Title: South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 7 (of 8)
Author: Louis Creswicke
Release date: October 16, 2014 [eBook #47132]
Most recently updated: October 24, 2024
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Brownfox and the Online Distributed Proofreading
Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from
images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
South Africa
and the
Transvaal War
BY
LOUIS CRESWICKE
AUTHOR OF “ROXANE,” ETC.
WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS
VOL. VII.—THE GUERILLA WAR. FROM FEBRUARY 1901 TO THE CONCLUSION OF HOSTILITIES. THE DEVELOPMENT OF PEACE NEGOTIATIONS FROM FEBRUARY 23, 1901, TO MAY 31, 1902
MANCHESTER: KENNETH MACLENNAN
75 PICCADILLY
Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co.
At the Ballantyne Press
| PAGE | |
| CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE | viii |
| COMPOSITION AND STRENGTH OF COLUMNS | xiv |
| THE SITUATION—FEBRUARY 1901 | 1 |
| CHAPTER I | |
| Continuation of the De Wet Chase, 1st to 10th March—Across the Orange River | 7 |
| Lyttelton’s Sweeping Movement—10th to 20th March—Thabanchu Line | 9 |
| CHAPTER II | |
| Cape Colony—Pursuit of Raiders—March and April—Chasing Kruitzinger | 14 |
| CHAPTER III | |
| The Operations of General French in the Eastern Transvaal, from 27th January to 16th April 1901 | 19 |
| CHAPTER IV | |
| In the Western Transvaal—January to May | 31 |
| April, Orange River Colony—Operations of General Bruce-Hamilton and General Rundle | 40 |
| CHAPTER V | |
| Combined Movement for the Clearance of the Northern Transvaal—March and April | 43 |
| Lieutenant-General Sir Bindon Blood’s Operations North of the Line Middelburg—Belfast—Lydenburg | 45 |
| Colonel Grenfell at Pietersburg | 48 |
| CHAPTER VI | |
| General Elliot’s Operations from Kroonstad | 50 |
| General Elliot’s Operations—Second Phase | 52 |
| CHAPTER VII | |
| General Bruce-Hamilton’s Operations, Orange River Colony (South) | 55 |
| Major-General C. Knox, Orange River Colony (Centre)—May and June | 57 |
| CHAPTER VIII | |
| Lord Methuen, Transvaal (South-West)—May and June | 59 |
| CHAPTER IX | |
| Operations between the Delagoa and Natal Lines—May and June | 66 |
| Brigadier-General Plumer in the Eastern Transvaal | 68 |
| Major-General Beatson’s Operations | 70 |
| Lieutenant-General Sir Bindon Blood, Eastern Transvaal | 71 |
| Activities around Standerton and Heidelberg | 73 |
| CHAPTER X | |
| Lieutenant-Colonel Grenfell’s Operations, Transvaal, N. | 75 |
| Situation and Skirmishes in Cape Colony—May and June | 77 |
| CHAPTER XI | |
| Orange River Colony, S.—Major-Generals Bruce-Hamilton and C. Knox—July | 82 |
| Orange River Colony, N.—Major-General Elliot | 84 |
| Orange River Colony, E.—Lieutenant-General Sir L. Rundle | 90 |
| Orange River Colony, N.—Colonel Rimington—Brigadier-General Bullock—Brigadier-General Spens | 92 |
| Transvaal, S.W.—Operations of General Fetherstonhaugh—Clearing the Magaliesberg—July | 93 |
| Transvaal, E.—Lieutenant-General Sir Bindon Blood | 94 |
| Standerton-Heidelberg—Lieutenant-Colonel Colville | 97 |
| Cape Colony—July | 98 |
| The Situation—August | 100 |
| CHAPTER XII | |
| Orange River Colony—August | 105 |
| Orange River Colony, S.—Brigadier-General Plumer | 107 |
| Orange River Colony, E.—Major-General Elliot—August | 107 |
| Sweeping the Kroonstad District—Brigadier-General Spens | 109 |
| Operations near Honing Spruit and the Losberg—Lieutenant-Colonel Garratt | 110 |
