(_Supplementary._)
SOUTH AFRICA IN 1847—SIR HARRY’S RECEPTION AT CAPE TOWN AND
ON THE FRONTIER—END OF THE KAFIR WAR—EXTENSION OF THE
BOUNDARIES OF THE COLONY AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROVINCE
OF “BRITISH KAFFRARIA”—VISIT TO THE COUNTRY BEYOND THE
ORANGE AND TO NATAL—PROCLAMATION OF THE “ORANGE RIVER
SOVEREIGNTY”—TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO CAPE TOWN—DISAFFECTION
AMONG THE BOERS IN THE SOVEREIGNTY—EXPEDITION THITHER AND
BATTLE OF BOOMPLAATS—RETURN TO CAPE TOWN.
Much had happened in South Africa since the period 1835-6 of which Sir
Harry’s autobiography has given us so full an account, and it was his
fortune as Governor to encounter difficulties traceable to the policy
of Lord Glenelg of which he had himself seen the short-sighted fatuity
at the time when it was adopted.
By Sir Benjamin D’Urban’s treaty with the Kafir chiefs of September,
1835, the country between the Fish River and the Keiskamma was to be
occupied by those settlers who had suffered most severely in the
war, while in that between the Keiskamma and the Kei (to be called
the “Province of Queen Adelaide”) a number of loyal Kafirs were to
be established under military protection. All this was upset by Lord
Glenelg’s dispatch of 26th December, 1835. No settlers were to be
permitted beyond the Fish River, and the Kafirs were to be reinstated
in the districts from which they had consented in their treaty with
Sir Benjamin D’Urban to retire; while the compensation which was to
have been paid to sufferers from the war was sharply refused. Well may
Cloete write, “A communication more cruel, unjust, and insulting to the
feelings both of Sir Benjamin D’Urban and of the colonists could hardly
have been penned by a declared enemy of the country and its Governor.”
The immediate consequence was the emigration from the Colony of numbers
of Dutch farmers (described by Sir B. D’Urban as “a brave, patient,
industrious, orderly, and religious people”). In another dispatch of
Lord Glenelg’s dated 1st May, 1837, Sir Benjamin D’Urban, perhaps the
best Governor the Colony ever had, was recalled. He was succeeded by
Sir George Napier. The policy entrusted to the new Governor was that
of entering into alliances with the Kafir chiefs. But experience soon
taught him that this was futile, and the only possible course was
that which had been pursued by his predecessor and Harry Smith. “My
own experience and what I saw with my own eyes,” he declared to a
Parliamentary Committee in 1851, “have confirmed me that I was wrong
and Sir Benjamin D’Urban perfectly right; that if he meant to keep
Kafirland under British rule, the only way of doing so was by having a
line of forts and maintaining troops in them.”
The Boers or emigrant farmers of Dutch descent who in 1835 and
subsequent years, to the number of 10,000, left the Cape Colony as men
shamefully abandoned by the British Government, settled themselves,
some north of the Orange River, some across the Vaal, some in Natal.
To prevent those in Natal from joining any other European power, the
British Government in 1842 took possession of Durban, and in 1843 of
the whole of Natal. In 1845 Natal was annexed to the Cape Colony under
a Lieutenant-Governor, Mr. West. But in consequence of dissatisfaction
in regard to a settlement of lands, a new emigration of Dutch farmers
began, and was in operation when Sir Harry Smith reached South Africa.
Meanwhile in 1845 Sir Peregrine Maitland, then Governor of the
Cape, had established Major Warden and a small British garrison at
Bloemfontein with authority over the emigrant Boers settled across the
Orange between the Modder and Riet rivers, the Boers who were settled
north of the Modder being left undisturbed. These had set up for
themselves in 1837 a simple form of government at Winburg.
[Illustration: GOVERNMENT HOUSE, CAPE TOWN.
_From a lithograph by Day and Haghe, 1832._
[_Opposite p. 584._]
The treaty system failed to protect the settlers in the eastern
part of the Cape Colony from Kafir aggressions, and in 1846 Sandilli,
the successor of Gaika, openly defied the British authorities; and a
war broke out which was hardly ended when Sir Henry Pottinger, after
holding office for less than a year, resigned the government of the
Cape into the hands of Sir Harry Smith.
