr., Editor of _South African News_--Punishment for

publication of "not to take prisoners" Anecdote concerning Lord

Kitchener, 184, 185

Casualties, _see_ Losses in Killed and Wounded, etc., on either side

Cattle--Blockhouse Line between Lindley and Kroonstad, Boer Cattle

breaking through, 288

Capture of Boer Cattle on "Majuba Day," 296, 297

Destruction by the British, 192, 232

Supply available on May 15, 1902--Report of Vereeniging

Delegates, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 343, 344, 345, 346, 351, 352

Causes of the War--British Government Interference with the inner policy

of the South African Republic, 252, 253

Declaration of War by the South African Republics as the

Cause--President Steyn's Contradiction, 251, 252

Extermination of the Republics already determined on by England,

alleged, 254, 255

Franchise Law--British Government Demands, 252, 253, 254

Goldfields the main object, alleged, 350, 351

Jameson Raid as a Cause, alleged, 251, 252, 253

Memorials to H.M. Government concerning alleged Grievances--President

Steyn's efforts to keep the Peace, 252, 253, 254

Orange Free State joining issues with the Transvaal, 254, 255

Steyn's, President, Letter to Lord Kitchener, 250-259

Troops landed by the British Government prior to outbreak of

War, 253, 254

Ultimatum of Boers, Lord Salisbury's Assertion, 53, 54

Ceylon--Boer Prisoners taken with Gen. Prinsloo sent to Ceylon, 156

Chamberlain, Mr. J.--Boer Ultimatum--Telegrams to Sir A. Milner, 329

Jameson Raid--Defence of Mr. Rhodes, President Steyn on, 251, 252

Cilliers, Gen. J.G.--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender,

etc., 404, 405

Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Address at the Vereeniging

Conference, 353, 354

Cilliers, Sarah--Death at Frederiksstad Engagement, 166, 167

Clothing--De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Clothes hidden in Cave, 298

Difficulty of obtaining, 233

Hides for tanning, Destruction by the British, 233

Stripping British Prisoners to obtain, 233

Colenso--British losses at, 23

Colesberg--Strength of Boer Positions, 26

Colonial Burghers--British subjects fighting on Boer Side, Boer Hopes of

Assistance unfulfilled, 405, 406, 408, 420

British Government Intentions with regard to Rebels, 394, 395

Proposal for General Amnesty, 413, 414

Safeguarding in Peace Negotiations, 398, 402, 403, 411, 414, 415, 416,

421, 427

Commandeering--Provisions of Commando Law, 3

Commander-in-Chief of Orange Free State--

De Wet, Gen.--Appointment of, 49

Secret Election of, 118

Prinsloo, Election of, 6, 7

Commando Law--Provisions as to Commandeering, 3

Commandos--Division of into small parties, 225

Advantages of, 227

List of Districts and Commandants, 225-227

Skirmishes, Splendid Record, 267

Small Commandos sent into Cape Colony--De Wet's Policy, 234

(For particular Commandos _see_ their names)

Commissariat--Comparison of Boer and British Commissariat

Arrangements, 4, 5, 6, 7

Compensation for Boer Losses, _see_ Repatriation

Concentration Camps--Number of Deaths in, etc., 416, 419, 426

Women--Flight of to avoid being sent to Camps, 193, 279

Maintenance of Boer Women and Children by the British

Government--President Steyn on, 257, 258

Treatment of, 232, 257, 258

Conduct of the War by British--Exhaustion of the Republics, 419

Continuance of the War in 1902, Vereeniging Conference--

Burghers, Attitude of, 404, 405, 410, 411

Effect on Vereeniging Meeting, 413, 414

Comparison of Situation with that of 1877-1881, Futility of, 421, 422

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Speech, 407

Kruger's, President, Advice, 420

Possibility, Question of--Situation in South African Republic,

Reliance on Government, etc., 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353,

354-358, 359, 360-362, 363, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405,

407, 408, 410, 412, 413, 414, 415, 417, 418, 420, 421, 422, 423,

424, 426

Reasons for, 400, 401

Correspondence relating to the War, Preservation of, 247

Court Martial on Commandant Vilonel, Composition of, _note_ 85

Cowboys, Capture by Boers--Blauwbank Capture, 33, 34

Cronje, Commandant--Continuance of the War, Reliance on God, etc., 402

European Intervention, Boer Deputation to Foreign Courts, 402, 403

Cronje, Gen. A.P.--Modder Spruit, Command at, 11

Sanna's Post, Share in Engagement, 64

Vechtgeneraal of Orange Free State, Nomination as, 11

Cronje, Gen. Piet--De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Scheme for breaking

Lord Methuen's Railway Communications--Refusal to permit Execution

of, 23

Ladysmith, Occupation of Positions South and Southwest of, 19

Magersfontein--Command at, 23, 24

Refusal to profit by Commander-in-Chief De Wet's Advice, 25

Message in reply to Commander-in-Chief De Wet's warning before

Paardeberg, 31

Retreat towards Paardeberg, 36, 37

Surrender at Paardeberg (_see_ Paardeberg)

Cronje, Vechtgeneraal Andreas--Command of Boers' Reinforcements from

Bloemfontein, 45

Cropper, F.C., Death of, near Lindley, 269

Dakasburg Engagement, 200

Dalgety, Colonel--Command at Badenhorst, 77

Davel, Commandant--Command of President Steyn's Bodyguard, 191

Days of Thanksgiving and Humiliation, Appointment of, 243

De Clercq, Mr.--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, 399

Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging

Conference, 344, 348

De la Rey, General--Colesberg Command, 24

Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender, etc., 403, 404

Fortitude after Fall of Pretoria, 93

Independence of the South African Republic--Powers of Vereeniging

Delegates to decide on Question, 411, 412

Kraaipan, Capture of Armoured Train, 8

Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, 58

Magersfontein Laager, Command at, 23

Mission to Europe on behalf of Relief Fund Committee, 428

Peace Negotiations--Member of Commission of National Representatives

at the Pretoria Conference, 320, 365-396

Permission given to Burghers to return home, 56

Reitfontein, Work at, 52

Roberts', Lord, Attempt to cross the Orange River--Success in

preventing, 26

Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging

Conference, 358

Steyn's, President, and General de Wet's visit to, 300

De Lange--Sentence of Death for High Treason at Blijdschap, 268 _note_

De Wet, General Piet--Advice to Commander-in-Chief De Wet after Siege of

Badenhorst, 81

Discontinuance of Struggle proposed--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's

Reception of Proposal, 130

Lindley Garrison, Capture of, 92

Sanna's Post Engagement, Share in, 64

Swartbooiskop, Guarding after Fight at Nicholson's Nek, 17

De Wet, Jacobus, Capture of, 296, 297

De Wet, Johannes--Death near Smithfield, 181

De Wet, Veldtcornet--Wounded during Retreat from Dewetsdorp, 181

Debtors, Protection of, against Creditors for Six Months after the

War--Peace Negotiations at Pretoria (May, 1902), 387

Declaration of War by South African Republic (_see_ Ultimatum)

Deputation to European Powers to ask for Intervention (1900)--Departure

from Delagoa Bay, 53, 54

Encouragement to continue Struggle, 407

England's Refusal to permit Return of Deputation, 409, 412, 413

European Governments unwilling to receive, 415, 416

Failure of, 355, 356

Object of, 54

Silence of, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 407

Delagoa Bay Harbour, Forbidden to Boers by Portuguese Government, 53,

_note_ 54

Destitution caused by the War, 321, 322

Appointment of Committee to Collect and Administer Relief Funds, 428

Devastation by the British--War against Boer Property, 192

Crops destroyed, Corn burnt, etc., _note_ 83

Farm-burning and Waggons (_see_ those titles)

Male Attire, Burning of, 221, 222

Dewetsdorp, Occupation by British, 71

Storming by Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Forces, 174-179

Diederiks of Boshof, Commandant, 24

Discipline of Boer Forces--Imperfect Discipline, 7, 8, 9, 57

Failure to remove Cattle along Railway Line, 111

Roodewal, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Difficulties in carrying away

