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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 3 (of 6) + From the Battle of Colenso, 15th Dec. 1899, to Lord + Roberts's Advance into the Free State, 12th Feb. 1900 + +Author: Louis Creswicke + +Release Date: July 27, 2011 [EBook #36866] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SOUTH AFRICA *** + + + + +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) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p> +<p> </p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[Pg ii]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 409px;"> +<a name="illo01" id="illo01"></a><img src="images/illo01.png" width="409" height="642" alt="Photo of General Roberts, with his signature" title="" /> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> + +<h1 class="gap2"><span class="smcap">South Africa<br /> +<span class="smaller">and the</span><br /> +Transvaal War</span></h1> + +<p class="center gap2">BY</p> +<p class="large center">LOUIS CRESWICKE</p> + +<p class="center smaller">AUTHOR OF “ROXANE,” ETC.</p> + +<p class="center smaller gap2"><b>WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS</b></p> + +<p class="center gap2">IN SIX VOLUMES</p> + +<p class="center">VOL. III.—FROM THE BATTLE OF COLENSO, +15<sup><span class="smaller">TH</span></sup> DEC. 1899, TO LORD ROBERTS’S ADVANCE INTO +THE FREE STATE, 12<sup><span class="smaller">TH</span></sup> FEB. 1900</p> + +<p class="center gap2">EDINBURGH: T. C. & E. C. JACK</p> +<p class="center smaller">MANCHESTER: KENNETH MACLENNAN, 75 PICCADILLY</p> +<p class="center smaller">1900</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span></p> +<p> </p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="gap2">CONTENTS—<span class="smcap">Vol. III.</span></h2> + +<table summary="Contents" style="border:0;border-collapse:collapse;"> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="smaller ralign">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a href="#CHRONOLOGICAL_TABLE_Vol_III">CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE</a></td> +<td class="ralign">vii</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="center padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="smaller ralign">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">The Situation</a></td> +<td class="ralign">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#DOINGS_AT_CHIEVELEY">Doings at Chieveley</a></td> +<td class="ralign">8</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#CHRISTMAS_AT_THE_CAPE_AND_NATAL">Christmas at the Cape and Natal</a></td> +<td class="ralign">14</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="center padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="smaller ralign">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">Mafeking</a></td> +<td class="ralign">19</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#KURUMAN_AND_ELSEWHERE">Kuruman and Elsewhere</a></td> +<td class="ralign">25</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#MAFEKING_NOVEMBER">Mafeking, November</a></td> +<td class="ralign">31</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#KIMBERLEY">Kimberley</a></td> +<td class="ralign">39</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="center padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="smaller ralign">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">Life with General Gatacre</a></td> +<td class="ralign">47</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#WITH_GENERAL_FRENCH">With General French</a></td> +<td class="ralign">52</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="center padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="smaller ralign">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">The Colonials at Belmont</a></td> +<td class="ralign">60</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#COLONEL_PILCHERS_RAID">Colonel Pilcher’s Raid</a></td> +<td class="ralign">61</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#ACTIVITIES_AND_SURPRISES">Activities and Surprises</a></td> +<td class="ralign">68</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#AT_MODDER_RIVER">At Modder River</a></td> +<td class="ralign">72</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="center padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="smaller ralign">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">Christmas at Ladysmith</a></td> +<td class="ralign">79</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#THE_ATTACK_ON_WAGON_HILL">The Attack on Wagon Hill</a></td> +<td class="ralign">81</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="center padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="smaller ralign">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">Buller’s Second Advance</a></td> +<td class="ralign">92</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#THE_FLANK_MOVEMENT">The Flank Movement</a></td> +<td class="ralign">97</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#SPION_KOP">The Battle of Spion Kop</a></td> +<td class="ralign">104</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#THE_THIRD_GREAT_EFFORT_VAAL_KRANTZ">The Third Great Effort—Vaal Krantz</a></td> +<td class="ralign">117</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#DISAPPOINTMENT_AT_LADYSMITH">Disappointment at Ladysmith</a></td> +<td class="ralign">125</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#LORD_ROBERTS_AT_THE_CAPE">Lord Roberts at the Cape</a></td> +<td class="ralign">131</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="center padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="smaller ralign">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">The Wonder of the World</a></td> +<td class="ralign">136</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#FIRST_CANADIAN_CONTINGENT">First Canadian Contingent</a></td> +<td class="ralign">138</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#THE_SECOND_CANADIAN_CONTINGENT">The Second Canadian Contingent</a></td> +<td class="ralign">144</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#STRATHCONAS_HORSE">Strathcona’s Horse</a></td> +<td class="ralign">146</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#NEW_SOUTH_WALES">New South Wales</a></td> +<td class="ralign">148</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#VICTORIA">Victoria</a></td> +<td class="ralign">150</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#NEW_ZEALAND">New Zealand</a></td> +<td class="ralign">151</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#QUEENSLAND">Queensland</a></td> +<td class="ralign">153</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#SOUTH_AND_WEST_AUSTRALIA">South Australia</a></td> +<td class="ralign">154</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#WEST_AUSTRALIA">West Australia</a></td> +<td class="ralign">157</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#TASMANIA">Tasmania</a></td> +<td class="ralign">157</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#THE_BUSHMENS_CORPS">The Bushmen’s Corps</a></td> +<td class="ralign">158</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#INDIAS_CONTINGENTS">India’s Contingents</a></td> +<td class="ralign">159</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#THE_SOUTH_AFRICAN_VOLUNTEERS">The South African Volunteers—</a></td> +<td> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap padl1"><a href="#CAPE_COLONY">Cape Colony</a></td> +<td class="ralign">161</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap padl1"><a href="#NATAL">Natal</a></td> +<td class="ralign">166</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#THE_IMPERIAL_YEOMANRY">The Imperial Yeomanry</a></td> +<td class="ralign">167</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#THE_CITY_IMPERIAL_VOLUNTEERS">The City Imperial Volunteers</a></td> +<td class="ralign">171</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="center padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="smaller ralign">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">At Colesberg</a></td> +<td class="ralign">174</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#LORD_ROBERTSS_ADVANCE">Lord Roberts’s Advance</a></td> +<td class="ralign">183</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#FIGHTING_MAC_AT_KOODOESBERG">“Fighting Mac” at Koodoesberg</a></td> +<td class="ralign">186</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="smaller ralign padtop">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#APPENDIX">APPENDIX</a></td> +<td class="ralign">190</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap padtop hangindent"><a href="#APPENDIX">The Story of Spion Kop</a></td> +<td class="ralign padtop">190</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#LIST_OF_STAFF">List of Staff</a></td> +<td class="ralign">199</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="gap2"><a name="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS_Vol_III" id="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS_Vol_III"></a>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS—<span class="smcap">Vol. III.</span></h2> + +<table summary="Contents" style="border:0;border-collapse:collapse;"> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo02">Bird’s-eye View of the Ground Covered by General Buller’s Operations</a></td> +<td class="ralign"><i>At Front</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="center padtop">1. <i>COLOURED PLATES</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="smaller ralign">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="hangindent"><a href="#illo01"><span class="smcap">Field-Marshal Lord Roberts of Kandahar, V.C.</span> &c.</a></td> +<td class="ralign"><i>Frontispiece</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo08">Sergeant-Major—Imperial Light Horse</a></td> +<td class="ralign">24</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo12">Army Service Corps</a></td> +<td class="ralign">40</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo22">Household Cavalry—Captain, 2nd Life Guards</a></td> +<td class="ralign">80</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo29">Royal Field Artillery (Action Front)</a></td> +<td class="ralign">100</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo36">Cyclists—Lancashire Fusiliers</a></td> +<td class="ralign">120</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo44">Private, Drummers, Piper, and Bugler—The Black Watch</a></td> +<td class="ralign">134</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo52">Officers—City of London Imperial Volunteers</a></td> +<td class="ralign">176</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="center padtop">2. <i>FULL-PAGE PLATES</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="smaller ralign">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo03">A Picket of 13th Hussars Surprised near the Tugela River</a></td> +<td class="ralign">8</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo16">A Reconnaissance in Force with General French’s Cavalry near Colesberg</a></td> +<td class="ralign">56</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo18">Colonel Pilcher’s Attack on Sunnyside Kopje</a></td> +<td class="ralign">64</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo23">H.M.S. “Powerful”</a></td> +<td class="ralign">84</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo25">The Great Assault on Ladysmith</a></td> +<td class="ralign">88</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo26">Pietermaritzburg from the East</a></td> +<td class="ralign">92</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo27">The Crossing of Potgieter’s Drift, January 16</a></td> +<td class="ralign">96</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo30">Taking the 4.7 Naval Gun across the Tugela</a></td> +<td class="ralign">104</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo33">Going out to the Attack on Spion Kop</a></td> +<td class="ralign">112</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo34">The Scene on Spion Kop</a></td> +<td class="ralign">116</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo37">Falls on the Tugela River</a></td> +<td class="ralign">124</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo42">Arrival at Cape Town of Wounded from Natal</a></td> +<td class="ralign">132</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo46">Lady Minto Presenting Colours To Herchmer’s Horse</a></td> +<td class="ralign">144</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo50">The City Imperial Volunteers Crossing Westminster Bridge</a></td> +<td class="ralign">168</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo55">New Zealanders Saving a Picket of the Yorkshire Regiment near Slingersfontein</a></td> +<td class="ralign">184</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo57">“Fighting Mac” and the Highland Brigade in Action at Koodoesberg</a></td> +<td class="ralign">188</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="center padtop">3. <i>FULL-PAGE PORTRAITS</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="smaller ralign">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo05">Lieut.-General Forestier Walker, K.C.B.</a></td> +<td class="ralign">16</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo10">Major-General Lord Kitchener of Khartoum</a></td> +<td class="ralign">32</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo14">Major-General Sir W. F. Gatacre, K.C.B.</a></td> +<td class="ralign">48</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo20">Major-General Hector A. Macdonald, C.B.</a></td> +<td class="ralign">72</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo40">Lieut.-General Sir Charles Warren, G.C.M.G.</a></td> +<td class="ralign">128</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo45">Colonel W. D. Otter</a></td> +<td class="ralign">136</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo47">Hon. W. P. Schreiner, C.M.G.</a></td> +<td class="ralign">152</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo48">General Brabant, C.M.G.</a></td> +<td class="ralign">160</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="center padtop">4. <i>MAPS AND ENGRAVINGS IN THE TEXT</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="smaller ralign">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo04">Map—The Seat of War</a></td> +<td class="ralign">9</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo06">Sketch of Positions at Mafeking</a></td> +<td class="ralign">20</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo07">Outpost and Intrenchment at Mafeking</a></td> +<td class="ralign">24</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo09">Facsimile of Handwriting of Col. Baden Powell</a></td> +<td class="ralign">32</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo11">Plan of Kimberley</a></td> +<td class="ralign">40</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo13">Splinter Proof Shelter at Kimberley</a></td> +<td class="ralign">43</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo15">Map of Movements of Gatacre and French</a></td> +<td class="ralign">51</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo17">Map of Colonel Pilcher’s Raid</a></td> +<td class="ralign">62</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo19">Lord Dundonald’s Galloping Gun Carriage</a></td> +<td class="ralign">70</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo21">Maxim Automatic Gun or Pom-Pom</a></td> +<td class="ralign">75</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo24">Map of Ladysmith</a></td> +<td class="ralign">87</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo28">Mountain Battery</a></td> +<td class="ralign">97</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo31">Sketch, &c., of Spion Kop</a></td> +<td class="ralign">107</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo32">Plan of Engagement of Spion Kop</a></td> +<td class="ralign">111</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo35">Plan of Engagement of Vaal Krantz</a></td> +<td class="ralign">120</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo38">British 7-Pounder Field Gun</a></td> +<td class="ralign">126</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo39">Siege of Ladysmith</a></td> +<td class="ralign">128</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo41">Naval 12-Pounder Field Gun</a></td> +<td class="ralign">132</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo43">Mr. Kruger’s Autograph</a></td> +<td class="ralign">134</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo49">South African Scout</a></td> +<td class="ralign">163</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo51">12½-Pounder Field Gun (C.I.V.)</a></td> +<td class="ralign">172</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo53">Map of Position at Colesberg</a></td> +<td class="ralign">179</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo54">Sketch of Position at Colesberg</a></td> +<td class="ralign">181</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="smcap hangindent"><a href="#illo56">Map illustrating Movement To Koodoesberg</a></td> +<td class="ralign">187</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="gap2"><a name="CHRONOLOGICAL_TABLE_Vol_III" id="CHRONOLOGICAL_TABLE_Vol_III"></a><span class="smcap">CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE—Vol. III.</span></h2> + +<p class="center gap2">DECEMBER 1899.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">17.—Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, K.P., +G.C.B., V.C., &c., appointed Commander-in-Chief +in South Africa, +with Lord Kitchener of Khartoum +as his Chief of the Staff.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">War Office issued orders under which +the remaining portion of the Army +A Reserve were called up; and +large reinforcements were to proceed +to South Africa without +delay.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">General Gatacre advanced from +Sterkstroom to Putters Kraal.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">General French established his headquarters +at Arundel.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Offers of Second Contingents by the +Colonies accepted.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">18.—Additional Battalions of Militia embodied. +There were now fifty-four +Battalions of Militia embodied.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Sir Charles Warren and the Staff +of the Fifth Division left Cape +Town.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Reconnaissance by General French. +Sortie from Ladysmith.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">19.—Important order issued from the +War Office, announcing that the +Government had decided to raise +for service in South Africa a +Mounted Infantry force, to be +called “The Imperial Yeomanry.” +The force to be recruited from the +Yeomanry.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">21.—Mr. Winston Churchill arrived at +Lourenço Marques after an adventurous +journey.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">23.—Departure of Lord Roberts from +London and Southampton for the +Cape.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">24.—Dordrecht occupied by General +Gatacre.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Sortie from Mafeking.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Two British officers captured by +Boers near Chieveley.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">25.—Bluejackets blew up Tugela Road +bridge, and cut off Boers with +their guns.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Colonel Dalgety with Mounted +Police and Colonial troops held +Dordrecht. (Gatacre’s Division.)</p> + +<p class="chronohang">26.—Sir Charles Warren arrived at the +Natal front.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Boers appeared at Victoria West.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Mafeking force attacked a Boer fort.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">27.—Boers unsuccessfully bombarded +Ladysmith.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">28.—H.M.S. <i>Magicienne</i> captured German +liner <i>Bundesrath</i>, near Delagoa +Bay, with contraband of war on +board.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">30.—Skirmish near Dordrecht. Boers +defeated with loss. Two British +officers captured through mistaking +Boers for New Zealanders.</p> + +<p class="center gap2">JANUARY 1900.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">1.—Enrolment of the first draft of the +City Imperial Volunteers.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Surrender of Kuruman, after a stout +resistance, to the Boers. Twelve +officers and 120 police captured.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">General French occupied a kopje +overlooking Colesberg. Flight of +Boers, leaving their wrecked guns +and quantities of stores.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Brilliant manœuvre by Lieutenant-Colonel +Pilcher at Sunnyside. +Captured the entire Boer camp, +made forty prisoners, advanced +and occupied Douglas on Vaal +River.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Colonel Plumer and Colonel Holdsworth +from Rhodesia continued +their march to the relief of Mafeking.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">2.—Loyal inhabitants of Douglas escorted +to Belmont.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">General French still engaged with +enemy at Colesberg.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span></p> + +<p class="chronohang">3.—General French reinforced from De +Aar. Boers being surrounded; +fighting in the hills.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">General Gatacre repulsed Boer attack +on position commanding Molteno.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Colonel Pilcher, for “military +reasons,” evacuated Douglas.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">4.—General Gatacre occupied Molteno; +Boers retreated to Stormberg with +loss.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">General French manœuvring to enclose +Colesberg; further fighting.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">5.—General Gatacre hotly engaged at +Molteno by Boers from Stormberg; +drove them off, inflicting +heavy losses.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">6.—Great battle at Ladysmith. Boers +repulsed on every side with heavy +loss.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">General Buller made a demonstration +in force to aid General White.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">General French inflicted severe defeat +on Boers at Colesberg. A +Company of the 1st Suffolk Regiment +captured.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">9.—British troops invaded Free State +territory near Jacobsdal. The +Queensland and Canadian Volunteers +cleared a large belt across +the Free State border.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">10.—Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener +arrived at Cape Town.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Forward movement for the relief +of Ladysmith from Chieveley and +Frere.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">11.—Sir Redvers Buller crossed the +Little Tugela, and occupied the +south bank of the Tugela at Potgieter’s +Drift.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Lord Dundonald and Mounted +Brigade crossed the Tugela at +Potgieter’s Drift.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">General Gatacre made a reconnaissance +in force towards Stormberg.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">13.—The City Imperial Volunteers left +London for South Africa.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">15.—Boers attacked General French and +were repulsed at Colesberg.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">16.—General Lyttleton and Mounted +Brigade crossed the Tugela at +Potgieter’s Drift.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">17.—Sir Charles Warren crossed, with +his Division, at Trichardt’s Drift.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Lord Dundonald had an action +with the Boers near Acton Homes.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">18.—Tugela bridged and crossed by a +Brigade and battery.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">20.—Sir Charles Warren moved towards +Spion Kop.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Reconnaissance by Lord Dundonald.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">21.—Heavy fighting by Clery’s force; +they attacked the Boers and captured +ridge after ridge for three +miles.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">22—Sir Charles Warren’s entire army +engaged.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">23.—Spion Kop captured by Sir Charles +Warren; General Woodgate +wounded.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">25-27.—Abandonment of Spion Kop. +Sir Charles Warren’s force withdrew +to south of Tugela.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">27.—Brigadier-General Brabant, commanding +a Brigade of Colonial +forces, joined General Gatacre.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">28.—General Kelly-Kenny occupied Thebus.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">30.—British force reoccupied Prieska.</p> + +<p class="center gap2">FEBRUARY 1900.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">3.—Telegraphic communication restored +between Mafeking and Gaberones.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">4.—General Macdonald occupied Koodoe’s +Drift.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">5.—General Buller crossed the Tugela +at Manger’s Drift.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">6.—General Buller captured Vaal Krantz +Hill.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">7.—Vaal Krantz Hill abandoned, and +British force withdrew south of +the Tugela.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">9.—General Macdonald retired to +Modder River.</p> + +<p class="chronoind">Lord Roberts arrived at Modder +River.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">10.—Colonel Hannay’s force moved to +Ramdam.</p> + +<p class="chronohang">12.—General French with Cavalry Division, +proceeding to the Relief of +Kimberley, seized Dekiel’s Drift.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 696px;"> +<a name="illo02" id="illo02"></a><img src="images/illo02.png" width="696" height="471" +alt="BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE COUNTRY COVERED BY GENERAL BULLER’S OPERATIONS FOR THE RELIEF OF LADYSMITH." title="" /> +<div> +<span class="caption">BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE COUNTRY COVERED BY GENERAL BULLER’S OPERATIONS FOR THE RELIEF OF LADYSMITH.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap smaller">EDINBURGH and LONDON: T. C. & E. C. JACK</span></div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> + +<p class="gap2 xx-large center"><b>SOUTH AFRICA AND THE<br /> +TRANSVAAL WAR</b></p> + +<h2 class="gap2"><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smaller">THE SITUATION</span></h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The wave that breaks against a forward stroke<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Beats not the swimmer back, but thrills him through<br /></span> +<span class="i2">With joyous trust to win his way anew<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Through stronger seas than first upon him broke<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And triumphed. England’s iron-tempered oak<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Shrank not when Europe’s might against her grew<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Full, and her sun drunk up her foes like dew,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And lion-like from sleep her strength awoke.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As bold in fight as bold in breach of trust<br /></span> +<span class="i2">We find our foes and wonder not to find,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Nor grudge them praise whom honour may not bind:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But loathing more intense than speaks disgust<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Heaves England’s heart, when scorn is bound to greet<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hunters and hounds whose tongues would lick their feet.”<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p class="ralign smcap">—Algernon Charles Swinburne.</p> + +<p class="gap2">A week of disaster had terminated woefully. Three British +Generals in succession—Sir William Gatacre, Lord +Methuen, and Sir Redvers Buller—had advanced against +strongly fortified Boer positions and suffered repulse. The +hearts of the miserable loyalists, who hung in dire suspense +on the result of British action, sank in despair—their dismay +and their grief were pitiful. Great Britain echoed their sentiment. +Disappointment was universal. General Gatacre had failed through +lack of caution and mischance; the other Generals had come to grief +owing to the circumstances which forced them willy nilly to hurry +to the assistance of beleaguered towns in the face of overwhelming +disadvantages, notably the lack of cavalry and the inefficiency of +the guns. Lord Methuen had been unable to bring home his early +victories owing to the absence of mounted men. Sir Redvers Buller +had failed to dislodge the enemy from his strong, naturally fortified +positions owing to the weakness of his artillery in comparison to +that of the enemy, who had Nordenfeldt and Hotchkiss quick-firing +guns in every available position. He had made a glorious attempt—owned +to be magnificent; but it was not war, and in his failure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> +he recognised that it was not the game of derring-do, but the game +of “slim” warfare as played by his brother Boer which must +claim his attention. Now was verified the prophecy of the Polish +apocalypse: “The war of the future will be a war of sieges and +entrenched positions. In the war of the future the advantage will +always rest with the defensive. In the war of the future, frontal +attacks, without immense superiority in numbers, will be impossible.”</p> + +<p>Every campaign, they say, has its lessons. This one we now +find to be full of them, so full indeed that it has necessarily taken +our Generals some time to become acquainted even with their +grammar. When the war was forced upon us by the Pretoria +oligarchy for the long-cherished purpose of ousting Great Britain +from South Africa, many of the authorities were of opinion that +a rabble of undisciplined farmers would be incapable of offering +any formidable resistance to the superior military system of Great +Britain. Not a hint of doubt as to the success of our arms and the +effectiveness of our war apparatus was entertained. When Colonials +in the summer of ’99 volunteered their services, the Government +received the offers with a sniff. Later they accepted them with +grateful thanks. It was never imagined that colonists could know +anything of the art of war, or that they might teach a lesson or two +even to that august institution the Staff College. Those who knew +ventured to suggest that in South Africa the same cast-iron principles +that existed in European warfare would be valueless, and that +the lessons of Ingogo and Majuba in ’81 might be repeated in ’99 +in all their dire and dismal reality. But these pessimists were scoffed +at. They therefore waited, and hoped against hope. Now and then +they feebly wondered by what process infantry, arriving two months +late, when the enemy had had time to entrench the whole country at +various naturally strong strategic points, would be able to overcome +the disadvantages attendant on immobility. But they were silenced +by a look. British pluck and endurance might be calculated upon +to surmount everything and anything—some said! No one seemed +to care to tackle the problem of how men on foot would be enabled +to compete creditably, in anything like equal numbers, with a +mounted enemy possessing more than ordinary mobility.</p> + +<p>A mounted enemy has many advantages in his favour. He can +select his own position, he can place all his force <i>en masse</i> into the +fighting line, he can so pick his positions that one man on the defensive +can make himself the equal of three men of the attacking force; +and, besides, he can occupy a length of position which must extend +his flanks far beyond those of the attackers on foot. These in +consequence are either forced to extend to equal length, at almost +certain risk of being unable to reinforce any weak point developed +during the attack, and thereby cause the attack to be broken at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> +points; or they have to “contain” only a portion of the enemy in +position, and perhaps leave his wings—or one wing—free to execute +an outflanking movement. It is impossible when a line extends for +miles, and the enemy’s strength is not discoverable before the heat +of the engagement, for infantry to come from a great distance to +the assistance of weak points; and by reason of this immobility +it is equally impossible for infantry in the heat of action, and when +the front is extended for miles, to suddenly change a plan of attack +in time to save a situation.</p> + +<p>The task set before our Generals was, therefore, almost superhuman: +they were expected to make up for want of mobility with +superior strategical qualifications; but, as has been said, no committee +of Generals could at this juncture have decided on a strategy +applicable to the complicated situation. That the Boer was a born +strategist, and had able advisers, was amply proved. The amalgam +of Boer methods, with Zulu theories and modern German tactics, +was sufficient to try the most ingenious intelligence. For instance, +the Boers in early days selected positions on the sides and tops of +kopjes, and at the commencement of the campaign, at Talana Hill +and at Elandslaagte, they were so perched, in accordance with the +primitive principles of their race. They ignored the fact that such +positions were the worst they could select against artillery fire with +percussion fuses. Even for their own rifle practice such positions +were also the worst, as, firing down at an angle, their bullets as a +rule ran the chance of ploughing the earth without ricocheting, +and served only to hit the one man aimed at. They worked, and +still work, on the old Zulu principle of putting their whole strength +into the fighting line, acting on the Zulu axiom, “Let it thunder—and +pass.” A sound principle this, no doubt, but one which our ponderous +military machinery would not allow us to adopt. To these early +methods, and to his native “slimness” and cunning, the Boer now +added some German erudition. The influence of German officers +and German tactics began to work changes curious and inexplicable. +The Boers built scientific entrenchments, no longer on the kopjes +alone but also below them, thus reducing the effect of hostile artillery, +save that of howitzers, and permitting their sharpshooters to sweep +the plain with a hurricane from their Mausers. In addition to this +they built long castellated trenches, perfect underground avenues, +to allow of the invisible massing of troops at any given point. They +were also provided with ingenious gun-trenches, quite hidden, along +which their Nordenfeldt gun, that pumped five shells in rapid succession, +could be removed swiftly from one spot to another, and +thereby defeat the efforts of the British gunners to locate it.</p> + +<p>Thus it will be seen a new complexion was put upon Boer affairs. +Novel and trying conditions were imposed on those who already had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> +to cope with the problem of how to match in mobility a rival who +brought to his support six legs, while the British only brought two. +Whole armies consisting merely of mounted infantry and artillery +had never before come into action, and it began to be understood +that a war against bushwhackers, guerillas, and sharpshooters, plus +the most expensive guns modernity could provide, was a matter more +serious than any with which the nineteenth century had hitherto had +to deal. We had to learn that sheer pluck, endurance, and brute +force were unavailing, and that strategy of the hard and fast kind—the +red-tape strategy of the Staff College—was about as unpractical +as a knowledge of the classics to one who goes a-marketing. There +is no finality in the art of war, and nations, be they ever so old and +wise and important, must go on learning.</p> + +<p>One of the newer questions was, how far personal intelligence +might be distributed among a body of men? The General as a +head, the Staff Officers as nerves that convey volition to the different +members, we had accepted, but how far individual acumen was +needed to insure success now began to be argued. Certain it was +that in this campaign we had opportunities for studying the comparative +value of individual discretion <i>versus</i> “fighting to order.” +The Boers, every one of them, were working for themselves, absolutely +for hearth and home, though perhaps under a general plan which +certainly served to harass and annoy and keep the British army in +a dilemma; while we laboured on a consolidated system which, if not +obsolete, was certainly inappropriate. However, as there was no +use in bemoaning our reverses, we began to congratulate ourselves +on having discovered the cause of them. It was decided that first +there must be more troops sent out to meet the extended nature of +our operations, and that these troops must be accompanied by a +sufficient number of horses to insure the necessary mobility, without +which even the brute force of our numbers would be useless.</p> + +<p>Of the successful issue of future proceedings none had a +doubt. All knew that the finest strategy in the world must be useless +when tools were wanting, and all felt certain that the admirable +abilities of our Generals, when once the means of playing their war +game came to hand, were bound to rise to the prodigious task still +in store.</p> + +<p>But for the dire necessity of the three gallant towns—Mafeking, +Kimberley, and Ladysmith—a waiting game would have been +possible and wise. The Boer stores of food and ammunition would +eventually have run out, and the guns gone the way of much-used +guns. Trek-oxen, instead of dragging the waggons of their masters, +would have had to go to feed the hungry commandoes, and the +history of slow exhaustion would have had to be told. But—again +there was the great But!—those three valiant towns were holding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> +out their hands, they were crying for help, they were standing in +their hourly peril hopeful and brave because they believed—they +were certain—that we should never desert them!</p> + +<p class="gap2">At home the grievous news of the reverse was digested by +the public with dumb, almost paralysed resignation. At first it was +scarcely possible to believe that the great, the long-anticipated move +for the relief of Ladysmith had proved a failure, and that the Boers +were still masters of the situation, and moreover the richer by +eleven of our much-needed guns. By degrees the terrible truth +began to be accepted by us. By degrees the Government awakened +to the fact that the fighting of the Dutchmen within the region of +Natal meant more than the pitting of one Briton against two Boers, +that it meant the dashing of a whole Army Corps against Nature’s +strongholds, our own by right of purchase and blood, and captured +from us merely by reason of neglect and delay!</p> + +<p>To awake, however, was to act. In our misfortune it was +pleasant to recall the words of Jomini, when speaking of Frederick +the Great and his defeats in Silesia. “A series of fortunate events,” +he said, “may dull the greatest minds, deprive them of their natural +vigour, and level them with common beings. But adversity is a +tonic capable of bringing back energy and elasticity to those who +have lost it.” The tonic was sipped. Jomini’s theories were proved! +Though Great Britain through a series of fortunate events—a long +reign of comparative peace—had become lethargic and money-grubbing, +she, at the first shock of adversity, regained all her +elasticity, vigour, and natural spirit of chivalry. Promptly the entire +nation nerved itself to prove that, as of old, it was equal to any +struggle, any sacrifice. The whole country seemed with one consent +to leap to arms.</p> + +<p>The Militia, nine battalions of Infantry, was now permitted to +volunteer for service in any part of the Queen’s dominions where +such services might be wanted, while it was arranged that specially +selected contingents of Yeomanry and Volunteers would start for +the Front as soon as there were found ships sufficient to carry them.</p> + +<p>Noble as amazing was the hurried response of the Volunteers +to the intimation that their services would be accepted for the +war. Hastily they pressed forward in crowds to enrol themselves. +Their promptitude was goodly to look upon and to read +of, for it showed that, in spite of the theories of Tolstoi and the +influence of the spirit of modernity, patriotism is inherent and not +a mere exotic or cultivated sentiment in the British race. We now +found that though many traditions may be worn to rags, those of the +British army had grown, like old tapestry, the more precious for +the passage of time.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p> + +<p>Still the military position was pregnant with anxieties. A +horse that is left at the post may perhaps win in the end, but +his chances of success are remote. An army that lands in driblets +three months after time is scarcely calculated to succeed against +a rival army which has spent that interval in equipping itself +for the fray. We were forced to remember that at the onset +our officers were placed in the most dangerous positions, with +inadequate support and no prospect of reinforcement, until their +energies, mental and physical, had been sapped by undue and +prolonged strain. On the north Tuli had but a handful of +troops to resist an enormous and powerful enemy; Mafeking +was surrounded, isolated, and able only to resist to the death +the persistent attacks of shot and shell; Vryburg was allowed +to be treacherously given away to the enemy; and Kimberley +was left in the lurch as it were, to fight or fall according to +the pluck of those who were ready to exhaust their vitality in +loyalty to the Queen. On the Natal side things were still worse. +The country, every inch of which is familiar to the Boer, had almost +invited invasion. The whole strength of Boers and Free Staters +was permitted to launch itself against an army which was entirely +without reserves, and which could not be reinforced under a month. +That brave and unfortunate soldier, Sir George Colley, had a theory +that small, well-organised troops were worth as much again as +large and desultory ones; but he took no account of peculiar facilities +which are almost inherent to armies fighting on their own soil, as +it were, and habits of warfare which have, so to speak, become ancestral +with the Boer. From old time the Dutchman has employed his +mountain fastnesses, his boulders, and his tambookie grass as screens +and shelters, till in war the “tricks of the trade” have become a +second nature to him, and serve in place of more complicated +European methods. The small Natal army was, on Sir George +Colley’s principle, allowed to pit itself against a fighting mass, +dense and desultory it may be, but a fighting mass of enormous +dimensions, which, whatever their failings, had weight, equipment, +courage, obstinacy, and intimacy with their surroundings entirely +in their favour. That the enemy was first in the field they had +to thank the original promoters of war, the Peace party—the +humanitarian persons who so long hampered reason by loud outcries +against the shedding of blood that their own countrymen +in the Transvaal were condemned to all the tortures of suspense, +to be aggravated later by all the agonies of famine and disease. +Their own countrywomen and their babes were saved from shot +and shell to be sent defenceless and homeless to wander the world +till the charity of strangers or the relief of death should overtake +them, while the loyal natives were left in a state of trepidation and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> +suspense, without protection, yet forbidden to raise a hand in their +own defence.</p> + +<p>Reason now had its way. But remedies cannot be applied in a +moment, and the public, which is always wise after the event, +vented its anguish and its feelings of suspense by indulging in +criticism, or in asking questions which, of course, could not be +answered till the principal persons concerned were able to take part +in the catechism. For instance, some of the riddles buzzed about in +club and railway carriage were: Why did Sir Redvers Buller make a +frontal attack across an open plain against an enemy admirably entrenched, +and posted in a position not only made strong by art but by +nature? Why was it that the Government, in spite of the warnings +given by Sir Alfred Milner while he was in England in May ’99, neglected +to take such precautions as would have prevented the enemy +from being entirely in advance of us in the matter of time? Why, +also, were the Boers permitted to arm themselves with the most +expensive modern weapons, to be used against us, under the very +eye of our representative in Pretoria, without our being warned +of the inferior quality of our own guns, and of the impossibility of +making ourselves a match for the enemy so long as the cheese-paring +policy of the authorities at home was countenanced? Why, +with an Intelligence Department in working order, was it never +discovered that united Free State and Transvaal Dutchmen would +vastly outnumber all the troops we were prepared—or, rather, +unprepared—to put in the field, the troops we strove to make +sufficient till the strain of reverse forced from us the acceptance +of help from the Colonies, the Militia, and the Volunteers?</p> + +<p>The great question of reinforcements filled all minds. Nothing +indeed could be looked for till they should reach the Cape. Fifteen +huge transports were due to arrive between the end of December +and the beginning of January, bringing on the scene some 15,000 +troops of all arms. The Fifth Division, under Sir Charles Warren, +consisting of eight battalions of Infantry and its complement of Artillery +and Engineers was expected, also the Household Cavalry Composite +Regiment, the 14th Hussars, a siege train, a draft of Marines, +and various odd branches of the service. Later on more troops +would follow, but pending the arrival of the warrior cargoes it was +impossible for our Generals to do more than act on the defensive, +and consider themselves fortunate if they could prevent the further +advance of the enemy to the south.</p> + +<p>But the most momentous move of the closing year was +the departure of Lord Roberts for the seat of war. Here was +this gallant officer, whose life had been devoted to the service +of his country, and who was at an age when many other men +would have elected to stay by hearth and home, suddenly called on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +to act in the most difficult and trying crisis. And, in the very +hour that he was asked to rouse himself to meet the call of +Queen and country, he was dealt a crushing blow. His gallant +son, the only one, and one well worthy to have worn the laurels +of his noble father, besides adding to them by his own splendid +acts, was carried off, a victim to the severe wound he received at +Colenso. Here was a supreme trial, so supreme indeed that none +dared touch it. All, even Lord Roberts’s sincerest friends, shrunk +from dwelling on the agony of mind that must have been endured +by this great hero when at the same moment the voice of duty and +the cry of domestic love jarred in conflict. On the one side he was +called upon to brace himself to meet a political situation fraught with +all manner of indescribable complications, while on the other, human +nature with a thousand clinging tendrils drew him towards the +numbness of mute woe or the consolation of private tears. But, +like the great warrior he is, he got into harness and started off, +leaving his misery in the hands of the great British people, who +held it as their own. The “send off” they gave him at Waterloo +Station was one of the most remarkable outbursts of public feeling +on record, and this was not only due to admiration for the conqueror +of Kandahar, but to profound sympathy for the man and the father +who was thus laying aside his private self and placing all his magnificent +ability at the service of the Empire.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a id="DOINGS_AT_CHIEVELEY" name="DOINGS_AT_CHIEVELEY"></a>DOINGS AT CHIEVELEY</h3> + +<p>It was now found desirable to remove part of the camp about ten +and a half miles to the south, to get out of range of the Boer big +guns which commanded the position. The wounded were daily +being sent off in train-loads to Maritzburg, many of them, in spite +of being shot in two or three places, cheerful and anxious to return +quickly “to be in at the death,” as they sportingly described it. The +funeral of Lord Roberts’s gallant son caused a sense of deep depression +to prevail in all ranks, for he was not only regretted by those +who held his brilliant qualities in esteem, but in sympathy with the +sore affliction which had befallen the veteran “Bobs,” whose name, +wherever Tommy goes, is one to conjure with. The ceremony +was a most impressive one, and the pall-bearers were all men of +young Roberts’s corps. These were Major Prince Christian Victor, +Colonels Buchanan-Riddell and Bewicke-Copley, and Major Stuart-Wortley.</p> + +<p>The graves of all the unfortunate slain were marked round, +covered with flowers, and temporary tablets arranged till suitable +memorials should be prepared.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 635px;"> +<a name="illo03" id="illo03"></a><img src="images/illo03.png" width="635" height="411" alt="A PICKET OF 13th HUSSARS SURPRISED NEAR THE TUGELA RIVER (HUSSAR HILL)." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">A PICKET OF 13th HUSSARS SURPRISED NEAR THE TUGELA RIVER (HUSSAR HILL).</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Drawing by John Charlton.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>Meanwhile the Naval guns were unceasing in their activity, +and made an appalling accompaniment to the afternoon siestas<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +in which many, owing to the excessive heat, were inclined to indulge. +For strategical reasons it was now found necessary to blow +up the road-bridge over the Tugela, and thus prevent the Boers from +advancing further to the south or spying upon our positions.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 319px;"> +<a name="illo04" id="illo04"></a><a href="images/illo04.png"><img src="images/illo04th.png" width="319" height="468" alt="Map of the Seat of War. Scale 1 inch=86 miles." title="" /></a> +<div><span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Map of the Seat of War.</span> Scale 1 inch=86 miles.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">[Transcribers' note: Image is a link to a larger scale image. For ease of reference, the black line beneath the +image would be approximately one inch in length in the original.]</span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>Extra precautions were taken in regard to the white flag. It +began to be believed at last that the Boer would take an unfair +advantage of the Briton whenever he should get a chance. +Strangely enough, our officers seemed to have forgotten or disregarded +the object-lesson of the tragic affair of Bronker’s Spruit. +Yet Boer “slimness” was then well enough established. The unfortunate +Colonel Anstruther caused to be printed in the Transvaal +Government <i>Gazette</i> a bi-lingual proclamation, informing the Boers +that, in consequence of the many treacherous uses to which the +white flag had been put, he would in future recognise the emblem +only under the following conditions: two Boers accompanied by an +officer, and all unarmed, must approach the lines bearing the white +flag aloft. The British soldiers were also advised to keep well under +cover whenever the flag was displayed. This showed that reliance +on Boer honour would in no case be attempted. At the present date +Boer morality had not improved, and it was even declared that the +Free Staters had made their women boil down their national flag, +so that in its pallid state it might at a little distance be mistaken for +the white flag, and come in handy in case of need.</p> + +<p>On the 20th of December a picket, consisting of seven men belonging +to the 13th Hussars, was surprised some five miles from +camp, in the direction of Weenen, by a party of sixty Boers. +These cautiously crept round some kopjes to where the outpost +was stationed. A smart tussle ensued. Two men were killed and +seven horses were lost. No sooner had information of the fight +reached camp than some of Bethune’s and Thorneycroft’s Mounted +Infantry were despatched to the rescue, but the Boers, on perceiving +these reinforcements, quickly fled and thus escaped punishment.</p> + +<p>At this time the second advance for the relief of Ladysmith +was very secretly being organised, but no one knew exactly +when Sir Redvers Buller meant to move, or whether he intended +to give up the idea of a frontal attack altogether. Our +Generals were criticised for making frontal attacks, but Clausewitz +declares that the attempt to turn the flank of the enemy +can only be justified by a great superiority; this superiority may +be either actual superiority of numbers, or it may follow from the +way in which the lines of communication are placed. Unfortunately +we had no favouring strength; the Boers outnumbered +us everywhere, and not only did they exceed us numerically, but +their mobility enabled them so quickly to move from front to flank +positions that they were, on desire, facing us at any moment. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +fact the Boer army had no flank, and therefore the vast amount of +after-the-event wisdom which was gratuitously handed about by “the +man in the street” was absolutely wasted.</p> + +<p>An unfortunate incident now occurred. Capt. James Rutherford +and Mr. Grenfell, S.A.L.H., while visiting the pickets, disappeared. +They apparently rode into the midst of the enemy’s +scouts, who were everywhere prowling about, and were forced to +surrender. The report of the capture was brought to the camp +by native runners, who stated that the officers had been removed +to Pretoria. However, for two gallant Britons lost there was one +gained, for at the very time Mr. Winston Churchill had almost +miraculously made himself free of his captors.</p> + +<p>The story of his escape reads like a novel; but truth is stranger +than fiction. When removed to Pretoria after the disaster to the +armoured train at Chieveley, he almost gave up hope of escape; indeed +he had every reason so to do, for on the 12th of December he +was informed by the Transvaal Government’s Secretary for War +that there was little chance of his release. Whereupon, with many +doubts and misgivings, he discussed with himself the best means +of struggling for freedom. The State Schools Prison was well +guarded; it was surrounded by a high wall, and the sentries were +vigilant in the extreme. He formed for himself a plan, however, and +once when the back of the sentry was momentarily turned he took +his courage in both hands as the French say, rushed at the six-foot +wall, scaled it, and let himself down into a neighbouring garden before +his movement could be detected. The garden was the garden of an +inhabited house. There were lights in the windows; more, there +were visitors on the verandah, and presently, ramblers among the +paths! Moments of horror as the escaped hid in the trees seemed to +become years, discovery appeared to be merely a matter of moments. +But evidently the Fates decided that so useful a member of creation—warrior, +writer, and politician—could not be spared by society or +his country, and in a little while Mr. Churchill found himself wandering, +undisguised and unrecognised, through the streets of the town. +Burghers passed him, passengers brushed his shoulders. Nobody +asked his business. It was evident that Fate wanted him. The stars +said so, and following their direction he struck out towards the +Delagoa Railroad. He knew that he dared ask his way of none; +he was aware that he must make the most of the cloak of night; he +was intimate enough with Boer customs to be certain that in a few +hours his description would be posted throughout the two Republics. +The present, and only the present, was his. He walked along the +line, evading the watchers on bridges and culverts, and determining +to stick to the rails, without which he might find himself lost or +wandering back in the teeth of the enemy. Once free of the town,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +he bided his time cautiously in the neighbourhood of an adjacent +station. There he watched the coming of a train, and just as it +steamed past him, with an alacrity and agility born of sheer despair, +he made a leap towards a truck, grabbed at a hook on the edge, +boarded it, and was soon burrowing deep in a cargo of coal-sacks. +There he lay, grimy, exhausted, and almost distraught, but happy. +He was free. Every minute the anxiety for freedom had grown +within him, till now, fighting his way towards it, it had become an +almost savage passion. He had decided he would never go back. +No one should capture him. But this was easier to swear than to +accomplish. To escape detection it was necessary again to risk his +life—to leap off the train as he had leapt on it, while the machinery +was in full swing and the driver ignorant of the existence of his +distinguished passenger. Before dawn, therefore, he emerged from +the coal-heap, and with a flying leap landed flat on the railroad. He +gathered himself together, and by sunrise was concealed in a +wood, his only companion for some time being a vulture. The +sojourn in the cool boskage of the Transvaal was fraught with good +luck, and at dusk when the fugitive emerged he was another man. +At last he was able to gather his forces together for another trip on +a passing train. There was always danger though—danger because +it was necessary to hug the line, and where the line was, there also +were railway guards, or at least humanity—inimical humanity, who +most probably were plotting his ruin. Plod, plod, plod; so passed +the hours, scrambling along in the dead of night through sluits and +dongas in the effort to avoid the direct neighbourhood of huts, +bridges, stations, and yet keep in touch with the winding iron track +that led to the longed-for sea. For five days and nights he persevered, +tramping after dark and sneaking under cover all day, and +dimly conscious that the hue and cry had gone forth, and that every +man’s hand in the enemy’s country was now turned against him. +On the sixth day he managed again with amazing good fortune to +safely board a train, and this time it was one going from Middleburg +to Delagoa Bay. Again he burrowed among sacks and carefully +hid himself, so carefully, indeed, that owing to his extreme precaution +discovery was evaded. The train was searched, the sacks +were prodded. Deep down, scarcely daring to breathe, lay the man +they were seeking—an inch or two off—just an inch or two off. He +drew a long breath and praised God for his escape. After that he +passed some sixty hours in all the agonies of suspense. Famine and +thirst preyed on him, and active horror lest all his exertions should +be in vain, lest, at the very last moment, the whole struggle of hope +and wretchedness would end in dire and fatal disaster. But he was +preserved. He arrived at Lourenço Marques on the 21st of +December, and from there proceeded to Natal. “I am very weak,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +but I am free.” Such were the words of his telegram; no wired +words ever meant more. “I have lost many pounds in weight, but +I am lighter in heart; and I avail myself of this moment, which is a +witness to my earnestness, to urge an unflinching and uncompromising +prosecution of the war.” In regard to Mr. Winston Churchill’s +arrival among his friends in Natal, an eye-witness wrote:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“The 23rd of December last was a memorable day at Durban, perhaps the +most memorable since that on which the Boers’ ultimatum was published. +From Lourenço Marques had come the exciting intelligence that young Winston +Churchill, a distinguished member of a world-renowned race, had succeeded in +evading his jailers at Pretoria, and, after a series of thrilling adventures, had +arrived safely at Delagoa Bay. The telegrams had further announced that the +hero had immediately shipped on board the Rennie liner <i>Induna</i> and would +land at Durban that very afternoon. The fame of Mr. Churchill as a soldier +and an author was already established. The history of his gallantry both in +India and at Omdurman was already well known to every good Natalian before +he first stepped ashore there as one of the war correspondents of the <i>Morning +Post</i>. His subsequent courageous conduct at Chieveley at the unfortunate +incident of the armoured train and his capture by the Boers, now capped by +his marvellous escape from Pretoria, had set Durban agog with excitement, and +filled all and sundry with hearty desires to afford him a right royal welcome on +his landing again on British soil.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“The brilliant summer sunshine, tempered by a fresh sea-breeze which +sent a soft ripple across the deep blue surface of the magnificent harbour; the +bold headland of the bluff contrasting vividly against the streets of iron-roofed +dwellings in the township; the large numbers of ocean-going steamers and +sailing craft, gay with bunting; the eager, expectant crowd of every class of +society, from gaily-dressed ladies to wharf labourers, refugees, and Kaffirs in +but shirts and trousers, all contributed to the completion of a picturesque +panorama never to be forgotten. Long before midday did we assemble in our +thousands. When it was whispered about that the <i>Induna</i> would berth alongside +the steamer <i>Inchanga</i>, and that Mr. Churchill must cross the decks of the +<i>Inchanga</i> before stepping ashore, a rush was made for her, and, in spite of +all the efforts of the officers and crew, the crowd swarmed like bees on her. +They took possession of every available point of vantage; they invaded the +sacred precincts of the captain’s bridge; they braved the perils of the rigging; +they huddled together on the ‘fo’cas’le’; they filled every boat; and, heedless +of fresh paint, they clung affectionately to the ventilators and the funnel.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“After having been several times reported the <i>Induna</i> rounded the point +at half-past two. Amid breathless expectation she steamed slowly across the +harbour. Standing beside the captain on the bridge a smallish, clean-shaven +man was descried, and the crowd at once recognised him as the hero whom +they had assembled to honour. A thousand good British cheers broke the +silence, a thousand lusty throats shouted a heartfelt welcome. But this was +not all. The sturdy Natalians did not stop at shouting. The moment the +<i>Induna</i> was moored Mr. Churchill, smiling, was seized bodily by twenty pairs +of brawny arms, was patted and thumped on the back by hundreds of applauding +hands, and finally, after being nearly strangled by over-zealous admirers +who were waving hats and handkerchiefs and crying ‘Bravo!’ and ‘Well done!’ +he was carried shoulder-high across the decks of the <i>Inchanga</i> and deposited in +a ricksha, whence a speech was demanded. In a few modest sentences Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +Churchill good-humouredly narrated some of the more prominent episodes of +his exploit, and a start was made for his hotel, the ricksha-boy being assisted +more or less by some fifty amateur ricksha-men and escorted by a majority of +the crowd. After picking up the editor of the <i>Natal Mercury</i> on the way, and +installing him in state by the side of Mr. Churchill, the hotel was at last +reached, and the demand for another speech having been acceded to, Mr. +Churchill was permitted at four o’clock to retire from the public gaze. The +same night he left Durban for the front.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>The following is a copy of the letter written by Mr. Winston +Churchill to Mr. de Souza prior to escaping from prison:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller ralign"> +“<span class="smcap">State Schools Prison, Pretoria.</span></p> + +<p class="smaller">“<span class="smcap">Dear Mr. de Souza</span>,—I do not consider that your Government was +justified in holding me, a press correspondent and a non-combatant, as a +prisoner, and I have consequently resolved to escape. The arrangements I +have succeeded in making with my friends outside are such as to give me every +confidence. But I wish, in leaving you thus hastily and unceremoniously, to +once more place on record my appreciation of the kindness which has been +shown me and the other prisoners by you, by the commandant, and by Dr. +Gunning, and my admiration of the chivalrous and humane character of the +Republican forces. My views on the general question of the war remain +unchanged, but I shall always retain a feeling of high respect for the several +classes of the Burghers I have met, and on reaching the British lines I will set +forth a truthful and impartial account of my experiences in Pretoria. In conclusion, +I desire to express my obligations to you, and to hope that when this +most grievous and unhappy war shall have come to an end, a state of affairs +may be created which shall preserve the national pride of the Boers and the +security of the British, and put a final stop to the rivalry and enmity of both +races. Regretting that circumstances have not permitted me to bid you a +personal farewell, believe me, yours very sincerely,</p> + +<p class="smaller ralign" style="margin-right:2em;">“<span class="smcap">Winston Churchill</span>.</p> + +<p class="smaller" style="margin-left:2em;">“<i>December 11, 1899.</i>”</p></blockquote> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="CHRISTMAS_AT_THE_CAPE_AND_NATAL" id="CHRISTMAS_AT_THE_CAPE_AND_NATAL"></a>CHRISTMAS AT THE CAPE AND NATAL</h3> + +<p>We had arrived at what might be termed a breathing spell. +There was no serious movement in the direction of the Modder +River, and Lord Methuen was evidently biding his time. General +Gatacre felt himself too weak to take up any very active or offensive +step, while General French contented himself with such harassing +and cleverly annoying operations as kept the enemy, like a +man with a mosquito round his nose, from napping. There was +great hope of better things, however, for it was known that the +<i>Dunottar Castle</i> had left England and was conveying to the Cape—in +addition to Lord Roberts—Lord Kitchener and Major-General +T. Kelly-Kenny, the Commander of the Sixth Division. +Besides these were the following officers of Lord Roberts’s Staff:—Major-General +G. T. Pretyman; Colonel Viscount Downe, C.I.E.; +Major H. V. Cowan; Captain A. C. M. Waterfield; Major J. +F. R. Henderson; Major C. V. Hume; Brevet-Major G. F.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +Gorringe, D.S.O.; Colonel Lord Erroll; Commander the Hon. +S. J. Fortescue (Naval Adviser to Lord Roberts); Captain +Lord Herbert Scott; Captain Lord Settrington.</p> + +<p>This showed that when at last we set to work we did so with +a will. The forces in South Africa before the war had amounted +to 25,000, which number was augmented by 55,000 on the arrival +of the First Army Corps. Late in December came the Fifth Division +of about 11,000, under Sir Charles Warren, followed by the +Sixth Division of 10,000 men. The Seventh and Eighth Divisions +of 10,000 men respectively were shortly to increase the forces at +the disposal of Lord Roberts, together with some 2000 additional +Cavalry, 10,000 Yeomanry, 9000 Volunteers, seven battalions of +Militia, drafts for regiments at the front amounting to 10,000, +and about 20,000 local forces. The first Colonial contingents +consisted of about 2500 men, and these were to be followed by +second contingents of like strength. The Naval Brigade was +composed of about 1000; so that in all, roughly estimated, we +were on the eve of putting 184,000 men into the field.</p> + +<p>Christmas day at the Cape was solemnised with much speechifying, +both from Dutch pulpits and Dutch partisans, and not a few +peacefully disposed persons in this time of general goodwill lugged +in Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman by the ears and quoted him +to suit their purpose. That amiable worthy had said the war +could have been avoided, and that cheap and incontrovertible +statement the Bond got hold of and chewed and rolled on the +tongue as an accompaniment to its plum-pudding and mince-pies. +Of course, the war could have been avoided. Of course, it would +have been quite possible to voluntarily retire from the Cape and +allow South Africa to become entirely Dutch. In the same way +we could give up governing India and hand it over to Russia +and confine our expenses and our energies to Great Britain, +the water supply, the development of national cookery, and the +propagation of cabbages. But peace with dishonour was fortunately +not to the taste of the British public, and those who spent their +Yuletide in active service were far too devoted to the sacred duty +of maintaining the prestige of the Empire to sigh for the domestic +hearth and regal sirloin that might have been theirs had the +Government extended its accommodating apathy a few months +longer.</p> + +<p>There were no holly decorations and displays of bunting, no +rubbings of hands and vigorous snow-balling, because the South +African sun blazed with the glare of beaten brass, and the thermometer +stood to the height of some 100 degrees at midday. But +there was a vast amount of joke-making and hearty goodwill +nevertheless, and many prayers for friends and family and Queen.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> + +<p>In Natal there were lively doings in honour of the festal season. +At a time when even cracker manufacturers wax poetic, the +journalistic poets thought it their duty to burst into rhyme. The +Natal papers indulged in some jocose doggerel, which would have +been comic had it not been deeply tragic. The lines ran thus: +“To Ladysmith”—the only lines, by-the-bye, that did run there—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“‘Hold the Fort, for I am coming,’<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Says the helio—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Quick as light the answer flashes,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">‘Ain’t you coming slow?’”<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But Tommy was pleased and thought the stanza a capital joke. +He meant to get there directly, and merely quoted the proverb +about “slow and shure”—there were so many Irishmen about, +fine fellows, who believed in themselves and they were shure +about everything. They had nothing to do with doubt, for doubt, +after all, is the mother of diffidence!</p> + +<p>And some of these rollicking youngsters managed to retain their +native good-humour in most distressing circumstances. A good +story was told of one gallant private in hospital who had lost his leg +but persisted in apostrophising the missing limb whenever it ached. +“Be aisy wid ye. Can’t ye be quiet? Ye’ll niver take me into the +foight again. Ohovo!”</p> + +<p>Other examples of amazing good-temper and pluck on the part +of the wounded filled all eye-witnesses with pathetic admiration. +One man, a quondam music-hall singer, carried his jocose art into his +sick-bed. A Boer prisoner had lost his arms, and the poor fellow +helplessly shook his head when offered tobacco. But the music-hall +singer saw the shake of the head and tearful eye that accompanied +it. In a moment, with gymnastic dexterity, he had placed +his arms round the Boer and performed the office of the missing +ones, giving the fellow the advantage of a good smoke. Another +of our men who had lost his right arm co-operated with a Boer who +had lost his left, and between them they rolled cigarettes to the +great satisfaction of both. While they were in hospital another +sufferer pretended to be in no way depressed by the loss of his arm, +and ventured on mild whimsicalities regarding the economy of being +able to share a single pair of gloves with any right-handed man +who might also have lost a limb!</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 429px;"> +<a name="illo05" id="illo05"></a><img src="images/illo05.png" width="429" height="612" alt="LIEUT.-GENERAL FORRESTIER WALKER, K.C.B." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">LIEUT.-GENERAL FORRESTIER WALKER, K.C.B.</span><br /> +Commanding the Lines of Communication.<br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Elliott & Fry, London.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>On the whole, well or ill, Tommy was temporarily in clover. +The fat of the land was being sent out by fervent admirers at home. +Indeed he was getting somewhat inundated with worsted goods +which the fair hands of his countrywomen had been devotedly +manufacturing. Jack Tar, despite his magnificent work, was not +so highly distinguished, at least so he thought, and occasionally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +vented his disgust into private ears. But, as one of them said, +they’d had a treat for Christmas—the treat of a wash! It was +bathing under difficulties, however, for one half of the men had to +keep guard with loaded rifles while the other half wallowed in +water that, in harmony with the general scheme of things in camp, +was also of kharki hue!</p> + +<p>Tommy at the front was externally scarcely the Tommy of our +acquaintance. His bright spick and span exterior was gone. +Kharki had sobered him and planed down his individuality. His +uniform no longer sat without a crease. It was washed and worn +and shrunken from hard and honourable usage, and his carriage +was no longer the carriage of Tommy on parade. He seemed to +have taken a leaf out of Jack’s book, and the slight slouch became +him well. It gave him the air of a workman and an individual, and +seemed to point to the fact that there was no longer occasion for him +to be judged by appearances. We knew the inner man now. He +did his duty grandly, and his splendid courage and perseverance +had made him independent of the pomp and panoply of war. In +the matter of “grit” they were all alike. But in externals they +had curious differences, their characteristics varying considerably +according to the regiment to which they belonged. Some were +dapper still—the newly arrived ones—with hair clipped to an eighth +of an inch for head and half an inch for moustache; others had +succumbed to circumstances, and had grown beards of odd sizes and +shapes and colours (scumbled in all cases with dust), while the +youngsters displayed an unhappy medium, styled by an officer +“pieces of unexpected wool,” on promiscuous parts of their faces! +Still, when all was said, joviality and “grit” put an identical veneer +on them all!</p> + +<p>The officers too were transmogrified. They were dressed +exactly like the men. Tan brown belts, swords, and revolvers were +no longer in evidence. When going off to war, or any other duty +at all under arms, each officer arrayed himself in his servant’s belt +and equipment—stained with clay paste to the prevalent dust or +kharki colour—and took with him his servant’s rifle and one hundred +rounds of ammunition. There was a difference without a distinction. +The officer carried a field-glass, and this when not in use was concealed +in a coat-pocket. Every precaution was now adopted to +prevent them from inviting an undue share of attention. The +mounted officers had carbines—neat, handy weapons, which slipped +into a leather carbine bucket in the saddle, on the other side of +which went the very necessary wire-cutters. Barbed wire entanglements +were so much a part of the Boer programme—“to cheer you +up in crossing the drifts,” some one said—that the cutters became an +essential part of warlike gear. A strange innovation this; very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +small but very full of meaning. The Boers were teaching us a +great deal. We were beginning to understand, almost to admire, +their curious modes of warfare—their strange ability to “sit tight,” +wire themselves in, and yet to fly away! Years ago, when some +tactician ventured to say that the war of the future embraced only +the question of long-range rifles and wire-entangled trenches, we +were inclined to pooh-pooh! Now we were beginning to see +wisdom in this stubborn and persistent, and yet skittishly mobile +foe! When we looked at our wire nippers and their strong +entrenchments we began to formulate the war motto of the future, +which resolves itself into five words: “Six legs and a spade!” The +sword, the bayonet, the cavalry charge were passing away for ever. +Here the dignified charger was ill-matched with the nimble steed of +the country, and many officers were only too glad to supplement their +English horses with Basuto ponies—to secure four serviceable and +sure legs, as the climate and other circumstances contrived to wear +out those of their British beasts. Fortunately there was still a +plentiful choice in horse-flesh, what with British and Australian +and Argentine specimens, but the Basuto ponies were the most +knowing and handy for the purposes required. The imported +horse, it was discovered, needed a long and probationary period to +make him at home on the South African veldt. Like other aristocratical +creatures, he was unequal to the hand-to-mouth existence of +the African-born animal, who, by habit and instinct, could shift for +himself. He was neither knowing nor cautious, having been unaccustomed +to ground honeycombed with mole-holes, sluits, and +other obstacles, or to the trick of rolling on the veldt and picking up +his meals haphazard from the first bush he came across. Hence it +became evident that horses in plenty must be forthcoming if we +were ever to remedy our deficiencies and make our progress something +other than the steam-roller style of progress to which we had +been accustomed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="gap2"><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smaller">MAFEKING</span></h2> + +<p class="gap2">Plucky little Mafeking continued to hold its own, and +not merely to hold its own, but to make itself dauntlessly +aggressive. Continual sorties took place, and indeed +formed part of the routine of daily life. Commandant Cronje +now sent in a communication disputing the right of the British +to use dynamite in any way in the operations for the defence of +the town; but Colonel Baden-Powell was inclined for deeds, not +arguments, so Cronje was silenced. The town was enlivened by +a great concert, in which the National Anthem was sung with +fervour and intense significance. This showed without doubt that +Mafeking meant to fight so long as breath should last. In regard +to provisions and water, the garrison was getting on well. The art +of dodging shells, said one officer, was being carried to a state of +great perfection, and the fighting was being conducted in strict +accordance with military etiquette, Commandant Cronje always +giving due notice of bombardment!</p> + +<p>For some time after Colonel Walford’s gallant defence of Cannon +Kopje on the 31st October, nothing much occurred. The losses from +this attack were more than at first supposed. Captain the Hon. H. +Marsham, as we know, was killed, and Captain Pechell, who was +hit in the abdomen by a piece of shell, succumbed to his injuries. +Sergeant Lloyd, who did splendid service with the Red Cross +company, was struck while attending to the wounded, and died. +Trooper Nicholas, whose arm was shattered, succumbed owing +to shock to the system. A trooper who was hit by a bullet in +the collar-bone escaped death miraculously. Fortunately, Lieutenants +Brady and Dawson, who were also injured, were getting +on well.</p> + +<p>Among the marvellous escapes recorded, and these were not a +few, was one of a negro who was shot through the brain by a bullet. +The projectile passed through one temple and lodged in the other, +yet the man still survived, and showed a decided intention to recover. +There is an old story of a Jamaica negro who fell from a +tree without injury, and when asked how he escaped, he explained +his good fortune by saying, “Tank God, me fall on me head!” +The invulnerability of the nigger cranium in that case, as in this, +had its advantages, and it would be interesting if some of our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +specialists—say Dr. Horsley—would account for the rough-and-tumble +superiority of blacks over whites.