The _Vernon_ entered Table Bay on 1st December, 1847. The first news
signalled from shore was that five officers had been cut off by the
tribe of Galekas under Boku, on which Sir Harry remarked, “Doing
something they ought not, I’ll be bound!”[174] A few hours later he and
Lady Smith landed. “Amidst the most hearty cheering, mingled with the
roaring of cannon, the Governor passed through the streets, at every
moment recognizing and saluting old acquaintances. Immediately after
his arrival at Government House he took the oaths of office. That night
the town was brilliantly illuminated, and the windows in a solitary
house that was unlit were completely wrecked by the populace.”[175]
That the new Governor and Lady Smith were received by the Colony as
old friends was again shown when, at a public banquet, Judge Menzies
proposed the toast, not of “His Excellency and his Lady,” but of “Harry
Smith and his Wife.”[176]
Sir Harry lost no time in grappling with public business, and started
by sea on the 11th December for the frontier. At Port Elizabeth he saw
the chief Macomo, and, having upbraided him for his treachery, ordered
him to kneel, when he set his foot on the chief’s neck, saying, “This
is to teach you that I am come hither to teach Kafirland that I am
chief and master here, and this is the way I shall treat the enemies
of the Queen of England.” After-events may make us doubt the wisdom
of this public humiliation of the chief. After having an interview at
Sidbury with Sir Henry Pottinger, Sir Harry reached Grahamstown on the
17th. Mrs. Ward, who was there, writes in her diary—
“The shops were closed, every one made holiday, triumphal arches were
erected surmounted by inscriptions proclaiming welcome to the new
Governor and old friend. The very _bonhommie_ with which Sir Harry had
met his old acquaintances—even an old Hottentot sergeant with whom he
shook hands on the road—procured for him a ready popularity ere he
entered Grahamstown.”
And at night—
“The frontier to-night was delirious with joy. Its own hero, its
best friend next to Sir Benjamin the Good, has arrived. The town is
illuminated, and beacon-lights telegraph from the hill-tops.... We
watched the rockets ascending and the lights flashing from one end of
Grahamstown to the other; the very Fingo kraals sent forth shouts,
and torches flitted from hut to hut. But long before the lights were
extinguished, Sir Harry Smith was up and at work. Three o’clock on the
morning of the 18th found him at his desk, which he scarcely left till
five in the evening.”
But even on the day of his arrival in Grahamstown he had made history.
He had released the captive chief Sandilli (an act of generosity
afterwards ill-requited), and sent him the baton of office of a British
magistrate; and, more than this, he had issued a proclamation creating
a new boundary for the Colony, which was now to include the district of
Victoria (to the east of Albany and Somerset), the district of Albert
(north-east of Cradock), and a vast territory stretching from the old
northern boundary of the Colony to the Orange River. The chief town of
Victoria he named “Alice,” doubtless after his beloved sister, Mrs.
Sargant.
On the 19th, by the submission of Pato, it appeared that the Kafir War
was at an end. The Governor at once set out for King William’s Town,
which he reached on the 23rd, and was again received enthusiastically.
The troops—the Rifle Brigade and the 7th Dragoon Guards—were drawn up
on the parade, and were praised in stirring terms for their services
in the recent war. On another part of the square an assembly of two
thousand Kafirs waited, sitting in a great hollow circle. Into this
circle Sir Harry rode with his staff, and read a proclamation, which
was practically a dramatic reversal of that abandonment by Lord Glenelg
of the “Province of Queen Adelaide” which he had felt so bitterly
in 1836. He declared the whole country between the Keiskamma and
the Kei, running northwards to the junction of the Klipplaats and
Zwart Kei rivers, to be under the sovereignty of the Queen, not,
however, as part of Cape Colony, but as a district dependency of the
Crown to be named “British Kaffraria,” and kept in reserve for the
Kafir people, over whom the Governor, as High Commissioner, was to
be “Inkosi Inkulu,” or Great Chief. Colonel Mackinnon was appointed
to a post such as Harry Smith had held in 1835-36—that of Commandant
and Chief Commissioner of British Kaffraria, with his headquarters at
King William’s Town.[177] Having read the proclamation, he gave an
illustration of those dramatic methods of treating the Kafirs on which
he had always relied, but which stirred some ridicule in England during
the time of his Governorship. “He called for a sergeant’s baton, which
he termed the staff of war, and a wand with a brass head, which he
termed the staff of peace. Calling the chiefs forward, he desired them
to touch whichever they pleased, when each of course touched the staff
of peace. After an address of some length upon their prospects if they
behaved themselves, and threats of what would happen if they did not,
he required them to kiss his foot in token of submission.” [He was, of
course, still on horseback.] “This they did also without hesitation.