Booty, 103, 104

Sanna's Post, irritating Results at, 67

Stricter Discipline, Results of, 61

Taljaart's and Prinsloo's, Veldtcornets, Burghers "preferred to go

their own way," 286

Waggon Difficulty, 120, 121

Harrismith Burghers' Refusal to part with their Waggons at

Spitskopje, 161-163

Doornberg, War Council at--Decision as to Presidential Election, 197

Doornspruit--Line near crossed by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, Capture of

Train, Ammunition, etc., 132

Drakensberg Range--

Boundary between Boer and British Territory in 1899, 7, 8

Passes, Occupation by Orange Free State Commandos, 7, 8

Drive Tactics of British--

Bethlehem-Lindley to Frankfort-Vrede Line--Cordon of Sixty Thousand

Men, 290-296

Boer Forces caught between Cordon of Troops and Vaal River, 135, 136

Harrismith, Heilbron and Bethlehem District, 285, 286

Du Toit, General--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender,

etc., 400, 401

Dundee, Line near, cut by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 9, 10

Elandsfontein Engagement--Commandant Michal Prinsloo's Exploit, 119, 120

Elandskop--British Attack in Hope of Capturing Commander-in-Chief de

Wet, 290, 291

Elandslaagte Engagement, 114

Els, Veldtcornet Marthinus, wounded outside Ladysmith, 20

Epithets applied by the British to the Boer Forces, 227, 228

European Journals kept from Republics by England, 409

Eustin, Lieut. Banie, wounded and captured by British, 204, 205

Extermination of the South African Republics--British Determination to

exterminate the Republics prior to the Outbreak of War,

alleged, 254, 255

Fanny's Home Farm--Recapture of Guns by British, 285

Farm-burning, etc., by the British--Heilbron, Bethlehem and Harrismith

District, 285

Roberts', Lord, Proclamations, ordering, 192

Shelter, Lack of--Women living in Narrow Sheds, 290, 291

Wholesale Destruction of Farms by the British, 232

Fauresmith and Jacobsdal Burghers--Failure to rejoin Commandos, 60

Return Home without Permission after Poplar Grove, 56

Ferreira, Mr. T.S., Commander-in-Chief, at Kimberley--Death due to Gun

Accident, 49

Firing of the Veldt by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 141, 142

Fissher, Abraham--Member of Boer Deputation to Europe (1900), 53, 54

Food Supply--Failure of Food Supply, Reason for Acceptance of British

Peace Terms, 233, 321, 401, 402, 405, 406, 410, 416, 417, 421, 422,

427, 428

Kemp's, Gen., Plan of Commandeering Food Supplies from the

Kaffirs, 345

Situation in the various Districts on May 15, 1902--Reports of the

Delegates to the Vereeniging Conference, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341,

342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 355, 361, 362

Forces--Comparison between numbers, etc., engaged on either Side in

the War, 339

(_See_ also titles Boer and British Forces)

Fourie, General Piet--Bethlehem Engagement, 281

Blauwbank, Exploits at, 33, 34, 35

Cape Colony Expedition, Part in, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207,

210, 212, 213, 221, 222

Commandos escaped from behind the Roodebergen, Command of, 238, 239

Despatch of, to the South-Eastern Districts, 225

Engagement with British Troops from Bloemfontein (1900), 80

Prinsloo's Surrender, Escape from, 128

Springhaansnek, Leader in Attack on Blockhouse Line, 187, 188, 189

Vice-Commander-in-Chief in Bloemfontein District, Appointment, 157

Franchise--British Government Demands on the South African Republic

prior to Outbreak of War, 252, 253, 254

Frankfort, British Success at (1900), 82

Ross', Commandant, Engagement with Colonel Rimington's Troops, 267

Fraser, Gordon--One of two faithful Burghers of Philippolis District, 94

Frederiksstad Station--Attack by Commander-in-Chief de Wet and General

Liebenberg on General Barton, Causes of Failure, etc., 165-168

French, General--

Koedoesberg, Fight for, 27

Magersfontein--Boer Lines broken through, 36, 37

Froneman, General--

Continuance of the War at all Costs advocated, 402, 403

Escape from Paardeberg, 41

Frederiksstad, Attack on General Barton--Failure to hold advanced

Position, 165, 166, 167

Koedoesberg, Share in Fighting at, 27, 28

Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, 58

Prinsloo's Surrender--Escape from, 128

Railway Line wrecked near America Siding, 115, 116

Reddersburg, March on, 72, 73

Rhenosterriviersbrug Engagement, 99, 101, 104, 105

Sanna's Post Engagement, Share in, 62

Smithfield Expedition, Results of, 79

Train captured by, near Jagersfontein Road Station, 203, 204

Ventersburg, Failure to hold Position, 85

Gatacre, General--Capture of Stormberg, 50

Gatsrand--Death of Danie Theron, 153, 154

Germany--Attitude towards the War, Reasons for

Non-intervention, 358, 359

Gladstone--

Assistance rendered to South African Republic in War of

1877-1881, 422, 423

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, tribute to, 85

Goldfields--Surrender of, to the British proposed, 350, 351, 352, 357,

358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364

Gouveneurskop--General de Villiers' Exploits at, 83

Government of Orange Free State--

Accompanying Commander-in-Chief de Wet in Departure from

Roodebergen, 124, 129

Bethlehem, Transference to, 117

Cape Colony, Expedition into, Decision to accompany, 197

Capture of Members of the Government by the British at Reitz--Escape

of President Steyn, 244

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Operations after Prinsloo's

Surrender--Government accompanying Commander-in-Chief de

Wet, 124, 129

Executive Raad, Constitution of, 198

Heilbron, Transference to, 86

Kroonstad, Transference to, 58

Third Transference, Reasons for, 92

Volksraad--Impossibility of assembling a legally constituted

Volksraad, 198, 199

Government of South African Republic--

Capture of Members by the British at Reitz, 244

Appointments to Vacancies, 244

Treachery on the part of Burgher Steenekamp, 244

Steyn's, President, Visit to Machadodorp, 144

Termination of the War (_see_ that title)

Governments of the Orange Free State and South African Republic--

Peace Deliberations, Meeting at Klerksdorp, 303, 305

Peace Negotiations at Pretoria, Boer Proposals for Retention of

Self-Government under British supervision, 366, 371, 372

Grain Waggons, captured by British near Vredefort, 133

"Granary" of Orange Free State lost to Boers, 84

Grant by the British Government for Repatriation Purposes, Re-stocking

Farms, etc., 394

Great Britain, King of--Thanks of Boer Generals for Efforts to promote

Peace--Resolution at the Vereeniging Conference, 346

Grobler, Commandant H.S.--Continuance of the War, Impossibility of

carrying on the Struggle, 406

Grobler, Mr. E.R.--Colesberg Command, 22

Groenkop, Description of, 278

"Guerillas"--

Designation of Boer Forces by the British as "Guerillas," Objections

to the term, 228, 229

Meaning of the term, 229

Guns--

Boer Captures--

Blauwbank, 33

Colenso and Stormberg, 22

Dakasburg Engagement--

Capture of a Maxim-Nordenfeldt, 200

Dewetsdorp, 178

Nicholson's Nek, 16

Sanna's Post, 67, 69

Tweefontein, 282

Boer Losses, 208, 209

Bothaville, Number lost at, 170, 171

Fanny's Home Farm, Recapture of Guns by the British, 285

Frederiksstad, Retreat after--Loss of one gun, 167

Springhaansnek, Gun Abandoned, 189, 190

Ventersdorp, Loss of Krupp Gun near, 141

"Hands-uppers," British use of, 18

Harbour, Boer Lack of, _note_ 53

Harrismith--

Engagement with British Troops near, 272-274

Boer Casualties, 274

Failure of Boer Charge, 273

Orange Free State Troops, Concentration at, 4, 6

Harrismith Burghers--

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Visit to, 260

Surrender following Prinsloo's Surrender, 128

Waggon, Refusal to part with--Return home, 161-163

Hasebroek, Commandant--Cape Colony Expedition--Holding the Enemy in

Check, 212, 215, 219, 220

Engagement with Colonel White near Thaba'Nchu, 189, 190

Hattingh, General--Command at Harrismith and Vrede Commandos, 161

Commander-in-Chief in the Drakensberg Appointment, 117

Hattingh, Veldtcornet Johannes--Leader in Springhaansnek Attack on

Blockhouse Lines, 187

Heenop, David--Swimming the Orange River, 220

Heilbron--District to which Commander-in-Chief de Wet belonged, 4

Government of Orange Free State transferred to, 86

Mentz, Commandant F.E., Engagement with Colonel Byng's Column, 267

Heilbron Commando--Commandant Mr. L. Steenekamp, 4

Vice-Commandant, Election of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 7

