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) [Illustration: CROSSING THE KOMATI RIVER. Drawing by Donald E. M'Cracken.] 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 CONTENTS--Vol. VII. 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 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS--VOL. VII. 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 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE--VOL. VII. 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 his 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 manoeuvre, 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 OF COLUMNS 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. 30th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (31-32). 31st Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (153-177). 39th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. "N" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 1st Royal Sussex Regiment (436). COLONEL ROCHFORT'S COLUMN. 9th Bn., Imperial Yeomanry (302-274). 17th Mounted Infantry (331-358). 17th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. "G" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 28th Co., Army Service Corps (11). LIEUT.-COLONEL BYNG'S COLUMN. 5th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (129-109). 23rd Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (123-75). 66th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (104-95). 32nd Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (91-93). South African Light Horse (503-642). 17th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. Pompom Section, 1 pompom. 3rd Brigade Field Hospital (5). 13th Brigade Field Hospital (11). LIEUT.-COLONEL W. H. WILLIAMS' COLUMN. 1st Mounted Infantry (203-241), 1 M.G. 50th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (120-91). 60th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (121-110). 43rd Battery, R.F.A., 1 5-inch Howitzer. "D" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 20th Bearer Company (8). COLONEL MONRO'S COLUMN. (Afterwards in Cape Colony.) Bethune's Mounted Infantry (273-500), 2 M.G. 56th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (80), 3 M.G. 57th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (92-95). 58th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (71-56). 59th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (77-80). 39th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. "Z" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. LIEUT.-COLONEL A. MURRAY'S COLUMN. (Afterwards in Cape Colony.) Lovat's Scouts (152-182). "M" Battery, R.H.A., 2 guns. LIEUT.-COLONEL WHITE'S COLUMN. 28/6/01. (Since broken up.) 16th Lancers (469-329). 29th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (132-114). 49th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (141-100). 39th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. "X" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 9th Bearer Company (8). COLONEL HENRY'S COLUMN. 22nd Mounted Infantry (446-325). 24th Bn., Imperial Yeomanry (373-270). 82nd Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. Pompom Section, R.F.F., 1 pompom. 2nd Gloucestershire Regiment (271), 1 M.G. 23rd Bearer Company (9). KIMBERLEY COLUMN. 74th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (125-135). Kimberley Light Horse (94-99). Dennison's Scouts (81-85). Mounted Infantry, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (20-24). Vol. Northumberland Fusiliers (102). 3rd Leinster Regiment (100). 38th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers (38). Diamond Field Artillery (13-19), 1 M.G. COLUMNS ENGAGED IN MAJOR-GENERAL CHARLES KNOX'S OPERATIONS IN CENTRAL ORANGE RIVER COLONY. COLONEL PILCHER'S COLUMN. 7th Corps Mounted Infantry (891-860), 2 M.G. 6th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry (642-582). MAJOR PINE COFFIN'S COLUMN. Mounted Infantry, Suffolk Regiment (119-112). Mounted Infantry, South Wales Borderers (105-107). Mounted Infantry, Berkshire Regiment (88-116). Mounted Infantry, West Riding Regiment (114-117). "O" Battery, R.H.A., 2 guns. 14th Battery, R.F.A., 4 guns. "M" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 36th Co. Army Service Corps (37). 13th Brigade Bearer Company (8). LIEUT.-COLONEL THORNEYCROFT'S COLUMN. 21st and 22nd Sqds. and 18th Battalion. Imperial Yeomanry (740-780). Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry (168-339). Burmah Mounted Infantry (185-230). 