</p> + +<p>On the 1st of November a lamentable incident occurred. +Parslow, the correspondent of the <i>Daily Chronicle</i>, was shot by a +member of the garrison. The following is an extract from a +letter relating to the sad affair, which was in the possession of +the Editor of the <i>Daily Chronicle</i>:—</p> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Mafeking</span>, <i>November 19</i>.—One item, the most unpleasant of the +whole beleaguerment, occupied attention during last week—that is, the +court-martial of Lieutenant Murchison for the murder of Mr. Parslow, +special war correspondent of the London <i>Daily Chronicle</i>. He was +a genial, good-humoured young fellow, and asked Murchison, +an artilleryman of ability and undoubted courage, to dine with +him. After dinner Mr. Parslow strolled with Murchison across the +Market Square towards Dixon’s Hotel, the headquarters of the +Staff, the ostensible purpose being for both of them to obtain a +copy of the orders for the day, usually issued about that time—half-past +nine or ten o’clock <span class="smaller">P.M.</span> Some words ensued apparently +during the few minutes occupied in reaching Dixon’s. Parslow +left his companion in the passage of the hotel, and was passing out, +when it is alleged that Murchison drew his revolver and shot him +dead, the bullet entering his head on the occipital protuberance +an inch or an inch and a half behind the left ear, and lodging +against the base of the skull. The case is completed, and the +court closed to consider the verdict.”</p> + +<p>The young journalist was exceedingly popular and deeply regretted. +He was buried with military honours on the evening of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +the 2nd. His coffin was covered with the Union Jack, and carried +to the grave by Major Baillie of the <i>Morning Post</i>, Mr. Angus +Hamilton of the <i>Times</i>, Mr. Hellawell of the <i>Daily Mail</i>, Mr. +Reilly of the <i>Pall Mall Gazette</i>, and the correspondent of the +Press Association. The funeral was attended by many members +of the Staff, who were desirous of showing their esteem for the +promising and gallant writer.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 610px;"> +<a name="illo06" id="illo06"></a><img src="images/illo06.png" width="610" height="322" alt="The Siege of Mafeking +Topographical Sketch showing the British and Boer Positions" title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">The Siege of Mafeking<br /> +Topographical Sketch showing the British and Boer Positions</span><br /> +From a sketch by a British officer brought by runner to Buluwayo +</div></div> + +<p>The enemy now engaged in hostilities under the command of +the son of Cronje, who was said to have had, in the interval, a +<i>passage d’armes</i> with his father, the General, the younger man +having taunted the elder for not having succeeded in reducing +Mafeking to submission. Whereupon Cronje <i>fils</i> undertook to +do the great deed himself, and in setting about it managed to get +killed. The Boers again stormed the place, and were driven back +in confusion by the magnificent energy of the British South African +Police, leaving strewn on the field of action an enormous number of +dead and wounded. Their removal occupied two hours. Captain +Goodyear, commanding a squad of Cape “boys,” made a dashing +sortie, and received a wound in the leg, but he nevertheless +captured the brickfields, and held them against the enemy, thus +preventing him from utilising them for sniping operations.</p> + +<p>Sunday the 5th of November was, as usual, observed as a day of +truce. The enemy made an effort to defy the rules of Sabbath +etiquette, and were informed, under a flag of truce, that if they should +continue to erect works commanding the brickfields, the guns would +open fire on them. This warning had the desired effect. The +memory of Guy Fawkes, together with the news of our victories in +Natal, was honoured by an exhibition of fireworks—a display which +some thought rather <i>de trop</i> considering the nature of the daily +operations in the town. On the following day the Boers made +themselves unpleasantly obstreperous by saluting the place with +quick-firing guns, weapons whose shells burst almost simultaneously +with the report, thus depriving those aimed at of the chance of +running to cover.</p> + +<p>The air of Mafeking is said to be equal to champagne, and perhaps +to its stimulating influence the garrison owed its sprightliness +and activity. The little township “ran” a journal of its own, and +though not so effervescent as <i>The Lyre</i> of Ladysmith, it had its +humorous side. The <i>Mafeking Mail</i>, as it was called, was issued +daily—shells permitting. Quoting from the <i>Mail</i> of the 1st of +November, a facsimile of which was reproduced by the <i>Daily +Telegraph</i>, we read that—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“We have borne the much-feared bombardment for a fortnight, and still +Mafeking stands. From what we have experienced we do not consider ourselves +too optimistic in anticipating a successful ending to the contest. For<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +the first time in the history of Boer warfare have the Boers been defeated at +every turn by a force far inferior in point of numbers. Since the first attack +on Saturday, October 14th, they fly directly our guns are heard. Safely out of +range they fire into the town, but they do not appear to be pining for another +attempt at storming Mafeking. In the ‘general orders’ issued last Sunday +the following occurs:—‘The Colonel Commanding having made a careful +inspection of the defences of the town and the native stadt, is now of opinion +that no force that the Boers are likely to bring against us could possibly effect +an entrance at any point.’ Now, this is like the advertisements say a certain +cocoa is—grateful and comforting, and we feel that having got so far through +the ordeal, we have only to remain steadfast, as the matter of a little time will +see decided the first great step towards the settlement of the future of South +Africa. There is no doubt that the attention of Great Britain, the Colonies, in +fact, the whole world, is now riveted upon this little spot, which is now playing +a prominent part in the most important epoch in the history of this wonderful +continent. We know there is no need to urge the claims of our country and +kindred upon our gallant garrison. Being in such close touch with each other +that nothing but the exceptional circumstances thrust upon us could have made +possible, we are in a position to judge and recognise the steady determination +that British blood and British pluck exhibit when such a crisis as the present +arises, and we know that the memory of Bronkhurst Spruit, Majuba, and +Potchefstrom will make that determination, supported by the knowledge of our +grand successes of the past fortnight, more firm, more strong, and more united +than has been before, and this, with the grand soldier who is in command here, +will render certain the first stages towards the complete crushing of the enemy.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“There is no doubt that there was landed in South Africa by Sunday +last a body of 57,000 men, including probably twelve or fourteen regiments of +cavalry, twenty or twenty-two batteries of artillery, and forty regiments of +infantry, besides, most likely, a body of mounted infantry. Of this force there +will be not less than 15,000 disembarked at Cape Town and despatched on +the road here. They may now be settling accounts with the Boers outside +Kimberley, in which case Vryburg might be reached by Sunday, allowing for +some delay at Fourteen Streams. When our troops reach Vryburg the air of +Mafeking will not suit Cronje sprinters, so by <i>this day week</i> we may begin to +wish them a pleasant journey back to the Transvaal. It will then be merely +an interchange of courtesy if we return the visit.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“When the big gun with which the enemy hoped to pulverise us, and which +has sent more shells in the neighbourhood of the hospital and women’s laager +than in any other parts of the town, is taken by our troops, we think it only +fair to Mafeking that it should be brought here. It will make a good memorial +and be an object lesson to succeeding generations, who, reading the history of +our bombardment, and seeing the weapon employed against our women and +children, will be able to judge of the nineteenth-century Boer’s fitness to dominate +such a territory as the Transvaal. Let it be placed, say, in the space +opposite the entrance to the railway station, raised on end, with the unexploded +shells piled at its base, with a description of Colonel Baden-Powell’s clever +defence of the place. We hope the Colonel will bear the town in mind when +the disposal of the gun is under discussion.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“Major Lord E. Cecil, C.S.O., last evening issued the following under the +heading of ‘General Orders’:”—</p> + +<p class="smaller">[Here was recorded Colonel Baden-Powell’s appreciation of the action of +Colonel Walford and his gallant men, which has been previously quoted.]</p></blockquote> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> + +<p>The perusal of the opening paragraphs of the <i>Mafeking Mail</i> +serves to enlighten us as to the degrees of hope deferred through +which the plucky inhabitants had to pass. The pathos of the +expression, “So by this day week we may begin to wish them a +pleasant journey back to the Transvaal,” can only be understood by +comparing the date to which it referred with that of the relief of the +noble garrison—the 17th of May 1900!</p> + +<p>On the 7th of November, the force under Major Godley and +Captain Vernon made a successful sortie, the excellent management +of which was recognised in an order issued by Colonel +Baden-Powell:—</p> + +<p>“The surprise against the enemy to the westward of the town +was smartly and successfully executed at dawn this morning by a +force under the direction of Major Godley. Captain Vernon’s +squadron of the Protectorate Regiment carried this operation out +with conspicuous coolness and steadiness. The gunners, under +Major Panzera, fought and worked their guns well under a very +trying fire from the enemy. The Bechuanaland Rifles are to be +congratulated on the efficient services rendered by them under +Captain Cowan in this their first engagement in the field. The +enemy appeared to have suffered severely, while our casualties +were luckily very light. This is largely due to the fact that +Major Godley delivered his blow suddenly and quickly, and withdrew +his force again in good time and order. The Colonel +Commanding has much pleasure in placing on record a plucky +piece of work by Gunners R. Cowan and F. H. Godson. The +Hotchkiss gun, of which they had charge, was overturned and +its trail-hook broken in course of action. In spite of a very heavy +fire from the enemy’s one-pound Maxim and seven-pound Krupp, +these men attached the trail to the limber by ropes, and brought +the gun safely away.”</p> + +<p>At this time the town was surrounded by some 2000 Boers, +and a heavy shell-fire was daily exchanged. The damage done, however, +was slight, except in the case of the Convent, which seemed +to be a favourite mark for the Boer gunners. The trenches of the +besiegers had been moved to about 2000 yards of the town, and +from here the enemy fired with rifles, but with indifferent success. +The Boers, in fact, were getting disheartened. Colonel Baden-Powell +was proving himself prepared to enter into a competitive +examination on the subject of “slimness” with them, and they +were somewhat disturbed at the intellectual strain demanded +for rivalry against so smart a pupil. All manner of efforts were +made, and there was even a Dutch council of war as to the propriety +of making a midnight attack upon the place. But the wily Colonel +was ready for them. He took care that lanterns should be placed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +in suitable positions to illumine the paths of the would-be assailants, +and when they turned on these lanterns the attention of their +guns and broke them, more were immediately found to take their +place. There was also the British bayonet in reserve, and a hint +which they did not care to prove as a certainty—that dynamite was +somewhere or other arranged in a ring round the place, so that +at a given sign the too pressing attentions of intruders might +be disposed of. These some one called “the B. P. Surprise +Packets,” which were arranged on the lucky-tub principle, ready +for those who might venture on an experimental dive. The +exact locality was not disclosed, in order that their whereabouts +might prove a never-ending source of wonder and interest to the +besiegers.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 630px;"> +<a name="illo07" id="illo07"></a><img src="images/illo07.png" width="630" height="481" alt="Outpost and Entrenchment, Southern Fort, Mafeking" title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">Outpost and Entrenchment, Southern Fort, Mafeking</span> +</div></div> + +<p>As before said, continual sorties took place, and Colonel Baden-Powell +succeeded in capturing mules and horses from the enemy +and generally harassing him. Great expectations sustained the +gallant little party that Colonel Plumer’s force would shortly make +its way from the north and join hands with Colonel Baden-Powell. +Early in November the opposing forces stood thus:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>—</p> + +<table summary="Opposing forces at Mafeking" style="margin-left:10%;margin-right:10%;" class="smaller"> +<tr> +<td class="hangindent">Colonel Baden-Powell, with 500 Cavalry, 200 Cape Mounted +Police, and B.S.A. Company’s Mounted Police, 60 +Volunteers, six machine-guns, two 7-pounders, and 200 +to 300 townsmen used to arms</td> +<td class="ralign vbalign">1500</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="hangindent">1000 Transvaal Boers under Commandant Cronje, and 500 +Boers at Maritzani</td> +<td class="ralign vbalign">1500</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>But later, some of the Boers were drawn off for service in the south.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 386px;"> +<a name="illo08" id="illo08"></a><img src="images/illo08.png" width="386" height="503" alt="SERGEANT-MAJOR IMPERIAL LIGHT HORSE." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">SERGEANT-MAJOR—IMPERIAL LIGHT HORSE.</span> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Gregory & Co., London.</span></div></div> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="KURUMAN_AND_ELSEWHERE" id="KURUMAN_AND_ELSEWHERE"></a>KURUMAN AND ELSEWHERE</h3> + +<p>Of the diminutive town of Kuruman and its gallant struggle +little can be said. The garrison—consisting of seventy-five British +subjects, including the men that came from Bastards—under the +command of Captain Baker stood out valiantly, fighting with rare +obstinacy, and hoping that British success elsewhere would speedily +draw off the intermittent attentions of the Boers. From the 13th +to the 20th of November a strong party of Dutchmen kept up +incessant pressure, but they were forced to retreat, though both +sides suffered loss. On the part of the British one special constable +was killed.</p> + +<p>The official details of the defence showed that the Mission +Station which was formerly the centre of Dr. Moffat’s long work +among the natives of that part of Africa was the point of resistance +to the Boer attack. When the Dutch commandant notified the +magistrate of his intention to occupy the place, the latter replied +that he had orders to defend it. Thereupon he collected twenty +natives and thirty half-castes, with whose aid he barricaded the +Mission Chapel, and there resisted the assault of 500 Boers for six +days and nights, after which the Boers abandoned the attack.</p> + +<p>To look back on the amazing valour of the tiny garrison, unsuccessful +though it was, makes every British heart swell with pride. +On the outbreak of hostilities, Mr. Hilliard, the Resident Magistrate, +called a meeting of the inhabitants, and eloquently urged them to +remain loyal. This, as we know, they did, with the result that the +place resisted the Boers and routed them, and, moreover, set a +most salutary example of loyalty to the surrounding districts of +Cape Colony. The following extracts from five short letters (all +dated November 24), written by Mr. and Mrs. Hilliard to relatives, +will be of interest, as showing the gallant spirit that sustained these +brave people, and the love for Queen and country that was so practically +displayed by them. Mr. Hilliard said:—“Just a short letter +to say we have been fighting the Boers here from the 13th to the +18th, and have driven them back with heavy loss. I received a +letter from their ‘Fighting General,’ Visser, on Sunday the 12th, +saying that if I did not surrender the town voluntarily, he would +take it by main force. I replied that if he did he would have to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +take the consequences of his illegal act, as my Government had +not instructed me to evacuate the town. The enemy has drawn +off towards Vryburg.” In another letter he said:—“We are going +strong; the brave little garrison is so good and cheerful. The +army has gone, but may return, so we are prepared.” In yet another +he wrote:—“We are all right up to now, and shall stick to our +dear old flag till the last, whatever happens. May God defend the +right and our dear Queen. Three cheers for all.” Mrs. Hilliard +wrote:—“On Monday, November 13, the Boers attacked Kuruman. +Our men fought bravely for six days, after which the Boers +departed, and we don’t know if they intend returning or not. +Charlie is at the Police Camp, and looks well and happy. He is +very proud of our men. Our men are still on the alert, and are +strengthening their forts, as the Boers will not return without a +cannon. They quite expected this place to be handed over to them +at once, as Vryburg was.”</p> + +<p>This state of affairs continued till the end of the year. On the +1st of January the plucky little garrison was at last forced to surrender. +This, they said, they would never have done had they +possessed a single cannon. The Boer artillery knocked to pieces +the improvised fort before the white flag was hoisted over the ruins. +Four men were killed and eighteen wounded in the splendid but +hopeless effort to hold the open village against a foe provided with +artillery and superior in numbers. The Boers numbered twelve +hundred against some seventy-five practically helpless men! So the +unequal tug-of-war came to an end—we may say, an honourable end.</p> + +<p class="gap2">In Northern Rhodesia, British subjects were practically isolated. +The telegraph to the south was cut, and the railway—some four +hundred miles of it—was damaged in various places. To show +the state of remoteness in which the unfortunate inhabitants found +themselves, it is sufficient to say that a telegram from London to +Buluwayo took sixteen days in transit. Letters from Port Elizabeth +were received about three weeks after being posted. It may easily +be imagined what dearth of news prevailed, and how even such +news as it was, was falsified by rumour. But the excellent fellows +kept heart, although they were, as one of them said, “absolutely +ignored by the British Government, and had not a red coat in the +country.” He went on to say, “We have any quantity of men of grit, +and about a thousand fellows have volunteered to fight out of a +total population of men, women, and children of six thousand at most.”</p> + +<p class="gap2">So little could reach us as to the doings of Colonel Plumer’s +splendid little force, that the following letter from Trooper Young, +a barrister, who joined at the outbreak of the war, may be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +quoted. It supplies some early links in the chain of the brave +history:—</p> + +<p class="ralign" style="margin-right:1em;">“<span class="smcap">Fort Tuli</span>, <span class="smcap">South Africa</span>, <i>November</i> 9, 1899.</p> + +<p>“I’ve had a bit of an exciting time since I last wrote—almost +too exciting at one time. Last time I wrote was when we were +leaving Tuli for Rhodes Drift. We arrived there all right after +much marching and counter-marching, mostly by night. The +second night of it, for the small portion we had for sleep I struck +a guard; so by the third night I was in a wretched state from want +of sleep. I was always dropping off to sleep on my horse and +suddenly waking up. Moreover, I began to see all sorts of strange +things. Brooks and trees were transformed into houses and gardens, +and then I would come-to with a start and pinch myself +and try to keep awake—a very unpleasant experience. When we +reached Rhodes Drift, our squadron was quartered there alone, and +we had a couple of brushes with the enemy to start with.</p> + +<p>“I missed the first, in which we had much the best of it. We +only had one man hit, and that only slightly, and in return we bowled +over a couple of Dutchmen (others may have been wounded), stampeded +their horses, over a hundred in number (we surprised their grazing +guard), killed or wounded twenty of the horses, and jumped seven. +The next fight was warm for a bit. We had only half the squadron—about +forty-five men—who were reconnoitring round the enemy’s +fort dismounted. This was only three miles from our camp and in +British territory. We had four men wounded, and did an equal +amount of damage to them, if not more. We got off very cheap, +for their fire was very hot, and very close too. The third fight +came off on November 2, and that was a scorcher. On the night +before it I was on guard. It was a beastly night, raining and +blowing hard, so I got very little sleep when it was my turn off. In +the day I was in charge of the grazing guard with three other men.</p> + +<p>“About one o’clock I got orders to bring in the horses, which +I did, and had just got all the horses tied up when the Dutch started +firing on us. I’d just got into a nice position behind a good big +rock when I was ordered to ride out to warn our outlying pickets. +There were three of them, four men in each, about a mile or a +mile and a half away. A risky job it was too. Two of us were +sent. I asked the other man which he would go to. He chose +the one I had wanted, so I had the worst job—two pickets to warn, +and had to ride right through the line of fire. As I started, one of +our officers shouted, ‘Don’t spare your horse; ride like h—ll;’ and +I did too. Directly I got out, ping-ping came two bullets, a bit +high, but others soon followed much closer. I got out, though, all +right, warned the two pickets, and came in with them. We got +a bit of a fusillade on us when we got near the fort, but had no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +casualties. The man who rode to the other picket had his horse +shot under him; so I scored—not for long, though, for my own +horse was shot soon after.</p> + +<p>“When I got back, I found we were having a very hot time. Our +position was a couple of small kopjes close together. On two sides +there was an open space for about 600 or 700 yards. On the other +two sides there was a lot of bush and a ridge running round us, +which we were not strong enough to occupy. The Boers had in +the field between 300 and 400 men, so we thought; we afterwards +found that that was not overstating their number. Moreover, they +had 250 men and one gun at Brice’s Store, about six miles away on +the Tuli road, and strong reinforcements at their camp. They gave +us the devil of a time. At first they fired mostly at the horses. +They, poor beasts, had no cover, and nearly every one was hit. A +few broke loose and bolted. Later, they turned their attention to +us. Luckily, their shell-fire was very wild, or we should have +suffered heavily. As it was, we had not a man even wounded; but it +was a miracle we did not, for at times their rifle-fire was very heavy, +and now and then they got a good shell in. I had a narrow shave. +A shell burst just near me, and one of the splinters struck a stone +and sent a piece of it bang against my leg. It cut right through my +putties, three folds of them. I made certain I was wounded, and +was much relieved to find there was no damage done.</p> + +<p>“When the evening came, we had two alternatives—to stay where +we were and wait to be cut up, or try to go through to Tuli. It was +finally decided to do the latter, and it was undoubtedly the right +thing to do. If we had remained, we should have been surrounded +the next day, and every one slaughtered. With ninety men against a +thousand we should have had no show; still, it was a very bitter pill +having to sneak off at night, leaving everything behind (including +the few horses left alive), our kit and waggons, even the ambulance +waggon. It was horrible saying good-bye to our horses. My poor +little Whiskey was wounded and very unhappy; we were not +allowed to shoot the wounded ones, as we had to sneak off as +quietly as possible. It was very sad work. Luckily we had no man +hit. I don’t know what we should have done if we had. I suppose +we should have remained there and taken the inevitable consequences, +as we would not have left them. We left at 8 <span class="smaller">P.M.</span>, and +arrived at Tuli at 1 <span class="smaller">P.M.</span> next day, only two halts, one and a half in +the night for sleep, and another of half-an-hour for breakfast, which +for me and most of us consisted of water. I had nothing to eat +except one small cookie from 8 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span> the morning of the fight to +2 <span class="smaller">P.M.</span> the next day.</p> + +<p>“Altogether, we marched forty miles through awful country, for +a long way through brushwood called the ‘wait-a-bit’ thorn, and in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +the night, too; it tore our clothes, hands, arms, and faces to bits; +then through sand, over kopjes covered with thick brush. Altogether +it was equal to sixty miles of English roads, and we went pretty fast +when the way allowed. We had one pleasant surprise; one of our +officers left us and rode on to Tuli when we were about ten miles +off, and reported that we were only a few miles out, pretty dead-beat, +as we were. Until Captain Glynne arrived, they believed we were +all cut up, and one of the squadrons rode out to us and lent us their +horses, for which we were very grateful. They met us about three +miles out, and I’m blowed if I know how we could have crawled in +without them; we were absolutely dead-beat. I was never so glad +of a ride in my life. When we got into camp, we found that three +or four of the men of E squadron, who had been left behind at +Tuli sick, or had come in riding with dispatches, had prepared food +for us, which was also very grateful, for we wanted it. We had left +most of our kit behind at Tuli, so we were able to have a change of +clothes and a wash, both very much needed, and then I must say I +did enjoy myself. It was simply delightful to lie down and loaf +about and do nothing but smoke cigarettes. All the bitterness of +the defeat and the loss of our horses seemed to disappear, and I +thoroughly enjoyed myself that afternoon.</p> + +<p>“At Tuli every one believed we were cut up. A party from +there, twenty-five in number, when escorting some waggons to us, +were attacked by a much superior force at Brice’s Store and badly +defeated. They had to take to the bush and abandon the waggons. +They brought four men wounded back, while seven were missing, +including the parson, who was coming to see us—he was wounded +in the leg. According to the men who were there, he was taking a +distinctly active part in the fight. A squadron of some of the police, +about 120 in all, were sent out to try and relieve us, but near the +store were met by some of the boys who had bolted from us, and +who reported that we were already wiped out, every man killed; so +they returned without trying to force their way through to us. In +Tuli they were much relieved to hear of our safe arrival. It was +certainly a very narrow squeak for us; it is still a wonder to me +how we managed to escape without losing a man. Certainly we +had very good cover, and took advantage of it; it was the only +thing we could do. We managed to silence their rifle-fire once or +twice, but could do nothing against their long-range shell-fire. +Since then we have had very little to do, but expect to have some +more fighting before long, when we hope to get a bit of our own +back. One thing I think I may say without boasting—we all +behaved very well. There was not a sign of funk, and every one +took it coolly. As a matter of fact, more than half of E squadron +had been under fire before, either in Rhodesia or elsewhere.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>”</p> + +<p>To understand the effect of war upon Rhodesia at this time, we +must read the following extracts from a letter written by a “Son of the +Manse” in business near Buluwayo, dated 11th November 1899:—“We +have been cut off from the south for more than five weeks, and +are very badly off for news. Such news as we get comes by Beira, +and as there is no cable between Delagoa Bay and Beira, this makes +things worse. We have heard nothing from Mafeking since its +investment by the Boers except a couple of messages sent out by +a native runner to the nearest telegraph office still in touch with +Buluwayo. A number of men from here are on the southern frontier +keeping the Boers in check, so as to prevent them making a +raid in this direction. They have had several skirmishes, but the +Boers are not in any great force, as they appear to have concentrated +their men on the Natal border, where most of the fighting +will probably take place. Business is so slow here that numbers +can get leave from their offices for the asking, and there were lots of +fellows in town doing nothing who were only too glad of the chance +of earning 10s. a day, which the Government are paying the Volunteers. +The local newspaper here is of little use at present, as it has +not funds to get direct news from Natal, and the only reliable +information we get is published by the authorities. The <i>Chronicle</i> +here came out with a special edition yesterday, describing a serious +reverse to the British (two thousand men and forty-six officers captured), +but it turned out to be taken from a German paper published +in Zanzibar and sent to Beira, and I trust it may prove false. We +won’t get any newspapers, I fear, as long as the mails come <i>viâ</i> +Beira, owing to the cost of bringing them from Salisbury by coach, +but we hope there will be a change for the better soon. When +the newspapers come they will be interesting reading.... The +stoppage of the railway has had a serious effect in Buluwayo, as it +has caused a tremendous rise in the prices of everything, and if +most of the merchants had not laid in immense stocks in anticipation +of what was coming, things would be very much worse. Some +articles are very scarce. Potatoes are about £5 a sack, and +of very inferior quality. Sugar is 9d. to 1s. per lb.; and a 200-lb. +sack of flour costs 50s. to 60s., cheaper than most things, as there +was an enormous stock stored. Everything is likely to go up still +higher before supplies can reach the town, and fresh meal will soon +be practically unattainable, and every one will have to depend on +tinned meat. There are no colonial eggs coming up, so we are +getting about 5s. a dozen for ours, and the price will probably rise, +as with everything else. Some of the restaurants and hotels have +had to close their dining-room, as so many men have gone to the +front. The demand for eggs and fuel (wood) is, therefore, somewhat +decreased. Several storekeepers talk of getting things from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +Salisbury, and if prices rise very much perhaps it would pay. The +average rate per waggon to Salisbury lately was nearly 25s. per +100 lbs. weight. The mines are still working fairly, and may be +kept on. The Kaffirs round here seem to take little interest in the +war, and the most of them have not the remotest idea where Natal +is, although the Matabele came from there less than seventy years +ago. Of course they all know the Boers, and thoroughly detest +them, as they have very good reason to do. We have only had a +few showers of rain here so far, and the grass is very poor. We +can work our donkeys much at present on that account, as I want +to have them in good order, as transport will be very high when +communications are again established.”</p> + +<p>In Southern Rhodesia the Boers were kept in check by the +activities of Colonel Holdsworth. In order to reconnoitre, and, if +possible, attack the Boer laager at Sekwani, he started on the +23rd of November with seventy-five mounted men and ten cyclists +on a night march over sandy roads in a region where water was +extremely scarce. At daybreak they reached the Dutch laager and +caught the Boers napping. Lieutenant Llewellyn wished them an +energetic “Good morning” by means of a Maxim gun at 1000 to +1200 yards range, with the result that the enemy, about eighty +strong, were routed from their position among the kopjes. The Boers +retired to other kopjes, and from thence offered resistance, but as +storming them would have entailed considerable loss, the British +force returned to camp. They, however, burned a large store of +ammunition and captured some rifles. Therefore their hundred-mile +march, accomplished in twenty-three hours, was not profitless.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a id="MAFEKING_NOVEMBER" name="MAFEKING_NOVEMBER"></a>MAFEKING, <span class="smcap">November</span></h3> + +<p>Poor Mafeking! The inevitable hung like a ghost over everything—bodiless, +formless, but always there at the elbows of the +gallant band that so long had held out against the foe. He was +now coming closer—closer, continuing to sap and approach by +parallels, till before long not only shells but rifle-fire would render +streets impassable, shelters useless, and fortified positions dangerous. +Colonel Baden-Powell’s brilliant wits were hard pressed to keep the +enemy from carrying the town by storm, and all who valued their +lives lived underground, burrowing like rabbits, or in bomb-proof +shelters, from which occasionally they were routed, not by fire but +by water.</p> + +<p>Still the word surrender was unspelt. None dared breathe it +aloud. A battery of seven field-guns blazing their hot fire and +doing their fell work made no effect—the besieged remained firm. +Mauser bullets whizzed past their ears; shells long as coal-scuttles and +nearly as thick crashed into buildings, now into the hospital, now the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +convent, or sometimes into the women’s laager, leaving not seldom a +track of mourning and blood; but the Boer could not plume himself +on victory. Not so far off his white tents reflected the sunlight, +and closer still the grim music of his rifles was eternally to be +heard; but inside the little town were men who were developing +from mere men of commerce into toughened warriors, and assisting +Colonel Baden-Powell and his diminutive force to maintain the +majesty of Great Britain, with a chivalry that might have done +honour to the knights of old.</p> + +<p>Towards the middle of the month the garrison was much cheered +by the arrival on the scene of a plucky American journalist, who +had ridden from the Cape straight through the Boer lines, and who +came with all the buoyancy of the outer world to delight the ears +of the British with tales of Lord Methuen’s advance. Other news +now and then filtered in, and this the Colonel, either <i>viva voce</i> or +by means of his typewriter, promptly shared with the whole interested +community.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 619px;"> +<a name="illo09" id="illo09"></a><img src="images/illo09.png" width="619" height="275" alt="Facsimile of Writing in Album by Col. Baden-Powell" title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">Facsimile of Writing in Album by Col. Baden-Powell</span> +</div></div> + +<p>To make it evident that Mafeking was determined to keep lively +and aggressive in spite of intermittent bombardment, several more +gallant sorties were made, and on each occasion the little place came +off with flying colours. Commander Cronje, disgusted, finally took +himself off with some twenty waggons to Riceters (Transvaal), +leaving his guns with the remaining commandoes and relegating to +them the task of reducing the truculent town to submission.</p> + +<p>Ruses, which are as the breath of his nostrils to the Boer in +warfare, continued to be tried on Colonel Baden-Powell, who may be +said to have almost enjoyed new chances to whet his wits and showed +himself the last person to be caught napping. Indeed, some one at +the time remarked that if they wanted to take him in they would +have to get up very early in the morning and stay awake all night +into the bargain! The latest Boer device was to make a show of +going away and leaving a big gun apparently in a state of being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +dismantled. This of course was what in vulgar phrase might be +called a “draw” for the besieged. But the Colonel was not to be +drawn; his smart scouts continually found the enemy hidden in force, +and thereupon put every one on their guard. Mafeking, in fact, +“sat tight” and—winked!</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 462px;"> +<a name="illo10" id="illo10"></a><img src="images/illo10.png" width="462" height="655" alt="MAJOR-GENERAL LORD KITCHENER OF KHARTOUM." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">MAJOR-GENERAL LORD KITCHENER OF KHARTOUM.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Bassano, London.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>Meanwhile the inhabitants were pushing out advanced works +with good effect, and began to feel more and more confident that +their pluck and patience would ultimately receive their reward. +Their bomb-proof shelters were becoming works of art. They +were no longer rabbit-warrens, but well-ventilated apartments, +roofed with the best steel rails and sand-bags, and lighted by +windows resembling portholes. Great ingenuity was displayed in +the wedding of safety with comfort, and the owners soon began to +grow interested in the artistic quality of their improvised retreats!</p> + +<p>On the 25th of November another gallant sortie was made, +and the Chartered Company’s Police, with magnificent pluck and +determination, attacked Eloffsfort and kept the Boers from further +encroachment.</p> + +<p>For some days nothing unusual took place. The Boers continued +to annoy with their 10-ton gun and the Boer flag began to +float over the fortified places surrounding the town. In fact, there +was a somewhat wearisome monotony in the programme of daily life. +The laconic report at that time of one of the sufferers was that the +sole resource was to “snipe and wait!” Fortunately pressure elsewhere +was beginning to draw off some of the hostile legions, and +consequently the activity of the assault on the town was diminished. +It was quite evident that Colonel Baden-Powell had been found +a nasty nut to crack, and that his earthworks, his trenches, his +underground shelters, his night attacks, and his hundred-and-one +minor dodges, which had been craftily invented to test the amiability +of the ingenuous Boer, were scarcely appreciated. Indeed, +the worthy Cronje, when wisely taking himself off, was reported to +have owned that the Mafeking blend of Baden-Powell-dynamite-mine-and-best-Sheffield +was decidedly infernal!</p> + +<p>On this subject the correspondent of the <i>Times</i>, who was cooped +in Mafeking, said: “The significance of the dynamite mines which +surround our position cannot be under-estimated. Had the Boers +any trustworthy information as to the whereabouts of the mines, the +town would probably have been stormed weeks ago. The general +ignorance on their part of the locality of the mines creates corresponding +dread. The mines may be taken as a material effort on +the part of Rhodesia to assist Imperial prestige and interests. The +Postmaster-General of Rhodesia lent Mr. Kiddy, manager of telegraphs, +to superintend the laying of mines, telephones, and field-telegraphs. +The services so rendered have been invaluable.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>”</p> + +<p>Of the Commandant another of the beleaguered band wrote: +“Commanding us we have a man than whom we could have none +better. The Colonel is always smiling, and is a host in himself. +To see ‘B. P.,’ as he is affectionately termed, whistling down the +street, deep in thought, pleasing of countenance, cheerful and confident, +is cheering and heartening—far more cheering and heartening +than a pint of dry champagne. Had any man in whom the town +placed less confidence been in command, disaster might have befallen +Mafeking; and if we are able to place the name of Mafeking upon +the roll of the Empire’s outposts which have fought for the honour +and glory of Britain, it will be chiefly because Baden-Powell has +commanded us.”</p> + +<p>That our good old friend <i>Punch</i> should, in his old age, cause +almost intoxicating delight is a fact worthy of note. A copy +brought by Reuter’s cyclist-runner was safely carried into the town, +to the intense joy of its inhabitants. It contained the cartoon by +Sir John Tenniel in which John Bull is represented as telling the +Boer that if he wishes to fight it must be a fight to the finish. The +journal was read and re-read even to the advertisements, and +gloated over for many days. What has now become of it is a +question of interest. There are doubtless many collectors of war +trophies who would pay more than his weight in gold for Mr. Punch +after he had lived through and shared in the vicissitudes of siege +life in Mafeking.</p> + +<p>The pluck of Colonel Baden-Powell seemed to be epidemic. +Young boys, and even women, clamoured to do their share of the +work, and strove to display a perfectly unruffled front in face of shot +and shell. In one house some ladies stuck to their abode while the +breastworks were being built, and employed the interval in playing +and singing the National Anthem, thus stimulating and cheering +the workers outside, who joined heartily in the chorus. On the +28th of November grand preparations were made for an evening +attack, and these were quietly inspected by Colonel Baden-Powell +in the small hours of the morning. But the Boers, whose spies +were for ever busy, were forewarned and had evacuated their +position. From the advanced trench in the river-bed some successful +sniping at the foe on the brickfields was carried on, however, +and from here the enemy was eventually routed by the smart action +of the besieged.</p> + +<p>During the night the Colonel ordered Captain Fitzclarence, +with D squadron and a Hotchkiss gun, to relieve Lord C. Bentinck +and to support the “snipers” in the river-bed. D squadron took +up a position in the river-bed under Captain Fitzclarence and Lieutenant +Bridges 1400 yards from “Big Ben.” The Cape Police and +a Maxim at the extreme south-east corner, and Captain Marsh with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +a detachment of the Cape Police in the native stadt at 2000 yards +range, co-operated. It now became impossible for the Boer +artillerists to hold the emplacement of their 100-lb. gun. Heavy +three-cornered volleying from the British positions swept the parapet +of “Big Ben” every time its detachment attempted to turn the gun +upon the town. The remarkable accuracy of our fire kept the Boer +gunners at bay, and after discharging two shells they withdrew +the weapon below its platform. The enemy made some futile +efforts to renew the shelling, but at last desisted. But on the +morrow the customary salute of big guns was resumed. Meanwhile +the Colonel employed himself with various jokes of a very +practical nature, which served to keep the wits and energies of +the Boers in a perpetual state of polish.</p> + +<p>News from Colonel Plumer and his force was scarce, but all +were aware that their days and nights were spent in hard work, +great discomfort, and in perpetual and gallant efforts to come to +the aid of the besieged town. It must be remembered that the +Rhodesian Regiment originally had for its object the protection of +the northern border of the Transvaal and a portion of the western +side. Mafeking made, as it were, the outer gate, and this gate it +was necessary to defend in order to preserve the communications +with the north and with Buluwayo. No sooner, therefore, was it +locked by a state of siege, than the entire responsibility of keeping +the Boers at bay in the northern fringe of the Transvaal devolved +on Colonel Plumer, who, on arrival at Tuli, set to work to guard +the Drifts, and keep an eye on all quarters along the Crocodile +where the Boers might try to effect a crossing. At Rhodes Drift, +twenty-six miles south of South Tuli, he posted Major Pilsen with +250 mounted infantry, while Captain Maclaren, with fifty men of +the Rhodesia Regiment and twenty of the Bechuanaland Border +Police, was sent to garrison Macloutsie, some thirty miles north +of the Limpopo, where it was said the Boers hoped to put in an +appearance. Major Pilsen, as we know, was forced to retire on +Tuli, after which the position vacated by him was occupied by +Colonel Spreckley (Southern Rhodesia Volunteers), who in his +turn was obliged to make a night march back to Tuli, with the loss +of all his horses. Soon after this, strong Boer patrols approached +daily towards Tuli, and the garrison had an anxious and energetic +time. Minor skirmishes took place with certain success, but leaving +behind them their melancholy roll of killed and wounded. Soon, +however, a British victory south, and Colonel Plumer’s exertions round +about, combined to alter the Boer plans, and at length their retirement +in the direction of Mafeking was reported. Whereupon this +enterprising officer prepared to enter the Transvaal, whither he was +driven, not by the enemy, but by drought. On the 1st of December<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +he started from Tuli with a force of mounted men, and, after hairbreadth +escapes, in four or five days reached a place some fifty miles +north of Petersburg, the chief town in the north of the South +African Republic. He also proceeded down the railway line +towards Mafeking, but was continually harassed by the enemy, and +continually obliged to retrace his steps owing to lack of water and +other insuperable difficulties. Here we must leave him for a time.</p> + +<p>The Boers, learning that necessity is the mother of invention, and +finding they could not get into Mafeking, were obliged to communicate +with the Baden-Powell “braves” in an original manner. They +fired into the town a five-pounder shell, which failed to explode. It +was examined, opened, and discovered to contain the following +jocose epistle:—“Dear Powell,—Excuse an iron messenger. There +is no other means of communicating. Please tell Mrs. — Mother and +family all well. Don’t drink all the whisky. Leave some for us +when we get in.” This was a little piece of innocent diversion compared +to other experiences. On the following day a shell from +a Boer 100-pounder struck a store, sending its splinters far and +wide, and carrying devastation in its wake. Daily some tragic +episode was the result of a well-directed shot, some white or black +inhabitant was left a mangled, hopeless wreck—a pathetic fortuitous +atom blown to the winds by the blast of war. In addition to +the intermittent uproar of the heavy guns, heaven’s thunders at times +broke out, with copious showers of rain, and one of these, on the 5th, +was so violent that it flooded out the trenches, and made all bomb-proof +shelters untenable. Trouble and discomfort were as far as +possible relieved with great energy by Lord Edward Cecil and others, +but the effects of the inundation were not easily removed. Brisk +engagements between the sharpshooters on either side now formed +part of a morning and evening programme, and the Protectorate +Regiment, under Lord Charles Bentinck, did such good service that +the enemy grew shy of approach, and concluded that the process of +starving out the garrison would be more comfortable than shelling +so vigorous and retaliative a community.</p> + +<p>On the 10th of December the Dutchman Viljoen, who was a +prisoner, was exchanged for Lady Sarah Wilson. The story of this +enterprising lady is one of remarkable interest. In the beginning of +the siege she left Mafeking and rode to Setlagoli Hotel, where she +arrived on the same night. No sooner was she asleep than the rattle +and roar of musketry commenced. This was afterwards discovered +to be the gallant fight of Lieutenant Nesbitt on the armoured train, +which has been described in the opening story of the siege. Poor +Nesbitt, it may be remembered, was taken prisoner. Lady Sarah, a +day or two after the fight, rode to the scene of the engagement and +photographed the wreck. Later on, this intrepid lady moved from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +Mosuti to the care of a colonial farmer, and with great difficulty +and much expenditure of energy and coin, she managed to induce +the natives to provide her with information. All this time she and +her friends were subject to the insults of the Boers. At one period +she was declared to be the sole survivor of Mafeking, in hiding in +the disguise of a woman. At another, she was believed to be the +wife of one of the British generals. Others declared that the extraordinary +lady was a member of the Royal Family, who was acting +as spy on the doings of the Boers in the Colony. After moving to +Vryburg, life for her became more exciting still. A young Boer +passed her off as his sister, and some loyalists in the town gave her +shelter, and helped her to obtain official despatches and news. But +her state was far from comfortable, for most of her excursions had +to be made under the shadow of night, and her days were spent +enclosed in a room at the hotel. When Lady Sarah desired to +leave the town, her exit was not so easy. The magistrates had +issued orders that no one was to leave, and but for the kindness of +her “brother Boer,” she might not have been able to depart. Their +journey was commenced at four in the morning, while it was still +dark, and before leaving the town they had to submit to a search of +their car, lest it should contain any contraband of war.</p> + +<p>At last, however, it was discovered that Lady Sarah Wilson’s +energy was connected with despatch-running, and her liberty was +threatened. One day while riding to Mafeking with her maid she +was captured by the Boers. On reaching Snyman’s camp, the +general refused to allow her to proceed to her destination or to +return to Setlagoli. She was then detained as a prisoner of war, +pending negotiations with Colonel Baden-Powell regarding the terms +of her release. The Colonel offered to exchange for Lady Sarah a +Boer lady prisoner, but the enemy refused to part with their prize +till Viljoen, who was incarcerated in Mafeking, was first given up. +Colonel Baden-Powell then represented that he, as a natural consequence, +and without terms of exchange, had at once transferred +women and children prisoners to the care of their people; but the +Boer general was not to be prevailed upon by argument. Eventually +Viljoen was given up and Lady Sarah returned safe and well to +Mafeking. The transaction, though somewhat unpleasant, was on +the whole decidedly complimentary to Lady Sarah in particular, +and to the British feminine sex in general. It fully proved that +an Englishwoman might in future view herself as the equivalent of +a Boer officer.</p> + +<p>The artillery-fire of the enemy was now beginning to prove +more efficient than formerly. In spite of this, however, Colonel +Baden-Powell, in the kindness of his heart, issued a warning to +the Burghers advising them to make terms and go home. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +very characteristic epistle is here reproduced, as it shows the +amazing blend of serpent and dove in the spirit of the man who +was at that moment facing the choice of death or surrender:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“To the Burghers under arms round Mafeking:—</p> + +<p class="smaller">“Burghers,—I address you in this manner because I have only recently +learned how you have been intentionally kept in the dark by your officers, +the Government, and the newspapers as to what is happening in other parts +of South Africa. As the officer commanding Her Majesty’s troops on this +border, I think it right to point out clearly the inevitable result of your +remaining longer under arms against Great Britain. You are aware that the +present war was caused by the invasion of British territory by your forces +without justifiable reasons. Your leaders do not tell you that so far your +forces have only met the advanced guard of the British forces. The circumstances +have changed within the last week. The main body of the British are +now daily arriving by thousands from England, Canada, India, and Australia, +and are about to advance through the country. In a short time the Republic +will be in the hands of the English, and no sacrifice of life on your part can +stop it. The question now that you have to put to yourselves before it is too +late is:—Is it worth while losing your lives in a vain attempt to stop the +invasion or take a town beyond your borders, which, if taken, will be of no +use to you?</p> + +<p class="smaller">“I may tell you that Mafeking cannot be taken by sitting down and looking +at it, for we have ample supplies for several months. The Staats artillery +has done very little damage, and we are now protected both by troops and +mines. Your presence here and elsewhere under arms cannot stop the British +advancing through your country. Your leaders and newspapers are also +trying to make you believe that some foreign combination or Power is likely +to intervene in your behalf against England. It is not in keeping with their +pretence that your side is going to be victorious, nor in accordance with facts. +The Republics having declared war and taken the offensive, cannot claim intervention +on their behalf. The German Emperor is at present in England, and +fully sympathises with us. The American Government has warned others of +its intention to side with England should any Power intervene. France has +large interests in the goldfields, identical with those of England. Italy is +entirely in accord with us. Russia has no cause to interfere. The war is of +one Government against another, and not of a people against another people. +The duty assigned to my troops is to sit still here until the proper time +arrives, and then to fight and kill until you give in. You, on the other hand, +have other interests to think of, your families, farms, and their safety. Your +leaders have caused the destruction of farms, and have fired on women and +children. Our men are becoming hard to restrain in consequence. They +have also caused the invasion of Kaffir territory, looting their cattle, and have +thus induced them to rise and invade your country and kill your Burghers. +As one white man to another, I warned General Cronje on November 14 that +this would occur. Yesterday I heard that more Kaffirs were rising. I have +warned General Snyman accordingly. Great bloodshed and destruction of +farms threaten you on all sides.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“I wish to offer you a chance of avoiding it. My advice to you is to +return to your homes without delay and remain peaceful till the war is over. +Those who do this before the 13th will, as far as possible, be protected, as +regards yourselves, your families, and property, from confiscation, looting,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +and other penalties, to which those remaining under arms will be subjected +when the invasion takes place. Secret agents will communicate to me the +names of those who do. Those who do not avail themselves of the terms +now offered may be sure that their property will be confiscated when the +troops arrive. Each man must be prepared to hand over a rifle and 150 +rounds of ammunition. The above terms do not apply to officers and members +of the Staats artillery, who may surrender as prisoners of war at any time, +nor to rebels on British territory.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“It is probable that my force will shortly take the offensive. To those +who after this warning defer their submission till too late, I can offer no +promise. They will have only themselves to blame for injury to and loss of +property they and their families may afterwards suffer.”—(Signed) <span class="smcap">R. S. S. +Baden-Powell</span>, Colonel, Mafeking, December 10.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>If this warning did nothing else, it certainly had the effect of +touching General Snyman in a soft spot, for he at once wrote to his +Burghers in fiery language, expressing his disapproval that such a +communication should have been addressed direct to them. The +idea that “sitting and looking at a place is not the way to take it” +seems to have gone home to him, for he promptly challenged the +besieged to come out and drive him away!</p> + +<p>On the same day as his address to the Burghers the Colonel +wrote home to a relative in England, and sent the missive folded in +a quill, which was in its turn rammed into the pipe of a Kaffir:—</p> + +<p class="ralign" style="padding-right:1em;">“<span class="smcap">Mafeking</span>, <i>Dec.</i> 12, 1899.</p> + +<p>“All going well with me. To-day I have been trying to find +any old Carthusians in the place to have a Carthusian dinner together, +as it is Founder’s Day; but so far, for a wonder, I believe I +am the only one among the odd thousand people here.</p> + +<p>“This is our sixtieth day of the siege, and I do believe we’re +beginning to get a little tired of it; but I suppose, like other things, +it will come to an end some day. I have got such an interesting +collection of mementoes of it to bring home. I wonder if Baden<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> is +in the country? What fun if he should come up to relieve me!</p> + +<p>“I don’t know if this letter will get through the Boer outposts, +but if it does, I hope it will find you very well and flourishing.”</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a id="KIMBERLEY" name="KIMBERLEY"></a>KIMBERLEY</h3> + +<p>At Kimberley on November 4 things were still cheerful, though +short commons had begun to be enforced. The Transvaalers +advanced on Kenilworth, and Major Peakman with a squadron of +the Kimberley Light Horse, emerging suddenly from the bush, +gave them a warm reception. Colonel Scott-Turner reinforced +Major Peakman, and two guns were sent to support him against +the enemy’s guns, which at that juncture ceased firing. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +enemy’s fire with one piece of artillery was on the whole poor, and +fortunately little serious damage was done. Later in the afternoon +came another encounter with the enemy, an encounter which was +kept up till dusk, and in which the enemy sustained considerable +loss. Unfortunately Major Ayliff of the Cape Police, a brave and +efficient officer, was wounded in the neck. The Boers occupied the +Kampersdam mine, some five miles distant, and shelled the Otto +Kopje mine, while the manager, Mr. Chapman, like a Spartan, +watched the destruction of his property and kept Colonel Kekewich +informed as to the damage done. This was luckily small. On +November 6 General Cronje sent a message to Colonel Kekewich +calling on him to surrender, otherwise the town would be bombarded, +and on the following day a force of Free State artillery, supported +by a large commando, began further offensive operations. Captain +Brown, who rode out a short distance to Alexandersfontein, was +captured, and stripped by the Boers because he would reveal nothing +regarding the state of the town.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 530px;"> +<a name="illo11" id="illo11"></a><img src="images/illo11.png" width="530" height="452" alt="Plan of Kimberley and Environs" title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">Plan of Kimberley and Environs</span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<a name="illo12" id="illo12"></a><img src="images/illo12.png" width="600" height="379" alt="ARMY SERVICE CORPS." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">ARMY SERVICE CORPS.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Gregory & Co., London.</span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> + +<p>According to rough calculation, the opposing forces at Kimberley +early in November stood thus:—</p> + +<table summary="Forces at Kimberley" style="margin-left:10%;margin-right:10%;" class="smaller"> +<tr> +<td class="hangindent">Four companies of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment; +battery of Royal Garrison Artillery, consisting of six +7-pounder mountain guns; a large party of Royal +Engineers; detachment of the Army Medical Corps</td> +<td class="ralign vbalign">2500</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="hangindent">In addition to these were the following irregular troops:—</td> +<td> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="hangindent">One battery Diamond Fields Artillery with six 7-pounder +field guns, 3 officers and 90 non-commissioned officers +and men; Diamond Fields Horse, 6 officers and 142 non-commissioned +officers and men; Kimberley Regiment, 14 +officers and 285 non-commissioned officers and men</td> +<td class="ralign vbalign">540</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="hangindent" style="padding-top:1em;">Free Staters, and probably some Transvaal Boers, with four +field-guns, 3500; on Orange River, 2000; reinforcements +from Mafeking, 1000</td> +<td class="ralign vbalign">6500</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>The disparity was not enlivening, but, though provisions were beginning +to run low, pluck was inexhaustible. And with pluck, as +with faith, one may move mountains.</p> + +<p>On the 11th of November the bombardment of the town was +commenced with great vigour, the Boers firing from three positions. +Little serious damage was done, owing to the fact that many of the +shells did not burst. In spite of the incessant brawling of artillery, +the perpetual appearance of fog, and a stinging pall of smoke in +which they lived, the inhabitants of the place kept up an air of cheery +unconcern, which naturally they were far from feeling. They also +determined to disquiet the enemy by continual threats of attack +from unexpected quarters. With the spirit of philosophers they +at times made small divertisements for themselves. Once when a +cooking-pot was struck the debris were put up to auction, and some +fun was got out of the brisk competition for the historic relics. +Some of the choicest of these were knocked down—this time not by +guns—for the sum of £2 a piece. The price of a complete shell +was about £5, and portions of one could be purchased at proportionate +rates. Bits and fragments fetched sums varying from +half a crown to half a sovereign!</p> + +<p>Nothing further happened, save that a cabdriver was captured, +interrogated, threatened, and finally set free. Commandant Wessels, +who sounded him regarding the dynamite mines round Kimberley, +concluded with the message—a typical specimen of Boer braggadocio—“Tell +Rhodes I shall take Wesselton mine next Tuesday, +and then he must stand whiskies!”</p> + +<p>On the 12th Lord Methuen, on whom all had pinned their faith, +arrived with his staff at the Orange River. This was a red-letter day. +The news of British relief so close at hand was most inspiriting, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +those whose patience was inclined to languish began to take heart. +In Kimberley itself the weather was fine and warm, and as yet little +ill consequence from the shelling was suffered. A peacock was +killed, some buildings damaged, some nervous persons terrified. +The military authorities issued a proclamation ordering that all +people not engaged with the defensive forces should give up arms +and ammunition, a decision that was found necessary to prevent +irresponsible persons from infringing the laws of civilised warfare.</p> + +<p>On the 17th of November a force composed of detachments of the +Diamond Fields Horse, Kimberley Light Horse, and Cape Police, +under Colonel Scott Turner, went out with a field-gun and two Maxims +to ascertain the strength of the enemy’s position at Lazaretto Ridge. +The enemy, who were posted on a rocky mound between Carter’s +Farm and the reservoir, opened fire on the advancing men, who, +though some vigorous volleys were returned, were obliged to retire. +Meanwhile the Beaconsfield Town Guard had a tussle with the +foe, and, after much firing on either side, he eventually retired. +As usual, he hid behind rocks and stones, and made himself generally +inaccessible. On the following day some smart engagements ensued, +and so brisk was the volleying from rifles and the booming of field-guns, +that the townspeople believed that some decisive battle must +be taking place. There were, however, few casualties.</p> + +<p>All eyes were now fixed on the doings of the Kimberley relief +force that was concentrating at Orange River. A few more weeks, +nay, a few more days, and those patient, cheery prisoners would +march out free to have their reckoning with the Boers. Lord +Methuen, once joined by the Coldstream Guards, Grenadiers, and +Naval Brigade, would be able to push on, and then the first big move +in the war would be made. So they hoped, and with reason, for an +electric searchlight, worked by the Naval Brigade under Colonel +Ernest Rhodes, was signalling to Kimberley, whose searchlights +were plainly visible to the advancing army.</p> + +<p>To the dreary imprisoned inhabitants this mode of communication +was vastly exciting. Every day the relief column was +approaching nearer and nearer, and the patient though longing +besieged began to feel as if they were already almost liberated. +They commenced preparing an enthusiastic welcome for the incoming +troops, and ironical farewell salutations were now levied +at the Boers in acknowledgment of shells and of their general +artillery prowess. At that time, coming events—the disasters of +Majesfontein and Colenso—had not cast their shadows before! +Mr. Rhodes was particularly cheery, and took most whimsically to +the information conveyed through Kaffir sources that the enemy +was keenly desirous of exhibiting him in a cage at Bloemfontein +prior to despatching him to Pretoria! The brutal manners and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +customs of the Boers, however, were no subject for joke, as shown +by their treatment of four “boys” who were found and captured +while searching for stray cattle. After killing a couple of them, +the enemy ordered the remaining two, having first flogged them, to +bury the bodies of their comrades, and then go back to Kimberley +and tell their friends how they had been treated.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 586px;"> +<a name="illo13" id="illo13"></a><img src="images/illo13.png" width="586" height="454" alt="The Siege of Kimberley: Typical Splinter-proof Shelter of Sand-bags +and Iron Plates" title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">The Siege of Kimberley: Typical Splinter-proof Shelter of Sand-bags +and Iron Plates</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo, Hancox, Kimberley</span> +</div></div> + +<p>Boer tricks continued to be practised with little success. They +served instead to sharpen the wits of the beleaguered Kimburlians—if +one may be allowed to coin a word which seems to suit them. A +few rifle-shots were fired in the direction of Wright’s Farm for the +purpose of pretending that the long-looked-for relieving force was +approaching, and thus draw out the Diamond Fields Horse; but +the manœuvre was a failure. The Boers consoled themselves by +blowing up two large culverts near the rifle-butts on the line towards +Spyfontein, where the bulk of the Boer forces were then supposed to +be. An official estimate at that date (Nov. 25) placed the number +of shells fired by the Boers during the bombardment at 1000, while +the number of shells fired by the British was 600. Owing to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +fact that the hostile shells had so often fallen in sandy ground, their +effect had been neutralised. Experiments were made with “home-made” +shells, or rather De Beers-made shells, which exploded to the +general satisfaction of their manufacturers. Some of these were said +to be labelled “With J. C. Rhodes’s compliments,” but this was +doubtless a cheery quip for the entertainment of the lugubrious, +as Colonel Kekewich and the “Colossus” were too good men of +business to waste their ammunition on pleasantries. These two +marvellous people were now working hand in hand, the great business +brain of the one lending support to the military skill of the +other. Mr. Rhodes placed at the disposal of the Colonel—one should +say of his country—the whole resources of De Beers, and worked +without cessation for the welfare of the people, spending without +stint, intellect, energy, and funds on their behalf. When the mines +ceased to work, he still paid full wages to the 2000 white men employed +on them, and laid out large vegetable gardens in the midst +of Kenilworth for the purpose of supplying the inhabitants with green +foods. He organised a mounted force of 600 men, supplying them +himself with horses; and later on he instituted a service of native +runners and scouts, which served to keep the garrison alert as to +the whereabouts of the enemy. Indeed, space does not allow of a +faithful recital of the doings of this public benefactor, who, without +display, made his influence felt in every quarter of the town.</p> + +<p>Kimberley, as said, was now in communication by searchlight +with Colonel Rhodes, and was racking its brains how an attempt +might be made from the east side to march out and assist the troops +coming from Belmont. “So near and yet so far” was the general +feeling in regard to these troops, and a burning desire for the handclasp +of the gallant rescuers filled all the brave yet anxious hearts +that for so long had been cut off from the outer world.</p> + +<p>On the 25th of November there was unusual activity. The +mounted troops at dawn made a strong reconnaissance in force under +Lieut.-Colonel Scott Turner. The guns were under the charge of +Colonel Chamier of the Royal Artillery. Hostilities commenced +with a hot fire from the Diamond Fields Artillery’s guns under Captain +May, in the direction of Carter’s Farm, Colonel Scott Turner with +his troops marching towards Lazaretto Ridge, where the enemy was +strongly entrenched. This took place at about 4.30 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span> in the dusk +of the early dawn. By good chance the pickets were found to be +asleep, and Colonel Scott Turner and his forces crept along the ridge +and with marvellous energy rushed the Boer redoubts. On the +instant rifles bristled—shots blazed out. But all was to no purpose; +the Boers had to surrender. They did this in their usual treacherous +fashion, hoisting the white flag while they took stray pot-shots +at their conquerors. This charge was one worthy of record, for few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +of the men who engaged in it had ever used a bayonet in their lives. +So little did they know of the weapon, that they were unable to fix +it in the socket, and consequently rushed upon the enemy, rifle in +one hand and naked blade in the other!</p> + +<p>As ill-luck would have it, there was a lack of ammunition, and the +British attack could not be pressed home. Meanwhile the Royal +Engineers on Otto Kopje were protecting the flanks, and a strong +body of infantry with a mounted force, field-guns and Maxims, were +checking the advance of the enemy from Spyfontein. An armoured +train, also, under Lieutenant Webster (North Lancashire Regiment), +was reconnoitring north and south. The train (which was supported +by three half companies of the Beaconsfield Town Guard under +Major Fraser) proceeded south of Kimberley, and held the enemy’s +reinforcements in check as they advanced from Wimbledon. Subsequently, +owing to the brisk firing of the Boer guns, it was decided +to return to Kimberley, where Colonel Scott Turner, in consequence +of his inability to hold the position he had stormed, was forced also to +retire. But during the hot cannonade in which our artillery was +engaged with that of the enemy in all directions save Kenilworth, +this gallant officer was wounded. First his horse was shot under +him, then a bullet pierced the muscle of his shoulder. But he +continued to perform his duties regardless of the inconvenience +caused by his wound. The Boers, as usual, paid no respect to +the ambulance waggon, despite the obvious Red Cross flag which +fluttered over it. They fired at it when they chose, and, as some +reported, used explosive bullets. Eight prisoners were captured, +in addition to two wounded Boers.</p> + +<p>The day’s work on the whole was satisfactory, as it ably demonstrated +that there was life in the garrison yet. And this glorious +activity was subsequently recognised in the following order:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“The officer commanding desires to thank all ranks who took part in +to-day’s engagement for their excellent behaviour. The garrison of Kimberley +have this day shown that they can not only defend their positions, but can sally +out and drive the enemy from their entrenched positions. He deplores the +loss of the brave comrades who have so honourably fallen in the performance +of their duty.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>A second sortie of the same kind was attempted on the 28th of +November, but with more disastrous results. The troops took the +same direction as before—attacked the Boers, beat them back, and +captured their laager and three works. But, on attempting to take +the fourth work, the enemy fought desperately, and Lieut.-Colonel +Scott Turner was killed. When Colonel Scott Turner fell, +Lieutenant Clifford, North Lancashire Regiment, who had more +than once distinguished himself, assumed command of the Imperial<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +Mounted Infantry, and, though wounded in the scalp, pluckily +remained on duty till all was over.<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> + +<p>There was terrible grief in the garrison at the loss of this +splendid officer, the principal organiser of the Town Guards and +the successful leader of so many skirmishes and sorties throughout +the siege. The following special order was issued:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“The officer commanding has again to congratulate the troops of the +garrison who engaged the enemy yesterday on their excellent behaviour and +on the capture of the enemy’s laager, with his supplies, ammunition, &c. It +was in every respect a most creditable performance. He has also again to +deplore the loss of many brave men who have fallen at the call of duty. It +was with profound sorrow he learnt that Lieut.-Colonel Scott Turner was +killed while gallantly leading his men against the last stronghold of the enemy’s +defences. In Lieut.-Colonel Scott Turner the garrison of Kimberley loses +a brave and most distinguished comrade, and the officer commanding feels sure +the whole population of Kimberley will join with them in mourning the loss of +this true British officer, to whose skill and activity in the field is so largely due +the complete success of our efforts to keep the enemy at a safe distance from +this town.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>Major M. C. Peakman, an excellent and most dauntless officer, +succeeded to the command of the Kimberley Light Horse in consequence +of Colonel Scott Turner’s death.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Wright of the Kimberley Light Horse was killed, +and among the wounded were Lieutenant W. K. Clifford (1st +Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment), Captain Walleck +(Diamond Fields Horse), and Lieutenant Watson (Kimberley +Light Horse).</p> + +<p>On the afternoon of the 29th of November, amid feelings of +universal regret, the remains of Colonel Scott Turner and others +who fell in Tuesday’s sortie were interred. The ceremony, so +common in those days, was yet full of deep pathos. Round the +graves stood Mr. Cecil Rhodes, Dr. Smart, the Mayor of Kimberley, +Mr. and the Hon. Mrs. Rochfort Maguire, and indeed the whole +mournful community of the place. Six volleys were fired over the +graves, six blasts blown on the bugle, and then a last prayer being +said, they left them “alone in their glory.”</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Captain Baden-Powell, of the Scots Guards.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Henry Scott Turner entered the Black Watch at the age of twenty in 1887. After +taking part in the operations in Matabeleland in 1893-94, he was, in the latter year, placed +on the “Special Extra Regimental Employment List,” and in 1896 served with the Matabeleland +Relief Force as adjutant and paymaster. For this service he was mentioned in +despatches and received a brevet majority. After serving with the British South African +Police, Major Scott Turner was, last July, reappointed as a “Special Service Officer,” and +in that capacity had done excellent service in Kimberley under Colonel Kekewich.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="gap2"><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smaller">LIFE WITH GENERAL GATACRE</span></h2> + +<p class="gap2">On the 18th of December, General Gatacre withdrew +from Putter’s Kraal, his original advance post, to +Sterkstroom. At this time, in the central sphere, +Generals French and Gatacre, while guarding the +lines of communication, were merely waiting the turn +of events. Owing to a series of successful skirmishes, in which +a patrol under Captain de Montmorency, V.C., was engaged, the +Boers thought discretion the better part of valour, and cleared +out of Dordrecht, with the result that on the 24th of December +Colonel Dalgety, of the Cape Mounted Rifles, with his force +occupied the town. At Bushman’s Hoek were four companies of +the Royal Scots, two 12-pounders, three Maxim guns, about 800 +Kaffrarian Rifles, and about thirty Engineers. Owing to scarcity +of water General Gatacre’s force had to be divided, the rest +remaining at Sterkstroom. There water had to be conveyed by +rail, whence, with some difficulty, it was hauled to Bushman’s Hoek +in water-tanks by mules. The railway in these parts, a species of +South African switchback on two narrow rails, rambled up hill and +down dale with engaging ingenuity. Though water was dependent +on the trains, fresh foods were sometimes obtainable. At neighbouring +farms it was possible to purchase butter-milk, grain, and +bread, but to “go a marketing” it was necessary to start in full +marching order, for there was no knowing when the Boers might +block the road, or what nefarious tricks might be taking place. It was +quite impossible to be even with the Dutchmen’s ruses. For instance, +one who knew their ways said that if a Boer horse went lame or +knocked up, twenty chances to one a “loyal” would place a mount +at his disposal, give him bed, “tucker,” forage, &c., while he +would also watch the horizon for the approach of the military, and +should they come the Boer would be a man of peace, without +uniform, arms, or anything else to incriminate him. Therefore, as +may be imagined, life was never too easy-going. The day began +at 3.15 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span>, but night itself, short as it was, was scarcely restful. +The troops slept with their straps on, 150 rounds of ammunition +apiece by their side, in hourly expectation of attack. Niceties of the +toilet were unknown, and gallant fellows with black faces and whiskers +whose acquaintance with water was only weekly, were the rule.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +Some even presented the appearance of opera-house brigands, +having locks so redundant and long, that jocose Tommies suggested +writing home to their sweethearts for the loan of hairpins.</p> + +<p>In other respects the daily routine was not unpleasant. Bullocks +and sheep were killed regularly and found their way into the camp-kettle; +bread was still served out, and supplemented with biscuits. +For recreation there was football; and to enliven the spirits there +were four cheery pipers, who at night-time made the welkin ring, +and caused their compatriots to start up and indulge in reels +and Highland flings, and almost to forget that they were in the +land of the enemy.