Visits to, by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 230, 243

Heliographic Communication, Use by Boers, 286 _note_, 289

Hertzog, Judge--Continuance of the War, Arguments for and

against--Vereeniging Conference, 412

Despatch of, to the South-Western Districts, 225

Mission to bring back Commandos which had escaped from Prinsloo's

Surrender, 137

Peace Negotiations--Member of Commission of National Representatives

at the Pretoria Conference, 320, 365-396

Rejection of British Terms--Proposal, 425, 426

Report on Attitude of Burghers in North-Western Parts of Cape

Colony, 195

Vice-Commander-in-Chief, Appointment in Districts of Fauresmith,

etc., 158

Hides for Tanning--Destruction by the British, 233

Hijs, Commandant, P.L.--Impossibility of European Intervention, 401, 402

Holspruits--Boers breaking through British Lines, 293, 294

Honing Kopjes--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's first Engagement with Lord

Kitchener, 108-110

Honingspruit Station, Failure of Commandant Olivier's Attack, 115, 116

Horses--Bothaville, Capture of Horses by Boers, 299

Condition of Boer Horses, 338, 339, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 355

Dependence of the Boers on their Horses, 172

Fodder, Scarcity of, 341, 355

Skin Disease among, 271, 272

Wild Horses of the Veldt, Use of, by the Boers, 292, 293

Humiliation Days, Appointment of, 243

Independence of the Republics--

Afrikander Feeling as to, 58

British Government Attitude towards, 337

Correspondence between Presidents Kruger and Steyn and Lord

Salisbury, 330-332

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Meetings to ascertain the feeling of the

Burghers as to Surrender of Independence, 313

"Irretrievably Lost," 419

Maintenance of--Burghers' Mandate to Vereeniging Delegates, 333, 337,

338, 347, 348, 362, 363, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 407, 411,

412, 417, 421, 422, 423, 424

Peace Negotiations--Conference at Pretoria between Commission of the

National Representatives and Lords Kitchener and Milner

(May 19-28, 1902), 366, 370, 371

Refusal of the British Government to consider Terms based on Retention

of Independence, 53, 54, 309, 310, 397

Steyn, President, Views of, 306

Surrender of--Conditions offered by the British in

exchange, 346, 347, 358

Vereeniging Conference, opinions of Burghers' Delegates, 333, 336,

346, 347, 348, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 362, 363, 364

Intervention of Foreign Powers on behalf of the Republics--

Attitude of England towards, 356, 362, 363

Boer Deputation to European Powers (_see_ Deputation)

Boer Hopes unfulfilled, 405, 406, 412, 414, 415, 416, 423, 424

Germany, Reasons for Non-intervention, 358, 359

Improbability of Intervention, 355, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 433

Intervention not desired by Boers, 54

Steyn, President, on, 354, 355

Jameson Raid, President Steyn on, 251, 252

Jew at Nicholson's Nek--Burgher declining to do Business, 15

Johannesburg Police, Behaviour at Nicholson's Nek, 15, 16

Jonson, Burgher, Death at Bester Station--First Victim in the Fight for

Freedom, 10, 11

Joubert, General--

Junction with Orange Free State Forces at Rietfontein, 13

Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, 58

Kaffirs--Arming by England, 422, 423

Attitude towards the Boers--Reports of Vereeniging Delegates, 337,

338, 339, 340, 343, 345, 346, 355, 361, 362, 363

Boer Women, Treatment of, 151, 152, 153

Capture of Kaffirs by Boers at Dewetsdorp, 178, 179

Release of Prisoners, 181

Treatment of Kaffirs by Boers--Kaffirs captured at Leeuwspruit

Bridge, 113

Warfare, Native Methods--Boer Sufferings at the Hands of Zulus and

Basutos, 10

Kemp, General--Continuance of the War, Independence of the Republics,

etc., 421, 422

Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging

Conference, 345, 347, 348

Kitchener, Lord--Armistice agreed on, to admit of Attendance of Boer

Officers at the Vereeniging Meeting, 316

Misunderstanding on the Part of the British Columns, 317, 318

Capture of President Steyn and Commander-in-Chief de Wet

anticipated--Visit to Wolvehock Station, 290, 291

Escape from Armoured Train, near Leeuwspruit Bridge, 112

Honingkopjes and Roodepoort--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's first

Engagement with Lord Kitchener, 108, 109

Independence of Republics as basis for Peace Negotiations, Refusal to

consider--Pretoria Conference, 309, 310, 397

Kroonstad, Arrival at, 111

Middelburg Peace Proposals (_see_ that title)

Peace Negotiations--Conference at Pretoria with Commission of National

Representatives (May 19-28, 1902), 320, 365, 395, 396

Proposals by the Boer Representatives in April, 1902, 305-313

Prisoners, Order given to Gen. Knox "not to take prisoners"--_South

African News_ Statement, 184, 185

Klerksdorp--Peace Deliberations, Meeting of Governments of the

Republics, 303, 304, 305

Knight, Captain Wyndham--

Surrender at Rhenosterriviersbrug, 105, 106

Tribute to, by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 107

Knox, General--Bethlehem, Engagement near, with Generals Botha and

Fourie, and Commandant Prinsloo, 194, 195

Cape Colony--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Operations--Attempted

Inroad--Fighting near Smithfield, 181

Expedition into Cape Colony, Dispositions to prevent, 201, 202, 203

Kroonstad taken by, 194, 195

Pursuit of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 185, 186, 187, 189, 190

Thaba'Nchu, Engagement near, with Gen. Fourie, 201, 202

Koedoesberg--Struggle between General French and Commander-in-Chief de

Wet, 27, 28, 29

Kotzé, Mr. (General Prinsloo's Secretary)--Bearer to Commander-in-Chief

de Wet of News of General Prinsloo's Surrender, 135, 136, 137

Kraaipan--Armoured Train captured by Boers, 8, 9

Kritzinger, Commandant--Crossing of Orange River, Seizure of British

Outpost, 195, 196

Kritzinger, Commandant, and Captain Scheepers--Engagement with Brabant's

Horse, 185, 186

Krom Ellenborg, Sub-district to which Commander-in-Chief de Wet

belonged, 4

Kroonstad--British Advance, 86, 87

Abandonment by Boers, 87, 88

Capture by General Knox, 194, 195

Government of Orange Free State transferred to, 58

Government of Orange Free State transferred to Heilbron, 86, 87

Kitchener's Lord, Arrival--Strength of British Forces, etc., 111

Kroonstad Commando, Share in Battle of Modderspruit, 10, 11

Kruger, President--Despatch of Mission to Europe to represent Condition

of the Country to President Kruger, proposed, 236, 237, 238

Peace, Joint Letter to Lord Salisbury stating Conditions on which the

Republics were willing to make Peace, 330, 331, 332

Poplar Grove, Visit to Boer Troops at, 50

War Council at Kroonstad, Presence, at, 58

Krugersdorp-Potchefstroom Railway--Crossed by Commander-in-Chief de

Wet, 149

Ladysmith--

British Retreat on Ladysmith, 9, 10

Bulwana Hill--Boers surprised by British, 21

Engagement of 3rd Nov., 1899, 29, 30

Relief, 50

Landsheer, Doctor de--Death at Bothaville, English Newspaper

Report, 170, 171

Language Question--

Equal Rights for English and Dutch Languages in Schools--Boer Peace

Proposals to Lord Kitchener (April, 1902), 308, 309

Terms of the Peace Protocol, 380, 393, 394

Objections to, 412, 421, 422

Leeuwspruit Railway Bridge--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Scheme for

breaking British Lines of Communication, 112

Froneman's, General, Failure to carry out Instructions, 113

Kitchener's Lord, Escape, 112

Leeuwspruit Scheme, Failure of, 112

Methuen's, Lord, Railway Communications--General Cronje's Refusal to

permit Execution of Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Scheme for

