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) TRANSCRIBERS' NOTE: In this plan text version, text in italics in the original is surrounded with _underscores_. Text in bold in the original is surrounded with =equals signs=. Text in an ornate font (awards of the Victoria Cross) is surrounded by #hash marks#. The following publishers' note was bound into the middle of the book. To simplify reading of that section and allow interested readers to view it easily, it has been moved here. Corrections are individually listed at the end of the text. PUBLISHERS' NOTE. The prolongation of the War far beyond the calculation of those best able to form an opinion on the subject has necessarily affected the plan of Creswicke's "South Africa and Transvaal War," and in consequence the completion of the work in a manner satisfactory to subscribers, and worthy of a book now widely recognised as a great History of the Campaign, has been most carefully considered by both Author and Publishers. They have decided to adhere closely to the plan of the work sketched in the original prospectus; that is to say, Volume VI. will bring to a close the History of the War so far as the annexation of the Transvaal is concerned. All the important and daring movements that culminated in the occupation of Lydenburg and the flight of Kruger are treated in graphic detail. A condensed account is also given of the subsequent Guerilla Warfare down to March 1901. At the end of the Volume will be found the valuable Appendix matter announced in Prospectus:-- (1.) =Gazetteer.= This gives in alphabetical order all the information that is required as to places in South Africa. =Military terms are also fully explained.= (2.) =Biographical Record.= No attempt has been made elsewhere to deal biographically in one list with the prominent actors connected with the South African Campaign. This list, which would form in itself a good sized volume crowded with facts, will be of permanent value. (3.) =Recipients of the Victoria Cross=: giving details regarding those who have earned this honour during the War up to the date of publication. It is evident, however, that the Guerilla operations, spread over so large an area as they are, would themselves furnish material for an extensive book. In view, therefore, of the importance of this unique development of the campaign, the military interest of the story, and the many heroic deeds which deserve the fullest recognition possible, the Publishers have decided to issue =an additional and strictly supplementary Volume= dealing with Lord Kitchener's regime as Commander-in-Chief and the Guerilla War. This additional volume will be uniform as regards general style, number of illustrations, price, &c., and it is hoped that it will be found possible to include in it some account of the ultimate settlement and the resources of the new Colonies. The Publishers are confident that subscribers will find this a valuable addition to the work. * * * * * Readers interested in this work are requested to assist the writer of the narrative by forwarding authentic letters or accounts throwing light on the military operations subsequent to Lord Roberts's departure from South Africa. The names of correspondents will not be made public, and their communications will be returned if desired. All letters should be addressed, LOUIS CRESWICKE, Esq., c/o Messrs T. C. & E. C. Jack, Causewayside, Edinburgh. [Illustration: MUSTER OF THE CAPE TOWN GUARD ON THE PARADE GROUND CAPE TOWN, FOR INSPECTION BY GENERAL BRABANT, JANUARY 12, 1901. Photo by Alf. F. Hosking, Cape Town.] SOUTH AFRICA AND THE TRANSVAAL WAR BY LOUIS CRESWICKE AUTHOR OF "ROXANE," ETC. WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS IN SIX VOLUMES VOL. VI.--FROM THE OCCUPATION OF PRETORIA TO MR. KRUGER'S DEPARTURE FROM SOUTH AFRICA, WITH A SUMMARISED ACCOUNT OF THE GUERILLA WAR TO MARCH 1901 EDINBURGH: T. C. & E. C. JACK MANCHESTER: KENNETH MACLENNAN, 75 PICCADILLY 1901 Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. At the Ballantyne Press CONTENTS--VOL. VI PAGE CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE v OFFICIAL TABLE OF CASUALTIES IN SOUTH AFRICA viii CHAPTER I AT PRETORIA, JUNE 5 TO 10 1 THE BATTLE OF DIAMOND HILL, JUNE 11 TO 12 12 GUARDING THE COMMUNICATIONS 19 CHAPTER II GENERAL BULLER'S OPERATIONS--ROUTING THE BOERS FROM LAING'S NEK, MAY 19 TO JUNE 12 27 THE ADVANCE FROM LAING'S NEK TO STANDERTON--JOINING HANDS WITH LORD ROBERTS'S FORCE, JUNE 13 TO 22 32 CHAPTER III IN ORANGE RIVER COLONY (EAST), JUNE 37 IN THE WESTERN TRANSVAAL, JUNE TO JULY 9 40 CHAPTER IV THE BATTLE OF BETHLEHEM--THE SURRENDER OF PRINSLOO 43 AFFAIRS IN AND AROUND PRETORIA--THE CAPTURE OF MIDDELBURG 54 PROTECTING THE KRUGERSDORP-POTCHEFSTROOM RAILROAD 66 CHAPTER V CHASING DE WET IN THE WESTERN TRANSVAAL 70 PLOTS AND PROCLAMATIONS, AUGUST 81 CHAPTER VI GENERAL BULLER'S MOVEMENTS--CLEARING THE TRANSVAAL BETWEEN VOLKSRUST AND BELFAST 88 CHAPTER VII THE LYDENBURG CAMPAIGN 93 THE ORANGE RIVER COLONY 112 THE WESTERN TRANSVAAL 117 EXIT MR. KRUGER 120 CHAPTER VIII GUERILLA WARFARE 125 AFTERWORD 137 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF NOTABLE PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN 152 RECIPIENTS OF THE VICTORIA CROSS 191 LEXICON OF TERMS AND PLACES CONNECTED WITH THE CAMPAIGN 197 DEATHS IN ACTION AND FROM DISEASE 208 LIST OF CASUALTIES 211 INDEX 213 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS--VOL. VI. MAP ILLUSTRATING GENERAL BULLER'S CAMPAIGN IN NATAL, MAY-JUNE 1900 _At Front_ 1. _COLOURED PLATES_ PAGE MUSTER OF THE CAPE TOWN GUARD _Frontispiece_ THE GRENADIER GUARDS 8 THE HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY 56 THE VICTORIA MOUNTED RIFLES 72 THE ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS 120 THE 2ND NORTHAMPTON REGIMENT 140 MARKET SQUARE, JOHANNESBURG 148 COMMANDER AND ABLE-SEAMAN, R.N. 192 2. _FULL-PAGE PLATES_ AUSTRALIAN BUSHMEN ON THE MARCH 24 A HISTORIC BATTLEFIELD: MAJUBA 32 PRINSLOO'S COMMANDO RETREATING TO THE BRANDWATER BASIN 44 PRINSLOO'S LAST STAND IN THE VALLEY OF THE LITTLE CALEDON 48 THE SURRENDER OF PRINSLOO'S FORCE 52 ALGOA BAY AND PORT ELIZABETH 64 BOERS TAKING THE OATH OF NEUTRALITY 88 PRISONERS' CAMP AT NOOITGEDACHT 96 THE NIGHT CHARGE OF THE 19TH HUSSARS NEAR LYDENBURG 104 THE DÉBÂCLE: ON THE TRACK OF A FLEEING COMMANDO 112 SIMON'S TOWN, CAPE COLONY 124 BURNING THE FARM OF A TREACHEROUS BURGHER 128 THE HARBOUR, EAST LONDON 132 THE INSPECTION OF COLONIAL SOLDIERS AT WINDSOR 136 RETURN OF THE CITY IMPERIAL VOLUNTEERS 144 DURBAN, NATAL 200 3. _FULL-PAGE PORTRAITS_ THE EARL OF AIRLIE 16 MAJOR-GENERAL CLEMENTS, D.S.O. 40 DE WET 80 MAJOR-GENERAL BARTON 152 H.R.H. PRINCE CHRISTIAN 160 SIR FRANCIS CLERY, K.C.B. 168 MAJOR-GENERAL SMITH-DORRIEN, D.S.O. 176 LIEUT.