76th Battery, R.F.A., 4 guns. "X" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. Royal Army Medical Corps (14). COLONEL HENRY'S COLUMN. KIMBERLEY COLUMN. COLUMNS ENGAGED IN MAJOR-GENERAL ELLIOT'S OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN ORANGE RIVER COLONY. BRIGADIER-GENERAL BROADWOOD'S COLUMN. 7th Dragoon Guards (581-584), 1 M.G. 6th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (123-126). 42nd Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (29-105). 44th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (107-122). 46th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (108-102). 78th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (59-70). Gun Section, Imperial Yeomanry (17-23), 2 M.G. 82nd Battery, R.F.A., 4 guns. 20th Brigade Bearer Company (21). 86th Co., Army Service Corps (17). 17th Co., Army Service Corps (11). Royal Engineers (7). COLONEL BETHUNE'S COLUMN. 1st Dragoon Guards (384-510), 1 M.G. 3rd Dragoon Guards (317-390). 7th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (99-98). 8th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (99-87). 28th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (92-90). "Q" Battery, R.H.A., 4 guns. Elswick Battery, 1 gun. "K" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 2nd Somerset Light Infantry (196). 4th Field Troop, Royal Engineers (39). 19th Co., Army Service Corps (29). Royal Army Medical Corps (19). LIEUT.-COLONEL COLVILLE'S COLUMN. 2nd Division Mounted Infantry (300-340). 2nd Johannesburg Mounted Rifles (106-130). 63rd Battery, R.F.A., 4 guns. "O" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 2nd East Surrey Regiment (345), 1 M.G. No. 1 Auxiliary Co., Army Service Corps (13). 2nd Brigade Field Hospital (16). 2nd Brigade Bearer Company (4). COLONEL RIMINGTON'S COLUMN. 3rd Regiment, 5th Contingent, New South Wales Mounted Rifles (734-854), 4 M.G. 41st Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (106-113). 77th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (91-96). 106th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (102-115). Prince of Wales Light Horse (501-504), 2 M.G. "G" Battery, R.H.A., 4 guns. "G" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. "R" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 30th Co., Army Service Corps (14). 20th Brigade Field Hospital (23). LIEUT.-COLONEL DE LISLE'S COLUMN. 6th Regiment Mounted Infantry (392-457), 2 M.G. South Australians (326-398). 62nd Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. "A" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 2nd Co., Army Service Corps (16). COLONEL E. C. KNOX'S COLUMN. 10th Hussars (566-668), 1 M.G. 12th Lancers (663-771), 1 M.G. 21st Bn., Imperial Yeomanry (259-316). "A" Battery, Royal Australian Artillery, 4 guns. 2nd East Surrey Regiment (274). "U" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 17th Co., Royal Engineers (7). 40th Co., Army Service Corps (15). 4th Brigade Field Hospital (25). LIEUT.-COLONEL WESTERN'S COLUMN. No. 1 Co., Royal Irish Rifles Mounted Infantry (103-130). No. 2 Co., Royal Irish Rifles Mounted Infantry (99-137). Mounted Infantry, Royal West Kent Regiment (61-76). Driscoll's Scouts (422-489). 62nd Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. "M" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 1st Oxfordshire Light Infantry (120). 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers (120). 2nd Division Field Hospital (17). 17th Co., Army Service Corps (15). COLUMNS ENGAGED IN LIEUT.-COLONEL WESTERN'S OPERATIONS ON THE VAAL RIVER. BRIGADIER-GENERAL G. HAMILTON'S COLUMN. 5th Dragoon Guards (373-340), 1 M.G. 13th Hussars (544-578), 1 M.G. "Q" Battery, R.H.A., 2 guns. 64th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. "F" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 1st East Lancashire (363), 1 M.G. 7th Co., Army Service Corps (7). 3rd Field Troop, Royal Engineers (29). 2nd Brigade Bearer Company (27). LIEUT.-COLONEL WESTERN'S COLUMN. COLONEL ALLENBY'S COLUMN. 6th Dragoon Guards (475-488), 3 M.G. 2nd Dragoons (506-533), 1 M.G. "O" Battery, R.H.A., 4 guns. 83rd Battery, R.F.A., 1 gun. 87th Battery, R.F.A., 1 5-inch Howitzer. "E" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 1st Inniskilling Fusiliers (683), 1 M.G. 1st Field Troop, Royal Engineers (27). 6th Field Hospital (10). 6th Bearer Company (13). COLONEL HENRY'S COLUMN. COLUMNS ENGAGED IN CLEARING THE EAST OF THE ORANGE RIVER COLONY. MAJOR-GENERAL B. CAMPBELL'S COLUMN. 