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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

SOUTH AFRICAN DESPATCHES. with the 2nd, 4th, and 6th Brigades, being War Office, February 8, 1901. followed shortly afterwards by Sir Redvers Buller himself. On the 1st December, the 5th rp H E following Despatches and Enclosures Brigade was ordered from Cape Town to Natal. A have been received from Lord Roberts, With these reinforcements, and the force K.G., V.C., Commander-in-Chief, South previously available, an attempt was made on Africa:— the 15th December to effect the passage of No. 1. the Tugola River in the vicinity of Colenso, From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts to the but this having failed, Sir Redvers Buller was Secretary of State for War. obliged to withdraw his troops to Cbieveley. Army Head-Quarters, South Africa, Meanwhile, the 5th Division had arrived at My Loro, Cape Town, 6th February, 1900. Cape Town, and after the action of the Tngela, NOW that I have been nearly a month in Sir Redvers Buller directed its commander, South Africa, and will shortly be leaving Cape Sir Charles Warren, with half of the 10th Town for the operations which I propose to Brigade and the whole of the 11th Brigade, carry out for the relief of Kimberley AngloBoerWar.com and in to proceed to Natal. Towards the end of No­ the Orange Free State, it seems desirable that vember, the 1st Royal Dragoons and the 13th I should submit for the information of Her Hussars were also transferred to Natal, followed Majesty’s Government a concise account of the shortly afterwards by two squadrons of the state of affairs in this country as I found them 14th Hussars. on my arrival on the 10th January. On arrival here on the 10th January, I found The force which was despatched from England the state of affairs to be as follows:—On the between the 20th October and the early part of west of the Cape Colony, Lieutenant-General December had been greatly scattered. The Lord Methuen was occupying the position Army Corps organization had been broken up, already described. Lieutenant-General French, and even the formation of the Divisions and with three Cavalry regiments and one and a Brigades materially differed from what had half battalions of Infantry, was holding the been originally contemplated. On assuming line from Naauwpoort to Rensburg. Lieu­ the chief command, the first step which Sir tenant-General Sir W. F. Gatacre, who had two Red vers Buller undertook was to despatch Lord batteries of Artillery and four and a half batta­ Methuen with the Brigade of Guards, the 3rd, lions under his orders, having been defeated in or Highland Brigade, and a third Brigade, im­ his attack on Stormberg, was occupying Sterk- provised from three and a half battalions on the stroom and the country in its vicinity. In Natal, Lines of Communication which were imme­ Sir Redvers Buller, having found himself unable diately available, for the relief of Kimberley. to advance by the direct route to the relief of As your Lordship is aware, this force succeeded Ladysmith, had fallen back on Chieveley to in crossing the Modder River; but the subse­ await rcinfoi'cement by the 5th Division under quent attack on the Boer position at Magers- Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Warren. fontein having been repulsed, Lord Methuen In view of the distance of my head-quarters fell back on the river, where he has formed an from Natal, and of the fact that on the date of entrenchment facing that thrown up |by the my arrival Sir Redvers Bnller had made his enemy. dispositions for the second attempt to relieve The original intention was that, simultane­ Ladysmith, I thought it best to leave him a ously with Lord Methuen’s advance, Lieutenant- perfectly free hand, and not to interfere with General Clery, with the Second Division, should his operations. operate from Port Elizabeth by the Midland In the Cape Colony a serious feeling of unrest line of railway through Naauwpoorton Colesberg, prevailed. The withdrawal of so large a por­ and that Lieutenant-General Gatacre should tion of the Army Corps had encouraged the similarly move from East London by the East­ disloyal among the inhabitants, and 1 found ern line of railway on Stormberg and Burghers- that His Excellency the High Commissioner dorp. This plan for occupying the Northern was extremely anxious as to whether it would frontier of the Colony had to be abandoned be possible to preserve peace and order through­ owing to the urgent demands for assistance out the province. After consulting Sir Alfred from Natal. In the middle of November, Milner, I decided that it would be best to remain Lieutenant-General Clery was sent to Durban on the defensive until a sufficient force was 83.0 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901, available to enable an advance to be made into over, I had no troops to spare. The frontier of the Orange Free State. I hoped that the effect the Cape Colony was weakly held, and the of such an advance, if adequately supported, attitude of a .portion of the Colonists bordering ■would be to relieve the hostile pressure at the Orange Free State was in some cases Ladysmith, and between Ladysmith and the doubtful, and in others disloyal. The con­ Tugela, and also between the Modder River and clusion I arrived at was that no sensible im­ Kimberley. In pursuance of this policy, and provement in the military situation conld be with a view to facilitating offensive action as hoped for until we were prepared to carry the soon us the strength and organization of the war into the enemy’s country, and all my troops at my disposal would admit of it, I efforts have accordingly been exerted in that directed Lieutenant-Generals Lord Methuen and direction. Gatacre to remain strictly on the defensive. This plan was, however, attended with con­ Lieutenant-General French, with his head­ siderable difficulties. The two main roads quarters at Rensburg, was instructed to patrol leading from Cape Colony to the Orange Free the country round Colesberg, and to keep the State were held in force by the Boers at the enemy, into whose hands that place had fallen, points where those roads crossed the Orange from moving farther to the south. Shortly River, and it seemed certain that the bridges after my arrival, the troops of the 6th Division, over that river would be destroyed, if the under Lieutenant-General Kelly-Kenny, reached enemy could be forced to retire to the northern Cape Town, and were despatched to Naauw- bank. Moreover, I could not overlook the fact poort, one of