-GENERAL TUCKER, C.B. 184 4. _MAPS AND ENGRAVINGS IN THE TEXT_ MAP OF SEAT OF WAR 5 PLANS--BATTLE OF DIAMOND HILL 14, 16 LINES TORN UP BY DE WET 22 BATTLE OF ALMOND'S NEK (MAJUBA) 28 REPAIRING LAING'S NEK TUNNEL 31 RAILWAY MAP--E. AND S.E. OF PRETORIA 33 " " W. AND S.W. OF PRETORIA 41 " " E. ORANGE RIVER COLONY AND NATAL 45 POSITION OF TROOPS ROUND THE BRANDWATER BASIN BEFORE THE SURRENDER OF PRINSLOO 50 NITRAL'S NEK 58 MAP ILLUSTRATING THE EASTWARD MOVE FROM EERSTEFABRIEKEN TO MIDDELBURG 64 MAP--THE BATTLEFIELDS OF PRETORIA 73 COMMANDO'S NEK, MAGALIESBERG 79 A CAPITAL ON WHEELS 94 MAP--LYDENBURG CAMPAIGN 104 BARBERTON 107 HARRISMITH 113 MAJOR-GENERAL BRABAZON 155 BRIGADIER-GENERAL BROADWOOD 155 LIEUT.-COLONEL DALGETY 161 HON. SIR W. HELY-HUTCHINSON 169 MAJOR-GENERAL HUTTON, C.B. 171 COLONEL KEKEWICH 172 LIEUTENANT ROBERTS, V.C. 182 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL THORNEYCROFT 186 CAPTAIN TOWSE, V.C. 186 SURG.-GENERAL W. D. WILSON 189 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE--VOL. VI. JUNE 1900. 5.--The British flag hoisted in Pretoria. 7.--The 4th Battalion Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters) captured by the enemy at Roodeval. 9.--Klerksdorp surrendered to General Hunter. 11.--Lord Methuen gained a complete victory over De Wet. 12.--Almond's Nek having been forced the previous day, the Boers evacuated Laing's Nek and Majuba at nightfall, and General Buller encamped four miles north of Volksrust. The battle of Diamond Hill. Lord Roberts defeated Botha 15 miles east of Pretoria. The Boers retreated in the night farther east. 13.--The Boers continued their aggressions on the Senekal-Ficksburg line. The Senekal-Winburg telegraph line was damaged. General Lyttelton occupied Wakkerstroom. 14.--Rustenburg occupied by General Baden-Powell. Botha's rearguard surprised and "thoroughly routed" by General Ian Hamilton's Mounted Infantry. Position on Zand River attacked by 800 Boers with three guns. Enemy driven off by General Knox. 15.--Column left Pretoria to meet General Baden-Powell and repair telegraph between Pretoria and Rustenburg. 18.--General Baden-Powell arrived at Pretoria. General Hunter occupied Krugersdorp. 19.--Lord Methuen defeated De Wet at Heilbron. 20.--Extinction of rebellion in Cape Colony. Surrender of De Villiers. 22.--Lord Dundonald occupied Standerton. 24.--General Clements defeated the Boers at Winburg. General Ian Hamilton occupied Heidelburg. 26.--Boer attack repulsed near Senekal, and enemy's laager burned. 27.--Attack on British at Roodeval Spruit. Boers beaten off. JULY 1900. 1.--Generals Hunter and MacDonald joined hands at Frankfort. 4.--General Buller's forces and those of the Commander-in-Chief joined at Vlakfontein. Entire railway from Natal to Johannesburg in hands of the British. General Paget drove the enemy from strong positions towards Bethlehem. 7.--General Buller arrived at Pretoria. Bethlehem captured by Generals Clements and Paget. De Wet put to flight. 11.--Squadron of Scots Greys, five companies of the Lincolnshire Regiment, with two guns of the O Battery of the Royal Horse Artillery, captured at Nitral's Nek. General Smith-Dorrien successfully engaged the Boers near Krugersdorp. 16.--Determined attacks by Boers on left flank of British posts in the Pretoria district. Enemy driven off with loss. 19.--General Little engaged De Wet near Lindley, and broke up his forces. 21.--Advance begun from Pretoria east, along Delagoa Bay Railway. A supply train, with 100 Welsh Fusiliers, captured near Honing Spruit. 23.--The Black Watch capture a hill at Retief's Nek. The Highland Light Infantry were compelled to retire from a steep hill above the Nek. 25.--Lord Roberts's force reached Balmoral on the way to Middelburg. French's Cavalry and Hutton's Mounted Infantry put Boers to flight six miles south of Balmoral. Boers flee in disorder before Lord Roberts's advance. General French crosses Oliphant's River. 26.--Philip de Wet, younger brother of Christian de Wet, surrendered at Kroonstad. General Hunter occupied Fouriesburg. General MacDonald, after fighting a rearguard action, blocked Naauwpoort Nek. 27.--Occupation of Middelburg by advance guard of Lord Roberts without opposition. 30.--Surrender of Generals Prinsloo, A. J. Villiers, and Crowther, and 4000 Boers to General Hunter. AUGUST 1900. 4.--Surrender of Harrismith to General MacDonald. 10.--Discovery of the plot at Pretoria to kidnap Lord Roberts and the British officers. Pursuit of De Wet continued. 12.--De Wet escaped. 16.--Eland's River garrison relieved. 24.--Lord Roberts left for the front in the Eastern Transvaal to operate against General Botha. 25.--Lieutenant Hans Cordua shot in Pretoria for his participation in the plot against Lord Roberts. 26.--Great battle near Dalmanutha. Capture of Commandant Olivier and his two sons at Winburg. 27.--Important positions captured near Dalmanutha. 28.--General Buller's troops occupied Machadodorp. Bergendal occupied. 29.--Kruger fled to Nelspruit. The Boers evacuated Helvetia, which was occupied by General Buller. 30.--British occupation of Waterval Boven. Release of about 2000 British prisoners at Nooitgedacht. SEPTEMBER 1900. 1.--Lord Roberts annexed to the British Empire the South African Republic, which henceforth will be known as the Transvaal Colony. 4.--General Buller and Botha engaged at Lydenburg. Siege of Ladybrand raised. 6.--British occupied Lydenburg. Botha retreated. 8.--Spitz Kop captured. 11.