The ceremony concluded by the High Commissioner shaking hands with all
the chiefs, calling them his children, and presenting them with a herd
of oxen to feast upon.”[178]
On 7th January,[179] 1848, the Chiefs were called to a second meeting
to hear the arrangements which had been made for the government of
the new province. Sir Harry addressed them, after which they took
oath to obey the High Commissioner as the Queens representative, and
to renounce witchcraft, violation of women, murder, robbery, and
the buying of wives, to listen to the missionaries, and on every
anniversary of that day to bring to King William’s Town a fat ox in
acknowledgment of holding their lands from the Queen. “Sir Harry then
addressed them again, telling them what would happen if they were not
faithful. ‘Look at that waggon,’ said he, pointing to one at a distance
which had been prepared for an explosion, ‘and hear me give the word
Fire!’ The train was lit, and the waggon was sent skyward in a thousand
pieces. ‘That is what I will do to you,’ he continued, ‘if you do not
behave yourselves.’ Taking a sheet of paper in his hand, ‘Do you see
this?’ said he. Tearing it and throwing the pieces to the wind, ‘There
go the treaties!’ he exclaimed. ‘Do you hear? No more treaties.’”[180]
Things being thus settled at King William’s Town, Sir Harry proceeded
to the country between the Orange River and the Vaal.[181] Here Major
Warden at Bloemfontein had authority over the emigrant Boers between
the Modder and the Riet rivers; the Boers north of the Modder were left
to themselves, and large tracts bordering on the Orange River were
assigned as reserves to the chiefs Moshesh and Adam Kok, who could also
exact quit-rents from the farmers outside the reserves.
“Sir Harry Smith came to South Africa with a fully matured plan for
the settlement of affairs north of the Orange. He would take no land
from black people that they needed for their maintenance, but there
were no longer to be black states covering vast areas of ground either
unoccupied or in possession of white men. Such ground he would form
into a new colony, and he would exercise a general control over the
chiefs themselves in the interests of peace and civilization. A system
antagonistic to that of the Napier treaties was to be introduced. Those
treaties attempted to subject civilized men to barbarians. He would
place an enlightened and benevolent government over all. But to enable
him to do so, the consent of Adam Kok and Moshesh must be obtained
to new agreements, for he could not take the high-handed course of
setting the treaties aside.”[182]
Accordingly, on 24th January he had an interview with Adam Kok. At
first the chief gave himself great airs, and Sir Harry, losing his
temper, threatened to have him tied up to a beam in the room in which
they were sitting unless he acted reasonably. Eventually an agreement
was signed by which Adam Kok, in return for a small annual income,
ceded his claim to jurisdiction over all the land outside the Griqua
reserve. At Bloemfontein the Governor received addresses from a number
of Boer settlers. “Among them were some who had served under him in
the Kafir war of 1835. At a public meeting speeches were made in which
old times were recalled, and enthusiastic language was used concerning
the future of South Africa, now that a true friend of the country was
at the head of affairs. At this meeting the Governor observed an aged
grey-headed man standing in the crowd. He instantly rose, handed his
chair to the old man, and pressed him to be seated, a kindly act that
was long remembered by the simple farmers, and which formed the subject
of one of the transparencies when Cape Town was illuminated on his
return.”[183]
From Bloemfontein Sir Harry proceeded to Winburg, where on 27th January
he had a conference with Moshesh, in which the latter, like Adam Kok,
accepted his proposals. At Winburg twenty-seven farmers, heads of
families, and twenty-two others presented an address, in which they
requested the Governor to extend British jurisdiction over the country.
He probably took this as representing the general feeling, but he could
not wait for further information. He had heard that a number of the
Boers in Natal were “trekking” out of that colony. He therefore sent
an express to their leader, Pretorius, asking him to pause, and at
daybreak on the 28th January (the second anniversary of Aliwal) he was
hastening towards Natal.
In a graphic dispatch written from Pietermaritzburg on 10th February,
he describes his meeting with the “trekking” farmers.