the brigades being temporarily that, even if either of these routes could be detached for employment under Lieutenant- utilized, the movement of an army solely by General French. The duty assigned to Lieu­ means of a line of railway is most tedious, if tenant-General Kelly-Kenny was to allay un­ not practically impossible. The advantage is rest and check disaffection among the Colonial all on the side of the enemy, who can destroy population, and to open up the railway line as the line and occupy defensible positions when far as possible from Middleburg in the direction and where they please. In a hilly, enclosed of Stormberg. country, or where any large river has to be A subject which from the first attracted my crossed, they can block the line altogether, aB special attention was the development and was proved in the case of Lieutenant-General organization of the Colonial forces, of which I Lord Methuen on the Modder River, of Lieu­ was inclined to think that sufficient use bad tenant-General French on the Orange River, not been made. I therefore arranged for one and of General Sir Redvers Buller on the mounted corps to be raised by Colonel Brabant, Tugela. to whom, with the approval of the High Com­ A railway is of the greatest assistance, it is missioner, the rank of Brigadier-General has indeed essential to an army for the conveyance been given. Inclusive of this corps, it is in­ of stores and supplies from the base, and it is a tended to place a body of Colonial mounted most valuable adjunct if it runs in the direction troops, about 3,000 strong, under Brigadier- of the objective, but, even then, a certain pro­ General Brabant’s command, on Lieutenant-AngloBoerWar.com portion of the troops must be equipped with General Gatacre’s right flank, for the purpose wheel or pack transport to enable supplies to of guarding the eastern portion of the Colony be collected, and to render the force sufficiently and pushing back the enemy from the neigh­ mobile to deal with many tactical difficulties bourhood of Stormberg. The head-quarters of which have to be surmounted owing to the this Colonial force will be at Dordrecht, where greatly increased range and power of mo,dern it will be in readiness to operate northward projectiles. towards Jamestown. Two other regiments, No organized transport corps existed when T designated at the particular request of the arrived in South Africa. Some thousands of members “ Roberts’s ” and “ Kitchener’s Horse,” mules have been collected and a number of ox have also been formed, chiefly from men who and mule wagons had been purchased, but have found their way to South Africa from what is known as the regimental system had various parts of the world. Additional corps been adopted, which consists in providing each ire being raised by influential gentlemen in unit with sufficient transport for its ammuni­ he Colony, and every encouragement and tion, baggage, and two or three days’ supplies. Assistance are being given to the men who Such a system may answer well enough for desire to enlist. peace manoeuvres where the troops march Bhort • Shortly after my arrival the question of distances daily for a week or ten days, and reinforcements had to be dealt with. I was where depdts are established in advance from reluctant to indent on the home Army for an which the regimental supplies can be re­ 8th Infantry Division and an additional Cavalry plenished. But this system is quite unsuitable, Brigade, and I expressed the opinion that it for extensive operations in a disfcrictwhere.no would suffice to order out two more Line food, and scarcely any forage can be prooured, battalions (one from Malta and the other from where advance depdts cannot be formed, and Egypt), two companies of Mounted Infantry where all the necessaries required by an army from Burma, and 13 Militia battalions from in the field have to be carried for a considerable England for duty on the Lines of Communi­ distance. ■ It is, moreover, a very extravagant cation. The failure of the second attempt to system, for during a campaign every corps is relieve Ladysmith may possibly necessitate the not required to be continually on the move. A despatch of the larger reinforcement, which I certain number have to garrison important was at first prepared to dispense with. points and guard lines of communication, and ■ Since I have been here I have taken no steps for these transport is not needed. On the regi­ to render active assistance to General Sir mental system, the transport attached to such Redvers Buller, as he had a force at his dis­ corps would remain with them, and would there­ posal which seemed sufficient for the relief of fore not be available for general purposes, or, Ladysmith, and, after being reinforced by the in the event of its being taken away from them^ 5th Division, he had informed me that his task, no one would be specially responsible for itB. would not be rendered easier by a further supervision. addition to the number of his troops. More­ Major-General Lord Kitchener's experience THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 8.31 in this important matter coincided with my I the Dependency is loyal, and no donbt a large own, and we decided that the first thing to he nnmber of its inhabitants are sincerely attached done was to form a properly organized Trans­ to the British rule and strongly opposed to port Department. Boer domination. On the other hand, a con­ On the 26th Jannary I received intelligence siderable section would prefer a Republican of Sir Redvers Boiler's withdrawal from Spion form of government, and influenced by ties of Kop to Potgieter's Drift. The second attempt blood and association, side with the Orange to relieve Ladysmith having failed, it has Free State and Transvaal. Even the public become! imperatively necessary to give early service at the Cape is not free from men whose effect to the policy indicated above. With this sympathies with the enemy may lead them to object I am collecting as large a force as possible divulge secrets and give valuable assistance to to the 'north of the Orange River Railway the Boer leaders in other ways. Station, with a view of joining the-troops under I append tabular statements showing the Lord Methuen’s command, and proceeding, in strength of the troops in the Cape Colony and the .first instance, to relieve Kimberley. The Natal respectively on the 31st January, 1900. Column, including' Cavalry and Mounted In­ The numbers as regards Natal are only approxi­ fantry, will number 35,000 men, with about mate, as no recent returns are available. 