</p> + +<p>On the 29th, a pouring day, Captain de Montmorency started +with his scouts and thirty Cape Mounted Rifles in hope of catching +the enemy. But the Boers, under cover of the mist, took +themselves off in the direction of the Barkly East district.</p> + +<p>On the 30th of December a hundred of Flannigan’s Squadron of +Brabant’s Horse had a smart brush with an equal number of Dutchmen, +who, however, were promptly reinforced. Thereupon the squadron +retired, but unfortunately Lieutenant Milford Turner and twenty-seven +men were left behind in a donga which none would leave, determining +to remain there and protect Lieutenant Warren of Brabant’s +Horse, who was wounded. To their assistance went Captain Goldsworthy +the next day, accompanied by Captain de Montmorency’s +scouts, 110 men, and four guns. These arrived on the scene so early +as to surprise the Boers, who, after having been kept at bay by the +small force of Colonials, had continued to snipe at them from a distance +throughout the night. A sharp fight now ensued, and, after some +clever manœuvring on both sides, the enemy retired with the loss of +eight killed, while the party in the donga was relieved, and returned +in safety to Dordrecht. The rescue was highly exciting, as the +Boers were finally sent helter-skelter just as our men, worn out +with a night’s anxiety in the nullah, had almost given up hope of +release. As it was, they were restored to their friends in camp amid +a storm of cheers.</p> + +<p>Early on the 3rd of January a force was sent out from the +advanced camp at Bushman’s Hoek to meet a hostile horde that +occupied Molteno. The Boers had mounted a big gun on a kopje +in front of Bushman’s Hoek, and from thence commenced to fire at +about eight o’clock. Around the neighbourhood the Boers were +seen to be swarming; therefore the force, composed of Kaffrarian +Rifles, Mounted Infantry of the Berkshire Regiment, and the Cape +Mounted Police, at once engaged them.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 436px;"> +<a name="illo14" id="illo14"></a><img src="images/illo14.png" width="436" height="601" alt="MAJOR-GENERAL SIR W. F. GATACRE, K.C.B." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">MAJOR-GENERAL SIR W. F. GATACRE, K.C.B.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Elliott & Fry, London.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>Two hours later General Gatacre and Staff started from headquarters +with half a battalion of the Royal Scots and the 78th +Battery of Artillery. The Boers from their point of vantage were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +firing from the hill on which was placed their big gun, and they continued +to fire on the Infantry as they advanced over an undulating +plain to right of Cypherghat, whence the population had fled panic-stricken +at the outset of the fight. Fortunately the hostile shells +burst without doing damage, and the troops continued to advance.</p> + +<p>The Artillery made a detour to the right, secured a commanding +position on a kopje, and from thence began a ten minutes’ cannonade +which had the effect of silencing the Boers. They withdrew their +gun and retreated, the bulk of their force now advancing, now +retiring, to cover the movement.</p> + +<p>At this juncture the Mounted Infantry, which had worked its +way round with a view to outflanking the enemy’s position, came +on the scene only to learn of the withdrawal. This was carried on +without check owing to our lack of cavalry. While General Gatacre’s +force were thus engaged, the enemy was making a determined +attack on 140 men of the Cape Police and 60 men of the Kaffrarian +Rifles at Molteno. They were splendidly repulsed, though the +Police had an unpleasant experience. Five shells dropped into +their camp, but all miraculously escaped injury. The Boers now +retired as mysteriously as they had come, and none knew the exact +reason for their arrival. It was suspected that it was a “slim” trick +to draw General Gatacre into another trap.</p> + +<p>A strong force left Sterkstroom before dawn on the morning of +the 8th of January for the dual purpose of reconnoitring in the +direction of Stormberg and taking possession of the meal and flour +from Molteno Mills. The force comprised the Derbyshire Regiment, +the 77th and 79th Field Batteries, 400 mounted men of the +Cape Police and Berkshire Regiment, the Kaffrarian Rifles, and the +Frontier Rifles. The expedition was eminently successful. The +operation of removing the food-stuffs and detaching the vital parts +of the machinery of the mills was carried on under the protection of +the Derbyshire Regiment and the 77th Battery. That of reconnoitring +was undertaken by the force under Colonel Jefferies, R.A., +and it was discovered that the Boers, who were supposed to have +evacuated Stormberg, were within a two-mile range. A survey of +the Boer position was made by the Engineers, and the troops +returned to camp well satisfied with the result of their labours.</p> + +<p>No larger martial moves could be attempted, for General Gatacre +lived in a chronic state of suspended activity for lack of reinforcements. +The Dutchmen had now fallen back from Stormberg, +leaving only a small garrison there, and established themselves +near Burghersdorp. The Boer strength in this district was estimated +at about 4500, a force made up for the most part of Free +Staters and Cape rebels. On the 18th of January General Gatacre +moved some three hundred of all ranks from Bushman’s Hoek<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +to Loperberg, and the 74th Field Battery, with one company of +Mounted Infantry, from Sterkstroom to Bushman’s Hoek. The +Boers continued a system of annoyance and petty progress by +destroying railway bridges in the neighbourhood of Steynsburg and +Kromhoogte, about eleven miles from Sterkstroom, and damaging +portions of the line near Stormberg.</p> + +<p>Though General Gatacre’s Division was merely the shadow of +the division it should have been, and his strength, such as it was, +materially thinned by reverse, he had at his elbow one man who +was a host in himself. This man was Captain de Montmorency. +He kept the Boers who were holding Stormberg in a simmering +state of excitement and suspense. He and his active party of +scouts were perpetually reconnoitring and skirmishing and emerging +from very tight corners, getting back to camp by what in vulgar +phrase is called “the skin of their teeth.” One of these narrow +escapes was experienced on the 16th January, when Captain de +Montmorency and his men went out from Molteno to gain information +regarding the whereabouts of the enemy. A smart combat +was the result of their efforts, and when they were almost surrounded +Major Heylen with sixty Police came to the rescue, and +the whole force, after some animated firing, returned safely to +Molteno, plus horses, mares, foals, and oxen, which had been captured +from the enemy.</p> + +<p>At this time a curious correspondence took place between the +Boer Commandant, General Olivier, and General Gatacre. It was +a species of Dutch <i>tu quoque</i>—the Boer leader thinking to charge +the British one with the same tricks as those in which his countrymen +had been detected.</p> + +<p>General Olivier solemnly declared that a store of ammunition +had been found in an abandoned British waggon—a waggon marked +with red crosses and purporting to be an ambulance waggon. +General Gatacre emphatically denied the “slim” impeachment. +He forwarded affidavits sworn by Major Lilly, R.A.M.C., who was +the last man with the waggon before it had to be abandoned, who +stated that if such ammunition had been found it had been subsequently +deposited there. General Gatacre further informed the +Commandant that the practice of taking wives and children in or +near camp and allowing them to run the risks common to belligerents +was contrary to the rules of civilised warfare, and desired +to point out the responsibility he incurred in so doing. He further +remonstrated that a servant who had been on the field of battle +to assist Father Ryan in the succour of the wounded had been +detained in the Boer camp after assurances of his release had been +made. To these remarks and complaints the General received no +reply.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> + +<p>Fortunately, our wounded who were not captured were doing +well. The ladies at Sterkstroom were particularly devoted, and +visited and cheered the sick daily, and carried them little luxuries +which were mightily appreciated. Though there were not many +losses, sick and disabled were constantly being carried into the +hospital as the result of reconnoitring and scouting expeditions, +which were ceaseless, and had to continue ceaseless, owing to the +inability of the force to take powerful action.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 579px;"> +<a name="illo15" id="illo15"></a><img src="images/illo15.png" width="579" height="510" alt="Movements of Gatacre and French." title="" /> +<span class="caption smcap">Movements of Gatacre and French.</span> +</div> + +<p>On the 20th of January Lieutenant Nickerson, R.A.M.C., who +had accompanied the wounded after the misfortune at Stormberg, +arrived in camp. Father Ryan’s servant, on whose account +General Gatacre, as already mentioned, addressed Commandant +Olivier, also returned. They brought interesting news. More +guns had been brought on the scene, and these were served by +German gunners. Septuagenarians and striplings were drafted +into the commandoes, while at Burghersdorp the Town Guard was +composed of lads of about thirteen years of age. This showed that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +the stream of reinforcements was beginning to run dry. Many +youngsters were said to have been sent from their college at Bloemfontein +straight to the front.</p> + +<p>Commandant Olivier now took the opportunity to announce that +he meant to retain as prisoners all correspondents who might be +captured. The correspondents were flattered, and began to calculate +whether “Experiences in Pretoria” would make good “copy,” but +finally decided for the liberty of the press.</p> + +<p>A little innocent diversion was provided by the Boers during the +night of the 20th. The British were awakened by furious fire, +which was continued for some time. Great consternation prevailed, +till it was afterwards discovered that a scare in the Boer lines had +taken place, and the sound of some stampeding cattle had been +mistaken for the advance of the British! The Boers had at once +flown to arms, fired right and left in the midnight darkness, and as +a natural consequence shot some of their own cattle!</p> + +<p>After this, there was silence, like the ominous lull which comes +before a storm. Little puffs and pants of hostility took place around +Sterkstroom and Penhoek, while at Colesberg the Boers were on +guard, with the fear of some impending ill. Important developments +were dreaded. It was known that swarms of troops were moving +from the Cape, and that the positions which had hitherto been held +by the Federals in consequence of the weakness of British forces +in all quarters, would soon be tenable no longer. And the waverers +began to shake in their shoes. They began suddenly to adopt a +helpful attitude towards the forces. The fact was, Lord Roberts +had issued a proclamation encouraging Free Staters and Transvaalers +to desert by the promise that they should be well treated. To the +Colonial rebels he had diplomatically tendered the advice to surrender +before being caught in <i>flagrante delicto</i>.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="WITH_GENERAL_FRENCH" id="WITH_GENERAL_FRENCH"></a>WITH GENERAL FRENCH</h3> + +<p>While all eyes were turned in the direction of the Natal force for +the relief of Ladysmith, General French was making things lively +for the Boers. It may be remembered that he left Ladysmith immediately +before Sir George White’s garrison was hemmed in, and +betook himself to the central sphere of war. On the 23rd of +November, with a reconnoitring force consisting of a company +of the Black Watch, some mounted infantry, police, and the New +South Wales Lancers, he went by train towards Arundel, and was +fired on by Boers who were sneaking in the hills. Three of the +party were wounded, but the rest drove the enemy off. The rails +had been lifted just in front of the scene of the fight. From +this time activities of the same kind took place daily, the General +devoting his energies to reconnoitring east and west of his position,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +keeping the enemy from massing at any given point, and forcing +them to remain on the <i>qui vive</i> in perpetual expectation of attack.</p> + +<p>Scouting at this time was carried on to the extent of a fine art. +Never a day was devoid of excitement. “We start out before +dawn, and get back—well, when we can!” This was the pithy +description of a youngster who enjoyed some thrilling moments. +The following sketch of the experiences of a New Zealander show +how one and all willingly risked their lives in the service of their +country:—</p> + +<p>“I was under fire for the first time on my birthday (Dec. 7), +when a section of us (four men) were sent out as a mark for any +Boers to shoot at. We rode to the foot of a kopje and left one of +us in charge of the four horses. Another chap and I climbed to the +top. Puff! bang went three shells from their Long Tom and a perfect +fusillade of bullets. It is marvellous how we escaped. We were +to report as soon as we were fired at, so I volunteered as galloper to +go back to our lines to report. I did a quick time over that two +miles of veldt, bullets missing me all the time. I reported, and was +told to go back and withdraw the men, which I did. Afterwards we +took eight men, and under cover kept up a steady fire for five hours. +I was horribly tired, as I had been in the saddle eighteen hours the +previous day. My mate was fresh—we were planted behind stones +in pairs—and while he kept up the firing I slumbered, strange as it +may seem. There are thousands of troops in the camp. General +French, in command of this particular division, has complimented +us on many occasions on our coolness under fire and our horsemanship. +He said we could gallop across country where English cavalry +could only walk. He told us after a skirmish we had with the enemy +that he couldn’t express in words his admiration of us, that we were +the best scouts he had ever employed, and that we always brought +in something, either prisoners, horses, sheep, cattle, or valuable information—which +latter is entirely true. During the slack time our +chaps are busy breaking in remounts for the English cavalry. +Horses die like flies here, and Cape ponies are substituted.”</p> + +<p>Numerous and ingenious tricks were practised on the Boers, +many of them doubtless owing their origin to the active and fertile +brains of General French and Colonel Baden-Powell, the author +of the “Manual on Scouting.” One of these was to take in +the enemy’s scouts by tethering ostriches to bushes on the hills. +The presence of the birds naturally gave to the place an air of +desolation, and satisfied the enemy that the ground was unoccupied. +In Colonel Baden-Powell’s opinion fine scouting is a true +bit of hero-work, and his description of the “sport” in his own +words serves to show of what stuff our Colonial scouts were made. +He says: “It is comparatively easy for a man in the heat and ex<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>citement +of battle, where every one is striving to be first, to dash out +before the rest and do some gallant deed; but it is another thing for +a man to take his life in his hand to carry out some extra dangerous +bit of scouting on his own account, where there is no one by to +applaud, and it might be just as easy for him to go back; that is a +true bit of hero’s work, and yet it is what a scout does continually as +‘all in the day’s work.’ The British scout has, too, to be good +beyond all nationalities in every branch of his art, because he is +called upon not only to act against civilised enemies in civilised +countries like France and Germany, but he has also to take on the +crafty Afghan in his mountains, or the fierce Zulu in the open South +African towns, the Burmese in his forests, the Soudanese on the +Egyptian desert, all requiring different methods of working, but their +efficiency depending in every case on the same factor—the pluck and +ability of the scout himself. To be successful as a scout you must +have plenty of what Americans call ‘jump’ and ‘push,’ ‘jump’ being +alertness, wideawakeness, and readiness to seize your opportunity, +‘push’ being a never-say-die feeling. When in doubt as to whether +to go on or to go back, think of that and of the Zulu saying, ‘If we go +forward we die, if we go backward we die; better go forward and +die.’ Scouting is like a game of football. You are selected as a +forward player. Play the game; play that your side may win. +Don’t think of your own glorification or your own risks—your side +are backing you up. Football is a good game, but better than it, +better than any other game, is that of man-hunting.” Of this game, +our troops, particularly in the disaffected regions of Cape Colony, +were beginning to have their fill.</p> + +<p>On the 8th of December Colonel Porter, with the 5th Dragoon +Guards and Mounted Infantry, arrived at Arundel from Naauwpoort, +for the purpose of making a reconnaissance and locating the enemy +and discovering his strength. The force detrained some four miles +outside the town and advanced across the plain, the Dragoons to left +and right, the Mounted Infantry, consisting of New Zealanders and +Australians, in the centre slightly in the rear. The Boers in the +surrounding kopjes, seeing their danger, took themselves off with +great rapidity to another ridge three miles to the north. This +position was located before nightfall. At daybreak four companies +of Mounted Infantry were posted on a hill two miles north of +Arundel, while a troop of Dragoons reconnoitred the town and +found it evacuated by the enemy. The advance was then resumed. +At 8 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span> the troops reached Maaiboschlaagte, and spied the enemy +on the hills near Rensburg’s Farm. The Boers were busy dragging +a huge gun up the hill. Having no artillery, the flanking movement +on the left was discontinued, but the Dragoons on the right, who +were three miles in advance of the remainder of the force, crossed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +the plain and outflanked the enemy. The crackling of muskets +followed, and soon after the booming of two guns. The New South +Wales Lancers now reinforced the first line, and though for many +hours their “baptism of fire” was prolonged, they suffered the only +loss of the day—the loss of a horse. The operations were successful, +and the strength of the enemy was found to number about 2000. +The occupation of this region by our troops was considered of great +strategical importance, as it formed a convenient advance base for +further operations. The town is situated some twelve miles from Colesberg, +and is in a fashion a natural fortress. It consists of rugged +hills surrounding flats, and is provided with refreshing water springs.</p> + +<p>On the 12th of December a patrol under Lieutenant Collins was +fiercely fired upon; a sergeant of the Carabineers was killed and a +private was reported missing. This happened as they were turning +away from a farm at Jasfontein belonging to Field-Cornet Geldenhuis, +with whom they had had an interview. The proprietor received +his just deserts, for later on two squadrons of Carabineers +with two guns and a company of Mounted Infantry were sent out to +shell the farm, which duty was accomplished with zest and thoroughness. +General French’s report of the affair is too interesting to be +omitted. He said:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“I wish particularly to bring to notice the excellent conduct and bearing of +the New Zealand Mounted Rifles, commanded by Major A. W. Robin, on one +of these occasions.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“On 18th December I took them out with a battery of Horse Artillery to +reconnoitre round the enemy’s left flank, and determined to dislodge him from +a farm called Jasfontein lying on his left rear. The guns shelled the farm, and +the New Zealand Mounted Rifles then gained possession of it. But the enemy +very suddenly brought up strong reinforcements and pressed on us with his +Artillery. Our Artillery had been left some way behind to avoid this latter +fire, and I had to send back some distance for its support, during which time +we were exposed to a heavy musketry fire from the surrounding hills. The +conduct of the New Zealanders was admirable in thus maintaining a difficult +position till the Artillery caused the enemy to retire.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>Early on the morning of the 13th patrols were again fired upon, +this time from Platberg, a kopje on the fringe of Colesberg Commonage. +About 4 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span>, in the dusk of early dawn, the Dutchmen, +some 1800 strong, were found to be leaving their position and +advancing in the direction of Naauwpoort. Thereupon Colonel +Porter, with Carabineers, Inniskillings, 10th Hussars, and four +guns of the R.H.A., moved eastwards. What Mr. Gilbert describes +as “a short sharp shock” followed, and the enemy’s guns, +after firing three shots, were silenced. Our cavalry headed the +enemy off, and soon after 2 <span class="smaller">P.M.</span> the bulk of his forces retired to +their former position. Vaalkop was held by one squadron of cavalry +and two guns for the rest of the day. Some Boers remained at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +Talboschlaagte, and some later on occupied Kuilfontein Farm, but +were driven out by British shells with loss of forty killed and +wounded. Our own losses during two days’ sharp work amounted +to one man killed. Captain Moseley (Inniskillings) was slightly +wounded, and four men also received injuries.</p> + +<p>On the same date Colonel Miles reported from Orange River +an unlucky incident. Part of the Mounted Infantry under Captain +Bradshaw and the Guides under Lieutenant Macfarlane patrolled +in the direction of Kamak and Zoutpansdrift, ten miles east of +Orange River, for the purpose of reconnoitring and reporting the +strength of the enemy. The Boers were said to be holding the +drift, and near there, somewhat suddenly, a strong party of them +appeared. The Mounted Infantry attacked, and a brisk engagement +followed, with the result that the enemy decamped to Geemansberg. +Unfortunately, for this smart piece of work Captain Bradshaw paid +with his life; Lieutenant Greyson (Buffs) was wounded, three men +were killed, and seven wounded. Captain Bradshaw was an +energetic and valuable officer, and his loss was deeply deplored.</p> + +<p>To return to General French. Hard days of work in a broiling +sun with little to show for it were the lot of those around Naauwpoort +at this time. On the morning of the 15th two guns of the Horse +Artillery, going eastward across the veldt from Vaalkop, shelled a +Boer waggon which had been espied winding along the road. It +was presumably from Colesberg, and laden with supplies for the +artillery of the enemy. Several shells were at once launched, but +they failed to strike it. The artillery then tried a new position, +and were “sniped” at by odd sharpshooters from the hills. Finally +a “Long Tom” was brought by the Boers to bear on the situation, +and then the artillery, pursued by shells, returned to Vaalkop.</p> + +<p>Boer aggression continued. On the 16th the enemy took up a +position on a hill near Kannaksolam and sniped at the British +patrols when they went to water their horses. The Dutchmen +were splendidly concealed, so splendidly that it was impossible +for the patrols to return the fire. The New Zealanders were also +fired upon, and though five scouts lay for hours on the hill watching +the Boers’ hiding-place, not one of the foe showed his nose +out of cover. At last, in the afternoon, Captain Jackson, with +eight Carabineers on patrol, caught sight of the enemy peeping +from his lair, and suddenly found himself in the midst of a volley. +Captain Jackson was shot in the spine and instantly killed, the +other members of the party and the riderless horse fleeing amid +a storm of bullets. On the morning of the 18th the remains of +the gallant officer were buried at Naauwpoort with military +honours. The enemy’s position was shelled at daybreak by ten guns.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 614px;"> +<a name="illo16" id="illo16"></a><img src="images/illo16.png" width="614" height="425" alt="A RECONNAISSANCE IN FORCE WITH GENERAL FRENCH'S CAVALRY NEAR COLESBERG." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">A RECONNAISSANCE IN FORCE WITH GENERAL FRENCH’S CAVALRY NEAR COLESBERG.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Drawing by R. Caton Woodville.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>On the same day General French made a successful reconnais<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>sance +with a battery of Horse Artillery and the New Zealand Rifles. +The New Zealanders had some exciting experiences. Major Lee and +his men went forth to draw the fire of the Boers, and unfortunately, +instead of drawing the shell of the enemy they drew the shot, and +found themselves all at once in a very warm corner indeed. They +were rapidly hemmed in on three sides, and stood a very good +chance of being cut off. But pluck carried the day, and though all +their accoutrements, saddles, and water-bottles showed visible signs +of the hurricane of destruction through which they had ridden, they +arrived in camp safe and sound, much to the satisfaction of the +General, who issued an order complimenting them on the success of +their reconnaissance.</p> + +<p>Major Lee, who was in command of the New Zealanders at +Arundel, was reported to be a splendid fellow—not the typical +dashing officer by any means, but what was described as a regular +paterfamilias of somewhat aldermanic proportions. He was hale, +hearty, and beaming, and withal a man of coolness and courage. +The qualities possessed by this officer were said to be shared by +most of his men, who, though of the rough and ready stamp, were +true chips of the old British block.</p> + +<p>Mr. Gifford Hall was most enthusiastic about Colonials all and +sundry, and, knowing their excellence and Great Britain’s needs, delivered +himself of words of wisdom which are worthy of repetition:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“Ex-frontier cavalryman myself, with further experience as cowboy in both +the United States and North-west Canada, and also as stockrider in Australia, +I have never for a moment doubted that in the raising of an irregular Anglo-Boer +force lay the solution of England’s problem, ‘How to successfully cope +with the enemy.’ Sans standard of physique, sans much orthodox training, +sans everything but virility, inherent horsemanship, inherent wild-land craft, +mounted on his own pony—bronco of Canada or brumbie of Australia—the +Canadian ranche hand, the Australian stockrider, shearer, station rouseabout, +or the ‘cull’ of all lands Anglicised might easily become the quintessence of a +useful and operative force against a semi-guerilla enemy. A pair of cord +breeches, a couple of shirts, his big hat, and a cartridge-filled belt, Winchester +carbine, a pony of the sort that can be run to a white sweat, and staggering, +tremble, and then be kicked out to nuzzle for grass or die—that’s what your +man wants. The pants and shirts will be better than he has worn for years; +the gun he has ‘shot straight’ with ever since he first handled his ‘daddy’s’ +muzzle-loader; and the ‘hoss,’ why each is of the other, horse and man, each +apart, a thing inept. Orthodoxy against the Boers in military operations +doesn’t wash. Aldershot-cum-Sandhurst-cum-Soudan-cum-Further-India and +War-Office tactics fall flat. The Boer is here, there, and everywhere, not to +be followed by ‘crushing forces’—only to be checked and turned and tracked +and harried and hustled by a brother Boer. There is scarce a Canadian ranche +hand but owns a pony of bronco breed, scarce an Australian station hand of +any decent calibre but owns or can procure a tough and serviceable semi-‘brumbie’ +mount. And will these men volunteer? Yes, plenty of them, and +those that won’t can’t. Surely Empire saved or gained is worth their worth to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +the Motherland they fight for. Let her hire them. Transportation and time? +The Boer war is not over yet, and England’s pocket is deep. To-day she +fights for her life, for her honour, and win she must. Arm them and saddle +them, men of the wild-lands and prairies. Work them van, flank, and rear. +This folly of ‘standard’ physique and ‘training’—to the winds with it. The +theory of weight and height for effective fighting is exploded. Heart, eye, and +seat, and wild-land inherent tact make up for it. Five-feet-six can ride and +shoot and fight or die as well as six-feet-two. We wild-landers have proven it +over and over again. Even when the war is over, and our regulars and reserves +must return, make these men into protective police for a while, officered not by +orthodoxy but by knowledge and experience. They will ‘learn the country.’ +They will evolve scouts from amongst them who shall make no mistakes. +They will give to England what she needs in times like these—to come again +or not. Your yeomanry won’t do the trick; nor your oat-fed kharki-clad higher +Colonials either. ’Tis your Anglo-Boer, cowboy, stockrider, shearer, rouseabout, +cull, given his way and a cause—yes, he and his scrub-fed mongrel +mount and ‘gun.’”</p></blockquote> + +<p>These expressions of opinion almost amounted to a prophecy, for +very shortly the Canadian ranche hands, the Australian stockriders, +the hardy New Zealanders, and the “higher” Colonials—as Mr. Hall +styled them—taught us lessons which we were swift enough to follow.</p> + +<p>At Christmas the troops fared well, and contributions of a +homely and delectable kind were supplied to make the season +pleasurable. The inhabitants of Naauwpoort showed their appreciation +of Mr. Thomas Atkins in many tangible ways, notably by +providing him with appetising refreshments as he arrived by rail. Of +course, there was a run on the telegraph office. Christmas greetings +went pouring out and came pouring in, while the mail-bags +swelled with a plethora of seasonable blandishments. At Arundel +Colonel Fisher and the officers of the 10th Hussars endeavoured to +forward Christmas greetings to the Colonel of the Regiment, His +Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, but for some unexplained +reason the felicitation was not allowed to go beyond the vigilant eye +of the censor.</p> + +<p>The great attraction of Christmas, and its accompaniment the +New Year, was the expectation of a gift from Queen Victoria, +which was specially prepared according to the order of the Sovereign +herself. It was to take the form of a tin of chocolate, and was to be +presented to every soldier on service in South Africa. The box +was specially designed, and adorned with the regal monogram. +This unique gift, in order to make it the more valuable as a trophy +or a family relic, was manufactured only of the exact number required +for presentation to each individual serving at the front.</p> + +<p>Naauwpoort enlivened itself with sports, and though the weather +was almost tropical, the activity served to compensate for the +absence of the mirth of Merrie England. At this time the Boers +were approaching nearer the British camp. There was a three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +days’ truce, it is true, but their positions were only six miles from our +troops, and they were warned that a nearer approach would mean +prompt action by the guns.</p> + +<p>The daily routine went on somewhat monotonously—the grooming, +watering, and exercising of horses; drilling, exercising the mules +of ambulance and transport waggons; unloading the food supplies, +cooking them—occupations which afforded work in plenty, but the +real business of warfare was suspended. Some of the officers made +an effort to get up hunting parties, and succeeded in bagging a few +springbuck, but their expeditions were fraught with even more risk to +themselves than to their quarry. For instance, in one case, while two +gallant Nimrods were in the act of stalking a splendid springbuck, +their chargers made off. They suddenly found themselves almost +surrounded by Boers, and an animated chase followed. Luckily +the carcass of the springbuck, which was left behind, was too great +a prize to be parted with, and the enemy captured it in preference +to the huntsmen!</p> + +<p>At this time there was great consternation in camp, as two +cavalry officers were taken prisoners. It subsequently transpired +that the officers, Lieutenant Till (Carabineers) and Lieutenant +Hedger (attached to the 10th Hussars), were captured through an +unfortunate accident. They mistook the Boers for New Zealanders, +and therefore were unprepared to offer resistance. On discovering +their error they made a desperate attempt to escape, but were +overpowered.</p> + +<p>The Colonials afterwards discarded their picturesque hats and +took to helmets. Owing to the resemblance of their headgear to +that of the Boers, some British pickets had mistaken them for the +enemy and fired on them.</p> + +<p>On the 29th the enemy fell back on Colesberg, and there with +his small force General French proceeded to tackle him. “So near +and yet so far” must have been repeated many times by both +Generals French and Gatacre when each failed to accomplish +some clever moves for want of the necessary reinforcements. In +the ordinary course of things, from Naauwpoort to Sterkstroom was +an easy three-hours journey by rail, but now, with the barrier of +the Boers at Stormberg—the junction between the East London and +Port Elizabeth systems—it was necessary to travel, if by rail, <i>via</i> +Port Elizabeth, thus making a three-days instead of a three-hours +trip. And railway travelling was by no means a safe and enjoyable +exercise. True, the lines of communication were protected by some +eleven hundred Volunteers, but as martial law had not been proclaimed +south of Naauwpoort, and disloyalty was here the rule and +not the exception, it was quite on the cards that at any moment +culverts would be found blown up and rails twisted.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="gap2"><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smaller">THE COLONIALS AT BELMONT</span></h2> + +<p class="gap2">On Christmas Day Lieut.-Colonel Pilcher, formerly of the +Northumberland Fusiliers, late of the Bedfordshire +Regiment, arrived at Belmont and took command of +the troops. The Station Staff now consisted of Colonel +Pilcher; Major Bayly, Major MacDougall, and Major +Dennison. The garrison was soon strengthened by two companies +of the 2nd Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry under Major +Ashby. A general state of high polish was begun, and the Canadians, +ever active and on the alert, came in for some excellent training, +which they were not slow to profit by. Owing to the insecure state +of the neighbourhood, it was put in a fair state of defence. Stone +sconces were built on the kopjes; earthwork trenches were built at +the station and elsewhere; and a series of alarm drills was carried +on, in order to enable all concerned to take up their especial posts +at a moment’s notice. For instance, at an appointed hour an alarm +on the bugles would wake the echoes. The men would rush to +arms; every company, previously instructed, would fall in on its own +private parade ground, and then set out at the double for its post. +Celerity without fluster was the motto of the movement. When all +were posted, some in trenches a mile off, others three or four hundred +yards away, the Colonel would proceed to make such disposition +of his troops as the imagined enemy might impose. For instance, +he would picture the attack coming from the north-east and march +some of his force in the direction of the assumed attack, covering +it with a strong line of skirmishers, while other troops in springless +four-wheeled buck waggons were sent to their support. The +movement would be only sufficiently developed to give the men an +intelligent appreciation of what might be required of them, and +certainly nothing could exceed the promptness and alacrity with +which the troops threw themselves into their military rehearsals. +The Canadians especially distinguished themselves by their zest and +acuteness, and in all the bogus engagements—the attack drill—earned +the praise of the commander. The following is a copy of a regimental +order: “The officer commanding the Royal Canadian Regiment +is desired by the officer commanding the troops at this station to +express his satisfaction with the intelligent and quiet way in which +this morning’s work was carried out by the officers, non-com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span>missioned +officers, and men of the Royal Canadian Regiment.” +The Colonel particularly appreciated the manner in which the men +avoided “bunching,” the most fatal error that can be made by troops +in modern warfare of the kind in hand.</p> + +<p>At the end of the year more Australians arrived. These +troops had been stationed for a short time at the Orange River, +getting their horses into condition after a six weeks’ voyage. From +thence they moved on to Belmont. The two companies of Queensland’s +Mounted Infantry found their green tents awaiting them, and +a hearty welcome. The men, a hardy and stalwart set, tall and +comely to look on, were well fitted in their kharki uniform, which +showed no signs of relationship to the slouching apparel peculiar to +hastily rigged-out troops. Their jackets, cord breeches, felt hats +looped up at the side with a tuft of feathers of the emu, gave them +a picturesque as well as workmanlike air. But their leggings were +dangerously dark, and scarcely as suited to sand or morass—the +ground was either one thing or the other—as the familiar puttees. +These useful articles had now been assumed by the Canadians instead +of their shrunken or loosely flapping duck trousers. The effect +was infinitely more dapper, becoming to the figure, and serviceable +for hard wear. The Queenslanders and Canadians at once fraternised, +the older arrivals making the new comers welcome by inviting +them to drinks and breakfast, and generally “showing them around.” +The bond of union was cemented by the fact that the officer in +command of the Queenslanders, Colonel Ricardo, was an old Royal +Canadian Artillery officer.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="COLONEL_PILCHERS_RAID" id="COLONEL_PILCHERS_RAID"></a>COLONEL PILCHER’S RAID</h3> + +<p>New Year’s Day was a great occasion for the Colonial troops. +They had been burning with impatience to come in touch with the +enemy, and till now no opportunity had been afforded for testing +their prowess in the field. At midday on the 31st of December a +force under Colonel Pilcher started off from Belmont. The force +consisted of 200 Queenslanders, commanded by Colonel Ricardo; +100 Canadians, Toronto Company, with two guns; and a horse +battery under Major de Rougemont; 30 Mounted Infantry under +Lieutenant Ryan (Munster Fusiliers); the New South Wales Ambulance, +under Surgeon-Major Dodds; and 200 Cornwall Light +Infantry. These left Belmont and proceeded westward. Twenty +miles were covered before sunset, and the force encamped at +Cook’s Farm. In this region, on a string of kopjes, a Boer +laager was reported to be, and this—it was decided—must be +removed.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 628px;"> +<a name="illo17" id="illo17"></a><img src="images/illo17.png" width="628" height="428" alt="Map Illustrating Colonel Pilcher's Raid." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">Map Illustrating Colonel Pilcher’s Raid.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Scale 9 miles = 1 inch.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">[Transcribers' note: For ease of reference, the black line beneath the +image would be approximately one inch in length in the original.]</span> +</div></div> + +<p>Colonel Pilcher’s programme, however, was not divulged. Great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +caution was preserved, as the country was swarming with native +spies, and all movements of the troops were watched and reported +to the enemy. The Colonel therefore very adroitly arranged that no +person should have a chance of reporting his movements, and caused +a watch to be kept on all the natives, and these during the night +were shut in their huts to prevent any from escaping and communicating +the intention of the troops. The vigilance was certainly well +rewarded. At daybreak the force steadily marched out, creating as +little dust as possible, and took up a position at a place some fifteen +miles off, called Sunnyside. Here the enemy’s laager was reported +to be situated. It was posted on two connected kopjes to north and +south, and towards these kopjes the troops advanced. When within +a distance of some four miles the troops halted. Major de Rougemont +with two guns under Lieutenant Atkinson, Captain Barker with +the Toronto Company of Canadians, and Lieutenants Ryan and +Smith with the Mounted Infantry were ordered in the direction of +the enemy’s laager to the north; while Colonel Pilcher with Colonel +Ricardo and the Queenslanders, A Company under Captain Chaucer, +and B Company under Captain Pinnock, advanced from the south. +Patrols were sent to the east. All was done with great quietness +and precision, and the Boer tactics so closely imitated that the enemy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +were unconscious of the arrival of the British till the troops were upon +them. Major Rougemont’s force made use of all the existing cover, +which luckily was sufficient to screen both man and horse, and in a +very short time had discovered some excellent ground which gave on +to the Boer position. The enemy’s laager was ensconced in a nest of +trees, at the base of a range of kopjes commanded by a convenient +ridge. This ridge—reported by the Mounted Infantry to be clear of +the enemy—with great promptness was practically seized and occupied +before the Boers had sufficiently gathered themselves together to contest +the position. The guns were advanced at a trot, and unlimbered +within 1500 yards of the laager, into which two shells were neatly +plumped, with a stupendous detonation that startled the whole surrounding +neighbourhood. Up scrambled the Boers, streaming and +bounding along the sides of the kopje like stampeded goats, and +commencing to fire with all their might. Upon our guns and gunners +came a torrent of lead fierce and sustained. Two Maxims under +Captain Bell now prepared to give tongue from the right, and then +the Toronto Company was ordered to double into action. They +leapt to the word. With a gasp of relief they cried, “At last!” and +were off. When within 1000 yards of the position their rifles came +into play. A hurricane of bullets met the enemy’s fire: met it, continued +fiercely—and finally subdued it.</p> + +<p>While the guns under Lieutenant Atkinson were booming and +banging, the Mounted Infantry, ably led by Lieutenant Ryan, were +working their way along the right, and hunting the enemy from a +concealed position among the scrub. At midday Colonel Pilcher +and the Queenslanders were steadily nearing the position from three +separate directions. They approached under cover, cautious as tigers +and nimble as cats, finally firing, and returning the fire, but only +when they caught glimpses of the enemy. Then they blazed away +to good purpose, and continued to approach nearer and ever nearer, +till the enemy, in view of the persistent and deadly advance, shrank +from his ground, and sulkily retired. The dexterity of the Queenslanders +was remarkable; they stalked the enemy as a sportsman +would stalk a deer, criticising their own fire and the fire of the foe +with workmanlike coolness and interest. The success of these +tactics was complete. The laager was captured, and with it forty +ill-kempt, surly prisoners. Lieutenant Adie, who was with a patrol of +four men, came suddenly on a number of the enemy, and was +wounded in two places, but he was saved and carried off by two +plucky fellows, Butler and Rose, who came to his rescue. The latter +was wounded, and his horse was killed. Another dashing Queenslander, +Victor Jones, was shot through the heart, and Macleod, +an equally brave comrade, after many lucky escapes, while +advancing with Colonel Pilcher’s force, was shot through the spine.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +While these heroic and tragic doings were taking place, General +Babington with a mounted force had been working hard, his operations +having been arranged for the purpose of co-operating with +Colonel Pilcher, and distracting the enemy’s attention from the +north. These manœuvres had the desired effect, and the day’s work, +apart from its pathetic side, was accounted a glorious success. So +cleverly had the proceedings been contrived, and so ingeniously +were the orders interpreted by one and all, that the Boers were completely +nonplussed. There was a hurried stampede, and the Federals +bolted, leaving their laager with all its luxuries, its boiling soup, its +gin and water bottles, &c., at the mercy of the invaders.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 642px;"> +<a name="illo18" id="illo18"></a><img src="images/illo18.png" width="642" height="451" alt="COLONEL PILCHER'S ATTACK ON SUNNYSIDE KOPJE--CANADIAN AND AUSTRALIAN CONTINGENTS RECEIVE THEIR BAPTISM OF FIRE." +title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">COLONEL PILCHER’S ATTACK ON SUNNYSIDE KOPJE—CANADIAN AND AUSTRALIAN CONTINGENTS RECEIVE THEIR “BAPTISM OF FIRE.” +</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Drawing by H. C. Seppings Wright from Sketch by Fred. Villiers.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>A vivid description of the Boer camp was given by Mr. Frederick +Hamilton of the <i>Toronto Globe</i>, who accompanied the Canadians.</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“Fourteen ancient tents, their blankets, kettles, and camp utensils, tossed +about in wild confusion. Three long waggons of the type in which the voortrekkers +voyaged the veldt, a team of a dozen magnificent oxen, a big water-cart +which we eyed greedily, a Kaffir wattled hut, its floor piled high with odds +and ends of clothing and valuables, its doorway marked by a shell-smash; the +rocky kopje-side behind, a flat plain dotted with shaggy, bushlike trees in front—such +was the Boer laager. Prisoners came from here and there, over a +score from the kopje-top, more from this corner and that of the field, and were +taken to the hut. Within it and around its door they squatted, a silent +downcast crew; what a mess they had made of their affairs! Perhaps they +were not so despondent as we thought, for one man as he sat in the guarded +group pointed out a rifle which one of the victors was carrying, and claimed +it as his own—a piece of cheek which staggered our men. The prisoners +claimed only part of our attention; with eager curiosity the camp was ransacked. +At last we had our hands upon these Boers: what manner of men +were they, and how did they live? Poorly enough, I should say; the camp +must have been densely crowded with the motley gathering, and we could see +the odd admixture of practical barbarism with occasional contact with civilisation, +as when good suits of clothes lay side by side with repulsive-looking +strips of biltong. We felt that all this was ours, ours by right of battle, ours +by virtue of victory. Perhaps we were wrong, perhaps the confiscated property +of rebels should fall to the Crown, but as long as men go to war so +long will victors walk through the camp of the vanquished with just that feeling +swelling through their veins. Something else lay heavy upon us—thirst. +It raged through us. The yellow pool where the veldt cut into the kopje face +filled our water-bottles, and we drank and drank. The foul dregs of the Boers’ +water-cart were drained with joy. As the sun was setting our own water-cart +with more wholesome water drove up, and we drank and drank again. As +our fires were lighted, what receptacles could be found were filled and the muddy +fluid boiled. Our transport waggons were miles away, and for tea or coffee we +were dependent on what we found in the Boer waggons. I remember drinking +a cup of hot water and finding it most refreshing. Food was foraged. One +section of our men found a sheep’s carcass hanging up under a tree, slaughtered +by the rebels before our shell changed the tenor of their day. Some had +hardtack or army rations in their haversacks. Here and there they picked up +enough to make up a meal, not especially plentiful, and very scrappy, but satisfying. +Indeed a most peculiar thing about the whole affair was the great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +amount of work we managed to do on a very small amount of food. The +shadows of the evening were falling as we finished our meal, sent out the +necessary pickets, and prepared for rest.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>Later came the death of poor Macleod the Queenslander, whose +wound had been mortal. As the Queenslanders had early moved +on to Rooi Pan (a farmhouse across the veldt where rebels were +suspected to be in hiding), the Canadians took upon themselves +the duty of conducting the sad ceremonies of burial. A grave +was dug and a New Testament found. Then the Canadians slowly +bore to its last resting-place the remains of the heroic young Colonial +who had lost his life in the service of the mother country. Major +Bayly, the Staff Officer of the expedition, read a few selections +from Corinthians over the body, after which it was consigned to +the heart of the veldt. A rude cross bearing his name and corps +was placed to mark the spot, and written thereon was also the +intimation that it was “Erected by his Queensland and Canadian +comrades.” The noble young fellow Victor Jones secured less +formal burial, though his loss was as deeply regretted. On the +following day two of his comrades from Rooi Pan started off in +search of his body, and having found it, buried it without ceremony +or rite, but with the keenest feelings of sorrow.</p> + +<p>On this day, the 2nd of January, the work of destruction of Boer +effects was begun. Soon after dawn a huge bonfire was made under +such waggons and ammunition of the foe as could not be utilised, +and as the troops marched out they were saluted by the appalling +uproar of the exploding cartridges. The procession, as it moved on +its way to Rooi Pan, a distance of some four or six miles, presented a +somewhat mediĉval aspect in spite of symbols of modernity—magazine +rifles and machine guns. In front was the wide expanse of +grassy veldt; behind, the curling blue smoke from the burning +wreckage of the camp. Along the road came the heavy springless +waggons piled high with booty, their negro drivers flourishing +their long whips and repeating their vociferous bark of “Eigh” to +encourage the small, contumacious mules. With them marched the +bronzed, picturesque-looking army with its train of captives in the +rear, an unkempt, dilapidated crew—a strange contrast to the lively +and robust Canadians, who, rejoiced at their yesterday’s feat, were +singing as they tramped along. Very curious was it to hear, instead +of the familiar British airs our soldiers love, the Niagara camp-song +with its Hallelujah chorus, and the popular “The Maple Leaf” +proceeding from the brawny throats of these brother soldiers of +the Queen. Their joy and their triumph was complete, and with +a good night’s rest and the beautiful morning air to refresh them, +their spirits were effervescent in the extreme.</p> + +<p>At Rooi Pan there was a halt for half-an-hour, during which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +Colonel Pilcher took the opportunity to address his force, and convey +to them congratulations on the recent fight which had been +forwarded by General Wood, commanding at the Orange River. +Water-bottles were then filled from the clear pond in the farm of one +of the prisoners, and soon, the sun growing momentarily hotter, the +party advanced. This time their route lay over dust ankle-deep in +places, dust which rose up in clouds and came down into eyes and ears +and throats, and settled itself in hot cakes and rings on hair and +beards and necks. But presently, after a few miles, the state of +things was improved. Government roads stretched a smooth highway +in front, and kopjes—the dangerous kopjes that afforded such +comfortable hiding-places for the wily foe—grew fewer and farther +between. There was now comparative comfort, for there was little +fear of encounter with the enemy in the open.</p> + +<p>The journey was continued without event. There was no sign +of opposition, and about three o’clock in the afternoon, as they neared +their destination, a message came in, “Nothing to be seen in Douglas +but Union Jacks and red ensigns.” This was a fact, and Colonel +Pilcher and his troops very soon occupied the town. Never was there +a more enthusiastic demonstration: the loyal inhabitants cheered to +the echo; some almost wept at the arrival of their deliverers.</p> + +<p>This town is situated below the junction of the Modder and Vaal +Rivers, and is of some importance. Here the long-suffering loyalists +had remained, ever since the commencement of hostilities, in anxious +expectation, awaiting the arrival of the British troops. Naturally +the frenzy of their delight knew no bounds, particularly when it was +found how completely the rebels had dispersed. Fourteen tents, +three waggons, an immense store of rifles and ammunition, saddles, +forage, equipment, and many incriminating letters were seized. On +some of the envelopes were stamped “On Her Majesty’s Service,” +showing that these had been used by the newly appointed Landrost +of Douglas in the absence of an official Free State superscription.</p> + +<p>The joy of the loyalists was of short duration. In the afternoon +Colonel Pilcher broke to them the terrible news. He stated that, for +military reasons, his force would be obliged to leave on the morrow. +Consternation prevailed. The leading members of the community +explained that, if deserted, their lives would not be worth a moment’s +purchase. It was impossible to remain where they were and await +the return of the enemy, consequently Colonel Pilcher ordered all +who wished to leave to be ready by six the next morning, and promised +them safe conduct to Belmont. Thereupon a scene of great +animation ensued. An immense exodus was actively arranged. +Vehicles of all kinds, sizes, and shapes were got ready, while the +women and babies—such as overflowed the transport accommodation—were +taken charge of by the gallant Canadians. These marched<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> +forth singing, to keep up the spirits of the community, and finally, +when the wearisome end of the journey seemed never to be reached, +some of the noble fellows, although worn out with a long spell of +active work, and suffering from sore feet, carried the babies, and +thus relieved the women of the fatigue of the march. The cortège +left Douglas at eight o’clock on the morning of the 3rd, and reached +Dover Farm at two o’clock. With the refugees were sent +forward the captured rebels. These before their departure were +paraded, and Colonel Pilcher enjoined those who were Free +Staters or Transvaalers to step from the ranks, as they would be +treated as prisoners of war. The rebels who had taken up arms +against their Queen would suffer different treatment. No one +stepped forward, and it was evident that either there were no Boers +among the number, or they mistrusted the assurances of Colonel +Pilcher, and preferred to meet their fate <i>en bloc</i>. (They were subsequently +sent to the Cape for trial.) Colonel Pilcher’s “slim” +arrangement for the confusing of the natives prior to making his +advance was eminently successful, for the Boers, so a prisoner said, +considered themselves deeply aggrieved that they had not received +information regarding the proposed movements. On the 5th Colonel +Pilcher’s column arrived at Belmont. The night’s march from +Cook’s Farm was splendidly managed. News had reached him to +the effect that some 600 or 800 Boers intended to effect a junction, +and attack the column. At eight o’clock, therefore, the whole force +started quietly forth, stealing off in the jetty obscurity like a band +of conspirators. A halt was made during the night to allow the +troops a short spell of repose: after this they continued their journey +without mishap. Two companies of Canadians were employed to +hold a pass some six miles off Belmont, in order to prevent the +incoming force being cut off by the enemy.</p> + +<p>So ended, happily, a most successful raid. The Colonial troops +had more than acted up to the expectation of every one; and, though +it was somewhat disappointing that Douglas had to be instantly +evacuated, the expedition had helped to demonstrate to the loyalists +that the British could and would come to their aid, and that faith in +the end has its reward.</p> + +<p>The following table of their march is interesting as showing the +wear and tear to which the troops were subjected:—</p> + +<table summary="Distances in Pilchers Raid"> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="smaller ralign">Miles.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Sunday, December 31, Belmont to Thornhill</td> +<td class="ralign padr1">22</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Monday, January 1, Thornhill to Sunnyside (action)</td> +<td class="ralign padr1">13</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Tuesday, January 2, Sunnyside to Rooi Pan, 6 miles;</td> +<td> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="padl1">Rooi Pan to Douglas, 15 miles</td> +<td class="ralign padr1">21</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Wednesday, January 3, Douglas to Thornhill</td> +<td class="ralign padr1">24</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Thursday night, January 4, Thornhill to Richmond</td> +<td class="ralign padr1">10</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Friday, January 5, Richmond to Belmont</td> +<td class="ralign padr1">12</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td>———</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="padl1">Total</td> +<td class="ralign padr1">102</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> + +<p>This smart little military exploit was appreciated throughout the +globe. Telegrams poured in from all parts of the Queen’s dominions +congratulating Colonel Pilcher and the Colonials on the excellent +work they had accomplished. The following from G.O.C., Cape +Town, read:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“Congratulate Colonel Pilcher on brilliant exploit, which will have far-reaching +effect.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>From Military Secretary, Government House:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“Please send following message to Colonial troops employed in action at +Sunnyside: ‘His Excellency Sir Alfred Milner sends you his heartiest congratulations +on your success, and hopes it is only the forerunner of many more. +While regretting the loss of some of your brave comrades, he feels sure that +your friends in the colonies over the sea will feel proud of the success of their +representatives, as he himself does.’”</p></blockquote> + +<p>From Sir Redvers Buller the following was received:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“General Buller desires that his congratulations be conveyed to the +Colonial troops on their action at Sunnyside.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>From the Governor, Queensland, came:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“Request you will be good enough to convey to Queensland Mounted +Infantry hearty congratulations on gallant conduct at Sunnyside and sympathy +in loss of life. Second contingent embarks for South Africa next week.”</p></blockquote> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="ACTIVITIES_AND_SURPRISES" id="ACTIVITIES_AND_SURPRISES"></a>ACTIVITIES AND SURPRISES</h3> + +<p>More useful work, which had a direct bearing on the events of +the future, took place during Colonel Pilcher’s three weeks’ stay +at Belmont. Soon after the Douglas expedition another excursion +was devised. More Canadians were to be employed. The Queenslanders +were to send such men as they could mount, their animals +being, many of them, still <i>hors de combat</i> from the sea trip, and the +guns and infantry were to go as a matter of course. A dive into +the enemy’s country was projected—one of the first deliberate +incursions upon the Southern Dutch Republic. These incursions +were of immense value, and served in reality as pilotage for the +gigantic military engine that was shortly to sweep the way from the +Cape to Bloemfontein.</p> + +<p>At six o’clock in the morning of Tuesday, January 9, the column +started. It was composed as follows:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">Royal Horse Artillery—Two guns, 45 men, 51 horses. Queensland +Mounted Infantry—Two Maxims, 116 men, 106 horses. Royal Munster +Fusiliers Mounted Infantry—15 men, 15 horses. Royal Canadian Regiment—Two +Maxims, 293 men, 2 horses. New South Wales Army Medical Corps—Two +ambulances, 18 men, 14 horses. Total—487 men, 188 horses.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The officers who were engaged in the flying column were:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">Staff—Lieut.-Col. T. D. Pilcher, P.S.C., in command; Major M. Dobell, +R.C.R.I., Staff Officer; Major S. J. A. Denison, R.C.R.I., Quartermaster; Major<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +Brown, Q.M.I., Transport Officer; Lieut. Lafferty, R.C.R.I., Transport Officer; +Lieut. J. H. C. Ogilvy, in charge of R.C.R.I. machine gun section; Capt. Pelham, +Q.M.I., in charge of Queensland machine gun section; Lieut. A. C. Caldwell, +R.C.R.I., attached; Lieut. C. W. M’Lean, R.C.R.I., attached; Rev. J. M. +Almond, chaplain. Royal Horse Artillery—Major de Rougemont and Lieut. +Atkinson. Queensland Mounted Infantry—Lieut.-Col. Ricardo, Capt. Chauvel, +Capt. Pinnock, Lieut. Bailey, Lieut. Glascow. R.M.F. Mounted Infantry—Capt. +Bowen, Lieut. Tyrrell. Royal Canadian Regiment—Lieut.-Col. Pelletier. +A Company—Capt. Arnold, Lieut. Hodgins, Lieut. Blanchard. B Company—Lieut. +Ross, Lieut. J. C. Mason, Lieut. S. P. Layborn. H Company (half-company)—Lieut. +Burstall, Lieut. Willis. New South Wales Army Medical +Corps—Capt. Roth, Lieut. Martin; Capt. Dods, Queensland, attached. (Lieut.-Col. +Patterson of Queensland also went with the force as a spectator.)</p></blockquote> + +<p>The troops marched out by the road skirting the kopje so +gallantly stormed by the Guards, and moved over the veldt some +few miles to the south-east, towards the Free State. After passing +Riet Pan a wide left wheel was made, and the force struck north-east +to eastwards, towards the Free State. Here the dull purple kopjes +wound along in chains, dotted here and there with small plains some +three or four miles in depth and width. At Blaauwbosch Pan the +border was reached—the border between Griqualand West and +the Southern Republic. A halt was called. The troops gathered on +a circular plain fringed with high kopjes. The road, fenced across +with wire, ran through the plain, and close by was a small pan or +pool, which glittered like diamonds when shaken by the thunder +showers; for the sky, always overcast and threatening, now and +then burst into tears. Though these tears had the effect of April +showers they were mightily drenching, and the troops, in saturated +overcoats like tepid sponges, pursued their march somewhat uncomfortably. +In the place above described Col. Pelletier, with two +companies of the Canadians, was left with orders to remain till +three in the afternoon, in readiness, if occasion demanded, to reinforce +Colonel Pilcher. Failing a message, he was to return to +camp. The flying column proceeded, travelling north till parallel +with Enslin, where Gordons and Australians were encamped, and +from whence the Victorian Mounted Infantry were skirmishing. +Great caution had to be observed, as it was difficult, particularly +with so many Colonials about in their soft felt hats, to discern friend +from foe. Scares, as may be imagined, were many. One of these +took place when advancing horsemen were seen skimming the +distance. These dismounted and knelt. They meant business. +The excitement was intense. Signallers instantly fluttered flags, +and presently, after some moments of suspense, the troops were +reassured. It was a squadron of the 9th Lancers, who had +come from Modder River reconnoitring, keeping the Riet between +them and the Jacobsdal position. But we are anticipating.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 651px;"> +<a name="illo19" id="illo19"></a><img src="images/illo19.png" width="651" height="505" alt="Types of Arms--Lord Dundonalds Galloping Gun-Carriage with Maxim." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">Types of Arms—Lord Dundonald’s Galloping Gun-Carriage with Maxim.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">(Photo by Gregory & Co., London.)</span> +</div></div> + +<p>On the first day of their march, the force enjoyed unlooked-for +hospitality. About five miles east of the border +was the house of one Commandant Lubbe, the commandant +of Jacobsdal, a luminary of some magnitude in the Free State. +He may be described as a “man of substance,” to which his +comfortable dwelling and flourishing surroundings testified. Upon +this pastoral domain the troops, somewhat famished and fatigued, +advanced. Their arrival, for the Boers, was most ill-timed and +unexpected. At that very moment dinner for some fifteen persons +was being spread, piping hot, on the festive board. Odours +of succulent fare pervaded the atmosphere, odours inviting—tantalising! +The portly Burghers were in the very act of setting to +when they were warned of the approach of British scouts. A +stampede followed. Departing coat-tails, and, five minutes later, +mounted dots racing away to the shelter of distant kopjes—that +was all that our troops on arrival beheld. But they saw something +better than Boers. Their eyes lighted on the goodly array of edibles, +and, presto! the officers were seated. Joyously they surrounded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +the well-equipped table, and demolished with zest and considerable +humour the repast which had been prepared for their foes.</p> + +<p>A couple of negro domestics were the sole persons left on the +homestead. The place was searched; ammunition was found, and +dies for casting bullets. These were promptly destroyed. Some +live stock and various other useful articles were seized, including +three rifles left behind in the flight of the Burghers. Presently +there came a report that the enemy were in hiding in the neighbourhood +of some kopjes. A rush to action was made. The +Maxim gun section went to some kopjes flanking the house, the +Canadian guns went to a height on the east, the Queensland ones +to a height on the west. Lieutenant Willis took his section of +H Company to support the Queensland guns, while Lieutenant +Burstall took his section, with intrenching tools, to a ridge midway +between farm and kopje, to prepare a position. Clatter and clank +went the horse artillery guns to a coign of vantage on the right, +whence they could spit at the enemy if they should attempt to mount +or surround the big kopje in that direction, while the Queenslanders +on the west commenced explorations for the reported foe. Horror! +Slouch-hatted horsemen were distinctly visible—they were coming +nearer and nearer—though evidences of their own caution were +visible. They were not going to be trapped. Our gallant troops +were as determined not to be surprised. Thus must the Kilkenny +cats have commenced overtures. Both parties were wide awake! +Both parties were sidling up! It was but a matter of moments, +and they would promptly spring at each other’s throats!</p> + +<p>Excitement was at a supreme pitch, when the good glasses of +an officer offered a revelation. The hostile hordes—the advancing +horsemen—were now plainly discernible. They proved to be not +blood-thirsty Boers—not an innocent crowd of ostriches that so often +in the distance had been mistaken for cavalry, but only a company +of Victorian Mounted Rifles from Enslin, from which place the +advanced line was this time but some dozen miles distant. It was +a pleasant surprise. The scouts came in contact, exchanged +greetings, and the troops each went on their respective way. +Colonel Pilcher’s force bivouacked at the farmhouse, and the +next morning, the 10th of January, saw them on their return +journey to Belmont. It was during this journey, as they wound +homewards with their captured prizes of oxen, that more horsemen +were seen in the distance—those who, as before said, were discovered +to be the 9th Lancers, on business already mentioned. The +force reached camp about noon. On the following day the sojourn +of Colonel Pilcher in those regions came to an end. He moved +on to Modder River to command the Mounted Infantry force at +the front. His stay was fraught with much benefit to the troops, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +his energetic measures, smart manœuvres, and surprise drills brought +the spirited Colonials to a high state of alertness and proficiency.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="AT_MODDER_RIVER" id="AT_MODDER_RIVER"></a>AT MODDER RIVER</h3> + +<p>General Methuen, as has been noted, was forced at last to fall +back on his base at the Modder River, since the Boers held their +position in great strength, and it became necessary to rest the men, +free them from tension, and save them from unnecessary sufferings +due to the scarcity of water. In addition to this, the Engineers +were enabled to carry on much necessary work. Railway communication +was perfected, and the permanent bridge was repaired, +to provide against accident, which in case of a flood might overtake +the temporary one.</p> + +<p>On the Boer left flank, from the extreme end of Majesfontein +south-eastwards to the Riet River, was comparatively open ground. +Beyond the broad expanse of bush which stretched for over a +thousand yards was a road leading to Jacobsdal, and farther on +was flat country which offered no cover, and appeared singularly +free from traps or trenches. Looking over this open ground, it +seemed possible to turn the Boer flank and cut off the enemy’s +communications with Jacobsdal, and possibly threaten his line of +retreat to the Free State.</p> + +<p>Some one has called the Modder River the Hampton Court +of Kimberley, and perhaps it was fortunate that the troops found +themselves forced to halt in a locality which is one of the most +picturesque in South Africa. The surroundings were comforting +after the desolation of Gras Pan—with never a house to hint at +humanity, and only the frowning darkness of threatening kopjes to +break the monotony of the view—and the primitive prettiness of +Honeynest Kloof, which boasts but a farm or two and a few trees to +give it life. From this point the country became greener, the eye +was relieved from the autumnal drabs and purples of the rocky hills, +and began to lean affectionately on the suggestion of moistness +implied by the expanse of verdure.</p> + +<p>Across the river was the crowded railway station, choked with +stores and goods waggons, and the usual medley of camp kit. +On one side accoutrements, lances, swords, the steel of their +scabbards glinting through the crackled coats of kharki—odds +and ends of uniform—telling their tale of action—action—action—in +all its phases. And close beside them were other portions of +baggage seemingly the same, but—oh! how tragically different! +Here were rifles and bayonets, broken, battered, and blood-stained—all +that was left of the heroic dead who had acted their last drama +at Majesfontein, and whose belongings, in an inert mass, seemed +to confess dumbly that they were “off duty” for ever.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 445px;"> +<a name="illo20" id="illo20"></a><img src="images/illo20.png" width="445" height="618" alt="MAJOR-GENERAL HECTOR A. MACDONALD, C.B." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">MAJOR-GENERAL HECTOR A. MACDONALD, C.B.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Heath, Plymouth.</span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> + +<p>Christmas Day was an unpleasant memory—a tropical sun +overhead, a whirlwind of dust around. It is said that every man +must eat a peck of dirt in his life-time, and on this day the troops +certainly ate their quantum. Food and drink were ruined, and +tempers into the bargain, for the day was made into one long twilight +misery by a hurricane of driving dust.</p> + +<p>The position of the Boers soon after this period grew somewhat +uncomfortable. Night attacks were threatened; indeed, Lord +Methuen had the Naval guns laid on to the Boer positions by day, +with the order that they were to be fired by night. And the order +was obeyed with zest. The Boers were on tenter-hooks. The +shells burst, throwing gorgeous haloes into the Majesfontein night. +Of course, the compliment was returned. Tier after tier of the +Boer positions spitted and spouted and vomited flame, and the night +breezes, carrying the fracas on their wings, brought it close, so close +indeed, that an attack sounded as though imminent. Still our +outposts were silent. Discipline kept them “mum.” Still the +Boers continued, and the rattle of their rifles directed at nothing +in particular, and everybody in general, wakened the echoes of +the hills.</p> + +<p>There was nothing further to be done. Reinforcements had +to be awaited with annoying, almost humiliating patience. The +Boers were stretched from Jacobsdal on the east to a point miles +away on the west of the railway; they were intrenched horse-shoe +fashion, with Majesfontein for their most imposing stronghold. +There was no means of outflanking them, for in order to wheel +to the west the force would need to march through an arid and +waterless desert. Had the march been ventured upon, the position +might not have bettered, as Lord Methuen, even supposing he had +succeeded in reaching Kimberley, would still have had before him +the bulk of the Boer commandoes, who would have been at liberty +to cut off his supplies. The “relief” of Kimberley without supplies +would have been the reverse of relief.</p> + +<p>All the British could do was to struggle to hold their ground, +and make their proximity as uncomfortable as possible for the +enemy. Routine went on like clockwork, save that the Modder +River clock had no works. It was a child of Necessity! A +broken steel rail suspended from a crossbeam was struck by the +sentry with the blunt head of an axe. The stupendous clang proclaimed +the hours all over the camp. The troops were not +allowed too much leisure, and ennui was not permitted to reach +them; they dug trenches, constructed breastworks, and generally +improved the lines of defence; indeed they worked with a will at +anything that came to hand. Some one, seeing them alight at a +railway station, remarked: “They’ve left all their frills behind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +them.” This was truly the case. Mr. Atkins was now above the +desire for display. He was workmanly in the extreme, and made +himself a jack of all trades, alternately groom, labourer, cook, +porter, mule-driver, laundryman, and hero! To-day he was scouring, +rubbing, kharki-painting, and hoisting; to-morrow he was +good-humouredly playing the rôle of his own washerwoman by +the river-side. One moment he was pulling or coaxing or cudgelling +obdurate mules, and apostrophising them in language peculiarly +his own; the next he was rushing gallantly to the forefront to spend +his heart’s blood in the service of his Queen!</p> + +<p>To General Wood must be given the credit of the first entry +into the enemy’s country. On the 6th of January, with a force +of all arms, he occupied Zoutpansdrift, the place—situated north +of the Orange River, in Free State territory—where gallant +Captain Bradshaw met his fate. Communications between the +banks of the river were maintained by means of a pontoon +bridge. This was an excellent piece of work, for by holding +the drift it was possible to control the progress of the Free +Staters, and avert sudden raids against the railway between Orange +Station and De Aar. A great deal of active though scarcely +“showy” work was carried on at this time, often under the most +unfavourable conditions. For instance, on the 14th of January, +one of the most obnoxious and ever to be remembered dust-storms +burst over the place. It made life temporarily into a +bilious sea, a blinding, suffocating bath of yellow sand. Food was +ruined, to say nothing of temper. Clothes were covered, eyes and +throats were clogged, and the pores of the skin were caked with +showers of ochreous pepper, which made every one in camp miserable +for a period of quite seven hours!</p> + +<p>Cavalry reconnaissances at this period were frequent. The +troops, always in peril of their lives, explored some twenty-five +miles into the Orange Free State, and found the country clear of +the enemy with the exception of patrols. The Victorian Mounted +Rifles under Captain M’Leish did some admirable scouting, and +visited several farms, which they found had been vacated in hot +haste at their approach. The country was thoroughly searched, +the 9th and 12th Lancers under General Babington doing valuable +work. It was this party that came in touch with Colonel Pilcher +and the Queenslanders near Lubbe’s Farm.</p> + +<p>Our warriors became well versed in peculiarities of Boer homesteads. +All the Dutch farms had a brotherly likeness, and were +usually found at a sufficient distance from each other to carry out the +Boer ideal that one man should not breathe or see the smoke from +his neighbour’s chimney. They commonly nestled under cover +of some small kopje, and seemed as though so planted for purposes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +of self-protection. Self-protection is the first law of nature, and the +Boer character has a great reverence for first laws. In every farm +was found a harmonium—on the Natal side there were pianos—and +many Bibles. Some of these were valuable, and were old +enough to arouse the covetous interest of the bibliophile. Most +probably they were heirlooms, and had belonged to the early +trekkers, who could thumb them out, text by text, when their capacity +for other reading was nil. These one-storeyed abodes were +composed of sun-baked bricks plastered over, and the flat roofs +were lined within by ceilings of deal. Simplicity, ignorance, bad +taste, and uncleanliness reigned everywhere. Indeed, it was a +matter for wonder how close to civilisation, yet how remote from +it, the Dutchmen had contrived to dwell. The cattle kraals and +homestead were surrounded with rudely-constructed walls of stone +that in their ruggedness were not unpicturesque.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 546px;"> +<a name="illo21" id="illo21"></a><img src="images/illo21.png" width="546" height="440" alt="Types of Arms-Maxim Automatic Machine-Gun (the Pom-Pom)." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">Types of Arms—Maxim Automatic Machine-Gun (the “Pom-Pom”).</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">(By permission of Messrs. Vickers Sons & Maxim, Limited.)</span> +</div></div> + +<p>To return to camp. The Boers, determining not to be accused +of lack of invention, adopted a new and ingenious dodge. In the +distance from the British outposts a Highlander was observed in +the act of driving cattle. As the proceeding was contrary to orders, +the manœuvres of the man were carefully observed, and he was discovered +to be a Boer masquerading in Highland uniform. He was +at once fired upon and he fell, but succeeded in rising and making +off before he could be captured.