--Kruger, having fled from the Transvaal, arrived in Portuguese territory, and proceeded to Lorenzo Marques. 13.--Lord Roberts issued a proclamation calling upon the Boers to surrender. General French occupied Barberton. 16.--British occupied Nelspruit. 20.--British occupation of Kaap Muiden. 24.--Arrival of the British at the Portuguese frontier. Evacuation of all the Boer positions near the frontier. 25.--Lord Roberts telegraphed to the Lord Mayor of London that the City Imperial Volunteers might be expected home "before November 5th." Surrender of Boers to the Portuguese. OCTOBER 1900. 3.--Return of General Buller to Lydenburg after having marched through the whole of the hilly country to the north as far as Pilgrim's Rest, and having occupied the principal Boer positions. 9.--Continuous series of engagements in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, and defeat of De Wet, who was driven north, across the Vaal, at Venterstroom. 10.--General Buller prepared to return home. 11.--Anniversary of Kruger's insolent ultimatum. 19.--Mr. Kruger left Lorenzo Marques for Europe, and made his exit from the political stage. 24.--General Buller left Cape Town for England. Koffyfontein besieged. 25.--The Transvaal formally annexed. NOVEMBER 1900 3.--Koffyfontein relieved. 6.--Engagement with De Wet near Bothaville. 16.--Conspirators against Lord Roberts arrested. 18.--Lord Roberts met with an accident at Johannesburg. 23.--Garrison at Dewetsdorp surrendered to De Wet. 27.--General Charles Knox in touch with De Wet at Beyersberg. 29.--Lord Kitchener took over the command in South Africa. DECEMBER 1900. 5.--De Wet crossed the Caledon with a view to entering Cape Colony. 11.--Lord Roberts left Cape Town for England. De Wet, after being turned northward by General Knox, moved towards Reddersburg. 13.--Reverse to General Clements near the Magaliesberg. Brabant's Horse mishap near Zastron. 19.--Boers under Delarey routed. Boer raid into Cape Colony. 21.--War Office arranged for reinforcements. 22.--Boer movement in Cape Colony checked. 26.--General Charles Knox engaged with De Wet near Leeuw Kop. 28.--De Wet, frustrated in his attempt to break through to the south, withdrew to Senekal. Cape raiders driven northward. 29.--British garrison at Helvetia captured. 30.--Preparations made for the frustration of a more ambitious Boer raid into Cape Colony. JANUARY 1901 1.--"Call to arms" at Capetown. Enthusiastic response. 7.--Boers attacked Belfast, Wonderfontein, Nooitgedacht, Widfontein, and Pan, and after sharp fighting were dispersed. 10.--Machadodorp attacked by night. Post gallantly defended. 12.--Boers driven eastward from Witwatersberg by General French. Activities in Cape Colony to frustrate Hertzog's advance. 22.--Death of Queen Victoria. Lamentation throughout the world. 23.--Colonels De Lisle, Scobell, and Collenbrander drove the enemy out of Calvinia and Van Rhynsdorp, and pursued him north to Carnarvon. 28.--General French marched eastward, clearing the valley of the Wilge River. FEBRUARY 1901. 6.--General French, after encountering little resistance, entered Ermelo. General Smith-Dorrien repulsed 2000 of the enemy. His losses were 23 killed and 52 wounded. 9.--Eastern movement continued in deluges of rain, but invasion of Natal by Botha eventually frustrated. 10.--De Wet, after many contests with the British forces in Orange River Colony, succeeded in crossing the river at Sand Drift. 14.--Animated chases after De Wet. 23.--De Wet succeeded in recrossing the river after losing 200 prisoners, all his guns, ammunition, and waggons. 27.--Lengthy negotiations for the promotion of peace took place between Lord Kitchener and Commandant Botha, which negotiations eventually fell to the ground. OFFICIAL TABLE OF CASUALTIES IN SOUTH AFRICA. The following is a table of casualties in the Field Force, South Africa, reported during the month of December 1900, and total casualties reported since the beginning of the war, up to and including the month:-- [Transcribers' Note: In order to fit the table within the standard Project Gutenberg constraints, column headings have been keyed as follows: D: Died of Wounds in South Africa (included in wounded). M: Missing and Prisoners. T: Total Killed, Wounded, Missing and Prisoners. O: Officers. N: N.C.O.'s and Men.] +---------------------------+--------+-----------+-------+---------+-----------+ | | Killed.| Wounded. | D | M | T | | Casualties in Action. +---+----+----+------+--+----+---+-----+----+------+ | | O | N | O | N |O | N | O | N | O | N | +---------------------------+---+----+----+------+--+----+---+-----+----+------+ |Nooitgedacht, December 13 | 9| 57| 11| 183|..| 12|[A]|18[A]| 20 | 258| |Other casualties | 4| 141| 41| 382| 4| 71| 2| 101 | 47| 624| | +---+----+----+------+--+----+---+-----+----+------+ |Total casualties | | | | | | | | | | | | reported during the month| 13| 198| 52| 565| 4| 83| 2| 119 | 67| 882| | +---+----+----+------+--+----+---+-----+----+------+ |Total casualties reported | | | | | | | | | | | | up to and including the| | | | | | | | | | | | month-- | | | | | | | | | | | | Belmont, | | | | | | | | | | | | November 23, 1899 | 3| 50| 25| 220| 1| 21|...| ...| 28| 270| | Colenso, | | | | | | | | | | | | December 15, 1899 | 7| 134| 43| 719| 2| 20| 21| 206| 71| 1039| | Driefontein, | | | | | | | | | | | | March 10, 1900 | 5| 58| 29| 342| 1| 18|...| 2| 24| 402| | Dundee, October 20, 1899 | 8| 43| 21| 84| 3| ...| 25| 305| 44| 432| | Elandslaagte, | | | | | | | | | | | | October 21, 1899 | 5| 50| 30| 169|..| 6|...| 4| 35| 223| | Enslin (Graspan), | | | | | | | | | | | | November 25, 1899 | 3| 14| 6| 162| 1| 4|...| 9| 9| 185| | Farquhar's Farm and | | | | | | | | | | | | Nicholson's Nek, | | | | | | | | | | | | October 30, 1899 | 6| 56| 9| 244|..| 10| 43| 927| 58| 1227| | Johannesburg and | | | | | | | | | | | | Pretoria, capture of | 3| 20| 34| 132| 1| 8| 5| 38| 42| 190| | Karee, near Brandfort, | | | | | | | | | | | | March 29, 1900 | 1| 20| 9| 152| 1| 11|...| ...| 10| 172| | Ladysmith, Relief of, | | | | | | | | | | | | February 19 to 27, 1900| 22| 241| 91| 1530| 3| 80| 1| 11| 114| 1782| | Magersfontein, | | | | | | | | | | | | December 11, 1899 | 23| 167| 45| 645| 3| 35|...