100 guns. On the relief of Kimberley being I have, &c., accomplished, I propose to leave a moderate ROBERTS, Field-Marshal, garrison at that place, and with the remainder Commanding-in-Chief, of the force, to move eastward for the purpose South Africa. of threatening Bloemfontein and seizing some Enclosure 1. point on the railway between that place and Effective Fighting Strength of Force in Natal Springfontein. This operation will, I trust, on 31st January, 1900. (Approximate only.) cause the Boers to reduce the force which they At Ladysmith. have concentrated round Ladysmith, and enable Cavalry—4 regiments; total 1,200. our garrison there to be relieved before the end Artillery—6 batteries Royal Field Artillery, of February. 36 guns ; total 36 guns and 1,080 men. In order to carry out the concentration north Infantry—11 battalions, total 7,500*. of -the Orange River, I shall have to make use Between the Tugela River and Durban. of the whole of the 6th and 7th Divisions, and Cavalry—2 | regiments, total 1,100. am obliged to postpone-the reinforcement of Artillery— Lieutenant-General Gatacre’s force, although it 1 battery, Royal Horse Artillery, 6 guns, is barely sufficient effectively to control a civil batteries, Royal Field Artillery, 44 guns, population which contains many disturbing 1 mounted battery, 6 guns, elements, or to regain possession of the territory 1 howitzer battery, 6 guns ; total 62 guns, which the enemy has invaded. I am compelled 1,800 men. also to withdraw the greater part of the force Infantry— under Lieutenant-General Kelly-KennyAngloBoerWar.com from 5jt brigades, 16,500, Naanwpoort and its neighbourhood, in spite of Other than above, 800; total 17,300. the importance of restoring railway communi­ Colonial troops— cation between Middleburg and Stormberg. Field Artillery, 22 guns ; total 22 guns, The arrival of 15 additional battalions* of the 550 men. Line and Militia will place matters on a better Mounted, 1,500, footing, but in view of the possibility that Dismounted, 800 ; total 2,300. the third attempt to relieve Ladysmith may Infantry Volunteers, 2,000. fail, the deadlock in Natal which will follow, Grand total, 34,830 men and 120 guns. and its probable effect on the South African To above may be added— population, I have reluctantly arrived at the Royal Engineers, 1,100. conclusion that more troops are needed for the Army Service and other departmental active prosecution of the war. corps, 1,472. On the 28th January I applied for another Sick.—Number unknown. Infantry Division and Cavalry Brigade from Men at depdts, and otherwise employed.— home. The Cavalry Brigade has been placed Number unknown. under orders for field service, but the despatch of the Infantry Division has I am informed Effective Fighting Strength of Force in Cape been suspended for the present. If, as I hope, Colony on 31st January, 1900. the relief of Ladysmith can be effected, at any Cavalry—8£ regimonts ; total 4,196. rate as soon as the onemy’s attention has been Artillery— distracted by offensive operations on our part 8 batteries, Royal Horse Artillery, 48 guns. in the Orange Free State, the transfer of an 12 batteries, Royal Field Aa-tillery, 72 guns. Infantry Division from Natal to Capo Colony 2 howitzer batteries, 12 guns. may perhaps become feasible. On this point, 2 siege companies, 12 guns.} however, I shall be better able to offer an 1 siege company, 6 guns.} opinion when the result of the further opera­ Total 150 gnns and 4,500 men. tions in Natal is known. Mounted Infantry; total 3,050. It might appear at first sight that the force Infantry— *§ in this country is equal to the military require­ 1st Brigade, 3,754. ments of the situation, but the difficulties of 3rd ,, 3,121. carrying on war in South Africa do not appear 9th ,, 2,754. to be sufficiently appreciated by the British 13th „ 2,885. public. In an enemy’s country, we should 14th „ 3,322. know exactly how we stood; but out here, we 15th „ 3,601. have not only to defeat -the enemy on the Other than above, 14,372.§ northern frontier, but to maintain law and order within the Colonial limitB. Ostensibly, * Including 7th and 8th Brigades, f 8—6-inch howitrers; 4—4'7-inch guns. -? 'The Line battalionswill not arrive until tlie middlo { 5-inch B.L. guns. of.Mareh. § Including Royal Canadian Regiment, 925 strong. A 2 832 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

Total 33,809. would cost him from 2,000 to 3,000 men, and Colonial troops— success was doubtful. General Buller enquired Cape Colony, mounted, 2,000. if I thonght that the chance of relieving Lady­ Over sea, mounted, 1,385. smith was worth Buch a risk. On the same day Total 3.385. I replied that Ladysmith must be relieved even Cape Colony, Infantry Volunteers, 2,960. at the cost anticipated. I urged Sir Redvers Grand total 51,900 men and 150 guns. Buller to persevere, and desired him to point To above may be added— out to his troops that the honour of the Empire Royal Engineers, 2,000. was in their hands, and to assure them that I Army Servico and oilier departmental had no doubt whatever of their being suc­ corps, 4,278. cessful. Sick, 2,118. On the 9th February General Buller re­ Grand total, including above, 60,296 men and ported that he found himself not strong enough 150 guns. to relieve Ladysmith without reinforcements, and that, with the foroe at his disposal, be No. 2. regarded the operation upon which he was From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts to the engaged as impracticable. Secretary of State for War. As Sir Charles Warren confirms the views of Army Head-Quarters, South Africa, Sir Redvers Buller, I have informed the latter Camp Jacobsdal, that, though I have no wish to interfere with his dispositions, or to stop his harassing the My Lobs, lGth February, 1900. IN continuation of my letter No. 1, dated 6th Boers as much as possible, my original instruc­ February, 1900, I have the honour to report, for tions must hold good. your Lordship’s information, that I left Cape I received reports on the 2nd February that Town for the Modder River on the evening of parties of the enemy had been observed some that date, arriving at Lord Methuen’s camp on 8 miles to the west of the railway between the the morning of the 8th. Before quitting the Orange and Modder Rivers, their object appa­ seat of Government I received a memorandum rently being either to injure the line or to get from the High Commissioner, in which Sir grazing for their horses and oxen. I therefore Alfred Milner reviewed the political and mili­ gave orders on the 3rd February for Major- tary