| Scouring the Magaliesberg—Colonels Allenby and Kekewich | 112 |
| Transvaal, S.W. | 114 |
| The Pietersburg Line—Lieut.-Colonel Grenfell | 116 |
| The Transvaal (North-East)—General Blood’s Operations | 116 |
| Lieutenant-Colonel Colville’s Operations | 120 |
| Natal—Lieutenant-General Sir H. Hildyard | 121 |
| Cape Colony—Lieutenant-General Sir J. French | 122 |
| CHAPTER XIII | |
| Natal and the Eastern Transvaal—September 1901 | 127 |
| Transvaal (West) | 131 |
| Operations on the Vaal | 133 |
| Operations in the Orange River Colony, N. | 133 |
| Major-General Elliot—Orange River Colony, E. | 133 |
| Events in Cape Colony | 136 |
| CHAPTER XIV | |
| Progress in October 1901 | 140 |
| Transvaal (East) | 140 |
| Transvaal (West) | 144 |
| October in the Orange River Colony | 145 |
| Operations in Cape Colony | 146 |
| CHAPTER XV | |
| The Close of 1901—Progress in November and December | 149 |
| Transvaal (East) | 149 |
| Transvaal (West) | 150 |
| Orange River Colony | 151 |
| The Swazi Border | 153 |
| November and December | 153 |
| Transvaal (East)—December | 154 |
| In the Northern Transvaal | 157 |
| Transvaal (West) | 158 |
| Orange River Colony | 158 |
| Cape Colony | 162 |
| The Situation—January 1902 | 163 |
| The Loyalists of the Cape Colony | 171 |
| The Soldiers’ Christian Association | 176 |
| CHAPTER XVI | |
| The New Year—January 1902 | 178 |
| Transvaal (East) | 178 |
| Transvaal (North) | 179 |
| Transvaal (West) | 180 |
| Orange River Colony | 180 |
| A Big Trap for De Wet | 181 |
| Cape Colony | 183 |
| CHAPTER XVII | |
| The Events of February and March 1902 | 184 |
| Transvaal (East) | 184 |
| Transvaal (West) | 185 |
| Orange River Colony—Majuba Day | 189 |
| The Cape Colony | 190 |
| CHAPTER XVIII | |
| The Close of Hostilities—March, April, and May 1902 | 192 |
| Transvaal (East) | 192 |
| Finishing Clearance of the Orange River Colony | 193 |
| Transvaal (West)—March | 194 |
| Cape Colony—March | 196 |
| The Situation—April and May | 199 |
| APPENDIX—THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. Commenced March 12, 1902; Concluded May 31, 1902 | 201 |
| OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE AFTER THE BATTLE OF COLENSO, December 15, 1899 | 210 |
| RECIPIENTS OF THE VICTORIA CROSS | 212 |
| 1. COLOURED PLATES | |
| PAGE | |
| Crossing the Komati River | Frontispiece |
| Cecil J. Rhodes at Groote Schuur | 32 |
| An Army Doctor at Work in the Firing Line | 64 |
| Delagoa Bay | 100 |
| Church Square, Pretoria | 104 |
| Bullock Waggon Crossing a Drift on the Umbelosi River, Swaziland | 120 |
| De Wet’s Attempt to Cross the Railway | 160 |
| A Dutch Village near Edenburg | 176 |
| 2. FULL-PAGE PLATES | |
| Defending a Train Derailed by the Boers | 24 |
| Charge of the Bushmen and New Zealanders on the Boer Guns during the Attack on Babington’s Convoy near Klerksdorp | 36 |
| Defeat of a Night Attempt to Cross the Railway | 44 |
| The Capture of De Wet’s Convoy at Reitz | 52 |
| The Engagement at Vlakfontein | 60 |
| The Mishap to the Victorians at Wilmansrust | 72 |
| Boers caught in the Act of Cutting the Telegraph Wires | 96 |
| Night Attack on a Boer Convoy by Mounted Infantry under Colonel Williams | 112 |
| The Defence of Fort Itala | 128 |
| The Gallant Bugler of Fort Itala | 132 |
| The Fight at Bakenlaagte | 140 |
| Mishap to the Scots Greys at Klippan | 184 |
| Lord Methuen Rallying his Broken Forces at Tweebosch | 186 |
| Brilliant Defence by New Zealanders at Holspruit | 188 |