Cutting, 23

Orange Free State Railway--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Work

on, 153, 154

Scheepers, Captain, Work of, 154

Wolvehoek, Wrecking the Railway, 163

Liebenberg, General--

Frederiksstad--Failure of Attack on General Barton, 164, 165, 166, 167

Mooi River, Junction with Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 140, 141

Retreat from Rustenburg, 142, 143

Liebenbergsvlei--

British Retreat, 284

Guns, Recapture by British at Fanny's Home Farm, 285

Lindley--

British Garrison Captured by General Piet de Wet, 92

Destruction by the British, Alleged, 271, 272

Engagement near, 268

Postponement of Second Boer Attack--Escape of the British during the

Night, 270

Halt of Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Forces, 271, 272

Lindley-Kroonstad Line of Blockhouses--Boers breaking through the

Line, 287

Lines of Communication--Boer Attempts to cut British Lines, 172, 246

America Siding Railway Line Wrecked by General Froneman, 115, 116

De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Schemes of, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153

Frederiksstad Station--Wrecking of Railway Bridge and Line, 140, 141

"Little Majuba"--Name given to Swartbooiskop after Nicholson's Nek, 13

Loans by the British Government for restocking Farms, etc., 394

Long Tom damaged by Dynamite, 21

Looting by British, 6, 7

Losses in Killed, Wounded, etc., on either side during the War, 201,

202, 247, 265, 266, 415, 416, 417, 422, 423

Blijdschap, 269

Bothaville, 170, 171

Cape Colony Expedition, 206, 207, 208, 209

Colenso, 22

Dakasburg Engagement, 200

Dewetsdorp, 177, 178

Engagement between Commandant Hasebroek and Colonel White, 189

Frederiksstad Engagement, 166, 167

Heilbron, 26

Koffiefontein, 35, 36

Ladysmith, Engagement of 3rd Nov., 1899, 20

Leeuwspruit Bridge, 112, 113

Lindley, 267, 269

Magersfontein, 23

Modder Spruit, 11

Nicholson's Nek, 16

Paardeberg, 50

Prinsloo's Surrender, 127

Reitz, 265

Rhenosterriviersbrug, 105

Roodewal, Extent of British Losses, 102

Sanna's Post, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70

Stinkfontein, 40, 46

Stormberg, 23

Tijgerfontein, 138, 139

Tweefontein, 181

Vanvurenskloof, 139, 140

Verkijkersdorp, 239, 240

Vredefort Engagement, 134, 135

Loyalty to British Government--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Final Advice

to the Boers, 324

Lubbe, Commandant--Return from Paardenberg's Drift, 36, 37

Wounded and Captured near Thaba'Nchu, 82

Lyddite Shells, Effect of--

Bethlehem Incident, 121, 122

Magersfontein Laager, 24

Maagbommen, 5

Macdonald, General Sir Hector--

Command of Reinforcements against Bethlehem, 121, 122

Machadodorp--President Steyn's Visit to the Government of the South

African Republic, 144

Magalies Mountains, Passage of, by Commander-in-Chief de

Wet, 145, 146, 147

Magersfontein Engagement--

British Losses, 23

Magersfontein Laager--

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Command, 23, 24

Duties and Annoyances of Command, 64

Shelling by British, 24

Women, Presence of--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Failure to induce

Government to Prohibit, 25

Mailbags captured at Roodewal, Contents used by Boers, 102

"Majuba Day"--Capture of Commandant van Merwe and men, 296, 297

Malan, Lieut.--Expedition into Cape Colony, 206, 207

Martial Law--Proclamation by Governments of the Republics, 7, 8

Massey, Major--Command at Dewetsdorp, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's

Tribute, 175, 176

Matthijsen, Corporal Adriaan and the crossing of the Magalies

Mountains, 146, 147

Mauser Rifle in Portrait of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, History

of, 151, 152

Mears, Commandant--Loss of Guns at Fanny's Home Farm, 285

Medical Certificates, Abuse of by Burghers, _note_ 59

Meijer, Commandant J.--Tribute to, 271, 272

Mentz, Commandant J.E.--

Continuance of the War, Impossibility of, 421, 422

Situation in South Africa on 15th May, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging

Conference, 351, 352

Merve, Commandant-General van, wounded at Sanna's Post, 68, 69

Merve, Commandant van der--

Appointment to Command of Winburg Burghers, 64

Capture of, on "Majuba Day," 296, 297

Meyer, Mr. J.L.--Continuance of the War, Arguments against, Vereeniging

Conference, 413, 414

Meyer, Veldtcornet--Loss of Position at Stinkfontein, 42

Middelburg Peace Proposals--

Annulled by the Terms of Peace arranged at the Pretoria Conference

(May, 1902), 392

Communications between the Boer Leaders with reference to the proposed

Conference, 230

Difference between the Basis of Negotiations proposed by the Boer

Representatives in May, 1902, and the Middelburg

Proposals, 367, 372, 373

Receipts issued by Boer Officers, Proviso as to Payment, 384, 385

Milner, Lord--

Boer Ultimatum--Mr. Chamberlain's Telegrams, 329

Independence of Republics as Basis for Peace Negotiations, Refusal to

consider--Pretoria Conference, 365-396, 397

Peace Negotiations--Conference at Pretoria with Commission of National

Representatives (May 18-29, 1902), 320, 365-396

Mobility--British Incapacity to keep pace with Boers, 140, 141 (_see_

also Waggons)

Modder River--British entrenched at, 24

Modder Spruit, Battle of, 9, 10, 11

Boer and British Losses, 11, 12

Modderrivierpoort (_see_ Poplar Grove)

Muller, Capt.--Exploit at Roodewal, 101

Muller, General C.H.--Continuance of the War--Vereeniging Delegates'

Refusal to accept British Surrender Proposal, 417

Myringen, Burgher, killed at Rhenosterriviersbrug, 105, 106

Naauwpoort--Prinsloo's Surrender, 85

Natal--British Subjects fighting for the Boers (_see_ Colonial Burghers)

Natal Operations--

Absence of Commander-in-Chief de Wet after 9th Dec., 1899, 21

Bester Station Skirmish, 10, 11

Colenso, Magersfontein, and Stormberg Engagements--British Losses, 23

Drakensberg Passes, Occupation by Orange Free State Commandos, 7, 8

Estcourt Skirmishes--General Louis Botha's Exploits, 19

Failure of Boers to cut off English at Dundee and Elandslaagte, 9, 10

Kraaipan, Capture of Armoured Train by General De la Rey, 8, 9

Ladysmith (_see_ that title)

Modder Spruit, Battle of, 9, 10, 11

Natal Frontier, Commander-in-Chief C. de Wet's Reconnaissance, 7, 8

Nicholson's Neck (_see_ that title)

National Representatives (_see_ Peace Negotiations)