situation, and laid stress on the possibility General MacDonald with the Highland Brigade, two squadrons of the 9th Lancers, the 62nd of a general rising among the disaffected Dutch Field Battery and No- 7 Field Company, Royal population, should the Cape Colony be denuded Engineers, to move from the Modder camp down of troops for the purpose of carrying on offen­ the left bank of the Modder River and make a sive operations in the Orange Free State. In show of constructing a small field redoubt reply I expressed the opinion that the military commanding the Koodoosberg Drift, distant requirements of the case demanded an early about 17 miles from the camp. The object I advance into the enemy’s country; that such an AngloBoerWar.comhad in view was to threaten the enemy’s line of advance, if successful, would lessen the hostile communication from the west of the railway to pressure both on the northern frontier of the their position at Magersfontein, and also to lead Colony and in Natal, that the relief of Kim­ the Boers to believe that I intended to turn berley had to be effected before the end of Feb­ their entrenchments from the left of the Modder ruary,* and would set free most of the troops River camp. encamped on the Modder River, and that the The troops marohed early on the 4th, bivou­ arrival of considerable reinforcements from acked for the night at Fraser’s Drift, and home, especially of Field Artillery, by the 19th reached Koodoosberg Drift at 2 -p.m. on the 5th, February, would enable those points along the the enemy’s scouts being met with as soon as frontier which were weakly held to be mate­ the cavalry approached the drift. The position rially strengthened. I trusted, therefore, that was reconnoitred that afternoon, and on the his Excellency's apprehensions would prove morning of the 6th February work was begun groundless. No doubt a certain amount of risk on tbe redoubt, a site for which was chosen on had to be run, but protracted inaction seemed the north or right bank of the stream in close to me to involve more serious dangers than the proximity to the drift. The enemy, however, bolder course which I have decided to adopt. had now occupied in some strength a kopje to Since the date of my former letter important the north of the drift, whence the site of tbe events have occurred in Natal. As your Lord- rodoubt was within artillery range, and it be­ ship is aware, Sir Redvers Buller telegraphed came necessary to dislodge them. After some on the 29th January to the effect that he had desultory fighting the southern portion of the discovered a new drift to the east of the Spion kopje was occupied by the Highland Brigade, Kop, and that in view of the objections to fur­ and fighting continued throughout the day, ther delay in relieving Ladysmith he proposed both on the summit of the hill and between it to make a fresh attempt by that route as soon and tbe river. As the number of the enemy as a battery of Horse Artillery had reached was manifestly increasing, Major-General Mac­ him from India, without waiting to see what Donald thought it desirable to ask for the re­ effect my intended operations in the Orange inforcement which had been held in readiness to Free State might produce on the force opposed support him. This, consisting of two batteries to him. of Horse Artillery and a Brigade of Cavalry, On the 6th February I received a telegram under Major-General Babington, marched from from Sir Redvers Buller reporting that he had the camp at Modder to Koodoosberg along the pierced the enemy’s line, and could hold the hill northern bank of the river, and arrived at about which divided their position, bat that to drive 3 p.m. on the 7th. The fight which had recom­ back the enemy on either flank, and thus give menced at daybreak continued until nightfall, his own artillery access to the Ladysmith plain the enemy gradually falling back, and being 10 miles from Sir George White’s position, followed up by the Horse Artillery and * I had enquired by heliograph and been informed by Cavalry. Lieutenant-Colonel Kekewioh that Kimberley could not It being evident that permanently to hold hold out linger than the end of February. 1 * • the Koodoosberg Drift would require a larger THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 8S3 force than could be spared, and the troops em­ During the day of the 14th I informed Lieuten­ ployed there being by this time required else­ ant-General Kelly-Kenny how essential it was where, the Cavalry and Infantry Brigades were that he should join hands with Lieutenant- ordered to retnm to the Modder River camp, General French, in order to free the Cavalry for which they did on the 8th without molestation, a further advance, and notwithstanding the the Boers having previously fallen back from long and fatiguing march of the previous day, the position. the 6th Division pushed on that night across I will now briefly describe the operations for the veldt, and reached Klip Drift before day the relief of Kimberley, the troops selected for break on the 15 th February. this purpose being detailed in the annexed Being thus free to act, Lieutenant-General return. French at 9.30 A.M. proceeded on his journey On the 11th February the Cavalry Division, towards Kimberley. The enemy’s suspicions under Lieutenant-General French, with seven had by this time been aroused, and they had batteries of Horse Artillery and three Field been able to occupy two lines of kopjes, a few batterieB, proceeded from Modder River camp miles north of the Modder River, and through direct to Ramdam, the 7 th Infantry Division, which the road to Kimberley via Abons Dam under Lieutenant-General Tucker, proceeding and Olifantsfontein runs. Bringing a fire to to the same point from the railway stations of bear upon these kopjes by the Brigade Divi­ Enslin and Graspan. On the 12th February I sions of Horse Artillery, under command of moved to Ramdam; the Cavalry Division Lieutenant-Colonels Eustace and Rochfort, and marched to the Riet River, occupied with escorted by the 1st Cavalry Brigade under slight opposition the Dekiel and Waterval Colonel Porter, Lieutenant-General French, Drifts, and reconnoitred across the river; the with the 2nd and 3rd Brigades under Brigadier- 7th Division proceeded to the Dekiel Drift; Generals Broadwood and Gordon, and the and the 6th Division, nnder Lieutenant-General Brigade Division Horse Artillery under Colonel Kelly-Kenny, which had moved by rail to Davidson, galloped through the defile in ex­ Enslin and Graspan, replaced'the 7th at Ram­ tended order until he reached some low hills