1st Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (134)} 2nd Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (160)} Total 3rd Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (114)} horses, 4th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (139)} 536. 2nd Battery, R.F.A., 4 guns. "T" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 2nd Scots Guards (688). 1st Leinster Regiment (402). COLONEL HARLEY'S COLUMN. 36th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (142-153). 53rd Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (138-138). 62nd Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (82-35). Unallotted Imperial Yeomanry (343-121). Mounted Infantry, Manchester Regiment (96-114). Tempest's Scouts (38). 36th, Southern Division, R.G.A., 1 5-inch. 77th Battery, R.F.A., 4 guns. "T" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 1st South Staffordshire Regiment (787). 2nd Manchester Regiment (645). 2nd Grenadier Guards (62). COLUMNS ENGAGED IN OPERATIONS IN THE SOUTH-WEST TRANSVAAL. LIEUT.-GENERAL LORD METHUEN'S COLUMN. 13th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (128). 14th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (130-154). 15th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (140-162). 16th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (130-141). 100th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (36-35). 101st Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (142-148). 102nd Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (105-116). Gun Section, Imperial Yeomanry (15-24), 2 M.G. 37th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (99-115). 38th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (96-105). 39th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (119-124). MAJOR-GENERAL BABINGTON'S COLUMN. 14th Hussars (98-105). Mounted Infantry, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (29-35). Imperial Light Horse (162-229). 4th New Zealand Rifles (216-280). 6th Imperial Bushmen (193-260). 103rd Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (135-144). 107th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (145-153). 37th Battery, R.F.A., 1 5-inch Howitzer. 68th Battery, R.F.A., 4 guns. Elswick Battery, 1 gun. Pompom Section, R.F.F., 2 pompoms. Signallers, R.F.F. (7). 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers (522). 11th Co., Royal Engineers (9). 7th Co., Army Service Corps (21). 9th Brigade Field Hospital (20). 12th Bearer Company (11). COLONEL SIR H. RAWLINSON'S COLUMN. 2nd Mounted Infantry (352-439). 8th Mounted Infantry (375-428). "P" Battery, R.H.A., 2 guns. 38th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. 37th Battery, R.F.A., 1 5-inch Howitzer. 40th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (95-91), 1 M.G. 43rd Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (113-116). 73rd Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (105-153). 51st Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (81-106). Mounted Infantry, Bedfordshire Regiment (63-72). Bechuanaland Rifles (64-90). 4th Battery, R.F.A., 6 guns. 37th Battery, R.F.A., 2 5-inch Howitzers. R.F.F. Artillery, 2 guns. "H" Section Pompoms, 2 pompoms. Pompom Section, R.F.F., 2 pompoms. 1st Northumberland Fusiliers (146). 1st Loyal North Lancashire (334). 3rd South Wales Borderers (146). LIEUT.-COLONEL HICKIE'S COLUMN. "P" Battery, R.H.A., 2 guns. 78th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. Pompom Section, 2 pompoms. 103rd Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (108-113). 107th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (99-109). Kitchener's Horse (29-51). Roberts' Horse (114-118). Imperial Light Horse (369-439). 2nd Cheshire Regiment (182), 1 M.G. 11th Field Troop, Royal Engineers (7). 7th Co., Army Service Corps (24). 29th Co., Army Service Corps (6). 9th Brigade Field Hospital (14). 12th Bearer Company (10). BRIGADIER-GENERAL DIXON'S COLUMN. 7th Bn., Imperial Yeomanry (151-164). 1st Scottish Horse (451-543). 8th Battery, R.F.A., 4 guns. 28th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. 37th Battery, R.F.A., 1 5-inch Howitzer. "G" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 1st King's Own Scottish Borderers (469), 1 M.G. 1st Derby Regiment (411), 1 M.G. "B" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. "Z" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 2nd Cheshire Regiment (179). 2nd Field Troop, Royal Engineers (14). LIEUT.-COLONEL E. C. WILLIAMS' COLUMN. 2nd New South Wales Mounted Rifles (526-536). 3rd New South Wales Bushmen (229-244). 21st Bn., Mounted Infantry (432-415). 