National Scouts--Arming men who had taken the Oath of Neutrality, 159

Bergh's, Captain, Attacks on Boers with bands of Kaffirs, 271, 272

Night Attacks by the British instigated by, 263, 264

Services to the British, 184, 185, 223, 224

Naude, Mr. J.--Independence of the South African Republic and Orange

Free State, Vereeniging Delegates' power to decide as to Position of

British Subjects fighting on Boer side, etc., 411

Neikerk, Altie van--Capture at Honingkopjes, 186

Neikerk, Captain--Appointment as Commandant of President Steyn's

Bodyguard, 245

Nel, Commandant--

Farm stormed by English--Escape of Commander-in-Chief C. de

Wet, 152, 153, 154

Modder Spruit--West Wing of Boer Forces commanded by Nel, 10, 11

Nicholson's Nek--Failure to hold Swartbooiskop, 13, 14

Resignation, 115, 116

Nerwe, Van de--Drowned in crossing Orange River, 217

Netherlands--

Peace--Correspondence with the British Government, 301, 302

Boer Response to the Invitation implied in the forwarding of the

Correspondence, etc., 305, 306, 370, 371

Queen of--Thanks of Boer Generals for efforts to promote

Peace--Resolution at the Vereeniging Conference, 345, 346

Newspapers--Circulation of European Papers prohibited in Republics by

England, 409

Nicholson's Nek--

Ambulance for British wounded--Sir G. White's Delay in sending, 17

Booty taken by Boers, 16

Swartbooiskop--

Nel's, Commandant, Failure to hold, 13, 14

Storming by Steenekamp and Commander-in-Chief C. de Wet, 14, 15

White Flag Incident, 15

Transvaal Burghers, Work of, 17

Nieuwouwdt, General--Peace, Rejection of British Terms,

Proposal, 424, 425

Night Attacks by the British--Success of, Losses caused to the

Boers, 263, 264

Norvalspont--Commander-in-Chief C. de Wet's Schemes for Operations in

rear of British, 81, 82

Oath of Neutrality, Breaking--Re-arming of Burghers who had taken the

Oath, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Scheme, 156-160

British Military Authorities' Breach of Terms of Lord Roberts'

Proclamation justifying Scheme, 159, 160

Olivier, Commandant--

Bethlehem District, Appointment to Command, 227, 228

Honingspruit Station, Failure of Attack on, 115, 116

Prinsloo's, General, Position as Private Burgher, Dissatisfaction

with, 118

Oliviershoekpas--Occupation by Bethlehem Commando, 7, 8

Orange Free State--

Annexation of--Battles fought after the alleged Annexation, 228, 229

De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Return of, 144, 150, 151

Government (_see_ Government of Orange Free State)

Number of Burghers in Arms after Fall of Pretoria, 94

Outbreak of War--Orange Free State joining issues with the South

African Republic, 254, 255

President--Powers granted to President in Matters Concerning

War, 9, 10

Situation of Boer and British Forces in 1901, President Steyn

on, 255, 256

Ortel, Mr. Charles--Owner of Abraham's Kraal, 51

Outbreak of the War, 7, 8

Paardeberg--General Cronje's Forces surrounded by the British,

Bombardment of Laager, etc., 39

Boer Reinforcements, Arrival of, 45

Cronje's, Gen., Determination not to abandon Laager, 41

Efforts to release General Cronje--Storming of Stinkfontein,

etc., 40-46

Abandonment of Position by Boers, 44

Botha's, General, Attempt to recapture Position abandoned on 25th

February, 45

British Efforts to recapture Position, 42, 43, 44

Way of Escape opened to General Cronje, 41, 43

Sketch of Boer and British Positions, 38

Surrender of General Cronje, 47

Effect on Boer Forces, 48, 49, 51

Theunisson, Mr., Capture by British, 6, 7

Paardenberg's Drift, British Advance on, 30

Camp of "Water-draggers" surprised by British, 32, 33

Palmietfontein--Boers breaking through Blockhouse Line, 289, 290

Panic among Boer Forces--

Burghers returning to Farms after Fall of Pretoria, 93

Holspruits, 294, 295

Peace Negotiations--Boer Overtures, etc.--

Armistice agreed on, to admit of attendance of Officers at the

Vereeniging Meeting, 315

Misunderstanding on the part of the British Columns, 317, 318

Concessions in addition to the Terms already offered in the

Negotiations of April, 1902, 366

Conference at Pretoria between the Commission of National

Representatives and Lords Kitchener and Milner (19-28 May,

1902), 320, 365

Draft Document drawn up to place Negotiations in position to amend

the Middelburg Proposals, 376, 377

Prolongation of Meetings due to Cable Correspondence with Great

Britain, 397

Report of Commission discussed at Vereeniging Meeting, 397

Governments of the Republics, Meeting at Klerksdorp, 303, 304, 305

Burger's, Vice-President, Letter to President Steyn, 301, 302

Independence (_see_ that subheading)

Middelburg Peace Proposals (_see_ that title)

National Representatives--

Commission sent to the Pretoria Conference (May, 1902)--

Decision to appoint Commission, 364

Names of Members, 412

Election of Representatives for the Commandos, 313, 314

Meeting at Vereeniging (15th May) to consider the

Situation, 352, 353, 358, 359, 362, 363

Peace Terms Proposed, 362, 363, 364

Netherlands' Communication with the British Government, 301, 302

Boer Response to the Invitation implied in the forwarding of the

Correspondence, etc., 305, 306, 370, 371

Letter sent to Commandos, 336, 345, 346, 347

Presidents of the Republics--Correspondence with Lord Salisbury, and

Lord Salisbury's Reply (5th March, 1900), 50, 53, 54, 330-332, 409

Proposals to Lord Kitchener (April, 1902), 299

Correspondence between Lord Kitchener and the Secretary of

State--Independence Difficulty, 401, 402

Signing of Peace at Pretoria, 323, 324

Steyn's, President, Views, 258, 259

Terms of Peace sanctioned by the British Government and accepted by

the Boers (May, 1902)--

Acceptance of British Terms, 320, 427, 428

Acceptance under Protest proposed, 421

Dissatisfaction among men of the Commandos, 324

Failure of Food Supply as reason for acceptance, 321

Unconditional Surrender v. Acceptance, 399, 401, 404, 405, 417,

423, 424

Better Terms, Possibility of obtaining, 406, 409, 410, 423, 424

Decision as to Acceptance or Rejection essential, 425, 426

Middelburg Proposal Annulled by the Terms of the Peace Protocol of

May, 1902, 392

Milner's, Lord, Telegrams, 392

Rejection of Terms proposed, 424, 425

Signatures to Acceptance, Question of, 425, 426

Sub-committee appointed to aid in formulating Peace

Proposals, 378, 398

Text of Draft Proposal and of Draft Proposal with Amendments

sanctioned by the British Government, 379, 393

Time allowed for discussion of Terms, 394, 395

"Ultimatum," Description of British Terms, 321

Penzhorn, Mr., Relatives of--Kindness to Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 145

Petrusberg--Capture of by British, 51

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Visit, 232

Plans, Sketch Plans of Engagements, 97, 276

Plessis, Veldtcornet du--Death due to White Flag Treachery at

Reddersburg, 76

Poplar Grove--

Concentration of Boer Troops at, 50

Kruger's, President, Visit to Boer Troops, 50

Panic among Boers--Commander-in-Chief de Wet unable to prevent

flight, 51

Potchefstroom, Portrait of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, History of Mauser

Rifle, which appears in the photograph, 151, 152

Potgieter, Commandant (of Wolmaranstadt)--Escape from Paardeberg, 41

Potgieter, Mr. Hendrik--Appointment as Public Prosecutor of Orange Free

State, 198

Preeij, Vice-Commandant Ignatius du, killed near Bethlehem, 194, 195

Presidency of Orange Free State--

Expiration of President Steyn's term of office--Difficulties in the

way of an Election, Action of the Doornberg War Council, 197, 198

Resignation of President Steyn, 411

Rhodes, Mr., proposed as Candidate, 198

Pretoria--

Capture by British, 92

Panic ensuing among Transvaalers, 93

Peace Negotiations--Conference between Commission of National

Representatives and Lords Kitchener and Milner (May 19-28,

1902), 320, 365

Pretorius, Willem--

Storming of British Schanze on Orange River, 204, 205

Tribute to, 271, 272

Veldtcornet, Nomination as, 205, 206

Prinsloo, Commandant Michal--

Bethlehem Engagement, 194, 195

Elandsfontein Exploit, 119, 120

Liebenbergsvlei Engagement, 284

Springhaansnek, Covering Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Passage of

