Three Years' War

Commandant Van Niekerk (Kroonstad) pointed out that the Colonists had already rendered them valuable aid, and could still do so. Were they now to abandon these Colonists, and—thinking only about saving themselves—leave them to fight on alone? It would be sad indeed if the burghers were compelled to lay down their arms.

Commandant-General L. Botha said that in regard to the holding of a national meeting, he had already chosen delegates with power to act. He spoke of the state of affairs at the beginning of the war—the two Republics had then at least sixty thousand men under arms. In reference to the Cape Colony, he said that it had never been expected that that country would allow its railways to be used for the transport of troops. The Commandant-General then proceeded as follows:—

"I used to entertain hopes that the European Powers would interfere on our behalf. All that they have done, however, has been to look on while England was introducing all sorts of new methods of warfare, methods, too, which are contrary to all international law.

"When the war began we had plenty of provisions, and a commando could remain for weeks in one spot without the local food supply running out. Our families, too, were then well provided for. But all this is now changed. One is only too thankful nowadays to know that our wives are under English protection. This question of our womenfolk is one of our greatest difficulties. What are we to do with them? One man answers that some of the burghers should surrender themselves to the English, and take the women with them. But most of the women now amongst us are the wives of men already prisoners. And how can we expect those not their own kith and kin to be willing to give up liberty for their sakes?

"As to the deputation, we must remember that it was accredited to all the Powers of Europe. And yet it has only been able to hand in its credentials to the Netherlands Government. Does not this prove that no other Government is willing to receive it? If you need further proof, I refer you to the letter in which the deputation—they were still allowed to write to us then—said: 'There is no chance for us in Europe.' The deputation wanted to be allowed to return home, but our Government advised them to remain in Europe, because their arrival in South Africa would be a death blow to the hopes of many. That is why the deputation is still in Europe. Later on they said that, although they knew that there was no chance of intervention, yet they felt that they ought to persist in their efforts, because of the sacrifices which we had already made. It is possible that a war may arise in Europe from which we shall gain something, but what right have we to expect such a contingency? Moreover, great nations take but little interest in the fate of small ones—indeed, it is to the advantage of the former that the small nations should be wiped out of existence.

"I cannot refrain from alluding to the faithlessness of some of our burghers, who are to be found in the ranks of the enemy. But this is not the only sign of the way in which affairs are trending—I look back on the past. I remember that we have been fighting a full year since we last heard of our deputation. What have we gained since June, 1901? Nothing. On the contrary, we have been going backwards so fast that, if this weakening process goes on much longer, we shall soon find ourselves unable any more to call ourselves a fighting nation. What have we not undergone in the course of this year which is just over! In the concentration camps alone, twenty thousand women and children have died. When I was in Pretoria I received reports from our information office, and otherwise, of our losses. I found that there were thirty-one thousand six hundred prisoners of war, of whom six hundred had died, and that three thousand eight hundred of our burghers had been killed in the war. Is not a loss such as this, in so short a time as two and a half years, a serious matter? Think, too, of the sufferings which those twenty thousand women who died in the camps must have endured!

"I am not deaf to the claims of the colonists who have been fighting for us. I have said that if we surrender our independence, we must provide for them. Should we serve their interests by continuing the war? No, indeed! The best thing for them would be that we should bring it to a close. But if we are absolutely determined to go on fighting, let us at least say to them, 'We advise you to desist.'

"What I am saying now is in substance what I said at Warmbad at a time when there were two thousand men of that district in the Veldt. How many are there now? Four hundred and eighty! On that occasion I also said that we must continue the war until we were driven by sheer starvation to make peace. Well, in some divisions starvation has already come. The delegates themselves have had to confess that our strength up till now has lain in the fact that we have been able to continue the struggle in every district. In this way we have divided the enemy's forces. But if we are compelled to abandon some of our districts, and to concentrate on certain points, then the English also will concentrate, and attack us with an irresistible force.

"It has been suggested that we ought to march into Cape Colony. I know, however, what that would mean—Commander-in-Chief de Wet marched into the colonies. He had a large force, and the season of the year was auspicious for his attempt, and yet he failed. How, then, shall we succeed in winter, and with horses so weak that they can only go op-een-stap.[120]

"What, then, are we to do? Some will reply, 'Go on with the war,' Yes, but for how long? For ten or twelve years? But would that be possible? If in two years we have been reduced from sixty thousand fighting men to half that number, where will our army be after another ten years of war? It is clear enough to me that if we go on any longer, we shall be compelled to surrender. Would it not be better to come to some agreement with the enemy, while we have the opportunity? We have all received the gift of reason; let us use it on the present occasion.