dam. On the 13th February tho Cavalry from which he was able to cover the advance of Division advanced to the Modder River, seizing the rear troops. Casualties—1 Officer (Lieu­ the Ronddavel and Klip Drifts, while the tenant A. E. Hesketb, 16th Lancers) killed, and 6th Division moved from Ramdam to the 20 of all ranks wounded. Waterval Drift on the Riet River. The 9th At Kimberley, the inhabitants were found to Division, under Lieutenant-General Sir Henry be in good health and spirits. On the 16th the Colvile, proceeded on this day to Ramdam, 6th Division marched to Klip Drift and was while the 7th Division was occupied in getting opposed by the enemy, who were driven off supply wagons across the Dekiel Drift, where with loss. The 9th Division joined the 7th at I established my head-quarters. On the 14th Wegdraai, 200 Mounted Infantry nnder Colonel February the Cavalry Division reconnoitred to Ridley being left behind at Waterval to escort the north of the Modder River; the AngloBoerWar.com 6th a supply column of ox wagons thence to Division moved down the Riet River from the Wegdraai. Shortly after the departure of the Waterval to the Wegdraai Drift; the 7th 9th Division from Waterval, a Boer force with Division from the Dekiel Drift to the Waterval several guns, which must have come up during Drift, and the 9th Division from Ramdam to the night, attacked Colonel Ridley's detach­ the Waterval Drift. My head-quarters were at ment, and did a good deal of injury to the the Waterval Drift. oxen and wagons of the supply column. On For some time previous to this, I had been hearing of this, I sent back a reinforcement, moving troops to the east of the Orange River consisting of one Field battery, one battalion,' station, in order to attract the enemy’s atten­ and 300 Mounted Infantry at 10 a.m., and tion to that quarter, and, if possible to give subsequently despatched a second battery and rise to the idea that my intention was to make battalion, on the arrival of which the enemy for Bloemfontein, vifi, Fauresmith. disappeared. A considerable force of Cavalry and Mounted The native ox drivers had, however, taken Infantry was collected at Zoutpan’s Drift, to flight, so that it was impossible to inspan nnder the command of Colonel Hannay, and the ox teams. The wagons contained a quantity that Officer was ordered to proceed on the 11th of supplies of groceries for the troops and of February towards the Riet River, to act in grain for animals, and I felt that to abandon conjunction with the Cavalry Division. Near them meant a considerable loss to the stores on Wolve Kraal Colonel Hannay came in contact which we had to depend. In view, however, with the Boers, who held the hills on his right of the absolute necessity of pushing on the flank. He handled his troops with ability, and advance, and realising, as I did, that to leave while he contained the enemy with a portion troops at Waterval Drift until such time as of his force, he pushed his baggage and main the convoy could again be set in motion would body through to Ramdam. weaken my force and probably cause it to be Late in the evening of the 14th February, delayed, - 1 decided to abandon the supplies, the 6th Division marched to Ronddavel Drift, wagons, and oxen, and to order the troops to on the Modder, and the 7th Division to the withdraw to Wegdraai Drift during the night, Wegdraai Drift, on the Riet. On this date which operation was carried out unmolested by troops from the 6th Division entered Jacobsdal, the enemy. and found it deserted by the enemy, though the At 11 a.m. on this day, I directed Major- houses were still occupied by their women and General Wavell’s Brigade, of the 7th Division, children. The troops were fired on when re­ to occupy Jacobsdal, which was done with very turning to camp, and a further encounter took slight opposition. The officers and men who place on a stronger detachment being sent out had. been wounded and taken prisoners the to drive off the Boers. This detachment fell previous day were found in the hospital at this back before nightfall with the loss of eight place, as well as several other wounded men, killed and wounded. On the 15th February I both Brutish and Boer. All had been taken the proceeded from the Waterval Drift to Wegdraai, greatest oare of by the German Ambulance. accompanied by the 9th Division, On the 16th February I moved my head* 834 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

quarters to Jaoobsdal, replenished my supplies River I inspected the field hospitals at De Aar from Honey Nest Kloof and the Modder camp, and Orange River, and finding the accommoda­ and established telegraphic communication tion inadequate gave orders for its being en­ between the latter place and Jaoobsdal. The larged, and for more nurses’ quarters being Cavalry Division has been following up the provided. I also arranged that additional enemy to the north of Kimberley, and the 6th nurses should be posted to these hospitals. Division, which has marched to the east of To meet medical requirements I have applied Klip Drift, has been similarly occupied. By to your Lordship for the personnel needed to midday I received information from Lord establish another general hospital in the vicinity Methuen that the Magersfontein entrench­ of Cape Town. ments had been abandoned, and the latest One of the most pressing needs in. South reports point to a general retreat of the Boers African warfare is the supply of a sufficient in the direction of Bloemfontein. It is my quantity of drinking water to the troops when intention to follow them up as rapidly as marching, especially in the daytime, the climate possible, and by taking foil advantage of the being an extremely dry one and the sun’s. heat shock which they have sustained, to break up very trying. The number of water-carts at their organization as a fighting force. Lord present available is inadequate. Moreover, Methuen has been ordered to proceed to Kim­ these carts cannot follow the troops over stony berley, after restoring the railway line, for the or broken ground, and I have, therefore, asked purpose of putting affairs into order, arrang­ for 2,000 bheesties, with a due proportion of ing for the military control of the town and mussacks and pakhals to be sent here from district, and taking steps to re-open communi­ India. cation with Mafeking. In conclusion I may mention a few matters I have, &c., of minor importance which have been dealt ROBERTS, Field-Marshal, . -- with during the last 10 days. Commanding-in-Cb iefL . . On my way from Cape Town to the Modder • South Africa.