78th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. Elswick Battery, 1 gun. "A" Batt., Royal Australian Artillery, 2 guns. "B" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. "D" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 2nd Cheshire Regiment (192). Australian Medical Corps (23). 7th Co., Royal Engineers (7). 10th Co., Army Service Corps (24). 12th Field Hospital (32). 10th Bearer Company (12). 7th Co., Royal Engineers (4). BRIGADIER-GENERAL G. HAMILTON'S COLUMN. COLONEL ALLENBY'S COLUMN. GENERAL BARTON'S COLUMN. 108th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (100). Mounted Infantry (200). 81st Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. 1st Cameron Highlanders (700). MAJOR G. WILLIAMS' COLUMN. 11th Bn., Mounted Infantry (323-403). COLUMNS ENGAGED IN OPERATIONS BETWEEN THE DELAGOA AND NATAL LINES. BRIGADIER-GENERAL PLUMER'S COLUMN. 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen (340-361). 6th New Zealand Mounted Rifles (419-406). 18th Battery. R.F.A., 4 guns. "Q" Section Pompoms, 2 pompoms. 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers (264). 2nd and 11th Cos., Royal Engineers (37). 13th Brigade Field Hospital (18). 14th Brigade Field Hospital (16). Elswick Battery, 1 gun. 2nd Dorset Regiment (500), 1 M.G. 26th Co., Royal Engineers (20). 11th Field Hospital (9). 18th Field Hospital (10). 20th Co., Army Service Corps (20). 45th Co., Army Service Corps (16). LIEUT.-COLONEL GREY'S (afterwards LIEUT.-COLONEL GARRATT'S) COLUMN. 6th Queenslanders (307-302). 7th New Zealanders (489-504), 1 M.G. 9th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. 73rd Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. "C" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 1st East Lancashire (309). 15th Field Hospital (22). 91st Co., Army Service Corps (22). MAJOR-GENERAL W. KITCHENER'S COLUMN. 5th West Australian Mounted Infantry (160-194). 6th West Australian Mounted Infantry (195-186). BRIGADIER-GENERAL BULLOCK'S COLUMN. 5th Corps, Mounted Infantry (758-894). Gough's Mounted Infantry (590-742), 3 M.G. Johannesburg Mounted Rifles (318-366). Commander-in-Chief's Bodyguard (182-310), 2 guns and 1 pompom. 74th Battery, R.F.A., 4 guns. "J" Battery, R.H.A., 6 guns. "F" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 2nd Imperial Light Horse (138-170), 1 M.G. 53rd Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. 16th Southern Division, R.G.A., 1 5-inch. 10th Mountain Battery, R.G.A., 1 gun. "S" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 1st Devonshire Regiment (833), 2 M.G. 24th Bearer Company and Field Hospital (9). 23rd Co., Royal Engineers (10). LIEUT.-COLONEL PULTENEY'S COLUMN. 1st Royal Dragoons (345-349), 1 M.G. 6th Inniskilling Dragoons (370-400), 2 M.G. 66th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. "P" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 1st Scots Guards (854), 1 M.G. Royal Engineers (48). 11th Field Hospital (19). 9th Bearer Company (21). COLONEL RIMINGTON'S COLUMN. COLONEL ALLENBY'S COLUMN. COLONEL E. C. KNOX'S COLUMN. COLUMNS ENGAGED IN BRIGADIER-GENERAL PLUMER'S OPERATIONS IN SOUTH-EASTERN TRANSVAAL. BRIGADIER-GENERAL PLUMER'S COLUMN. COLONEL E. C. KNOX'S COLUMN. COLONEL RIMINGTON'S COLUMN. MAJOR-GENERAL BEATSON'S OPERATIONS. MAJOR-GENERAL BEATSON'S COLUMN. 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles (740-721). 9th Battery, R.F.A., 4 guns. 2nd Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (366). 2nd Seaforth Highlanders (178). 26th Co., Royal Engineers (23). 20th Field Hospital (26). 84th Co., A.S.C. (18). COLUMNS ENGAGED IN LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR BINDON BLOOD'S OPERATIONS IN THE EASTERN TRANSVAAL. MAJOR-GENERAL BABINGTON'S COLUMN. 19th Hussars (279-268), 1 M.G. 83rd Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. 10th Mountain Battery, R.G.A., 1 gun. "J" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 1st King's Royal Rifle Corps (637), 1 M.G. 43rd Co., Army Service Corps (16). 12th Field Hospital (21). 9th Co., Royal Engineers (12). LIEUT.-COLONEL BENSON'S (R.A.) COLUMN. 18th Mounted Infantry (466-513). 19th Mounted Infantry (362-430). 2nd Scottish Horse (503-647). 21st Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. 81st Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. 61st Battery, R.F.A., 1 5-inch Howitzer. 10th Mountain Battery, R.G.A., 1 gun. "C" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. "R" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (724). 23rd Co., Royal Engineers (23). 8th Bearer Company (22). 31st Co., Army Service Corps (19). BRIGADIER-GENERAL SPENS' COLUMN. 