"As far as I and my own burghers are concerned, to continue the struggle is still possible. But we must not only think of ourselves. We must almost think of others. There are, for instance, the widows and orphans. If we accept the terms now offered to us, they will remain under our care. But if we go on with the war until we are forced to surrender, who will then take care of them? Or if we were all killed, what could we do for them? We should not even be able to send a deputation to Europe, to ask for money to help us to rebuild our farms, and to feed our burghers.

"There are three questions now before us—three alternatives between which we have to choose—the continuing of the war, unconditional surrender, and the acceptance of the British proposal. With regard to the first, I fail to see what satisfactory result can come to us from persisting in this unequal contest, which must result in the end in our extermination. As to the choice between the other two, in many ways unconditional surrender would be the better. But, for the sake of the nation, we may not choose it. Although to reject it may involve us in many hardships, yet we must think of nothing else but the interests of the nation. Our only course, then, is to accept the proposal of the English Government. Its terms may not be very advantageous to us, but nevertheless they rescue us from an almost impossible position."

After a short adjournment the delegates again assembled at about 2 p.m.

General C.H. Muller (Boksburg) said that his burghers had sent him to defend their menaced independence. One part of them had authorized him to act as his judgment should dictate; another part had ordered him to hold out for independence and to try to get into communication with the European deputation. He had long ago told his burghers that they must trust in God if they wished to continue the war, for they could not do so by relying only on their guns and rifles. He did not like to think of what they would say if he were to go back to them and tell them that he had not been in communication with the deputation, and that the proposal of the English Government had been accepted. He could not bring himself to surrender. Nevertheless, having in view what the Commandant-General and others had said, he felt that he must do so, for it was impossible for him to prosecute the war single-handed. But could not the delegates continue to stand by one another, and make a covenant with the Lord? The district which he represented was one of the poorest in the whole country, and the £3,000,000 offered by the enemy did not include any provision for those who, like his burghers, could do nothing to help themselves. He would again suggest that the delegates should make a vow unto the Lord. For himself, he could not vote for the acceptance of the British proposal.

General J.H. Smuts then spoke as follows:—

"Up till now I have taken no part in this discussion, but my opinions are not unknown to my Government; we have arrived at a dark period both in the history of our war, and in the course of our national development. To me it is all the darker because I am one of those who, as members of the Government of the South African Republic, provoked the war with England. A man, however, may not draw back from the consequences of his deeds. We must therefore keep back all private feeling, and decide solely with a view to the lasting interests of our nation. This is an important occasion for us—it is perhaps the last time that we shall meet as a free people with a free government. Let us then rise to the height of this occasion; let us arrive at a decision for which our posterity shall bless, and not curse us.

"The great danger for this meeting is that of deciding the questions before it on purely military grounds. Nearly all the delegates here are officers who in the past have never quailed before the overwhelming forces of the enemy, and who therefore are never likely to do so in the future. They do not know what fear is, and they are ready to shed the last drop of their blood in the defence of their country.

"Now if we look at the matter from their point of view, that is to say, if we look at it merely as a military question, I am bound to admit that we shall come to the conclusion that the war can be continued. We are still an unconquered power; we have still about eighteen thousand men in the field—veterans, with whom one can accomplish almost anything. From a purely military standpoint, our cause is not yet lost. But it is as a nation, and not as an army, that we are met here, and it is therefore for the nation principally that we must consult. No one sits here to represent this or that commando. One and all, we represent the African nation, and not only those members of it which are now in the field, but also those who rest beneath the soil, and those yet unborn, who shall succeed us.

"No! We do not only represent our burghers on commando, the troops over which we are placed in command; we represent also the thousands who have passed away, after making the last sacrifice for their country; the prisoners scattered all the world over; the women and children dying by the thousand in the prison camps of the enemy; we represent the blood and the tears of the whole African nation. From the prisons, the camps, the graves, the veldt, and from the womb of the future, that nation cries out to us to make a wise decision now, to take no step which might lead to the downfall or even to the extermination of their race, and thus make all their sacrifices of no avail. Our struggle, up to the present, has not been an aimless one. We have not been fighting in mere desperation. We began this strife, and we have continued it, because we wanted to maintain our independence and were prepared to sacrifice everything for it. But we must not sacrifice the African nation itself upon the altar of independence. So soon as we are convinced that our chance of maintaining our autonomous position as Republics is, humanly speaking, at an end, it becomes our clear duty to desist from our efforts. We must not run the risk of sacrificing our nation and its future to a mere idea which can no longer be realized.