“On my arrival at the foot of the Drachenberg Mountains, I was almost
paralyzed to witness the whole of the population, with few exceptions,
‘treking’! Rains on this side of the mountains are tropical, and
now prevail—the country is intersected by considerable streams,
frequently impassable—and these families were exposed to a state of
misery which I never before saw equalled, except in Massena’s invasion
of Portugal, when the whole of the population of that part of the
seat of war abandoned their homes and fled. The scene here was truly
heart-rending. I assembled all the men near me through the means of a
Mr. Pretorius, a shrewd, sensible man, who had recently been into the
colony to lay the subject of dissatisfaction of his countrymen before
the Governor [Sir Henry Pottinger], where he was unfortunately refused
an audience, and returned after so long a journey, expressing himself
as the feelings of a proud and injured man would naturally prompt. At
this meeting I was received as if among my own family. I heard the
various causes of complaint. Some I regard as well founded, others as
imaginary; but all expressive of a want of confidence and liberality
as to land on the part of Government. I exerted my influence among
them to induce them to remain for the moment where they were, which
they consented to do. The scene exhibited by about three or four
hundred fathers of large families assembled and shedding tears when
representing their position was more, I admit, than I could observe
unmoved.... To prove, if it be necessary, the faith which I place in
their loyalty, I may mention that on one occasion when the little
waggon in which I travel, and which they call ‘Government House,’ was
nearly upset when crossing one of the tributary streams of the great
Tugela, thirty or forty men on the bank stripped and sprang into the
water, exclaiming, ‘Government House shall not fall—it shall not
fall!’ and their efforts saved my only home from being carried down
the current.”
Sir Harry proceeded to argue that the very existence of the Colony of
Natal depended on its preserving its white population, and stated that
he had therefore issued a proclamation to meet the grievances of the
farmers in regard to land, and had given Mr. Pretorius a place on the
Land Commission. “If the measures which I have adopted conduce to the
restoration of happiness to many thousands, tend to the preservation of
a Christian community by the erection of churches, schools, etc., and
are productive of general good, the glory of war will be eclipsed by
the blessings of [establishing] harmony, peace, and content.”
On 3rd February, from the emigrant camp Sir Harry Smith issued a
proclamation declaring the whole territory between the Orange and Vaal
rivers to be subject to the Queen. The country was to be divided into
magistracies; taxes were to be raised for the support of a small staff
and for erecting schools, churches, etc.; and the farmers were to
serve the Queen when required. So arose the Orange River Sovereignty,
destined to be known under altered conditions in turn as the Orange
Free State and the Orange River Colony.
Meanwhile Pretorius, with the Governor’s consent, had left the camp in
order to ascertain the real feelings of the emigrant farmers beyond
the Drakensberg. He seems to have thought that Sir Harry had promised
him that if the general opinion of the settlers was unfavourable,
the proclamation would not be issued. Sir Harry maintained that his
agreement with Pretorius only referred to the Boers north of the Vaal,
and in consequence of the agreement the territory they occupied was
excluded from the terms of the proclamation.
Mr. Theal states that “in issuing this proclamation Sir Harry Smith was
full of confidence in his personal influence with the emigrants. When
Major Warden, the British resident, expressed an opinion that if the
Queen’s authority was proclaimed north of the Orange River, additional
troops would be requisite, his Excellency replied, ‘My dear fellow,
bear in mind that the Boers are my children, and I will have none
other here for my soldiers; your detachment will march for the colony
immediately.’ And in this confidence a garrison of only 50 or 60 Cape
Mounted Riflemen were left to defend a territory more than 50,000
square miles in extent.”[184]
[Illustration: SOUTH AFRICA, 1847-1854.
(The coloured districts were annexed by Sir Harry Smith, those only
lightly coloured becoming part of Cape Colony.)
[_Opposite p. 594._]
The creation of the Orange River Sovereignty was reluctantly agreed to
by the Home Government,[185] and the measures taken by Sir Harry to
induce settlers in Natal to remain there, and others to come there,
were to a great extent successful. But his belief that the settlers
in the northern part of the new Sovereignty and over the Vaal would
readily accept British supremacy when offered them by one whom they had
known and trusted in the past—this belief proved fallacious. The sense
of wrong created by the Glenelg policy could not be so easily assuaged.
By the 1st March Sir Harry Smith was back at Cape Town, “welcomed as
a successful pacificator and benefactor with pæans of praise from all
classes of the inhabitants. His meteoric progress over the length
and breadth of the country—all at once dispelling the idea of the
unwieldiness of the settlement and its dependencies—and the generous
character of the mission he had so triumphantly concluded were regarded
as the most signally happy events South Africa had ever witnessed.