5th Lancers (153-132). 4th Mounted Infantry (457-534). 4th Mountain Battery, R.G.A., 2 2.5-inch. 10th Mountain Battery, R.G.A., 1 12-pr. "S" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 2nd Royal Berkshire Regiment (570), 3 M.G. 19th Co., Royal Engineers (23). 19th Bearer Co. (29). COLONEL CAMPBELL'S COLUMN. 18th Hussars (543-470). 53rd Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. 14th Southern Division, R.G.A., 1 5-inch. Pontoon Troop, R.E. (10). 2nd Rifle Brigade (587), 1 M.G. 12th Brigade Field Hospital (30). Army Service Corps (10). COLONEL PARK'S COLUMN. 4th Division Mounted Infantry (123-137), 1 Krupp gun. 53rd Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. "P" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 1st Royal Irish Regiment (613), 1 M.G. 40th Co., Army Service Corps (8). 4th Division Field Hospital (4). LIEUT.-COLONEL DOUGLAS' COLUMN. 3rd Mounted Infantry (349-446). 84th Battery, R.F.A., 4 guns. "L" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 1st Royal Scots (704), 1 M.G. 23rd Co., Royal Engineers (17). 19th Field Hospital (22). 19th Bearer Company (11). MAJOR-GENERAL W. KITCHENER'S COLUMN. LIEUT.-COLONEL PULTENEY'S COLUMN. MAJOR-GENERAL BEATSON'S COLUMN. LIEUT.-COLONEL COLVILLE'S COLUMN. COLONEL GARRATT'S COLUMN. COLUMNS ENGAGED IN OPERATIONS ON THE PIETERSBURG LINE. MAJOR MCMICKING'S COLUMN. 20th Bn., Mounted Infantry (374-317). 75th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. 2nd Lincoln Rifles (179). LIEUT.-COLONEL WILSON'S COLUMN. Kitchener's Fighting Scouts (417-399). Bush Veldt Carabineers (21-22). 12th Mounted Infantry (13-13). 2nd Gordon Highlanders (104). LIEUT.-COLONEL GRENFELL'S COLUMN. Kitchener's Fighting Scouts (364-361). 12th Mounted Infantry (193-194). 2nd Wiltshire Rifles (363). 85th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. "A" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. OPERATIONS IN THE STANDERTON-HEIDELBERG DISTRICT. LIEUT.-COLONEL COLVILLE'S COLUMN. LIEUT.-COLONEL GREY'S COLUMN. COLUMNS ENGAGED IN OPERATIONS IN CAPE COLONY. COLONEL DORAN'S COLUMN. (Late LIEUT.-COLONEL HENNIKER'S.) Warren's Mounted Infantry (181-191). 11th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (134-131). 23rd Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (141-148). 24th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (125-94). "M" Battery, R.H.A., 2 guns. Cape Colony Cyclists (4). LIEUT.-COLONEL CRABBE'S COLUMN. P. A. Guards (193-205). Marshall's Horse (120-139). 99th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (53-63). 104th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (58-60). 105th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (53-69). 111th Sqdn., Imperial Yeomanry (47-53). 85th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. 2nd Royal Fusiliers (78). Cape Medical Staff (13). LIEUT.-COLONEL GORRINGE'S COLUMN. Cape Defence Force (263). Cape Police (212). Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen (92). 5th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. "O" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. Total horses (1401). LIEUT.-COLONEL CREWE'S COLUMN. Kaffrarian Rifles (301-374), 2 machine guns. Queenstown Volunteer Rifles (78-137). 44th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. "Y" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. CAPTAIN LUND'S COLUMN. 9th Lancers (132). Brabant's Horse (209). Imperial Yeomanry (278). "A" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. Total horses (828), and 1 machine gun. LIEUT.-COLONEL SCOBELL'S COLUMN. 9th Lancers (303-332). Cape Mounted Rifles (203-356). Cape Mounted Royal Artillery, 3 guns. Cape Cyclists (9). Royal Engineers (2). LIEUT.-COLONEL WYNDHAM'S COLUMN. 17th Lancers (387-412), 1 machine gun. LIEUT.-COLONEL HON. A. D. MURRAY'S COLUMN. COLONEL MONRO'S COLUMN. NOTE.--Where two figures appear, the first refers to effective men, the second to effective horses. FORCE EMPLOYED AT VLAKFONTEIN (584) ON MAY 29TH. (_a_) Left (afterwards rear), under MAJOR CHANCE, R.A. 28th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. "G" Section Pompoms, 1 pompom. 7th Bn., Imperial Yeomanry (230). 1 Co., 1st Derbyshire Regiment. (_b_) Centre, under BRIGADE-GENERAL DIXON. 8th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. 37th Battery, R.F.A., 1 5-inch Howitzer. 2 Cos., 1st King's Own Scottish Borderers. 1 Co., 1st Derbyshire Regiment. (_c_) Right, under LIEUT.-COLONEL DUFF. 8th Battery, R.F.A., 2 guns. 1st Scottish Horse (200). 