"And ought we not to be convinced that independence is now irretrievably lost? We have been fighting without cessation for nearly three years. It is no exaggeration to say that during that period we have been employing all the strength and all the means which we possess, in the furtherance of our cause. We have sacrificed thousands of lives; we have lost all our earthly goods; our dear country is become one continuous desert; more than twenty thousand of our women and children have perished in the camps of the enemy. And has this brought us independence? Just the reverse; it is receding further and further from us every day. The longer we fight, the greater will be the distance between us and the aim for which we are fighting.

"The manner in which the enemy has been conducting, and still continues to conduct, this war, has reduced our country to such a state of exhaustion, that it will soon be a physical impossibility for us to fight any longer. Our only hope lies in the chance of help from outside. A year ago I, in the name of my Government, communicated the condition of our nation to His Honour States-President Kruger, in Europe. He wrote in reply that we must rely on the state of affairs in Cape Colony—and the sympathy of European nations—and that we must continue the war until all other means were exhausted."

The speaker here enlarged upon the political developments which had taken place in the United States and in the principal European countries during the preceding two years, and then continued:—

"So far as we are concerned, the sum total of the foreign situation is that we obtain a great deal of sympathy, for which we are naturally most grateful. More than this we do not obtain, nor shall obtain for many a long year. Europe will go on expressing sympathy with us until the last Boer hero has died on the field and the last Boer woman has gone down to her grave—until, in fact, the whole Boer nation has been sacrificed on the altar of history and of humanity.

"I have already, on a former occasion, told you what I think about the situation in Cape Colony. We have made great mistakes there; perhaps even now Cape Colony is not ripe for the sort of policy which we have been pursuing with regard to it. At all events, we cannot entertain any hopes of a general rising of the Colonists. We cannot, however, give too much honour to those three thousand heroes in the Colony who have sacrificed all in our behalf, even though they have not succeeded in securing our independence for us.

"Thus we have given President Kruger's advice a fair trial. For twelve months we have been testing the value of the methods which he urged upon us. And, as a result of it all, we have become convinced that those methods are of no avail—that if we wish to remain independent we must depend upon ourselves alone. But the facts which the various delegates have brought before our notice show that we cannot thus depend upon ourselves; that, unless we obtain outside help, the struggle must come to an end. We have, then, no hope of success. Our country is already devastated and in ruins; let us stop before our people are ruined also.

"And now the enemy approaches with a proposal, which, however unacceptable it may be to us in other respects, includes the promise of amnesty for our Colonial brethren who have been fighting side by side with us. I fear that the day will come when we shall no longer be able to save these so-called rebels, and then it will be a just ground for reproach that we sacrificed their interests in a cause that was already hopeless. Moreover, if we refused the proposal which the British Government now makes to us, I am afraid that we shall considerably weaken our position in the eyes of the world, and thus lose much of the sympathy which to-day it evinces in our favour.

"Brethren, we have vowed to stand fast to the bitter end; but let us be men, and acknowledge that that end has now come, and that it is more bitter than ever we thought it could be. For death itself would be sweet compared with the step which we must now take. But let us bow before the will of God.

"The future is dark indeed, but we will not give up courage, and hope, and trust in God. No one shall ever convince me that this unparalleled sacrifice which the African nation has laid upon the altar of freedom will be in vain. It has been a war for freedom—not only for the freedom of the Boers, but for the freedom of all the nations of South Africa. Its results we leave in God's hands. Perhaps it is His will to lead our nation through defeat, through abasement, yes, and even through the valley of the shadow of death, to the glory of a nobler future, to the light of a brighter day."

Commandant A.J. Bester (Bloemfontein) said that at the meeting at which he had been elected his burghers had told him that they were resolved not to become the subjects of England. The arguments now urged against the continuation of the war were not new—they had been used in former times of depression. History gave many instances in which their nation had been delivered out of the most critical positions. One could not help believing that Right would conquer. How was it to be explained that two hundred and forty thousand troops had failed to exterminate two small Republics? Then there had been miraculous escapes; surely the thoughts of these ought to encourage them. They must all be of one mind. His own decision was to stand or to fall for his freedom.

Mr. Birkenstock (Vrijheid) asked whether the proposal could not be accepted under protest.

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.

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, 419
• 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