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the 16th of January Lord Methuen made a demonstration +against the left of the Boer entrenchments at Majesfontein, for +the purpose of drawing off some of the force investing Colonel +Kekewich’s garrison. On the following day, the 17th, a similar +demonstration was made, but the enemy was nothing if not +“canny,” and refused to be drawn. Then new tactics were tried. +On the 23rd there was quite a theatrical bombardment. Night fell. +The moon rose, empurpling the frowning kopjes and filling the +whole foreground with magnesian radiance. Then the balmy breath +of evening was ruffled with the uproar of British shells, whizzing +like rockets and bursting in the Boers’ lair. For full half-an-hour a +brisk cannonade was maintained, neither party being in view of each +other, both being wrapped in the mysterious gloom of the midnight +shadows; but the echoes took up the weird tale of warring souls +and repeated it into the ear of the winds. Ordinarily, shelling +morning and evening was a matter of daily ritual. So many shells +into the Boer trenches, so much breakfast. An hour of brisk +bombardment, four hours of night’s repose. Such might have been +the printed programme.</p> + +<p>On the 24th of January a tremendous reception was given to +General Hector Macdonald, who arrived in the best of health and +spirits, and at once took command of the Highland Brigade. With +each of the officers he conversed, and apprised them of a special +message entrusted to him by Lord Roberts, an attention which +afforded immense satisfaction to all concerned.</p> + +<p>The appointment of “Fighting Mac”—as he is popularly called—to +the command of the Highland Brigade was full of romantic interest. +As a sergeant in the Gordon Highlanders he was one of +those who took part in the disastrous fight at Majuba. He was +unluckily taken prisoner, but so great was his valour and dash that +he even excited the admiration and appreciation of the enemy. +This was testified to this remarkable man in a remarkable way. +General Joubert, to show his esteem for his fine qualities as a soldier, +decided on restoring to him the sword which he had necessarily +surrendered. As the sword was not immediately forthcoming, the +Boer commander offered a reward for it, so that it should be returned +to the gallant fellow who had so nobly striven to defend it. +The picture of Colonel Macdonald and his Khedivial Brigade at +Omdurman was made ever present to us all through the vivid word-painting +of Mr. Steevens in his book “With Kitchener to Khartoum”; +and now it is easy to realise that the kilted warrior was at +the moment the right man in the right place. The men wanted +him. Some were sick and sore and fretted to get a chance to +distinguish themselves in the field. Tradition demanded it, and +tradition was dear to them; strangely and absurdly dear, some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> +thought. Here were men exposed to the fierce sun in what the +layman calls “petticoats,” suffering agonies in the muscles of their +scorched legs, yet enduring anything rather than part with the +external attributes of their warrior land. Though the kilt and the +sporran had to be extinguished under a hideous apron of kharki, and +though the heat and weight of wool pleats surmounted by cotton +was overwhelming, they preferred these sufferings to any change +in their gear. Suggestions were offered on every side, but it was +certain that nothing would overcome the conservative devotion of +the Highlander for the warlike insignia of his race. Yet their +plight was sometimes pitiable, particularly on occasions when, as a +Scot described it, he had to take a barbed wire entanglement at +“the double” and emerged “a bleeding mass, with his kilt hard a +starboard, his kharki flap half left turn, and his sporran dangling on +the wire.” Anyhow the men of the kilt meant to hold on to all +their traditions, and to take the taste of Majesfontein out of their +mouths. And they were truly glad of “Fighting Mac” to help +them.</p> + +<p>Camp routine was occasionally varied and upset by locust swarms. +These descended persistently for a space of about three hours, making +the atmosphere dense, as though thick with snowflakes. It was a +snowstorm in mourning. Down came the creatures in myriads, gobbling +every blade of grass, every crumb, every edible fragment, and +then, swiftly as they had come, disappearing on the wings of the +wind. They were useful at times, however, for on one occasion, just +as a party of troopers had almost fallen into a trap laid by the enemy, +the air became suddenly dark, and presently a veil of locusts descended, +entirely cutting off the British from the Boers, and enabling +the former to scuttle campwards in the sudden obscurity. Not so +convenient or comforting was the dust-storm, with which the troops +were becoming well acquainted. The dust-storm or dust-spout is +analogous to a waterspout. Columns of dust rise vertically to a +height of about 150 feet in the air and promptly descend with alarming +velocity, sweeping over the earth at the rate of five or six miles an +hour, and making life for the time being into a state of chaos. But +everything may be turned to account, and the British, being tired of +Boer tricks, utilised even the sand-storm with pleasing results. One +of the great difficulties of our gunners in shelling the enemy consisted +in the fact that the Boers, at the first sign of fire, rushed to +bomb-proof trenches. They employed lookout men to give a signal +of warning. On the 29th of January, however, when the Naval +gunners saw a storm brewing, they bided their time. No sooner +had the whirl descended than they set to work and plumped lyddite +with great success into the enemy’s lines.</p> + +<p>Coming events now began to cast their shadows before. Acti<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>vities +around the railroad showed that the influence of Lord +Kitchener was already at work. The Royal Engineers commenced +to build a strong and permanent bridge across the Modder +at its confluence with the Riet. This bridge was constructed +about fifteen feet above water, to insure it against the flooding +of the river during the rainy season in the Free State, and enable +the heaviest traffic to be carried to the scene of action. This promised +shortly to be situated in the direction of Jacobsdal. Here +the Boers kept a species of headquarters; and here, in the open +plain dividing them from Kopjesdam, they set fire to the veldt for +two miles. The conflagration began in the afternoon of Wednesday, +the 31st of January, and continued throughout the night, illuminating +earth and sky with weird reflections. The smoke of these fires +served to act as a screen for Boer movements, for at this time the +hostile armies were reinforced by troops from Barkly and Koodoesberg +districts. The burning of the grass might also have been +arranged with the object of procuring a black background against +which the approach of winding, snake-like columns of kharki could +be more distinctly visible.</p> + +<p>There was some excitement in camp as to the reported capture +of Mr. Jourdaan, the private secretary of Mr. Rhodes, who had +endeavoured to pass from the beleaguered town with messages from +the “Colossus” relating to the critical affairs of the moment.</p> + +<p>On the 31st of January the British occupied Prieska unopposed. +The Boers had been in possession of the place in all about five +days, and had left, taking with them two prisoners, one of whom +they subsequently released. Commandants Olivier and Snyman +were busy recruiting, and finding themselves at a loss for combatants, +were now forcing Dutchmen all and sundry to serve with +the Transvaal colours. “There is no such thing as a loyal Dutchman,” +declared Olivier, and promptly commandeered young and old +on pain of fine or imprisonment.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="gap2"><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smaller">CHRISTMAS AT LADYSMITH</span></h2> + +<p class="gap2">Prices at Ladysmith had now gone up, but still those +whose purses were plethoric could treat themselves to a +few luxuries. Jam, for instance, was 3s. 6d. per lb., a +possible price but a tantalising; while eggs were sold at +about half a guinea a dozen. Whisky fetched from £5 +to £7 a bottle, so there was little fear of dipsomania; and small +packets of cigarettes were worth 3s. 6d. a piece. On the 23rd of +December there was a grand auction. The Mayor at one time had +instituted periodical auctions for the sale of the town produce, but +finding competition too brisk, and fearing prices would never return +to their normal level, the plan had been dropped. However, in +face of Christmas there was a great sale, and the soldiers eagerly +competed for bargains in the way of chickens and ducks and +etceteras of the meal. In default of Covent Garden or Leadenhall, +a long table at an angle of the main street was set out with inviting +fare tantalizing to all but the most stoical. One Gordon was seen +dragging off another in act of making an extravagant bid—“Come +awa, mon! we dinna want nae sour grapes.” Poultry was fetching +from 8s. to 10s. a bird; while vegetables, in proportion, were more +costly still. Vegetable marrows were sold for 2s. 9d. each; and +carrots, homely and almost despised carrots, fetched over 3s. a +bunch! As a great luxury a turkey, a goose, a sucking-pig now +and then appeared on the Ladysmith board; but the ordinary +domestic meal was composed of trek beef and “goat” mutton. +But even these were becoming beautifully less.</p> + +<p>Christmas passed off well. Hope revived. News of Lord +Methuen’s earlier victories refreshed the ears of the community, +and a series of sports of various kinds helped to impart to the day +a suitable air of festivity. Quantities of popular people set to work +to make the day merry. Colonel Dartnell, Major Karri Davies, +Colonel Rhodes—the delight of all from the Tommies to the babes—arranged +a Christmas Tree. It was decorated with gifts and +mottoes, “Imperial to the core,” and attended by children of all +sizes and degrees, even to a siege baby aged three days! But +behind the scene enteric fever and dysentery flourished, and languishing +in Intombi camp, two miles out, were pathetic remnants +of the hale and hearty regiments who had marched to the front<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> +in October. The other gallant warriors were now nothing more +than a mob of badly-dressed scarecrows, lean and wizened, but, +as one of them said, “good enough food for powder.” The horses, +too, had grown thin and spiritless, their anatomy was grievously +obvious, and in their eyes—those erstwhile fiery eyes—there seemed +to dwell the melancholy foreboding of a strange hereafter—the +hereafter when sausages should be served out to the hungry, and +the poor equine devotees would have spent the last of themselves to +keep the British flag flying.</p> + +<p>The message of the Queen warmed the hearts of the weary +garrison. It was pleasant to know that the Sovereign, in thought, +lived in the shadows as in the sunlight of Empire. Still, none +but those experiencing it could plumb the depths of monotony and +wretchedness. It was enough to kill the martial spirit of the most +valorous, though none would own that bellicosity was exuding little +by little from their wasted finger-ends. Far from it.</p> + +<p>Sir George White maintained a series of night attacks or +threats of night attacks, which served to keep the Boers uncomfortably +on the <i>qui vive</i>, and these, as a necessary return, indulged +in exasperating bombardment during the day. On the 26th as +many as 176 shells were flung into the town before nine in the +morning, independently of the action carried on by the Maxim +automatic guns. It was plain the Boers considered that the inactivity +of Christmas Day must be atoned for, and therefore the +guns were plied with additional ardour. On the 27th, unfortunately, +their murderous efforts were more than rewarded. A shell +was fired from the Creusot gun on Bulwana, which dropped into +the Devons’ mess at Junction Hill. There, were congregated +many of the officers, and of these Lieutenant Dalziel and Lieutenant +Price-Dent were killed. Many others were wounded. +Lieutenant Twist was injured in five places, and Lieutenants Scafe, +Kane, Field, Byrne (Inniskilling Fusiliers), Tringham (Royal West +Surrey), and Captain Lafone—who had been previously wounded at +Elandslaagte—were all more or less mutilated.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 387px;"> +<a name="illo22" id="illo22"></a><img src="images/illo22.png" width="387" height="516" alt="HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY—CAPTAIN, 2nd LIFE GUARDS." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY—CAPTAIN, 2nd LIFE GUARDS.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Gregory & Co., London.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>On the 28th the Naval Battery took on itself to avenge the +loss of the noble fellows who had fallen victims to the Bulwana +gun, and directed at it, or rather at its gunners, six well-intentioned +shots from the 4.7 inch and 12-pounder, with the result that the +voice of the aggressor was temporarily silenced. There was +some satisfaction in the feeling that the gunners who had created +such awful havoc and regret had met their deserts. Both Lieutenant +Dalziel and Lieutenant Price-Dent were particularly promising +young officers, having both seen service with Sir William +Lockhart on the Indian frontier, the latter having also served in +the Chitral Relief Force. A sentiment of gloom mingled with fury<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +disturbed the fortitude of the gallant party, and the only satisfaction +they enjoyed was calculation and speculation as to what form +Sir Redvers Buller’s next move would take. “When will Buller +come, and how?” such were the questions which were repeated +scores of times during the day.</p> + +<p>The cessation of the fire from Bulwana was certainly cheering, +and from various sources it was discovered that the Boers were +becoming nervous in fear of night attacks and the destruction of +more of their big guns. Their state of mind was not evidenced +entirely by their conduct, for two plugged shells fired into the camp +were found to contain a hunk of plum-pudding and the compliments +of the season.</p> + +<p>Sickness, as we know, was rife, but fortunately there were +many doctors of repute in the town, members of the Army Medical +Department, and also independent practitioners. There was Dr. +Jameson, whose ability was for years testified at Kimberley, and also +Dr. Davies of Johannesburg; these assisted materially in giving +advice, but unfortunately medicines were now growing scarce, +and milk, though some invalids could digest nothing else, was not +to be had. It is too pathetic to deal with the losses that must have +occurred through the lack of suitable nourishment for those whose +cases, not in themselves serious, only required care and sustenance.</p> + +<p>The bombardment on the first day of the New Year had tragic +results. A shell crashed into the house of Major Vallentine and +killed a soldier servant named Clydesdale. Later, another shell +burst near the railway station, where a cricket match between the +railway officials and bridge guards was taking place, and killed +Captain Vallentine Todd. The unlucky player was in the act of +bowling, and dropped with the ball still in his hand.</p> + +<h3><a name="THE_ATTACK_ON_WAGON_HILL" id="THE_ATTACK_ON_WAGON_HILL"></a>THE ATTACK ON WAGON HILL</h3> + +<p>Our midnight surprises had not been without their lesson, and +now the Boers conceived the brilliant, the desperate idea of +emulating British example, and bringing Ladysmith to her knees +by assault in the small hours. Some three days before the event, a +Kaffir deserter had warned the besieged that an attack was contemplated; +that it had been decided among the Boers that a large +force must be moved up from the neighbourhood of Colenso, and +that a final assault at arms must be attempted. The warning was +pooh-poohed. Kaffir tales were almost as prevalent as flies! It +was proverbial that night attacks to the Dutchman were taboo—they +were dangerous, they tried the nerves, and cold steel glittered +horribly in the moonlight. So Ladysmith slept. But as a matter +of fact the Kaffir was right. These arrangements had taken place,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +and two storming parties from the Heidelberg and Harrismith +commandoes were promised immediate return to their homes if they +should succeed in the hazardous enterprise. Accordingly, on the +evening of the 5th of January they arranged a plan which on Saturday +the 6th they almost carried out. The main object of their +attack, they decided, should be on the western side of the perimeter, +where a crescent-shaped, flat-topped eminence divided them from +the town. At the south point of this crescent was placed Cĉsar’s +Camp, bounded on the east by the Klip River, and at the west +point, a distance of some four miles, was a post known as Wagon +Hill. Close to this was a twin plateau called Wagon Hill West. +Cĉsar’s Camp was guarded by the Manchester Regiment, the 42nd +Field Battery, and a Naval 12½-pounder gun. Only half a battalion +of 60th Rifles were on Wagon Hill, while two squadrons of Imperial +Light Horse were on Wagon Hill West. Against these positions +the enemy decided to make their concentrated attack. The darksome +steeps were almost perpendicular, and afforded excellent cover +for approach. In some respects they resembled Majuba, where a +man climbing up was almost invisible till he came face to face with +his quarry. Some three hundred warrior-farmers of the Harrismith +commando arranged secretly to gather in Fournier’s Spruit, a dry +nullah which intersected the base of the position, and there wait till +the gloom of the small hours should give them the chance they were +expecting. Their plan was to divide in two columns. The one, +under the Harrismith Commandant, De Villiers, was to attack the +steeps of Wagon Hill West, while the other, in concert, was to +crawl to the nek or slope which united that hill with Wagon Hill +proper, and thus cut off the former hill from the rest of the camps. +In this way, should the plan succeed, they hoped to make the +southern peak of the hill, Cĉsar’s Camp, untenable. Accordingly, +divesting themselves of shoes, they started off, and under cover of +darkness, like stealthily slinking panthers, approached, from different +points, the British lines. It so happened that a Hotchkiss gun +and some Naval guns were being placed in position on the top of +Wagon Hill West. Possibly these guns may have tempted the +enemy. They would be useful, they thought, to capture and turn +on camp or town. All day and all night the Royal Engineers and +Bluejackets had been labouring to get the weapons into position, +and at this hour the party were taking a “breather” after their long +and arduous efforts. With them, to cover their operations, were +the King’s Royal Rifles and the Gordon Highlanders, who occupied +a post on the front and flank. The fatigue party were resting, as +before stated. Suddenly, in the stillness of the night, a curious and +unusual sound was heard. The velvety sound of a muffled footfall. +A crumbling as of broken earth. Ears pricked up. The sentry at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> +once cried out, “Who goes there?” “Friend,” was answered, and +the next moment the sentry dropped dead!</p> + +<p>Curiously enough, while the beforesaid plan of attack was in +course of being enacted, Lieutenant Mathias was visiting his posts. +In the obscurity he all at once found himself confronted by Boers on +every side. With amazing presence of mind he faced about, and +seeing that the Dutchmen mistook him for one of themselves, acted +as if he also were assaulting the hill. When near enough, however, +he made a rush—a desperate rush—to warn the pickets of their danger. +But he was too late. Two men were shot dead, whilst Lieutenant +Mathias and a third trooper were wounded. There was no help at +hand, and before assistance could be summoned, the enemy were +already sweeping the hill. But the sound of the first shots had +given the alarm.</p> + +<p>Instantly all was flurry and confusion. Men that a moment +before had been sleepily yawning after their heavy labours were +racing hither and thither, groping in the darkness in search of arms. +Others however, who were armed, forebore to fire, the felt hats of +the foe being mistaken for those of the Imperial Light Horsemen. +With a desperate effort Lieutenant Digby Jones gathered together +his sappers. Hurried shots were fired, hurried orders given, but +nothing could efface the effects of the sudden surprise. The Boers +had gained the hill and driven the defenders over the crest! This +all in a darkness that might have been felt. Such lanterns as there +were had been overturned and extinguished in the hustle of the +stampeding Kaffirs, who had been assisting at the arrangement +of the gun, and who, at the first approach of the enemy, had fled. +Forks and flashes of flame shining from the nek between the twin +hills showed that the second column of the Dutch commando also +was attaining its object. The gun, which fortunately had not yet +been erected on the top of the hill, was instantly got to work +under the direction of Lieutenant Parker; rifles were seized, +and an effort was made in the obscurity to sweep the hill in the +direction where the enemy was supposed to be. But the Boers +were completely enveloped in the darkness of the night, and it was +impossible to locate them; and the Hotchkiss gun was drawn back +within the sandguard which had hurriedly been thrown up, only just +in time. The Boers were now almost upon it. All the available +men about Wagon Hill had instantly rushed to the rescue, and the +Imperial Light Horse, some King’s Royal Rifles, and a few Gordon +Highlanders were soon in the thick of the fray. The Highlanders, +taking their place round the crest, fired, as hard as rifles would let +them, down the slope. Some fierce fighting followed. Before the +Boers could get farther up, the Imperial Light Horse with their +wonted gallantry engaged them, and sent the invaders helter-skelter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +down hill into the mysterious mists of the dawn. But this was but +for a moment—it was merely the commencement of affairs.</p> + +<p>The whole garrison got under arms, not only the military, but +every available man taking up some weapon to assist in withstanding +the onslaught. It was felt to be a desperate situation, desperate for +both sides, for the enemy knew that something must be done, and +that quickly, to prevent the pending arrival of relief by Sir Redvers +Buller, while the garrison, in face of reduced rations, disease, +dysentery, and decreasing ammunition, was aware that it was a case +of now or never. The alarm once given, Colonel Hamilton from +the west had sent for reinforcements with amazing rapidity, and up +came two and a half companies of Gordon Highlanders from the +base of Cĉsar’s Camp, while one company under Captain the Hon. +R. T. Carnegie started to support the Manchester pickets on Cĉsar’s +Camp, and a company and a half went to Wagon Hill. It was +while the Gordons were marching up and crossing the bridge of the +Klip River that they met with their first mishap. Colonel Dick +Cunyngham, only just recovered from his wound at Elandslaagte, +was struck by a chance bullet and fell mortally wounded. Major +Scott then took the command. Presently came the Rifle Brigade +and half a battalion of the first 60th to the rescue, while the 21st +Field Battery hurried to cover the western approaches to Wagon +Hill, and the 53rd Battery took up a position to guard the most +southern point of Cĉsar’s Camp. But all this movement was not +accomplished till much carnage had been wrought. As already +mentioned, the Boers had nearly achieved their object and cut off +Wagon Hill West from Wagon Hill proper. By dawn they were +straggling on the plateau connecting the two hills, merely checked +in their further advance on Wagon Hill by the remnant of the Light +Horse. Firing at this time was so terrific and at such close range +that it was impossible to move from cover and live. Bullets literally +buzzed like bees in the serene morning air. On one side were the +Boers making for the second hill, on the other were the British +struggling to ward them off. Meanwhile, trickling along through +the Fournier’s Spruit were arriving more desperate farmers, more +picked men of skilled marksmanship and deadly purpose. At this +time reinforcements also arrived for the brave little band who were so +gallantly resisting the Dutchmen. But even the additional numbers +were insufficient, it was impossible to cope with the marvellous marksmanship +of the advancing horde. They came ever nearer and nearer, +firing thick and fast—and with explosive bullets. The Colonel, two +Majors, and four other officers of the Light Horse dropped—the +enemy seized the position—and from thence it was impossible to +dislodge them! To do this it would have been necessary to rush +through some sixty yards of what seemed hell-fire—a perfect ava<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>lanche +of death. Major Mackworth made the dashing effort, but in +the very act he was stricken down, and most of the gallant fellows of +the 60th Rifles who accompanied him. Another officer, Lieutenant +Tod, pluckily attempted the same hazardous exploit. Twelve noble +fellows followed him. Six were hit, and the valiant young leader +dropped dead before he had moved three yards from cover. Colonel +Codrington (11th Hussars), who was commanding a squadron of the +Imperial Light Horse, made a rush forward to ascertain if it were +possible to get cover for his men, but before he had gone thirty +yards, he too shared the fate of the other officers. These experiences +were sufficient. It was decided that the best plan would be to wait +under cover till dusk, when the bayonet might be made to supersede +the rifle.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 636px;"> +<a name="illo23" id="illo23"></a><img src="images/illo23.png" width="636" height="412" alt="H.M.S. POWERFUL." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">H.M.S. “POWERFUL.”</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Symonds, Portsmouth.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>While all this was taking place on Wagon Hill, a terrific drama +was being enacted at Cĉsar’s Camp; and exciting assaults, defeats, +and re-assaults were following each other on Wagon Hill West. +Soon after dawn, the 52nd Field Battery, under Major Abdy, +commenced to shell the slopes below Cĉsar’s Camp, and keep the +enemy from ascending in that direction. The operation was one +fraught with extreme difficulty, as the shells were forced to travel +over the heads of our own men in order to effect a lodgment at the +desired spot. But the work of the gunners was admirable, and the +shells burst with a precision that wrought awful destruction on the +enemy. The whole of the eastern slopes of the hill were covered +with dead Dutchmen lying amidst fragments of steel and iron in the +blood-clotted grass. The scene around Ladysmith at this time was +appalling. Away in the direction of Wagon Hill, fiercely every +inch of ground was being contested, and here the Naval guns and +artillery were bellowing and roaring and sending their deadly +messages all along the ridge of Cĉsar’s Camp, driving off the +enemy, who came back again and again. There was a hard +tussle, particularly for the Gordons and the Rifle Brigade. Their +lives hung by a thread. The Boers were inflamed with either hope +or desperation, and, contrary to custom, advanced to death and +destruction with dogged and, one may say, admirable pluck. Day +broke and grew to its zenith, and still the fighting raged; still the +guns roared and snorted; still the dust and dirt flew to the skies, +coming down again to stop the mouths of gasping, dying men, and +blind the eyes of those who, blood-stained and sweltering, were yet +selling their lives at the dearest price that could be asked.</p> + +<p>Just as the fire was slackening, possibly from sheer fatigue on +both sides, the heavily charged thunder-clouds burst over the position, +and a terrific downpour of hail and rain scourged the contesting +forces and flooded the trenches. The Boers at this time had been +driven to a corner like wolves at bay, and could not emerge without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +running the gantlet of a tremendous fire from the Ladysmith guns. +Wet to the skin, the ground one vast meadow of slush, the combatants +still held on with grim tenacity, each side watching lynx-eyed, +each being now almost mad with an insatiable and ferocious +desire for victory.</p> + +<p>The storm continued and grew. Instead, as imagined, of relinquishing +the fight, the Boers took courage from the tempest. The +tornado from heaven only served to increase the tornado below! It +seemed to suit the stormy state of human passions, to stimulate +rather than subdue. Under cover of the thunder and the swirl of +the elements the Federals made one desperate onward rush, but the +furious fire which met them from Volunteers and British Infantry +hurled them back and sent them spinning in heaps or rushing with +howls down the hill. The 53rd Battery swept the bush country +with a storm of shrapnel, and away to cover they went, and with +them their reinforcements, who had been hiding in the neighbouring +nullahs, waiting for the great, the final hour of triumph.</p> + +<p>So much for Cĉsar’s Camp. On Wagon Hill before noon the +Devons, with their gallant commander, had come to the forefront, +Colonel Park again leading them to renewed success. As we know, +the Boers were already on the hill, and the Gordons, who had lost +their officers, were falling back when Major Milner Wallnutt rallied +them. The enemy were soon removed from the emplacement which +they held; but they rushed towards the west, and were there as +dangerously fixed as ever. About two o’clock the most horrible +moment of the fight arrived. The hill that had been the subject +of such eager contest was again attacked, this time by a small but +desperate body of Dutchmen. De Villiers, their Commandant, made +a wild forward rush to secure the position. In an instant Major +Wallnutt and a sapper were shot dead, but the rest of the sappers +magnificently fronted the invaders with fixed bayonets. Presently +the brilliant youth, the hero of the Surprise Hill affair, Lieutenant +Digby Jones, R.E., led them forward, shot De Villiers, and dropped! +A bullet had sent him home to his last account. The hoary-headed +Burghers were stayed in their onward march by the splendid action +of the noble boy, who so many times had risked his young life in +the service of his country. At this juncture up came a dismounted +squadron of the 18th Hussars, and the situation was saved. The +plateau was reoccupied.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 396px;"> +<a name="illo24" id="illo24"></a><a href="images/illo24.png"><img src="images/illo24th.png" width="396" height="316" alt="Plan of Ladysmith and Chronicle of Events. (From Drawing by W. T. Maud.)" title="" /></a> +<span class="caption smcap">Plan of Ladysmith and Chronicle of Events. (From Drawing by W. T. Maud.)</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">[Transcribers' note: Image is a link to a larger scale image.]</span> +</div> + +<p>But even then all was not over. The great, the supreme effort +to recapture Wagon Hill came at four o’clock in the afternoon. +The lightning flashed, the thunder rolled, the hail clattered and +splashed, the guns blazed, vomited, and growled, and the silky +whistle of bullets made a flute-like treble to the awful orchestra of +sound. In the midst of the uproar the Boers again obstinately<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +advanced up the heights, firing deliberately as they came. On +their heads poured the wrath of the British guns, and among their +numbers rained the ceaseless bullets of the Infantry; but they steadily +moved up, doggedly determined once more to reach the crest of the +hill. They came nearer and ever nearer till, on a sudden, they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +flung themselves upon the Devons, who, cheering wildly, rushed +into their midst and dispersed them. One short moment—one wild, +valiant rush, and then—then the trusty British bayonets dripped +with gore, and the Boers—all that were left of them, a racing, +disorganised rabble—surged madly down the hill!</p> + +<p>The worst was over; the British conquerors rushed after the retreating +foe. The Devons, led by their intrepid commander, charged +down the slope, and this time, with a wild exultant yell—which echoed +like a tocsin among the caves and the boulders and the honeycombed +banks of the river—effectually drove the fleeing herd from +the scene of carnage.</p> + +<p>The lost ground was recovered, but the lost lives.... Yes; +they, too, live in the glorious annals of British history.</p> + +<p>Captain Lafone, Lieutenants Field and Walker were among the +slain; and Lieutenant Masterton was wounded. The splendid +charge cost the Devons all the company officers—fifteen killed and +forty wounded!</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 634px;"> +<a name="illo25" id="illo25"></a><img src="images/illo25.png" width="634" height="393" alt="THE GREAT ASSAULT ON LADYSMITH—THE DEVONS CLEARING WAGON HILL." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">THE GREAT ASSAULT ON LADYSMITH—THE DEVONS CLEARING WAGON HILL.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Drawing by W. T. Maud.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>It was a dreadful seventeen hours’ work. Not a soul but had +his duty, and more than his duty, cut out for him. The jolly Jack +Tars stood to their guns from morn till night, blazing away with +marvellous accuracy and precision, while the gallant Natal Police, +Natal Carabineers, and Mounted Rifles were wedged between the +Boers from Mount Bulwana and the rest of their attacking party, +and signally defeated all their efforts to effect a junction. The +Manchester Regiment, the Border Regiment, a detachment of +Mounted Rifles, the Gordon Highlanders, and the Rifle Brigade +defended the east of Cĉsar’s Camp like heroes, while on the west, +as we know, the Imperial Light Horse, more Gordon Highlanders, +the Devon Regiment, the King’s Royal Rifles, and a Naval detachment +did glorious deeds. The Naval Brigade and the Natal Naval +Volunteers occupied a central position, while three batteries of the +Field Artillery were perched on a hill, and one remained on the +ground below. All these were called upon to act with might and +main to avert the pending calamity, to meet the stubborn, mulish +persistency of the Boers with its match in British bulldog obstinacy, +and show the enemy that with all the odds against them the besieged +would never surrender. Valiantly—almost miraculously—they held +their own. They who for months had been exposed to privation of +all kinds, who had fought engagement after engagement, who had +eaten, drunk, and slept with the shadow of death hanging over them, +knowing that at any moment the caprice of fate might make them +victims to the incoming shells or threatened disease, came out with +enfeebled frames, but wills of iron, determined to conquer or to die.</p> + +<p>Elsewhere there had also been bloody doings. The enemy had +even tried to force their way into the town, and from here they were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +chased by the gallantry and daring of the Gloucester, Leicester, and +Liverpool Regiments. The Boers were forced to retire, but even +in their retirement they showed characteristic “slimness,” as they +made their way in line with the neutral camp at Intombi Spruit, and +thus defied the British to fire upon them. Nor was this the only +example of their ingenious mode of self-defence on that day. Their +“slimness” was carried on on every available opportunity. For +instance, a party of the enemy, under cover of darkness of the early +morning, had got almost within touch of Lieutenant Royston, who +at once called on the Border Mounted Rifles to fire. They were in +the act of doing so when a voice rang out, “Don’t shoot. We are the +Town Guard.” No sooner, however, had the order to “Cease fire” +been heard than crack, crack, ping, ping, a volley was at once +poured on the Colonials. Several of their number dropped, but the +rest, exasperated beyond endurance at the hateful duplicity, charged +into the midst of the enemy, leaving scarce one of them to tell the tale.</p> + +<p>These tricks and dodges set aside, the Boers fought more +pluckily than was their wont, and they, cheered on by their +dauntless Commandant, De Villiers, came to such close quarters that +Colonel Hamilton had recourse to his revolver. Among the first +of the gallant defenders to drop was the glorious, heroic figure of +Colonel Dick-Cunyngham.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> He was seen standing on the road-bridge +in the act of leading his men, and was struck by some sharp-shooting +Boer. By seven o’clock in the morning numbers of other +splendid fellows had fallen, and the air of Ladysmith was rent with +the cries and groans of the dying, who thickly strewed the ground. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>Lord Ava, orderly officer to Colonel Hamilton, fell mortally injured,<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> +and Colonel Edwards’s wound was also severe.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Digby Jones (Royal Engineers) took a most heroic +part, alas! with tragic results. With his own hands he shot three +of the enemy, and clubbed a fourth, but for his gallant conduct, which +doubtless would have been rewarded with a V.C., he paid later on in +the day with his life. One gallant young trooper of the Imperial +Light Horse had strange experiences. He, with only a sergeant, +was among the first to meet the Boers. In the dusk of dawn the +sergeant fell, and the trooper was wounded. He recovered his senses +sufficiently to try and creep to cover. A shower of rain drenched him, +then the sun blazed out mercilessly and scorched him. Worn out, he +decided he would stagger to the Devons and get support, but, battered +as he was, they failed to recognise him, and arrested him as a spy!</p> + +<p>Numerous deeds of amazing valour were performed, so many +indeed that they deserve a separate record without the limits of the +narrative. But the story of the heroic Bozeley cannot be omitted. +During the action there was a sergeant in command of one of the +guns sitting rather doubled up on the trail of his gun. A 4.7 shell +took off his leg high up on one side, and took the arm out of the +socket, and he fell across the trail of the gun, as they thought, an +inanimate, speechless mass. But to the astonishment of every man +amongst them, a voice came from the mass inciting them on to their +duty, and saying: “Here, you men, roll me out of the way, and go +on working the gun.”</p> + +<p>The list of casualties was a grievously long one:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller"><i>Killed:</i>—5th Lancers—Second Lieutenant W. H. T. Hill. 23rd Corps +Royal Engineers—Lieutenant R. J. T. Digby Jones, Second Lieutenant +G. B. B. Dennis. 1st Devonshire Regiment—Captain W. B. Lafone, Lieutenant +H. N. Field, Lieutenant C. E. M. Walker, 1st Somerset Light Infantry +(attached). Imperial Light Horse—Lieutenant William F. Adams, Lieutenant +John Edward Pakeman. 1st King’s Royal Rifle Corps—Brevet-Major F. +Mackworth, 2nd Royal West Surrey Regiment (attached). 2nd King’s Royal +Rifle Corps—Major R. S. Dowen, Lieutenant M. M. Tod, 1st Cameronians +(attached), Second Lieutenant F. H. Raikes. 2nd Gordon Highlanders—Major +C. C. Miller Wallnutt. 2nd Rifle Brigade—Second Lieutenant L. D. Hall. +<i>Wounded:</i>—Staff—Captain Earl of Ava dangerously (died January 11). +Intelligence Department—Local Captain H. Lees-Smith, slightly. 5th Lancers—Captain +E. O. Wathen, slightly. Imperial Light Horse—Lieutenant-Colonel +A. H. M. Edwards, 5th Dragoon Guards (attached), slightly, Major W. Karri +Davis, slightly, Major D. E. Doveton, dangerously (died February 14), Lieutenant +W. R. Codrington, 11th Hussars (attached), dangerously, Lieutenant +J. Richardson, 11th Hussars (attached), severely, Lieutenant Douglas<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +Campbell, dangerously, Lieutenant P. H. Normand, slightly. 1st Devonshire +Regiment—Lieutenant J. Masterson, severely. 1st Manchester Regiment—Major +A. E. Simpson, slightly, Captain A. W. Marden, slightly, Captain T. +Menzies, slightly, Second Lieutenant E. N. Fisher, severely. 1st King’s +Royal Rifle Corps—Lieutenant R. McLachlan, severely. 2nd Gordon Highlanders—Lieutenant-Colonel +W. Dick-Cunyngham, severely (died January 7), +Captain Hon. R. Carnegie, severely, Lieutenant W. Macgregor, severely. +2nd Rifle Brigade—Brevet Major G. Thesiger, severely, Captain S. Mills, +dangerously (died February 2), Captain R. Stephens, severely, Captain H. +Biddulph, slightly, Second Lieutenant C. E. Harrison, slightly. 5th Lancashire +Fusiliers—Lieutenant F. Barker, attached Army Service Corps. Natal +Mounted Rifles—Captain A. Wales, slightly, Lieutenant H. W. Richardson, +slightly. Volunteer Medical Staff, Lieutenant R. W. Hornebrook, slightly. +Royal Army Medical Corps—Major C. G. Woods, slightly.</p></blockquote> + +<p>On the following day—Sunday—in the Anglican Church, a +thanksgiving service for victory was held, and all who were able +attended the solemn function. At the close of the simple yet +impressive service General White and his staff stood at the altar +rails while the <i>Te Deum</i> was performed, and this was afterwards +followed by the singing in thrilling unison of the National Anthem. +Round the Chief were the men who have fought by his side through +many days of sore trouble—each hour an eternity in its experiences. +The well-known forms of General Sir Archibald Hunter and General +Ian Hamilton were in evidence, but some, alas! of that goodly company +would never be seen again. In the Town Hall close by, and in +the adjacent hotels and dwellings, honest manly souls were breathing +their last, and others had already taken their flight to where the great +thanksgiving service of creation goes on for ever and ever.</p> + +<p>Among these last was a man who was the pride of his sex and +an ornament to his profession, Colonel Dick-Cunyngham, V.C. +Wounded previously, from his second blow he never rallied, and +on this sad Sunday passed away.</p> + +<p>In a few words the <i>Daily Telegraph</i> summed up the surprising +qualities of the heroic figure that had so lamentably passed from +society as from the scene of war: “Lieutenant-Colonel Dick-Cunyngham +was the beau-ideal of a Highland officer, and there +was not a man or woman in the world who had a bad word to say +about him. His heart was as true as steel, and his manner was +courtesy itself. In his kilt and bonnet, a moustache that was so light +that it was nearly white telling against the bronze of his face, and +with a mountaineer’s figure, he was a man who caught every artist’s +eye at once, and he has figured, without his knowledge, again and +again in pictures and illustrations. At Shirpur he first gave proof +of his great gallantry by rallying the men when for a moment they +wavered; at Majuba he was the officer who asked permission to +charge. Elandslaagte and Ladysmith are the last two names in his +long record of heroism.”</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel William Henry Dick-Cunyngham, V.C., of the Gordon Highlanders, +entered the army in 1872, and first saw service in the Afghan War of 1878-80, and +won his Victoria Cross in that campaign. He was present on transport duty in the advance +to Candahar and Khelat-Ghilzie under Sir Donald Stewart; with the Thull Chotiali Force +under Major-General Biddulph; under Sir Frederick Roberts in the Koorum Valley Field +Force in the 92nd Gordon Highlanders, including the engagement at Ali Kheyl; and he +took part in the operations round Cabul in December 1879, including the attack on the +Sherpur Pass. He was with the Maidan Expedition in 1880 as acting adjutant of a wing +of the 92nd Gordon Highlanders, including the engagement at Charasiah on April 25; +accompanied Sir Frederick Roberts in the famous march to Candahar, and was present at +the reconnaissance of the 31st of August, and at the Battle of Candahar. He was awarded +the V.C. “for the conspicuous gallantry and coolness displayed by him on the 13th of +December 1879 at the attack on the Sherpur Pass, in Afghanistan, in having exposed himself +to the terrible fire of the enemy, and by his example and encouragement rallied the +men who, having been beaten back, were at the moment wavering at the top of the hill.” +He served in the Boer War of 1881 as Adjutant of the 92nd Gordon Highlanders, and was +subsequently D.A.A.G. at Bengal. He went out in the autumn of 1899 to Natal in command +of the 2nd Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders, and led them into action at the battle of +Elandslaagte. He fell early in the charge, wounded by a bullet in the leg. While lying +on the ground he called to his men to go on and leave him, and then calmly took out and lit +his pipe, waiting for hours before being removed by the ambulance party. At the end of the +year Sir George White reported that Colonel Dick-Cunyngham had completely recovered. +He returned to active duty only to be again wounded—this time mortally. He was uncle +to Sir William Dick-Cunyngham, the present baronet, and fifth son of the eighth baronet. +Born in 1851, he married in 1883 Helen, daughter of Mr. Samuel Wauchope, C.B.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Archibald James Leofric Temple Blackwood, born in 1863, was educated at Eton. He +was a member of Methuen’s Horse in Sir Charles Warren’s Bechuanaland Expedition. Then +he served with the Carabineers, and afterwards obtained a lieutenancy in the 17th Lancers. +He accompanied the Natal Force, in an unattached capacity, on the outbreak of hostilities.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="gap2"><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smaller">BULLER’S SECOND ADVANCE</span></h2> + +<p class="gap2">At last, after a long period of suspense, it was possible for +General Buller’s force to make an appreciable advance. +The arrangements were set on foot with the utmost +secrecy, and on the 9th of January the second forward +movement of the troops from Frere and Chieveley may be +said to have commenced. General Barton and the Fusilier Brigade +were deputed to watch over Colenso, and with them were left some +dummy cannon, cunningly contrived by Jack Tar so as not to forewarn +the Boers, and allow them to congratulate themselves on the +absence of lyddite from their vicinity. This was not the first time +that guns in effigy had been arranged to do duty in our dealings with +the Boers. During one of the sieges in the year 1881, a “Quaker” +cannon was erected in an inviting position on purpose to draw the +Boers’ fire, with the result that they expended the best part of a day and +a vast amount of valuable ammunition on the imperturbable object!</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 618px;"> +<a name="illo26" id="illo26"></a><img src="images/illo26.png" width="618" height="419" alt="PIETERMARITZBURG FROM THE EAST." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">PIETERMARITZBURG FROM THE EAST.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Wilson, Aberdeen.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>To appreciate the gigantic nature of the advance now made, we +may refer to a rough table showing the composition and strength of +the forces in Natal at this date under the command of Sir Redvers +Buller.</p> + +<blockquote><p class="center gap2">SIR REDVERS BULLER’S FORCE</p> + +<p class="smaller"><span class="smcap">Second Division.</span>—(Lieutenant-General Sir C. F. Clery).—2nd (Hildyard’s) +Brigade—2nd East Surrey; 2nd West Yorks; 2nd Devons; 2nd West Surrey. +4th (Lyttelton’s) Brigade—1st Rifle Brigade (included in Sir C. Warren’s Division); +1st Durham Light Infantry; 3rd King’s Royal Rifles; 2nd Scottish +Rifles (Cameronians); Squadron 14th Hussars; 7th, 14th, and 66th Field +Batteries, less 11 guns of 14th and 66th Batteries lost at Colenso.</p> + +<p class="smaller"><span class="smcap">Third Division.</span>—5th (Hart’s) Brigade—1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; +1st Connaught Rangers; 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers; 1st Border. 6th (Barton’s) +Brigade—2nd Royal Fusiliers; 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers; 1st Royal +Welsh Fusiliers; 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers; Squadron 14th Hussars; 63rd, +64th, and 73rd Field Batteries.</p> + +<p class="smaller"><span class="smcap">Fifth Division.</span>—(Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Warren).—10th +(Coke’s) Brigade—2nd Dorset; 2nd Middlesex. 11th (Woodgate’s) Brigade—2nd +Royal Lancaster; 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers; 1st South Lancashire; 1st +York and Lancaster; Squadron 6th Dragoons; 19th, 20th, and 28th Field +Batteries. Brigades uncertain—2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers; 2nd Somerset +Light Infantry. Corps Troops—61st Field Battery (Howitzers); Natal Battery +9-pounders; Six Naval 12-pounder quick-firers; 4th Mountain Battery; 4.7 +Naval guns. Cavalry Brigade—1st Royal Dragoons; 13th Hussars. South<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> +African Colonial Troops—500 Bethune’s Mounted Infantry; Thorneycroft’s +Mounted Infantry; Natal Carabineers; South African Light Horse (seven +squadrons); Imperial Light Horse (squadron); Imperial Light Infantry; Natal +Police.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This table suggests a very imposing army, but it is necessary to +remember that only a part of any force assembled at the base is available +for actual attack. The lines of communication to Chieveley +alone were some 160 miles in length, and the necessary work of +guarding them, securing easy transport and supply, Royal Engineer +work, and other business connected with the munition of war, independent +of sickness, absorbed a large proportion of the troops. +Military experts estimated that the absolute fighting men were far +fewer than supposed. The table here shown represents some +30,000 men, but of these about 5000 were engaged in miscellaneous +work. Out of twenty-three battalions of infantry it was necessary +to use three or even more for the guarding of the lines of communication. +Of three regiments of cavalry, only a part was available, +while of the other arms, allowance had to be made for the loss that +had been sustained, and also for sickness. In this march, now that +the army had at last moved from the railway, the baggage column +was enormous. It made a procession of some miles in length as it +lumbered along primitive roads, through mud sometimes ankle-deep. +It had been decided to bring up all tents, sheep, coops, &c., and +consequently the various fatigue duties involved in the move were +enormous.</p> + +<p>When one considers the ordinary transport of a mere regiment, +it is possible to form some idea of the amazing cortège that had to +follow the movements of the commander. The transport of a regiment +in South Africa, roughly speaking, was composed of six ox-waggons, +each drawn by sixteen oxen in pairs tandem fashion +(managed by Kaffir boys, one driving the wheelers, another spurring +the whole caravan by means of an enormous whip and a profuse +vocabulary); four ammunition carts, each drawn by six mules; a +water-cart, with pair of mules; a “Scotch” cart, and a strong luggage-cart, +drawn by four mules, for conveyance of tents, blankets, and +food, &c. A little mental multiplication will help us to picture the +long serpentine coil that was twisting its way from Colenso to the +new westerly point of attack.</p> + +<p>The procession was forced to move slowly and cautiously +through a rugged, mountainous district, from which no supplies of +any sort could be drawn. The ox-waggon of the country had to be +relied upon entirely for heavy transport. This mode of conveyance +is somewhat characteristic of the progress of the tortoise; two miles +an hour was the average rate of advance, and at most the shambling +cattle succeeded in covering about twelve to fifteen miles a day. Of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> +proper roads there were none. The country was a vast swamp +after heavy rain, or, in fine weather, a mass of dry ruts and tracks, +steep hills, difficult fords, and irritating boulders. Over all this had +to be coaxed or goaded the patient oxen, or, still worse, the stubborn, +obstinate mules which dragged the lighter carts, and which, like +ignorant persons, sometimes jibbed for sheer jibbing’s sake, true to +the obstructionist instinct that belongs to the intellectually stolid. +When a team of these strong yet strange beasts chooses to jib at +a ford or in a pass, it takes some companies of infantry to haul the +waggon on to level ground, and then, and only then, will they +condescend to resume their labour. It may therefore be imagined +that the progress of troops—dependent as they were for food and +forage on the tempers of quadrupeds—was at this time slow and +not always sure! However, troops and baggage were gradually +concentrated at Springfield, while the Boers, who had spies everywhere, +among boulders, in dongas, and upon the formidable height +of Spion Kop, hurried about their preparations for the renewed +and mighty tussle which was now pending.</p> + +<p>On the 10th of January Lord Dundonald, at the head of the +Cavalry Brigade, started at dawn from Frere Camp. A few miles +outside they came on targets erected by the Boers to represent a +force advancing in skirmishing order, which showed that the enemy +had evidently been indulging in rifle practice. The troops marched +some twenty-four miles in a north-westerly direction to Springfield, +through the country, which was one vast quagmire beset with the +enemy, without mishap of any kind. There were thrilling moments +when the enemy were known to be ensconced in neighbouring kopjes +or hiding in the bush, but every precaution was taken, the country +having been previously searched by scouts, and the whole movement +so successfully carried out that the brigade at last was able to +occupy a strong position dominating Potgieter’s Drift on the Upper +Tugela. Here at once extra defences were made, to ensure against +surprise from the enemy, who, finding the rivers in flood, had +retired to the north, and to enable Lord Dundonald’s force to +hold its ground, and thus render safe the passage of the river.</p> + +<p>Lord Dundonald’s Brigade was accompanied by the Fifth +Brigade under General Hart, comprising the Dublin Fusiliers, the +Connaught Rangers, the Border Regiment, and the Inniskilling +Fusiliers. These, on hearing that Springfield was unoccupied by +the enemy, now took possession of the place.</p> + +<p>The column then advanced to Mount Alice, one of the spurs of +Swartz Kop or Black Hill, a rocky eminence which faced the +mountain fastnesses of the foe. From this point the panorama was +magnificent. In front the Tugela looped and twisted in four big +silvery bends, and great kopjes, the scenes of future fights, rose on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +the other side. It was possible to see the flat crowned summit of +Spion Hill, which was held by the Boers and covered with trenches, +and another frowning eminence also held by the enemy. A glimpse, +too, might be had of the distant laager of the Boers perched on +the Tugela heights; but the Dutchmen being evidently warned +of the coming of the British troops, struck camp and silently +melted away. Still it was known that there were some of them +within almost a stone’s throw, for on the arrival of Lord Dundonald’s +force at Potgieter’s Drift it was discovered they had been there the +previous day.</p> + +<p>The next morning, the 11th, the pontoon from the enemy’s side +of the river was very cleverly captured, it may be said in the very +teeth of the foe, by Lieutenant Carlyle and six of his men of the +South African Horse. They leapt into the stream, which at that +place was running strong, swam to the Boer side, untied the pont, +and succeeded in getting it across for the use of the troops. The +achievement was a brilliant one, because during the whole proceedings +the exact position of the Boers was unknown. At any +moment a volley might have been poured on the adventurous party +from which it would have been almost impossible to escape. No +sooner had they removed the fastenings of the pont and were +getting it across than shots were fired, one of them grazing Lieutenant +Carlyle, who, however, pursued his work to the end.</p> + +<p>From the heights we had gained, operations were soon commenced +both with heliograph and telescope. Mount Bulwana and +part of the outskirts of Ladysmith were clearly visible. Fringed +around them were Boer camps, waggons, and cattle; while studded +over the ground the enemy was seen, some building forts, others +digging trenches, and all working like bees to protect the road from +our advance. The Ladysmith chief signaller, Captain Walker, +rapidly came into communication with the signallers on Swartz +Kop, and Sir George White was informed of the satisfactory progress +of the advance so far.</p> + +<p>The Naval guns were now comfortably ensconced on the western +ridge of the hill, ready to do duty in sweeping away the strong +positions which were being rapidly built up by the hostile hordes, +who were fast beginning to congregate from the neighbourhood of +Colenso.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile General Lyttelton’s brigade had streamed in with +howitzers, and soon these, under cover of the guns of the Naval +Brigade, were across the river, and safely located on the other side. +At the same time was commenced the fortifying of Mount Alice. +The men were all in great fettle, working like Trojans, and perfectly +regardless of fatigue. They crossed the scudding river, steadying +themselves by holding each other’s rifles, in a burning sun with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +water up to their waists, and advanced in skirmishing order over +the boulder-strewn country, settling themselves at last on some low +kopjes to the north of the river and facing the enemy’s defences +five miles north of the drift.</p> + +<p>While these important events were taking place at Potgieter’s +Drift, General Sir Charles Warren with the 5th Division was also +moving forward by a circuitous route. By another drift, called +Trichardt’s Drift, some five miles farther west, the entire force +eventually got across and took up a position beyond the river, with +the object of turning the position of the enemy, who were posted on +Spion Kop. This journey was not achieved without coming in +touch with the Boers. Some of them were hidden in a wooded +nook by a farmhouse, and from thence poured rifle-shots on the +advance guards. They even brought their cannon to bear on the +troops; but the <i>passage d’armes</i> was of short duration, and the +enemy, warmed with fervent salutations from the Naval guns on the +hills, was soon in full flight across country. Then the engineers, +with celerity which looked to the uninitiated like a conjuring trick, in +two hours threw a pontoon bridge over the river, and the crossing +was successfully accomplished. The great object of Sir Charles +Warren was now, as stated, to turn the enemy’s position. This, +situated about five miles off to his right front, was undoubtedly +a strong one. It ran laterally with the river, with Spion Kop for its +centre, and all around the enemy were actively engaged in intrenching +themselves. The plan of the combined movement was to +make as hasty an attack as possible and prevent the Dutchmen +from strengthening their position and reinforcing their right from their +centre and left, and perhaps enable the Ladysmith garrison to do its +share in threatening the enemy’s rear. For this reason General +Barton, with sufficient troops, had been left at Colenso to hold the +Boers’ forces and prevent them from massing on the line of Sir +Redvers Buller’s march. This latter officer with a small force directed +the combined operations from Spearman’s Farm, a little to the south +of Mount Alice. The headquarters of himself and his staff were at +the picturesque homestead of one Martinius Pretorius, a personage +who thought it advisable not to remain to play the host.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 608px;"> +<a name="illo27" id="illo27"></a><img src="images/illo27.png" width="608" height="381" alt="THE CROSSING OF POTGIETERS DRIFT, JANUARY 16." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">THE CROSSING OF POTGIETER’S DRIFT, JANUARY 16.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Drawn by Enoch Ward from a Full Sketch by René Bull, War Artist with General Buller.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>The troops, in spite of their trying march—the mud collected by +tremendous rains, the arduous business of getting across the river, +the grilling sun overhead, and the enemy possibly threatening from +unknown quarters—were bright, healthy, and hopeful. Immense +enthusiasm was occasioned in every camp when all were made +acquainted with the brief yet stirring words of Sir Redvers Buller: +“<i>We are going to the relief of our comrades in Ladysmith; there +will be no turning back</i>.” A short emphatic statement this—blunt +as the conversation of the man who made it, but instinct with noble<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +meaning—of superb resolve! It touched every heart, and made +each bronzed-face warrior repeat once more to himself the oath to +do or die for the honour of his country and for the service of those +to be relieved!</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="THE_FLANK_MOVEMENT" id="THE_FLANK_MOVEMENT"></a>THE FLANK MOVEMENT</h3> + +<p>Before going further, it is interesting to examine with the map +a rough hint made by Mr. Winston Churchill, correspondent of the +<i>Morning Post</i>, of the general plan of the advance.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 611px;"> +<a name="illo28" id="illo28"></a><img src="images/illo28.png" width="611" height="413" alt="Types of Arms-A Mountain Battery." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">Types of Arms—A Mountain Battery.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">(Drawn by Ernest Prater.)</span> +</div></div> + +<p>“Having placed his army within striking distance of the various +passages across the Tugela, Sir Redvers Buller’s next object was to +cross and debouch. To this end his plan appears to have been—for +information is scarcely yet properly codified—something as follows: +Lyttleton’s Brigade, the corps troops forming Coke’s Brigade, the +ten Naval guns, the battery of howitzers, one field-battery, and +Bethune’s Mounted Infantry to demonstrate in front of the Potgieter +position, keeping the Boers holding the horseshoe in expectation +of a frontal attack and masking their main position; Sir +Charles Warren to march by night from Springfield with the +brigades of Hart, Woodgate, and Hildyard, the Royal Dragoons, +six batteries of artillery, and the pontoon train to a point about five<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +miles west of Spearman’s Hill, and opposite Trichardt’s Drift on the +Tugela. Here he was to meet the mounted forces from Spearman’s +Hill, and with these troops he was next day, the 17th, to throw +bridges, force the passage of the river, and operate at leisure and +discretion against the right flank of the enemy’s horseshoe before +Potgieter’s, resting on Spion Kop, a commanding mountain, ultimately +joining hands with the frontal force from Spearman’s Hill at +a point on the Acton Homes Ladysmith road. To sum up briefly, +seven battalions, twenty-two guns, and three hundred horse under +Lyttleton to mask the Potgieter position; twelve battalions, thirty-six +guns, and sixteen hundred horse to cross five miles to the westward, +and make a turning movement against the enemy’s right. +The Boer covering army was to be swept back on Ladysmith by a +powerful left arm, the pivoting shoulder of which was at Potgieter’s, +the elbow at Trichardt’s Drift, and the enveloping hand—the +cavalry under Lord Dundonald—stretching out towards Acton +Homes.”</p> + +<p>This plan on the surface appeared fairly practicable if the +action could be carried on with sufficient rapidity to prevent the +enemy from gathering in his crowds, as he had gathered at Colenso. +Here was the great—If. The art of war is at best a choice of +difficulties, and at this time our Generals had an embarrassment of +that choice. It says a great deal for their courage that they handled +these difficulties one after another, and let go only when they thought +they had been squeezed dry.</p> + +<p>The British troops having done with the fatigue of the march, +did not allow the grass to grow under their feet. No sooner +had they crossed the river than they began to threaten some +of the Boer lines of retreat to the Free State. The Naval +Brigade also set to work with vigour, and they, together with +the howitzers from Mount Alice, pounded the whole vicinity +to the right impartially. The range having been ascertained to a +nicety, with the assistance of the balloon, whose occupants directed +the gunners, some effective shots were launched at the Boer entrenchments, +and others which were rapidly in course of construction. +From the balloon these were plainly visible, but their tenants, +if tenants there were, vouchsafed no reply. Many mounted Boers +were seen galloping from Colenso to their laagers in the shelter of +the more northerly kopjes, while others were also discovered +coming in the direction from Ladysmith, evidently with a view to +reinforce the commandoes on Spion Kop. While the Naval +Brigade was hammering in the direction of the Boer position, which +was somewhat below the level of Mount Alice, General Lyttleton +was moving north of the position for the purpose of making a +demonstration towards Brakfontein, and Sir Charles Warren’s force<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +was approaching two high kopjes overlooking a ravine behind +Spion Hill. It was now the 18th of January. The cavalry +started in advance of the rest of the force. The order of march +being, first, the Composite Regiment (one squadron of Imperial +Light Horse, sixty Rifles Mounted Infantry, one squadron Natal +Carabineers), four squadrons South African Light Horse, Thorneycroft’s +Mounted Infantry, and behind these the Royals and 13th +Hussars. But the Composite Regiment at midday was found to +have moved still farther west, and soon from that region came an +ominous crackling. Something deadly was afoot. It appeared +that a party of Boers was caught trekking by the Acton Homes +Road towards the Free State, and was in act of being cut off. +Firing was fast and furious, and presently dead and dying Boers +besprinkled the field that a few moments before had been green +and gracious to the eye. A message was sent to the main body +demanding reinforcements. Promptly Lord Dundonald with the +rest of his troops came on the scene. Hostilities grew in animation—the +situation was desperate. The Boers made a hard fight of it, +clung tenaciously to their position, refusing, though surrounded, to +surrender. Their fire rained furiously down on the Rifles as they +advanced, so furiously that they were forced to seek the shelter of a +desirable donga. The obstinate combat was on the point of renewal +when up went a white flag. The old dodge, one to which now our +troops had become so accustomed that they scarcely heeded it. +Both sides continued to blaze away in uncertainty and mistrust till +presently hands flew up, and this sincerest and distinct sign of surrender +was accepted. Twenty-four burly Boers were then captured, while, +round about, the wounded of the foe were assiduously succoured and +tended by the very men who in the race for dear life had stricken +them down. Twenty-four captured, ten killed, eight wounded—such +was the result of a few hours’ work on the enemy. Of our number, +Captain Shore of the Imperial Light Horse was severely wounded, +two soldiers of the Mounted Infantry were killed, and one trooper of +the Imperial Light Horse was slightly injured.</p> + +<p>A word must be said of the South African Light Horse or +“Cockyoli Birds,” as they were jocosely styled in deference to the +plumes in their headgear. These had become the heroes of the +hour owing to the splendid action formerly mentioned of Lieutenant +Carlyle and his plucky companions, Sergeant Turner, Corporals +Cox and Barkley, and Troopers Howell, Godden, and Collingwood. +In addition to this plucky feat they were ceaseless in their activity, +as we shall afterwards see.</p> + +<p>Before this date the men of the squadron had been much commented +on and universally praised. Their dash, their aptness, their +marvellous intelligence had earned the admiration of all the regulars<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> +who had been associated with them. They, in their neat kharki, +looked as efficient a body of mounted infantry as any one could wish +to come across. Among their numbers were Afrikanders of good +birth, Canadians, Australians, gentlemen of means, sporting men, +old soldiers, and the like. They were hard as nails and bronzed as +their saddles, acute as weasels, and big-hearted and adventurous +as any of Robin Hood’s world-famed merry men. If they were +rough they were ready, sniffing adventure in the air and rushing hot-foot +to greet it, or stalking warily like old Shikari, saving no pains +so that they eventually brought down their quarry.</p> + +<p>The engagement was a grand feather in the cap of the cavalry, +and an additional one in that of the “Cockyoli Birds.”</p> + +<p>On the morning of Saturday the 20th of January Sir Charles +Warren advanced his whole force to the attack. The scheme had +been thought out with immense care. There was an excellent +general with a superb division of troops, and there was every chance +of success. General Woodgate’s and General Hart’s brigades +marched forward at 3 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span> from their bivouac on the low ridges +below Spion Kop, with a view to capturing a position called Three +Tree Hill, so called because of three mimosa trees whose fragrance +filled the air. The proceedings opened with an animated bombardment +from all quarters, our guns in the neighbourhood of Potgieter’s +and Tritchardt’s Drifts engaging the attention of the Boers. By this +time the Dutchmen were powerfully intrenched, and were still +hurrying and scurrying to protect the big mountain that stood between +the British and the object of their desire—Ladysmith. Woodgate’s +Brigade had pushed forward in this direction. Later Hart’s +Brigade took up a position on the spur parallel to the left of the +Lancashire Brigade, and, under cover of the field-guns, the troops, +in the thick of a storm from rifles and artillery, fought their way +almost inch by inch up the steeps held by the Boers. They finally +succeeded in gaining some portions of the enemy’s line of intrenchments. +But this was not achieved without an exhibition of pluck +and valiant obstinacy that was heroic.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 540px;"> +<a name="illo29" id="illo29"></a><img src="images/illo29.png" width="540" height="347" alt="ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY (ACTION FRONT)." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY (ACTION FRONT).</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Gregory & Co., London.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>The Irish Brigade, as usual, were in the thick of the fight, jovial +yet determined, and holding their grip of every inch they gained +notwithstanding shadows of threatened dissolution, the sights of +death and sounds of horror that filled the air. Captain Hensley, a +brave and gallant soul, was shot through the head, and several +officers were smitten, but still their valorous commander, waving his +sword, pressed on, and still his sturdy Irishmen, animated, encouraged, +confident, pursued their upward way. They had debts to +settle—some old scores to wipe out. They remembered their +hideous disappointment of Colenso, their grievous experiences of +Dundee, and also they remembered—a far grander remembrance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>!—that +the honour of the Emerald Isle rested on their shoulders, +and that the quality of its loyalty stood proved by the quality of +their famous deeds!</p> + +<p>All around played the fierce fire of the enemy’s guns, Creusot, +Maxim, Nordenfeldt, and others. These were posted in commanding +positions on a chain of hills to the west of Spion Hill, and from various +points of vantage the Dutchmen were able to keep up a ceaseless +clamour, and pour a rapid torrent of death and mutilation upon the +advancing troops. These, by reason of the bad ground and the caution +required in the manner of approach, could travel but slowly. The +enemy, owing to the delay in our advance, had increased their forces +most unexpectedly, and seemed, though scarcely to have existed a +week ago, to be now ubiquitous! During the afternoon General +Lyttleton’s Brigade made a frontal attack on the Dutchmen’s +position between Schwartz Kop and Spion Kop, to divert their +attention pending the movements of Sir Charles Warren. This +movement, it was imagined, had been kept very “dark,” but, in +spite of the secrecy and caution, the agile foe had contrived again to +concentrate a huge force to oppose his every turn. More artillery +seemed continuously to be brought to the scene, and also some of +the trophies captured in the ill-fated attack on Colenso. Our Naval +guns bombarded the ridge all day, and the howitzers boomed and +roared, but the whole place appeared to be bustling with Boers. +On the extreme left Lord Dundonald engaged in more energetic +demonstration, and the indefatigable South African Light Horse, +under Colonel Byng, more than ever distinguished themselves. In +the most gallant manner they captured Bastion Hill, a hill between +the Dutch right and centre.</p> + +<p>This hill in the hands of the Boers was a standing menace, as +from thence they could direct a cross-fire at the infantry on the +opposite spur of the big mountain. Major Childe, commanding +F Squadron, South African Light Horse, decided that he, and not +the Federals, must secure so important a vantage-point. Dismounting +with his men, and leaving his horses in rear of the heights, he +cautiously crept round through a mealie field and various dongas +which gave him cover from the storm of shot directed from the +curve of the hills. In spite of the pelting lead, he got to the base +of the position in safety. Then, with half the squadron, he started +laboriously to climb. It was tough work, the sugar-loaf eminence +being steep and stony and the sun above blisteringly hot. Thus +they sweated and toiled for a whole hour. Finally, the Boers were +seen scampering from the top. They had detected the approach of +men—bayonets were suspected—they discreetly bolted. Just then +Trooper Tobin, who had grandly led the way up the precipitous +height, had reached his goal. Here he stood in his delight and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +triumph waving his helmet and shouting, and quite regardless of the +fact that he made an excellent mark for Boer sharpshooters or their +mercenaries. Up, too, rushed Major Childe with a dozen or so of his +nimble men, into the midst of a tornado of shot and shell which had +suddenly started from the Boer left and centre. Promptly every +one went to earth. It was useless at the moment to attempt to return +so withering a fire. Then came a shell—bursting and banging—and +the gallant Major was caught on the head and killed. Several +others were slain, among them Godden, who had been one of the +gallant seven who distinguished themselves in the pont exploit. +Shattered by the terrible fire of artillery, breathless from past +exertions, the troops still hung on. Then our own artillery came +to the rescue and kept the Boer gunners occupied. Meanwhile, +reinforcements from Hildyard’s Brigade were sent up to the help of +the brave fellows who for twelve hours had been without rest or +water, and on the following day, to the West Surreys, the cavalry, +after a tremendous and fatiguing experience, handed over the charge +of the hill which they had so magnificently gained. The losses +during this complex series of engagements were many, but the +sufferings due to hunger, heat, thirst, and fatigue were even greater +than those due to actual wounds.</p> + +<p>The Lancashire Fusiliers, Lancashire Regiment, and the Dublin +Fusiliers lost most during the day. Their wounded numbered about +350 officers and men. These troops had a peculiarly trying time, as for +three whole days previously they had remained on some captured hills, +sun-baked and fired on promiscuously, while at night, when the temperature +had run down with its customary rapidity, they had found +themselves chilled to the bone, with no blankets or overcoats to +cover them. They had about two hours’ sleep on an average per +night and very little to eat during the day. From 3 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span> on the 20th +the Lancashires had taken up a position screened behind a string of +low kopjes, while the artillery on the right battered and pounded at +the Boer earthworks in front and half-left and half-right. The troops +had remained quiet and painfully inactive in the sweltering sun for +many hours, stray bullets whistling round their ears, and, as one of +the officers said, “causing great levity among the men.” At 1.30 +they had begun to advance. Immediately they showed their heads +they were caught by a hailstorm of bullets, and seven men dropped. +Rushing dauntlessly on, they made for the shelter of a ring of rocks +some 150 yards in advance, remained for some ten minutes or so, +then pushed forward another 400 yards, losing less men and taking +a lesson in caution from the Boers. Thus, in short energetic +rushes, they had managed to get within 900 yards of the enemy. +On the top of the hillock a perfect deluge of bullets descended, +and though the General had moved some 400 forward, so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +quickly were the men hit that only thirty or so could use their +rifles.</p> + +<p>Afterwards the order was given to make breastworks, and there +was a rush into the open to gather stones and rocks and boulders, +when more men were stricken down. All the wounded could do +was to creep to a rock in the rear, and there await the turn of events. +Some lay as they crawled from 3 to 8.30 at night. It was impossible +for them to be removed from the hill, as the Boers promptly fired +on the stretcher-bearers. The sights and sounds were heart-rending. +On one side was seen a man sent to his last account in a +breath; on another was one still hobbling along and plying his rifle, +with both ankles smashed. Here lay a poor fellow who had a +splinter of rock driven clean through his lungs and out at his back; +there languished another shot through the eye and brain—hopeless. +All of them suffered patiently, but were madly athirst, craving for the +hour when the sun should go down and they might get a chance of +removal from the awful scene. And yet there were some, wounded +too, who bore the long hours with amazing cheeriness. One, +shot in the leg, lay on his back, drew forth his home letters, and +perused them in the midst of a deadly fusillade. Another, more +seriously wounded still, had the audacity to beguile the weary +moments by taking a “snap-shot” at General Hart in the act of +waving his sword and gesticulating. So much for pluck!</p> + +<p>After sundown came the moment so longed for by the +wretched beings, some of whom were now literally glued to earth +in their own gore. But their miseries were not yet at an end. It +took some two hours to go three-quarters of a mile in the darkness +over the bad ground; there were creeks, and dongas, and +boulders everywhere. No lights were allowed. In the jetty obscurity +the Samaritans tripped and stumbled. “I was only dropped +twice,” smiled a wounded youth when he was at last safely borne +towards the stretcher-bearers. Others at intervals were brought in +soaked with blood and rain, the hot stream and the cold mingling +uncannily and to their supreme discomfort. Many who were +wounded soon after midday only succeeded in reaching the field-hospital +about half-past twelve at night. Some, more pathetic still, +did not reach it at all! They had patiently waited till past the need +of assistance!</p> + +<p>Very pathetic were the circumstances attending the fall of Major +Childe. It was said that on the previous day he had had forebodings +of disaster, so much so that he even begged of his companions, in +the event of his death, to put on his grave his chosen quotation, “Is +it well with the child? It is well.” This dying wish was faithfully +carried out. His burial took place on the day after the engagement, +Lord Dundonald reading the solemn words of the funeral<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> +service. Over his roughly-made grave was placed the gallant +officer’s name, the date of his death, and the text he had desired to +have written on his tomb.