Blockhouse Lines at, 187, 188

Train captured and burned by, 152, 153

Vice-Commander-in-Chief of Bethlehem and Ficksburg Sub-districts,

Appointment, 227, 228

Prinsloo, Mr. Marthinus--

Assistant Commander-in-Chief, Irregular Election as, 126

Commandant of Winburg District, 6, 7

Commander-in-Chief of Orange Free State, Election, 6, 7

Natal Campaign, Preliminary Arrangements, 7, 8

Resignation of Post as Commander-in-Chief in the Drakensberg, 117

Surrender at Naauwpoort, 85

Letter to Commander-in-Chief de Wet announcing Surrender and

Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Reply, 136, 137

News brought to Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 135, 136, 137, 138

Suspicious Circumstances of Surrender, 127

Prinsloo's, Veldtcornet, Burghers, Capture of, 286

Prisoners--Boer Prisoners--

Bank Notes of the South African Republic, Opportunity of sending in

for Payment, 386, 387

Ceylon--Prisoners taken with General Prinsloo sent to Ceylon, 156

Merwe, Commandant, and men--Capture on "Majuba Day," 296, 297

Number taken by the British, Frederiksstad, 40, 46, 170, 171, 264, 265

Total Number (35,000) in the Hands of the British in 1901, 256, 257

Taljaart's and Prinsloo's Veldtcornets, Burghers, Capture of, 286

British Prisoners--

Boer Inability to keep their Prisoners, 227, 228, 426, 427

Clothing taken by the Boers, 233

Numbers taken, 16, 23, 66, 67, 69, 70, 76, 102, 105, 106, 112, 113,

163, 178, 179, 185, 186, 194, 195, 202, 203, 205, 206, 207, 222,

223, 267, 281

Release on Fall of Pretoria due to Transvaalers' negligence, 92

Treatment by Boers--

Personal Property of Prisoners, etc., Disposition of, 101, _note_

Prisoners taken in Cape Colony Expedition, Treatment of, 210

Kaffir Prisoners taken by Boers--

Dewetsdorp, 178, 179

Release of Prisoners, 181

Leeuwspruit Bridge, 113

"Pro-Boers"--

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Tribute to, 218

Meetings in England, 407

Public Prosecutor of Orange Free State--Appointment of Mr. Hendrick

Potgieter, 198

Railways--Wrecking the Lines, Cutting British Lines of

Communication, 172, 242

America Siding, Line near, wrecked by General Froneman, 115, 116

De Aar and Hopetown, Line blown up, 208, 209, 211

Frederiksstad Station, Bridge and Line wrecked, 115, 116

Leeuwspruit, Failure of Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Attempt, 112, 113

Orange Free State Line, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Work

on, 153, 154, 155

Scheepers, Captain, Work of, 153, 154

Schemes of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153

Wolvehock, 163

Rebels--Colonial Burghers Fighting on Boer Side (_see_ Colonial

Burghers)

Roberts', Lord, Description of Burghers continuing to fight after

annexation of the Republics as "Rebels," 227, 228

Receipts issued by Boer Officers for the Purchase of Cattle, Grain,

etc.--Peace Negotiations, Boer Representatives' Request for a

Guarantee of Payment, 382

Amount likely to be required, 386, 387

Middelburg Proposal, 384, 385

Orange Free State, Position with reference to

Receipts, 383, 384, 385, 386

Terms of Peace Agreement, 380

Reddersburg--Boer Messenger fired on by British, 74

British Commanding Officer's Reply to Commander-in-Chief de Wet's

Advice to Surrender, 74

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Dispositions, 71-74

Mostertshoek, British Failure to reinforce Detachment at, 75

White Flag Treachery, 75, 76

Reich, Dr.--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Meeting with at Senekal, 231

Reitz--Engagement near, 263-266

Surrender of Arms by Commandos after Declaration of Peace, 323, 324

Reitz, Secretary of State--Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902,

Report to the Vereeniging Conference, 350, 351

Relief Funds for Destitution caused by the War--Appointment of Committee

to Collect and Administer, 428

Repatriation of Boers--Compensation for Losses sustained during the

War--District Commissions, Institution of, 393, 394

Grant of £3,000,000 by the British Government, 393, 394

Inadequacy of Proposals, 402, 403, 421

Loans by the British Government, 394, 395

Rheeder, Commandant--Continuance of the War, Terms of Surrender,

etc., 401

Rhenoster River, Fighting on, 89, 90

Hurried Retreat of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 90

Rhenosterriviersbrug--General Froneman's Success, 104, 105, 106

Rhodes, Mr. C.--

Jameson Raid--Mr. Chamberlain's Defence of Mr. Rhodes, 251, 252

Presidency of Orange Free State--Mr. Rhodes proposed as a

Candidate, 198

Rietfontein, Battle of (_see_ Modder Spruit)

Roberts, Lord--

Advance of, into the Orange Free State, 26

Bloemfontein, Appearance before, 54

Dispositions after Capture of Kroonstad (May 18, 1900), 88, 89

Inaction after Paardeberg, 50

Thaba'Nchu, Operations near (1900), 82

Proclamations--

Burning of Buildings within radius of Ten Miles from Railway wrecked

by Boers, 192

Oath of Neutrality, Proclamation as to Charge against Lord Roberts

of violating Terms of Proclamation, 80, 159

Effect in preventing Burghers from rejoining Commandos, 60

Roodewal Disaster due to negligence of Lord Roberts, 105, 106

Sanna's Post, Failure to reinforce Troops at, 70 _note_

Ventersburg, Attack on, 85

Roch, General--Natal Campaign, General Roch's Command in Opening

Movement of Boer Forces, 9, 10

Roodebergen--De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Departure from, 124, 129

Occupation by Boer Forces--Commander-in-Chief De Wet's Opposition to

Scheme, 124

Passes of, 123

Roodepoort--Commander-in-Chief De Wet's first Engagement with Lord

Kitchener, 108, 109

Roodewal Station, Action at, 98-101

Booty burnt by Boers, 104, 105

Sketch Plan, 97

Roux, Assistant Commander-in-Chief--Prinsloo's Surrender, weak and

childish Conduct of General Roux, 126, 127

Roux, Deacon Paul, Appointment as Vechtgeneraal, 85

Russian Reception of Escaped Burghers, 110 _note_

Rustenburg--General Liebenberg's Retreat, 142, 143

Salisbury, Marquess of--Peace Negotiations, Boer Proposals of March 5,

1900--Reply to, 50, 53, 54, 409

Peace--Correspondence with Presidents Kruger and Steyn, 330-332

Sanna's Post, Action at--

Broadwood's, General, Troops, Arrival of, 65, 66

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Preparations, 62, 64

Koornspruit, Position occupied by Commander-in-Chief de

Wet, 64, 65, 66

Women and Children from Thaba'Nchu, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Care

for, 66, 67

Scheepers, Captain, and Commandant Kritzinger--

Brabant's Horse, Engagement with, 185, 186

Despatch Rider chosen by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, to carry Message

to General Cronje before Paardeberg, 31, 32

Orange River, Crossing of--Seizure of British Outpost, 195, 196

Railway Lines, Wrecking of, 152, 153, 154

Scouting Services, 124, 131

Zandnek Engagement, 139, 140

Scouting--

Boer and British Methods--Services rendered to the British by Boer

Deserters, etc., 18, 121, 122

Importance of, 165, 166

National Scouts, Services of (_see_ National Scouts)