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6th Division. 9th Division. t 1st Division. Lient.-General T. Kelly- 7th Division. Lient.-General Sir H. E. ' Artillery. Lieut, -General Lord Methuen. Kenny*C.B. Lient.-General C. Tuck6r,C.B. Colvile, K.O.M.G., C.B,

Major-General Pole* Major-GeneraV C.. E. Major-General S r H. Major-General A.JJ. Ammo. Carew, C.B. Knox. , Chermside, K.O.M.G. MacDonald, C.B.,D.S.O., R.H.A.— Guns Batts. Cols.,'Ac. Divisions 1 Staff. A.D.0. “P,” "G” .. 12 871 66 H LNO GZTE FBUR 8 10. 835 1901. 8, FEBRUARY GAZETTE, LONDON THE 1st Brigade Staff. :■ 1st Brigade ...... 13th Brigade .. 14tb Brigade .. ... , « 3rd Brigade "Q,” “ T,’’ “ TJ” .. 18. 651 107 , 1st B n ...... 3rd Bn. Grenadier Gds. 215 2nd Bn. E. Kent Regt. 786 2nd Bn. Norfolk Regt. 814 2nd Bn. Black Watch.. 649 Oav. Diy. 2nd Bn...... 1st Bn. Coldstream Gds. 965 2nd Bn. Gloucestershire 735 2nd Bn. Lincolnshire 858 1st Bn. Highland L.I... 960 “Q,” “R” .. 12 871 142 Regiment Regiment 3rd Bn...... 2nd Bn. Coldstream Gds. 921 1st Bn. W . Riding Regt. 750 2nd Bn. HampshireRegt. 700 2nd Bn. Seaforth Highrs. 703 No. 1, 4th Bn...... le t Bn. Soots Gds. 958 1st Bn. Oxfordshire L.L 614 1st Bn. K.O.S.B. 950 1st Bn. Argyll and 819 H.F.A.— special. Sutherland Highrs. 18th, 62nd, 75th .. 18 523 128 Bearer Co. No. 18 Co...... , , No. 7 Co...... • • 14th Brigade .. , , CapeVol. M.S.C. C.T.(1, 5), Field Hospital.. No. 18 Co...... No. 18 Co. . . . . 14th Brigade No. 3 Co. • » •• 76th, 81st, 82nd 18 523 ]■ 83 20th, 88th .. 12 858 Colonel C. -Douglas, Brigadier-General T. E. Major-General A. G. Major-General H. Smith- A.D.C. Stephenson. Wavell. Dorrien, D.S.O. Howitzers— Brigade Staff 9th Brigade * , 18th Brigade .. • • 15th Brigade .. . , 19th Brigade .. 37th, 65th .. 10 403 97 lflt Bn. a • a ■ • • 1st Bn. Northumberland 6 l7 2nd Bn. Royal Warwick- 850 2nd Bn. Cheshire Regt. 830 1st Bn. Gordon Highrs. 900 Fusiliers shire Regiment 2nd Bn...... 1st Bn. Loyal North 447 1st Bn. Yorkshire Regt. 936 1st Bn. East Lancashire 910 2nd Bn. Duke of Com- 836 Lancashire Regiment Regiment wall’s L .I. 3rd Bn...... 2nd Bn. Northampton- 850 1st Bn. Essex Regt. .. 787 2nd Bn. South Wales 961 2nd Bn. Shropshire L.L 886 Squadron, 14th Hussars 164 shire Regiment Borderers 4th Bn...... 2nd Bn. K..O. Yorkshire 840 1st Bn. Welsh Regt. .. 970 2nd Bn. North Stafford- 900 Royal Canadian Regt... 925 L.I. AngloBoerWar.comahiro Regiment Bearer Co...... No. 1 Co. u 6th Div. Field Hospital • • 15th Brigade .. 7th Div. Field Hospital Field Hospital.. •• No. 19 Co...... No. 8 Section, Cape • * 15th Brigade .. •• No. 1 Section, Cape •• Field Hospital Field Hospital Colonial9* Royal Engineer Staff. Cape— Field Co...... 17th Field Co. .. 194 38th Field Co...... 190 9th Field Co. .. 194 • « • e B ailey...... 250 „ H ospital.. 1st Division .» 6th Division .. 7th Division .. ,. .. • • • • Remington’s Guides .. 160 Roberts’s Horse 550 CAVALRY. Kitchener’s Horse .. 400 Lieut.-G-enorol J. D. P. French. 1st Brigade. 2nd Brigade. Mounted Tnfantry. Mounted Infantry. Over sea— Colonel T. 0. Porter. Brigadier-General K, 1st Brigade. 2nd Brigade. N.S.W. Lancers 150 Divisional Staff . . .. Broad wood. Colonel O. C. Hannay. Colonel C. P. Ridley. N.Z. Mounted Rifles.. 204 1st Brigade Staff • e ■ • Queensland Mtd. Inf. 275 1st Regiment .. 9th Lancers 418 Household Cavalry 625 1st Regiment . , 413 2nd Regiment .. 440 N.S.W. Ambulance .. 2nd Regiment.. 12th Lancers .. 600 Scots Greys 438 8rd Regiment .. 460 4th Regiment .. 450 3rd Regiment .. 16lh Lancers .. 640 Inniskillings .. 596 6th Regiment . . . • 480 6 th Regiment .. 460 4th Regiment .. Carabineers 464 10th Hussars .. 468 7th Regiment ., .. 460 8th Regiment .. 430 Bearer Co. No. 9 Co...... _ _ N o. 12 Co. . , , . , , , . • • .. Field Hospital.. No. 9 Co. •• No. 6 Co. •* • * •* *• *• 836 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901,

A verages. On the arrival of the Militia Battalions, the Infantry— 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment 1st Brigade - 938'5 is to join the 18th Brigade, and the 1st Batta­

9th 99 • • 7868 (8i battalions) lion Munster Fusiliers the 19th Brigade.

13th 99 * * 721-25 The 1st or Guards Brigade was thus set free

18th 99 * * 885- 75 to join the force operating in the Orange Free

14th 99 * • 8305 State.