| 91| 68| 903| | Monte Christo | | | | | | | | | | | | (Colenso), &c., | | | | | | | | | | | | February 15 to 18, 1900| 1| 13| 8| 180|..| 3|...| 4| 9| 197| | Modder River, | | | | | | | | | | | | November 28, 1899 | 4| 66| 20| 393|..| 32|...| 2| 24| 461| | Paardeberg, | | | | | | | | | | | | February 16 to 27, 1900| 18| 245| 74| 1137| 6| 69| 6| 58| 98| 1440| | Potgeiter's Drift, | | | | | | | | | | | | February 5 to 7, 1900 | 2| 23| 18| 326|..| 8|...| 5| 20| 354| | Pretoria, east of, | | | | | | | | | | | | June 11 and 12, 1900 | 8| 6| 16| 128| 1| 4| 1| 3| 25| 137| | Reddersburg, | | | | | | | | | | | | April 3 and 4, 1900 | 2| 10| 2| 33| 1| 1| 8| 397| 12| 440| | Rietfontein, | | | | | | | | | | | | October 24, 1899 | 1| 11| 6| 98|..| 4|...| 2| 7| 111| | Sanna's Post, | | | | | | | | | | | | March 31, 1900 | 3| 15| 16| 122| 2| 7| 18| 408| 37| 545| | Senekal, May 29, 1900 |...| 38| 7| 127| 1| 5|...| 12| 7| 177| | Spion Kop, &c., | | | | | | | | | | | | January 17 to 24, 1900 | 30| 276| 53| 1061| 6| 52| 4| 314| 87| 1651| | Stormberg, | | | | | | | | | | | | December 10, 1899 |...| 31| 7| 51|..| 1| 13| 620| 20| 702| | Uitval's Nek, | | | | | | | | | | | | July 11, 1900 | 3| 16| 3| 53|..| 3| 4| 186| 10| 255| | Willow Grange, | | | | | | | | | | | | November 23, 1899 |...| 11| 1| 66|..| 2| 1| 8| 2| 85| | At Ladysmith, during | | | | | | | | | | | | Investment-- | | | | | | | | | | | | Battle of January 6, | | | | | | | | | | | | 1900 | 14| 164| 33| 287| 4| 25|...| 2| 47| 453| | Other casualties | 6| 60| 36| 280| 3| 29|...| 12| 42| 352| | At Kimberley during | | | | | | | | | | | | Investment | 2| 36| 15| 124|..| 4| 1| 3| 18| 163| | At Mafeking during | | | | | | | | | | | | Investment | 5| 64| 10| 152|..| 9| 1| 41| 16| 257| | Other casualties |139|1278| 562| 5434|57| 564|152| 4372| 853|11,084| | +---+----+----+------+--+----+---+-----+----+------+ | Total casualties in | | | | | | | | | | | | action reported up to |324|3216|1209|14,451|97|1035|304| 8042|1837|25,709| | December 31 | | | | | | |[B]| [B] | | | +---------------------------+---+----+----+------+--+----+---+-----+----+------+ FOOTNOTES: [A] In this action 15 officers and 560 men were reported missing. The great majority of these were captured, but were released on December 16. [B] Of these, 293 officers and 7052 men have been released or have escaped, and 4 officers and 92 men have died in captivity. +------------------------------------------+---------+----------+ | Other Casualties. |Officers.| N.C.O.'s | | | | and Men | +------------------------------------------+---------+----------+ |Reported during the month-- | | | | Died of disease in South Africa | 11 | 445 | | Accidental deaths in South Africa | 1 | 24 | | Invalids sent home | 87 | 1437 | | +---------+----------+ |Total up to and including the month-- | | | | Died of disease in South Africa | 174 | 7011 | | Accidental deaths in South Africa | 5 | 200 | | Invalids sent home-- | | | | Wounded | } | { 5662 | | Sick | } 1638 | {30243 | | Not specified which | } | { 1081 | +------------------------------------------+---------+----------+ |Total reduction of the Field Force, South | | | | Africa, due to casualties. | | | | | | | |Reported during the month-- | | | | Killed in action | 13 | 198 | | Died of wounds in South Africa | 4 | 83 | | Died of disease in South Africa | 11 | 445 | | Accidental deaths in South Africa | 1 | 24 | | Missing and prisoners | 2 | 119 | | Sent home as invalids | 87 | 1437 | | +---------+----------+ | Total | 118 | 2306 | | +---------+----------+ |Totals reported up to and including the | | | | month-- | | | | Killed in action | 324 | 3216 | | Died of wounds | 97 | 1035 | | Prisoners who have died in captivity | 4 | 92 | | Died of disease | 174 | 7011 | | Accidental deaths | 5 | 200 | | +---------+----------+ | Total deaths in South Africa | 604 | 11,554 | | Missing and prisoners (excluding those | | | | who have been recovered or have | | | | died in captivity) | 7 | 898[C]| | Sent home as invalids | 1638 | 36,986[C]| | +---------+----------+ | Total, South African Field Force | 2249 49,438 | | | \ / | | | 51,687[D] | +------------------------------------------+---------+----------+ |Total reduction of the Military Forces | | | | through war in South Africa-- | | | | Deaths in South Africa | 604 | 11,554 | | Missing and prisoners | 7 | 898[D]| | Invalids sent home who have died | 4 | 243 | | Invalids sent home who have left the | | | | Service as unfit | ... | 1570 | | +---------+----------+ | | 615 14,265 | | | \ / | | | 14,380[E] | +------------------------------------------+--------------------+ FOOTNOTES: [C] Of these, 243 have died, 1570 have been discharged from the Service as unfit, and 654 are in hospital. [D] This total includes a number of men reported "missing" who subsequently rejoined, but whose return has not yet been notified. [E] The difference between these two numbers is due to the fact that the great majority of the men invalided home have recovered and rejoined for duty. (See note B.) [Illustration: T. C. & E. C. Jack. Edinburgh. MAP ILLUSTRATING GENERAL BULLER'S CAMPAIGN IN NATAL--MAY-JUNE 1900.] SOUTH AFRICA AND THE TRANSVAAL WAR CHAPTER I TO QUEEN VICTORIA "May children of our children say, 'She wrought her people lasting good; 'Her court was pure; her life serene; God gave her peace; her land reposed; A thousand claims to reverence closed In her as Mother, Wife, and Queen; 'And statesmen at her council met Who knew the seasons when to take Occasion by the hand, and make The bounds of freedom wider yet 'By shaping some august decree, Which kept her throne unshaken still, Broadbased upon her people's will, And compass'd by the inviolate sea.'" --TENNYSON. PRETORIA Pretoria, like most South African towns, dozes in the lap of the hills, dozes tranquilly in a haven of generous nature, as dozed her Dutchmen in the midst of growing civilisation. The place from the distance is fair to the eye, poplar-groved, verdant, and picturesque, with the glimmer of red roofs cutting against the green, and veils of gauzy clouds, now grey, now purple, now azure, interlacing the