His Excellency’s praise was on every lip, and his virtues were to be
symbolized to future generations by an equestrian statue.”[186]
But no sooner had he returned than he heard that among the farmers
of the Winburg district (constituting the northern part of the new
Orange River Sovereignty) there was a movement against the British
authority which had been imposed upon them. To counteract it, Sir Harry
issued on 29th March a manifesto of a rather unconventional kind. He
bade the farmers remember all the benefits he had lately conferred on
them [freedom from nominal subjection to native chiefs, etc.], and
contrast the misery from which he had endeavoured to raise them with
the happiness of their friends and cousins living under the Colonial
government. If they compelled him to wield the fatal sword, after all
he had attempted to do for them, the crime be on their own heads. He
concluded with a prayer to the Almighty in which he suggested that the
farmers might unite with himself.
Such a manifesto is not to be judged cynically. The religious passages
were sincere and characteristic of their author, and calculated to
appeal especially to the people to whom they were addressed. But the
distrust of England was too deep for such an appeal to have more than
a partial success. The disaffected party in the Winburg district
determined to make a struggle for independence, and invited Pretorius
to come over the Vaal to lead them. Pretorius arrived at Winburg on the
12th July. At his approach, Mr. Biddulph, the British magistrate, rode
off to Bloemfontein and informed Major Warden, who sent a report to the
Governor on the 13th.
On the 17th Pretorius reached Bloemfontein, and Major Warden, being
unable to offer resistance, capitulated, and was furnished by Pretorius
with waggons to take him, his troops, and the refugees who had sought
his protection, to Colesberg. Pretorius with his force marched to a
camp on the Orange River in the same neighbourhood.
Major Warden’s report of the 13th July reached Sir Harry Smith at Cape
Town on the 22nd.[187] On the same day he issued a reward of £1000 for
the apprehension of Pretorius and made arrangements for collecting a
force to put down the rebellion.
On the 29th July he left Cape Town for the Sovereignty, accompanied
by his Private Secretary, Major Garvock, Dr. Hall, Principal Medical
Officer, Mr. Southey, Secretary to the High Commissioner, and
Lieutenant Holdich, A.D.C, (now General Sir Edward Alan Holdich,
K.C.B.). The party travelled with three waggons.
I extract the following entries from Sir Edward’s diary, which he has
kindly lent me:—
_5th August._—Reached Beaufort. Heard from Cape Town that Major Warden
had left Bloemfontein.
_9th._—Reached Colesberg, having been 11½ days from Cape Town,
travelling 102½ hours at the rate of 6 miles an hour, making the
distance about 615 miles. A hundred Cape Mounted Rifles and one gun
had arrived from Grahamstown, with 30 of the 91st Regiment, and were
encamped at Botha’s Drift. Boers occupying the opposite bank.
_15th._—Detachment of 91st and C.M.R. which arrived yesterday encamped
at Botha’s Drift. High Commissioner rode to Major Warden’s camp at
Botha’s Drift to meet the rebel leaders, [Gert] Kruger and Paul
Bester, who had been invited to a conference, but they did not come.
About 60 Boers on opposite bank. No regular laager or appearance of
defence. Mr. Rex (a settler in the Orange Settlement) crossed the
river, and was civilly received by Pretorius and other leaders.
_16th._—A letter received from the Rebel camp, petitioning His
Excellency to withdraw the troops. Boers would never acknowledge
British Government, but would trek to their friends across the Vaal.
No reply sent to petition.
_17th._—His Excellency and staff left Colesberg and pitched camp at
Botha’s Drift. When on the way report arrived from Major Warden that
the rebel Boers had left the opposite bank the preceding night, no
vestige of them remaining. A Boer came across and confirmed the report
that they had all trekked (about 100 men with Pretorius). They had 62
waggons in the laager. Various reports as to the cause of the sudden
flight. One was that Pretorius had heard of an army marching against
them from Natal _viâ_ the Drakensberg. Detachment of 45th Regiment and
C.M.R. reached Colesberg, and marched following day to Botha’s Drift.
_20th._—The force encamped together on Botha’s Drift except 91st
Regiment [which marched in on the 25th]. Preparations made for
crossing the river.