| The Train Conveying the Remains of Mr. Rhodes saluted by the Blockhouse Guards | 196 |
| Surrendered Boers at Belfast anxious to Join the National Scouts | 206 |
| 3. FULL-PAGE PORTRAITS | |
| Major-General Charles Knox | 8 |
| Major-General Sir H. H. Settle | 16 |
| Brigadier-General the Earl of Erroll | 68 |
| Major-General Bruce-Hamilton | 80 |
| Major-General Walter Kitchener | 88 |
| Lieut.-General Sir Bindon Blood | 148 |
| Major-General Arthur Paget | 152 |
| Major-General Babington | 168 |
| 4. MAPS AND ENGRAVINGS IN THE TEXT | |
| Map—De Wet’s Rush in Cape Colony | 4 |
| Map—De Wet’s Escape from the Enveloping Cordon | 6 |
| Map—Operations in South-East of Orange River Colony | 10 |
| Map—Reorganisation of Troops in Orange River Colony | 12 |
| Map of Operations in Eastern Transvaal | 20 |
| Map—Position of Forces around Ermelo | 23 |
| Colonel Benson | 36 |
| Map of Combined Movement to clear Northern Transvaal | 47 |
| Colonel de Lisle | 53 |
| A Typical Blockhouse | 56 |
| Map of Operations between Delagoa Bay and Natal Lines | 67 |
| Colonel Colenbrander | 76 |
| General Elliot’s Sweep South of the Vaal | 89 |
| Concentration Camp at Norval’s Pont | 99 |
| General Elliot | 110 |
| Lieut.-Colonel Gorringe | 123 |
| Colonel Bethune and His Brigade Staff | 134 |
| Map of Eastern Portion of Cape Colony | 147 |
| Colonel Pilcher | 151 |
| General Beatson | 156 |
| Map of the Blockhouse System | 163 |
| Map of Western Portion of Cape Colony | 172 |
| Colonel Crewe | 191 |
| Colonel H. T. Lukin | 193 |
| Colonel Douglas Haig | 193 |
JANUARY 1901.
1.—“Call to arms” at Cape Town. General Charles Knox and others continued the pursuit of De Wet.
2.—Arrival of Lord Roberts at Osborne. He is created by the Queen an Earl.
30.—De Wet breaks through the Bloemfontein-Ladybrand line going south.
FEBRUARY 1901.
1.—General French continued to operate against Botha in the Eastern Transvaal.
6.—The War Office decided to reinforce Lord Kitchener by 30,000 mounted troops beyond those already landed in Cape Colony. “Call to arms” at Cape Town.
9.—“Call to arms” at Cape Town.
10.—“Call to arms” at Cape Town.
22.—Extraordinary proclamation signed by Steyn and De Wet published.
23.—Accounts of Boer atrocities published. “Call to arms” at Cape Town.
Severe defeat of De Wet by General Plumer, who captured two guns, fifty prisoners, and all De Wet’s ammunition. De Wet’s attempt to invade Cape Colony completely failed.
General French gained several victories over Botha in Eastern Transvaal, with capture of guns, ammunition, and waggons.
28.—Further great captures from the Boers by General French, and heavy Boer losses.
MARCH 1901.
2.—De Wet was forced over the Orange River with the loss of his guns and convoy.
Sir Alfred Milner proceeded north from Cape Town to take up the duties of the Governor of the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies.
26.—Victory by General Babington over Delarey at Ventersdorp. Nine Boer guns captured.
APRIL 1901.
6.—General French, in his sweeping operations in the Eastern Transvaal, captured all the enemy’s guns in that district.
8.—Colonel Plumer captured Pietersburg, the terminus of the railway running due north from Pretoria.
10.—Civil administration resumed in the Transvaal.
15.—Smuts’ commando defeated near Klerksdorp. Two guns captured.
18.—Sir A. Milner obtained leave of absence on account of the state of his health.
19.—Generals Plumer and Walter Kitchener co-operated with General French in clearing the Eastern Transvaal and Lydenburg district.