hills and linking them with the sky. Its quaint, old, low-storeyed houses--in some cases thatched like bungalows--and its more modern tenements roofed with zinc, and bounded by pleasant rose-gardens tangled with flowers, seemed to the new-comers strangely suburban in contrast with the imposing Government buildings and shops which were soon alive with all the fluster of nineteenth-century money-getting. For the great entry made, the capital was swift to resume its everyday aspect, and trade grew even brisker than before. Famine prices reigned: though in some hotels where comforts were many, baths and sanitary arrangements were primitive. The Boers were busy "making hay while the sun shone," consequently living became twice as expensive as in England; and, what was worse, with the enormous and somewhat voracious army to be fed, supplies threatened at no very remote date to become exhausted. At first all things seemed to denote that the war was practically over, that nothing remained but to accept the surrender of the defeated Boers, and to settle quickly the administration of the conquered Republics. By degrees, however, disappointment set in--disappointment not unmixed with alarm. The redoubtable Christian de Wet had theories of his own; he put on his shoulders the mantle of the deposed Cronje, and set to work to show his generalship by destroying the railway in the south, cutting the telegraph wires, and generally harassing the lines of communication. Indeed, there was every appearance that the late investing forces might in their turn become invested in the capital. Postal and telegraphic communications were cut, supplies and reinforcements were menaced, and gradually the sunny outlook of conquest grew nebulous. The defeated forces also began to concentrate at Machadodorp, beyond Middelburg, where Mr. Kruger was actively engaged in conference with his friends. They were not devoid of funds, for it was found that before leaving Pretoria the Boer officials had provided themselves with £300,000 from the National Bank, and while this sum lasted and he remained in the country, it was argued that Mr. Kruger's schemes of bribery and corruption might be expected to continue, and even develop. Still Lord Roberts was undismayed! He had foreseen attacks on his communications, but had hazarded all on the one throw of reaching the capital before the Boers could gather together their forces for organised resistance, pushing forward in the only way possible if the conquered were to be left breathless. Napoleon's advice to one of his marshals, "A commander-in-chief should never give rest either to the victor or the vanquished," had been followed to the foot of the letter, as the French say. In this notable march the marvellous genius of Lord Roberts had been shown in many ways, but in courage before all. He had adapted his fighting dispositions on a system specially suitable to the idiosyncrasies of the Boers--had observed their natural disinclination to take the initiative, their failure to act on the offensive rather than the defensive, and, on this discovery, had invented new tactics which were exactly appropriate and eminently successful. His infantry had made the centre of the advancing line to east and west of the rail, perpetually threatening the enemy with frontal attack, while active and competent wings of mounted troops unceasingly wheeled round both flanks, threatening to turn them so soon as opportunity should offer. Thus the Boers, for fear of being outflanked, were forced to extend their front till the central position--at the railway line--became too weak for resistance, and they had of necessity to retreat, and continue to retreat, till they were too exhausted to do more than run. At the Chief's masterly combinations, his ingenious synchronal schemes, his almost prophetic foresight regarding the positions of the enemy, and the effect of his every move upon those positions, it is impossible not to marvel--as at the amazing boldness and rapidity of execution with which was developed a design which brought him with his enormous army in little more than a month from Bloemfontein to Pretoria. From the following general order issued on his arrival at his destination it is possible to understand the magnitude and the daring of the Chief's plan, which, merely to read of, renders one almost breathless:-- "PRETORIA, _June 7_. "In congratulating the British Army in South Africa on the occupation of Johannesburg and Pretoria, the one being the principal town and the other the capital of the Transvaal, and also on the relief of Mafeking after a heroic defence of over 200 days, the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-chief desires to place on record his high appreciation of the gallantry and endurance displayed by the troops, both those who have taken part in the advance across the Vaal River and those who have been employed in the less arduous duty of protecting the line of communication through the Orange River Colony. "After the force reached Bloemfontein on March 13, it was necessary to halt there for a certain period. Through railway communication with Cape Colony had to be restored before supplies and necessaries of all kinds could be got up from the base. The rapid advance from the Modder River, and the want of forage _en route_, had told on the horses of the cavalry, artillery, mounted infantry, and the transport mules and oxen, and to replace these casualties a considerable number of animals had to be provided. Throughout the six weeks the army remained halted at Bloemfontein the enemy showed considerable activity, especially in the south-eastern portion of the Orange River Colony, but by the beginning of May everything was in readiness for a further advance into the enemy's country, and on the 2nd of that month active operations were again commenced. "On May 12, Kroonstad, where Mr. Steyn had established the so-called government of the Orange Free State, was entered. On May 17, Mafeking was relieved. On May 31 Johannesburg was occupied, and on June 5 the British flag waved over Pretoria. "During these thirty-five days, the main body of