_26th._—Headquarters and staff crossed. In six days the whole
force (about 1200), with 117 waggons and supplies for thirty days,
followers, etc., had crossed a rapid river 240 yards wide, and that
by means of a caoutchouc pontoon (then just invented and here put to
a practical trial) and one small boat worked by a hawser. The pontoon
had to be taken out of the water every night and refilled in the
morning, and the line to be passed across and made fast to the bank
each morning. Camp pitched on the north-east bank of the river, either
flank resting on the river.
_27th._—Commenced march on Winburg in following order:—Cape Mounted
Rifles, two guns R.A., one Company Rifle Brigade, one gun, remainder
of R.B., 45th and 91st, waggons (117), rearguard, composed of 20
C.M.R., servants, burghers, followers, etc. At 2 pitched camp to
right of Philippolis. Camp formed in line. Cavalry on the right,
infantry on the left, guns and headquarters camp in centre.
_28th._—Camp at Fuller’s Kloof. No tidings of the rebels. 250 Griquas
under Adam Kok joined the camp.
_29th._—Halt for breakfast at Touw Fontein. Rebels reported to have
been in the neighbourhood the evening before. At 10 a.m. inspanned,
fell in, and marched on Boomplaats in the same order as before. Route
lay over an open plain. After an hour’s march saw a herdsman at a
distance. He reported that he had seen fires the evening before along
the Krom Elbe[188] river, beyond a few low hills in the direct route,
also about 20 Boers riding about that morning, but he believed more to
be in the neighbourhood.
[Illustration: PLAN of FIELD of ACTION
AT
BOOM PLAATS
[_Opposite p. 600._]
On approaching this low range of hills, through which the road led,
we observed large herds of game, apparently uncertain which way to
run. At length the herd crossed close in front of the column, as if
avoiding the hill. A report (as above) having been received of Boers
having been seen in the neighbourhood of the hills, Lieut. Warren,
C.M.R., with three or four troopers, was sent to reconnoitre. On
galloping up one of the hills for this purpose, he suddenly found
himself close upon some 40 or 50 Boers, mounted and armed with
“roers,” who immediately retreated round one of the hills, apparently
joining a large body; this was assumed from the dust that arose. The
White Company (or Europeans) of the C.M.R. under Lieut. Salis were
ordered to cover the front of the column in skirmishing order, and
to feel round the hills, but not to fire a shot unless fired upon.
General[189] and staff rode to the front with tried troops. All
waggons were moved up well in rear of the infantry. The column had not
advanced many paces, when some one from the front cried out, “There
they are!” and on looking in the direction intimated, the hills were
observed to be suddenly lined with Boers in their duffle jackets and
white hats, who soon opened a brisk and regular fire, which at first
did not cause much more harm than to throw the leading party rather
into confusion. The order was given for the troops to go “threes
about” and make way for the guns. The Boers fired so low that not much
mischief was done. The guns being brought to bear upon the enemy,
the infantry were deployed into line, and the waggons, under charge
of Mr. Green of the Commissariat, were withdrawn further to the rear
and formed up in circle (laagered), and escort for their defence was
composed of the servants and drivers accompanying them.
The order of attack was Rifle Brigade to skirmish over the hills to
the right; 45th to bear on the centre, and follow up any opening
made by the artillery; 91st Regiment to escort the guns, and the
Cape Mounted Rifles to sweep round to the left, where the Boers were
advancing from their right, in good skirmishing order, into the
plains, with the evident intention of getting round to our rear and in
at the waggons. The 45th suffered a good deal in the centre, and the
Rifle Brigade on the right, being too eager and not taking sufficient
advantage of cover, lost a good many, Captain Murray being mortally
wounded at the head of his company. The 91st were ordered in support
of the 45th and the General’s escort (a party of Rifle Brigade) to
form the escort for the guns.
In about twenty minutes the first range of hills was cleared,
and pushing on with all arms we observed the Boers reformed at a
farm-house below, where they made a good defence from behind walls,
and especially from an old kraal and the bed of the “Krom Elbe” river.
From the kraal Colonel Buller was shot, a bullet taking a piece out of
his thigh and killing his horse. The guns were advanced over a stony
hill, which in ordinary times would have been deemed impracticable,
and by their steady fire, under Lieut. Dyneley, soon drove the rebels
out of their (natural) defence-works and they spread across an open
plain that intervened in great disorder. (No cavalry available to
pursue.) Their road lay across a neck between two hills, where they
again made a stand, as if to cover their retreat, but were checked
by a demonstration of the C.M. Rifles and the Griquas and other
followers, who on observing the retreat had turned up on the right in
a very valiant manner!
