 He was elected as commandant of the Lydenburg Commando in 1885.When the Second Boer War started, he served as commandant-general in a number of military conflicts, including the battle of Spion Kop and battle of Modder River on 30 October 1899.As a politician, he was described as "enlightened and shrewd" and it was reported that he rivaled Paul Kruger in his influence over his countrymen.