the force marched 300 miles, including fifteen days' halt, and engaged the enemy on six different occasions. "The column under Lieutenant-General Ian Hamilton marched 400 miles in forty-five days, including ten days' halt. It was engaged with the enemy twenty-eight times. "The flying column under the command of Colonel B. Mahon, which relieved Mafeking, marched at the rate of nearly fifteen miles a day for fourteen consecutive days, and successfully accomplished its object, despite the determined opposition offered by the enemy. "The newly raised battalion of the City of London Imperial Volunteers marched 500 miles in fifty-four days, only once having two consecutive days' halt. It took part in twenty-six engagements with the enemy. "During the recent operations the sudden variations in temperature between the warm sun in the daytime and the bitter cold at night have been peculiarly trying to the troops, and owing to the necessity for rapid movement the soldiers have frequently had to bivouac after long and trying marches without firewood and with scanty rations. "The cheerful spirit in which these difficulties have been overcome and hardships disregarded are deserving of the highest praise, and in thanking all ranks for the successful efforts to obtain the objects in view, Lord Roberts is proud to think that the soldiers under his command have worthily upheld the traditions of her Majesty's army in fighting, in marching, and in the admirable discipline which has been maintained throughout a period of no ordinary trial and difficulty. (Signed) ROBERTS, Field-Marshal." As may be imagined, the man who could accomplish so much in so short a span of time remained unperturbed by a vision of clouds on the horizon. He knew that though with the fall of Pretoria the campaign nominally ended, there were many minor passages at arms to be expected in various parts of the two Republics. There were the remnants of Botha's army to north and east; there were De Wet and his marauders playing havoc with lines and telegraph wires, prowling in search of ill-defended convoys, and inspirited to fresh deeds of aggression by the successful capture of Colonel Spragge's Yeomanry; there were Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp to be occupied by Sir Archibald Hunter, and Griqualand to be finally pacified by Sir Charles Warren. [Illustration: MAP OF THE SEAT OF WAR.] Still, it was unpleasant to receive the report that while the main army had been advancing, an immense force of Boers, through a series of unfortunate mistakes, had succeeded in capturing in the vicinity of Vredefort Road, a convoy and an escort of a company and a half of Highlanders on its way to Heilbron. The outline of the unhappy affair was painful in the extreme. As the mysterious circumstances attending the movements of the convoy have not yet been fully sifted, it would be unfair to accept the numerous criticisms offered on the subject, and details regarding the capture are so lost in the "fog of war," that it is difficult to give an account of the series of muddles that brought about disaster. It appeared that though the enemy were lurking everywhere the convoy was travelling from Winburg under escort of only a company and a half "odd" men of the Brigade with orders to pick it up at Kroonstad, which place was subsequently changed to Heilbron. At Vredefort the party were to leave the rail and go by road; but shortly it received orders to await an escort that was being sent from Heilbron. General Hector MacDonald wired that it should not proceed further till escorted by a strong force of mounted troops, infantry, and artillery, as he himself, during his five days' march, had been repeatedly in collision with the foe. The officer in command laagered up. Next day an orderly reconnoitred and failed to detect the presence of the enemy. Suspicion had been aroused, however, by the disappearance of a Colonial conductor, who, it seems, used the occasion to report to De Wet, who promptly seized the time and the opportunity. He sent in with a flag of truce a terse message, "I have 1200 men and five guns. Surrender at once." An hour earlier Major Haig with 600 men, marching from Vredefort Road, had got to within two miles of the convoy, but hearing that the railhead was threatened had turned back. The convoy was therefore at De Wet's mercy, and he knew it. He refused to give any terms, so the small party capitulated! General Hector MacDonald, in defence of his Highlanders, who were evidently not at fault, gave a concise account of the circumstances attending the misadventure--an account more trustworthy than those of outsiders-- "While the Brigade was at Wynberg, a company of the Black Watch was sent as escort to a convoy of pom-pom ammunition to Smalldeel railway station, and a day or two later half a company of Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders with captured arms and ammunition, and we were informed that they would join us at Kroonstad. The Brigade, however, instead of going to Kroonstad, marched by way of Ventersburg and Lindley to Heilbron, while the detached companies marched by the railway to Roodeval. As we were opposed--practically surrounded--for the last five days of our march, a wire was sent to Smalldeel not to send in a convoy until it could be escorted by a strong force of mounted troops, infantry, and artillery. The Commandant at Smalldeel, however, sent away the convoy under escort of the company and a half of Highlanders, with the result that it was captured. Perhaps the Commandant was acting under orders from the army headquarters, and that remains to be seen." Certain it was that the Highland Brigade, who had already been subsisting on frugal, one may say starvation, fare was left in a sorry plight, and fully appreciated the significance of the saying that too many cooks will spoil the broth. On the shoulders of which of the cooks the blame will eventually rest remains to be seen. It was the opinion of some that sufficient precautions were not taken to insure the expedition's transmission of supplies, and the entrenchment and strong fortification of small bodies of