15th 99 • • 900-25 While leaving it to Lord Methuen to employ

3rd 99 • • 780-25 the troops under hiB command as he might

19th 99 • • 886- 75 think best, I impressed on him the desirability ------] of bolding the Modder Railway Bridge with a Average per regiment 841-2 battalion of Infantry in an entrenched position, Cavalry— and of guarding other important points along- 1st Brigade, 1st Division 480-5 the line. I also desired him gradually to break 2nd „ .. 529-25 up the Field Hospital at Modder River by the 1st , , 4 1 438-25 transfer of the sick and wounded to Cape 2nd ,, 445 Town. ! On tho 17th and 18th February my head-; Average per regiment.. 473‘25 quarters remained at Jacobsdal with the 7th, Division. On the former date the pursuing' T otals. troops came into contact with the enemy uuder Infantry .. 26,527 Cronje below Paardebex-g Drift. Throughout; Cavalry .. 7,572* the day a series of rear-guard actions took; Colonials (mounted) 1,979 place, the enemy skilfully seizing one defensible Guns 100 position after another and delaying our advance.; The Boers continued their retreat, and on thej morning of the 18th were found to be bolding a No. 3. From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts to the Secre­ position in the bed and on the north bank of' tary of State for War. the Modder, 3 miles above Paardeberg Drift,; Army Head-Qnarters, Sonth Africa, where the river makes a curve to the north. In this position they had begun to entrench them-! Camp Paardeberg, selves daring the previous night. As soon as My L ord, 28th February, 1900. IN my letter No. 2, dated the 16th February, our troops came up, the 6th Division occupied 1900, the narrative of the operations in the the gronnd to the sonth of the stream opposite Orange Free State was carried up to the occu­ the Boer laager, with Mounted Infantry in its, pation of Jacobsdal, and the pursuit of the front to the eaBt. The Highland Brigade was enemy in an easterly direction to Klip Drift, on also on the south side of the Modder, while the( the Modder River. On the above date 78 ox 19th Brigade of the same Division, under Major-General Smith-Dorrien, advanced along' wagons loaded with stores, andAngloBoerWar.com two wagons containing Mauser rifles, explosives, and am­ the north side, on which also two Brigades of munition, were captnred at Klip Drift, by the Cavalry under Lieutenant-General French were, 6th Division. On the evening of that day I converging from the direction of Kimberley.; ordered the 9th Division, consisting of the 3rd Early in the afternoon it seemed likely that the and 19th Brigades under Lieutenant-General laager would be captnred, but the Boers held Sir Henry Colvile, to Klip Kraal Drift. Early their ground so obstinately, and it was so diffi-j the next morning Lieutenant-General Tucker, cult to force a passage through the trees and commanding the 7th Division, with the I4th undergrowth fringing the river on both hanks, Brigade, marched from Wegdraai Drift to that the troops had to be drawn, off. Heavy; Jacobsdal which the other brigade of the divi­ loss was inflicted on the enemy, while our own sion, the 15th, under Major-General Wavell, loss was hardly less serious, the casualties being had occupied since the 15th February. as follows:— ! On the 17th February arrangemonts were Officers (Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.—1 made for the military administration of Kim- Lieutenant-Colonel W. Aldworth, D.S.O.; berley, and the protection of the railway line Captain E. B. Wardlaw; Captain B. A. between that place and the Orange River. Newbury. Seaforth Highlanders.—2nd The command was entrusted to Lieutenant- Lieutenant R. H. McClure. Argyll and General Lord Methuen, who was directed to Sutherland Highlanders.—Lieutenant G. move hiB head-quarters to Kimberley as soon as E. Courtenay. West Riding Regiment.— the railway had been repaired. The following Lieutenant F. J. Siordet. 1st Battalion troops were placed at his disposal:— Yorkshire Regiment.—2nd Lieutenant A. i 1,000 Imperial Yeomanry. C, Neave. Oxfordshire Light Infantry.— 20th and 38th Batteries, Royal Field Artil­ Lieutenant A. R. Bright; 2nd Lieutenant lery. V. A. Ball-Acton King’s Royal Rifles.— 2 Canadian Field Batteries. Captain J. Dewar; Lieutenant E. Percival. 1 Now South Wales Field Battery. Norfolk Regiment. — Lieutenant J. C. The 9th Infantry Brigade, consisting of— Hylton-JolifFe. Seaforth Highlanders.— 1st Battalion Northumberland Fnsiliers. 2nd Lieutenant D. P. Monypenny. Mounted 1st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Infanty Staff.—Colonel O. C. Hannay. Regiment. Welsh Regiment. — Lieutenant Angell) 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. killed, 15 j wounded, 54 j missing, 8; 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Light Infantry. prisoners, 3. A second Infantry Brigade consisting of— Men—killed, 183; wounded, 851; missing, 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry. 88 i prisoners, 9.' 3 Militia Battalions, leaving England on the 15th February, and due at Cape Town The Officers and men shown as missing must, abont the 10th March. I am afraid, have been killed, as tbe enemy could not have sent prisoners to tho rear, while * Not including squadron 14th Hussars. only the numbers shown above as prisoners THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 837 have been released by the eventual capture of On this day a balloon reconnaissance was the laager. made of the Boer laager and entrenchments, A kopje to the south-east of the position, which showed that much injury had been done commanding the Boer entrenchments, and the to the enemy’s wagons and stores by shell fire. ■whole course of the stream from the Paarde- On the 24th February 40 more prisoners were berg Drift upwards, was captured during the taken and a considerable number of Natives afternoon of the 18th, but retaken by the enemy came in from the enemy’s camp both on this after nightfall, owing to the Mounted Infantry day and on the previous days, having managed who held it having gone down to the river to to escape during the night time. The services water their horses. of these Kaffir refugees are being utilised to On the evening of this day I directed the look after trek oxen and slaughter cattle, about Brigade of Guards to march from their camp at 800 of which were captured in the vicinity of Modder along the north bank of the river to the Boer laager. Our casualties from the 19th Klip Drift. I also ordered the 14th Brigade of to the 24th February inclusive, were as fol­ the 7th Division, under Major-General Sir Her­ lows :— bert Chermside, to proceed from Jacobsdal to Officers—wounded, 12. the Paardeberg camp, distant about 30 miles, Men—killed, 9; wounded, 102; missing, 8 which was reached on the evening of the 19th. Nothing calling for special notice occurred Leaving Jacobsdal at 4 a m. on the 19th, I on the 25th February, except that heavy rain reached Paardeberg at 10 a.m. When I arrived caused the Modder Biver to rise over 3 feet, and on the scene I learnt that an armistice of thus delayed the movement of convoys from 24 hours had been granted to General Cronje, and to the advanced base at the Modder Sta­ who had asked for it on the plea that he desired tion as well as from and to Kimberley, where a to bury his dead. This armistice I immediately supplementary Commissariat Dep6t had been revoked, and ordered a vigorous bombardment established. I may here mention that the rail­ of the enemy’s position. General Cronje