30.—General Blood discovered documents and banknotes of Transvaal Government at Roosenekal, from which place Mr. Schalk Burger fled.
MAY 1901.
8.—Municipal Government started in Johannesburg.
24.—Sir A. Milner arrived in London and had a peerage conferred upon him by the King.
JUNE 1901.
1.—Severe engagement between General Dixon and Delarey at Vlakfontein, in the Magaliesberg. Enemy repulsed with heavy loss. Our casualties also heavy.
6.—De Wet severely defeated near Reitz by General Elliot, who made large captures.
9.—Lieut.-General Sir John French assumed command of the troops in Cape Colony.
12.—General Beatson surprised near Middelburg (Transvaal). Loss of two pom-poms.
JULY 1901.
5.—In reply to Botha’s inquiries about ending the war, Kruger telegraphed to Botha to continue fighting.
6.—A train wrecked on the Pretoria-Pietersburg line.
15.—Capture of the so-called “Orange Free State Government” at Reitz. Important Boer papers seized. Steyn alone of the members of his “Government” escaped—in his shirt.
16.—Important success by General French in Cape Colony.
19.—Publication of Lord Kitchener’s despatch embodying contents of important documents seized at Reitz.
Death of Mrs. Kruger.
AUGUST 1901.
2.—More murders by Boers officially announced. One of the murdered men was an Imperial Yeoman.
8.—Commandant de Villiers and two Field Cornets surrendered at Warmbaths.
10.—Lord Kitchener by proclamation called upon the Boer leaders to surrender on or before the 15th of September.
13.—Lord Kitchener reported the largest return of Boer losses yet sustained in a week. More than 800 prisoners, 700 waggons, and 33,000 cattle.
27.—Lord Kitchener received letters from Steyn and De Wet protesting against his proclamation.
28.—Lord Milner arrived at the Cape from England.
SEPTEMBER 1901.
2.—Another case of train-wrecking on the Pretoria-Pietersburg railway.
7.—Lotter and his entire commando captured in Cape Colony.
20.—Reverse to Major Gough near Utrecht.
Severe fighting in Cape Colony.
21.—Reverse at Vlakfontein, near Sanna’s Post. Two guns lost. (Afterwards recovered.)
23.—The camp of Lovat’s Scouts rushed by Kruitzinger near Herschel.
Koch’s commando captured near Edenburg.
The Carolina commando captured by Colonel Benson.
26.—Ten Boer leaders banished under Lord Kitchener’s proclamation.
Attacks on Fort Itala and Fort Prospect. Boers repulsed with very heavy losses at both places.
The attempt of Botha and De Wet to invade Natal foiled.
29.—Proclamation issued in Pretoria providing for the sale of the properties of Boers still in the field, in accordance with Lord Kitchener’s proclamation.
30.—Great attack by Delarey and Kemp on Colonel Kekewich’s camp near Magato Nek, in the Magaliesberg. Boers repulsed. Severe losses on both sides. The Scottish Horse especially distinguished themselves and sustained severe loss.
OCTOBER 1901.
6.—General Walter Kitchener and General Bruce-Hamilton engaged Botha’s forces in the south-east of the Transvaal. Botha escaped to the north.
9.—Martial law extended to the whole of Cape Colony.
11.—Commandant Lotter sentenced to death. Death sentence on five members of his commando was commuted to penal servitude for life.
13.—Lieut.-Colonel Hon. J. Byng attacked laager at Jackfontein and captured eighteen prisoners.
15.—Major Damant took prisoner Adjutant Theron. Colonel de Lisle surprised laager at Wilge River and captured fifteen prisoners.
16.—Colonel Rawlinson returned to Standerton with twenty prisoners and many prizes.
21.—Colonel Lukin surprised Vander Venter’s laager near New Bethesda.
22.—Colonel Benson captured laager at Klippoortje.
23.—Gallant attack on laager in Pongola Bosch.
24.—Colonel von Donop’s brilliant defeat of 1000 Boers at Kleenfontein.
25.—Botha’s farm surrounded at Schimmelhoek. His papers captured.
26.—Colonel Benson repulsed attack on hi class="hangindent"s rearguard on the Steenkool Spruit.
27.—Colonel Williams’ force occupied the Witnek Pass and routed a strong body of Boers from the position.