The Infantry in the mean time under Major Beckwith (R.B.) had
reformed, and marched in column across the plain as steadily as if
their ranks had never been broken or thinned. A few shots from the
R.A. soon dispersed the group at the neck, who before retreating had
set fire to the grass. On reaching the neck, it was observed that the
rebels had dispersed over the plain as fast as they could with tired
horses. Halted at the neck, to collect stragglers, and make provision
for the wounded and for bringing up the waggons. No water to be had
within three miles. Only about 40 of the Cape Corps could be got
together.[190]
Mr. Rex, with a party of Griquas, sent to bring up the baggage, the
wounded remaining at Boomplaats under the superintendence of Dr. Hall,
P.M.O.
Advanced on Calvert Fontein, having been told by some friendly
Burghers, who had followed rather close on the trek of the Boers,
that they were collecting in great numbers round Calvert Fontein.
Found that they were only collecting and carrying off the wounded, or
something of this kind. There appeared to be no intention of waiting
for any more of our fire. Reached Calvert Fontein at 4.30 p.m. (a
great rush for water). Halted for the night. No trace of a human
being. A picket of cavalry sent forward to reconnoitre and follow up
the rebels till dark. On return reported having seen a large body of
Boers at some distance, in great disorder, apparently “off saddled.”
On roll being called, found the return of casualties to be—
Commander-in-Chief, Sir H. Smith, struck on shin (very slight), and
horse wounded;[191] Colonel Buller, wounded in thigh (severely), and
horse killed; 7 officers wounded (Captain Murray, mortally); Rifle
Brigade, 8 killed and 39 wounded.
On strict inquiry among the men of the force, ascertained that 49
_bodies_ of rebels were seen lying on the field.[192]
Waggons came up at 5.30 p.m. On arrival at the bivouac, a Dutch letter
was received by the Commander-in-Chief, stating that the Boer laager
was about 12 miles off, west of the direct route to Bethany, at the
farm-house of one Jan Cloete.
_30th._—Leaving the camp standing in charge of convalescents and
officers’ servants (Col. Buller in command), we marched at 3 a.m.,
cavalry in advance, guns (with port-fires burning) following. A
company of Rifles headed the column and were directed to sweep any
suspicious places. Met with no impediment. On reaching Cloete’s farm
at 6 a.m. found no trace of any laager. Column arrived at Bethany
at 10 a.m. There is a large missionary chapel and a few native huts
around it. A good house belonging to the missionaries, who had
deserted it. Sir H. Smith and staff took possession of house and yard.
Breakfasted upon biscuits and brandy, aided by a little tea made in
an old pot. A Boer came in from his house half an hour distant and
professed to be “loyal,” and said he had not been in the fight, though
his son had. The son and another young man concealed in the house
were brought into camp by Mr. Southey. They received a lecture and
were sent off with the understanding that they were to bring in their
“roers” next day, which they did.
Two prisoners were brought up from the rear, taken on the field with
arms, one a Dutchman named Dreyer, the other an Englishman, who proved
to be a deserter from the 45th Regt. Both were remanded for trial by
court martial on arrival at Bloemfontein.
_2nd Sept._—Arrived at Bloemfontein at 9 a.m. Troops formed up into
three sides of a square (Commander-in-Chief and staff, etc., in
centre). Proclamation read and sovereignty proclaimed under a salute
of 21 guns. General Court Martial ordered and assembled under Colonel
Buller, R.B., for the trial of the two prisoners taken in the field.
Bloemfontein, a small village, consisting of some half-dozen houses
and some huts, prettily situated on the banks of a stream having
its source in a bubbling fountain, and under a hill. A small fort
(or stockade) had been built, which was commanded from every side.
The rebels had taken possession of the various houses and at the
Resident’s house had even commenced ploughing.
Encamped on the opposite side of the stream to the town, very good
ground and well sheltered by a hill.
_Sept. 3rd._—Troops paraded at 10 a.m. in front of the camp for Divine
Service. Service read by Sir Harry Smith.[193] Preparations afterwards
made for the march on Winburg; a small force to be left to garrison
Bloemfontein under Col. Buller (disabled by his wound).