</p> + +<p>On the following day the fight was waged as fiercely as ever so +far as artillery was concerned. Six field-batteries and four howitzers +bombarded the enemy’s position with tremendous vigour, and inflicted +considerable loss. The Boer rifles were indefatigable, however, +and continued their fiendish activity, and the Dutch or German +gunners maintained their excellent practice with scarcely a moment’s +cessation.</p> + +<p>While General Woodgate made a demonstration on the right, +General Hart and his brigade continued to advance, and General +Hildyard’s troops joined in the attack from the valley past the right +of Bastion Hill. Here a cleft appeared to open between the right and +centre of the Boer position, and here the infantry, pushing on, practically +divided the position in two; but it was found that the second +line of defence was a formidable one; that the Boers had secured to +themselves a magnificent point of vantage, whence they could sweep +the country and command all the approaches with cross-fire, and +even with converging fire; but, in spite of this, the troops tenaciously +retained the positions they had gained, remaining there +throughout the 22nd and 23rd, partially covered, so that in all their +loss was inconsiderable.</p> + +<p>The following officers were wounded in action near Venter’s +Spruit on the 20th of January:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">Staff—Colonel B. Hamilton, Major C. M’Grigor. 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers—Captain +R. B. Blunt, Second Lieut. M. G. Crofton, Second Lieut. E. I. M. +Barret. 1st Border Regiment—Captain E. D. Vaughan, Second Lieut. Muriel. +1st York and Lancaster Regiment—Second Lieut. A. H. Kearsey. 2nd Dublin +Fusiliers—Captain C. A. Hensley (since dead), Major F. English. 2nd Gordon +Highlanders—Second Lieut. P. D. Stewart. Non-commissioned officers and +men, 279. Royal West Surrey Regiment—Second Lieut. Du Buisson. 16th +Lancers (Staff)—Captain Dallas.</p></blockquote> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="SPION_KOP" id="SPION_KOP"></a>SPION KOP</h3> + +<p>On Tuesday the 23rd, the continuous and steady assault of the +Boer position seemed to be reaching a promising climax. For four +days on the heights above the Venter Spruit the English and +Irish Brigades had been doggedly moving up and on, and had +carried one position after another in the teeth of many guns, and in +the face of discomforts and discouragements multifarious. They +had achieved a great deal with comparatively small loss, viewing the +masterly manner in which the Boer guns were served. Fortunately +the rifle-fire of the foe was not equal in accuracy to their shell-fire, +most probably for the reason that the bucolic Dutchman had lost +his ancient cunning in wielding the rifle, while in the management<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +of guns of position he was assisted—nay, relieved, by his German +mercenaries. The astonishing dexterity of the Teutonic specialists in +planting shells accurately at a range of over 3000 yards was a matter +for marvel and admiration. Their success was attributed partly to +the fact that the range had previously been marked, and also that +spots had been selected over which it was known bodies of troops +must eventually pass, and where it was certain every shot must be +made to tell. For all that, and considering the cross-fire to which +the troops were subjected on the opening days of Sir Charles +Warren’s attack, the losses were small. A council of war had +been held, and three courses had been sifted: first, a frontal attack +by night on the second Boer position, possibly attended by terrible +loss; second, retirement beyond the river to seek for a new passage; +third, attack by night on the mountain of Spion Kop, thence to +enfilade and dominate all the Boer positions.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 636px;"> +<a name="illo30" id="illo30"></a><img src="images/illo30.png" width="636" height="384" alt="TAKING THE 4·7 NAVAL GUN ACROSS THE TUGELA." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">TAKING THE 4·7 NAVAL GUN ACROSS THE TUGELA.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Drawing by J. Finnemore.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>The last course was decided on. Spion Kop was to be +attacked by night, the Boer trenches to be scooped out with the +point of the bayonet, and the position held till again—by night—guns +could be dragged up to assist in commanding the position of +the foe. Spion Kop, the extreme left of the Boer position, once +fortified, would become a key to the door of Ladysmith. So it was +thought.</p> + +<p>General Woodgate was informed of what was required of him, +and Colonel Thorneycroft discussed the programme of the night +attack. By his desire, satisfactory reconnaissances had been made, +and there was every reason to believe that the attempt would be +crowned with success. Accordingly, soon after midnight, General +Woodgate, accompanied by Colonel àCourt, started forth with the +2nd Lancashire Fusiliers, the Royal Lancaster Regiment, a portion +of Thorneycroft’s Horse, and half a company Royal Engineers, +supported by two companies of the Connaught Rangers and by the +Imperial Light Infantry.</p> + +<p>In pitch darkness the troops began their march up the southern +slope of the giant mountain called Thaba Emunyama. The steeps +were precipitous and rocky, and had to be negotiated with extreme +care. Dongas were on this side, boulders on that; these had to be +crept through and leapt over with stealthy, cat-like tread lest the +enemy on the summit should be forewarned. Now and then the +whirr of a bullet showed that the Dutchmen were awake, and were +indulging in the pastime of sniping; otherwise the still, purple night +spoke of peace. Led by General Woodgate and Colonel Blomfield, +the Fusiliers (who, being seasoned fighters, were specially selected +for the honour of engaging in “ticklish” work) ascended softly, +advancing higher and higher in single file and in cautious silence. +When more than half-way up, the approaching multitude was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +discovered, and the Boer picket, firing, fled. But the warrior +crowd pressed on, Colonel Thorneycroft now leading the way, +firing never a shot, and waiting till the trusty bayonet should +teach its lesson. At three o’clock the summit was reached. The +rain drizzled down, the clouds wrapt the hill, but the ardour of the +troops was unabated. With a wild, ringing cheer, which echoed far +over the hills, the position was carried. The force then proceeded +to fortify itself so far as was possible in the hard and rocky ground +that covered the heights.</p> + +<p>It must here be noted that, owing to the darkness and the +impossibility of judging exact distances, the trenches that were dug +were badly situated. Instead of the whole or most part of the +triangular tableland of the top, the force occupied merely a cramped +position on the extreme point. This point was already marked and +commanded by six Boer guns, while on the very hill itself was +another hostile weapon. Sneaking around the crust of the kop—on +the brim, as it were, while we occupied the crown—were sharpshooters +and snipers, who from thence could pelt the northern hump of the +slope; but in the dense atmosphere of the early morning these facts +were unknown, and the effort, under cover of the darkness, to widen +our position and capture the entire triangle was not then made.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 652px;"> +<a name="illo31" id="illo31"></a> +<img src="images/illo31a.png" width="652" height="315" alt="Sketch of the Battle of Spion Kop." title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 645px;"> +<img src="images/illo31b.png" width="645" height="539" alt="Plan of the Battle of Spion Kop." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">Sketch and Plan of the Battle of Spion Kop.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Made on the spot by Lieutenant E. B. Knox of the Royal Army Medical Corps.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>While the hazy blue pall of the morning yet hung over the hills +the trenches near the crest were occupied. The clouds hung low, and +not a Dutchman was to be seen. For some time the troops were +protected by the enshrouding mist, but so soon as it cleared, the +Boers from their posts opened fire. They realised that the position +to them was virtually one of life or death. Ping! ping! rang the +rifles in chorus; bong! bong! went the guns, with a deep basso +that reverberated in the hollows of the hills. It was an awe-striking +reveillé. The hostile artillery had the range to a nicety; each shell +followed the other with precision, and burst with terrific uproar on +the patch of earthworks held by our infantry. Under this fearful +fusillade our men, pelted yet undismayed, faithfully held their ground +for two mortal hours. But the shell-fire made horrible gaps in the +stalwart company; and by-and-by General Woodgate, who, having +captured the position, still continued to direct and encourage his +men, was wounded, Colonel Blomfield, of the 2nd Lancashire +Fusiliers, took over command, and sent for reinforcements. He +also fell. Then, by reason of merit rather than of seniority, +Major Thorneycroft, local lieutenant-colonel, was appointed to take +the place of the disabled chief. With the rising of the sun, with the +development of day, developed the battle. Shrapnel from 15-pounders +sprayed hither and thither; lyddite opened out earth-umbrellas +far and wide. The roar and the roll of fiends in fury +rent the clear, mimosa-scented atmosphere, and made even the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> +bosom of the placid, silvery river shudder and quake as it wound +and twisted and looped round Potgieter’s Drift. For three and a +half hours the tornado pursued its deadly course. Death—mutilation—agony—thirst—these +were more prominent than the word +glory in that long, immemorial period. Officers and men alike<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> +could scarce lift a head lest they should meet the doom that hung +over every creature that dared to stand upright in the murderous +arena. They crouched, and took cover, and waited. The Boers, +seeing their advantage, noting the terrible strain on the men that +held the captured trenches, and the dance of death among Thorneycroft’s +Mounted Infantry, also bided their time. With great caution +and “slimness” they finally commenced to creep up nearer and +nearer, firing the while, and hoping, when things became a shade +worse, to rush the position. Unfortunately there were no guns to +rout the adventurous crew—not one handy Naval 12-pounder to +sweep the enemy from the plateau. There they were, and there +they meant to remain. Major-General Coke’s brigade had started +to get to the scene of action, and before long the Middlesex, +Dorset, and Somerset Regiments were moving up the heights to +the assistance of the battered regiments above. Major Walters, in +charge of the ambulance, was also carrying out his grim, unusually +heavy duties, but he, in the midst of his deeds of mercy, was +caught by a shot and brought to earth.</p> + +<p>By this time the glorious Lancashire Fusiliers, who held the +captured trenches, had suffered most severely, not only from wounds, +but from the agonies of thirst, for which there was no remedy. +Their losses were horrible, and so also were those of Thorneycroft’s +Mounted Infantry, and they lay in many cases too far removed for the +ambulance-bearers to reach them, and in too exposed a position for +help from any around. Indeed, the state of affairs was so lamentable, +the Boers forcing their way with such persistency, that the +question of holding the hill hung by a thread. Three times before +midday had the Dutchmen returned, driven the Britons back, and +again been driven back themselves, till the ups and downs of the fight +became like a perilous game of see-saw, none daring to prognosticate +the conclusion. From noon till the late afternoon the Boers persisted +in their desperate efforts to retake the crest of the hill. They +evidently regarded the position of so much importance that reinforcements +from their right were drawn away to help in the work. But the +gallant fellows who were in possession hung doggedly to their prize. +“Only a day,” they said; “a day’s more endurance, and to-morrow we +shall mount guns. We shall be rulers of the roost.” So they fought +on with a will. Fortunately, at this time they had no premonition +of impediments to success. The place turned out to be very difficult +to hold. Its perimeter was large, and water was exceedingly scarce, +and their ammunition, moreover, gave out at a critical period.</p> + +<p>All these discoveries were gradually and painfully made as the +day wore on, but nevertheless they resisted the assaults of the +enemy with herculean vigour—with courage that was Spartan.</p> + +<p>For two hours in the afternoon the scene on the summit of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> +kop was terrific. A hurricane of shot and shell swept the crest—it +became a seething Inferno. Six quick-firing guns, two Hotchkiss +guns, and numerous other weapons of more or less deadliness played +upon the troops. Maimed and dying were being carried off as fast +as possible. General Woodgate, brave as a lion, who had worked +like a Trojan till struck down by a piece of shell, refused to leave. +Usually a placid man, he was now irrepressible, protesting that he +would remain on the field, though his sufferings—since he was +shot over the left eye—must have been severe. Reinforcements +had now arrived—the Middlesex, Dorsets, and Somersets—the +plateau was crowded—overcrowded, some say—and death was +taking a full meal. The Boer Maxim-Nordenfeldt, which had done +its fell work at Colenso, perambulated from position to position with +insatiable greed, preying on the life-blood of our bravest and best, +and defying the efforts of our gunners below to locate it. Its work, +and the work of the Mausers, lay everywhere—the hill was a +shambles. Major Walters, chief of the Natal Volunteer Ambulance, +had dropped; his brother, of the 2nd Scottish Rifles, was +killed; Captain Murray, of the same regiment, was simply riddled +with bullets—he received as many as four, yet persisted in leading +on his men till struck down mortally. Colonel Buchanan Riddell, +King’s Royal Rifles, another hero, was slain later, while directing +a flanking movement. The turmoil of those exciting hours was +described by an officer:—</p> + +<p>“I crawled along a little way with half my company, and then +brought up others in the same manner. The men of the different +regiments already on the hill were mixed up, and ours met the same +fate. It was impossible, under the circumstances, to keep regimental +control. One unit merged into another; one officer gave +directions to this or that unit, or to another battalion. I saw some +tents on the far side of the hill to our front, and knowing the enemy +must be there, opened with volleys at 1800 yards, when we saw a +puff of smoke, indicating that one of the Boer guns had just fired. +We lay prone, and could only venture a volley now and again, firing +independently at times when the shower of bullets seemed to fall +away, and the shells did not appear likely to land specially amongst +us. Everywhere, however, it was practically the same deadly smash +of shells, mangling and killing all about us. The only troops actually +close to me then were a party of the Lancashire Fusiliers inside +a <i>schanze</i>, F Company of the Middlesex, and a mixed company of +other troops on the left front. A good many shells from the big +guns burst near us, and a lance-corporal of the Fusiliers was killed. +The only point I could see rifle-fire proceeding from was a trench, +the third, I believe, occupied by our troops on the right, and looking +towards Spearman’s.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Presently I heard a great deal of shouting from this trench, +in which were about fifty men. They were calling for reinforcements, +and shouting, ‘The Boers are coming up.’ Two or three +minutes afterwards I saw a party of about forty Boers walking +towards the trench. They came up quite coolly; most of them +had their rifles slung, and all, so far as I could observe, had their +hands up. Our men in the trench—they were Fusiliers—were then +standing up also, with their hands up, and shouting, ‘The Boers +are giving in, the Boers are giving in.’ I did not know what to +think, but ordered a company of my regiment to fix bayonets. We +waited to see what would happen. Just then, when the Boers were +close to the trench, some one—whether an enemy or one of our +men—fired a shot. In an instant there was a general stampede, +or rather a <i>mêlée</i>, my men rushing from their position and charging, +while the Boers fired at the men in the trench, knocking several +back into it, dead. Previous to this a Boer came towards me +saying, ‘I won’t hurt you.’ He looked frightened, and threw down +his rifle. Immediately afterwards the Boer fired, and there was +a frightful muddle. I fired at one Boer, and then another passed. +We were fighting hand to hand. I shot the Boer in order to help +the man, and he dropped, clinging, however, to his rifle as he fell, +and covering me most carefully. He fired, and I fell like a rabbit, +the bullet going in just over and grazing the left lung. I lay where +I fell until midnight. Subsequent to my being hit, parties of Boers +passed twice over me, trying on the same trick, holding up their +hands, as if they were asking for quarter. But our men refused +to be taken in again, and fired, killing or driving them back.”</p> + +<p>In this fight the Dutchmen were unusually obstinate. Over and +over again they advanced to within seventy yards of the captured +trenches, and from thence were only routed at the point of the +bayonet. Their rushes were most valiant and persistent, and +nothing but the heroism of officers and men could have withstood +the overwhelming nature of the attack made upon them.</p> + +<p>But dodges with the white flag and other frauds continued to be +practised by the Boers. Colonel Thorneycroft escaped merely by an +accident from an endeavour to play a trick upon him. The leader of +a commando facing Thorneycroft’s Horse advanced with a white flag. +The Colonel approached to the parley, but being suspicious, he told +the leader to go back, as he refused to confer with him. Both +retired, but before the Colonel could return to his regiment a volley +was poured on him by the enemy. Another and more curious trick +was practised on some of the privates. They were approached by an +officer in kharki and directed to follow him to a better position. +This they began to do till, at last, seeing themselves being led into +the jaws of the enemy, they halted, and some one demanded to know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +who this bogus officer might be. At that moment the party was +met by a storm of Boer bullets, and scarcely a man came whole +from the adventure. Fortunately, the miscreant—an Austrian—who +had played the trick on them was bayoneted ere all our gallant +fellows dropped down. Strange, too, was the fate of gallant Colonel +Blomfield, whose regiment, one of the smartest of the smart +regiments present, had done such splendid work, and had held on +to its post to the bitter end. This officer was wounded early in +the day, as already recorded, and lay in a trench helpless and fainting +for hours and beyond the reach of help. Finally, he was able to +crawl out and make his way down the side of the hill—down the +<i>wrong</i> side, unluckily for himself—and when next he was heard of +he was a prisoner in Pretoria. That his life was saved at all was a +marvel. Captain Tidswell, on seeing his Colonel wounded, rushed +out with Sergeant Lightfoot and dragged him under a heavy fire +into a trench, where he remained till the action was over.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 630px;"> +<a name="illo32" id="illo32"></a><img src="images/illo32.png" width="630" height="416" alt="Plan of Engagement at Spion Kop." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">Plan of Engagement at Spion Kop.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>During the early part of the day the Scottish Rifles and the +3rd Battalion of the King’s Royal Rifles had been sent off to +storm the kopjes forming an extension of Spion Kop, and thus +occupy the enemy and relieve the pressure of his attack. The +river was forded at Kaffir Drift by Colonel Buchanan Riddell’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> +troops, and soon after the battalion divided, half being led by the +Colonel to the right, and half under Major Bewicke-Copley +advancing to the left, of the objective. The enemy was everywhere—at +the base of the kopjes and in the trenches up the sides. +Still the troops advanced. The Dutchmen were shifted upwards +inch by inch from their defences. The best cold Sheffield glittered +near the trenches, and—the trenches were vacated! Up and up +moved the Boers, on and on went the Rifles—on and up, rushing +wildly, gallantly, charging and cheering, and finally gaining the +crest!</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the Scottish Rifles had advanced on Spion Kop. +Nothing could exceed the smartness with which they scaled the +steeps. They marched straight to the front firing line, and, in +a word, saved the situation. No sooner did the enemy show +his nose than the Scottish Rifles held him in check, and over +and over again showed him that British tenacity was equal to +both Boer stubbornness and slimness combined. The enemy could +make no headway against them.</p> + +<p>But the gallant action of the King’s Royal Rifles was one of the +grand deeds that end in the ineffectual. The battalion in its triumph +had pressed the Boers upwards, but on doing so became practically +isolated. The Boers were above and between them and our own +troops, and as a result of its too forward movement the regiment +stood in peril. Seeing their position of jeopardy, orders were sent +up to retire. It was disgusting, heart-breaking, but it had to be +done. The glorious company, after capturing two positions, slowly, +reluctantly, moved down the hill they had ascended in the flush of +triumph—moved again to their bivouac, sadder and wiser men. +But they were only the first of many sad and sorry men that day. +Meanwhile the battle on the great hill raged continuously, and +shells, not alone those of the enemy, but those of our own guns +which had attempted to assist, made the crowded kop a “veritable +hell.”</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 637px;"> +<a name="illo33" id="illo33"></a><img src="images/illo33.png" width="637" height="428" alt="GOING OUT TO THE ATTACK ON SPION KOP ON JANUARY 24." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">GOING OUT TO THE ATTACK ON SPION KOP ON JANUARY 24.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Drawing by R. Caton Woodville.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>Presently, in the late afternoon a still more serious situation +presented itself. Water, always scarce, threatened to run short +altogether. Ammunition failed. A more appalling quandary in +the drama of war can scarcely be imagined. Fortunately, to the +relief of the plucky band on the heights, at last came a mule-train +with much-desired water and cartridges, and the fight was pursued +in more auspicious circumstances. But the Boer guns lost none +of their persistency. Shells hurtled over the plateau, and as dusk +set in, regiments and battalions and such officers as were left were +mixed up in a surging, stumbling <i>mêlée</i>, wounded men firing last shots +at the darkness, and hale ones dropping helpless as the blaze from +the bursting projectiles showed, for one moment, the scene of agony.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> + +<p>When night made further activity impossible the position of +affairs came under discussion. Was this sorry game worth the vast, +the costly candle that was being expended—that yet might have to +be expended? One commanding officer said “Yes!” another said +“No!” It is stated that the decision rested with Colonel Crofton. +He argued in favour of withdrawal. The troops were terribly mauled; +the dead lay in crowds, a ghastly testimony of their impetuous +courage. It had been found impossible to secure good cover against +the enemy’s shrapnel and venomous, unceasing quick-firers. There +had scarcely been time for the raking of rifle-pits, the construction of +stone defences—the guns of the foe had been too active and unceasing—and +besides this, the troops were unaccustomed to the +sly art of crouching to cover. While the Colonial crawled like +a stalker along dongas and through gulleys to get at his quarry, +the hardy Briton always exposed himself as though pluck demanded +that he should make a mark of himself. As some one at the time +expressed it, “Their courage is incontestable, their methods absurd.” +For this reason many of the trenches that our soldiers had so +grandly defended became in the end their graves. The number of +slain was appalling to see. The flower of the country lay struck +down as the grass beneath the scythe of the reaper. It was a +harvest of blood. The dead lay literally in stacks, the sole protection +of their living comrades. Crowds upon crowds had pressed +to the top of the great hill, offering a thick, compact front to the +guns of the enemy, an imposing target to the horrible shells that +merely breathed death as they passed. Liberally as the brigades +exposed themselves, liberally they paid the penalty.</p> + +<p>Late in the evening, guns—Naval guns and a battery—toiled +towards the scene, rattling along through the night air to get +into position for the morrow, and take revenge, though late, on the +devastating “pom-poms” of the foe. But the die was cast. The +withdrawal had begun. At 7.30 <span class="smaller">P.M.</span> Colonel Thorneycroft gave +the word. Slowly and in confused fashion the shattered braves +began to wind downwards, and by nine the summit of the hill was +almost deserted.</p> + +<p>Pitiable were the circumstances of the retirement. The wounded, +with staggering footsteps, crawled or crept down the mountain-side, +reeling from loss of blood and exhaustion. Streams of officers and +knots of men scrambled along calling for their units and finding +them not. Drowsy, stupefied beings stumbled through dongas and +broke their ankles against boulders, trying before they dropped to +come in touch with their fellow-men. Many wandered aimlessly, +twining the hill and passing over it into the hands of the enemy. +Battalion was mixed with battalion, company with company. Dazed +men searched in vain for the rendezvous. Some cursed, some swore,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +some slept or seemed to sleep. One commanding officer sat helplessly +on the spur of the hill, staring like a somnambulist, deaf to all +consciousness of the outer world; another, lying among the trenches, +was given up for dead.</p> + +<p>The losses were terrific. The Royal Engineers, in some cases, +were riddled with bullets. Major Massey died covered with wounds. +Lieutenant Falcon, 17th Company, had arms, legs, knees, and +helmet perforated with lead. In fact, no one has been able very +clearly to describe in its hideous reality the awful picture of the +battle of Spion Kop. A great holocaust some called it, and with +truth, for the mountain from morn till night was literally scourged +with lead, raked in all directions by Maxim-Nordenfeldts, artillery, +and musketry. The tale is only writ in the wounds and on the +graves of those who by a miracle took the summit, and by sheer grit +held it in the face of overwhelming odds. Over a thousand men +gave their lives to gain that which, in twenty hours—hours each +one crowded with moments of heroism—had to be abandoned. The +evacuation was carried out by order of Colonel Thorneycroft, one +of the most valiant of the many valiant men who went up only to +come down again. The excellence of his reasons was acknowledged, +and his personal valour was beyond dispute. His authority for +action was the sole source of debate. A military correspondent +of the <i>Daily Telegraph</i> related an incident of the fight which +served to show what manner of commander had taken the place +made vacant by the wounding of General Woodgate. Some men, +about a score, who had lost their officers, threw down their +arms to surrender, but Thorneycroft, seeing the act, rushed out +to the front and called to the Boers to go on firing, for he commanded +on the hill, and he alone would give the word to surrender. +The Boers promptly responded. The officer went on to say, +“Luckily a fresh regiment arrived at our side and restored the +battle, but Thorneycroft undoubtedly saved a dreadful disaster +by conduct so gallant that it recalls the old story of <i>Messieurs de +la Garde Française, tirez</i>.”</p> + +<p>Acts of gallantry were so numerous that V.C.’s were surely +earned by the dozen. Lieutenant Mallock’s devotion to duty was +remarkable, and all regretted his loss. Captain Stewart, who also +lost his life, assisted in maintaining the high traditions of the +20th Regiment.</p> + +<p>The King’s Royal Rifles lost three officers killed and five +wounded. Their Colonel, the bravest of the brave, was hit +while in the act of leading the regiment up the steeps. He rose +for one instant to read a message and was shot through the +brain. The commanders of three leading companies were all +wounded. Colonel Thorneycroft was injured, Captain the Hon.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +J. H. Petre, though twice struck, held on to his duty till another +bullet laid him low. Captain O’Gowan was hit in two places, and +Lieutenant Lockwood in four, as also was Captain Murray of the +Scottish Rifles while attempting to lead his men towards the Boer +trenches. Death claimed this splendid officer before the end of +the day. Captain Walter was killed by a shell.</p> + +<p>Curious stories were told of the behaviour of the Boers to the +Colonial soldiers, stories which were hardly creditable to the +Dutchmen. What their deadly missiles had failed to do the Boers +themselves accomplished. They clubbed some unfortunates to +death. These were Uitlanders, or suspected of being such. The +correspondent of the <i>Daily Telegraph</i> gave the names of two +men slaughtered in this way—Corporal Weldon and Private +Daddon, ex-Pretoria men! In addition to this brutality, explosive +bullets in quantities were used. A drummer and a private of the +Fusiliers were both killed by them. It was said that the quantity +of losses sustained by Thorneycroft’s, the Imperial Light Horse, +and other South African “Irregulars” was due to special spite +owing to a suspicion on the part of the Boers that these regiments +might have been recruited from Uitlanders. This charge was so +generally believed that many of the “Regulars” came to the assistance +of the Colonials, transferring to them their badges in order to +save them from the consequences of discovery; for it was distinctly +stated that cases had occurred where the Boers deliberately shot +the wounded whom they knew to be Colonials. So as to be +thoroughly impartial, however, we must remember that there are +blood-thirsty villains of all nationalities in times of peace as well as +in times of war.</p> + +<p>Next morning, General Buller, riding to the scene of action, +then, and then only, became acquainted with the decisive move, +the abandonment of Spion Kop. His astonishment was great—so +was that of the Boers. Some said that the foe had already +begun trekking, believing, in spite of their stout resistance, that +the position was lost. Others argued that any trekking that they +might have attempted meant merely a manœuvre consistent with +their mobility to entice the British farther on into a trap from +whence they could not have escaped. Be this as it may, a man of +immense courage gave the order to withdraw, and he had his +reasons, which reasons proved satisfactory to the Chief.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 636px;"> +<a name="illo34" id="illo34"></a><img src="images/illo34.png" width="636" height="379" alt="THE SCENE ON SPION KOP-MAJOR THORNEYCROFTS DESPERATE SITUATION." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">THE SCENE ON SPION KOP—MAJOR THORNEYCROFT’S DESPERATE SITUATION.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Drawing by Frank Craig from a Sketch by a British Officer.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>On the 25th the battle dragged on, the artillery barking and +rifles snapping at each other, while the transport slowly prepared to +retrace its winding way whither it had come, across the Tugela. +The most gallant and perhaps the most melancholy feature of the +war was at an end. General Warren’s right flanking movement +had failed, and the Commander-in-Chief decided that there was no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> +alternative but to again concentrate in the neighbourhood of +Potgieter’s Drift. The movement was conducted, under the personal +direction of General Buller, with admirable precision and skill, and +though there were weary and disgusted hearts among the bitterly +disappointed troops, they bore their trial with dignity. The return +was orderly, and no further misfortune happened. The enemy +made no attempt to interfere. They, too, though successful in their +defence, were hard hit.</p> + +<p>The following casualty list represents the cost of the great +flanking movement:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller"><i>Killed</i>:—Staff—Captain Virtue, Brigade-Major. 3rd King’s Royal Rifles—Lieut.-Colonel +Buchanan Riddell, Lieutenant R. Grand, Second Lieutenant +French-Brewster. 2nd Cameronians—Captain F. Murray, Captain Walter, +Lieutenant Osborne. 17th Company Royal Engineers—Major Massey. 2nd +King’s Royal Rifles—Lieutenant Pope Wolferstan. 1st South Lancashire—Captain +Birch. 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers—Captain Stewart, Lieutenant J. Mallock, +Lieutenant Fraser. Imperial Light Horse—Lieutenant Rudall, Lieutenant +Kynock. 2nd Middlesex Regiment—Captain Muriel, Second Lieutenant Lawley, +Second Lieutenant Wilson. 2nd Lancaster Regiment—Major Ross, Captain +Kirk, Lieutenant Wade. Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry—Captain Hon. +W. Petre, Captain Knox-Gore, Lieutenant Grenfell, Lieutenant Newnham, +Lieutenant M’Corqudale, Lieutenant Hon. Hill-Trevor. South African Light +Horse—Major Childe. 2nd West York—Captain Ryall. <i>Wounded</i>:—Staff—Major-General +Sir E. Woodgate<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> (since dead), Captain Castleton, A.D.C. +3rd King’s Royal Rifles—Major Thistlethwayte, Major Kays, Captain Beaumont, +Captain Briscoe. 2nd Cameronians—Major S. P. Strong, Major Ellis, +Captain Wanless-O’Gowan, Lieutenant H. V. Lockwood, Second Lieutenant +O. M. Torkington, Second Lieutenant F. G. W. Draffen. Indian Staff Corps—Major +Bayly. Bethune’s Horse—Captain Ford. 17th Company Royal Engineers—Lieutenant +Falcon. 1st South Lancashire—Lieutenant Raphael. 1st Border +Regiment—Captain Sinclair-M’Lagan, Second Lieutenant Andrews. 2nd +Lancashire Fusiliers—Lieut.-Colonel Blomfield (taken prisoner), Major Walter, +Lieutenant Griffin, Lieutenant Wilson, Lieutenant Charlton. Royal Engineers—Captain +Phillips. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers—Captain Maclachlan. 2nd +West York—Lieutenant Barlow. 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers—Captain Wolley-Dod, +Captain White, Captain Ormond, Lieutenant Campbell. 1st York and +Lancaster—Lieutenant Halford, Lieutenant Duckworth. 2nd West Surrey—Captain +Raitt (since dead), Captain Warden, Lieutenant Smith, Lieutenant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +Wedd. 2nd Middlesex Regiment—Major Scott-Moncrieff, Captain Savile, +Captain Burton, Second Lieutenant Bentley. 2nd Lancaster Regiment—Captain +Sandbach, Lieutenant Dykes, Lieutenant Stephens, Second Lieutenant +Nixon. Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry—Captain Bettington, Lieutenant +Foster, Lieutenant Baldwin, Lieutenant Howard. <i>Missing</i>:—2nd Lancashire +Fusiliers—Captain Elmslie (taken prisoner), Captain Hicks, Captain Freeth. +2nd Middlesex Regiment—Lieutenant Galbraith. 2nd Lancaster Regiment—Major +Carleton. Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry—Lieutenant Power-Ellis.</p></blockquote> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a id="THE_THIRD_GREAT_EFFORT_VAAL_KRANTZ" name="THE_THIRD_GREAT_EFFORT_VAAL_KRANTZ"></a>THE THIRD GREAT EFFORT—VAAL KRANTZ</h3> + +<p>At this time it seemed as though the word “As you were” had +been spoken by the military authorities. But it was, alas! no +longer possible to believe that the position was as it had been; for +it was now a case of melancholy experience plus previous melancholy +experience. Nearly six weeks before, the great frontal attack +at Colenso had failed—failed partly by reason of the tremendous +strategical position taken up by the Boers, with the river Tugela +as a natural moat for its protection, and partly on account of the +disaster to the guns, which completely upturned the plan of Sir +Redvers Buller’s calculations.</p> + +<p>Now a great flank movement had been attempted, and had +failed as signally as the first frontal effort. It was really discovered +that a flanking movement, truly interpreted, was impossible, for +there is no flank to a circle, and the Boer lines were found to +be equally strong all round from Colenso to Ladysmith.</p> + +<p>This horrible discovery naturally made the situation very grave +indeed. The effect on the garrison of Ladysmith—the terrible +rebound from delighted anticipation to amazed despair—may be +partly imagined. None, indeed, save those who had so valiantly +endured the terrible changes in the barometer of expectation could +entirely gauge the sensitivity of those ill-fed, debilitated thousands, +ravaged by disease, privation, and warfare, who hung oscillating day +after day between salvation and destruction. They now knew that +their saviours, Sir Charles Warren and his force, were withdrawn to +the south of the Tugela. This was done because the river forms a +species of natural rampart, beyond which the country—a species +of South African Switzerland—offered no facilities to an attacking +force. It was found that the Boers had carefully fortified +every position already well formed by nature for purposes of +defence. It was the same as Colenso. The theatre of war was +margined by fortifications, regular galleries, rising tier upon tier on +originally favourable positions. The opportunity to occupy these +favourable positions the Boers owed entirely to us—to the procrastination +and pacific tendencies of the British Government. It +was now owned that Sir Alfred Milner should have gone to the +Conference with a forest of rifles at his back, an army of mounted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> +Colonials at his elbows, and some big guns “up his sleeve.” As it +was, while he talked and the Government spent its money on telegraphic +palaver, the Boers, assisted by their German mercenaries, +were marking out the choicest positions, not for their own defence, +but for the defence of Natal (which they were allowed time +to seize) against the “magnanimous” Briton. Yes, the Boers from +the beginning had decided to talk the British into delay, and had +profited gloriously by their strategy. In our first volume, a letter +on “Boer ignorance” candidly showed the Dutchman’s hand—too +late, of course, for then the trick was bound to be taken. The +Dutchmen conferred with Sir Alfred Milner to suit their own ends +and to further their main objects; firstly, to keep the war outside +their own territories, and secondly, to confine it to soil that, geographically +and by a species of hereditary instinct, they knew to perfection. +They, boy and man, loved those kopjes. In those semi-circular +windings, those almost inaccessible peaks and cones, those +boulders which afforded eternal cover to the sniper, those vast +arenas of open veldt where an approaching enemy might be stormed +upon by a deluge of leaden hail—they had mentally played hide-and-seek +for eighteen years. Now the reality of the game was +come. From the early days when Sir Harry Smith found them +prospecting the fair land of Natal, they had learnt its intimate +geography. We, to whom the fair land belonged, had barely heard +of the Tugela or the region around it. To us it was superficially +known only at the cost of dire experience. The Boers had been +aware that the British advance northwards through the Free State +would lie across flat fair country, and knowing this, had decided that +during the month taken to land the British army they must take up +their positions beyond and around it; and so excellent was their +cunning, so amicably pacific the temper of the British nation, that +they were enabled to follow their strategic programme in its entirety, +and plant themselves in firmly rooted masses to await our arrival!</p> + +<p>The problem of how to dislodge them and how to relieve Ladysmith +was once more staring Sir Redvers Buller in the face with +hard and unbending austerity. According to military experts, who +viewed the plan of campaign with dispassionate eyes, the fate of +Ladysmith should have been left out of the calculations. The troops +should have been massed to a common centre and at the south, and +from thence boldly advanced into the Free State. But against that +opinion was the picture of the noble ten thousand inside a beleaguered +town, a grand British multitude, who had been kept for +months hoping against hope, fighting bravely, and praying of the +Almighty to hasten the hour of their deliverance. They could not +be left. While he had men and guns the General felt he must +go on. But how? Certainly not by the newer route. The re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>capture +of Spion Kop was decided to be impracticable, and the +force remained stationary south of the Tugela while the complicated +situation was reviewed.</p> + +<p>The General, whatever his misfortunes, had lost none of the confidence +of his troops. As he himself said of them, “The men were +splendid.” They were disgusted at being a second time defeated +without being beaten, and disappointed at again being forced back +from the road to Ladysmith; but their steadfast faith in their chief +was unalterable. Sir Redvers Buller again addressed his warriors, +promising them they should be in Ladysmith soon, and the men, +Britons to the core, again said in their hearts, “We shall.”</p> + +<p>To replace 1600 killed and wounded in the late actions, drafts of +2400 men had now arrived. A mountain battery, A Battery R.H.A., +and two fortress guns had strengthened the artillery, while two +squadrons of the 14th Hussars had been added to the cavalry, thus +bringing the strength of the force to 1000 more than the number +which had started for Spion Kop. This was an imposing increase, +but its value at the present time was much less than it would have +been had Sir Redvers Buller originally taken the field with a proper +complement of men and guns. “To do the thing handsomely we +want 150,000 men,” a tactician declared at the onset; but nobody +heeded him, and in consequence of this heedlessness the complications +in Natal had arisen.</p> + +<p>“However,” as a military officer expressed it, “there was not a +sore head nor a timid heart in Buller’s army. As we lie in our +bivouacs at night, the Southern Cross and a thousand constellations +watching over our slumbers, we dream of the Angel of Victory, and +in our dreams we hear the flapping of her wings.”</p> + +<p>The optimism of the army was undiminished. There was no +doubt whatever that they would relieve Ladysmith, but the when +and the how remained as yet unsolved. The troops had not yet +sustained actual defeat at the hands of the Boers, and, while our +losses could be replaced, and <i>were</i> being replaced, the recuperative +power of the Boers was nil. Indeed it was stated that they had +come to the end of their resources, and that they were already forcing +Kaffirs to fight for them in the trenches. Later on it was discovered +that females even—true to the ancient sporting instinct of the +Boer woman—were lending a hand in the management of the rifle.</p> + +<p>At last, after some days of deliberation, a third great attempt to +reach the imprisoned multitude in Ladysmith was planned out.</p> + +<p>A week of waiting and then a new advance was decided on. +Seventy guns drew up in line on the hills to prepare the way for +another gigantic move. This time Sir Redvers Buller’s plan was to +occupy a hill called Vaal Krantz and get forward between Spion +Kop and the Doorn Kloof ranges. But after a very short yet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +valorous essay, it was discovered that there were veritably cannon +to right of them, cannon to left of them. The Boers commanded +the hills on either side the road through which the troops must +pass. Not only were there guns on both sides, but these Krupps +and Creusot cannon far outranged anything that our artillery could +bring to bear on them. The Naval guns alone were capable of not +only barking but biting, and these three were not enough to meet +the formidable array of the Republicans.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 621px;"> +<a name="illo35" id="illo35"></a><img src="images/illo35.png" width="621" height="509" alt="Plan of the Battle of Vaal Krantz" title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">Plan of the Battle of Vaal Krantz</span> +</div></div> + +<p>On the 5th of February, however, the gallant attempt was made. +The cavalry moved forward about 6 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span>—one brigade under Colonel +Burn-Murdoch advanced to the right below Swartz Kop, the +Colonials under Lord Dundonald kept nearer to Potgieter’s Drift, +Sir Charles Warren with one brigade remained west of Mount Alice +in a position commanding the road leading to Potgieter’s Drift. +The Naval guns meanwhile came into action, shelling the Boer +positions, dongas, and trenches, and every imaginable hiding-place +with immense energy, but with little result. The Boers in their +trenches were quiet, as usual reserving themselves for an effective +outburst later on. Meanwhile the Lancashire Brigade (now under +Colonel Wynne) were advancing in skirmishing order to the tune of +the mighty orchestra, while above an officer of sappers in the balloon +spied out the Boer haunts, and directed accordingly. By nine +o’clock pandemonium was unloosed—lyddite bellowed, shrapnel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +clattered over the whole fortified face of Brakfontein, while the +infantry steadily moved on. Presently from dongas and trenches, +at ranges of 1000 yards and less, came the crackling of rifles, to +which our troops responded by volleys now and again. Between +these volleys they proceeded steadily, regardless of the uproar and +the fell work of the eternally active sniper.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 515px;"> +<a name="illo36" id="illo36"></a><img src="images/illo36.png" width="515" height="375" alt="CYCLISTS-LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">CYCLISTS—LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Gregory & Co., London.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>While this feint attack was taking place on the left before the +now flaming ridges of Brakfontein, a real and vigorous move was +being made on the extreme right for the purpose of carrying the +crest of Vaal Krantz, which was then thought to be the key to the +direct road to Ladysmith, and was not very strongly fortified by +the Dutchmen. The Royal Engineers with immense energy +set to work laying a pontoon bridge across the treacherous depths +in the direction of Skiet’s Drift, an operation which had to be +performed with infinite patience and pluck, as the Boers were no +sooner aware of their activities than they plied their Mausers with +a will. This crossing-place, styled Munger’s Ford, now attracted +the attention of the whole Boer artillery, and the “pom-poms” +and 40-pounders of the enemy contrived to render the locality +anything but an enviable place of rendezvous. Our pieces, from +their hiding-place among the trees in the neighbourhood of Swartz +Kop, soon bombarded the Boer position with equal activity. By +ten o’clock the bridge had been thrown across the river, and +General Lyttelton and his troops were preparing for the assault of +Vaal Krantz. The artillery now made its finishing demonstration +before Brakfontein, there being no necessity—now that the troops +had come successfully across the pontoon bridge—for a continuation +of the feint attack. For this reason the Lancashire Brigade was +now ordered to retire. The gallant fellows, having done what was +required of them, marched back in excellent order to their original +position.</p> + +<p>All this while shells were shrieking, lyddite was bursting, and +musketry crackling, till the whole earth seemed riven with an +enormous convulsion. The gunners had some terrific experiences, +and nobly, in a truly alarming position, they comported themselves. +They were on low ground, exposed without shelter to the Boer +works, which dominated the plain; yet they pursued their labours +with unerring care and intelligence that was truly remarkable. +Shell plumped in their midst, under the limbers, over the guns, +above their heads, round their feet. They stuck to their duty. +Horses dropped and shrieked in their agony, gunners fell shot +through the heart and were carried away. Loudly the vociferous +chorus of death went on, steadily the gunners took their share of the +fearful drama of destruction. To show the vast amount of “grit” +that these gunners could boast, an incident of the day must be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +recorded. About noon the batteries were ordered to approach +nearer to Vaal Krantz and prepare the way for the infantry assault. +The guns, ever under a scathing fire, moved off in due order to take +up the fresh position on the right facing Vaal Krantz. Finally +they came to the last waggon, an ammunition waggon belonging to +the 78th Battery R.A., which was horseless. The team had been +wiped off by the enemy. Nevertheless the gunners put their +shoulders to the wheel, and, with a mighty effort, rolled the machine +straight through the fiery hurricane to a place of safety! The +conduct of the Jack Tars also stuck another feather in their already +well-decorated caps. While the new balloon made its descent it +became an object of attention, and was saluted vigorously by the +enemy. Nevertheless the sailors stuck to their work, held the +basket, took possession of the truculent aërial vessel, and marched +off with it under a galling fire.</p> + +<p>By-and-by, when Vaal Krantz had been thoroughly searched and +swept by the British batteries, and the snipers from the base of +Doorn Kloof had been partially reduced to silence by the joint +efforts of the artillery and Hildyard’s Brigade, Lyttelton’s gallant +band began to move off from the direction of Munger’s Farm on +the road to Vaal Krantz. It was now the early afternoon, but +from all sides the deadly missiles of the enemy still bellowed and +hooted. Still the Durham Light Infantry, with the 3rd King’s +Royal Rifles on their right, pushed steadily on—forward from the +river and up the precipitous broken face of the hill. Cheering, they +went, clambering and leaping, and whether it was the menacing roar, +or the suggestion it gave of coming steel that stirred them, certain +it was that few of the foe remained to meet the charge.</p> + +<p>The Boers saw them—heard them—gauged the meaning of +the lusty British cheer—and bolted. Scarcely any elected to fall +victim to the bayonet. Those who were there threw up their +hands and appealed for mercy. These were promptly made +prisoners, and the British, for the time being, reigned supreme on +the hill. But their reign had its discomforts. Dutchmen crowded +the ground, west, east, and north of them, dosing them liberally +with lead from their rifles, while their position was perpetually +pounded by the big guns of the enemy. These, vomiting on the +eastern slopes of the hill, set fire to the grass and added to the +discomforts of the position by surrounding it with appalling fumes, +which choked and blinded, and destroyed the view of the Dutchmen’s +haunts. Nevertheless, the kopje once gained, the men +rushed along the crest and entrenched themselves in a spot that +looked as though it had been overtaken by a prairie fire. Our shells +had effectually cleared the grass and scrub. The gunners from +the surrounding kopjes kept a sharp lookout, firing at the Boers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +as they brought up their guns from all directions, while General +Lyttelton maintained his ground. Meanwhile efforts were made to +get the batteries forward to the hill, but the task was a difficult one, and +the position was strengthened and enlarged in order to assist in the +accomplishment of the desired object. Until guns could be mounted +and made to defy the active aggression of the “pom-poms,” Creusots, +and other deadly weapons of the enemy, there could be no hope of +getting the troops and their baggage through to Ladysmith. At +this time an obstinate effort to gain lost ground was made by the +Republicans, but owing to the doughty resistance of the Scottish +Rifles and the King’s Royal Rifles, the attempt to dislodge them +entirely failed. Towards seven o’clock a drizzling rain and darkness +descended. The troops which had gathered together between +Swartz Kop, Munger’s Drift, and the newly acquired hill were forced +to bivouac where they were for the night, Sir Redvers Buller and +his staff remaining on the field with the men.</p> + +<p>At dawn on the 6th of February the Boers resumed their +activity. Long Tom—the first to awake—with his big black snout +snorted sonorously. Bang went a hundred-pound shell across the +plain—helter-skelter flew the British Tommies, who were enjoying +their morning tea, and crash and splash went their delicious brew. +Fortunately no serious harm was done. A few horses were killed. +But after this began an artillery duel of vigorous nature. This +was chiefly directed against General Lyttelton’s troops on Vaal +Krantz. The Boers seemed everywhere, more ubiquitous than usual. +From the lower crests of Spion Kop, from the peak of Doorn +Kloof, from the mountains commanding the road to Ladysmith, +flame vomited, and lead and steel and powder spouted and spluttered.</p> + +<p>The fact was that during the night the Boers, in order to proceed +with the work of defence, had set fire to more grass in the neighbourhood +of the British position, and utilised the illumination for the +transfer of their guns from one place to another. Early, therefore, +they were enabled to greet the camp with the roar of a Creusot gun +and other weapons from all quarters playing upon the position. Shells +burst everywhere, some even reaching headquarters. It was said +that Buller, the imperturbable, welcomed them. Certainly his +Spartan-like disregard of danger was remarkable, and was responsible +for the superb nonchalance of those who served under him. Still, +with his courage he displayed caution, the caution that only a +courageous man would dare to display. He decided later on that +his move was impracticable, that more lives should not be spent in +futile effort. Of this anon. While the Creusots and Krupps pounded +the hill, the Boers strove their uttermost to regain their hold on the +lost position. Meanwhile the Naval guns rumbled and rampaged, +ammunition waggons blew up, earthquakes filled the clear blue<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> +atmosphere with avalanches of dust, and one of the enemy’s +cherished weapons on Spion Kop was knocked clean out of action.</p> + +<p>Late in the afternoon, the worn-out troops of Lyttelton’s +Brigade were relieved by Hildyard’s men, who came in from a +violent night-attack by the enemy. This in their usual gallant style +was repelled by the East Surrey and the West Yorks—the veteran +West Yorks, who had learned not a little from Beacon Hill onwards.</p> + +<p>On Wednesday the firing grew terrific. More guns were +brought up, seemingly from the bowels of the earth; they were +posted everywhere—another 6-inch Creusot gun, Maxim cannons, +two 30-pounders, three “pom-poms,” in addition to the death-dealing +weapons of the previous day. Shells hurtled and burst on hill and +dale, mountain and valley, smoke, flame, and dust spouted forth, +making the atmosphere dense, torrid, and fearsome. Still +Hildyard’s dauntless brigade held their ground unflinchingly, while +the Naval guns strove bravely, but strove in vain, to tackle the +great snorting crew of the opposition. It seemed as though the +advance must be accomplished not merely through a zone, but a +sheath of fire, for the road to Ladysmith was barred from end to +end, a sheer <i>cul-de-sac</i>, with flame and death for its lining.</p> + +<p>Our troops during the whole day hung tenaciously to Vaal Krantz, +while the Dutchmen obstinately challenged their right to be there. +But nothing appreciable was achieved, and evacuation seemed the +wiser and more profitable course to pursue. By this time it began to +be recognised that the strategic value of Vaal Krantz for turning +the Brakfontein position had been over-estimated, and that an +advance would necessitate the routing of the Boers from Brakfontein +and the taking and holding of Doorn Kloof, if our communications +through the valley were to be maintained.</p> + +<p>There was no glory in trying to proceed in the teeth—nay, +into the jaws—of so overpowering a foe, a foe who was on the eve +of outflanking us. It would have been walking into a fiery furnace—into +the pocket of hell. Another council of war took place. +Retirement was suggested. General Hart, as distinguished for +valour as General Lyttelton for brave discretion, proposed the +storming of Doorn Kop. He and his were ready for everything: +he had Ireland at his back. But Pat was not to be thrown away +on an impossible undertaking, and consequently the majority had +their way, and the retirement was effected. On Friday the whole +glorious persevering band were again across the Tugela, preparing +to strike out in a fresh direction.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 489px;"> +<a name="illo37" id="illo37"></a><img src="images/illo37.png" width="489" height="680" alt="FALLS ON THE TUGELA RIVER." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">FALLS ON THE TUGELA RIVER.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Wilson, Aberdeen.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>The following is the list of casualties between the 5th and 7th +of February:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller"><i>Killed</i>:—1st Durham Light Infantry—Major Johnson Smith; Second Lieutenant +Shafto.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> + +<p class="smaller"><i>Wounded</i>:—1st Durham Light Infantry—Lieut.-Colonel Fitzgerald; Captain +Lascelles; Second Lieutenant Lambton; Second Lieutenant Appleby. 1st Rifle +Brigade—Captain Thorp; Captain Talbot; Lieutenant Blewitt; Lieutenant +Ellis; Lieutenant Sir T. Cunninghame, Bart. 3rd King’s Royal Rifles—Lieutenant +Sims. Royal Artillery—Lieut.-Colonel Montgomery, Captain Dawson, +78th Battery R.F.A. 2nd Scottish Rifles—Second Lieutenant Ferrars. 2nd +West Yorkshire—Second Lieutenant Bicknell. 2nd East Surrey—Captain White. +R.A.M.C., Major Rose.</p></blockquote> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a id="DISAPPOINTMENT_AT_LADYSMITH" name="DISAPPOINTMENT_AT_LADYSMITH"></a>DISAPPOINTMENT AT LADYSMITH</h3> + +<p>The fearful and ghastly activity of the 6th of January ceased with +dusk. Night descended: she came softly as the footsteps of angels +moving lightly among the tranquil dead. The moon, with pale white +serenity, looked down on the scene of carnage, so still, so appallingly +still; and the dots of twinkling stars seemed like a thousand eyes of +heaven, seeing and inquiring how the face of the fair earth could grow +so changed within a day. And everywhere there moved leaden +hearts and feet weary with the long strain of foregone hours. +Hunger, exposure, and long vigils had become a daily routine, but +this close and sustained attack, and the terrible havoc it had wrought +on the weakening numbers, brought with it new alarms. True, the +bayonet, the trusty bayonet, had served its turn, and might serve +again, so long as strength would hold out. But there were doubts. +The Russian general Suvaroff once said, “The ball is a fool, but +the bayonet is a brick.” He took it for granted that the bayonet +even must needs have a man, and not the ghost of a man, at the +back of it; and the poor heroes in Ladysmith were fast becoming +shadows of the hale and muscular fellows who had scaled the steeps +of Talana Hill and broken the echoes of Elandslaagte with the yell +of victory. Sadly and solemnly they now set themselves to the +pathetic work of removing the slain.</p> + +<p>On the 7th of January one of the Boer medical officers rode in +under a Red Cross flag, requesting the burial of the British dead. +A party started to fulfil this sad office, and while they wandered +about picking up the melancholy mutilated forms, the Boers assisted +in the task, and in some cases helped to dig the graves and carry +the slain; conversing the while with such perfect amity, that it +was almost impossible to believe they were deadly foes. Deeply +pathetic was the reading of the solemn burial service by the commanding +officer, for Britons and Boers stood side by side, and one of +the latter, moving apart, uttered a short prayer that the war would +soon be at an end. This was followed by the singing of a hymn in +Dutch, a quaint, simple, earnest solemnity, which was vastly touching +to all.</p> + +<p>The curious blend of courage and pleasantness, of trickery and +barbarity, in the Boer character has been remarked upon before.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +It was never more displayed than in the dealings of the Boers +around Ladysmith. On one day they would shell an hospital, or +rather the Town Hall, knowing it to serve as an hospital; on +another they would treat the wounded with almost brotherly consideration. +For instance, one man in the 19th Hussars, who was +wounded on January 6, and subsequently taken prisoner, gave +a refreshing account of Boer manners. Though shot in the arm, +he remained at his post till dark, and then in the gloom mistook +his way to camp and wandered down the wrong side of the hill. +He was captured and detained till morning, while his wound was +dressed and cared for. Then he was sent back to camp armed with +a tin of jam and a box of chocolate! A somewhat similar experience +was related by another man, one of the Gordons, who was wounded +and taken prisoner on Waggon Hill early in the morning, and was +removed in charge of an old Boer to a place of safety half-way down +the slope. From here he subsequently escaped. In the <i>mêlée</i> that +followed the Devons’ charge across the plateau in the thick of the +hailstorm, the Boers, shouting in Dutch that the rooineks were upon +them, stampeded, and consequently the prisoner was left to his own +devices. He thereupon rejoined the troops.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 569px;"> +<a name="illo38" id="illo38"></a><img src="images/illo38.png" width="569" height="238" alt="British 7-Pounder Field-Gun." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">British 7-Pounder Field-Gun.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>The Boers in the fight had been animated by unusual confidence. +They had seemed assured of victory. Their demeanour was cool +and deliberate, some of them doing an hour’s firing while others put +in a half-hour’s nap under cover of the rocks. All their preparations +were made with a view to spending Sunday in Ladysmith, and their +tents were ready to be pitched immediately they had obtained +possession of the ridge. They, in fact, firmly believed that they +would make a repetition of Majuba, and it was noticed that their +tactics were identical with those observed on that tragic occasion. +Curiously enough, an exceedingly interesting relic of Majuba came +to hand. A rifle bearing the mark “Majuba” and the name of +the 58th Regiment was found on an old Boer. It had evidently +been captured on the fatal day when Colley fell.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> + +<p>Much regret was felt for the loss of Lord Ava, one of the +cheeriest of soldiers and most handsome and brilliant of men. He +had served with the 17th Lancers, and had also cast in his lot with +the irregulars in South Africa under Methuen. He was essentially +a sporting and a romantic figure in all circles of London society, +having resuscitated the fortunes of Ranelagh and engaged himself +actively in plans and projects for the brightening of social life. He +was moreover a general favourite, and sympathy with Lord Dufferin +on the loss of his promising heir was great.</p> + +<p>Now that the rivers were flooded the service of native runners +was precarious, and less than ever was known of the outside +world. But the Boers were seen to be in active movement on the +distant hills, and there was a very general belief that the quiet that +was enjoyed was due to some advance movement on the part of +General Buller that was demanding the attention of the Dutchmen. +This belief was confirmed by the sight of two machine-guns which +were being galloped off post-haste to a destination unknown.</p> + +<p>Since Christmas the prices had gone up. Eggs by the middle +of January were worth 19s. a dozen, and jam cost 6s. 6d. a tin. +Condensed milk was sold for 10s. a tin, other things, particularly +medicines, were becoming priceless. An appalling apathy almost +approaching despair had settled on the community. It was going +on for three months since they had been shut off from the outside +world, during which their losses had exceeded 1500 in slain, +wounded, and missing, yet they were no nearer release. Indeed, +each began to wonder whether death or Sir Redvers Buller’s force +would reach them first. One month after another passed, and with +them, precious lives, yet little fuss was made, for death was a common +visitor. Much regret was felt at the loss on the 15th of the brilliant +author and correspondent of the <i>Daily Mail</i>, Mr. G. W. Steevens. +His was a young career, rich in promise. But death is a connoisseur—he +chooses the best. Only a few days before, Mr. Mitchell, +sub-editor of the <i>Johannesburg Star</i>, and Lieutenant Stabb (Naval +Reserve) of the <i>Times of India</i>, had been carried off by enteric fever; +while young Ferrand, sometime a correspondent of the <i>Morning +Post</i> and a trooper of the Light Horse, fell in action on the 6th.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 754px;"> +<a name="illo39" id="illo39"></a><img src="images/illo39.png" width="754" height="458" alt="The Siege of Ladysmith, Jan. 1900. View from Bulwana Hill." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">The Siege of Ladysmith, Jan. 1900. View from Bulwana Hill.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">From a sketch by George Lynch, War Correspondent.<br /> +The hospital train is here shown on its way to Intombi Camp with its daily load of sick and wounded.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>But soon a change came. Sounds of unusual guns reached their +ears—ears now well attuned to all the surrounding noises. Though +news by heliogram came slowly and at long intervals, all were +conscious that something was afloat.</p> + +<p>They were soon wild with excitement and anticipation. Not +only could Sir George White’s garrison hear the distant thunder of +the guns of the relieving column, a sound which made heavenly +music to their ears, but from the lookout posts on the heights held +by them they could occasionally see the bursting of the shells fired<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +by the Naval guns from the region of Potgieter’s Drift. The attention +of the investing force was now distracted; the Dutchmen were +concentrating their energies to repel the movement of the British +troops on the Upper Tugela, and continued to send reinforcements +westward to meet the demand on their resources there. But they +strengthened their works on the north of the town, added some +more howitzers and fired a few shells by way of introduction.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 420px;"> +<a name="illo40" id="illo40"></a><img src="images/illo40.png" width="420" height="593" alt="LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR CHARLES WARREN, G.C.M.G." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR CHARLES WARREN, G.C.M.G.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Elliott & Fry, London.</span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>At this time impatience and anxiety arrived at an almost painful +pitch. Every soul was panting for the signal that might call +upon them to co-operate in the final tug-of-war which should set +Ladysmith free. Acutely were the movements of General Buller’s +relieving force watched from the highest points in the town. +Intense was the interest displayed as every bursting shell threw +forth its dense volumes of brown smoke, and showed how the +friendly lyddite worked to the rescue. The garrison looked forth +breathlessly for the coming of relief, hoping, praying, doubting, +fearing, with nothing to vary the ever-recurrent anguish of +anticipation.</p> + +<p>At this date a journalist made a daring sortie on his own +account, and reached Durban in safety. He left with permission +at nightfall on the 18th of January, and, guided by a wily Kaffir, +made tracks for Chieveley. Having gone about two miles to the +east of Cĉsar’s Camp and approached unwarily a Boer picket, he +was promptly challenged. Then ping! ping! ping! a swift +whistling sound of Boer bullets, and silence! The journalist, to +use a sporting phrase, was lying “doggo.” Not a shot touched +him. Flat on his stomach he remained for fully half an hour with +bated breath, then, when murmurs of the disquieted Boers ceased +to ruffle the night air, he resumed his way, groping on hands +and knees, and wishing fervently that he had taken lessons in +deportment earlier—from the quadrupeds. Perilous was the onward +journey, clambering and crawling up hill and down dale, and +falling over rocks and stones in the pitch darkness. Daylight saw +him at the hut of a friendly native not far from Chieveley, and here +concealed, he spent twenty-four hours of terrible suspense till it +was time again to proceed on his journey. The Boers almost discovered +him. They called at the hut for milk, absorbed it, and +looked about suspiciously, while the man of the pen was penned in +amongst a heap of blankets, a perspiring mass, quaking but safe.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile with the rumour of battle in the air, hope revived. +It continued to increase as the British positions from the heights +around the town became visible—the newly gained positions on +Swartz Kop and the eminences near the Tugela at Potgieter’s and +Trichardt’s Drifts. Every red flash was like a smile of welcome—every +roar of bursting shrapnel seemed a very chorus of jubilation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +To the ears of the besieged the tremendous awe-striking cannonade +appeared as the loved assurance of Great Britain, their deliverer, +saying, with grand majestic tone, “I am coming.” In the distance +the Boers could be seen in frenzied activity inspanning their +waggons, and towards the evening they were observed trekking +northwards towards Van Reenan’s Pass. Many conjectures were +rife, and subsequently on the 25th curiosity grew to fever heat. +Surely the British were in possession of Spion Kop! Decidedly +they were masters of the situation! Yet in the nek below, by the +light of the telescope, Boer camps could be seen on the plains; under +cover of the great hill Boer cattle were grazing. What could this +mean? Had the Boers gone and left everything to the mercy of +their victors? or were they merely in hiding, intending to return at +nightfall, and remove their valuables? Certainly the Burghers +were to be viewed mounted and decamping in the direction of the +pass, and also winding strings of waggons pursuing their slow way +in the same direction. Still the riddle remained unsolved. Night +fell. The suspense grew more and more fevered; it became almost +a delirium. There was little sleep; then, when morning dawned, +there was more anxiety and more puzzling, more mental torture. +The Boers were as much in evidence as ever!</p> + +<p>Disappointment may be borne with a show of spirit when the +inner machinery is well oiled, but the inhabitants of Ladysmith +had no such source of fortitude. True, they had fared, if not +sumptuously, at least practically, on horse-sausages, which were +turned out wholesale from a factory for the benefit of the troops, +and on fairly nourishing soup which was supplied in the same way; +but of civilised food there was none. Eggs had now gone up to +36s. a dozen, and a diminutive and emaciated fowl could be +purchased for 18s. These luxuries were for the elect. For the mass +a varying dietary of horse and mule was obligatory. Vegetables +were sold at a prohibitive price, and a case of whisky was raffled +for and fetched £145, so that “Dutch courage” wherewith to meet +their misfortune was unpurchasable.</p> + +<p>Not till Sunday the 28th the fearful truth was learned, that +Warren, after holding Spion Kop, had retired, and left the Boers +in undisturbed occupation of their commanding position!</p> + +<p>As all the latest events to the south were communicated to the +garrison as fast as they were made known to the chief, the news +of the capture of Spion Kop and the disappointing retirement +therefrom was published in general orders. Blank faces turned from +each other, that none should see the reflection of his own +despondency. Intense had been the rapture of the anxious inhabitants +when they had heard the far-away booming of the British +guns, seen the splashing of British lyddite, watched the great spouts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +of smoke that spoke of tremendous activity and their possible +salvation. Now their dismay was more than proportionate. After +all their agony—silence. Silence, so far as they were concerned. +Mystery, doubt, and agonising suspense—and now the news, the +woeful news, that the second splendid effort to break through the +imprisoning Boer girdle had failed!</p> + +<p>Still the garrison was resolved to hold on to the last, preferring +death by starvation or disease rather than surrender. The malodorous +surroundings were borne with patience, the diminution of +the supply of medicines, watched with pathetic resignation. Nevertheless +an untold weariness crept over the unhappy sufferers, who +spent their days huddled underground and dreading to expose +themselves in the open lest they should be caught by a shell or +“sniped” at by some Boer more enterprising than the rest. How +they longed, how they prayed for the great hour! They believed +in Buller; they knew he would come, they said to themselves. +But when, O when? And echo answered—When?</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="LORD_ROBERTS_AT_THE_CAPE" id="LORD_ROBERTS_AT_THE_CAPE"></a>LORD ROBERTS AT THE CAPE</h3> + +<p>On the 10th of January Lord Roberts arrived. He was +received by General Sir F. Forestier Walker on behalf of Sir Alfred +Milner. All the ships in port were dressed, and there was immense +excitement at the prospect of better things. Many recalled to mind +the occasion of the last coming of the great little man, when, on the +eve of a campaign to retrieve Majuba, he found that the British +Government, unknown to him, had arranged peace on contemptible +terms. At that time it was said he broke his sword in indignation +at the betrayal to which he had been subjected, and vowed never +again to serve under a British Government. Be this as it may—he +had now come at the earnest call of his country, and all felt that +his coming meant a turn in the wheel of fortune. After his arrival +things began gradually to unfold themselves, and the promise of +decisive movement was in the air.</p> + +<p>Lord Roberts’s decision to bring the Colonial volunteers to the +support of the Imperial forces was acknowledged to be a great move. +The Colonist’s services were eminently to be desired, for he had +taken the Boer measure. He knew him in all the complex windings +of his sinuous, twisting nature. In some respects the Boer had +been his lesson-book. From him he had learned the necessity to +be a good shot, a smart horseman, and a long stayer. He followed +the ins and outs of the Dutchman’s war game, and could practise +the art of dodging round kopjes and into dongas, hiding in scrub +and disappearing from mortal ken at a moment’s notice, with the +zest and agility of a schoolboy playing at hide and seek, and with +a certain enjoyment in the diamond-cut-diamond sort of exercise.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the 26th of January General Brabant arrived at Queenstown +to take over the command of the Colonial Division, and on the +same day General Kelly Kenny, commanding the Sixth Division, +occupied Thebus, a position on the railway between Middleburg +and Stormberg Junction. This station is situated about ninety +miles from Colesberg, around which General French so untiringly +operated, and forty-five miles from Stormberg, the scene of General +Gatacre’s disaster.</p> + +<p>On the 1st of February the City of London Volunteers landed. +Immediately after their arrival at the Cape they were honoured by +a visit from the great man who was about to control the destinies of +South Africa. Gracefully he welcomed them, and said how little it +had been imagined in days gone by, the days when the Volunteer +force had been established, that any of its members would come to +take part in a war in South Africa. He expressed his belief that +nothing was more calculated to benefit the army than employment +together on service of all its component parts, and that these would +learn to appreciate each other, and acquire a spirit of comradeship +which would have far-reaching results. He reminded them that +strangely enough the first Volunteers left home three hundred years +ago to fight for the Dutch, and arrived just in time to save Flushing +from the Spaniards. On this occasion they would take an +equally brilliant part in establishing peace, order, and freedom in +South Africa.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 537px;"> +<a name="illo41" id="illo41"></a><img src="images/illo41.png" width="537" height="526" alt="Type of Arms—New Naval 12-Pounder Field-Gun." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">Type of Arms—New Naval 12-Pounder Field-Gun.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">(Photo, Cribb, Southsea.)</span> +</div></div> + +<p>The members of the corps were delighted. Colonel Cholmondeley<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +expressed their thanks, and they all cheered right royally. They +were burning to get to the front, and, in spite of the sudden change +of temperature from British midwinter to tropical sunshine, their zeal +to be up and doing was unabated. They waited at the Cape to be +joined by the second detachment and receive their horses, after +which they entrained for the western border, where they were so +soon to distinguish themselves.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 633px;"> +<a name="illo42" id="illo42"></a><img src="images/illo42.png" width="633" height="416" alt="ARRIVAL AT CAPE TOWN OF WOUNDED FROM NATAL." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">ARRIVAL AT CAPE TOWN OF WOUNDED FROM NATAL.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Hosking, Cape Town.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>There was great satisfaction at the announcement that General +Brabant would command the Colonial corps. The class of men +enlisting in Brabant’s Horse, the Imperial Horse, Bailey’s Horse, +and other of the South African mounted corps was a superior one. +The volunteers were mostly well-to-do men, sons of farmers and +Colonials who were residents in the country, and were intimately +acquainted with its geography. Moreover, they were men and not +striplings, and were averse from being commanded by young officers +who were absolutely without South African experience.