30.—Attack on Colonel Benson’s force at Bakenlaagte. Colonel Benson and Colonel Guinness killed.
Colonel Kekewich captured a laager at Beestekraal.
NOVEMBER 1901.
2.—Patrol under Captain Walker captured twenty-one prisoners near Wolvekop.
7.—Attack on Piquetberg repulsed by garrison under Major Wilson and Town Guard.
General B. Hamilton commenced operations against Botha in the Eastern Transvaal.
8.—Major Wiggin (26th Mounted Infantry) surrounded laager near Mahamba. Fourteen prisoners secured.
9.—Line blown up at Myburg Siding by Fouché.
11.—Major Pack Beresford and detachment of South African Constabulary captured laager at Doornhoek.
13.—Squadron Imperial Yeomanry detached from Hickie’s force surprised and surrounded. Rescued by reinforcements.
14.—Rearguard of Colonel Byng’s column attacked near Heilbron by 400 of the enemy under De Wet. Boers repulsed. British loss considerable.
16.—Further captures by Major Wiggin within Swaziland border.
18.—Lieutenant Welshman with patrol of West Yorkshire Regiment surprised party of Boers and captured eight prisoners.
20.—Engagement with Buys near Villiersdorp. Major Fisher killed. Buys captured by Colonel Rimington.
Captain Elliot successfully engaged Boers in Griqualand. Captain Elliot killed. Three officers wounded.
24.—General Dartnell, with Highland Light Infantry, engaged Boers near Harrismith. Captured twelve and killed two.
Offer of Canadian Government to raise 600 more troops for service in South Africa accepted.
25.—General Dartnell’s force surprised Boers near Bethlehem and took twelve prisoners.
26.—Lord Basing engaged Joubert in Orange River Colony. Joubert wounded and captured.
Major Pack Beresford attacked convoy near Paardeberg.
27.—Imperial Light Horse under Colonel Mackenzie took twenty-four prisoners, &c.
Attack on Colonel Rimington’s rearguard by De Wet repulsed. Many prisoners taken.
28.—Van Rensburg and thirteen burghers captured by Colonel Lowry Cole in Wepener district.
DECEMBER 1901.
1.—General Elliot reached Kroonstad with 15 prisoners, 114 waggons, 89 carts, 2470 cattle, and 1280 horses.
3.—Colonel Colenbrander broke up Badenhorst’s commando, and took fifteen prisoners and all the waggons.
4.—Laager surprised at Oshoek (twenty miles from Ermelo) by Spens’ and Rawlinson’s columns. Ninety-three prisoners taken.
7.—Colonel C. Mackenzie, in night march towards Watervaal (Eastern Transvaal), took sixteen prisoners.
Colonel Holland surprised Brand’s laager and took six Boers.
11.—Badenhorst and twenty-two burghers secured by Colonels Colenbrander and Dawkins, near Zandriverspoort.
13.—Brilliant surprise of Boers by General B. Hamilton at Witkraus. Laager broken up. One of Benson’s guns recovered.
15.—Secretary of State for War congratulated General Bruce-Hamilton on his brilliant achievements.
16.—Haasbroek killed in encounter with Colonel Barker’s men in the Doornberg.
Capture of Kruitzinger by Colonel Dorans’ and Lord Charles Bentinck’s columns.
18.—Colonel Steele, with South African Constabulary, captured thirty-six Boers in the region of the Magaliesberg.
Four hours’ fighting between De Wet and General Dartnell. Boers driven off.
Lord Methuen reported capture of thirty-two Boers.
19.—Colonel Allenby captured thirty-two of the enemy near Heidelberg.
20.—Colonel Damant attacked by 800 Boers. Two officers killed, three wounded. Boers repulsed.
21.—Capture of Smuts’ convoy, near Bothwell, by Colonel Mackenzie.
22.—Seven hundred Cape raiders attacked columns of Colonels Wyndham and Crabbe. Were driven off with loss of five killed and twenty wounded.
23.—Successful attack on Grobelaar’s laager by General B. Hamilton.
24.—Colonel Du Moulin surprised laager near Jagersfontein. Captured two Field-Cornets and twenty other Boers.