_Sept. 4th._—Camp struck before daylight and troops paraded, when
the two rebels (who had been found “guilty” by the General Court
Martial of “being in rebellion and bearing arms against Her Majesty’s
subjects” and sentenced to death accordingly) were paraded in front
of the troops assembled, in the very spot where, a short time before,
the rebel leader Pretorius had demanded the submission of the British
resident, and the sentence carried out—the rebels being shot in
presence of the troops.[194]
_6th._—Reached the Vet River at one. On the march joined by a party
of friendly Boers, who greeted us with a salute from their “roers”
and loud shouts, which caused no little excitement in the rear of
the column. These Boers had formed a laager on the Vet River under a
Field Cornet named Wessels, and had maintained their position against
Pretorius and the rebels. [Gert] Kruger, one of the leading rebels,
surrendered himself, and, professing penitence, after taking the oath
of loyalty, was pardoned. Moroco, king of the Barolongs, also came in,
with a small train.
_Sept. 7th._—At 5.30 a.m. crossed the Vet River. Reached Winburg
at 10.30. Here the troops were formed up in hollow square, the
Proclamation read, and the sovereignty proclaimed under a salute of
21 guns. Encamped on the far side of a stream on the slope of a hill.
Village consisted of three or four houses and huts.
_Sept. 8th._—Halt. King Moshesh and Sikonyela arrived in camp. Moshesh
a clear-headed fellow and very sharp. He wore a general’s old blue
coat and gold lace trousers, with a forage cap.
_Sept. 9th._—Troops paraded, and a Review took place for the benefit
of Moshesh, who was much amused with the movements, and particularly
astonished at the Artillery, these being the first regular troops that
had been so far into the interior.
_Sept. 10th, Sunday._—Halt. Divine Service.
_Sept. 11th._—Review of Moshesh’s army. Mounted men armed with old
“roers.” Infantry with native weapons (assagais, etc.). About 700
paraded and performed a war dance. A fine body of men for savages and
undisciplined as they were. Preparations made for leaving Winburg
and returning to the Colony, Mr. Southey, secretary to the High
Commissioner, remaining to collect fines, with an escort of C.M.
Rifles.
_Sept. 12th._—Leaving the troops to follow by ordinary marches, the
Governor and Staff left Winburg in mule-waggons.
_13th._—Reached Bloemfontein at noon.
_15th._—Troops arrived from Winburg. Three guns R.A., two companies
45th, and a company C.M.R. detailed to garrison the “Queen’s Fort”
[now to be built]; the remainder to march back to their respective
localities under Col. Buller.
_18th._—Arrived at Smithfield on the Caledon River. Great gathering
of Dutch and English farmers. Sir H. Smith laid the foundation-stone
of a Dutch church [which was never built, the village being afterwards
removed—E. A. H.].
_26th._—Crossed the Orange River. Arrived at Ruffles Vlet, a beautiful
site for a town.[195]
On the 28th Sir Harry received an ovation at Graaf Reinet, and on 6th
Oct. reached King William’s Town. It had now grown into a pretty town,
and it gratified him to see between 200 and 300 Kafirs hard at work
in building houses and aiding in the cultivation of the gardens. Next
day he held a meeting of chiefs, including Sandilli, Macomo, Umhala,
and Pato. The superior chief, Kreili (the son of Hintza), overtook Sir
Harry after he had left King William’s Town, and showed every sign of
affection, calling him “father” and “Inkosi Inkulu” (“Great Chief”).
The whole meeting was considered of very good omen for the success of
the system established in British Kaffraria.
After visiting Grahamstown, the Governor proceeded to Port Elizabeth.
In reply to an address praying for the formation of the Eastern
Province of the Cape Colony into a separate government, he asked “What
is Germany with her 33,000,000 struggling after but union? These
German states have sunk through their disunion, while Great Britain
is acknowledged to owe her strength and her greatness to the union
of her people. Nor at the present time must we have separation here.
When I was asked whether I would have a Lieutenant-Governor, I replied,
‘Certainly not.’ The office fulfilled no other part than that of giving
rise to very unprofitable correspondence.”[196] On the 21st October
the Governor returned to Cape Town, and, as elsewhere, was received
with enthusiasm and an address of congratulation. It stated that the
vigour and rapidity with which the rebellion had been repressed, and
the moderation shown afterwards, were characteristic of Sir Harry’s
genius as a soldier and of the generous sympathies of his nature, and
concluded with a prayer that he might long preside over the Colony, and
exercise that “justice and mercy” which had marked his career.