troops sent to guard the line of rail; and also that there was an insufficiently co-ordinated system of intelligence, in consequence of which commanding officers moving with detached forces were without definite information regarding the movements and destination of other forces, friendly or inimical, which might have to be encountered. The mishaps of Sanna's Post--the capture of the Yeomanry and other corps--were thought to have been occasioned by the absence of a general staff--a general staff trained by years of practice to the exigencies of life in the field. Such a staff of trained and picked officers was educated by Napoleon for his use under his personal supervision, while Lord Roberts, with a gigantic army of 200,000 men, had a merely improvised machine. He had certainly Lord Kitchener at his elbow, but this officer's duties developed into those of the "handy-man"--now organiser, now fighter, now administrator in rebellious districts--thus depriving the Chief of the clockwork apparatus that should be represented by the General Staff, at a time when generals and troops, like engines and railway carriages, had to be timed to arrive and depart from stations on the hard-and-fast principles of Bradshaw. At this date with Lord Roberts in Pretoria were two and a half infantry divisions, a cavalry division, and a mounted infantry division, Wavell's Brigade having been left at Johannesburg, while the other half proceeded to the Capital. General Hunter's Division, joined by Colonel Mahon's force, was operating at Ventersdorp, while Colonel Plumer without opposition occupied Zeerust, the officials agreeing to take the oath provided they were protected from their fellow-countrymen. Elsewhere, across the Orange River Colony, the troops were fairly well expanded. General Colvile with the Highland Brigade was near Heilbron, and south of him Lord Methuen, while at Lindley was General Paget. At Senekal and Hammonia were General Clements and General Rundle respectively. South of these again, Generals Chermside and Brabant were operating. It was imagined that the combined vigilance of these officers had entirely protected the communications in the Orange River Colony, but on the 7th of June the unquenchable Dutchmen succeeded in cutting line and telegraph wire north of Kroonstad, and in taking prisoners most of the 4th Battalion of the Derbyshires (Sherwood Foresters), who were guarding the district. Of the battalion, the Colonel, a lieutenant, and thirty-four rank and file were killed, five officers and ninety-nine men were wounded, and the rest, save six, made prisoners! The story ran thus: At dusk on the 4th, the Derbyshire Militia Regiment arrived at Roodeval and pitched their camp in the lee of a string of kopjes that shelved away to the west, and terminated in a high hump which, jutting out of the plain, commanded rail, camp, and the surrounding hills. Owing to the darkness it was impossible to do much in the way of reconnoitring, and though some scouts and natives warned the commanding officers that Boers had been espied in the vicinity, little notice was taken. The pickets, which had been posted on a range of kopjes north of the camp, were strengthened, and some few shots fired at distant snipers. Then the party laid themselves down to rest, and slept placidly. Before dawn they were awakened by the furious crackling of musketry, and even as the men turned out with their rifles, they dropped. One after another as they left their tents fell victims to the unseen foe. The fact was, the pickets had been attacked and driven in, and the enemy occupied the range which commanded the British troops. Presently the early morning was humming with shot and shell, the Boers now having brought four big guns and a pom-pom to bear on the unfortunate camp and the bald plain that surrounded it. Valiantly the militiamen, raw and unfledged warriors as they were, fought; long, bloody, and disastrous hours passed, and they, falling thick as autumn leaves, continued to hold out in a completely defenceless position till the plain was littered with dead and wounded--more than eighty of them now lying in a trap from which it was impossible to escape. Colonel Baird-Douglas,[1] wounded in four places, fought like a lion, encouraging his men, and vowing to shoot the first who should display a white flag. Then he dropped exhausted and breathed his last. Finally 420 prisoners were taken, including the following officers of the 4th Derbyshire Regiment:-- Captain J. Humber, Captain C. P. Piers, Captain A. M. W. Mohun-Harris, Captain E. M. Wilmot, Captain R. C. Fenwick, Captain and Adjutant R. Britten, Lieutenant P. C. Shepard, Second-Lieutenant A. C. Hewitt, Second-Lieutenant J. L. Heymann, Second-Lieutenant H. L. Napier, Second-Lieutenant H. M. Milward, Second-Lieutenant J. H. W. Becke, Second-Lieutenant J. H. Mathias, Second-Lieutenant H. S. Anderson, Second-Lieutenant E. N. T. Collin, Hon. Lieutenant and Quartermaster M. M'Guire. Among the killed were:--Lieutenant-Colonel Baird-Douglas and Lieutenant Horley. Among the wounded:--Colonel Wilkinson, Captain Bailey, Second-Lieutenants Hall and Lawder, Lieutenant Blanchard, Canadian Infantry (attached to 4th Derbyshire). It was said that after the capture the commandants, on bringing the prisoners to the station, were seen cordially shaking hands with a railway official as though exchanging congratulations. This circumstance was one of many which bore witness to the innumerable acts of treachery and duplicity with which commanding officers had to contend. [Illustration: Colour-Sergeant. Sergeant-Major. THE GRENADIER GUARDS. Photo by Gregory & Co., London.] On the same day, in the same locality, there was another engagement, which resulted in the capture of a number of the Railway Pioneer Corps. According to an account in the _Bloemfontein Post_, the corps was awakened at 5.26 in the morning by an unusual stir among the sentries. A moment afterwards a voice was heard asking, "Can any one speak Dutch?" A man, evidently a burgher, approached Captain Grant McDonnel and Lieutenants Blanchard and Hayes with a note from the Boer commandant in the