Secrecy as to Future Movements--Commander-in-Chief de Wet's

Determination to keep his Plans secret, 61, 199

Self-Government, Retention of under British Supervision--Peace

Negotiations, Boer Representatives' Proposals at the Pretoria

Conference (May 19, 1902), 366, 371, 372

Sheep--Huge Tail of African Sheep, 211

Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--De Wet's Commander-in-Chief,

Address at the Vereeniging Conference, 358-362

Situation of the Boer and British Forces in 1901, President Steyn

on, 255, 256

Sketch Plans of Engagements, 38, 97, 276

Smith, Veldtcornet Hans, of Rouxville, Desertion after

Roodewal, 106, 107

Smuts, General--

Continuance of the War, Arguments for and against--Vereeniging

Conference, 418

Peace Negotiations--Member of Commission of National Representatives

at the Pretoria Conference, 320, 365-396

Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902--Report to the Vereeniging

Conference, 340-342

Sobriety of Boers, 60

_South African News_--Publication of, Order not to take Prisoners,

Anecdote of Lord Kitchener, 184, 185

South African Republic--

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Journey with General De la Rey,

Incidents during, 238, 239, 242

Extermination of, by the British determined on prior to the Outbreak

of War, alleged, 254, 255

Government of (_see_ Government of South African Republic)

Situation of, in 1902--Impossibility of continuing the War, 421, 422

Situation of Boer and British Forces in 1901--President Steyn

on, 255, 256

Speller, Veldtcornet, of Wepener--Capture by British at Stinkfontein, 44

Springhaansnek--Blockhouse Line broken through by the

Boers, 173, 187, 188

Spruit, Commandant--Capture by British at Stinkfontein, 42, 43;

Subsequent Escape, 43

States-Procureur of Orange Free State--Capture of Mr. Jacob de Villiers

at Bothaville, 170, 171, 198

Steenekamp, Burgher--Betrayal of Members of the South African Government

to the British, 244

Steenekamp, Commandant--

Assistant-Commander-in-Chief, Nomination as, 144

Heilbron District, Commandant of, 4, 6, 7

Illness of, 7, 8, 9, 10

Vredefort Road Station, Attack on, 98, 105, 106

Steyn, President--

Accompanying Commander-in-Chief de Wet in his departure from

Roodebergen, 129

Bethlehem Engagement, Presence at, 117

Bloemfontein, Departure from, 57

Bodyguard--

Davel, Commandant, Command of, 191

Niekerk, Captain--Appointment as Commandant, 245

Botha, General Philip, Visit to, 86, 87

Burgher's Vice-President, Request for Meeting with Orange Free State

Government, 301, 302

Cape Colony Expedition, Decision to accompany, 197

Capture of Members of Governments of the South African Republics by

the British at Reitz--President Steyn's Escape, 244

Causes of the War--Letter to Lord Kitchener, 250-259

Commander-in-Chief of Orange Free State, Refusal to allow

Election--Consent to Election of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 118

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Schemes for operating in the Rear of the

British, Opposition to, 82

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Tribute to, 212

Eyes, Weakness of--Visit to Dr. van Rennenkamp, 300

Government of the South African Republic, Meetings with--

Machadodorp Visit, 144

Vrede Meeting, 231

Illness of, 319

Independence of the Republic, Refusal to surrender, 306

Intervention of Foreign Powers, Attitude as to, 54

Kroonstad War Council presided over by President Steyn, 58

Peace--Correspondence between Presidents Kruger and Steyn and Lord

Salisbury, 330-332

Resignation owing to Illness, 411

Ventersdorp--Meeting with Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 168, 169

Western Parts of the State, Visit to, 298-302

Steyn, Willie, Capture at Honing Kopjes--Subsequent Escape, 110 _note_

Stinkfontein, Stormed and Abandoned by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 40

Stormberg--

British Losses at, 22, 23

Capture by General Gatacre, 50

_Stormjagers_, 5

Strauss, David--Prisoner taken by the British in contravention of Lord

Roberts' Proclamation, 80

Stripping British Prisoners in order to obtain Clothing, 233

Supervision of the British Government--Peace Negotiations, Boer

Representatives' offer to accept Supervision as a Compromise on the

Independence Question, 366, 371, 372, 373

Surrender--

Banishment Proclamation (_see_ that title)

Oath of Neutrality, Lord Roberts' Proclamation (_see_ Oath of

Neutrality)

Peace Negotiations at Pretoria in May, 1902--Draft Agreement, 376

Surrender of Arms after Declaration of Peace, 323, 324

Swartbooiskop--

Nel's Commandant, Failure to hold, 13, 14

Storming by Commandant Steenekamp and Commander-in-Chief de

Wet, 14, 15

Swaziland--Cession to the British, Proposals of the Vereeniging

Conference, 350, 351, 360, 361, 363, 364

Sympathy felt for Boer Cause in England--Indirect Intervention,

etc., 407, 410, 420

Tabaksberg Engagement, 83

Taljaart's, Veltcornet, Burghers, Capture of, 286

Telegraph Wires--cutting wires between Wolvehock and Viljoensdrift, 299

Telegraphic Communication between Orange Free State and Transvaal, 92

Termination of the War--

Attitude of the Burghers, 237, 238

Boer Women, Opinion of, 361, 362

Conference between Transvaal and Orange Free State Governments--

Decision to continue Fighting, 242, 243

Klerksdorp Meeting, 303, 304, 305

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Forebodings, 58

Letter from Commandants in the Field to Secretary of the Orange Free

State--

Conference with Transvaal Government, 242

Discussion of, by President Steyn and Generals De la Rey and De

Wet, 234

Steyn's President, Answer, Extracts from, 236-239

Terms of, 234-237

Mission to President Kruger on behalf of South African Republic

proposed, 236, 237, 238

Vereeniging Conference--Views of the Representatives, 346, 347, 348,

349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 354-358, 359, 360-362, 363

Territory, Session of--Peace Negotiations--

Pretoria Conference, Boer Representatives' Offer, 366, 375

Vereeniging Conference Proposals (15th May, 1902), 350, 351, 352, 357,

358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364

Thaba'Nchu--

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Retreat on after Badenhorst, 81

Occupation by General Broadwood, 65, 66

Thanksgiving Days, Appointment of, 243

Theron, Danie--

Death at Gatsrand, 153, 154

Paardeberg--Passing Enemy's Lines to carry Message from

Commander-in-Chief de Wet to General Cronje, 46

Scouting Party, Appointment as Chief by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 54

Scouting Services, 88, 89, 124, 131

Train Captured by, 132

Theron, Jan--Appointment to succeed Commandant Danie Theron, 153, 154

Theunissen, Commandant of Winburg, 45

Capture by British at Stinkfontein, 46

Election as Commandant of Winburg, 6, 7

Thring, Veldtcornet--War Experiences, Commander-in-Chief de Wet's

Tribute, etc., 87, 88, 89

Tijgerfontein Engagement, 138, 139

Tintwaspas--Occupation by Kroonstad Commando, 7, 8

Tonder, Mr. Gideon van--Killed by Lyddite Shell at Magersfontein, 25

Trains--

Blowing up with Dynamite, 230, 246

Devices to throw the British off the Scent, 246

Mechanical Devices, 246

Boer Captures of, 132, 152, 153, 203, 204

Transvaalers--

Negligence in leaving Prisoners at Pretoria, 92

Nicholson's Nek, Work at, 17

Truter, Commandant--Abandonment of Krupp gun and Ammunition, 182

Tweefontein--Attack on British Position, 275-283

Sketch Plan, 276

Uijs, Commandant--Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902, Report to

the Vereeniging Conference, 349, 350

"Uitschudden"--Institution of, in order to obtain Clothing, 233

Ultimatum by the South African Republic--

Cause of the War alleged--

Salisbury's, Lord, Assertion, 53, 54, 409

Salisbury's, Lord, Demand, 53, 54, 409

Steyn's, President, Contradiction, 251, 252

Chamberlain's, Mr. J., Telegrams to Sir A. Milner, 329

Text of the "Ultimatum," 325-328

Unconditional Surrender--Discussion at Vereeniging Meeting of May 29,

1902, 398, 399, 401, 405, 406, 423, 424

Vaal River--Crossing of President Steyn's Party, 300

Valsch River Bridge, Destruction by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 88, 89