25.—Colonel Firman’s camp at Tweefontein rushed by huge force under De Wet.
28.—Successful engagement near Burghersdorp by Colonel Price. Field-Cornet Jan Venter killed.
JANUARY 1902.
3.—Capture of General Erasmus by General Bruce-Hamilton.
10.—Surprise of laager near Ermelo by Colonel Wing and capture of forty-two prisoners.
12.—More captures by General B. Hamilton.
13.—Fight for a convoy by De Villiers. Gallant charge of Munster Fusiliers.
16.—Capture of laager and twenty-four prisoners by Lord Methuen.
18.—Execution of Scheepers on various charges of murder at Graaff Reinet.
Night expedition to Witbank. General Hamilton secured more prisoners.
21.—Colonels Park and Urmston engaged party of Boers under Muller and Trichardt, occasioning stampede of Boer Government from Houtenbek.
24.—Important captures by General Plumer’s troops. Thirty burghers secured by Colonel Fry, West Yorkshire Regiment.
Attack on Pietersburg repulsed. Volunteer Town Guard distinguished itself.
25.—Capture of Viljoen near Kruger’s Post by detachment of Royal Irish under Major Orr.
26.—Successful engagement on the Modder by Major Driscoll’s column.
Huge laager at Nelspan dispersed by General Bruce-Hamilton’s force.
27.—Colonel Du Moulin killed in a night attack on his camp. Enemy repulsed by Major Gilbert (Sussex Regiment).
30.—Colonel Rawlinson’s troops after tremendous march surprised Manie Botha’s laager and made valuable captures.
31.—Capture of convoy at Groothoop by Colonel Rimington.
FEBRUARY 1902.
2.—De Wet’s commando gallantly charged by New Zealanders, Queensland Imperial Bushmen, and South African Light Horse. Enormous captures.
4.—Capture and destruction of British convoy by Boers in Cape Colony. Major Crofton killed.
5.—Surprise and capture of Commandant S. Alberts’ laager by Scottish Horse under Major Leader.
6.—Major Vallancey dispersed Beyers’ commando. Gigantic movement to entrap De Wet started.
7.—De Wet, by brilliant manœuvre, ruptured the British cordon and escaped.
8.—Big capture from Potgieter’s laager by Colonel von Donop’s force.
13.—Bouvers’ laager in Cape Colony rushed by Colonel Kavanagh’s men.
18.—Capture of Judge Hugo in Cape Colony. Boers cut off and surrounded a portion of squadron of Scots Greys south-east of Springs.
20.—Two laagers surprised by Colonel Park’s troops; 164 prisoners taken.
21.—Capture of laager at Buffelskloof by Colonel E. Williams’ column.
24.—Some East Griqualand rebels surrendered to Colonel Stanford.
25.—Determined attack on Colonel von Donop’s convoy by Delarey and Kemp. Waggons lost. Escort, which made gallant defence, overpowered. Five British officers and fifty-three men killed; six officers and 123 men wounded; others taken prisoners.
26.—Jacob’s laager captured by Colonel Driscoll.
27.—Anniversary of Majuba. Combined operations for driving Boers against Harrismith-Van Reenan’s blockhouse line. Manie Botha killed; 600 Boers killed, wounded, or prisoners. Splendid defence by New Zealanders under Major Bauchop and New South Wales Mounted Infantry under Colonel Cox.
28.—Capture of Boers near Steynsdorp by Captain Holgate (Steinacker’s Horse).
MARCH 1902.
6.—Colonel Ross (Canadian Scouts) made valuable captures in a cave near Tafel Kop.
7.—Successful attack by Delarey on Lord Methuen’s force at Tweebosch. Lord Methuen seriously wounded and taken prisoner.
11.—Close of big drive in Orange River Colony; 127 Boers taken. Commandant Celliers wounded.
12.—Many prisoners captured by Colonel Ternan and Colonel Pilcher.
13.—Little garrison of fifty men at Fort Edward surrounded by Beyers’ commando.
15.—Attack on laager near Vryheid by General Bruce-Hamilton. General Cherry Emmett captured.
16.—Rebels at Sliphock captured by Captain Bowker.