</p> + +<p>It has been rumoured that the British officers and those of the +irregular troops have not always been in accord. The fact is, that +one is a master of discipline and the other a master of independence. +The Colonial is accustomed to habits of complete self-reliance; he +expects to be treated like an individual and not as a machine. Our +military system is a machine-made system, and one which, unluckily +for us, has been incapable of any of the smart plasticities which +warfare with the Boers has demanded. Colonial troops will be led, +but they won’t be driven. They are composed of men of first-rate +quality, but not men accustomed blindly to obey orders. The Colonist +obeys because of the personal influence of a man or men whom he holds +intellectually or morally in esteem, but the word discipline for sheer +discipline’s sake he is disinclined to understand. Among the ranks +of the Colonials are many men of wealth and influence, men of high +character and good education. These could not suddenly be treated +in the same way as the British regulars, who, being gifted with more +dare-devil courage than knowledge of the three R’s, require to be +welded together on a system. A tactician once asked the question—What +is the difference between an army and a mob? and the +general answered—“Discipline.” It is discipline that converts a rowdy +British youngster into the glorious British Tommy that he is. With +the Colonial we have already the trained and independent man, and +the system of give and take is the only system that can avert friction +between men who, though brothers in blood, have, and always +must have, the special idiosyncrasies attendant on their dissimilar +forms of life.</p> + +<p>Lord Roberts, recognising all this, with his usual diplomacy and +sympathy for those who serve the Queen, decided to form a bodyguard, +to accompany him to the front, of Colonials, the troops to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> +representative of all the corps—volunteers, irregulars, &c. The +guard was to consist of Major Laing, an officer well versed and +distinguished in Colonial matters, a lieutenant, two sergeants and +corporals, and about forty picked troopers taken from the various +irregular corps already at the front. The men of the corps were to +continue to wear their own uniform, and merely to be distinguished +by a badge. Preference in choosing the members of the guard was +given to men of Colonial birth, good shots, riders, and scouts, who +were well acquainted with all the peculiarities of Colonial life.</p> + +<p>To further show his appreciation of the services of the Colonials, +Lord Roberts appointed as extra aide-de-camp on his personal staff +Colonel Bryon of the Australian Artillery. He also sent telegrams +to the Governors of Victoria and New South Wales congratulating +them on the spirit of patriotism in Australia, and expressing his +appreciation of the useful and workmanlike troops that had been +sent to assist in restoring peace, order, and freedom in South +Africa.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 513px;"> +<a name="illo44" id="illo44"></a><img src="images/illo44.png" width="513" height="332" alt="PRIVATE, DRUMMERS, PIPER, AND BUGLER—THE BLACK WATCH." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">PRIVATE, DRUMMERS, PIPER, AND BUGLER—THE BLACK WATCH.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Knight, Aldershot.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>At this time the following correspondence between the Presidents +of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State and Lord Roberts +was published at the Cape. It began with a joint despatch from +Presidents Steyn and Kruger dated Bloemfontein, February 3, +stating:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“We learn from many sides that the British troops, contrary to the recognised +usages of war, have been guilty of destruction by burning and blowing +up with dynamite farmhouses and devastating farms and goods therein, whereby +unprotected women and children have often been deprived of food and +shelter. This happens not only in places where barbarians are encouraged by +British officers, but even in Cape Colony and in this State (Orange Free State), +where white brigands come out from the theatre of war with the evident +intention of carrying on general devastation without any reason recognised by +the custom of war and without in any way furthering the operations. We wish +earnestly to protest against such practices.”</p></blockquote> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 435px;"> +<a name="illo43" id="illo43"></a><img src="images/illo43.png" width="435" height="79" alt="Mr. Krugers Autograph" title="" /> +<span class="caption smcap">Mr. Kruger’s Autograph</span> +</div> + +<p>In reply Lord Roberts wrote:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“I beg to acknowledge your Honours’ telegram charging British troops +with the destruction of property contrary to the recognised usages of war, and +with brigandage and devastation. These charges are made in vague and +general terms. No specific case is mentioned. No evidence is given. I have +seen such charges made before now in the Press, but in no case which has +come under my notice have they been substantiated. Most stringent instructions +have been issued to British troops to respect private property so far as it +is compatible with the conduct of military operations. All wanton destruction<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> +and injury to peaceful inhabitants are contrary to British practice and traditions, +and will, if necessary, be vigorously repressed by me.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“I regret that your Honours should have seen fit to repeat the untrue +statement that barbarians have been encouraged by British officers to commit +depredations. In the only case in which a raid has been perpetrated by native +subjects of the Queen, the act was contrary to the instructions of the British +officer nearest the spot, and entirely disconcerted his operations. The women +and children taken prisoners by the natives were restored to their home by the +agency of the British officer in question.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“I regret to say it is the Republican forces which in some cases have been +guilty of carrying on war in a manner not in accordance with civilised usage. +I refer especially to the expulsion of loyal subjects of Her Majesty from their +homes in the invaded districts because they refused to be commandeered by +the invaders. It is barbarous to attempt to force men to take sides against +their sovereign country by threats of spoliation and expulsion. Men, women, +and children had to leave their homes owing to such compulsion. Many of +those who were formerly in comfortable circumstances are now maintained by +charity.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“That war should inflict hardships and injury on peaceful inhabitants is +inevitable, but it is the desire of Her Majesty’s Government and my intention +to conduct this war with as little injury as possible to peaceful inhabitants and +private property. I hope your Honours will exercise your authority to ensure +that it is conducted in a similar spirit on your side.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>Meanwhile the British Commander was rapidly maturing his plans. +Troops were pouring into the Cape and mysteriously departing none +knew whither. Great doings were in the air, and secret communications +between Lord Roberts and the wily General French—communications +which Boer spies endeavoured to intercept—promised +that the splendid fastnesses hitherto enjoyed by the enemy would +not much longer serve to keep him from the punishment that was +his due.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Colonel (local Major-General) E. R. P. Woodgate, who was in command of the 9th +Brigade, joined as Ensign in the 4th Foot on April 7, 1865, and became Brevet-Colonel on +June 26, 1897. He commanded a Regimental District from September 1897 to April 1898; +was on special service in the Ashanti expedition from September 1873 to March 1874, also +on special service in South Africa from June 1878 to November 1879; was Brigade Major +in the West Indies from February 1880 to February 1885. He was employed with the West +African Regiment from April 9, 1898; with the Abyssinian expedition in 1868; and was +present at the capture of Magdala, for which he received a medal. He served in the +Ashanti war, 1873-74, and was present at the actions of Essaman, Ainsah, Abrakrampa, +and Faysoonah, at the battle of Amoaful and capture of Coomassie. For these services he +received a medal with clasp. He also served through the Zulu campaign in 1879, at the +action of Kambula and battle of Ulundi, and received a medal with clasp and his brevet +of Major; and in 1898 in West Africa, in command of forces in expeditions against Sierra +Leone insurgents. He was fifty-four years of age.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="gap2"><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smaller">THE WONDER OF THE WORLD</span></h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza12"> +<span class="i0">“Forty years had I in my city seen soldiers parading,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Forty years as a pageant, till unawares the lady of this teeming and turbulent city,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sleepless amid her ships, her houses, her incalculable wealth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With her million children around her, suddenly,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">At dead of night, at news from the south,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Incens’d struck with clinch’d hand the pavement.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza12"> +<span class="i0">A shock electric, the night sustain’d it,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Till with ominous hum our hive at daybreak pour’d out its myriads.”<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p class="ralign padr1"> +—<span class="smcap">Walt Whitman.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="gap2">The eyes of Europe, and indeed of the universe, turned +upon the forces at war in Natal with amazement almost +akin to awe. There, in the eve of the twentieth +century, was presented a tenth wonder of the world! +Where, among the states, principalities, and powers, +could be found another example of an army being raised veritably +from all points of the compass to serve the Mother Country? +Whence in the history of heroic ages could be quoted the counterpart +of spontaneous, simultaneous, exultant patriotism such as was +brought forth by a few reverses to British arms? Here were men, +brothers, whom we had never seen, whose names we had never +heard, rushing to our side—influential citizens, judges, merchants, +landowners in the distant dominions of the Queen—throwing over +domestic comfort, ease, commercial advantage, political distinction, +for the sheer desire to barter breath for fame, and to win laurels +in the cause of the Empire. Our friends—the Powers—gazed and +rubbed their eyes and marvelled! Our enemies—the Powers—gazed, +rubbed their eyes, and—well! if they did not curse, they certainly +trod warily and pondered! We were providing an object-lesson +for eternity. The infinitesimal little island, the bird’s-nest of +the Little Englanders, was introducing to the nations her stalwart +progeny—introducing with the easy pride of motherhood gigantic +sons, all young and strong and well-grown, full of the vigour of +youth and the finest traits of the parent stock—a martial multitude, +clamouring to defend her in her hour of need! Yes, if our enemies—the +Powers—did not curse, they walked warily and pondered!</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 437px;"> +<a name="illo45" id="illo45"></a><img src="images/illo45.png" width="437" height="582" alt="COLONEL W. D. OTTER." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">COLONEL W. D. OTTER.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Commanding the First Canadian Contingent.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>They did wisely, for by the beginning of March the number of +Colonial troops at the front was approximately as follows: Cape +Colony, 15,000; Natal, 7000; Canada, 2820; Ceylon, 130; New<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> +South Wales, 1800; Queensland, 810; South Australia, 340; West +Australia, 230; Victoria, 500; Tasmania, 180; New Zealand, 730; +India, 250; total, 29,790. This tremendous increase in the size of +the Transvaal force was a magnificent spectacle for the world at +large. While it constituted the greatest military concentration in +the history of the Empire, it left the British possessions in India, +Malta, Crete, Barbadoes, Bermuda, Ceylon, Hong-Kong, Gibraltar, +and elsewhere, if not adequately, at least powerfully defended. For +instance, in India alone we had still a superb British army. It +was composed of forty-seven battalions of infantry, six regiments of +cavalry, sixty-two batteries of artillery, not to mention the enormous +Indian Army, of which the cavalry was styled by Lord Curzon +“the finest cavalry in the world.” Even then we were not at the +end of our tether. Conscription was undreamt of. Our military +resources had barely been tested. The display of loyalty to the +British flag, love for the Mother Country, and an ardent desire to +uphold her rights, had not been confined to Great Britain’s larger +colonies. Small contingents for South Africa had been offered by +Jamaica and Trinidad and elsewhere, and these, though gratefully +acknowledged, had been refused, mostly in cases where the contingents +were not large enough to constitute a military unit, and there +might have been trouble in the movement of the force.</p> + +<p>The growth of Colonial offers of assistance from the time—the +10th of July—when Queensland sent an anticipatory telegram proposing +military aid, it is interesting to follow. Two days later, the +12th of July, came a telegram from Lord Brassey at Victoria, saying +that “offers have been received from Volunteers for service in South +Africa.” Five days passed. Then an offer of 300 men from the +Malay States Guides arrived, the High Commissioner intimating, +however, that he could not spare them. Three hundred Hausas +from Lagos volunteered on the 18th of July. On the 21st of that +month New South Wales offered 1860 officers, non-commissioned +officers, and men. The offer of Hong-Kong on the 21st of September +was followed by New Zealand’s Parliamentary resolution to +send a Transvaal Contingent. On the 5th of October Western +Australia came forward, and on the 9th Tasmania offered her unit. +On the 13th the offers of troops from South Australia and Canada +were “gratefully accepted.” Last, but not least, came the offer of +assistance from India, and additional help from those whose aid had +previously been given and acknowledged as invaluable.</p> + +<p>Thus, by degrees, the whole concourse of Great Britain’s best was +gathered together, the flowers of her numerous flocks were drawn to +a common centre by the tie of blood and the pride of it—drawn to +a far quarter of the earth, there to demonstrate the crowning triumph +of British colonisation. The long-talked-of consolidation of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +Anglo-Saxon race for the welfare and freedom of humanity was no +longer an idealist’s dream; it had become a living and a lasting +reality!</p> + +<blockquote><h3 class="gap2"><a name="FIRST_CANADIAN_CONTINGENT" id="FIRST_CANADIAN_CONTINGENT"></a>FIRST CANADIAN CONTINGENT</h3> + +<p class="smaller">Early in the century the spirit of loyalty was developed in Canada. From +her first years, when Wolfe made Canada a colony of Great Britain, the +colonists began to recognise their debt to the British Crown. The feeling of +reverence and love for the Mother Country strengthened and grew with the +strength and growth of Canada itself, till the sentiment of Imperialism, always +silently existing, suddenly found almost passionate utterance in the month of +October 1899.</p> + +<p class="smaller">What came to pass a great man had foreseen. Sir John Macdonald, who +gauged aright the sentiment of the Canadians, described almost prophetically the +expansion of that sentiment, and pointed out the developments that might be +looked for in the future. In one of his pro-Confederation speeches he said:—</p> + +<p class="smaller">“Some are apprehensive that the fact of our forming this Confederation +will hasten the time when we shall be severed from the Mother Country. I +have no apprehension of that kind. I believe it will have the contrary effect. +I believe that as we grow stronger, as we become a people able, from our +union, our population, and the development of our resources, to take our +position among the nations of the world, she will be less willing to part with +us than now. I am strongly of opinion that year by year, as we grow in +population and strength, England will more see the advantage of maintaining +the alliance between British North America and herself. Does any one +imagine that when our population, instead of 3,500,000 will be 7,000,000, as it +will be ere many years pass, we would be one whit more willing than now to +sever the connection with England? The Colonies are now in a transition +state. Gradually a different colonial system is being developed, and it will become +year by year less a case of dependence on our part, and of overruling +protection on the part of the Mother Country, and more a case of healthy and +cordial alliance. Instead of looking upon us as a merely dependent colony, +England will have in us a friendly nation, a subordinate but still a powerful +people, to stand by her in North America in peace or in war.”</p> + +<p class="smaller">Many other prominent persons, Sir John Thompson, Sir Charles Tupper, +Sir Wilfred Laurier, shared the same opinion, and confidently asserted that +Great Britain had but to hold out her hand and the hand of Canada would go +out to meet it with firm and cordial grasp.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Then came the hour and the opportunity. Canada acted exactly as +Canada’s greatest men had expected her to act. She did not jump to action, +for the idea of participating in the active affairs of the Empire had scarcely +dawned upon her, but, the opening once made, Canada lost no time in availing +herself of it. Great things have small beginnings, and the grand movement +which has astonished the universe commenced in a simple manner.</p> + +<p class="smaller">While the possibility of war drifted like a small cloud on the horizon, a +certain Colonel Hughes, of Lindsay, Ontario, set to work to raise a volunteer +regiment for possible service in South Africa. In September 1899 he openly +expressed himself. In answer to energetic remonstrance he wrote, that +“unless the Government of the Dominion showed itself patriotic enough to do +its duty by the Imperial Government, he was justified in his action, the object +of which was to assist in upbuilding the British Empire and rendering justice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +to one’s fellow-countrymen, even at great sacrifice, and that as little delay as +possible should result on the outbreak of hostilities in enrolling a corps.” The +idea, to use the popular phrase, “caught on.” All the notabilities of the +Dominion put their heads together, with the result that, early as October 3, the +Canadian Military Institute in Toronto proposed to offer a Canadian Contingent +to the British Imperial Government, in the event of a war breaking out with +the Boers. It was also suggested and carried unanimously, that whereas all +the expenses of the Canadian Contingent sent to the aid of the British troops +in the Crimean War had been borne by the British Government, the expenses +of the Contingent it was now proposed to send to South Africa, should be provided +by the Dominion of Canada, that the Canadian Government should train, +arm, equip, transport, and pay the force raised, and, if necessary, pension those +deserving it. The offer of a Canadian Contingent was accordingly made +through the Government to the British Government, who accepted it with two +reservations—First, that the force raised should consist of 1000 men only; +Second, that half the expenses of the Contingent should be met by the Imperial +Government. To this the Canadians consented under protest, declaring, +however, that should any further assistance be required during the course of +the war, they would be ready and glad to send it.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Thousands of volunteers offered their services, but only a limited number +could be accepted. It was decided to allow each locality to have the honour +of taking part in the patriotic movement, and the formation of companies was +authorised as follows:—A Company, Manitoba and the North-West; B, London, +Ontario; C, Toronto; D, Ottawa and Kingston; E, Montreal; F, Quebec; +G, Fredericton and Prince Edward Island; H, Halifax.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The men were thus gathered from all parts of Canada, the smaller towns +sending from three to seven representatives each, and the larger ones supplying +some regulars from the city regiments, in addition to volunteers. The enrolling +and equipping of these 1000 volunteers, scattered as they had been over 3500 +miles of territory, was accomplished in little more than a fortnight—a wonderful +feat in view of the pacific times enjoyed by the Colonials.</p> + +<p class="smaller">It was quite inspiriting to note the general activity. All the Dominion displayed +its loyalty in deeds as well as words. Men living in idleness and comfort, +professional men of standing, family men with innumerable ties, came to +the fore and volunteered their services; while employers assisted the splendid +movement by offering facilities to those serving them who might care to enlist. +Every soul insisted on taking his share in the Imperial doings. Those who +could not volunteer united their efforts and showed their loyalty by showering +gifts on the battalion. The officers and men of every company were presented +at their own headquarters with a sum of money varying according to rank, but +in each case of substantial value, as a contribution to their warlike needs. +Every officer received from public subscriptions a field-glass, revolver, and +$125 in money. Privates were presented with a silver match-box and $25. +The Bank of Ottawa contributed $1000 for the purchase of delicacies for the +men on their sea-voyage. In addition to this generosity, firms of all kinds sent +in their own manufacture, life insurances were effected on special terms for +officers and men of the battalion covering compensation for partial disablement, +and the telegraph and telephonic companies liberally agreed to transmit private +messages for all connected with the Contingent free of charge.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The mobilisation and concentration at Quebec of the composite battalion was +no mean undertaking, but it was accomplished by the 27th of October. On the +following night a dinner to the officers was given, and later, a smoking concert.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> + +<p class="smaller">On the 29th the special service battalion attended divine service, the +Catholics at the Cathedral, the Roman Catholics at the Basilica. The sermon +given at the Cathedral was a notable one, and served to mark the historical +nature of the occasion. Among other things, the Rev. J. G. Scott expressed +himself of sentiments that all might do well to read, mark, learn, and inwardly +digest. He said: “What is the Empire of which we are a part? It is not a +mere collection of subservient peoples adding to the revenue and importance of +a small island to the north-west of Europe. No; it is much more than that. It +is a vast federation of peoples of all nations, tongues, languages, and creeds +joined together in ‘liberty, equality, and fraternity,’ by common laws and a +common love to their real or their adopted mother. England and England’s flag +must remain the symbol of our common patriotism. But the British Empire, +the Empire of the future, the Empire rising with the sun of a new century, is +founded in deeper principles than mere sentimental devotion to the land of our +fathers. The principle underlying it is the liberty and brotherhood and welfare +of man. We conquer and advance. Wild lands come under our sway. +Savage races are subjugated or turn to us for protection. But all with what +result? With the result that the waste lands are cultivated, the hidden mines +of the earth yield up their treasures, continents are spanned by vast railways +and the bed of ocean by electric cables, with the result that the savage is +brought under the yoke of civilisation, and religion, education, and commerce +raise him almost to the level of a European. But this progress has not been, +nor can it be, unaccompanied by difficulties. At the present time our race in +its general advance is brought face to face with forces that retard, not merely +the growth of the British Empire, but the principles of freedom and humanity +which underlie it. The nineteenth century is confronted in South Africa with +a remnant of the seventeenth. Our brethren, oppressed by an intolerable +tyranny, cry to us for help, and we, a republic under a monarchical form, go to +crush a despotism under the form of a republic.”</p> + +<p class="smaller">This last phrase was a masterpiece, one that all who have enjoyed the +liberty, fraternity, and equality of our republican empire can fully appreciate. +Continuing, the preacher went on to say: “Surely, if we go forth firmly, fearlessly, +and mercifully to fight in such a cause, we can feel, like Israel of old, that +‘the Eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms, and +that He will thrust out the enemy from before us.’ And you, my brethren, who +are privileged to go forth under the flag of our Queen and the Empire, are the +representatives of a great people, formed of various creeds, and nationalities, +and languages, but blended in a common law and a common love for the liberty +which makes men—men. The call to arms from the Motherland has sent a +thrill to the four corners of the earth. The Empire, which has been knit together +by community of race, by commerce, by railways and by cables, is to be drawn +now into an absolutely indissoluble bond by the voluntary sacrifice of blood and +life on a common battlefield. No ordinary departure of troops to the front is +yours. You are the pioneers of a new era in our history. The importance of +this day is not to be measured, any more than was the importance of the great +battle in the Plains hard by, according to numerical computation. We have +taken a step, a step on the threshold of another century, which is destined in +time to put an end to the distinction of Colony and Motherland, and will finally +give us a voice in the conduct of the Empire. Surely, to those going forth as +champions in a noble cause, I cannot do better than to commend to you individually +the watchword of Israel’s—nay, of England’s strength, ‘The Eternal God +is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.’ There may come<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +moments to some of you, in the irksomeness of discipline, in the pause before +the battle-charge, in the silence of lonely picket duty, or during sleepless nights +on the hospital pallet, when the memory of the parting service in these hallowed +walls—walls which, during this century, have seen many heroes arm at the call +of duty—will come back to you with the comfort which even the bravest need, +and you will feel that in life and death ‘the Eternal God is your refuge, and +underneath are the everlasting arms.’ Then, like the knights of old, consecrate +to-day your hearts and swords to God’s service, and you who are communicants +draw near to the altar of God and receive the strength which comes from the +Body and Blood of Christ. You are not a wild horde let loose in savage warfare, +but Christian men armed for a great cause. Keep then your lives pure—pure +as the memories of your Canadian home. Be sober, as men who can face danger +without artificial courage. Let the talk at mess and in camp be clean, and above +all remember to pay regularly the daily homage of prayer to your Heavenly +Father. Do not be ashamed to confess Christ before men.”</p> + +<p class="smaller">These heart-stirring words found their echo in every breast—the great body +of patriotic volunteers was thrilled through with the ambition to do great deeds +in a great way, to go forth and write their names in blood, if need be, alongside +of those of their brothers of the Anglo-Saxon race whose records loomed large +and indelible upon the scrip of Time.</p> + +<p class="smaller">In the evening the Governor-General entertained the superior officers and +staff at dinner, and on the following morning the last parade was held. Major-General +Hutton, commanding the Canadian Militia, commenced his inspection +at 11.30. At noon the Governor-General, the Premier, Sir Wilfred Laurier, and +other members of the Cabinet arrived on the ground. His Excellency addressed +the men as follows: “Colonel Otter, officers, non-commissioned officers, +and men of the Canadian Contingent, I congratulate you on the splendid +appearance of your regiment on parade, and Canada may justly be proud +of her representative troops. But, Colonel Otter, the force you command +represents a great deal more than a serviceable regiment on parade. We +are standing here upon historic ground, under the ramparts of the old +city of Quebec, surrounded by celebrated battlefields, and in an atmosphere +full of the glorious traditions of two great nations—nations who, respecting +each other’s warlike qualities on many a hard-fought field, have now joined +in common loyalty to their Queen and Empress. Your companies have been +gathered from British Columbia to the Atlantic coast, from the settlers in the +Rocky Mountains and the Far West, from Ontario and the Maritime Provinces, +and from the old French families of Quebec. They represent the manhood of +the Dominion from the west to the east, but, above all, they represent the +spontaneous offer of the people of Canada, British born and French Canadian, +to the Mother Country. The people of Canada have shown no inclination to +discuss the quibbles of Colonial responsibility; they have only unmistakably +asked that their loyal offers should be made known, and they rejoice in their +gracious acceptance. In so doing surely they have opened a new chapter +in the history of our Empire; they have freely made their military gift to an +Imperial cause, to share the privations, and the dangers, and the glories of an +Imperial army. They have insisted on giving vent to the expression of that +sentimental Imperial unity which may, perhaps, hereafter prove more binding +than any written Imperial constitution. The embarkation of your force, Colonel +Otter, to-day will mark a memorable epoch in the history of Canada and the +Empire. Of the success of your future we have no doubt; we shall watch +your departure with very full hearts, and shall follow your movements with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +eager enthusiasm. All Canada will long to see the Maple Leaf well to the +front, and to give her Contingent a glorious welcome home again. And now, as +the representative of Her Majesty, I wish you God speed and every success.”</p> + +<p class="smaller">Lord Minto then called on the men to give three cheers for the Queen, +which they did with all the zest of lusty Anglo-Saxon lungs.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Sir Wilfrid Laurier then addressed the regiment. He reminded them they +were going to obey the call of duty, that their cause was the cause of justice, +the cause of humanity and of civilisation. Men of our own race were +being unjustly oppressed, and the troops were going forth in the interests +of the Empire and of liberty. He rejoiced to see the alacrity with which +Canadians had responded to the call and rushed to the aid of the great Empire +of which all were so proud. He wished them God speed, and expressed his +confidence that they would be an honour to themselves and to their native land.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Major-General Hutton impressively assured the troops that their honour +was Canada’s honour, that their renown was Canada’s renown; and though +strain and hardships might be great, they would remember that in the far-off +Dominion thousands of men and women looked to the Royal Canadian Regiment +to uphold the honour of their native land. French Canadians and English +Canadians must recollect the responsibility that would rest upon their shoulders, +and he knew they would acquit themselves well of their duties.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Then followed an address by the Hon. S. Parent, Mayor of Quebec. He +read: “The citizens of Quebec offer you the most cordial welcome in this old +fortress, so often stormed by war and tempest, whose inhabitants, from their +earliest years, have been accustomed to the music of military bands, to the +smell of powder and the smoke of battles. We are proud of the honour that +has been done our city in its selection as the scene of the mobilisation of this +select regiment which the Canadian people send to the assistance of our Mother +Country. The presence in our midst of the representative of our Most Gracious +Sovereign, His Excellency the Governor-General, and other dignitaries of the +State, adds not only lustre and <i>éclat</i> to this day’s ceremony, but gives to our +proceedings a deeper and wider meaning. It was no vain appeal that was +made to our valour and our loyalty, for along the way from Victoria to Halifax, +a thousand picked men, representing the youth, physical strength, the discipline +and the courageous daring of our people, freely volunteered to serve under the +British flag. The people of various origin and different religious creeds that go +to make up the population of this country are represented in your regiment, +and now that we are, for the time being, assembled within the walls of the +most French city of the New World, let us claim for the French-Canadian +element a large share of the warm and spontaneous outburst of sentiments +of loyalty to England which marked your triumphal passage from your homes +to Quebec. No matter how diverse may be our origin and the languages that +we speak, who is there that will dare to affirm that we have not all the qualities +necessary for the making of a real nation? Who dare say, upon such an +occasion as the present, that we are not all sincerely united and loyal towards +the Canadian Dominion, and loyal to England which has given us so complete +a measure of liberty? We French-Canadians have loyally accepted the new +destinies that Providence provided for us upon the battlefield of 1759. Is it +possible that anybody can have forgotten 1775 and 1812? On the summit of +this proud rock of Quebec, rendered illustrious by Jacques Cartier and Champlain, +behold, but a few steps from this place, the superb monument erected +by an English Governor to the memory of Wolfe and of Montcalm! Why +may we not make it the emblem and the symbol of our national unity? Let<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> +us leave to each individual amongst us the privilege to retain, as a sweet +souvenir worthy of a noble heart, the rose, the thistle, the fleur-de-lys, or +the shamrock, and even the pot of earth that the Irish immigrant brings +with him from under distant skies, and let us be united for the great and holy +cause that we have in hand: the foundation of a great nation and the development +of the boundless resources of a rich and immense country. Our best +wishes accompany you in the long journey, at the end of which you will, +no doubt, find glory as well as suffering, privations, and perhaps even heroic +sacrifices. When you will be under the burning sun of Africa, you may be +sure that our hearts will follow you everywhere, and that in our long winter +evenings you will be the principal object of our fireside talk and solicitude. +Be quite sure, too, that this Canada of ours will watch with a maternal care +over the loved ones that you leave behind you, and who, in parting with you, +are making so great and generous a sacrifice. May the God of battles crown +your efforts! May He preserve you in the midst of danger! And may He +bring you back safe and sound to the beloved shores of your fatherland!”</p> + +<p class="smaller">Never was more impressive scene, and even the stoutest warriors among the +audience were thrilled with the consciousness of the solemnity of the moment, +the sacredness of their future duty. Colonel Otter, who was much moved, +replied as a soldier—briefly, but to the point. He thanked all around for their +goodwill, and expressed his confidence that the Canadian Contingent would do +its duty and do honour to the land of its birth.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The list of the principal officers was as follows:—</p> + +<p class="smaller">To command—Lieut.-Colonel W. D. Otter, Canadian Staff, A.D.C. to His +Excellency the Governor-General. To be Major and second in command—Lieut.-Colonel +L. Buchan, Royal Canadian Regiment. To be Major—Lieut.-Colonel +O. C. C. Pelletier, Canadian Staff. To be Adjutant—Major J. C. M’Dougall, +Royal Canadian Regiment. To be Quartermaster—Capt. and Brevet-Major +S. J. A. Denison, Royal Canadian Regiment. To be Medical Officers—Surgeon-Major +C. A. Wilson, 3rd Field Battery, C.A.; Surgeon-Major E. Fiset, 89th +Batt. To be attached for Staff duty—Major L. G. Drummond, Scots Guards, +Military Secretary to His Excellency the Governor-General. A Company +(British Columbia and Manitoba).—To be Captain—Capt. M. G. Blanchard, +5th Regt. C.A. Major H. M. Arnold, 90th Batt.; Capt. A. E. Hodkins, +Nelson R. Co.; Lieut. S. P. Layborn, R.C.R.I. B Company (London)—Major +Duncan Stuart, 26th Batt.; Capt. J. C. Mason, 10th Batt.; Capt. J. M. +Ross, 22nd Batt.; Second Lieut. R. H. M. Temple, 48th Highlanders. +C Company (Toronto)—Capt. R. K. Barker, Q.O.R.; Lieut. J. C. Ogilvie, +R.C.A.; Lieut. W. R. Marshall, 13th Batt.; Lieut. G. S. Wilkie, 10th Batt. +D Company (Ottawa and Kingston)—Major S. M. Rogers, 43rd Batt.; Capt. +W. T. Lawless, G.G.F.G.; Lieut. R. G. Stewart, 43rd Batt.; Lieut. A. C. +Caldwell, 42nd Batt. E Company (Montreal)—Capt. A. H. Macdonell, R.C.R.I.; +Capt. C. K. Fraser, 53rd Batt.; Lieut. A. E. Swift, 8th Batt.; Lieut. A. +Laurie, P. of W. R. F Company (Quebec)—Capt. J. E. Pelletier, 65th Batt.; +Capt. H. A. Panet, R.C.A.; Lieut. L. Leduc, R.C.R.I.; Lieut. E. A. Pelletier, +55th Batt. G Company (New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island)—Major +W. A. Weeks, Charlottetown Engineers; Capt. F. C. Jones, 3rd Regt. C.A.; +Lieut. J. H. Kaye, R.C.R.I.; Second Lieut. C. W. W. M’Lean, 8th Hussars. +H Company (Halifax)—Capt H. B. Stairs, 66th Batt.; Capt. H. E. Burstall, +R.C.A.; Lieut. R. B. Willis, 66th Batt.; Second Lieut. J. C. Oland, 63rd Batt. +Machine-Gun Section—Lieut. and Capt. A. C. Bell, Scots Guards, A.D.C. to +the Major-General commanding the Canadian Militia.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p> + +<p class="smaller">The following officers were attached to the Royal Canadian Regiment for +whatever duty might be allotted to them in connection with the campaign: +Lieut.-Colonel F. L. Lessard, Royal Canadian Dragoons; Lieut.-Colonel C. W. +Drury, A.D.C., Royal Canadian Artillery; Major R. Cartwright, Royal Canadian +Regiment; Capt. W. Forester, Royal Canadian Dragoons. Medical officer—Capt. +A. B. Osborne, C.A.M.S. (provisional).</p> + +<p class="smaller">By five o’clock in the afternoon all was over. The great ship <i>Sardinian</i>, +with slow dignity, as though conscious of the gallant burden she was bearing +to battle, sailed out into the great immensity of sea and sky. Cheers rent the +air, tears—the tears not of personal grief, but of sympathetic patriotism—dimmed +every eye. Many sorrowed, but many more were overwhelmed with +sheer joy and pride to see this goodly throng going forth to do martial deeds, +and bring back laurels to crown the land that Wolfe had made glorious. +Slowly and with precision the minute guns boomed from the Citadel, loudly, +the bands played the well-loved tunes, the “Maple Leaf” and “God Save the +Queen.” Swiftly now sped the <i>Sardinian</i>, flaunting her gay decorations, and +bearing on the bosom of the water a thousand of Canada’s best, a thousand +brave hearts and true.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a id="THE_SECOND_CANADIAN_CONTINGENT" name="THE_SECOND_CANADIAN_CONTINGENT"></a>THE SECOND CANADIAN CONTINGENT</h3> + +<p class="smaller">After the departure of the first Contingent the loyalty of Canada continued +to increase. Every incident of the war was carefully watched and discussed, +the great deeds that were on foot found lavish appreciation. At numerous +meetings which took place in various parts of Canada the spirit of the country +was described by such declarations as: “We, too, are loyal Britons, and our +patriotism is at its best when our country needs us most.”</p> + +<p class="smaller">On November 7th Canada made the offer to the British Government of a +second Contingent for South Africa, and on December 18th Sir Wilfred Laurier +received a cablegram from Mr. Joseph Chamberlain accepting the offer. As +one of the Canadian Ministry afterwards said, “It did not take much more +than five minutes for the Cabinet to decide that the Hon. F. W. Borden, +Minister of Militia, should immediately instruct his officers at the Militia +Department to go on with the preparations for sending the second Contingent.” +The fact was that most of the details had been ready for a month and more. +The Minister of Militia had early come to the conclusion that a second Contingent +of Canadians should be gathered together in the form of cavalry or +mounted infantry and artillery.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The first to be given a chance of enlisting for South Africa were the +Mounted Police. Forty-eight hours later steps were taken towards recruiting +200 Prairie Cowboys, men who could ride and shoot as well as any cavalrymen +in the world, and who are accustomed to subsisting on the scantiest of rations. +Next came the Royal Canadian Dragoons, regulars, who were mounted on +well-trained horses, and so well drilled as to make it possible for every man +of them to instruct the less trained recruits during the voyage. The Boers +having a healthy horror of the lance as a cavalry weapon, it was decided that +half at least of Canada’s cavalry should be given this arm.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 613px;"> +<a name="illo46" id="illo46"></a><img src="images/illo46.png" width="613" height="437" alt="LADY MINTO PRESENTING COLOURS TO HERCHMERS HORSE, ON LEAVING OTTAWA, 19th JAN. 1900." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">LADY MINTO PRESENTING COLOURS TO HERCHMER’S HORSE, ON LEAVING OTTAWA, 19th JAN. 1900.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Drawing by J. H. Bacon, from Photo by J. C. Hemment.</span> +</div></div> + +<p class="smaller">It was considered that the Cowboys, and such “Plainsmen of the West” as +Herchmer’s Horse, <i>broncho busters</i> who had never been conquered by man or +horse, would be specially valuable in the style of warfare affected by the Boers. +With nerves of steel and thews of wire, they could speak without boasting of +their capacity for putting in thirty-six hours consecutively in the saddle, and +for living “on the smell of an oiled rag.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>”</p> + +<p class="smaller">Ardent volunteers who had failed to get a place in the first Contingent now +rushed forward from every side. The sole disappointment was, that only a +limited number could be accepted, and those must all be mounted men or +artillery.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The wild enthusiasm aroused by the brave and splendid work of that portion +of the first Canadian Contingent which was with Colonel Pilcher in South +Africa, and the inspiring accounts given by the correspondent of the <i>Toronto +Globe</i>, resulted in more volunteering, and a third Contingent could easily have +been raised, even after the rigorous medical examination had rejected numbers.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The people of Canada responded nobly to the call for funds to provide for +the families of their volunteers on service in South Africa, the large amounts +subscribed by the Banks of Montreal and British North America, followed by +donations of 15,000 dollars by the Canadian Pacific Railway and 2000 dollars +by Holsen’s Bank, having served to stimulate action in this direction. The +City Council of Toronto insured for 1000 dollars the lives of all the 123 men +they had sent to form part of the second Contingent.</p> + +<p class="smaller">On January 19, the Dominion Government, in a house which cheered +itself hoarse in response to patriotic speeches, decided to offer, if required, +12,000 men to the Imperial Parliament for service in South Africa. Lord +Strathcona meantime, at his own expense, raised a mounted battalion for +service, which was to be ready to sail on February 10 for South Africa, +the War Office having given their consent to the formation of the corps. The +matter was placed in the hands of the Hon. Dr. Borden, Canadian Minister of +Militia and Defence, who was given a free hand to recommend officers, organise +and equip the corps, Lord Strathcona reserving only the right to reject or +confirm his decisions.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The following officers left for the front at the end of January: Officers of D +Battery—Major W. G. Hurdman, Capt. D. J. V. Eaton; Lieutenants, first section, +T. W. Vantuyl; second section, J. M’Crea; third section, E. W. B. Morrison. +Officers of E Battery—Major G. H. Ogilvie; Capt. R. Costigan; Lieutenants, +first section, W. F. Murray; second section, A. T. Ogilvie; third section, W. G. +Good. Officers attached for duty—Captain H. J. Uniacke; Adjutant, Captain +H. C. Thatcher; Medical Officer, Surgeon-Major A. Worthington; Veterinary +Officer, Veterinary-Major Massie. These were followed by Regimental Staff +Commander Lieut.-Colonel Herchmer; Adjutant Lieut. Montague Baker; +Transport Officer, Lieut. Eustace; Quartermaster, Captain Allan; Medical +Officer, Surg.-Capt. Devine; Veterinary Officer, Lieut. R. Riddell. In +command of squadrons, Majors Howe and Sanders; Captains Cuthbert and +Macdonnell; Lieutenants Begin, Davidson, Wroughton, Cosby, Chalmers, +Taylor, and Inglis.</p> + +<p class="smaller">When the mounted section of the second Canadian Contingent, numbering +eighty men, started, some twelve extra men were invited to volunteer. To +meet the demand no less than 400 applicants, many of them men of independent +means, instantly came forward. Here was a remarkable proof of +martial spirit, of devotion to the cause of the Mother Country. Vanity some +said it was. Any way, it was a vanity fringing on the sublime.</p> + +<p class="smaller">It is interesting to note, that before the gallant members of the second Contingent +left for Halifax they were presented with guidons by Lady Minto, the +gifts being inscribed with the motto of the Elliot clan—“Wha daur meddle wi’ +me.” This delicate mark of attention was highly appreciated by the men.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Early in February the Mounted Bushmen’s Corps of 300 men and horses +started for the Cape. All the Canadians, volunteers it must be remembered,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> +were picked men from all parts of the Dominion, and with them were scouts +from British Columbia, who, for the most part, were recruited from the +Mounted Police of the North-West and from Cowboys. Being about the +smartest riders and best shots in the world, it was felt that they would +distinguish themselves in the war game as played by the Boers.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Among those at the front prominently connected with Canada was Captain +Kirkpatrick, Royal Engineers, who was attached to the staff of Sir Redvers +Buller. This officer is a graduate of the Royal Military College, Kingston, +and on leaving that institution received a commission in the Royal Engineers. +When the war broke out, Captain Kirkpatrick was ordered from Malta to South +Africa, where he commanded the Fortress Company of the Royal Engineers. +Major Denison, a prominent officer in the Royal Canadian Infantry, who had +personal charge of the recruiting for the first Canadian Contingent, and was +appointed quartermaster to the battalion at Quebec, had the honour in January +of being appointed aide-de-camp on the staff of Lord Roberts.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Another of the patriotic band was Colonel Girouard (the French Canadian +of Egyptian fame), who assisted Lord Kitchener and the Engineers in marvellous +operations along the line of rail. This officer has achieved a glorious +reputation, one which has been declared to be a closer bond between French +Canada and Great Britain than any words. Another honoured Canadian, who +was mortally wounded in the attack near Spearman’s Camp on the 20th +of January, was Captain Hensley (Dublin Fusiliers). This gallant officer was +born at Charlottetown and educated at King’s College, Windsor, whence he +passed into the Royal Military College.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Major-General Hutton, commanding the Canadian Militia, early in the year +was selected for special service in South Africa. No better officer could have +been chosen. He had ample experience of the subject in hand, as he himself +stated in speaking to the Canadian Contingent before their departure: +“It was my lot to have seen two campaigns in South Africa, including the +campaign against the Boers in 1882. It was also—I was going to say my +privilege—it was certainly not my pleasure—to have been at Pretoria at the +time the present Convention was made; and I therefore know their leaders, +and a little something—I may say almost too much—of South Africa and the +Transvaal, and therefore I recognise perhaps more clearly than many of you +do the very great difficulties and the dangers which our Contingent and the +Imperial troops in South Africa are exposed to.”</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="STRATHCONAS_HORSE" id="STRATHCONAS_HORSE"></a>STRATHCONA’S HORSE</h3> + +<p class="smaller">Strathcona’s Horse, consisting of 530 men and 560 horses, was commanded +by Colonel Steele of the North-West Mounted Police. He is regarded as an +ideal officer for a scouting force, and his men were all picked men, the cream +of the expert riders and riflemen of the Dominion. Morally and physically +they were declared to be the best soldiers that have ever been enrolled in Canada. +Their mounts were small shaggy bronchos, but sturdy long stayers. In regard +to Lord Strathcona’s timely generosity it is impossible to say enough—the +general appreciation of his splendid and patriotic act is expressed in the following +resolution, which was adopted by the Executive Committee of the +British Empire League in Canada: “That the Executive Committee of the +British Empire League in Canada has heard with unqualified satisfaction of the +magnificent undertaking of Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal, a Vice-President +of this League, to raise, equip, and support, at his entire expense, a corps<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +of mounted troops composed of Canadians for service for the Empire in the +South African war, and desires to place on record its enthusiastic appreciation +of his patriotic munificence, and is certain that his work will yet further convince +the rest of the Empire of Canada’s devotion to the cause.” Speaking of +this noble promoter of his country’s weal, Lieutenant Cooper, Q.V.R., said: +“Generously has the British Empire done by Lord Strathcona, and generously +and freely has Lord Strathcona done by the Empire. Under the ĉgis of the +Union Jack in Scotland, Donald Alexander Smith spent the first eighteen years +of his life. In 1838 he entered the service of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and +learned the intricacies of North American trade in Labrador and the North-West. +In later years he took a prominent part in the organisation of the +Canadian Government in the newly-acquired Rupert’s Land, and was intimately +connected with the early official days of Manitoba and the North-West Territories. +After representing Montreal for two terms in the Dominion Parliament, +he was appointed Canadian High Commissioner in London, England, a position +which he still fills to the satisfaction of the Canadian people. In 1897 he was +raised to the peerage as Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal of Glencoe and +Montreal.”</p> + +<p class="smaller">The force, equipped after the manner of other mounted troops, and not +armed with lances, was paid by Lord Strathcona until it landed in South +Africa, when it was taken over by the Imperial Government. As in the case +of the Contingents from the various Colonies, the officers of the corps were +appointed as follows: S. B. Steele, gent., Canadian North-West Mounted +Police, to be Lieut.-Colonel, with the temporary rank of Lieut.-Colonel in the +army. To be Majors, with the temporary rank of Major in the army: Lieut. +R. C. Laurie, Canadian Militia Reserve of Officers; R. Belcher, Inspector +Canadian North-West Mounted Police; A. M. Jarvis, Inspector Canadian +North-West Mounted Police; A. E. Synder, Inspector Canadian North-West +Mounted Police. D. M. Howards, Canadian North-West Mounted Police, to be +Captain, with the temporary rank of Captain in the army. To be Lieutenants, +with the temporary rank of Lieutenant in the army: Major G. W. Camden, +Canadian Militia; Captains R. M. Courtney, Canadian Militia; J. J. Macdonald, +Canadian Militia; E. F. Mackie, Canadian Militia; Lieutenants T. E. Pooley, +Canadian Militia; R. H. B. Magee, Canadian Militia Reserve of Officers; Second +Lieutenant P. Fall, Canadian Militia; F. L. Cartwright, Inspector Canadian +North-West Mounted Police; A. E. Christie, Inspector Canadian North-West +Mounted Police; J. E. Leckie, Graduate Royal Military College, Kingston, +Canada; A. W. Strange, gent., late Canadian Militia. Lieutenant M. P. +Cotton, Canadian Militia, to be Lieutenant for Machine-Gun Detachment, +with the temporary rank of Lieutenant in the Army. W. Parker, +Canadian North-West Mounted Police, to be Quartermaster, with the temporary +rank of Lieutenant in the army. C. B. Keenan, gent., M.D., to +be Medical Officer, with the temporary rank of Captain. Dr. M’Millan +of Brandon was appointed Veterinary Surgeon for the Strathcona Horse. His +assistant was Mr. Millican, of Rapid City, Manitoba.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The regiment was recruited from a territory covering a million square miles, +some men having travelled from Yukon and the Peace River district in order +to enlist. Many distinguished men were among them. In one troop were to +be found Mr. Beresford (formerly a Naval officer), cousin of the Marquis of +Waterford; Mr. Warren, son of Colonel Warren, R.H.A.; Mr. Shaw, son of a +Baronet; Mr. O’Brien, a kinsman of Lord Inchiquin; Hon. Mr. Cochrane, son +of the now notable Lord Dundonald; and Lord Seymour. Colonel Steele<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +(N.W.M.P.), in command of the corps, is a son of a Captain in the Royal +Navy. He was born in Canada, and is noted for his bravery and devotion to +duty. Major Belcher, a notable swordsman and lancer, was for some years in +the 9th Lancers. The troops received an enthusiastic send off, and multitudes +gathered together to do honour to the latest addition of Great Britain’s army. +Several beautiful guidons were presented to the corps by the ladies of Ottawa. +Each was made of crimson silk, with a broad white stripe through the centre, +on which was embroidered in crimson letters, “Strathcona’s Horse.” On the +upper crimson bar was Lord Strathcona’s motto, “Perseverance,” done in +crimson on a white garter. Above the garter was a Baron’s coronet and tiny +brown beaver on a green maple leaf. On the lower crimson bar was the +squadron’s designation.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="NEW_SOUTH_WALES" id="NEW_SOUTH_WALES"></a>NEW SOUTH WALES</h3> + +<p class="smaller">New South Wales fell into line with the other Australasian Colonies, and +decided to send a military force for service with the Imperial army in South +Africa.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The New South Wales Lancers, who had been in training at Aldershot, +were the first to start. They were then about to return home, but were +stopped <i>en route</i>, and proceeded to the Cape. Of their number some few +refused to serve and went home, but on arrival many offered to return to the +front. The rest gave satisfactory reasons for being unable to do so. Subsequently +another Contingent was sent, and also the Bushmen Corps, at least +1000 strong. It was composed of men who could ride well, shoot splendidly, +and were accustomed to camping out and roughing it in pursuit of their usual +vocations. It must be noted that this was not the first time that New South +Wales had come to the assistance of the Mother Country. A force went to +Egypt in the earlier Soudan wars, when one man was wounded. Some discontent +at that time was shown owing to the troops not being allowed to go to +the front. On this occasion they were to serve and fare as the Imperial troops, +and to be considered as such while in the field.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Each Contingent was composed of—1st, N.S.W. Lancers; First Australian +Horse; N.S.W. Artillery; Mounted Rifles; Infantry, who, being good horsemen, +were subsequently mounted by the Imperial Government. 2nd Contingent +consisted of three Mounted Rifle units of 125 men each, one unit of +Australian Horse of 100 men (475), one Battery of Artillery—18 officers, +175 men, 140 horses (629). The total of the New South Wales troops at +the front in February amounted to 1331 men.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Though not at first very enthusiastic in expressions of patriotism, New +South Wales soon became strong in deeds. Enthusiasm became epidemical. +Mr. Lyne, the Premier, threw himself into the movement, and rapidly +pushed forward the arrangements, and did all in his power to move in sympathy +with the patriotic feelings of the Colony, which were daily growing more +ardent. As a practical expression of the intensity of their patriotism, the +citizens arranged and subscribed for the despatch of 500 expert roughriders +and Bush marksmen, while the New South Wales Government assisted by +supplying arms and ammunition.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The volunteers were all part, or had formed part, of the land forces. The +only actual <i>regular</i> regiment, as understood by us, was the artillery, a small +company of Submarine Mining Engineers, 27; Army Service Corps, 10; and +Army Medical Staff, 11. All the rest were partially paid or volunteers. The men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +came from the whole country, and were men who were serving in the various +corps either as volunteers or partially paid troops. All the infantry corps were +volunteers—all cavalry regiments and some of the field and garrison artillery +were partially paid troops, and were called regulars, though not on the permanent +staff. The officers of the Contingents were—1. Captain C. F. Cox, +N.S.W. Lancers, Major Bridges, N.S.W. Artillery, Captain Legge, General +Staff N.S.W. Inf.; 2. Major and Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Samuel Parrott, +V. D. Corps of Engineers, an officer who served in 1885 with the Australian +Contingent in the Soudan. Colonel Sydenham Smith com. Artillery; Major +J. H. Plunkett Murray, com. 8th Inf. (Union Regiment); Captain and temporary +Major P. T. Owen, General Staff; Staff officer for Engineer services, Captain +L. H. Kyngdon, N.S.W. Regt. R.A.; Captain A. P. Popham Luscombe; +N.S.W. Regt. R.A.A., Captain Henry P. Ramsay Copeland. Reserve of +officers—Captain R. St. Julien Pearce; N.S.W. Art. (Field), Lieutenant R. S. +Hay Blake Jenkins; N.S.W. Regt. R.A.A., Lieutenant C. F. Bracen, N.S.W. +Art. (garrison). 1st Aus. (Vol.) Horse unit—1st Lieut. R. R. Thompson, Permanent +Staff, with rank Captain; 2nd Lieutenant J. F. Moore Wilkinson, 1st +Aus. Horse (Vol.), with rank 1st Lieutenant; 1st Lieutenant Keith Kinnaird +Mackellar, 5th Inf. (Vol.) Regt.; Lieutenant B. J. Newmarch, N.S.W.A.M.C.; +Lieutenant J. A. Dick, N.S.W.A.M.C.; Lieutenant A. H. Horsfall, N.S.W.A.M.C. +Additional officers—Dr. A. MacCormick, to be Consulting Surgeon, +hon. rank Major; Dr. R. Scot-Skirving, to be Consulting Surgeon, hon. rank +Major; Dr. W. R. Cortis, rank Captain; N. R. Howse, rank Lieutenant. +Chaplains—Church of England—Rev. H. J. Rose, hon. rank Major; Rev. +Patrick Fagan, hon. rank Captain.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The first Contingent reached Cape Town (from London) on November 2, +1899. The second Contingent started on January 17th and 18th in three transports; +these, while in dock, had to be watched, as some Boer sympathisers +were suspected of wishing to set fire to them. Nevertheless there were most +remarkable demonstrations of loyalty on all sides, and the troops went off in +high feather, having been previously addressed by Mr. Lyne in the following +stirring speech: “I wish to tell you that every man and woman in this country +is not so proud of anything as of you. You are not enlisting in the ordinary +sense of the term, in that you are volunteering to serve with the British troops +in the interests of the Empire. You are certain to meet a foe such as Great +Britain has not met for some considerable time, and I feel we shall all be +proud of your deeds. It is admitted that you are particularly useful, knowing +bush life and being able readily to seize commanding points. Great Britain is +finding that her Colonies form a valuable nursery ground, and we, on our part, +are prepared to supply Great Britain with a force which is rapidly becoming a +powerful adjunct of the British arms. You will be placed where you must +show energy and determination, and must manifest pluck and courage, and +we believe that you will bring back as a reward a wide recognition that +our arms have been of service to the Empire. You will make a name for us +such as rarely falls to the lot of a youthful country. You will show the +world that the Empire is united, and that we are prepared to defend her +and our homes if the necessity arises. We in Australia wish you God-speed, +and every heart here beats in accord with every loyal heart in South +Africa. I can only add, for those who may fall, that their memories will be +revered, and you depart knowing that the loved ones of those yielding their +lives will be tended by a generous Government and a generous public. Again +I wish you God-speed, and may you return covered with all honour.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>”</p> + +<p class="smaller">On the 19th of January the Premier received the following cable: “Her +Majesty’s Government learn with great satisfaction of the despatch of the Contingent +and the patriotic feeling in New South Wales. The Queen commands +me to express her thanks for these renewed expressions of loyalty.</p> + +<p class="smaller ralign padr1 smcap">“Chamberlain.”</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="VICTORIA" id="VICTORIA"></a>VICTORIA</h3> + +<p class="smaller">The Victorian Contingent started off with the same flourish of trumpets and +the same outbursts of popular feeling which had accompanied all the Transvaal +Contingents. There was a mixture of song and shout, of sorrow and tears. +The weather was unchangeably splendid; the city of Melbourne was thronged +with visitors to witness the unusual sight, the crowd being augmented by +numerous Tasmanians who journeyed across the straits to get a last glimpse +at the brave band of warriors as they started on their voyage. Lord Brassey +gave a short address, and in the name of the Queen wished them God-speed.</p> + +<p class="smaller"><span class="smcap">First Victorian Contingent for South Africa.</span>—Nominal Roll +of Officers of the Victorian Contingent for service in South Africa, sent in +accordance with the cablegram of the Right Honourable the Secretary of +State for the Colonies of 4th October 1899: Major G. A. Eddy, Captain +(Medical Staff) W. F. Hopkins, Lieutenant T. M. M’Inerney, Lieutenant H. +W. Pendlebury, Lieutenant A. J. N. Tremearne. Mounted Infantry Unit—Captain +M’Leish, Lieutenant and Adjutant Salmon, Lieutenant Thorn, Lieutenant +Chomley, Lieutenant Staughton, Lieutenant Roberts, Veterinary-Captain +Kendall.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The following officers were attached for instruction in accordance with the +cablegram of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, +dated 27th October 1899: Colonel J. C. Hoad, Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. E. +Umphelby, Captain G. J. Johnston, Captain J. H. Bruche. Transport Officer +for service with troops for South Africa on board s.s. <i>Medic</i>—Lieutenant-Commander +W. J. Colquhoun.</p> + +<p class="smaller"><span class="smcap">Second Victorian Contingent for South Africa</span> (two companies +of mounted infantry).—Nominal Roll of Officers who embarked on +s.s. <i>Euryalus</i> on 13th January 1900 for service in South Africa: Colonel T. +Price, Captain D. H. Jenkins, Lieutenant T. H. Sergeant, Lieutenant T. F. +Umphelby, Lieutenant G. O. Bruce, Lieutenant A. A. Holdsworth, Lieutenant +M. T. Kirby, Lieutenant E. O. Anderson, Lieutenant T. A. Umphelby, Lieutenant +E. S. Norton, Lieutenant R. S. R. S. Bree, Lieutenant and Adjutant J. +L. Lilley, Major (Medical Staff) A. Honman, Chaplain Rev. F. W. Wray, +Veterinary-Captain H. S. Rudduck. Officer attached for special service with +Army Service Corps: Lieutenant A. J. Christie.</p> + +<p class="smaller">In addition to these Contingents the Colony contributed 250 Bushmen, +making in all up to the month of April, 751; officers, 46.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Among the officers of the Victorian Contingent were some whose careers +were particularly interesting:—</p> + +<p class="smaller">Lieut.-Colonel Charles Edward Ernest Umphelby was forty-six years of +age, and a native of Victoria. He commanded the V.R.A.A. He joined the +Militia Garrison Artillery at Warrnambool on the 20th June 1884; in March +1885 was appointed lieutenant in the Permanent Artillery, being promoted to +be captain on the 1st January 1888. In August 1891 he was promoted to +be major, and in June 1897 to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In addition to +commanding the artillery he also commanded the Western District Garrison +Artillery. He was sent to England by the Victorian Government in 1889<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> +to undergo courses of instruction, and while there was attached to the staff +of Major-General Clarke. He passed through various artillery courses, including +the long course at Woolwich and Shoeburyness.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Captain George Jamieson Johnston is a Victorian native, and is thirty-one +years of age. He is an officer of the Field Artillery Brigade, which is commanded +by Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly. Captain Johnston was appointed lieutenant +on the 11th January 1889, and was promoted to be captain on the 1st +July 1895. He is well known as a straight and regular follower of the Melbourne +Hounds.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Captain Julius Henry Bruche was born on the 6th March 1873, and educated +at the Scotch College, Melbourne. His first experience of military work was +in the ranks, and as an officer in the cadet corps, under Major W. Whitehead. +After leaving the Scotch College cadets he was appointed to the senior cadets, +and from them was transferred to the 1st Battalion Infantry Brigade as a +lieutenant on 15th May 1891. Whilst in the 1st Battalion he passed the +examination for captain, “distinguished in all subjects.” He was appointed +permanent adjutant of the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Infantry Brigade on +the 18th July 1898, and was promoted to the position of captain on the 17th +February 1899, after passing the examination for regular officers, and going +through a course of musketry and Maxim machine-gun, obtaining an officer’s +extra certificate, and a certificate as qualified as instructor of the Maxim machine-gun. +Captain Bruche is a barrister and solicitor, but gave up his profession to +join the permanent staff of the Victorian forces.</p> + +<p class="smaller">It may here be mentioned that Victoria has the distinction of being the +birthplace of Dr. Robert Andrew Buntine, who was mentioned for bravery at +the battle of Glencoe in Sir George White’s despatches. Dr. Buntine was born +on the 13th of November 1869. He matriculated in the Melbourne University +with honours, and at once entered upon his medical course, where he acquitted +himself with some distinction, for although close upon a hundred students +entered their curriculum with him, only five (and he was one of them) passed +consecutively all their examinations with honours. In 1890 he graduated with +honours, and took his M.B., Ch.M. degrees. He then became one of the resident +surgeons of the Melbourne Hospital for a year. After that, and the hard +work of the University, he decided upon a year’s travel. Accordingly, he travelled +first in South Africa, and then in Great Britain for some months, visiting many +interesting historical spots, and finally returning to South Africa, where he +bought a practice in partnership with Dr. Currie, of Pietermaritzburg, Natal. +Both are surgeons in the army, Dr. Buntine being surgeon to the Volunteers, +and Dr. Currie to the Carabineers.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="NEW_ZEALAND" id="NEW_ZEALAND"></a>NEW ZEALAND</h3> + +<p class="smaller">On the 21st of October, the anniversary of Trafalgar, Wellington was +very early astir. Great were her preparations to commemorate the departure +of her Contingent—the first Contingent to embark from the Colonies. Bunting +began to break out before breakfast, and town and shipping were soon fluttering +with flags. In the streets groups were congregating at a time when people +are usually given up to business, and uniforms everywhere dotted the thoroughfare. +Large numbers of volunteers came in from the country, some travelling +all night, and there was a turn out of local forces amounting to 1500.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The march through the town began at 1.20 <span class="smaller">P.M.</span> It was an inspiriting +sight, and one that all wished to bear in memory. The road at intervals was so +dotted with cameras, that one humourist in the ranks was heard to remark that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +this was the “real original March of the Camera Men.” The crowds thickened +and enthusiasm increased. Jervois Quay, the broadest avenue in the city, as +well the open land abutting on it, was thronged from end to end. All the roofs +commanding a view were lined, the steamers at the wharves were packed even +to the rigging, and the long breastwork along the quay was crammed to +suffocation.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Here the passage for the Contingent was kept by a double row of +volunteers. The weather had been frowning and gusty, but no sooner had the +Contingent formed up in front of a temporary stand projecting from the breastwork, +on which Lord Ranfurly, the Governor, Lady Ranfurly and suite were +accommodated, than the sun burst forth resplendent while the wind gently +lulled. Speeches were made, followed by pathetic leave-takings of friends and +relatives. At the last moment so great was the crush that some of the men +were cut off from the rest, and had afterwards to struggle to the steamer as +best they could.</p> + +<p class="smaller">As the big vessel slowly steamed off, cries of farewell, shouts, cheers rent +the air, and continued unceasingly, till the <i>Waiwera</i> bearing New Zealand +“Soldiers of the Queen” to the scene of war, had passed from sight.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The first New Zealand Contingent was commanded by Major Robin, who is +a splendid example of the born warrior. Originally a gunner in the B Battery +New Zealand Artillery, he rose in the Otago Hussars through all the +grades of non-commissioned officers to command of the troop. This regiment +from that time was unsurpassed in efficiency by any in the Colony. As an +instance of the pluck and energy of the gallant major, a characteristic story +is told: When Sir John Richardson died he was accorded a military funeral, +and was interred in the Northern Cemetery. On the day of the funeral the +Leith was in high flood, and there was a general opinion that the Dundas +Street Bridge would not bear the weight of the gun-carriage bearing the +honoured remains. Major Robin at once volunteered to drive the gun-carriage +across, and accomplished the dangerous task without mishap.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Major Robin took charge of the New Zealand Contingent which attended +the Diamond Jubilee, and had the honour of commanding the mixed Colonial +escort which accompanied the Queen on her visit to London during the +celebrations.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Captain Madocks, who distinguished himself in the fight of the 15th of +January at Slingersfontein, is a Wellington man, full of pluck and resource, +and as we now know, admirably calculated to become a leader of men.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The second Contingent, under the command of Major Cradock and numbering +242 officers and men and 300 horses, left Wellington on the 20th of +January—upwards of 70,000 spectators congregating to witness the departure +of the fine fellows, whose appearance was alike martial and workmanly. +These two Contingents, equipped and sent over at the cost of the New Zealand +Government—the funds being raised among the settlers themselves—were not +by any means New Zealand’s entire contribution. Two more Contingents +followed, and afterwards a fifth, consisting of 500 rough riders; some of the +smartest men that could be gathered together! Indeed the whole force was +remarkable for its smartness, and before it had been long in the Transvaal was +highly praised by General French for its fine horsemanship and coolness under +fire.</p> + +<p class="smaller">An interesting feature belonging to the New Zealanders, and one which +must have struck consternation in the heart of the Boers, was the Maori war-cry +of the troops. This was composed by Trooper Galloway, one of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> +Volunteer Contingent, and taught by him to his comrades. The war cry +in the Maori tongue is “Kia, Kaha, Niu Tireni. Whawhai maiea mo te +Kuini, to kaianga. Ake! ake! ake!” which interpreted means, “Be strong, +New Zealand. Fight bravely for your Queen, for your country. Ever! ever! +ever!” The interest of the Maoris in Great Britain was evinced in practical +form. They held carnival, danced native dances, and sang native songs, +devoting the proceeds to the Patriotic Fund. Their only regret was their +inability to be enrolled among the defenders of the country.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 431px;"> +<a name="illo47" id="illo47"></a><img src="images/illo47.png" width="431" height="618" alt="HON. W. P. SCHREINER, C.M.G." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">HON. W. P. SCHREINER, C.M.G.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Premier of the Cape Parliament, 1898-1900.<br /> +Photo by Elliott & Fry, London.</span> +</div></div> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="QUEENSLAND" id="QUEENSLAND"></a>QUEENSLAND</h3> + +<p class="smaller">The Queenslanders, under the command of Colonel Ricardo, have, as before +said, the honour of being the first of Great Britain’s children to come forward +to her assistance. Their deeds are now familiar to us, for they are associated +with Colonel Pilcher’s famous raid to Sunnyside and Douglas, and also with +the magnificent ride of General French for the relief of Kimberley. But before +July 1899 we were scarcely acquainted with our warlike brothers across the +ocean.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The prime mover in the patriotic scheme of assisting the Mother Country in +her need was the Hon. J. R. Dickson, the Premier. As we know, he lost not a +moment. He did not wait for the need of assistance to be recognised. In this +respect he followed the splendid example set in 1884 by the late Mr. Dalley, +who, while acting Premier for Sir A. Stuart, telegraphed independently the +wish of New South Wales to assist in the military undertakings of the Mother +Country. The Premier knew the spirit of loyalty and patriotism that pervaded +Queensland, and made haste to give it utterance. He was well supported by +all sections of the Government and of the people, and speedily his action was +imitated all over the world.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Queensland by degrees sent out two Contingents composed of mounted +infantry and one machine-gun section of Royal Australian Artillery; and +finally, a third Contingent, of which 75 per cent. were bushmen, all first-class +riders and splendid shots. They were men of grand physique, many of them +wealthy, and many sons of prominent citizens. The infantry were not +mounted when despatched, but all being good horsemen, and their services +being chiefly required as scouts or to assist cavalry, they had mounts provided +for them on arrival by the Imperial authorities. The Queensland Mounted +Infantry was organised in 1884 by Colonel Ricardo, who is styled the “father” +of mounted infantry in Queensland, and belongs to the Militia Division of the +Colonial Defence force. The force is organised on the basis of three years’ +service, and ordinarily is recruited from the bushman and farmer class—a +sterling and hardy set of fellows, whose plain motto is “For God and the +right.” The uniform, a highly becoming one, is of kharki, with claret-coloured +facings. The hat is of the usual “brigand” shape, decorated at the side with +a smart tuft of emu plumes.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The whole of the expenses of transport, equipment, arms, and food for men +and horses during the voyage was defrayed by the Colony; pay on the field +was met by the Imperial Exchequer, the Colony only meeting the difference +between the Imperial and Colonial rates, the latter being higher.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The first Contingent consisted of 262 men and officers, who sailed in the +<i>Cornwall</i> on November 11, 1899, amid a wild display of patriotic enthusiasm.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Officers of the first Contingent—Staff—Major P. R. Ricardo, to rank as +Lieut.-Colonel; Sup. Captain R. S. Browne; Lieutenant C. H. A. Pelham;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +Machine-Gun Section—Lieutenant C. H. Black, Royal Australian Artillery. +A Company Queensland Mounted Infantry—Captain H. G. Chauvel; Lieutenant +A. G. Adie (wounded at Sunnyside under Colonel Pilcher); Lieutenant C. A. +Cumming; Lieutenant T. W. Glasgow; Lieutenant D. E. Reid. B Company +Queensland Mounted Infantry—Captain P. W. G. Pinnock; Lieutenant H. +Bailey; Lieutenant R. Dowse; Lieutenant R. Gordon. The second Contingent +was composed of 148 men and 8 officers, with 5 additional officers for special +service in South Africa. Officers of second Contingent—Lieut.-Colonel Kenneth +Hutchison, Headquarters Staff, commanding; Captain W. G. Thompson, +Queensland Mounted Infantry; Lieutenant H. J. Imrie Harris, Queensland +Mounted Infantry; Lieutenant A. F. Crichton, Queensland Mounted Infantry; +Lieutenant James Walker, 3rd Queensland (Kennedy) Regiment; Lieutenant +R. M. Stodart, Queensland Mounted Infantry. Supernumeraries—Captain +Sir Edward Stewart-Richardson, Bart., 3rd Battalion Black Watch; Lieutenant +John H. Fox. Additional officers attached—Surgeon-Captain H. R. Nolan, +A.M.C. Queensland Defence; Major D. W. Rankin; Captain F. W. Toll, +special service; Captain A. E. Crichton, Camp Quartermaster; Captain W. T. +Deacon, Camp Adjutant.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The second Contingent sailed in the <i>Maori King</i> on January 20. The +night before they were to start it was discovered that the ship had been set on +fire, but the flames were extinguished before much damage was done. There +seemed to be no doubt it was the work of an incendiary, and the police kept a +close watch over the vessel till she was fairly away. It was regarded as significant +that the crew consisted mainly of Dutchmen and Germans.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The third Contingent, which sailed in the <i>Duke of Portland</i> on March 1, +was 300 strong, with 350 horses. In addition to the above, about 20 men and +50 horses had been sent to Sydney, and sailed with the New South Wales Contingent +on February 26. After accommodating men and horses, it was found +that the <i>Duke of Portland</i> had still 500 tons of space available for cargo; this +the Queensland Government offered to fill with forage for horses and men, and +present to the Imperial Government.