2 Cos., 1st King's Own Scottish Borderers. MAJOR-GENERAL BEATSON'S COLUMN (on 12th June). 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles (780-806). 9th Battery, R.F.A., 4 guns. "B" and "E" Sections Pompoms, 2 pompoms. 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers (347). 26th Co., Royal Engineers (23). 20th Field Hospital (26). 84th Co., Army Service Corps (20). Of which the following were detached to Wilmansrust (22) under MAJOR MORRIS, R.F.A.:-- 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles (350). Pompom Section, 2 pompoms. FOOTNOTES: [1] This table represents the columns as they were disposed at Midsummer 1901. SOUTH AFRICA AND THE TRANSVAAL WAR PEACE "On her knees, before the glory of the Lord, Britannia sheathes the lightnings of her sword; Once again, to utmost ends Of the Red Line it defends, She hath peace."--SIR EDWIN ARNOLD. THE SITUATION--FEBRUARY 1901 The reign of His Majesty King Edward VII. began in clouds! There was no denying that the last half-year had been one of retrogression. In June 1900, from the Orange River southwards, there had been comparative quietude. The southern and eastern half of the Orange River Colony had become fairly settled, while even in some districts of the Transvaal--towards the south-western area especially--the inhabitants gave indications of a willingness to accept British rule, and of a desire to return to their agricultural and peaceful avocations. But with the end of the year came a deplorable change. The enemy, broken up into a large number of desultory gangs, commenced raiding and wrecking, consequently the British forces, in order to cope with and pursue these vagrant bands, had to be broken up to correspond. The area of hostility and destruction grew larger daily and the difficulty of fighting more extreme. The lack of supplies now drove the Boers, who lived entirely on the country through which they passed, to spend their time in looting, in pouncing on the farms and small villages, and in seizing everything they might need. Stores, clothing, horses, cattle, all were grabbed at the point of the rifle, if not, as in some cases, delivered up on demand. To frustrate the tactics of the enemy, the British forces were compelled to denude the country of every movable thing, and to place whatever could be conveyed there in refuge camps which were established at points along the railway lines. But in this operation great loss was entailed, owing to the difficulty of finding sufficient grass for the number of collected animals, and of keeping them alive _en route_. The loss of crops and stock became a still more serious matter than even the destruction of farm buildings--a measure which had almost entirely been abandoned. Having regard to the inexpensive character of these structures, this measure, to quote Sir Alfred Milner, was a "comparatively small item" in the total damage caused by the war to the agricultural community. But, he said, the wanton and malicious injury done to the headgear, stamps, and other apparatus of some of the outlying mines by Boer raiders was a form of destruction for which there was no excuse. It was a vandalism unjustified by the requirements of military operations and outside the scope of civilised warfare. Directly or indirectly, all South Africa, including the agricultural population, owes its prosperity to the mines, and, of course, especially to the mines of the Transvaal. To money made in mining it is indebted for such progress, even in agriculture, as it has recently made, and the same source will have to be relied upon for the recuperation of agriculture after the ravages of war. The damage done to the mines Lord Milner estimated was not large "relatively to the vast total amount of the fixed capital sunk in them. The mining area," he said, "is excessively difficult to guard against purely predatory attacks having no military purpose, because it is, so to speak, 'all length and no breadth'--one long thin line, stretching across the country from east to west for many miles. Still, garrisoned as Johannesburg now is, it was only possible successfully to attack a few points in it. Of the raids previously made, and they have been fairly numerous, only one has resulted in any serious damage. In that instance the injury done to the single mine attacked amounted to £200,000, and it is estimated that the mine is put out of working for two years. This mine is only one out of a hundred, and is not by any means one of the most important. These facts may afford some indication of the ruin which might