17.—Some of Bezuidenhout commando captured in Cape Colony by Colonel Baillie.
18.—Lieutenant Williams, a notorious train-wrecker, captured by National Scouts.
21.—Colonel Harrison sent out from Pietersburg small force under Colonel Denny to relief of Fort Edward. Advance opposed by Boers.
23.—Arrival at Pretoria of so-called Acting Transvaal Government to discuss the terms of peace.
26.—Death of Cecil John Rhodes.
28.—Colonel Colenbrander from Krugersdorp moved to Pietersburg and from thence accomplished relief of Fort Edward.
29.—Total defeat of Beyers and dispersal of investing commando.
30.—Serious railway accident at Barberton.
31.—Delarey defeated in engagement with Colonels Keir and Cookson. R.H.A. Rifles, Canadian Rifles, and 28th Mounted Infantry distinguished themselves.
APRIL 1902.
1.—Laager surprised by 2nd Dragoon Guards near Springs. Four officers wounded.
3.—State funeral of the late Mr. Rhodes at Cape Town.
4.—Ookief invested by Commandant Smuts.
8.—Successful attack on Beyers’ laager near Pietersburg by Colonels Colenbrander and Murray.
9.—Conference between Transvaal and Orange Free State leaders at Klerksdorp in regard to negotiations for peace.
10.—Burial of Cecil John Rhodes in the Matoppos.
“They left him alone in his glory.”
11.—Meeting of Boer representatives at Klerksdorp in relation to Peace movement. Colonel Kekewich defeated Boers in Western Transvaal and captured two guns and a pom-pom.
12.—Laager at Schweizerreneke surprised by Colonel Rochfort. Fifty-five prisoners taken.
MAY 1902.
1.—Relief of Ookiep by British troops under Colonels Cooper and Caldwell.
2.—Lieutenant Murray (District Mounted troops) killed at Tweefontein by Boers in kharki.
6.—Pieter de Wet sentenced by Treason Court to pay a fine of £1000 or undergo two years’ imprisonment.
9.—Patrol attacked by Boers near Middelburg, Cape Colony. Captain Hinks killed.
15.—Members of the late Governments met together to discuss Peace proposals.
17.—Surrender of Hinton, the notorious train-wrecker.
20.—Delegates of late Governments arrived at Pretoria to arrange terms of surrender.
27.—Malan mortally wounded and captured by Jansenville District Mounted Horse (under Major Collett), and Lovat’s Scouts.
30.—Peace Agreement signed.
Composition and Strength of Columns Engaged in Major-General Bruce-Hamilton’s Operations in Southern Orange River Colony.[1]
Lieut.-Colonel du Moulin’s Column.
Colonel Rochfort’s Column.
Lieut.-Colonel Byng’s Column.
Lieut.-Colonel W. H. Williams’ Column.
Colonel Monro’s Column. (Afterwards in Cape Colony.)
Lieut.-Colonel A. Murray’s Column. (Afterwards in Cape Colony.)
Lieut.-Colonel White’s Column. 28/6/01. (Since broken up.)
Colonel Henry’s Column.
Kimberley Column.
Columns Engaged in Major-General Charles Knox’s Operations in Central Orange River Colony.
Colonel Pilcher’s Column.
Major Pine Coffin’s Column.
Lieut.-Colonel Thorneycroft’s Column.
Colonel Henry’s Column.
Kimberley Column.
Columns Engaged in Major-General Elliot’s Operations in Northern Orange River Colony.
Brigadier-General Broadwood’s Column.
Colonel Bethune’s Column.
Lieut.-Colonel Colville’s Column.
Colonel Rimington’s Column.
Lieut.-Colonel De Lisle’s Column.
Colonel E. C. Knox’s Column.
Lieut.-Colonel Western’s Column.
Columns Engaged in Lieut.-Colonel Western’s Operations on the Vaal River.
Brigadier-General G. Hamilton’s Column.
Lieut.-Colonel Western’s Column.
Colonel Allenby’s Column.
Columns Engaged in Clearing the East of the Orange River Colony.
Major-General B. Campbell’s Column.
Colonel Harley’s Column.
Columns Engaged in Operations in the South-West Transvaal.