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="SOUTH_AND_WEST_AUSTRALIA" id="SOUTH_AND_WEST_AUSTRALIA"></a>SOUTH AND WEST AUSTRALIA</h3> + +<p class="smaller">South Australia speedily sent two Contingents to the front, and offered more +should further help be required. The first Contingent was commanded by +Captain F. H. Howland. This officer was born in Kensington, London, 1863, +and served for three years in the Middlesex E.V. Royal Engineers. At the +expiration of that time he went to Australia, and in 1885 joined the volunteer +company which was being formed at Mount Gambier, in which he was appointed +lance-corporal. Since then he has passed through every rank, was +appointed captain in 1893, and made adjutant in June 1898. Captain Howland +then became senior captain in the second battalion, and—having passed his +examination for his majority—on the illness of his commanding officer, commanded +the battalion on several occasions.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The officers of the Contingent were as follows: Captain F. H. Howland, +D Company, Mount Gambier Infantry, C.O.; Captain G. R. Lascelles, Royal +Fusiliers, A.D.C. to Lord Tennyson (attached); Lieutenant J. H. Stapleton, +A Company, first battalion infantry; Lieutenant F. M. Blair, B Company, first +battalion infantry; Lieutenant J. W. Powell, D Company, Mount Gambier +Infantry; Major J. T. Toll, Medical Staff.</p> + +<p class="smaller">In regard to the payment of the troops the arrangement was simple. The +men received 5s. a day. That meant that the pay received through the South<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +Australian Government and the pay from the Imperial Government would +together amount to 5s. a day. Whatever amount the Imperial Government +gave their soldiers, members of the South Australian Contingent received the +same while on active service, and the balance paid to them by the South +Australian Government would bring the amount up to 5s. a day. They did +not propose to send any money from the Colony while the men were away, in +order that, while fighting side by side with the Imperial soldiers, they should +not receive more pay than their comrades. Their South Australian pay would +be left at home until their return. If the British rate of pay were 1s. 4d., that +arrangement would mean that 3s. 8d. per day would be due to them from the +Colonial Government. Before starting the men received one month’s pay, +amounting to £7, which was considered sufficient to supply their immediate +wants, and see them over the voyage. On arrival at Port Elizabeth they began +to receive the same pay as the British soldiers.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The officers of the second Contingent were: Captain J. Reade, commanding; +J. F. Humphries, senior subaltern; G. H. Lynch, second subaltern; +F. M. Rowell, third subaltern; G. J. Restall Walter, junior subaltern; W. J. +Press, warrant officer, in charge of the “Colt” automatic machine-gun; William +De Passy, warrant officer.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The first Contingent of infantry was afterwards turned into mounted +infantry. The second Contingent was composed of cavalry, and one machine-gun +section. The Australian Horse was drilled on exactly the same lines as +British cavalry, and was, in fact, under the instruction of British cavalrymen. +The men were either members of volunteer corps, or volunteered on the outbreak +of the war from all parts of the Colony.</p> + +<p class="smaller">When the news of British reverses reached the Colony, the patriotic fervour +of which the despatch of the first Contingent was a practical proof, was once +more fanned into flame. The desire for Australian representation on the +field of battle again translated itself into action, and the intimation that not +only would further assistance be welcomed but that it was really wanted met +with ready response. No lack of volunteers troubled the authorities, for +numerous offers to serve were received from all parts of the colony, from +persons of all classes and all ages. Among the youngest of those volunteering +was Allan O’Halloran Wright, who was but fourteen years of age, who accompanied +the Contingent as trumpeter. He is exceptionally well developed, and +considerably taller than many of the rank and file. Among others was Sergeant +Hanley, who was in the thick of the fight at Majuba Hill. He served with the +92nd Gordon Highlanders in the Afghan War, and received two decorations, +including medal with the Kabul, Kandahar, and Charasia bars, and a star for +the historical march from Kabul to Kandahar. He, with others, was mentioned +in despatches for his conduct in defending Lord Roberts from an attack of the +Ghilzais. He fought in twenty-seven engagements in Afghanistan, and was +the youngest man in the regiment. He stood side by side with “Fighting +Mac,” who was then a lance-corporal, and promoted to a commission for his +distinguished services. After the Afghan War he went to India, and though +he had completed seven years service, and need have done no more, he +volunteered for service with the 92nd Highlanders in South Africa. After the +miserable experiences of Majuba he went to South Australia, where he served +for nine years with the permanent force. He acted as warder in the Yatala +prison till, hearing of the war, he instantly volunteered.</p> + +<p class="smaller">On the 28th of October the Contingent dined at Government House, and +after the meal the men were received in the great hall and thus eloquently<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +addressed by Lord Tennyson: “Men of the South Australian Contingent +of the British army in South Africa—I am proud of being your Commander-in-Chief +because of your splendid patriotism, your alacrity in obeying +the summons of the old country, your self-sacrifice in leaving your +comfortable homes to fight for the United Empire, to maintain the Queen’s +position in South Africa, and to rescue the down-trodden Uitlanders from +the political and social serfdom imposed on them by the Boers. When I +was at home in 1897 I saw some of you in the Jubilee procession, and +you were vociferously cheered by the millions of people in the streets. +Why did they cheer you? Because they felt that you were our kith and +kin, and that you were not only taking part in a triumphal procession in +honour of the Queen, but that you were pledging yourselves that, if the needful +occasion should arise, you would fight for our Queen and for our Empire. +Your action now, and the action of all Australasia and of Canada, will make +the nations of the earth hesitate before they strike at our Empire in the future, +seeing our Imperial loyalty, our Imperial solidarity, our Imperial unity, our +Imperial strength. I believe from my experience as your Governor that there +is no man throughout South Australia who would not stand up in time of stress +in defence of the Queen, the Empire, and the Union Jack. You are a gallant +and stalwart body of men, and we rejoice in your soldierly appearance and +your loyal enthusiasm. We feel sure that you will do your duty nobly, and +return covered with honour and renown. Remember, my men, that obedience +to discipline, and patience in enduring hardship, and promptitude in the performance +of your military duties are the first steps towards the making of a +victorious army. You are to be joined in South Africa to highly organised +battalions of troops, some of the best in the world, commanded by highly +trained and scientific officers. Obey these officers and your own implicitly, +from the corporal to the Commander-in-Chief, whether on the field or in +garrison, or wherever you are; and I need not tell you that, if you keep your +eyes and ears open, you will learn a great deal that will be useful to you in the +future. May Australia never be visited by war! If this ever happens, the +British fleet will protect Australia in the first line of defence, but you must +have an efficiently trained army as a second line of defence. Knowing this, +the Federal Government of the future will, I am confident, put Australia in a +proper state of military preparedness; and that is one of the reasons why +I glory in our Federal Commonwealth to be. Remember always, my friends, +that you are the guardians of a magnificent heritage, of a country of which you +are justly proud, and that the experience which you Australians will gain in +South Africa will not only enable you to fight, if necessary, for this country, +but will also enable you to teach your comrades-in-arms, who are obliged to +stay at home, something of the needful requirements of modern warfare. I +know the General who is to lead you, Sir Redvers Buller. He is married to a +cousin of my wife’s, and I can tell you that a finer soldier could not be met with. +The motto he would wish to be given you would be: ‘Obedience and cheerful +courage on service are an army’s strength.’ I am glad to have allowed—though +it is personally a loss to myself—my A.D.C., Captain Lascelles, to accompany +you, with special leave from the War Office at home. As you are aware, in +him you have a thoroughly experienced and capable officer, and, like Captain +Howland and your other officers, he is fond of you and devoted to your welfare. If +I had to command a British army, I should know that, when you have had a little +more military experience, with your pluck, your good marksmanship, and your +loyalty, the standard of the Queen could well be intrusted to the keeping of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> +Australian Contingent. It is my duty as well as my pleasure to tell you that, +on behalf of the British people, Her Majesty’s Government have sent me two +telegrams appreciative of the enthusiastic patriotism of yourselves, of the +Ministry, and of South Australia. It is also my duty as well as my pleasure +to read you the kindly and gracious message from the Queen, which has moved +us all very deeply: ‘Her Majesty the Queen desires to thank the people of +her Colonies in Australia for the striking manifestation of loyalty and patriotism +in their voluntary offer to send troops to co-operate with Her Majesty’s Imperial +forces in maintaining her position and the rights of British subjects in South +Africa. She wishes the troops God-speed and a safe return.’ The Boers have +forced war upon us and have invaded our territory. You are going to fight +for the cause of British freedom, for the honour of Great Britain, for the +honour of Australia. In the name, then, of our beloved Queen, of Great +Britain, and of South Australia, I bid you farewell, and I wish you, after your +work is accomplished, a safe and happy home-coming.”</p> + +<p class="smaller">On the 26th of January the second South Australian Contingent started for +the Transvaal amid scenes of great enthusiasm. The Governor, Lord Tennyson, +again made an inspiriting speech and wished them God-speed.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a id="WEST_AUSTRALIA" name="WEST_AUSTRALIA"></a>WEST AUSTRALIA</h3> + +<p class="smaller">West Australia sent with the same energy of patriotism two Contingents +amounting to 230 officers and men, with offers of more if required. The +officers were: Capt. R. Moor, R.A.; Capt. H. S. Pilkington, late 21st Hussars; +Major M’Williams, Medical Officer; Lieut. J. Campbell; Lieut. H. F. Darling; +Lieut. F. W. M. Parker.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="TASMANIA" id="TASMANIA"></a>TASMANIA</h3> + +<p class="smaller">The Tasmanian Government were not behind the other Colonies of Australia +in their desire to show their loyalty and patriotism by offering troops for Imperial +service. There was, of course, some difference of opinion regarding the +policy of going to fight at all, as the following cutting from a local journal will +show: “In Tasmania, as elsewhere, there is a certain number, not many, of +the crawling tribe, who always find that their country is in the wrong, and are +never so happy as when they can hold up some foe as a model of virtue in +contrast with the brutal Briton. It is curious to find those who call themselves +friends of the working-classes indulging in this vein of oratory, but it is common +to all the Colonies, and may be said to account for the little influence that the +party has on general affairs. We have had here, of course, the inevitable +Catholic priest who has denounced the British, for he always appears when +Great Britain has any serious work to do, just as there is the usual meeting of +Irish in New York. In Hobart the Catholic priests spoke feeling and appropriate +words about the departure of the Contingent, but on the West Coast one +Father Murphy went on the rampage in the good old style, and proceeded to +denounce the country under the Government of which he lives, and which is +liberal enough to allow him to say such things with impunity. I wonder +whether these folk ever think about what would happen to them if they talked +in the same strain in France, Germany, or even in the United States. It does +not matter to Great Britain what these discontented ones say, but they might +learn from the liberty they use the value of the freedom which they enjoy. +On the whole, the people of Tasmania, while they deeply regret that war +should be necessary, are fully alive to the value of a united empire, and are +keenly anxious that she may vindicate her position in South Africa, and finally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +get rid of the Boer incubus which has weighed upon the country ever since the +Gladstone Ministry adopted the policy of scuttle and palaver.”</p> + +<p class="smaller">This quotation shows the drift of popular sentiment, and in the end loyalty +everywhere prevailed, and some splendid fellows volunteered to go to the front. +These were not “raw material,” but intelligent, handy soldiers, accustomed to +the rough and tumble of bush life, and ready to provide for emergencies. Their +commander, Captain Cameron, had seen some service, and took part in the +famous march to Kandahar.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The first Contingent, sent in the <i>Medic</i>, consisted of eighty men, of which +the officers were: Capt. C. St. Clair Cameron, Erandale, commanding (who was +afterwards a prisoner in Pretoria); Lieut. W. Brown; Lieut. F. B. Heritage; +Lieut. G. E. Reid, 1st Regt., Hobart. Of the privates the following were +subsequently taken prisoners to Pretoria: M. H. Swan, V. J. Peers, A. Button. +J. H. Whitelaw, also a private, who has distinguished himself by gallantry in +the field and by saving a comrade’s life at the imminent risk of his own, will +probably receive the V.C.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The second Contingent, which consisted of forty-five men, was under the +command of Sergt. J. Stagg, of Deloraine.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Both Contingents were composed almost entirely of gentlemen.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Tasmania also contributed 100 men to the Imperial Australian Corps +which was raised at Mr. J. Chamberlain’s suggestion from all the Australasian +Colonies. The volunteering of the Tasmanian contingent to join hands with +Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and shoulder to shoulder to support the +“flag of old renown” in South Africa, gave origin to the following lines written +by a Tasmanian poet:—</p> + +<div class="poem smaller"><div class="stanza12"> +<span class="i0">“War? We would rather peace; but, Mother, if fight we must,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There be none of your sons on whom you can lean with a surer trust;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bone of your bone are we, and in death would be dust of your dust!”<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a id="THE_BUSHMENS_CORPS" name="THE_BUSHMENS_CORPS"></a>THE BUSHMEN’S CORPS</h3> + +<p class="smaller">There was immense excitement over the formation of the Imperial Bushmen +or Roughriders’ Corps. It consisted of over 2000 mounted men, selected from +those experienced in riding and looking after stock in country in its natural +rough state, unbroken by cultivation, fences or roads. In the first instance, +New Zealand made an offer to provide 500 such men, after which—as more +were required—Australia was asked to raise a further 2000, the Imperial Government +bearing the cost of forwarding them to the seat of war, and maintaining +and paying them there. Four thousand applications from Victoria and 2000 +from Adelaide were received. The citizens of Rockhampton immediately +offered to provide and equip twenty-five Bushmen. New South Wales was +represented by a Contingent of 500 men, and Queensland decided to join with +the other Colonies in organising this smart and serviceable corps, whose value +was estimated as equal to twice the number of infantry.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The movement was a most popular one, and gifts of horses were sent in +from every direction. The public subscribed liberally, Captain Bridges alone +giving £1000 towards the expenses of the Victorian Bushmen.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The officers selected for the New South Wales Bushmen were Lieut.-Colonel +Airey in command, Major Onslow, three captains and fourteen subalterns. +The movement was so popular and subscriptions so liberal, that it was decided +that 100 men should be sent from South Australia instead of the fifty originally +proposed. Colonel Williams, of the New South Wales Contingent, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> +appointed principal medical officer for all the Australian Contingents serving +in South Africa. The departure of the Bushmen on the 17th of January was a +magnificent climax to the many magnificent demonstrations of patriotism which +had been evidenced throughout the Colonies.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="INDIAS_CONTINGENTS" id="INDIAS_CONTINGENTS"></a>INDIA’S CONTINGENTS</h3> + +<p class="smaller">Between the Australasian and Canadian Colonies and the Volunteer +Contingent from India there is a certain difference which it is necessary to +recognise. In the Colonies, the movement to help the Mother Country in her +need, though prompted and encouraged by popular enthusiasm, patriotism, +and donations from private and public resources, was suggested, voiced, and +supported by the respective Governments, the Premiers of which acted very +prominently in the enterprise, whereas in India, the offer of military assistance +was a spontaneous impulse springing from individual patriotism and carried +out by private enterprise. India, being a Crown Colony, could display her +loyalty in no other way. Her position was somewhat similar to the Home +Establishment, and her regular British troops were under orders for South +Africa in exactly the same way as were the Home forces. Nevertheless, India +was not backward in independent demonstrations of loyalty. English officers +from various native corps, who, in ordinary circumstances, could serve only +in their respective Indian Contingents, now came forward and volunteered +for active service in aid of the Imperial cause in South Africa. The “men” +volunteered from all directions. Dapper young Calcutta merchants, sporting +tea-planters from Assam, gallant indigo-planters, and dashing roughriders from +Bombay, Assam, Bengal, Cawnpore, Mysore, and all manner of districts unknown +even by name to the Little Englander sent in their appeal, and pressed to be +allowed to play their part in the defence of the Empire; and thus the smart +regiments known as Lumsden’s Horse, the Railway Contingent, and the +Ceylon Mounted Contingent came to be recruited.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Colonel Lumsden, lately Commandant of the Assam Valley Light Horse, +generously assisted both financially and personally in raising and equipping the +force, and quantities of Calcutta men offered their services, their expenses +being guaranteed by the firms employing them. Gifts and subscriptions +poured in. Lord Curzon, the Viceroy, headed the subscription-list by a handsome +contribution, and so generous was the response of all India, that about +£30,000 was collected in connection with the Transvaal war, including the +equipment of volunteers.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The native princes offered troops and horses, and loyally expressed themselves +towards the Queen Empress. The troops were declined, it being +understood that the war was between white men alone. Their offers of +horses were, however, accepted. Nevertheless, the generosity of the princes +was not to be denied, and several among them, the Maharajah of Bikanir, the +Maharajah of Durbhanga, and the Nawab of Moorshedabad, subscribed liberally +to the expenses of Lumsden’s Horse, offering at the same time their best +wishes for the success of the Contingent and the complete triumph of the +British arms in South Africa.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The Nizam of Hyderabad, whose State is as large as France, and whose +relations with the sovereign have always been most cordial, assisted handsomely, +saying at the same time, with true Oriental grace, that his troops, his purse, +and his own sword were at the service of the Queen. The Maharajah of +Tanjore contributed 5000 rupees, while his son furnished a complete set of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> +X-ray apparatus. The Nawab of Bhavnagar State presented fifty fully +equipped Arab horses to the force, and quantities of other prominent Nawabs +displayed corresponding liberality. The Maharanee of Bettiah generously +presented to each volunteer from her district a horse, and Khwajah Mahomed +Khan forwarded from Mardan (on the Punjab frontier) the sum of 2000 +rupees as an expression of loyalty, with his best wishes for the success of +Lumsden’s Horse. As an instance of the excitement and martial feeling in +regard to the Indian Transvaal Contingent, it may be noted that the +instant the scheme was proposed, two-thirds of the Light Horse of Behar +volunteered for service, promising to provide everything except means of +transport. They formed part of Lumsden’s Horse, who were all men under +forty years of age, many of them of independent means, with horses of +their own.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The following is the list of officers who were appointed to Colonel +Lumsden’s Corps:—</p> + +<p class="smaller">Lieut.-Colonel Dugald McT. Lumsden, Assam Valley Light Horse Volunteers, +to be Commandant, with the temporary rank of Lieut.-Colonel in the +army; Lieut.-Colonel Eden Showers, late Commandant Surma Valley Light +Horse Volunteers, to be second in command, with the temporary rank of +Major in the army; Captain J. H. B. Beresford, Indian Staff Corps, to be +Company Commander. To be Captains, with the temporary rank of Captain +in the army: Major Henry Chamney, Surma Valley Light Horse Volunteers; +Captain Francis Clifford, Coorg and Mysore Volunteer Rifles; Second Lieutenant +Bernard W. Holmes, East India Railway Volunteer Rifles; Second +Lieutenant John B. Rutherford, Behar Light Horse Volunteers. To be +Lieutenants, with the temporary rank of Lieutenant in the army: Lieutenant +Charles L. Sidey, Surma Valley Light Horse Volunteers; Herbert O. Pugh, +gent.; George A. Nevill, gent.; Charles E. Crane, gent. Captain Louis +H. Noblett, the Royal Irish Rifles, to be a Company Commander; Captain +Neville C. Taylor, Indian Staff Corps, to be Adjutant; Surgeon-Captain +Samuel A Powell, M.D., Surma Valley Light Horse Volunteers, to be Medical +Officer, with the temporary rank of Captain; William Stevenson, gent., to +be Veterinary Officer, with the temporary rank of Veterinary Lieutenant.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The Government provided free passages, and the railway authorities gave +free passes. With the force went Mrs. C. W. Park and Mrs. M. C. Curry, +wives of Lieut.-Colonel C. W. Park and Major M. C. Curry, of the 1st Devonshire +Regiment, to assist in the hospitals in Natal. This regiment, it may be +remembered, was with Sir George White, and had four officers severely +wounded in its first battle, Elandslaagte, and was shut up in Ladysmith for +over four months. Lumsden’s Horse sailed from India on February 6, much +envied by all who had not the good fortune to be of their number.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 435px;"> +<a name="illo48" id="illo48"></a><img src="images/illo48.png" width="435" height="627" alt="GENERAL BRABANT, C.M.G." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">GENERAL BRABANT, C.M.G.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">After Photo by S. B. Barnard, Cape Town.</span> +</div></div> + +<p class="smaller">Ceylon was not behind India in patriotic enthusiasm, though its powers +were more limited. Great demonstrations of loyalty prevailed everywhere in +the island, and volunteers were eager to be enrolled. Out of the numbers +applying 125 men were picked out and 5 officers. The force was armed with +Lee-Metford magazine rifles, 500 rounds of ammunition, and were nearly all +mounted on trained horses. Captain Rutherford, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, was +in command, and Captain Anderson, Royal Artillery, was second in command. +Captain Toogood (Warwickshire Regiment) also accompanied the force.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The planters and merchants of Ceylon presented upwards of 30,000 lbs. of +tea to be delivered free to the troops in South Africa, to be shipped with the +Contingent, and many private individuals were equally generous. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> +Legislative Council unanimously agreed that all expenses connected with the +equipment, arming, transport, and, when necessary, mounting of the Ceylon +Contingent, should be borne by the Colony. This liberal decision was acknowledged +by Mr. Chamberlain in the following terms:—</p> + +<p class="smcap center">Mr. Chamberlain to Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. West Ridgeway.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“Your telegrams of January 9 and January 10. Her Majesty’s Government +congratulate Ceylon on completion of Contingent, which they accept with +much pleasure, and highly appreciate patriotic and generous action of Legislative +Council.”</p> + +<p class="smaller">The Ceylon Mounted Contingent sailed on February 2 for active service in +South Africa, amid the prayers and good wishes of a huge concourse of people.</p> + +<p class="smaller">In addition to the above contingents from India and Ceylon, the Indian +Government sent the guns and equipment for three field-batteries of 15-pounders, +and also three corps of native transport drivers and muleteers—about +400 in all—under British officers.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a id="THE_SOUTH_AFRICAN_VOLUNTEERS" name="THE_SOUTH_AFRICAN_VOLUNTEERS"></a>THE SOUTH AFRICAN VOLUNTEERS<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></h3> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a id="CAPE_COLONY" name="CAPE_COLONY"></a>CAPE COLONY</h3> + +<p class="smaller">It has been said that the whole course of the campaign might have been +changed had the Cape Colony forces been utilised sufficiently early. If the +Cape Ministry had begun at once by employing the splendid Colonial forces at +its disposal, not for purposes of defiance, but of defence, the tale of raid and +rebellion, which has been as harassing as the tale of war, would never have +been told. But as it is useless to talk of the <i>might have been</i>, or of things done +or left undone by the Cape Ministry, we must proceed to consider the services +of the Cape Colonial Force, of the ten thousand volunteers, when they were +eventually allowed to come into action. Of the splendid troops in Mafeking +and Kimberley the Colony must ever be proud, for on them fell the weight of +showing what worthy offshoots of the bold and the brave the sun of South +Africa has reared. These men, recruited for the most part from Cape Town, +Port Elizabeth, East London, Queenstown, Grahamstown, and Kimberley, consisted +largely of past and present Cape Colony Volunteers. They were bone +of our bone, and when the hour of stress arrived they proved themselves as +such. They were immensely proud to be included in the term British, and +right royally they acted up to the higher interpretation of that term. Though +they have borne years of insult and suffered in innumerable ways for their +fealty and devotion to the Mother Country, they rushed to arms joyfully in the +hope that Great Britain would reassert herself, annex the whole of South +Africa, and administer it under one Government. They longed to be quit of +Dutch intrigue. They pined for a strong rule, one that would be free of the +vacillations that had kept them on tenter-hooks for years, and prevented their +living in a sense of security enjoyed by other freeborn British subjects. By +these loyal fellows the towns of Mafeking and Kimberley were practically defended. +In those places there were very few Imperial troops, and little could +have been accomplished without the aptness and grit of the Colonials. The +reason why they appeared to be neglected is not far to seek. No man is a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> +prophet in his own country, and to this trite fact may be attributed the want +of instant appreciation accorded to the Cape Colonial Volunteers who so +spontaneously and with genuine zeal responded to the call of duty. While we +made much of the Colonials from over the seas—the “Visiting Colonials” as +they are called—we failed to see that at our elbows were the very men who +would leap forward at a word and check the onward career of the enemy and +put a stop to his annexations while our troops in England were getting into +shape. But later we jumped at them. Then the Cape Colonists began to be +vastly appreciated, and to receive the highest encomiums from all who had the +good fortune to serve with them.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The following is a table of some of the prominent Colonial forces of Cape +Colony, 1900:—</p> + +<table summary="South African Volunteer Corps" style="border-collapse:collapse;"> +<tr> +<td rowspan="2" colspan="2" class="bt bl center">CORPS</td> +<td class="smcap bt bl center" colspan="2">Establishment</td> +<td class="smcap bt bl center" colspan="3">Effective to Date</td> +<td rowspan="2" colspan="3" class="smcap bt bl center">Remarks</td> +<td rowspan="2" colspan="2" class="bt bl br center">OFFICERS</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bt bl center">All Ranks</td> +<td class="bt bl center">Horses</td> +<td class="bt bl center">Officers</td> +<td class="bt bl center">N.C.O.’s and Men</td> +<td class="bt bl br center">Horses</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="smcap center bt bl padtop">Irregulars raised before War</td> +<td class="bt bl"> </td> +<td class="bt bl"> </td> +<td class="bt bl"> </td> +<td class="bt bl"> </td> +<td class="bt bl"> </td> +<td colspan="3" class="bt bl"> </td> +<td colspan="2" class="bt bl br"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent" style="width:30%;">Rhodesian Regiment</td> +<td style="width:2%;"> </td> +<td class="bl center" style="width:6%;">...</td> +<td class="bl center" style="width:6%;"> </td> +<td class="bl center" style="width:6%;">...</td> +<td class="bl center" style="width:6%;">...</td> +<td class="bl center" style="width:6%;">...</td> +<td class="bl" rowspan="20" style="width:1%;"> </td> +<td class="bt br bb" rowspan="20" style="width:1%;"> </td> +<td rowspan="20" style="width:14%;">These numbers have been increased within the last few months by recruiting, Kitchener’s Horse +showing an increase of about 50. The figures, therefore, are only approximately correct</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">Protectorate Regiment</td> +<td rowspan="2" style="font-size:300%;">}</td> +<td rowspan="2" class="bl center">650</td> +<td rowspan="2" class="bl center">...</td> +<td rowspan="2" class="bl center">...</td> +<td rowspan="2" class="bl center"> </td> +<td rowspan="2" class="bl center">...</td> +<td rowspan="2" class="bl" style="width:2%;font-size:300%;">{</td> +<td rowspan="2" class="br hangindent" style="width:20%;">Col. Baden-Powell, 5th Dragoon Guards</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">Kimberley Regiment</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">Diamond Fields Horse</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">100</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center"> </td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">Bechuanaland Rifles</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">100</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="smcap bl center padtop">Irregulars raised since War</td> +<td class="bl"> </td> +<td class="bl"> </td> +<td class="bl"> </td> +<td class="bl"> </td> +<td class="bl"> </td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">Rimington’s Guides</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">212</td> +<td class="bl center">220</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td rowspan="3" class="bl" style="font-size:300%;">{</td> +<td rowspan="3" class="br"><div class="hangindent">Lieut.-Col. Hon. J. Byng, 10th Hussars</div> +<div class="hangindent">Capt. Villiers, Royal Horse Guards</div></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">1st S.A.L. Horse</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">599</td> +<td class="bl center">580</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">Roberts’s Horse</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">599</td> +<td class="bl center">580</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">Kitchener’s Horse</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">599</td> +<td class="bl center">580</td> +<td class="bl center">41</td> +<td class="bl center">617</td> +<td class="bl center">586</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">1st Brabant’s Light Horse</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">599</td> +<td class="bl center">580</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">2nd Brabant’s Light Horse</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">599</td> +<td class="bl center">580</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">Gatacre’s Scouts</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">50</td> +<td class="bl center">50</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">Montmorency’s Cavalry Division Scouts</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">100</td> +<td class="bl center">100</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">6th Cavalry Division Scouts</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">25</td> +<td class="bl center">25</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">Chief in Command’s Body Guard</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">50</td> +<td class="bl center">50</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="smcap bl center padtop">Local Defence Corps</td> +<td class="bl"> </td> +<td class="bl"> </td> +<td class="bl"> </td> +<td class="bl"> </td> +<td class="bl"> </td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">Nesbitt’s Mounted Local Defence Corps</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">400</td> +<td class="bl center">400</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">Bayley’s Mounted Local Defence Corps</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">500</td> +<td class="bl center">500</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">Orpen’s Horse</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">300</td> +<td class="bl center">300</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">Railway Pioneer Regiment</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">1008</td> +<td class="bl center">8</td> +<td class="bl center">34</td> +<td class="bl center">959</td> +<td class="bl center">15</td> +<td colspan="3" class="bl center">...</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="smcap bl center padtop">Volunteers</td> +<td class="bl"> </td> +<td class="bl"> </td> +<td class="bl"> </td> +<td class="bl"> </td> +<td class="bl"> </td> +<td colspan="3" class="bl"> </td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">P.A.O. Cape Artillery</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td colspan="3" class="bl center">...</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl hangindent">Diamond Fields Artillery</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td class="bl center">...</td> +<td colspan="3" class="bl center">...</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br center">...</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="bl bb hangindent">Cape Garrison Artillery</td> +<td class="bb"> </td> +<td class="bl bb center">...</td> +<td class="bl bb center">...</td> +<td class="bl bb center">...</td> +<td class="bl bb center">...</td> +<td class="bl bb center">...</td> +<td colspan="3" class="bl bb center">...</td> +<td colspan="2" class="bl br bb center">...</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="center smcap gap2">Strength of Volunteer Corps on Active Service</p> + +<p class="smaller">Prince Alfred’s Own Cape Artillery—officers, 5; other ranks, 117; total, +122. Diamond Fields Artillery—officers, 4; other ranks, 119; total, 123. +Cape Garrison Artillery—officers, 18; other ranks, 431; total, 449. Duke of +Edinburgh’s Own Volunteer Rifles—officers, 31; other ranks, 1027; total, +1058. Cape Town Highlanders—officers, 12; other ranks, 392; total, 404. +Prince Alfred’s Volunteer Guard—officers, 21; other ranks, 494; total, 515.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> +First City Volunteers—officers, 22; other ranks, 556; total, 578. Kaffrarian +Rifles (Colonel Cuming)—officers, 31; other ranks, 672; total, 703. Queenstown +Rifle Volunteers—officers, 18; other ranks, 299; total, 317. Frontier +Mounted Rifles—officers, 10; other ranks, 131; total, 141. Uitenhage Volunteer +Rifles—officers, 16; other ranks, 396; total, 412. Komgha Mounted +Rifles—officers, 5; other ranks, 41; total, 46. Stellenbosch Mounted Infantry—officers, +1; other ranks, 31; total, 32. Kimberley Regiment—officers, +25; other ranks, 541; total, 566. Bechuanaland Rifles—officers, 5; other +ranks, 61; total, 66. A Company Cape Medical Staff Corps—officers, 2; other +ranks, 55; total, 57. B Company Cape Medical Staff Corps—officers, 3; other +ranks, 71; total, 74. C Company Cape Medical Staff Corps—officers, 0; other +ranks, 13; total, 13. Transkei Mounted Rifles—officers, 5; other ranks, 66; +total, 71. No. 1 Xalanga Border Mounted Rifle Club—officers, 4; other ranks, +40; total, 44. No. 19 Tembuland Mounted Rifle Club—officers, 2; other +ranks, 21; total, 23. No. 23 Nqamakwe Mounted Rifle Club—officers, 1; +other ranks, 21; total, 22. No. 25 Engcobo Mounted Rifle Club—officers, 1; +other ranks, 28; total, 29. No. 29 Tsomo Mounted Rifle Club—officers, 1; +other ranks, 29; total, 30.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 566px;"> +<a name="illo49" id="illo49"></a><img src="images/illo49.png" width="566" height="479" alt="South African Scout. Full Equipment." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">South African Scout. Full Equipment.</span> +</div></div> + +<p class="smaller">To prove his appreciation of the devotion and military prowess of the Cape +colonists Lord Roberts, on his arrival in South Africa, decided on raising a +Colonial Division. The official intimation of the formation of this division was +contained in the following announcement:—</p> + +<p class="smaller">“The Commander-in-Chief, recognising the value of the services rendered +by the Colonial troops, has authorised the formation of a division. Colonel +Brabant, M.L.A., C.M.G., has been given the local and temporary rank of a +Brigadier-General, and will be in command. Brabant’s Horse, with several +other irregular corps and mounted contingents, limited in number, from the +infantry volunteer regiments, will form the first portion of this force, and its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> +first object will be to drive the enemy out of the Colony, and to co-operate +with the Imperial troops. It has been decided to raise a further 1500 mounted +irregulars, so as to give all Colonials and men with Colonial experience a +chance of joining this division. Men who enrol in this Mounted Irregular +Corps, and who cannot afford to go on a long campaign, will be allowed to +register their names for service in the Colony only, but any portion of such +registered men can volunteer to take part in any further advance that may be +ordered beyond the Orange River. To raise this latter force recruiting stations +will be open in all parts of the Colony, and it is proposed to elect officers from +Colonial gentlemen or those with Colonial experience.”</p> + +<p class="smaller">As may be imagined, there was great jubilation among the thousands of +martial spirits at the Cape, who for long had been fretting at enforced inactivity.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Some very interesting particulars regarding raising of some of the Colonial +Corps were elicited from Mr. W. Hosken, who was chairman of the Uitlander +Council and the Chamber of Commerce at Johannesburg. He said: “I +was chairman of the committee which obtained permission from the Government +to raise Thorneycroft’s and Bethune’s Corps of mounted infantry and the +Imperial Light Horse, and all raised in Natal and mainly from refugee +Uitlanders from Johannesburg. From the Imperial officers with whom I was +brought into contact I received every consideration and the greatest cordiality. +But again it should be remembered that we got the permission only after pressure +had been brought to bear by public meetings at Durban and Maritzburg, and in +other ways. The response was most gratifying. Only when the Boers +were threatening to advance on Maritzburg were we allowed to form the +Imperial Light Horse. Intimation of the permission was given on the Friday. +By the following Wednesday we were able to report that 1300 men had +offered for service, and that the medical examination would be at once begun. +Thorneycroft’s Corps was the first to take the field, and was actually fighting +within six weeks from the date of its enrolment. The testimony from Boer +sources as to the value of these regiments has been most gratifying. In one +verbal statement by a Boer commandant they were described as ‘evidently +skilled sharpshooters.’ Then there are the Natal Volunteers, recruited in very +much the same way as your Volunteers at home, clerks and artisans from the +towns, with the mounted companies from the country districts. They took the +field possibly with some misgivings as to their capacity, just as the Volunteers +here might do; but they have proved themselves equal to any military duty +that is imposed on them. The soldiers of the regular army recognise them as +worthy comrades, and the greatest cordiality exists between the regular and +volunteer forces. Later on there was formed also in Natal a body of Colonial +scouts—750 strong—recruited from local men who knew the country. Those +who wished to serve together were placed in the same squad. Every section +of twenty-five men elects its own leader, and every four sections its commander. +They have already proved their efficiency in service with Sir Redvers Buller’s +army. Then there is the corps of ambulance bearers. When General Buller +was making arrangements for the attack on Colenso last month he asked for +1200 white bearers. On the first day the notice was posted in Durban 900 +men volunteered. Far more than the required number offered, and a selection +was made of those who were considered the most fitted for the duty. These +men did excellent work, bringing out the wounded under fire during that +disastrous day at Colenso. Three were killed and several wounded, and every +one of the corps behaved splendidly.”</p> + +<p class="smaller">In regard to the apparent neglect of the Volunteers at the Cape, he went on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> +to say: “The delay in recruiting irregulars at the Cape was not in the least +due to the unwillingness of the Uitlanders there or of the British residents. It +was the result of political considerations which were then thought to be of +sufficient weight by well-advised men on the spot. The delay caused a great +deal of heart-burning among hundreds who were only too keen to take up +arms; and it is only quite recently that permission has been given to form +irregular corps and to accept the services of the Cape Volunteers already in +existence, who were eager to serve. Directly the permission was given men +flocked to the standard, and you have now Rimington’s Guides, the South +African Light Horse, and the Cape Volunteers, who have all promptly proceeded +to the front. Another most useful body is now being recruited both in +Natal and in Cape Colony—I mean the Railway Pioneer Corps. It is being +officered by the most eminent of the mining engineers of Johannesburg, and +the rank and file are made up of skilled mechanics, who are specially qualified +for the particular duties they will have to perform. They will be armed in the +ordinary way, drilled as an engineer corps, and will be expected to do the +ordinary work of the military engineer.”</p> + +<p class="smaller">The Imperial Light Horse, formed by Majors Sampson and Karri Davies, was +largely composed of Australians. Many Johannesburg people joined it, most +of them “all-round sportsmen, capital shots, and keen riders.” They joined +on the principle of not allowing the Mother Country to fight their battles for +them while they had a right arm with which to assert themselves.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The Cape Mounted Police, 1000 strong, who were also sent on active +service at the commencement of the war, were invaluable. They were remarkable, +not alone for gallantry, but efficiency. When Captain de Montmorency’s +Scouts were cut off near Labuschagnes Nek by some 800 Boers, Captain +Golsworthy on the last day of the year came to the rescue with a party of the +Cape Mounted Police, and put the enemy to flight.</p> + +<p class="gap2 smaller">Early in 1900, the Rhodesian Field Force, under the command of Lieut.-General +Sir Frederick Carrington, was organised to operate in Northern +Rhodesia, and stop any trekking of members of the Free State or Transvaal +or rebels of Cape Colony into Rhodesian territory.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The officers were:—Major C. D. Learoyd, Royal Engineers; Major A. V. +Jenner, D.S.O., Rifle Brigade; Major C. L. Josling, Royal Army Medical +Corps; Major G. A. R. Carew, 7th Hussars; Captain E. Peach, Indian Staff +Corps; Captain R. G. Partridge, Army Ordnance Department; Captain W. E. +Lawrence, South Wales Borderers; Second Lieutenant C. S. Rome, 11th +Hussars; Second Lieutenant C. H. Dillon, Rifle Brigade; Paymaster G. J. C. +Whittington, Hon. Colonel; Lieutenant Pemberton; Major P. Dalton, late +3rd V.B. Royal Fusiliers; Major C. D. Guise, 3rd Gloucester Regiment; +Brevet-Major P. Moir Byres, 1st Dragoon Guards; Captain C. W. Kennard, +3rd Gordon Highlanders; Second Lieutenant W. H. Longden, 4th East +Surrey Regiment; Chaplain Rev. F. P. Moreton, M.A.; Lieutenant R. Laing, +surgeon; Lieutenant E. A. Parsons, surgeon; Lieutenant H. Cardin, surgeon; +Lieutenant F. F. Bond, surgeon; Lieutenant G. H. Collard, surgeon; Lieutenant +F. R. Pullin, surgeon; Lieutenant H. D. Buss, surgeon; Colonel H. C. +Wood, late 10th Hussars; Lieut.-Colonel J. Leslie, 5th Royal Irish Fusiliers; +Lieutenant-Colonel B. G. Booth, late Scots Guards; Major J. W. Traill, late +4th Cheshire; Captain R. Gray, C.M.G., late 6th Dragoons; Captain E. C. P. +Curzon, late 18th Hussars; Captain F. C. P. Curzon, Royal Irish Rifles; +Captain H. F. F. Fisher, Army Service Corps; Veterinary-Captain H. T. W.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +Mann; Lieutenant J. K. Rashleigh, late Artillery Militia; Lieutenant F. J. +Lawrence, late English Militia; Lieutenant C. A. Burgoyne, 3rd Dragoon +Guards; Lieutenant A. Wormald, surgeon; Major E. J. Tickell, D.S.O., +14th Hussars; Captain J. Ponsonby, Coldstream Guards; Captain Pereira, +Coldstream Guards; Captain H. J. Haddock, Royal Welsh Fusiliers; Captain +R. K. Arbuthnot, Royal Irish Regiment; Lieutenant W. D. P. Watson, late +Scots Greys; Major G. Wright, R.G.A.; Major A. Paris, R.M.A.; Captain and +Hon. Major G. E. Giles, late R.A. In all, forty-four officers.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="NATAL" id="NATAL"></a>NATAL</h3> + +<p class="smaller">The following is a list of the names and numbers of the local forces which +the colony of Natal has put into the field: Natal Naval Volunteers, 150; +Natal Carabineers (Colonel Royston, since dead), 465; Natal Mounted Rifles, +200; Border Mounted Rifles, 270; Umvoti Mounted Rifles (Major Leuchars), +130; Natal Field Artillery, 120; Natal Royal Rifles, 145; Durban Light +Infantry, 400; Medical Staff, 7; Veterinary, 3; Staff, 19; Natal Mounted +Police (Europeans) at Ladysmith and other portions of the Colony (Colonel +Dartnell), 649; Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry (Colonel Thorneycroft, Royal +Scots Fusiliers, D.A.A.G.), 500; Bethune’s Mounted Infantry (Lieut.-Colonel +Bethune, 16th Lancers, Colonel Addison second in command), 500; Imperial +Light Infantry (Colonel Nash), 1000; Imperial Light Horse (Colonel Scott +Chisholm, killed 21st November 1899), 500; Colonial Scouts (Colonel Edwards, +Captain Sydney Osborne), 500; Ambulance Bearers (1st section), 1000; +Ambulance Bearers (2nd section), 600. Total, 7158.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The South African Light Horse is mentioned among the Cape Colonial +troops, though it has done notable work in Natal. The second and third regiments +of the corps became respectively Roberts’s and Kitchener’s Horse. In +the district of Kaffraria half the available men were embodied, men belonging +to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Volunteer Rifles—one of the corps of +“regulars” belonging to Cape Colony.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The South African Light Horse was started on the 12th of November. By +order of Sir Redvers Buller a recruiting office was opened in Cape Town, +whereupon the place was instantly invaded. Patriotic fervour ran high, and +every one desired to take a share in showing forth the might of Great Britain. +The officers, Major Byng (10th Hussars, with temporary rank of colonel) +and Captain Villiers (R.H.G., with temporary rank of major), set themselves +manfully to hurry the work of organisation. In no time men were picked—fine +riders and fine shots—mounted and equipped. Saddlery, tents, harness, +ammunition—all were gathered together with startling celerity. Among the +troopers were British-born subjects, Uitlanders, Colonials, Americans, farmers, +seamen, &c. The officers hailed from many regiments—the 10th Hussars, +Royal Horse Guards, Life Guards, 11th Hussars, 20th Hussars, Gordon +Highlanders, Yeomanry, Militia—all manner of men of distinction and wealth +and breeding uniting together in a common brotherhood for a common cause.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The following is a list of the officers: Colonel Byng, 10th Hussars, +commanding; Major Villiers, Royal Horse Guards, second in command; Captain +Fraser, 1st Life Guards, adjutant; Captain French, late L.G., Maxims; +Captain Harden, Transport; Captain Murray; Captain Anderson; Captain +Hull, paymaster; Vet.-Captain Walker; Vet.-Lieutenant Steele; Chaplain +Rev. G. Eales. Squadron Leaders—Captain Balfour, late 11th Hussars; +Major (Bimbash) Stewart, Gordon Highlanders; Captain Kirkwood; Captain +Gatacre; Captain Renton; Captain Whittaker; Captain Child; Captain Allgood.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> +Lieutenants Milne, Tucker, Brown, Jobling, De Rougemont, Tarbutt, Davis, +Bathurst, Shepherd; Second Lieutenants Warren, Carlton Smith, Hamilton, +Cock, Leith, Welstead, Robinson, Oates, Johnson, Vignelles, Vaughan, Carlisle, +Marsden, Overbeck, Newman, Penrose, Kuhlman, Horne, Cloete, Walker-Leigh, +Hon. de Saumarez, Thorold, Kitson, Vaghan.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Three squadrons under Captain Byng proceeded to the front to Natal, where +they immediately distinguished themselves, while the remainder of the regiment +went to the western border, and there took a full share of incessant +work.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The Natal Mounted Police under Colonel Dartnell, “a genius, planner, and +guide,” did wonderful deeds in relation to the defence of Ladysmith and during +the trying actions which preceded it. The gallant colonel, who has been +described in action as being “as good as a brigade,” placed his own horse at +the disposal of General Symons, who was wounded, and saw him safely off the +field at Glencoe.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The Natal Carabineers served splendidly both within and without Ladysmith, +some of the force, under Lord Dundonald, being the first to relieve the +town. Their fighting qualities are well known, and it is unnecessary to do +more than quote the words of General Hunter, who said, “I never wish to +serve with better men.”</p> + +<p class="smaller">First-rate work has been done by the Frontier Mounted Rifles, a well-trained +and excellently-equipped body of men, all in the prime of life, and +drawn from the eastern border towns of the Cape Colony. They held a +position of continual danger, being encamped nearest the enemy. Being born +and bred among the kopjes which afforded the Boers such cosy hiding-places, +they were acquainted with every nook and corner, and could find their way +about them both in daylight and dark. This force, with the Cape Police, +helped to keep General Gatacre informed regarding the seething mass of disloyalty +that surrounded him. It was difficult to choose between the honest +hostility of the Free Staters and the crafty antagonism of the rebel Dutchmen, +who had joined the enemy almost to a man. These were known to be in +active collusion with the foe, assisting them by spying, blowing up culverts, +wrecking railway lines, and generally assisting in the development of the plots +to sweep British rule from the soil of Africa. Loyal British subjects had much +to suffer at the hands of these people, who spent their time carrying off and +destroying furniture and valuables, smashing windows and doors, and damaging +all property other than their own that they could lay hands on, and with +these duplicit ruffians the British troops unaided by Colonials could never +have been even. Besides the valuable services of the Frontier Mounted Rifles +and the Cape Police, General Gatacre had under him four other regiments of +Cape Colonials, who were all trying to outrival each other in nobility, pluck, +and usefulness. Of many other regiments pages might be written, but space +does not permit. In regard to the Imperial Light Horse, one sentence expressed +by Sir George White speaks volumes. He said it was composed of +the finest fighting material that he had ever had under his command.</p> + +<h3><a name="THE_IMPERIAL_YEOMANRY" id="THE_IMPERIAL_YEOMANRY"></a>THE IMPERIAL YEOMANRY</h3> + +<p class="smaller">Early in the days of war Lord Lonsdale offered to take out to South Africa +200 men of the Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry, of which he is +colonel, and to fully equip and clothe them. Lord Harris and his regiment, +the East Kent Mounted Rifles, also were among the first to volunteer for the +front, and before that the Middlesex Yeomanry (the Duke of Cambridge’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +Hussars) made a hurried application to go to the Transvaal, which impetuosity +of loyalty was met by the War Office with courteous refusal. At that time the +need for light cavalry in South Africa seemed scarcely to have dawned on the +authorities. It was true that October mists and November fogs had enveloped +London, and that no one between Downing Street and the Mansion House +could see an inch before his nose, and it was equally true that by the time +these mists had cleared away there was only one question, namely, “How +many men could be sent abroad out of the 10,000 who constituted the +Yeomanry Cavalry?”</p> + +<p class="smaller">Then, in December, the following announcement, with regulations to be +observed in the organisation of a Contingent of Yeomanry and Volunteers, was +published:—</p> + +<p class="smaller"><span class="smcap">Yeomanry.</span>—1. Her Majesty’s Government have decided to raise for +service in South Africa a mounted infantry force, to be named “The Imperial +Yeomanry.” 2. The force will be recruited from the Yeomanry, but Volunteers +and civilians who may possess the requisite qualifications (as given +below) will be specially enrolled in the Yeomanry for this purpose. 3. The +force will be organised in companies of 115 rank and file, five officers being +allotted to each company, viz., one captain and four subalterns, preference +being given to Yeomanry officers. 4. The term of enlistment for officers +and men will be for one year, or for not less than the period of the war. +5. The officers and men will bring their own horses, clothing, saddlery, +and accoutrements. Arms and ammunition, camp equipment, and regimental +transport will be provided by Government. 6. The men will be dressed in +Norfolk jackets, of woollen material of neutral colour, breeches and gaiters, +lace boots, and felt hats. Strict uniformity of pattern will not be insisted upon. +7. The pay will be at cavalry rates, with a capitation grant for horses, +clothing, saddles, and accoutrements. All ranks will receive rations from date +of joining. Gratuities and allowances will be those laid down in special army +order of May 10, 1899. 8. Applications for enrolment should be addressed +to colonels commanding Yeomanry regiments, or to General Officers commanding +districts, to whom instructions will be immediately issued.</p> + +<p class="smaller"><i>Qualifications.</i>—(<i>a</i>) Candidates must be from twenty to thirty-five years of +age and of good character. (<i>b</i>) Volunteers or civilian candidates must satisfy +the colonel of the regiment through which they enlist that they are good riders +and marksmen, according to Yeomanry standard. (<i>c</i>) The standard of physique +to be that for cavalry of the line.</p> + +<p class="smaller"><span class="smcap">Volunteers.</span>—Her Majesty’s Government have decided to accept offers +of service in South Africa from the Volunteers. A carefully selected company +of 110 rank and file, officered by one captain and three subalterns, will +be raised (one for each British line battalion serving in, or about to proceed +to, South Africa) from the Volunteer battalions of the territorial regiment. +These Volunteer companies will, as a general rule, take the place in the line +battalion of its company, serving as mounted infantry. The Volunteer +battalions from which a company is accepted will form and maintain a waiting +company in reserve at home. The selection of men from the Volunteer +battalions for service with the line battalion in the field, will devolve on the +commanding officers of Volunteer battalions. The terms of enlistment for +officers and men will be for one year, or for not less than the period of the +war. Full instructions for the information of all concerned will be issued +with the least possible delay through General Officers commanding districts.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 636px;"> +<a name="illo50" id="illo50"></a><img src="images/illo50.png" width="636" height="419" alt="LONDONS RESPONSE-THE CITY IMPERIAL VOLUNTEERS CROSSING WESTMINSTER BRIDGE." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">LONDON’S RESPONSE—THE CITY IMPERIAL VOLUNTEERS CROSSING WESTMINSTER BRIDGE.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Drawing by Allan Stewart.</span> +</div></div> + +<p class="smaller">A committee was formed to assist in organising the Yeomanry force, among<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> +which were the following notable persons: Colonel Lord Chesham, Colonel A. +G. Lucas, Colonel Viscount Valentia, Colonel the Right Hon. W. H. Long, +M. P. Colonel the Earl of Lonsdale consented to assist the committee in the +obtaining of horses. The following Acting Staff Officers were nominated to +assist Colonel Lord Chesham: Captain the Hon. W. Bagot (late Scots +Guards), Captain L. Sandwith (8th Hussars), Adjutant of the 2nd Yeomanry +Brigade.</p> + +<p class="smaller">In a short, an almost incredibly short, space of time numerous battalions +were in readiness, and a strong contingent from Ireland was raised, composed +mainly of hunting men. The Under-Secretary for War wrote to correct the +impression which prevailed in some quarters that the raising of funds by +private subscriptions for the Volunteers and Imperial Yeomanry going to South +Africa was promoted by Government in order to do work which ought to be +done with Government money. He pointed out that the Government was +bearing the whole cost of those forces, providing them directly with their pay, +food, and arms, and, through their regiments, with clothing and equipments. +But the Government allowance for these things was calculated on the regular +army scale, and the public subscription would be serviceable in the way of +making better provision in those directions for the local Volunteers and Yeomanry, +of locally overcoming certain difficulties of organisation, and of decentralising +a great deal of contracting for horses, saddles, clothing, &c. Why, +they argued, should the man who volunteers his service in the field bear also +all the cost of making himself efficient, and all the cost entailed by his absence +from his trade or profession? Surely those who could not volunteer for the +front will be glad to assist him, or his corps in this case, as they have assisted +him or his corps in time of peace for forty years? Quantities of men of independent +means throughout the country, a great many of whom were acquainted +with each other, were ready and anxious to form a corps of the Imperial +Yeomanry, messing and fighting together, and enduring the hardships and +dangers of the trooper in emulation of the regular service man; and to this +body of men the corps specially appealed. Though at first some 5000 men +were called for, it was evident that 10,000 could have been recruited if needed. +The magnificent example set by thousands of young men in humble stations of +life, who left home and good employment courageously to serve their country, +acted as a powerful incentive to their more fortunate brethren of means and +leisure, and it was astonishing to find how readily all the members of the +“upper ten” sacrificed themselves rather than be “out of it.” Eventually the +Duke of Cambridge’s Own, the Special Corps, went to Africa, paying their own +expenses. In this corps every trooper, equally with every other member of +the Imperial Yeomanry, was entitled to a grant of £65 on joining, but all other +expenses were defrayed by themselves, and even the pay received during the +campaign was devoted to swell the Imperial War Fund for the widows and +orphans of soldiers who had fallen in action. The cost of equipment of each +recruit amounted to £170. The special purpose of the scheme was to attract +men of social standing and education, and enable groups of friends to serve +together in the same unit at the front. Among those who were enrolled was +Lord Elphinstone; Mr. Geoffrey Malcolm Gathorne-Hardy, grandson of the +Earl of Cranbrook; Captain Shaw; the Hon. Aubrey N. Molyneux Herbert +(brother of the Earl of Carnarvon); the Hon. A. Hill-Trevor. Lord Lovat +engaged himself actively in raising a corps of Highland gillies. In addition to +the Government grant, magnificent contributions poured in for the full equipment +of the corps. Lord Loch worked energetically in organising the South<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> +African Contingent of the Imperial Yeomanry. These troops were formed only +of men who had South African experience, and had seen service there.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The following is a list of the various battalions:—</p> + +<p class="smaller">1st Battalion (Colonel Challoner)—1st and 2nd Co. Royal Wiltshire +Yeomanry; 4th Co. Glamorganshire Detachment; 3rd Co. Gloucestershire +Yeomanry. 2nd Battalion (Colonel Burke)—32nd Co. Lancashire Hussars; +21st and 22nd Co. Cheshire Yeomanry; 5th Co. Warwickshire Yeomanry. +3rd Battalion (Colonel Younghusband)—9th Co. Yorkshire Hussars; 11th Co. +Yorkshire Dragoons; 12th Co. South Notts; 10th Co. Notts (Sherwood +Rangers). 4th Battalion (Colonel Blair)—7th Co. Leicestershire Yeomanry; +8th Co. Derbyshire Yeomanry; 6th Co. Staffordshire Yeomanry; 28th Co. +Bedfordshire Detachment. 5th Battalion (Colonel Meyrick)—14th and 15th +Co. Northumberland; 13th Co. Shropshire; 16th Co. Worcestershire. 6th +Battalion (Colonel Burn)—17th Co. Ayrshire Yeomanry; 18th Co. Lanarkshire +Yeomanry; 19th Co. Lothian and Berwickshire; 20th Co. Fife Light +Horse. 7th Battalion (Colonel Helyar)—27th Co. Royal 1st Devon, +Royal North Devon; 48th Co. North Somerset; 25th Co. West Somerset; +26th Co. Dorsetshire. 8th Battalion (Colonel Crawley)—23rd Co. Duke of +Lancaster’s Own; 51st and 52nd Co. Mr. Paget’s Corps; 24th Co. Westmoreland +and Cumberland. 9th Battalion (Colonel Howard)—29th Co. +Denbighshire; 30th Co. Pembrokeshire; 31st and 49th Co. Montgomeryshire. +10th Battalion (Colonel Lord Chesham)—37th and 38th Co. Buckinghamshire; +39th Co. Berkshire; 40th Co. Oxfordshire, 11th Battalion (Colonel +Wilson)—42nd Co. Hertfordshire; 43rd and 44th Co. Suffolk; 41st Co. +Hampshire Carabineers. 12th Battalion (Colonel Mitford)—34th and 35th +Co. Middlesex; 33rd Co. Royal East Kent; 36th Co. West Kent. 13th +Battalion—54th and 56th Co. Irish (Belfast) Companies; 45th Co. Irish +(Dublin) Company; 47th Co. Lord Donoughmore’s Corps (Duke of Cambridge’s +Own). 14th Battalion (Lieut.-Colonel Brookfield)—55th Co. Northumberland; +53rd Co. Royal East Kent; 50th Co. Hampshire; 62nd Co. Middlesex. +15th Battalion (Lieut.-Colonel Sandwith)—56th and 57th Co. Bucks; 58th +Co. Berks; 59th Co. Oxford. 16th Battalion (Lieut.-Colonel Ridley)—63rd +Co. Wilts; 64th Co. Cheshire; 65th Co. Suffolk; 66th Co. York. 17th +Battalion (Lieut.-Colonel Moore ?)—60th Co. North Irish, Belfast; 61st Co. +South Irish, Dublin. 18th Battalion—67th, 70th, and 71st Co. Sharpshooters. +19th Battalion (Lieut.-Colonel Rodney ?)—69th Co. Sussex; 68th Co. Paget’s +Corps; 72nd Co. Rough Riders; 73rd Co. Paget’s Corps.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Each battalion consisted of four companies of 116 each.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Colonel Viscount Downe, who was serving on Lord Roberts’s staff in South +Africa, was elected to command a brigade of the Imperial Yeomanry, and +Lieutenant the Hon. R. F. Molyneux, Royal Horse Guards, was selected as his +aide-de-camp.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Lord Dunraven’s Battalion of Sharpshooters embarked for Africa to join +the Rhodesian Force on the 6th of April. It was composed of four companies. +The 67th, under the command of Captain Crum (late 52nd Regiment), was +accompanied by Lieutenants Langford, Jones, Curley, and Dyke. The 75th, +commanded by Major Warden (late Middlesex Regiment), was accompanied +by Lieutenants Gabbett, Power, Warde, and Bosanquet. The 70th Company, +comprising the Scottish Unit under Colonel Hill (late 12th Lancers), was +accompanied by Lieutenants Clark, Torrance, Hotchkiss, and Andrews. The +remaining company was commanded by Sir Savile Crossley.</p> + +<p class="smaller">The Earl of Dunraven, the founder of the corps, went to South Africa as +Supernumerary Captain on the Battalion Staff.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="THE_CITY_IMPERIAL_VOLUNTEERS" id="THE_CITY_IMPERIAL_VOLUNTEERS"></a>THE CITY IMPERIAL VOLUNTEERS</h3> + +<p class="smaller">The announcement that the Government had decided to send to South +Africa a force of Volunteers, was received with general delight by our civilian +soldiers throughout the country. Here was a chance—a chance never before +offered to earn distinction in the field; and here was an opportunity—most +seasonable and appropriate, for the expression of public opinion, and for the +display, the universal and effervescent patriotism that had found little chance +of outlet in the prosaic walks of everyday life. The official intimation came +as a surprise, and surprise in a few moments developed into unrestrained joy. +The proposal to employ “a strong contingent of carefully selected Volunteers” +was no sooner published than the War Office was besieged with applicants +all eager to know what chance of being included in the great military movement +might be available. A few weeks before the opening of Parliament +Colonel Sir Howard Vincent volunteered “marksmen” for service in South +Africa, and other colonels of Volunteer regiments followed suit. General +Trotter (commanding the Home District) expressed a belief that the employment +of Volunteers in the present crisis would demonstrate for all who should +care to profit by the lesson the magnificent reserve force of civilian soldiers +possessed by our nation, a force utterly ignored by Continental nations. This +force was practically a force of picked men, selected marksmen who, unlike the +“Regulars,” were all first-rate shots, and fit to cope with the skilled sharpshooters +of the Boers. The marksmanship of many of the London corps of +Volunteers has for many years been phenomenal, and it was said that in one +company of the 13th Middlesex there were no less than sixty-three first-class +shots out of eighty. Finally, it was decided that the “C.I.V.’s,” as they were +called, should consist of 1400, and both corps sailed towards the end of +January. Prior to their departure the Freedom of the City was conferred upon +the officers of the regiment at the Guildhall, and later an impressive farewell +service was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Their departure through London +was somewhat difficult, owing to the dense and enthusiastic multitude that +thronged the streets to see the last of them.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 672px;"> +<a name="illo51" id="illo51"></a><img src="images/illo51.png" width="672" height="263" alt="12½-Pounder Quick-Firing Field-Gun—City of London Field Battery." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">12½-Pounder Quick-Firing Field-Gun—City of London Field Battery.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">(By permission of Messrs. Vickers, Sons & Maxim, and the publishers of the <i>Engineer</i>.)</span> +</div></div> + +<p class="smaller">The Lord Mayor, Mr. Newton (now Sir A. J. Newton, Bart.), who was +the moving spirit in the organisation of the corps, gave an excellent account +of the splendid work that had been accomplished and of the prompt equipment +and despatch of the regiment. This report concisely and modestly describes +the enormous undertaking, though it does not sufficiently enlarge on the keen +personal interest and magnificent services rendered by the prime mover in the +great scheme. The Lord Mayor said: “From the moment when the Commander-in-Chief +did me the honour of placing in my hands, as Chief Magistrate +of the City of London, the organisation of a regiment of thoroughly +qualified Volunteers for service in South Africa, I have been profoundly impressed +with the responsibility of the trust, and the importance of every promise +made on behalf of the Corporation and City of London being fulfilled in its +integrity. The original promise was 1000 Metropolitan Volunteers, all recommended +by their commanding officers, all between twenty and thirty-five years, +all bachelors, and that at least 250 should be mounted. That was on the +20th of December (1899), and now, on the 3rd of February (1900), the City +of London, with the approval of the military authorities, has completely equipped +and despatched to the seat of war upwards of 1550 selected Volunteers, of +whom 500 men and 17 officers are already in Cape Town—all approved by the +General Officer commanding the Home District. Of these, 400 are mounted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +infantry, having their saddlery with them, and their horses ready at the +Cape. Four small Maxim guns, with 200,000 rounds of ammunition, have +also been shipped. A highly trained battery of field artillery, mainly provided +by the Honourable Artillery Company, through the zealous co-operation +of the Earl of Denbigh, composed of 140 men and officers, left the +Royal Albert Docks by the steamship <i>Montfort</i>. This section took with it +four 12½-pounder quick-firing guns and ample ammunition, together with +their full complement of 110 horses, purchased here, as they must be of a +stouter type than the Cape horses. The City has also—which was not +originally intended—provided the entire camp and tent equipment for the +whole force when it leaves Cape Town, and, at the request of the authorities, +done a good deal in the direction of land transport, without interfering with +the responsibility of the Headquarters Staff in South Africa in respect of +maintenance of the corps. The regiment constitutes a part of her Majesty’s +regular army. The officers and men are soldiers, and remain so during the +campaign. The time has been very brief, but there has been neither hurry +nor confusion, and the explanation of the successful results may be fairly +summed up as follows: As soon as Lord Wolseley accepted my offer, made +on behalf of the Corporation and City, I was in the position of an autocrat in +this business, and the power of the purse was promptly placed at my disposal—in +the first instance by the Corporation with its grant of £25,000, by the City +Livery Companies, the large shipowners, bankers, merchants, the Honourable +Artillery Companies, its members, and the citizens generally. The Metropolitan +Volunteer commanding officers vied with each other as to who could +send the most men, do the most work, and be the most useful. The result +is that, with the exception of a few staff officers from the regular army, the +officers of the City Imperial Volunteers are gentlemen engaged in civil pursuits, +but who have spent years in efficiently performing their duties. The non-commissioned +officers are most carefully picked from the vast band of qualified +men holding the same or higher rank in their own Volunteer regiments, +and every man of the rank and file has been expressly recommended by his +commanding officer for the particular duty allotted to him. Several committees +have dealt with sea and land transport, equipment, saddlery, and finance, and +Volunteer commanding officers have served on all these. A committee of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +Honourable Artillery Company and the battery officers arranged the details +of their own equipment without coming to the Mansion House for anything +but the inevitable cheque. The selection of Colonel Mackinnon, A.A.G., Home +District, as commandant was a very fortunate one for all concerned. Major-General +Turner, C.B., R.A., has been constant in his attendance at the Mansion +House, and always at hand when technical assistance was required. Major +Freemantle and Lieutenant Grantham have been indefatigable, while my son +as hon. secretary to, and Mr. A. D. Watson, a member of, the Equipment Committee, +have gone to Cape Town as the connecting link for a short time between +the regiment and its headquarters—the Mansion House. Colonel C. G. Boxall, +C.B., on whose initiative I took up this work, has thoroughly and loyally +fulfilled in every sense his promise to me to see this business completed, for +which his admittedly great technical knowledge and his indomitable zeal in the +Volunteer cause so eminently fit him. Mr. Abe Bailey, D.L. of the City, who +from the first placed his services at my disposal, is acting as honorary agent +of the regiment at Cape Town. He purchased over four hundred horses, and +arranged for their being put in training and ready for the arrival of the first +contingent, besides rendering other and invaluable aid. Several City firms +have furnished contingents of their expert employees, whose services at the +Guildhall in the preparation and distribution of “kits” have been of great +assistance. The payment of accounts is now progressing, and at the first +opportunity an audited statement of receipts and expenditure will be presented. +In conclusion, I would state that the whole force has gone to the +front with no burning desire for glory, but with a determination to do its duty, +and with an intense loyalty and devotion to their beloved Sovereign.”</p> + +<p class="center smcap gap2">Roll of the City of London Imperial Volunteers.</p> + +<p class="smaller">Officers.—Infantry—Colonel, Earl of Albemarle; second in command, +Lieutenant-Colonel A. G. Pawle; Adjutant, Captain the Hon. J. R. Bailey. +A Company—Captain A. Reid; Lieutenant F. R. Jeffrey; Lieutenant E. D. +Townroe. B Company—Captain C. W. Berkeley; Lieutenant B. W. Garnett; +Lieutenant J. W. Cohen. C Company—Captain C. Matthey; Lieutenant the +Hon. S. McDonnell, C.B.; Lieutenant E. Treffry. D Company—Captain F. J. +Cousens; Lieutenant J. H. Smith; Lieutenant F. R. Burnside. E Company—Captain +R. B. Shipley; Lieutenant W. J. P. Benson; Lieutenant F. B. Marsh. +F Company—Captain W. Edis; Lieutenant P. F. Brown; Lieutenant S. H. +Hole. G Company—Captain A. A. Howell; Lieutenant C. P. Grindle; Lieutenant +P. Croft. H Company—Captain C. A. Mortimer; Lieutenant W. B. I. +Alt; Lieutenant B. C. Green. Quartermaster, Captain S. Firth. Medical +Officer, Surgeon-Captain E. St. V. Ryan. Staff—Colonel W. H. Mackinnon; +Lieutenant E. H. Trotter; Transport Captain J. E. H. Orr; Paymaster Captain +Triggs (late A. P. D.); Medical Officer, Surgeon-Captain R. R. Sleman; +Veterinary Officer, W. S. Mulvey. Battery—Major G. McMicking; Captain +E. C. Budworth; Lieutenant A. C. Lowe; Lieutenant H. Bayley; Lieutenant +J. F. Duncan; Surgeon, Captain A. Thorne. Mounted Infantry—Colonel H. +C. Cholmondeley; Adjutant Captain E. Bell; Quartermaster J. Ridler. Machine-Gun +Section—Lieutenant E. V. Wellby. No. 1 Company—Captain J. W. +Reid; Lieutenant G. Berry; Lieutenant W. H. Brailey; Lieutenant B. Moeller; +Lieutenant C. H. W. Wilson. No. 2 Company—Captain J. F. Waterlow; +Lieutenant A. Bailey; Lieutenant E. G. Concanon; Lieutenant A. H. Henderson; +Lieutenant E. A. Manisty.</p></blockquote> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> For much valuable information I am indebted to the editor of the <i>South African +Volunteer Gazette</i>.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="gap2"><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smaller">AT COLESBERG</span></h2> + +<p class="gap2">The troops with General French were in very fine fettle. +They had no past history; they were not damped by the +remembrance of a Majesfontein, a Stormberg, or a +Colenso. They had perfect confidence in their chief; +they had just enough hard work to keep their wits +polished and their minds alert, and in the intervals there was +sport of a kind for those who fancied it.</p> + +<p>Fighting in and around Colesberg was incessant. The Boers +were most stubborn in their determination to get rid of the British, +and General French was equally stubborn in his determination to +get rid of the Boers! Colesberg was a situation to be desired, and +both British and Boer forces fought desperately to hold it. It is +situated some thirty-seven miles north of Naauwpoort, which is the +junction of a branch line to De Aar. Between Naauwpoort and Colesberg +are undulating pastures, and the town itself, which boasts a +population of 1900 souls, possesses three—till lately—thriving hotels. +In addition to these attractions it has for the Boers another—the +attraction of being the birthplace of Oom Paul. Its capture would +have mightily impressed the waverers in Cape Colony, consequently +General French determined to celebrate the New Year by making +another lunge at the enemy.</p> + +<p>Early on Monday morning his troops took up a position upon +the kopjes surrounding the town. His force, divided into two +brigades commanded by Colonel Porter (Carabineers) and Colonel +Fisher (10th Hussars), simultaneously attacked the Boer position.</p> + +<p>The second brigade started from Rensburg at five on the +previous afternoon, passed the night at Maider’s farm, and in the +small hours proceeded to their destination, the Boer position on +Kul Kop, and seized the kopjes overlooking Colesberg on the west.</p> + +<p>The advance was made on the Boer haunts at nine, and was +greeted by a tornado from the surprised enemy, whose position extended +for six miles round the entire village. Our artillery answered +briskly, continuing a two hours’ argument which had the result of +effectually silencing the seven or eight Boer guns. (Curiously +enough, on inspection, it was discovered that some of the Boer +shells had been manufactured at the Royal Laboratory, Woolwich!)