Van Dam, Under Captain--Command of Johannesburg Police at Nicholson's

Nek, 16

Van Niekerk, Commandant--Continuance of the War, Argument in favour

of, 414, 415

Van Reenen's Pass--

Occupation by Harrismith and Winburg Commandos, 7, 8

War Council at--Commander-in-Chief de Wet attending in place of

Commandant Steenekamp, 8, 9

Vanvurenskloof, Boer Retreat from, 139, 140

Vechtgeneraal of the Orange Free State--

Abolition of Post, 95

Creation of Post, 9, 10

De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Appointment of, 22

Roux, General Paul, appointed by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 85

Ventersburg--Boer Lines broken through, 85

Ventersdorp--

Fighting near, 140, 141, 142

Meeting between President Steyn and Commander-in-Chief de

Wet, 168, 169

Vereeniging--

Meeting of General Representatives to discuss the Situation (May 15,

1902), 333-364

Authority given to Delegates to voice the wishes of their

Constituencies, 333, 337, 338, 400, 402, 403, 404, 405, 407,

411, 412, 417, 421, 422, 423, 424

Thanks of the meeting to the King of England and Queen of the

Netherlands for efforts to promote Peace, 345, 346

Unity among Delegates essential, 337, 338, 349, 350, 351, 357

Meeting of Special National Representatives to discuss British Peace

Terms (May 29, 1902), 397

Armistice agreed on to admit of Attendance of Officers, 315

Misunderstanding on the part of the British Columns, 317, 318

Divisions among Delegates, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426

Meeting a Fatal Error, 413, 414

Questions to be decided, 398, 411, 417

(For details of subjects discussed _see_ Independence, Peace

Negotiations, etc.)

Verkijkersdorp--Capture of Women's Laager near, by the British, and

Rescue by Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Commando, 238-241

British Casualties, 239, 240

Vice-Commanders-in-Chief, Orange Free State--

Badenhorst, Veldtcornet, C.C., Appointment for Districts of Boshof,

etc., 159

De Wet, Gen., Appointment of, 49

Fourie, Gen., Appointment for Districts of Bloemfontein, etc., 157

Hertzog, Gen., Appointment for Districts of Fauresmith, etc., 158

Vice-President of Orange Free State--

Appointment of Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 411

Creation of Temporary Post, 198

Viljoen, Mr. P.R.--Situation in South Africa on May 15, 1902, Report of

the Vereeniging Conference, 346, 347

Villiers, General de--Death due to Wound received at Biddulphsberg, 84

Natal Expedition, Commanding as Vechtgeneraal, 8, 9

Prinsloo's Surrender, Escape from, 128

Work in South-Eastern Districts of the Orange Free State, 83

Villiers, Mr. Jacob de, States-Procureur of Orange Free State, Capture

of at Bothaville, 170, 171, 198

Vilonel, Commandant--

Resignation--Enforced Resignation due to Insubordination, 64

Surrender to British--Recapture by Captain Pretorius and Trial for

Desertion, 84

Removal from Bethlehem to Fouriesburg, 121, 122

Waggons, Persistence in use of, 62

Visser, Commandant--Death of at Jagersfontein Engagement, Faithfulness

and Valour of Commandant Visser, 158

Vleeschkorporaal, Duties of, 4, 5

Vrede--

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Meeting with Louis Botha, 231

Meeting between President Steyn and the Transvaal Government, 231

Vrede Commando, Surrender following Prinsloo's Surrender, 128

Vredefort--

Capture of British Outpost, 232

Engagements near, 133, 134, 135

Retreat of the Boers to the Vaal River, 164, 165

Surrender of Arms by Commando after Declaration of Peace, 323, 324

Vredefort-weg Station--Commandant Steenekamp's Success at, 98, 105, 106

Vrijheid--Kaffir Atrocities, Murder and Mutilation of Burghers, 426, 427

Waggons--

Boer Reluctance to abandon use of, 62, 120, 121, 129, 131, 135, 136

Harrismith Burghers' Refusal to part with their Waggons at

Spitskopje, 161-163

De Wet, Commander-in-Chief, Use of Little Waggon, 293, 294, 398

Destruction by British, 120, 121, 191

No Waggons with Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Commando, 279

Vilonel's, Commandant, Persistence in using Waggons, 62

Waggon Camps, Regulation prohibiting, 58

War Commission--Orders to commence Natal Campaign, 4

War Councils, 19

Decisions of Council of March 28, 1900, 61

Doornberg, Council at--Decision as to Presidential Election, 197

Kroonstad Council--Officers present, Decisions, etc., 58 _note_, 59

War of 1877-1881--Futility of Comparison with War of 1899-1902, 421, 422

Warfare, Boer Methods of--

Checking an Enemy's Advance--Boer Tactics, 213

Rapidity of Action, Importance of, 75

Wauchope, General--Death at Magersfontein, 23

Weilbach, Commandant--Desertion of Post at Bloemfontein, 54

Wessels, General J.B.--

Kroonstad War Council, Presence at, 58

Sanna's Post Engagement, Share in, 64

Wessels, Mr. C.J.--

Commander-in-Chief of Free Staters at Magersfontein and Kimberley, 23

Member of Boer Deputation to Europe (1900), 53, 54

Wessels, Veldtcornet--

Capture of, at Frederiksstad, 166, 167

Dewetsdorp Exploits, 176, 177, 178

White, Colonel--Engagement with Commandant Hasebroek near

Thaba'Nchu, 189, 190

White Flag Treachery at Reddersburg, 75, 76

Wire Fencing--

Bothaville Boers cutting the Wire, 299

Erection of, by the British, 262

Lindley-Kroonstad Line of Blockhouses--Escape of Boers, 287

Palmietfontein, Boers breaking through Line, 289, 290

Witkopjes Rheboksfontein Engagement, 135, 136

Witwatersrand, Cession to the British--Proposals of the Vereeniging

Conference, 350, 351, 360, 361, 363, 364

Wolfaard Brothers--Wounded by Lyddite Shell at Magersfontein, 25

Wolmarans, Daniel--Member of Boer Deputation to Europe (1900), 53, 54

Wolvehock--Railway blown up by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 163

Women and Children--

De Wet's, Commander-in-Chief, Care for, after Sanna's Post, 66, 67

Difficulties of providing for--Deliberations of the Vereeniging

Conference, 333, 339, 342, 343, 344, 345, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353,

356, 405, 406, 410, 412, 413, 415, 416, 417, 423, 424, 425, 426,

427

Flight of Boer Women to escape Capture by the British, 279

Kaffir Treatment of Boer Women, 151, 152, 153

Magersfontein Laager, Presence in, 25

Sufferings in Concentration Camps, etc., 198, 290, 291, 421, 422

Treatment by the British, 232, 239, 240, 241, 257, 258

Verkijkersdorp Laager, Capture of by British, and rescue by

Commander-in-Chief de Wet's Commando, 238-241

Wonderkop--General de Villiers' Exploits, 83

Wounded, Boer Treatment of--

Doornspruit, Care of Wounded after, 133, 134

Nicholson's Nek--Care for Wounded by Commander-in-Chief de Wet, 17

Yeomanry, Imperial--Gallantry at Tweefontein, 281

Yule, General--Ladysmith Retreat conducted by, 9, 10

Zandnek--Captain Scheepers' Engagement near, 139, 140

Zwavelkrans Farm--British Convoy Captured by Commander-in-Chief de

Wet, 96, 98