have been inflicted, not only on the Transvaal and all South Africa, but on many European interests, if that general destruction of mine works which was contemplated just before our occupation of Johannesburg had been carried out. However serious in some respects may have been the military consequences of our rapid advance to Johannesburg, South Africa owes more than is commonly recognised to that brilliant dash forward, by which the vast mining apparatus, the foundation of all her wealth, was saved from the ruin threatening it." The events of the last six months promised to involve a more vast amount of repair and a longer period of recuperation, especially for agriculture, than would have been anticipated at the commencement of hostilities. Still, having regard to the fact that both the Rand and Kimberley were virtually undamaged, and that the main engines of prosperity, when once set going again, would not take very long to get into working order, the economic consequences of the war, though grave, did not appear by any means appalling. The country population it was admitted would need a good deal of help, first to preserve it from starvation, and then, probably, to supply it with a certain amount of capital to make a fresh start. And the great industry of the country would require some little time before it would be able to render any assistance. But, in a young country with great recuperative powers, many years would not elapse before the economic ravages of the war would be effaced. Still, the moral effect of the recrudescence of the war was lamentable. Everywhere after the occupation of Pretoria the inhabitants had seemed resigned to the state of affairs--the feeling in the colony had been one of acquiescent relief. The rebellious element was glad of the opportunity to settle down. Had these people been shut off from communication with the enemy they would have maintained their calm, and engaged themselves with their former peaceful pursuits. As it was, while the great advance to Pretoria, and subsequently to Delagoa Bay, demanded the presence of the British troops in the north, the country was left open to raiders, who daily grew more audacious as the small successes of their guerilla leaders appeared to give promise of a turn of fortune's wheel. And now came the real tug of war. These raiders, both on the brink of the Orange Colony and the Southern Transvaal, kept the peaceable inhabitants of the colony in an unenviable quandary. These, and many others, on taking the oath of neutrality, instead of being made prisoners of war, had been permitted to return to their farms. But under pressure from their old comrades, they now wavered between the obligations of their oath and the calls of friendship--and many of them fell. Men who had been exceptionally well treated were again in arms, sometimes justifying their break of faith by the poor apology that they had not been "preserved from the temptation to commit it." Naturally, on the return of the troops to again quell a rising in the south, their conduct was not marked by the same leniency which had characterised the original conquest. Still, these parole breakers were not punished with the severity which might have been meted out to them in the same circumstances by other nations. Though we were by the rules of war entitled to shoot men who had broken their parole, we had not availed ourselves of the right. We remained as humane as the exigence of discipline would permit. Efforts were made to check the general demoralisation by establishing refuge camps for the peaceable along the railway lines, but these camps were mainly tenanted by the women and children of burghers who still determined to flout us. Lord Milner, in speaking of the situation in the new territories and the Cape Colony, described it as possibly "the most puzzling that we have had to confront since the beginning of the war." On the one hand there was the outcry for greater severity and for a stricter administration of martial law. On the other hand, there was the expression of the fear that strict measures would only exasperate the people. He himself was in favour of reasonable strictness as the proper attitude in the presence of a grave national danger, and he further affirmed that exceptional regulations for a time of invasion, the necessity of which every man of sense could understand, if clearly explained and firmly adhered to, were not only not incompatible with, but actually conducive to, the avoidance of injustice and cruelty. He went on to say:-- [Illustration: DE WET'S RUSH IN CAPE COLONY _VIÂ_ ZAND DRIFT, 10TH FEBRUARY 1901] "I am satisfied by experience that the majority of those Dutch inhabitants of the Colony who sympathise with the Republics, however little they may be able to resist giving active expression to that sympathy when the enemy actually appear amongst them, do not desire to see their own districts invaded or to find themselves personally placed in the awkward dilemma of choosing between high treason and an unfriendly attitude to the men of their own race from beyond the border. There are extremists who would like to see the whole of the Cape Colony overrun. But the bulk of the farmers, especially the substantial ones, are not of this mind. They submit readily enough even to stringent regulations having for their object the prevention of the spread of invasion. And not a few of them are, perhaps, secretly glad that the prohibition of seditious speaking and writing, of political meetings, and of the free movement of political firebrands through the country, enables them to keep quiet, without actually themselves taking a strong line against the propaganda, and, to do them justice, they behave reasonably well under the pass and other regulations necessary for that purpose, as long as care is taken not to make these regulations too irksome to them in the conduct of their business, or in their daily lives." He suggested that the fact that there had been an invasion at all was no doubt due to the weakness of some of the Dutch colonists in tolerating, or supporting, the violent propaganda, which could not but lead the enemy to believe that they had only to come into the Colony in order to meet with general active support. But this had been a miscalculation on the part of the enemy, though a very pardonable one. They knew the vehemence of the agitation in their favour as shown by the speeches in Parliament, the series of public meetings culminating in the Worcester Congress, the writings of the Dutch press, the very general wearing of the Republican colours, the singing of the Volkslied, and so forth, and they regarded these demonstrations as meaning more than they actually did. Three things were forgotten. Firstly, that a great proportion of the Afrikanders in the Colony who really meant business, had slipped away and joined the Republican ranks long ago. Secondly, that the abortive rebellion of a year ago had left the people of the border districts disinclined to repeat the experiment of a revolt. Thirdly, that owing to the precautionary measures of the Government the amount of arms and ammunition in the hands of the country population throughout the greater part of the Colony is not now anything like as large as it usually was, and far smaller than it was at the onset of the war. In regard to the "call to arms" that took place on the 1st of January, and the vehement response it had met, Lord Milner stated that it had always been admitted, by their friends and foes alike, that the bulk of the Afrikander population would never take up arms on the side of the British Government in this quarrel, even for local defence. The appeal therefore had been virtually directed to the British population, mostly townspeople, and to a small, but no doubt very strong and courageous, minority of the Afrikanders who have always been loyalists. These classes had been already immensely drawn on by the Cape Police, the regular Volunteer Corps, and the numerous Irregular Mounted Corps which had been called into existence because of the war. There must have been 12,000 Cape colonists under arms before the recent appeal, and as things were going, as many more promised to answer that appeal--a truly remarkable achievement under a purely voluntary system. [Illustration: POSITION OF TROOPS AFTER THE ENGAGEMENT OF 23RD FEBRUARY. DE WET'S ESCAPE FROM THE ENVELOPING CORDON, 28TH FEBRUARY 1901] How gloriously the system worked throughout the year 1901 has yet to be seen, for peace was still a great way off. All yearned for it, all were fairly sick of carnage and ruin and sacrifice, but, nevertheless, it was agreed that to endure and fight to the bitter end were preferable to an ignoble compromise, which must inevitably bring about a recurrence of the terrible scourge in the future. All were determined that South Africa should become one country under one flag, and that the British; and this once accomplished, they
{'title': 'South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 7 (of 8) by Louis Creswicke', 'source': 'Project Gutenberg', 'lang': 'en'}