</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the cavalry and horse-artillery were endeavouring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> +to work round to the north of the enemy’s position. The foe, +ever nimble, was kept “on the trot.” He was driven from hill to +hill. Brilliantly the Berkshires, under Major M’Cracken, stormed +a kopje to the west of Colesberg, occupying successive positions +and pouring a torrent of lead on the enemy, who fled in disorder +with loud shouts! Splendidly wheeled the cavalry, under Colonel +Fisher, executing at the same time a flank movement and closing in +round the Dutchmen, who had but time to flee. The enemy retired +towards the west, followed always by the British, but owing to the +peculiar disposition of the many kopjes in the vicinity the task of +pursuing them was difficult. In their retreat towards Colesberg +Junction they were hotly chased by the cavalry, and Colesberg itself +was left almost in our hands.</p> + +<p>On the 2nd of January an unfortunate accident occurred. A +train within the British lines was mysteriously set in motion, and +was carried by the impetus given to it in the direction of the Boer +lines. It travelled slowly, but sufficiently fast to get out of reach, +and as the machine was full of supplies, it was necessary to fire on +and destroy it rather than allow the Boers to reap the reward of +rebel treachery. The brakes were found to have been taken off +the trucks, and a Dutchman was arrested on suspicion of having +perpetrated the deed. At first an attempt was made to mend the +trucks, the working party being supported by Carabineers and the +Mounted Infantry; but these were bombarded by the Boers, and +finally the trucks had to be fired to prevent the rations they contained, +a quantity of rum, from falling into the hands of the enemy. +The New South Wales Lancers under Major Lee, who were sent +to the scene to avert looting by the foe, spent five hours under fire, +holding the position and returning the fire with great gallantry.</p> + +<p>The small force under General French’s command at this time +consisted of the Carabineers, 10th Hussars, Inniskilling Dragoons, +O and R Batteries of Horse Artillery, the Berkshires and Suffolks, +the New South Wales Lancers and New Zealanders. With this +limited number he had worked wonders, driving the Dutchmen out +from the kopjes immediately around Arundel, and forcing them continually +to shift their position, a process which effectually deterred +them from gaining ground. The Boer position now lay on long +lines of kopjes to east and west of the rails, from Taaibosch Laagte +to Rensburg; in the middle of the plain was the dumpling-figured +kopje known as Val Kop which the British had been forced to +evacuate.</p> + +<p>The enemy now prepared a little surprise. At daybreak on +the 4th they made a sudden attempt to outflank the British position +beyond Coleskop, westward of the town; thus hoping to reopen +communications with the northern waggon bridge.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> + +<p>In General French’s report of the day’s work, he said: “The +enemy was found to have established himself in strength at some hills +running about east and west at right angles to the left rear of our +position. The cavalry on the left should not have allowed him to do +this unseen, but in turning him out they rendered signal service. +The 10th Hussars, with two guns which I sent to them, threatened +to take them in reverse, and they were heavily fired upon by the +remaining four guns of O Battery in front. This caused several +hundred to abandon the position, and the plain was covered with flying +horsemen. The 10th Hussars on one flank, and a squadron of the +Inniskillings on the other, dashed after them. The 10th Hussars +were checked by some of the Boers taking up a strong position in +some rocks to cover the retreat of the others. In a most gallant +style Colonel Fisher dismounted his men and led them on foot +against this position, which they carried with great boldness and +intrepidity.</p> + +<p>“In this daring operation, I regret to say, Major Harvey was +killed, and Major Alexander severely wounded.</p> + +<p>“The 6th Dragoons, led by Captain E. A. Herbert, showed no +less dash, pursuing the enemy, mounted, and inflicting some loss +with their lances. Some 200 of the enemy had, however, still clung +to the hills, and after shelling them for some considerable time, both +in front and flank, I decided to clear the position with the Mounted +Infantry. Advancing under cover of the fire of the artillery, +Captain De Lisle moved his men with great skill to a position +where he could move against the enemy’s right flank. Here he +dismounted and advanced to attack, choosing the ground with +admirable care. At this threat at least 100 more of the Boers took +to flight in many small parties, the remainder endeavoured to check +the Mounted Infantry advance. When one half the position was +made good, a final exodus was made by the enemy, and twenty-one +last remaining Boers surrendered. The Mounted Infantry suffered +no casualties. This operation was most skilfully and boldly carried +out by Captain De Lisle. It has been conclusively ascertained that +on this day the enemy lost upwards of ninety killed and wounded, +our casualties being six killed and fifteen wounded.”</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 408px;"> +<a name="illo52" id="illo52"></a><img src="images/illo52.png" width="408" height="528" alt="OFFICERS—CITY OF LONDON IMPERIAL VOLUNTEERS." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">OFFICERS—CITY OF LONDON IMPERIAL VOLUNTEERS.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Photo by Gregory & Co., London.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>On the 5th of January, Lieutenant Sir John Milbanke, who went +out with a patrol of five men on the plain north of Colesberg, +came in touch with the enemy. The Boers galloped up to intercept +the small British party, and Sir John Milbanke was slightly wounded +in the thigh. This form of skirmish was an almost daily occurrence, +for round the place was a species of Boer girdle. The Dutchmen, +like flies—swept off at one moment to return the next—now buzzed +in the hills within a mile radius from the town, while on the north, +in the direction of the Free State, and in the east towards Aliwal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +and Burghersdorp, they remained in undisturbed possession of the +country. To the north of Colesberg was a hill which practically +commanded the road to Orange River, and also other roads leading +to the town. That this hill should be in British possession was +eminently desirable, and Colonel Watson conceived the idea that it +might be easily taken and held by us. With General French’s permission, +on Friday, the 5th of January, he arranged an expedition, +a midnight one, for the purpose of gaining the coveted position. +He started forth at two o’clock on the morning of the 6th with four +companies of the Suffolk Regiment. After marching stealthily in +the darkness for about a mile, they reached the foot of the hill. +This kopje had been often reconnoitred by various officers, and it +was not due to any rashness on their part that a lamentable accident +occurred. They marched through the dead of night to the top of +the hill. In the morning twilight they were attacked by the enemy, +who, aware of their design, was awaiting them. So completely had +the troops fallen into a trap, that when the rifles blazed out they were +at a distance of only thirty paces from the Dutchmen. The Colonel, +who had halted to address the men, the Adjutant, and two other +officers, were wounded before the Suffolks had found time to fire a +single shot. Indeed, so quickly were they pounced on, that Colonel +Watson, on giving orders to charge, fell riddled with bullets. +Suddenly orders, none knew from whence, were given to “retire.” +Some said it was a ruse of the Boers. The rear fled back to the +pickets, some thousand yards off, believing the order came from their +officers; others—about a hundred and twenty officers and men—remained, +refusing to budge. They fought bravely, but were eventually +compelled to surrender. All were killed, wounded, or taken +prisoners. Of eleven officers, but one remained! The Boers were +evidently well-informed of the commanding officer’s programme, and +their tactics were so clever and combined that they contrived to create +something of a panic when the unfortunate Suffolks, who thought +themselves only preparing for attack, were definitely attacked. +Critics sitting in judgment at home declared that ordinary precautions +would have averted the chance of being entrapped, but others, who +knew Kaffir ways and the condition of the country, where every +keyhole was an ear and every leaf of a tree an eye, were inclined to +marvel that so few disasters happened.</p> + +<p>One of the officers writing of the affair said: “It is quite certain +the Colonel never gave that order, or the officers would have retired +too. They remained to a man, except Graham, who was wounded +early, and could not hold his rifle. He dragged himself down the +hill, and somehow crawled the two miles into camp. The Boers +said those that were left charged three times and behaved splendidly. +The position was impossible to take, even if a brigade had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +attacked, although it had been carefully reconnoitred. The ditch, +with the loopholed wall near the top of the hill, could only have +been discovered by a balloon. The Colonel’s last words were, +‘Remember Gibraltar, my boys!’”<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a></p> + +<p>There was deep regret at the loss of this distinguished officer, +and the whole force lamented the first check which this column had +sustained. The enemy was shelled at intervals, so as to make his +position as uncomfortable as possible, but the Boers still remained in +possession of the route leading to the Free State by Achtertang. +Soon the Essex Regiment was sent on to replace the 1st Suffolk, +who went south to recruit their shattered forces.</p> + +<p>Among the wounded officers was Major Graham; Lieutenants +Wilkins, Carey, and White were killed. With those taken prisoners +were Captains Brett, Thomson, Brown; Second Lieutenants +Allen, Wood-Martin, and Butler. Of the men, 26 were killed, 45 +wounded, and 72 taken prisoners or missing.</p> + +<p>The British occupied Slingersfontein on the 9th of January. +From this time Colonel Porter and his splendidly alert troops—the +5th Dragoons, New Zealanders and New South Wales Lancers—were +busily occupied in keeping the enemy “on the run,” forcing +him to leave one kopje after another, and maintaining harassing +tactics which entirely upset the Dutchmen’s calculations. Still the +Boers were ubiquitous. They now held a strong position between +Colesberg and Slingersfontein, from which with the small force at +hand it was impossible to dislodge them. On the 13th, the inconvenience +of the situation was rendered more intense by a perfect +cyclone of dust which caused the utmost discomfort. Meals were +also made impossible by the aggressive attacks of the enemy, who +plumped shell after shell in the midst of the camp. Colonel Porter +retired his troops to the cover of a neighbouring hill, while three +squadrons of the 6th Dragoon Guards and four guns of O Battery, +Horse Artillery, advanced across the plain and prepared to tackle the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +enemy. This was done with such celerity and decision that almost +in five minutes the Boer guns were silenced and the enemy driven +to cover. As a result of the prompt activities of our artillery, the +Boer tents were removed eastwards.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 644px;"> +<a name="illo53" id="illo53"></a><img src="images/illo53.png" width="644" height="457" alt="Position at Colesberg about 20th January." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">Position at Colesberg about 20th January.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>These sand-storms, characteristic of the Veldt, were a terrible +test to patience. At one moment the camp was an orderly array +of mushroom tents springing decorously from the earth; in the +next it was seemingly an animated mass of anthills trying to maintain +life against an ochreous avalanche of dust. Occasionally when +the cyclone of grit had ceased, it was followed by a hurricane of +hail, accompanied by the gloom of night, the bellow of the blast and +growl of the thunder-claps fighting together in the hills. Then +would the frightened cattle stampede, and the whole routine of +military life become deranged. A rushing mob, a battle of the +elements, a vast ditch irrigated with rivulets, bombardment by the +big guns of the wind—such would be the programme for a good hour +or so! Then, as often as not, the sun would suddenly come out +and shine affably, with the placid, self-satisfied beam of dear old +ladies when they’ve trumped their partner’s best card of a long +suit at whist!</p> + +<p>After this, the routine of life would go on much as before, +the Dutchmen clinging to their positions, and General French +determining to make these as untenable as possible.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the 15th the New Zealanders had an excellent opportunity of +exhibiting their smartness and dash. The Boers made a stubborn +attempt to seize a hill that practically commanded the country to +east and west of their main position. This valuable eminence was +held by a detachment of New Zealanders and D Company of the +Yorkshire Regiment under Captain Orr. Early in the morning +desultory firing began, and later the Boers, increasing the warmth +of their fire, worked towards the right of the position held by the +New Zealanders. At the same time they assailed the Yorkshires, +directing their fire at a small wall held by them and forcing them +to keep close cover. Gradually the Boers advanced, creeping towards +the wall ever nearer and nearer. They then blazed furiously +from their position on the slopes, killing the Sergeant-Major and +wounding Captain Orr. At this time Captain Madocks, R.A. +(attached to the New Zealand Mounted Rifles), and ten New +Zealanders appeared on the scene, and, to the dismay of the Boers, +the whole party with a dash and a yell leapt over the wall and +charged down on their assailants with fixed bayonets. It was a +splendid act, and one which, as the officer commanding the Yorkshires +had dropped wounded, came just in time to save the +situation.</p> + +<p>Away rushed the enemy, rolling one over another in their effort +to be off, while a sustained storm of bullets inflicted heavy loss on +their retreating numbers. From the distance they made a feeble +attempt to fire at the gallant fellows who had routed them, but +eventually they retired to the small kopjes at the base of the contested +hill. There they were saluted by a detachment of two guns of O +Battery from the west of the kopje. The enemy’s long-range gun +now came into play and forced the British guns to move their +position farther to the west. That done, the small kopjes were +effectively shelled and the Dutchmen’s fire silenced. The whole +engagement was a signal success, and the Yorkshires and New +Zealanders were well pleased with their share of the day’s work. +Twenty-one Boers were left dead on the field and many more were +wounded. (On the morning of this day an unfortunate incident +occurred at Colesberg. Lieutenant Thompson, R.H.A., while out +scouting, was wounded and taken prisoner. This officer, together +with Lieutenants Talbot Ponsonby, Lamont, and Aldridge, was +especially mentioned for services performed with the guns.)</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 696px;"> +<a name="illo54" id="illo54"></a><img src="images/illo54.png" width="696" height="450" alt="General Frenchs +Remarkable Position at Colesberg, as seen from Kul or Coles Kop about 15th January." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">General French’s Remarkable Position at Colesberg, +as seen from Kul or Cole’s Kop about 15th January.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Sketch by Frederick Villiers, War Artist.</span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>The events of the last few days had served to show that, however +the Colonials might differ in their customs, habits, and ideas, +they were assuredly identical in their dogged bravery and their fine +spirit of dash—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“They come of The Blood, slower to bless than to ban,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Little used to lie down at the bidding of any man,”—<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>and Captain Madocks and his hardy New Zealanders had now the +well-merited good fortune to have earned the esteem and appreciation +of all who had seen their splendid rush to the rescue +of the Yorkshires. On the 16th General French visited the New +Zealanders’ camp and congratulated them on their gallant conduct +during the fight.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Boers now brought to bear on the position one of the guns +captured by them at Stormberg, and launched some ten shots into +the kopjes held by a company of the Welsh Regiment. They got +as good as they gave, and before long the enemy was completely +silenced. General French’s system was a tit-for-tat form of warfare, +which failed to commend itself to the Dutchmen. It served +well, however—in default of sufficient troops to make any definite +advance—to hold the enemy from proceeding farther south in +British territory. News now came in that a large force of Dutchmen +had been transferred from Majesfontein for the purpose of +reinforcing the Boer commandoes at Colesberg, and thus rendering +the paralysis of the British complete.</p> + +<p>A very serious disaster befell a patrol consisting partly of New +South Wales Lancers and South Australian Horse, who had so +nobly volunteered their services to the Mother Country at the beginning +of the war. On the morning of the 16th of January a party of +nineteen rode out from Colonel Porter’s camp for the purpose of +reconnoitring towards Achtertang. It was not yet dawn, but they +pursued their investigations, reaching Norval Camp without seeing +any signs of the enemy. About 8 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span> they commenced the return +journey naturally with a feeling of greater security than when they +started. They unfortunately fell into an ambush. A hot fight ensued, +but the Boers were in overwhelming numbers, and the party +was hard pressed. Two escaped to camp, and six more, after hiding +till it was possible to make good their escape, followed them. The +rest were made prisoners, but not without a struggle, as the bodies +of four dead Australian and seven dead Boer horses, left on the +field, served to testify. Lieutenant Dowling was killed. The enemy +now occupied Klein Toren to the north of Slingersfontein.</p> + +<p>On the 18th inst. Major-General Clements, D.S.O., arrived with +two regiments of the 12th Brigade (the Royal Irish and the Worcestershire), +and was placed in command of all the troops at and +east of Slinger’s Farm. Two battalions were posted at that place, +and occupied a good commanding position, which had been well +fortified and intrenched.</p> + +<p>General Clements had also, at Slinger’s, one company New +Zealand Mounted Rifles; one squadron and four guns. Colonel +Porter, 6th Dragoon Guards, with four squadrons, two guns, and +one company of infantry, was posted at a farm called Potfontein,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +some eight miles east, and a little south, of Slinger’s. The enemy’s +force at Colesberg was now hemmed in on the west, south, and +east, and their position began to look uncomfortable, particularly as +a battery firing lyddite shells was at hand to assist in the British +operations. The British now held a series of positions of great +extent, shaped after the manner of a mark of interrogation, with +Colesberg within the curve of the hook.</p> + +<p>The distance to be covered between the camps on the east and +west flanks was about sixteen miles. Supplies were conveyed by +waggons drawn by mules of South African breed—sleek, and as a +rule good-tempered beasts. The South American mules were of a +weaklier stamp, their poor condition being the result of importation. +The tracks through the veldt, called by courtesy roads, were now in +many places a foot deep in dust wherever sand-drifts had been +lodged, and these promised in the event of rain to develop into +morasses.</p> + +<p>On the 25th General French made a reconnaissance in person, +and discovered that the enemy was strongly posted at Rietfontein. +The reconnaissance occupied two days, during which the troops +covered forty miles. In spite of many efforts to cut the Boer’s +communications with the Free State the Boers outwitted him, or +rather out-dodged him, and retained their hold on Colesberg. Their +position consisted of commanding hills down a defile through which a +spruit flows towards the Orange River. The windings of this stream +are followed by Waggon Road for more than a mile, then, after +passing the hills, it flows over undulating country towards the +river.</p> + +<p>On Saturday, the 27th, a melancholy incident took place. For +some weeks Major MacCracken had been holding a hill close up to +the Boer position, and on this particular morning, though no +fighting was taking place, a shell was plumped upon the hill by the +enemy with the result that an officer was wounded. A New +Zealander named Booth, orderly to General Clements, was killed +while holding the General’s horse. At this time General French +had mysteriously disappeared. His destination, though not announced, +was Cape Town, where he went on a visit to Lord +Roberts, whose plans were rapidly approaching completion. The +upshot of that momentous visit we shall discover anon.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a id="LORD_ROBERTSS_ADVANCE" name="LORD_ROBERTSS_ADVANCE"></a>LORD ROBERTS’S ADVANCE</h3> + +<p>At Modder River Lord Methuen, to encourage the performers +in a series of inter-regimental boxing matches, offered three splendid +challenge cups for competition. These were won by the Scots +Guards, the Grenadier Guards, and the Argyll and Sutherland<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +Highlanders respectively, on the 3rd of February, when the series +came to an exciting conclusion.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, when the cat was away the mice could play. The +Boers engaged in their usual game of destroying railway tracks +between Modder Camp and Langeberg, and as many as thirty-three +explosions were heard, which portended considerable damage to +line and culverts. However the trains conveying the sick to hospital +at the Cape got away in safety, and as many invalids as possible +were despatched to the base in order that the advance movement, +when it should commence, would not be hampered.</p> + +<p>The junction of De Aar at this time was simmering with activity. +Stores to the value of a million pounds were being accumulated +in preparation for a gigantic move in the direction of Modder +River. Though at the moment Lord Roberts’s plans were not +generally known, it was certain that a vast number of troops—many +more than those then under Lord Methuen’s command—were about +to congregate in the neighbourhood of Orange River, and in consequence +there was suppressed excitement among the British and +corresponding trepidation among the Free Staters. General +French, whose splendid activity had been going on in most +trying circumstances, now found himself freed to begin operations on +a scale more fitted to his talents and more congenial to them. +Cavalry was pouring in, and with cavalry and such a commander +there was immense cause for hope.</p> + +<p>The Suffolks who, after their disaster at Colesberg, went to +Port Elizabeth to recruit their forces, now came up to De Aar, and +were re-officered prior to being sent to the front. Other regiments +were also trickling in, and slowly disposing of themselves in positions +previously arranged by Lord Roberts at the Cape. All these +dispositions were made with intense secrecy, Lord Kitchener +setting himself to work to reorganise the transport department in +such a manner as to make all the complicated moves of the coming +war game possible.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 653px;"> +<a name="illo55" id="illo55"></a><img src="images/illo55.png" width="653" height="426" alt="WITH GENERAL FRENCH: NEW ZEALANDERS SAVING A PICKET OF THE YORKSHIRE REGIMENT NEAR +SLINGERSFONTEIN ON JANUARY 15." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">WITH GENERAL FRENCH: NEW ZEALANDERS SAVING A PICKET OF THE YORKSHIRE REGIMENT NEAR +SLINGERSFONTEIN ON JANUARY 15.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">Drawing by W. Small from a Sketch by G. D. Giles.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>Life at Modder River began to grow correspondingly animated. +Experiments in the working of the Marconi wireless telegraphy +were set on foot, and other active preparations for decisive combat +were pushed forward. The Boers were busy too. They were +making further trenches in front of the Majesfontein ridge with a +view to still further strengthening their position, an exertion which +they subsequently found to be somewhat unnecessary. They also +swelled their numbers. From the report of deserters it seemed that +President Steyn had drawn to his banner many reluctant farmers by +means of false representations, he having circulated the report that +the British meant to seize and confiscate property for the purpose of +enriching their own soldiers after the war. The Canadian Regi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>ment, +who till then had been guarding the lines of communication, +moved to the front. They were in great spirits, and much rejoiced +at being allowed to take a more active share in operations.</p> + +<p>The Australian Infantry Regiment was now to be mounted. It +was a misfortune that the Australians were not mounted from the +first, as all were good horsemen, and would have come in handy to +assist the British cavalry in the work of reconnaissance, which the +mobile nature of Boer movements rendered unusually hard. The +companies were composed of about 125 men from Victoria, New +South Wales, South Australia, West Australia, and Tasmania +respectively.</p> + +<p>On the 6th of February Lord Roberts left Cape Town for the +front. He stopped <i>en route</i> at Belmont. Every eye was turned to +him as he alighted at the railway station. It was nine o’clock, and +presently a crowd collected to view the two warriors on whom the +British Empire pinned its faith. One was the smallest man in the +station; the other was the largest. The Field-Marshal, neat as a +new pin, with his refined visage, grey moustache and tufted imperial, +looked young, even happy, and undisturbed by his responsibilities; +the hero of Omdurman, large and broad-shouldered, his forage cap +crammed on his head, his keen steel-tinted eyes piercing the heart of +things at a glance, appeared stern and preoccupied. They were +met by Colonel Otter, and the Field-Marshal at once asked to see +the Canadians. Colonel Otter accordingly brought him to the main +guard, which consisted of one sergeant, one corporal, and two men. +One of these described the inspection by the august chief. “We +were standing at the present, and Lord Roberts appeared to be +sizing us up pretty well. He inquired how we liked our bandoliers +for cartridges, and on Sergeant Ellard informing him that they were +too loose, and that the cartridges fell out of them, Lord Roberts said +that he would see that this was remedied. Lord Roberts presented +Sergeant Ellard with a basket of roses, and on distribution of them +I received one.” This flower was treasured and sent home to the +trooper’s family in remembrance of the great day which brought him +face to face with England’s grandest soldier. On the 9th the Chief +arrived at Modder River. At this time General Macdonald and the +Highland Brigade were keeping the Boers occupied on the west, +and during this manœuvre tremendous activities were set on foot. +For instance, while General Macdonald’s Brigade was marching +back to camp on the 10th of February, a force consisting of 23,000 +infantry, 11,000 mounted men, and 48 guns, with transport of some +700 waggons, drawn by 9000 mules and oxen, was approaching the +Free State! A brigade of Mounted Infantry under Colonel Hannay +was moving from Orange River to Ramdam, situated about eight +miles from Jacobsdal. On the 11th, Boers were discovered inter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>cepting +the road and holding the hills, but these, with a detached +part of Colonel Hannay’s force, were held where they were, while +the main body with the baggage pushed on to their destination. On +the 12th General French—who was now for the first time since his +departure from Ladysmith, in command of a cavalry division—seized +the crossing of the Riet River at Dekiel’s Drift, whereupon +the 6th and 7th Divisions there encamped themselves.</p> + +<p>Before going further, it is necessary to follow the movements of +the Highland Brigade, movements which materially assisted the +development of the intricate plan of advance.</p> + +<h3 class="gap2"><a name="FIGHTING_MAC_AT_KOODOESBERG" id="FIGHTING_MAC_AT_KOODOESBERG"></a>“FIGHTING MAC” AT KOODOESBERG</h3> + +<p>The Boers were now threatening the line between the Orange and +Modder Rivers, and in consequence of various reports regarding their +movements Colonel Broadwood proceeded to Sunnyside with the +Royal Horse Artillery, Mounted Infantry, and Roberts’s Horse, the +newly-raised regiment from whom great things were expected. The +enemy retired and crossed the Riet River, taking care to keep well out +of the way, for it was known that “Fighting Mac” was on the warpath, +and the last thing the rebels desired was to find their own line of +communications interrupted.</p> + +<p>On the 3rd of February General Macdonald with the Highland +Brigade, 9th Lancers, 9th and 62nd Batteries Royal Field Artillery, +moved out in a westerly direction with a view to blocking the main +drift at Koodoesberg, and thus preventing a force reported to be +coming from Griqualand West from joining that coming from the +north for the purpose of cutting Lord Methuen’s line of communication. +There was also another motive for the movement, and that +was to attract the attention and energy of the enemy while Lord +Roberts was arranging for a decisive stroke in another quarter. The +march was a trying one owing to the tropical temperature, exposure to +a scorching sun, and the perpetual inconvenience of dust. The troops +however, bore it bravely. They bivouacked at Fraser’s Drift, and +on the following (Sunday) morning moved forward to Koodoesberg. +The distance—some thirteen miles—was covered, again in sweltering +conditions, over a shadeless expanse of rough road, which reflected the +glare of the heavens and threw out hot rays as from a baker’s oven. +Men dropped continually from sunstroke, and exhaustion, and thirst; +but, fortunately, owing to the near proximity of the river, there were +few serious cases. The troops arrived at their destination about +one o’clock, without having seen any Boers. On reaching the drift +the men refreshed themselves by bathing in the river, a luxury in +which they revelled. But repose was short. A hurried meal of +bully beef and biscuits and they were at work again, providing for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> +contingencies. Two thousand yards off were a group of kopjes, +behind which it was said some 4000 Boers were hiding.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 720px;"> +<a name="illo56" id="illo56"></a><img src="images/illo56.png" width="720" height="537" alt="Map illustrating the Movement to Koodoesberg." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption smcap">Map illustrating the Movement to Koodoesberg.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>The General at once set himself to construct breastworks to protect +the drift and secure his positions on north and south of the river, +while the 9th Lancers and their scouts reconnoitred the surrounding +country to ascertain the strength and disposition of the enemy. +They came on a small picket of Boers—there was a rapid exchange +of shots—but on the nearer approach of our troops the Boers fled. +On Monday both sides of the river were taken possession of. A +large body of mounted Boers were seen advancing about 2000 yards +off, but beyond firing a few shots at the British force no serious conflict +took place. On Tuesday there was a smart race between our +men and a large force of Boers advancing from their laagers. Both +parties made for a big kopje, which was cleverly gained by the +British after a breathless scramble. The enemy, worsted, galloped +off, pursued by the Lancers.</p> + +<p>At nine o’clock on Wednesday, the 7th, the Boers, who had engaged +themselves in dragging a heavy gun to the scene of action, +began to blaze out upon the Seaforth Highlanders. These, with +alacrity, sprang to action. As a private said, “It was not a Majesfontein +affair this time, and a holy joy filled our hearts at the prospect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> +of having a little bit of our own back.” The enemy was established +at the north end of Koodoesberg, whence they shelled the +works that were being constructed to protect the drift. At the drift +were seven companies of Highland Light Infantry. On the left +bank were the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, half a battalion of +Seaforths, two guns, and the 9th Lancers observing both flanks. +Holding the south end of Koodoesberg on the right bank of the +river were the Black Watch, half a battalion of Seaforths, one company +of Highland Light Infantry, and four guns (62nd Field Battery). +An animated battle ensued, and the British guns did splendid execution. +The troops took cover behind hastily-constructed sangars, +and the bullets of the enemy failed to touch them. There were no +evidences of the celebrated Boer marksmanship on this occasion. +The enemy pounded the hill with shrapnel, and made a ferocious +effort to rout the Highlanders from their position. The 62nd Field +Battery, after some smart cannonading, which was as effective as it +was vigorous, forced the Dutchmen to shift their gun to a position +farther north. Eventually the weapon of the Dutchmen was silenced +altogether.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, at the request of General Macdonald, General +Babington, with his own regiment of cavalry (12th Lancers) and +two batteries of Horse Artillery, had been despatched from Modder +River. They started at 11.30 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span> on the 7th, and had they arrived +in time might have cut off the retreat of the enemy and entirely +hemmed them in.</p> + +<p>As it was, they marched along the north side of the Modder, and +only arrived at four o’clock, in time, however, to quickly pursue the +foe in his retreat northwards, which retreat had been begun with all +speed on the first hint of the coming of an additional force. The +sufferings endured by some of the cavalry were intense, and one man +expired through exposure and thirst. Others were in pitiable plight, +but finally recovered.</p> + +<p>While the great struggle was taking place it was discovered that +the enemy was intrenched at a small drift on the west. Whereupon +two companies of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders became +engaged in a smart skirmish, and gave the Federals so warm a time +that by nightfall, after being shelled in their trenches, they were glad +enough to slink off. By morning the enemy had entirely evacuated +their position, and not a vestige of them was to be seen. Had the +cavalry not been utterly worn out on reaching the scene of action, +the Dutchmen would have been caught before they had time to seek +refuge in flight.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 634px;"> +<a name="illo57" id="illo57"></a><img src="images/illo57.png" width="634" height="385" alt="“FIGHTING MAC” AND THE HIGHLAND BRIGADE IN ACTION AT KOODOESBERG." title="" /> +<div><span class="caption">“FIGHTING MAC” AND THE HIGHLAND BRIGADE IN ACTION AT KOODOESBERG.</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">From a Sketch by Lestor Ralph.</span> +</div></div> + +<p>The troops then, under orders from Lord Methuen, retired to +Modder River. They started from Koodoesberg on the evening +of Thursday, made a moonlight march to Fraser’s Drift, returning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> +to camp footsore and dilapidated on Friday. But before leaving, +the officers and men who fell in the action were buried on the +south bank of the river. Among them was Captain Blair, who, +after having been previously struck by a bullet, had been mortally +wounded by a shell. Lieutenant Tait, a very gallant officer, a +notable golfer, and a general favourite, also fell, and Captain Eykyn +eventually died of his injuries.</p> + +<p>General Macdonald’s reconnaissance at Koodoesberg Drift was +entirely satisfactory. The position there was important, as it prevented +Boer reinforcements from passing <i>via</i> the chief drift from +Douglas to Majesfontein, and the movement served to confound the +enemy, and protect the operations of the Belmont garrison in the +direction of Douglas, not to speak of its value in keeping Boer +activities to the west of Majesfontein at the time when Lord Roberts +was developing his plans in regard to the east of that place. The +enemy had been kept amused and out of mischief, and been wholesomely +trounced into the bargain!</p> + +<p>The casualties, which were comparatively few, were as follows:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller"><i>Killed</i>:—2nd Royal Highlanders—Captain Eykyn; Lieutenant Tait. 2nd +Seaforth Highlanders—Captain Blair.</p> + +<p class="smaller"><i>Wounded</i>:—2nd Seaforth Highlanders—Captain Studdert, A.S.C. 1st +Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders—Captain Kirk. 9th Lancers—Second +Lieutenant Cavendish; Lieutenant Mackenzie, R.A.M.C.</p></blockquote> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur John Watson was forty-six years of age. He entered the +army as a sub-lieutenant of the 12th Foot (now the Berkshires) on August 9, 1873, and received +his lieutenancy from the same date. He was instructor of musketry to the regiment +from February 12, 1880, to January 24, 1883, received his company on the 14th of April +following, and, passing the Staff College in 1884, served with the Bechuanaland Expedition +under Sir Charles Warren later in the year, and from February 17 to October 28, 1885, was +brigade-major in Bechuanaland, being honourably mentioned in dispatches. He was employed +on staff service with the Egyptian army from February 12 to September 7, 1886, +obtaining his major’s commission on October 21 following; and in 1888 served in the Hazara +Expedition as brigade-major to the first column under Brigadier-General Channer, when +he was again mentioned in dispatches, and received the medal with clasp. From July +20, 1889, to February 20, 1896, he was garrison instructor in Bengal, and deputy assistant-adjutant-general +for instruction in the Punjaub, taking part in 1895 in the operations +in the Chitral, accompanying the relief force under Sir Robert Low, acting as road +commandant on the lines of communication. For his services in this campaign he received +his second medal with clasp. He was gazetted lieutenant-colonel of the Suffolk Regiment +on September 19, 1898.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="gap2"><a name="APPENDIX" id="APPENDIX"></a>APPENDIX<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smaller">THE STORY OF SPION KOP.</span></h2> + +<p class="gap2">A great deal of consternation and not a little surprise was caused +by the publication of the official account (<i>London Gazette</i>, April 16, +1900) of the evacuation of Spion Kop. In order to make intelligible +the causes of the terrible fiasco it is necessary to quote for the benefit +of those interested not only Lord Roberts’s comments on the subject, +but the statements of the officers concerned. Sir Redvers Buller, +writing from Spearman’s Hill, January 30, 1900, gave his version of +the proceedings:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“I have the honour to report that General Sir Charles Warren’s Division +having arrived at Estcourt, less two battalions 10th Brigade, which were left +at the Cape, by the 7th January, it moved to Frere on the 9th.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“The column moved as ordered, but torrents of rain fell on the 9th, which +filled all the spruits, and, indeed, rendered many of them impassable for many +hours. To forward supply alone took 650 ox waggons, and as in the 16 miles +from Frere to Springfield there were three places at which all the waggons had +to be double spanned, and some required three spans, some idea may be formed +of the difficulties; but these were all successfully overcome by the willing +labours of the troops.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“The 4th Brigade reached Springfield on the 12th in support of the mounted +troops, who had surprised and seized the important position of Spearman’s Hill, +commanding Potgieter’s Drift, on the 11th.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“By the 13th all troops were at Springfield and Spearman’s Hill, and supply +was well forward.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“On the 16th a reserve of seventeen days’ supply having been collected, +General Sir Charles Warren, in command of the 2nd Division, the 11th Brigade +of the 5th Division, the Brigade Division Royal Field Artillery, 5th Division, +and certain corps troops, including the Mounted Brigade, moved from Springfield +to Trichardt’s Drift, which is about six miles west of Potgieter’s.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“I attach Sir Charles Warren’s report of his operations.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“On the night of the 23rd General Warren attacked Spion Kop, which +operation he has made the subject of a special report. On the morning of the +25th, finding that Spion Kop had been abandoned in the night, I decided to +withdraw General Warren’s force; the troops had been continuously engaged +for a week, in circumstances entailing considerable hardships; there had been +very heavy losses on Spion Kop. I consequently assumed the command, commenced +the withdrawal of the ox and heavy mule transports on the 25th: this +was completed by midday the 26th; by double spanning, the loaded ox waggons +got over the drift at the rate of about eight per hour. The mule waggons went +over the pontoon bridge, but all the mules had to be taken out and the vehicles +passed over by hand. For about seven hours of the night the drift could not +be used as it was dangerous in the dark, but the use of the pontoon went on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> +day and night. In addition to machine guns, six batteries of Royal Field +Artillery and four howitzers, the following vehicles were passed: ox waggons, +232; 10-span mule waggons, 98; 6-span, 107; 4 span, 52; total, 489 vehicles. +In addition to these the ambulances were working backwards and forwards +evacuating the sick and wounded.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“By 2 <span class="smaller">P.M.</span> the 26th all the ox waggons were over, and by 11.30 <span class="smaller">P.M.</span> all the +mule transports were across and the bridge clear for the troops. By 4 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span> +the 27th all the troops were over, and by 8 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span> the pontoons were gone and +all was clear. The troops had all reached their new camps by 10 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span> The +marches averaged for the mounted troops about seven miles, and for the infantry +and artillery an average of five miles.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“Everything worked without a hitch, and the arrangements reflected great +credit on the Staff of all degrees; but I must especially mention Major Irwin, +R.E., and his men of the Pontoon Troop, who were untiring. When all men +were over, the chesses of the pontoon bridge were so worn by the traffic that I +do not think they would have lasted another half-hour.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>He concluded by saying:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“Thus ended an expedition which I think ought to have succeeded. We +have suffered very heavy losses, and lost many whom we can ill spare; but, on +the other hand, we have inflicted as great or greater losses upon the enemy +than they have upon us, and they are, by all accounts, thoroughly disheartened; +while our troops are, I am glad and proud to say, in excellent fettle.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>Sir Charles Warren’s report addressed to the Chief of the Staff, +ran thus:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“On the 8th January field orders were published constituting the 10th +Brigade of the 5th Division a Corps Brigade, and placing the 4th Brigade in +the 5th Division. The 5th Division thus constituted marched from Frere on +the 10th instant, arriving at Springfield on the 12th instant.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“On the 15th January I received your secret instructions to command a force +to proceed across the Tugela, near Trichardt’s Drift to the west of Spion Kop, +recommending me to proceed forward, refusing my right (namely) Spion Kop, +and bringing my left forward to gain the open plain north of Spion Kop. +This move was to commence as soon as supplies were all in, and the 10th +Brigade (except two companies) removed from Springfield Bridge to Spearman’s +Hill.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“I was provided with four days’ rations with which I was to cross the Tugela, +fight my way round to north of Spion Kop, and join your column opposite +Potgieter’s.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“On the 15th January I made the arrangements for getting supplies, and +moved the 10th Brigade on the following day, and on the evening of the 16th +January I left Springfield with a force under my command, which amounted to +an Army Corps (less one Brigade), and by a night march arrived at Trichardt’s +Drift, and took possession of the hills on the south side of the Tugela.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“On the 17th January I threw pontoon bridges across the Tugela, passed +the infantry across by ponts, and captured the hills immediately commanding +the drift on the north side with two brigades commanded by Generals Woodgate +and Hart. The Commander-in-Chief was present during part of the day, +and gave some verbal directions to General Woodgate.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“The Mounted Brigade passed over principally by the drift, and went over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +the country as far as Acton Homes, and on the following day (18th) had a +successful action with a small party of Boers, bringing in 31 prisoners.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“During the night of the 17th, and day of the 18th, the whole of the +waggons belonging to the force were brought across the Tugela, and the artillery +were in position outside of Wright’s Farm.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“On the 19th two brigades advanced, occupying the slopes of the adjoining +hills on the right, and the waggons were successfully brought to Venter’s +Spruit.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“In the evening, after having examined the possible roads by which we +could proceed, I assembled the General Officers and the Staff, and the Officer +Commanding Royal Artillery, and Commanding Royal Engineer, and pointed +out to them that of the two roads by which we could advance, the eastern one +by Acton Homes must be rejected, because time would not allow of it, and +with this all concurred. I then pointed out that the only possible way of all +getting through by the road north of Fair View would be by taking three or +four days’ food in our haversacks, and sending all our waggons back across the +Tugela, but before we could do this we must capture the position in front of us.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“On the following day, 20th January, I placed two brigades and six batteries +of artillery at the disposal of General Sir C. F. Clery, with instructions to attack +the Boer positions by a series of outflanking movements, and by the end of the +day, after fighting for twelve hours, we were in possession of the whole part +of the hills, but found a strongly-intrenched line on the comparatively flat +country beyond us.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“On the 21st the Boers displayed considerable activity on our left, and the +Commander-in-Chief desired me to move two batteries from right to left. At a +subsequent date, during the day, I found it impossible to proceed without +howitzers, and telegraphed for four from Potgieter’s. These arrived early on +the morning of the 22nd, and the Commander-in-Chief, arriving about the same +time, directed me to place two of these howitzers on the left, two having already +been placed on the right flank. I pointed out to the Commander-in-Chief that +it would be impossible to get waggons through by the road leading past Fair +View, unless we first took Spion Kop, which lies within about 2000 yards of the +road. The Commander-in-Chief agreed that Spion Kop would have to be taken. +Accordingly that evening orders were drawn up giving the necessary instructions +to General Talbot Coke to take Spion Kop that night, but, owing to an +absence of sufficient reconnaissance, he requested that the attack might be put +off for a day.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“On the 23rd January the Commander-in-Chief came into camp, the attack +on Spion Kop was decided upon, and Lieut.-Colonel àCourt, of the Headquarter +Staff, was directed by the Commander-in-Chief to accompany General Woodgate, +who was detailed to command the attacking column. The account of the +capture of Spion Kop is given in another report.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“On the morning of the 25th January the Commander-in-Chief arrived, +decided to retire the force, and assumed direct command. The whole of the +waggons of the 5th Division were got down to the drift during the day, and +were crossed over before 2 <span class="smaller">P.M.</span> on the 26th January.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>In regard to the Council of War, Sir Charles Warren amplified +his previous statement:</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“Upon the 19th of January, on arrival at Venter’s Laager, I assembled all +the General Officers, Officers Commanding Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers +of Divisions, and Staff Officers, together. I pointed out to them that, with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +three and a half (3½) days’ provisions allowed, it was impossible to advance by +the left road through Acton Homes. In this they unanimously concurred. I +showed them that the only possible road was that going over Fair View through +Rosalie, but I expressed my conviction that this could not be done unless we +sent the whole of our transport back across the Tugela, and attempted to march +through with our rations in our haversacks—without impedimenta.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>Sir Charles then added:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“The hills were cleared on the following day, and very strong intrenchments +found behind them. The Commander-in-Chief was present on the 21st +and 22nd January, and I pointed out the difficulties of marching along the road, +accompanied by waggons, without first taking Spion Kop.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“Accordingly, on the night of the 22nd, I ordered General Coke to occupy +Spion Kop. He, however, desired that the occupation might be deferred for a +day in order that he might make a reconnaissance with the Officers Commanding +battalions to be sent there.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“On 23rd January the Commander-in-Chief came into camp, and told me +that there were two courses open—(1) to attack, (2) to retire. I replied that I +should prefer to attack Spion Kop to retiring, and showed the Commander-in-Chief +my orders of the previous day.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“The Commander-in-Chief then desired that I should put General Woodgate +in command of the expedition, and detailed Lieutenant-Colonel àCourt to +accompany him as Staff Officer.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“The same evening General Woodgate proceeded with the Lancashire +Fusiliers, the Royal Lancaster Regiment, a portion of Thorneycroft’s Horse, +and half-company Royal Engineers, supported by two companies of the +Connaught Rangers and by the Imperial Light Infantry, the latter having +just arrived by Trichardt’s Drift.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“The attack and capture of Spion Kop was entirely successful. General +Woodgate, having secured the summit on the 24th, reported that he had +intrenched a position and hoped he was secure, but that the fog was too thick +to permit him to see. The position was rushed without casualties other than +three men wounded.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“Lieutenant-Colonel àCourt came down in the morning and stated that +everything was satisfactory and secure, and telegraphed to the Commander-in-Chief +to that effect. Scarcely had he started on his return to headquarters +when a heliogram arrived from Colonel Crofton (Royal Lancaster). The message +was, ‘Reinforce at once, or all lost. General dead.’</p> + +<p class="smaller">“He also sent a similar message to headquarters. I immediately ordered +General Coke to proceed to his assistance, and to take command of the troops. +He started at once, and was accompanied by the Middlesex and Dorsetshire +Regiments.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“I replied to Colonel Crofton, ‘I am sending two battalions, and the +Imperial Light Infantry are on their way up. You must hold on to the last. +No surrender.’</p> + +<p class="smaller">“This occurred about 10 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span></p> + +<p class="smaller">“Shortly afterwards I received a telegram from the Commander-in-Chief, +ordering me to appoint Lieutenant-Colonel Thorneycroft to the command of +the summit. I accordingly had heliographed, ‘With the approval of the +Commander-in-Chief, I place Lieutenant-Colonel Thorneycroft in command of +the summit, with the local rank of Brigadier-General.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>’</p> + +<p class="smaller">“For some hours after this message I could get no information from the +summit. It appears that the signallers and their apparatus were destroyed by +the heavy fire.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“I repeatedly asked for Colonel Thorneycroft to state his view of the situation. +At 1.20 <span class="smaller">P.M.</span> I heliographed to ascertain whether Colonel Thorneycroft +had assumed command, and at the same time asked General Coke to give me +his views on the situation on Spion Kop. Still getting no reply, I asked +whether General Coke was there, and subsequently received his view of the +situation. He stated that, unless the Artillery could silence the enemy’s guns, +the men on the summit could not stand another complete day’s shelling, and +that the situation was extremely critical.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>Later on in the evening arrangements were made to send two +(Naval) 12-pounders, and the Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery, to +the summit, together with half-company Royal Engineers (and +working parties, two reliefs of 600 men each), to strengthen the +intrenchments and provide shell cover for the men. The 17th +Company, Royal Engineers—it must be noted—proceeded at the +same time as General Woodgate’s force, and were employed until daylight +upon the intrenchments, then upon road-making and water supply.</p> + +<p>Sand-bags were sent up early on the 24th instant, but they were +too late. Colonel Sim and his party, while ascending, met Colonel +Thorneycroft descending the hill. The position was evacuated. +Sir Charles Warren concluded thus:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“I wish to bring to notice that I heard from all but one expression of the +admirable conduct and bravery shown by officers and men suffering under a +withering artillery fire on the summit of the slopes, and also of those who, with +so much endurance, persisted in carrying up water and food and ammunition +to the troops during the day.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“During the day a Staff Officer of the Headquarter Staff was present on +the summit, and reported direct to the Commander-in-Chief.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“At sunset I considered that the position could be held next day, provided +that guns could be mounted and effective shelter provided. Both of these conditions +were about to be fulfilled, as already mentioned.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“In the absence of General Coke, whom I ordered to come to report in +person as to the situation, the evacuation took place under orders, given +upon his own responsibility, by Lieut.-Colonel Thorneycroft. This occurred in +the face of the vigorous protests of General Coke’s Brigade-Major, the Officer +commanding the Middlesex Regiment, and others.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“It is a matter for the Commander-in-Chief to decide whether there should be +an investigation into the question of the unauthorised evacuation of Spion Kop.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>General Buller, in forwarding to the Secretary of State for War +Sir Charles Warren’s report, made the following observations:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“Sir C. Warren is hardly correct in saying that he was only allowed three +and a half days’ provisions. I had told him that transport for three and a half +days would be sufficient burden to him, but that I would keep him filled up as +he wanted it. That he was aware of this is shown by the following telegram<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> +which he sent on the day in question. It is the only report I had from Sir C. +Warren:—</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller center">(Sent 7.54 <span class="smaller">P.M.</span> Received 8.15 <span class="smaller">P.M.</span>)</p> + +<p class="smaller ralign">‘Left Flank, 19th January.</p> + +<p class="smaller">‘To the Chief of the Staff—</p> + +<p class="smaller">‘I find there are only two roads by which we could possibly get from +Trichardt’s Drift to Potgeiter’s, on the north of the Tugela, one by Acton +Homes, the other by Fair View and Rosalie; the first I reject as too long, the +second is a very difficult road for a large number of waggons, unless the enemy +is thoroughly cleared out. I am, therefore, going to adopt some special +arrangements which will involve my stay at Venter’s Laager for two or three +days. I will send in for further supplies and report progress. <span class="smcap">Warren.</span>’</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“The reply to this was that three days’ supply was being sent.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“I went over to Sir C. Warren on the 23rd. I pointed out to him that I +had no further report and no intimation of the special arrangements foreshadowed +by this telegram of the 19th, that for four days he had kept his men +continuously exposed to shell and rifle fire, perched on the edge of an almost +precipitous hill, that the position admitted of no second line, and the supports +were massed close behind the firing line in indefensible formations, and that a +panic or sudden charge might send the whole lot in disorder down the hill at +any moment. I said it was too dangerous a situation to be prolonged, and that +he must either attack or I should withdraw his force. I advocated, as I had +previously done, an advance from his left. He said that he had the night +before ordered General Coke to assault Spion Kop, but the latter had objected +to undertaking a night attack on a position the road to which he had not +reconnoitred, and added that he intended to assault Spion Kop that night.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“I suggested that as General Coke was still lame from the effects of a +lately broken leg, General Woodgate, who had two sound legs, was better +adapted for mountain climbing.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“As no heliograph could, on account of the fire, be kept on the east side of +Spion Kop, messages for Sir C. Warren were received by our signallers at +Spearman and telegraphed to Sir C. Warren; thus I saw them before he did, +as I was at the signal station. The telegram Sir C. Warren quotes did not +give me confidence in its sender, and at the moment I could see that our men +on the top had given way and that efforts were being made to rally them. I +telegraphed to Sir C. Warren: ‘Unless you put some really good hard fighting +man in command on the top you will lose the hill. I suggest Thorneycroft.’</p> + +<p class="smaller">“The statement that a staff officer reported direct to me during the day is +a mistake. Colonel àCourt was sent down by General Woodgate almost as +soon as he gained the summit.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“I have not thought it necessary to order any investigation. If at sundown +the defence of the summit had been taken regularly in hand, intrenchments +laid out, gun emplacements prepared, the dead removed, the wounded collected, +and, in fact, the whole place brought under regular military command, and +careful arrangements made for the supply of water and food to the scattered +fighting line, the hills would have been held, I am sure.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“But no arrangements were made. General Coke appears to have been +ordered away just as he would have been useful, and no one succeeded him; +those on the top were ignorant of the fact that guns were coming up, and +generally there was a want of organisation and system that acted most +unfavourably on the defence.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“It is admitted by all that Colonel Thorneycroft acted with the greatest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +gallantry throughout the day, and really saved the situation. Preparations for +the second day’s defence should have been organised during the day and have +been commenced at nightfall.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“As this was not done I think Colonel Thorneycroft exercised a wise +discretion.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“Our losses, I regret to say, were very heavy, but the enemy admitted to +our doctors that theirs were equally severe, and though we were not successful +in retaining the position, the losses inflicted on the enemy and the attack +generally have had a marked effect upon them.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“I cannot close these remarks without bearing testimony to the gallant and +admirable behaviour of the troops, the endurance shown by the Lancashire +Fusiliers, the Middlesex Regiment, and Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry was +admirable, while the efforts of the 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles and 3rd +Battalion King’s Royal Rifles were equally good, and the Royal Lancasters +fought gallantly.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Commander-in-Chief, writing to the Secretary of State for +War, thus criticised both operations and operators:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“The plan of operations is not very clearly described in the despatches +themselves, but it may be gathered from them and the accompanying documents +themselves that the original intention was to cross the Tugela at or near +Trichardt’s Drift, and thence by following the road past Fair View and +Acton Homes, to gain the open plain north of Spion Kop, the Boer position +in front of Potgieter’s Drift being too strong to be taken by direct attack. The +whole force, less one brigade, was placed under the orders of Sir Charles +Warren, who, the day after he had crossed the Tugela, seems to have consulted +his General and principal Staff Officers, and to have come to the conclusion +that the flanking movement which Sir Redvers Buller had mentioned in +his secret instructions was impracticable on account of the insufficiency of +supplies. He accordingly decided to advance by the more direct road leading +north-east and branching off from a point east of Three Tree Hill. The +selection of this road necessitated the capture and retention of Spion Kop, but +whether it would have been equally necessary to occupy Spion Kop, had the +line of advance indicated by Sir Redvers Buller been followed, is not stated in +the correspondence. As Sir Charles Warren considered it impossible to make +the wide flanking movement which was recommended, if not actually prescribed, +in his secret instructions, he should at once have acquainted Sir Redvers Buller +with the course of action which he proposed to adopt. There is nothing to +show whether he did so or not, but it seems only fair to Sir Charles Warren to +point out that Sir Redvers Buller appears throughout to have been aware of +what was happening. On several occasions he was present during the operations. +He repeatedly gave advice to his subordinate Commander, and on the +day after the withdrawal from Spion Kop he resumed the chief command.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>The abandonment of Spion Kop was condemned by Lord +Roberts in the following terms:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“As regards the withdrawal of the troops from the Spion Kop position, +which, though occupied almost without opposition in the early morning of the +24th January, had to be held throughout the day under an extremely heavy +fire, and the retention of which had become essential to the relief of Ladysmith,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +I regret that I am unable to concur with Sir Redvers Buller in thinking that +Lieut.-Colonel Thorneycroft exercised a wise discretion in ordering the troops +to retire. Even admitting that due preparations may not have been made for +strengthening the position during the night, reorganising the defence and bringing +up artillery—in regard to which Sir Charles Warren’s report does not +altogether bear out Sir Redvers Buller’s contention—admitting also that the +senior officers on the summit of the hill might have been more promptly +informed of the measures taken by Sir Charles Warren to support and reinforce +them, I am of opinion that Lieut.-Colonel Thorneycroft’s assumption of responsibility +and authority was wholly inexcusable. During the night the enemy’s +fire, if it did not cease altogether, could not have been formidable, and though +lamp signalling was not possible at the time owing to the supply of oil having +failed, it would not have taken more than two or three hours at most for Lieut.-Colonel +Thorneycroft to communicate by messenger with Major-General Coke +or Sir Charles Warren, and to receive a reply. Major-General Coke appears +to have left Spion Kop at 9.30 <span class="smaller">P.M.</span> for the purpose of consulting with Sir +Charles Warren, and up to that hour the idea of a withdrawal had not been +entertained. Yet almost immediately after Major-General Coke’s departure +Lieut.-Colonel Thorneycroft issued an order, without reference to superior +authority, which upset the whole plan of operations and rendered unavailing +the sacrifices which had already been made to carry it into effect.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>In spite of this somewhat severe criticism, however, Lord Roberts +went on to say:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“On the other hand, it is only right to state that Lieut.-Colonel Thorneycroft +appears to have behaved in a very gallant manner throughout the day, +and it was doubtless due, in a great measure, to his exertions and example that +the troops continued to hold the summit of the hill until directed to retire.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>The action of Captain Phillips he warmly praised:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“The conduct of Captain Phillips, Brigade-Major of the 10th Brigade, on +the occasion in question, is deserving of high commendation. He did his best +to rectify the mistake which was being made, but it was too late. Signalling +communication was not re-established until 2.30 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span> on the 25th January, and +by that time the Naval guns could not have reached the summit of the hill +before daybreak. Major-General Coke did not return, and Lieutenant-Colonel +Thorneycroft had gone away. Moreover, most of the troops had begun to +leave the hill, and the working parties, with the half-company of Royal +Engineers, had also withdrawn.”</p></blockquote> + +<p>Briefly the Commander-in-Chief deplored the chaotic state of +affairs prior to the retirement. He said:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“It is to be regretted that Sir Charles Warren did not himself visit Spion +Kop during the afternoon or evening, knowing as he did that the state of affairs +there was very critical, and that the loss of the position would involve the +failure of the operations. He was, consequently, obliged to summon Major-General +Coke to his headquarters in the evening, in order that he might +ascertain how matters were going on, and the command on Spion Kop thus +devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel Thorneycroft; but Major-General Coke was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +not aware of this. About midday, under instructions from Sir Redvers Buller, +Sir Charles Warren had directed Lieutenant-Colonel Thorneycroft to assume +command on the summit of the hill, with the temporary rank of Brigadier-General, +but this order was not communicated to Major-General Coke, who, +until he left the position at 9.30 <span class="smaller">P.M.</span>, was under the impression that the command +had devolved on Colonel Hill, as senior officer, after Colonel Crofton had +been wounded. Omissions or mistakes of this nature may be trivial in themselves, +yet may exercise an important influence on the course of events; and I +think that Sir Redvers Buller is justified in remarking that ‘there was a want +of organisation and system which acted most unfavourably on the defence.’”</p></blockquote> + +<p>In conclusion, the principal actors in the drama were censured, +while the troops engaged received well-merited praise:—</p> + +<blockquote><p class="smaller">“The attempt to relieve Ladysmith, described in these despatches, was well +devised, and I agree with Sir Redvers Buller in thinking that it ought to have +succeeded. That it failed may, in some measure, be due to the difficulties of +the ground and the commanding positions held by the enemy—probably also to +errors of judgment and want of administrative capacity on the part of Sir +Charles Warren. But whatever faults Sir Charles Warren may have committed, +the failure must also be ascribed to the disinclination of the officer in +supreme command to assert his authority and see that what he thought best +was done, and also to the unwarrantable and needless assumption of responsibility +by a subordinate officer.</p> + +<p class="smaller">“The gratifying feature in these despatches is the admirable behaviour of +the troops throughout the operations.”</p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="gap2"><a name="LIST_OF_STAFF" id="LIST_OF_STAFF"></a>LIST OF STAFF</h2> + +<p class="gap2">The following Divisions reached South Africa at the end of 1899 and the +beginning of 1900.</p> + +<p class="center large">FIFTH DIVISION</p> + +<blockquote><p>Lieutenant-General—Lieut.-General Sir C. Warren, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., R.E.</p> + +<p>Aides-de-Camp—Major R. M. B. F. Kelly, R.A.; Lieut. I. V. Paton, Royal Scots Fusiliers.</p> + +<p>Assistant Adjutant-General—Colonel A. W. Morris, <i>p.s.c.</i></p> + +<p>Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals—Bt.-Major T. Capper, East Lancashire Regt., <i>p.s.c.</i>; +Bt.-Major H. N. Sargent, Army Service Corps.</p> + +<p>Assistant Provost-Marshal—Bt.-Major E. C. J. Williams, East Kent Regt.</p> + +<p>Principal Medical Officer—Lieut.-Colonel W. B. Allin, M.B., R.A.M.C.</p> + +<p>Divisional Signalling Officer—Captain A. A. McHardy, R.A.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">10th BRIGADE</span></p> + +<p>Major-General—Colonel (local Maj.-General) J. T. Coke.</p> + +<p>Aide-de-Camp—Lieut. W. E. Kemble, R.A.</p> + +<p>Brigade-Major—Captain H. G. C. Phillips, Welsh Regt., <i>p.s.c.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">11th BRIGADE</span></p> + +<p>Major-General—Colonel (local Maj.-General) E. R. P. Woodgate, K.C.M.G., C.B., <i>p.s.c.</i></p> + +<p>Aide-de-Camp—Captain F. M. Carleton, D.S.O., Royal Lancashire Regt.</p> + +<p>Brigade-Major—Captain N. H. Vertue, East Kent Regt.</p> + +<p class="center large">SIXTH DIVISION</p> + +<p>Lieutenant-General—Major-General (local Lieut.-General) T. Kelly-Kenny, C.B., <i>p.s.c.</i></p> + +<p>Aides-de-Camp—Major H. I. W. Hamilton, D.S.O., Royal West Surrey Regt., <i>p.s.c.</i>; +Captain W. H. Booth, East Kent Regt.</p> + +<p>Assistant Adjutant-General—Colonel A. E. W. Goldsmid, <i>p.s.c.</i></p> + +<p>Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals—Major C. C. Monro, Royal West Surrey Regt., +<i>p.s.c.</i>; Major J. E. Caunter, Lancashire Fusiliers, <i>p.s.c.</i></p> + +<p>Assistant Provost-Marshal—Major M. G. Wilkinson, King’s Own Scottish Borderers.</p> + +<p>Principal Medical Officer—Lieut.-Colonel W. L. Gubbins, M.B., R.A.M.C.</p> + +<p>Divisional Signalling Officer—Lieut. J. T. Burnett-Stuart, Rifle Brigade.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">12th BRIGADE</span></p> + +<p>Major-General—Colonel (local Maj.-General) R. A. P. Clements, D.S.O., A.D.C.</p> + +<p>Aide-de-Camp—Captain H. de C. Moody, South Wales Borderers.</p> + +<p>Brigade-Major—Captain R. S. Oxley, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, <i>p.s.c.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">13th BRIGADE</span></p> + +<p>Major-General—Colonel (local Maj.-General) C. E. Knox.</p> + +<p>Aide-de-Camp—Captain O. H. E. Marescaux, Shropshire Light Infantry.</p> + +<p>Brigade-Major—Captain R. W. Thompson, North Lancashire Regt., <i>p.s.c.</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> + +<p class="center large">SEVENTH DIVISION</p> + +<p>Lieutenant-General—Major-General (local Lieut.-General) C. Tucker, C.B. +Aides-de-Camp—</p> + +<p>Assistant Adjutant-General—Colonel H. E. Belfield, <i>p.s.c.</i></p> + +<p>Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals—Brevet-Major H. G. Fitton, D.S.O., Royal +Berkshire Regt., <i>p.s.c.</i>; Lieut.-Colonel H. G. Rice, Army Service Corps.</p> + +<p>Assistant Provost-Marshal—Brevet-Major F. Wintour, Royal West Kent Regt., <i>p.s.c.</i></p> + +<p>Principal Medical Officer—Lieut.-Colonel J. A. Gormley, M.D., R.A.M.C.</p> + +<p>Divisional Signalling Officer—Captain J. R. K. Birch, Cheshire Regt.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">14th BRIGADE</span></p> + +<p>Major-General—Major-General Sir H. C. Chermside, G.C.M.G., C.B., R.E.</p> + +<p>Aide-de-Camp—Captain E. FitzG. M. Wood, Devonshire Regt.</p> + +<p>Brigade-Major—Captain W. M. Marter, 1st Dragoon Guards, <i>p.s.c.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">15th BRIGADE</span></p> + +<p>Major-General—Colonel (local Maj.-General) A. G. Wavell, <i>p.s.c.</i></p> + +<p>Brigade-Major—Captain L. R. Carleton, Essex Regt., <i>p.s.c.</i></p></blockquote> + +<p class="center gap2">END OF VOL. III.</p> + +<p class="center gap2">Printed by <span class="smcap">Ballantyne, Hanson & Co.</span><br /> +Edinburgh & London</p> + +<div class="bbox" style="padding:1em;"> +<p class="large center"><b>Transcribers' Notes</b></p> + +<p class="hangindent">Page vi: "Birds-eye" standardised to "Bird's-eye" before "View of the Ground"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page vi: "Potgeiter's" corrected to "Potgieter's" after "The Crossing of"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page vii: "Blue-jackets" standardised to "Bluejackets" before "blew up Tugela Road"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page viii: "Jacobdsal" corrected to "Jacobsdal" after "Free State territory near"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page viii: "re-occupied" standardised to "reoccupied" after "British force"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page viii: "Dekeil's" corrected to "Dekiel's" after "Relief of Kimberley, seized"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 5: "enroll" standardised to "enrol" after "forward in crowds to"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 15: "Divison" corrected to "Division" after "the Sixth"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 30: Variant spelling "viâ" not standardised as part of a quotation</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 31: "bombproof" standardised to "bomb-proof" after "burrowing like rabbits, or in"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 55: "Jaysfontein" corrected to "Jasfontein" after "away from a farm at"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 56: "Zoutspansdrift" corrected to "Zoutpansdrift" after "in the direction of Kamak and"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 56: "Naauwport" corrected to "Naauwpoort" after "lot of those around"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 58: "Naauwport" corrected to "Naauwpoort" after "The inhabitants of"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 71: "bloodthirsty" standardised to "blood-thirsty" after "They proved to be not"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 71: "farm-house" standardised to "farmhouse" after "bivouacked at the"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 73: "horse-shoe" as in the original. Not standardised as this is an adjectival usage</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 77: "look-out" standardised to "lookout" after "They employed"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 78: "Koodoosberg" corrected to "Koodoesberg" after "troops from Barkly and"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 85: "bloodstained" standardised to "blood-stained" after "the eyes of those who,"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 86: "gantlet" as in the original</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 92: "Divsion" corrected to "Division" after "Second"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 96: "POTGEITER'S" corrected to "POTGIETER'S" after "THE CROSSING OF"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 99: "Carbineers" corrected to "Carabineers" after "one squadron Natal"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 108: "roast" corrected to "roost" after "We shall be rulers of the"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 123: "head-quarters" standardised to "headquarters" after "some even reaching"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 134: "Blomfontein" corrected to "Bloemfontein" after "Steyn and Kruger dated"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 148: "rough-riders" standardised to "roughriders" after "despatch of 500 expert"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 174: "Naauwport" corrected to "Naauwpoort" after "thirty-seven miles north of"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 179: "sandstorms" standardised to "sand-storms" after "These"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 182: "Ochtertang" corrected to "Achtertang" after "reconnoitring towards"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 185: "unusally" corrected to "unusually" after "Boer movements rendered"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 194: "Sandbags" standardised to "Sand-bags" before "were sent up early"</p> +<p class="hangindent">Page 195: "Potgeiter's" as in the original. Left as part of a quotation.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 3 (of 6), by +Louis Creswicke + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SOUTH AFRICA *** + +***** This file should be named 36866-h.htm or 36866-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/8/6/36866/ + +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) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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