vicinity, stating that he had 1200 men and five guns with him, and adding that he would give the British force ten minutes in which to surrender. The bearer, after delivering the note, went back to a large body of Boers mounted on horses, who had by this time approached so close as to be plainly visible. The Pioneer Corps, realising their dangerous position, endeavoured hastily to improvise a barricade with a number of railway trucks, and also requisitioned a large quantity of biscuit and meat tins for the purpose. The orders of Captain Gale were speedily carried out, and soon his little force, numbering 160, were completely sheltered behind the barricade. The Boers, after waiting the specified ten minutes, and perceiving the efforts of the British to offer resistance, immediately opened fire, pouring volley after volley on the force. Captain Gale and two pioneers fell from the rifle fire, while shrapnel shells bursting near killed three men. The enemy then directed their heavy artillery on the barricades and station buildings, the latter being practically destroyed. The Boers were now only fourteen hundred yards away, and well hidden. An endeavour was made to have the wounded conveyed to safety behind a large tank, but a shell from the Boer guns exploded among the horses and the animals stampeded. Firing from heavy guns was afterwards heard coming from the opposite direction to the Boers. Hopes were high among the gallant force that relief was at last arriving from Kroonstad. The pioneers, however, soon became too painfully aware that the firing came from another body of the enemy, who had surrounded the 4th Derbyshire Regiment the same morning. Although the firing continued, an outlying patrol attempted to reach the pioneers. The whole of the Boer guns were now worked with increased energy, and soon the want of ammunition compelled the British force to surrender. The report then went on to say that Commandant De Wet, mounted on an English charger, advanced and asked the number of British killed. Looking at the dead body of Captain Gale, the Boer commandant remarked sympathetically, "Poor man. Very sad. Bury him at once." He also courteously allowed the body to be wrapped in a Union Jack. De Wet is a tall, heavily built man, with a brown beard. He wore a tweed suit and an overcoat, and carried a rifle and bandolier. Attached to his gold chain was a medal, on which was a representation of Kruger's head. De Wet was very polite to his captives, and kindly expressed his sorrow at having to destroy two thousand bags of mails. Unless he did so, he added, the young Boers would open the letters. The bags were afterwards ripped open, and the Boers looted the baggage. One burgher found a number of bank notes as part of his spoil, while others obtained tobacco, cigars, and various medical comforts. Lieutenant Thurston, Cape Pioneer Railway Regiment, and Lieutenant Staffkett, Cape Pioneer Railway Regiment, were made prisoners. Some of the prisoners were called together and made to take off parts of their dress, which the Boers then donned. The British wounded were well attended to, and were subsequently removed to the Yeomanry Hospital at Kroonstad. As a consequence of these attacks De Wet obtained possession of the line, which became so twisted and uptorn as to resemble unfinished Jacob's ladders to heaven, while Pretoria found itself minus its longed-for home letters, and standing hourly in fear of running short of food. Still affairs were going on as though nothing had happened. The Town Council temporarily continued its duties. An English Burgomaster was chosen, and a new Court of Justice was established. Colonel Maxse became the head of the police, and many Colonials who volunteered for civil employment were given posts of importance. Owing to the many acts of duplicity practised by the Boers who had surrendered, more stringent regulations regarding oath-breakers were promulgated. The publication of malicious and false reports was forbidden, and a sharp look-out was kept over the movements of the spies with which the capital was still swarming. One hundred and forty-eight officers, and 3039 men were released, and these were rearmed from the 2000 stands of arms which were given up in Pretoria on and after the British occupation. The list of the officers who had been suffering imprisonment at the hands of the Boers is a long one, and dates almost from the outset of the war:-- 18th Hussars--Lieutenant-Colonel B. D. Moller, Major H. A. F. Greville, and Captain and Adjutant W. P. M. Pollock. Army Veterinary Department--Veterinary Lieutenant F. H. Shore. 1st King's Royal Rifles--Lieutenant B. J. Majendie and Lieutenant F. M. Crum. 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers--Captain M. P. E. Lonsdale, Lieutenant C. Garvice, Lieutenant C. T. W. Grimshaw, and Second Lieutenant T. H. C. Frankland. 10th Mountain Battery Royal Garrison Artillery--Major G. E. Bryant, Lieutenant G. D. Wheeler, Lieutenant G. R. Nugent, Lieutenant W. H. Moore, and Second Lieutenant G. T. W. Webb (attached). 1st Gloucester Regiment--Major S. Humphery, Major W. R. P. Wallace, Captain S. Duncan, Captain Connor, Lieutenant A. Bryant, Lieutenant F. C. Nisbet, Lieutenant R. M. M. Davy, Lieutenant F. A. Brent, Lieutenant C. S. Knox, Lieutenant W. A. M. Temple, Lieutenant A. H. Radice, Lieutenant J. Ingram, Lieutenant P. H. Short, Lieutenant R. L. Beasley, Second Lieutenant W. S. Mackenzie, Second Lieutenant H. H. Smith, Lieutenant and Adjutant W. L. B. Hill, Lieutenant and Quartermaster R. J. Gray. 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers--Lieutenant-Colonel F. R. C. Carleton, Major F. H. Munn, Captain A. R. Burrowes, Lieutenant A. E. S. Heard, Lieutenant C. E. Southey, Lieutenant W. G. B. Phibbs, Lieutenant H. B. Holmes, Lieutenant A. H. C. MacGregor, Lieutenant A. L. J. M. Kelly, Second Lieutenant R. J. Kentish, Second Lieutenant C. E. Kinahan, and Second Lieutenant R. W. R. Jeudwine. Rhodesian Horse--Lieutenant A. E. Harenick.
{'title': 'South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 6 (of 8) by Louis Creswicke', 'source': 'Project Gutenberg', 'lang': 'en'}