knew, way to Kimberley was re-opened on the 18th, as we knew, that considerable reinforcements and that Lord Methuen established his head­ were hastening to his assistance from Natal and quarters there on the same day. from the south, and his request was obviously Early on the 26th four 6-inch howitzers only an expedient to gain time. arrived at this camp from Modder, and the I found the troops in camp were much Boer laager was again shelled during the exhausted by their previous marching and fight­ afternoon. ing, and I therefore decided not to make a At 3 a.m. on the 27th the Bojal Canadian second assault on the laager, the capture of Begiment, and No. 7 Company, Boyal Engineers, which by a “ coup-de-main ” would have entailed commanded respectively by Lieutenant-Colonel a further loss of life, which did not appear to W. D. Otter and Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. me to be warranted by the military exigencies Kincaid, supported by the 1st Battalion Gordon of the situation. During the morning of the Highlanders, advanced under a heavy rifle fire 20th February the kopje on the south-east,AngloBoerWar.com to within 80 yards of the enemy’s defences, and which I have already mentioned, was recaptured, succeeded in entrenching themselves, with the the enemy abandoning their defences on being loss of 2 Officers wounded, 7 men killed, and threatened in rear by the Cavalry and Mounted 27 wounded. A gallant deed, creditable to all Infantry. In the afternoon the Boer laager and who took part in it. the entrenchments surrounding it were bom­ At 6 a.m. I received a letter from General barded for several hours with Naval guns, P. A. Cronje, making an unconditional sur­ 5-inch howitzers and field guns, much damage render, and throwing himself and his troops on being done to the enemy’s wagons, trek oxen, Her Majesty’s clemency. The following is a and horses. On the 21st and 22nd the bom­ translation:— bardment was continued, and trenches were “ Head-quarter Laager, gradually pushed forward on both flanks of the “ Modder Biver, river, but chiefly on the north, in view of an ‘‘27th February, 1900. eventual assault, should such an alternative be “ Honoured Sir. forced upon me. “ Herewith I have the honour to inform you After bis force had been surrounded, Cronje that the Council of War, which was held here contrived to open heliographic communication last evening, resolved to surrender uncon­ with Bloemfontein, and doubtless asked for ditionally with the forces here, being compelled assistance, as reinforcements began to come up to do so under existing circumstances. They in scattered parties of varying strength from therefore throw themselves on the clemency of the east and south-east. Each commando was Her Britannic Majesty. composed of men belonging to different dis­ “ As a sign of surrender a white flag will be tricts, some of them having been withdrawn hoisted from 6 a.m. to-day. The Council of from Ladysmith and others from the northern War requests that you will give immediate frontier of the Cape Colony. On the morning orders for all farther hostilities to be stopped, of the 23rd February the 1st Battalion York­ in order that more loss of life may be pre­ shire Begiment engaged one of these parties, vented. about 2,000 strong, at the eastern end of the ^ T TlQTrp position south of the river, and drove off the “ (Signed) P. A. CBONJE, enemy with heavy loss, losing themselveB 3 “ General. Officers and 17 men wounded. Later in the “ To Field Marshal Lord Boberts. day the 2nd Battalion of the Buffs, which had “ P.S.—Messrs. O. B. Keizer, my secretary, come up in support of the Yorkshire Begiment, and H. C. Penzhorn, are authorized to arrange captured 80 Boer prisoners. Similar parties of all details with your Lordship.” the enemy appeared - in other directions, but Cronje was received by me in camp at 8 a.m., were beaten back without difficulty by our and he with the other prisoners, numbering troops. After being repulsed the Boers seem 3,919 men, exclusive of 150 wounded, were de­ in most cases to have dispersed, whether to their spatched in the afternoon to Cape Town. homes or to join' other commandoes "it is'im- In addition to the prisoners’ rifles and a large possible to say. quantity of Manser ammunition, three 7’5 No. 27282. B 838 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

centimetre Krupp field guns, one old pattern directed to entrench and occupy a commanding 12-pr. quick-firing gun, and one Vickers-Maxim position to the south of tbe town. •automatic 3-7 centimetre quick-firing gun have As regards Natal, the reports received from been taken, as well as many ox and mule General Sir Redvers Buller are to the following ■wagons. effect. On the 14th February he attacked A very large area has to be occupied in strong positions held by tbe enemy on the right a country like this, consisting of flat plains bank cf the Tugela immediately to the east of with isolated hills or kopjes, to prevent Colenso. These positions on the Cingolo and the enemy from seizing one or more of the Monte Crisfco heights covered the left flank of latter, and thence by long-range gun and the Boers. Cingolo was gradually occupied by rifle fire rendering the interior of the position our troops, and on the 18th’ February the 4th untenable. The perimeter of the Paardeberg anp 6th Brigades assaulted the entrenchments encampment surrounding the Boer 1 anger was on Monte Cristo, the enemy falling back after about 24 miles, and the distances from one having offered but slight resistance, and being point to another added greatly to the labours driven across the Tugela with the loss of their of the troops. camps and supplies. Sir Redvers Buller has I enclose a list of prisoners taken on 27th brought to special notice the work done by the February. 2nd Battalion The Queen’s, 2nd Battalion Royal I am sanguine enough to hope that the com­ Scots Fusiliers, Rifle Brigade, and Irregular plete defeat and surrender of Cronje will Cavalry ; but all the troops are reported to Have materially improve the prospects of the cam­ behaved admirably, and the Itoyal Artillery and paign. For over two months he held us in Naval gun detachments to have rendered great eheck at Magersfoutein, and his following in­ assistance. cluded many influential men both from the Oa the 21st February Sir Redvers Buller Orange Free State and from the South African telegraphed that commandoes from the Beth­ Republic. The despatch of these men, with lehem, Heilbron, and Senekal Districts Lad re­ nearly 4,000 other prisoners, to Gape Town, turned by train the previous week from Spion cannot fail to encourage the loyal inhabitants Kop to the Orange Free Slate. On the same of the Cape Colony and Natal, and to dishearten date he reported that the 5th Division had that the disaffected, while the capture of one of day crossed tbe Tugela by a pontoon bridge, their ablest and most determined commanders driving back the enemy’s rear guard. must inflict a severe blow on the Boer cause. Subsequent telegrams show that on the 22nd It is my present intention to halt here for the 11th Brigade forced ihe passage of the about a week longer, in order to get the Cavalry Ouderbrook Spruit and seized the Landrat and Artillery horses into better condition, re­ heights which command it, while on the 23rd plenish my supplies of food and ammunition, the 5th Brigade crossed the Langawachti Spruit and prepare my transport train for a further and similarly occupied the adjacent heights. advance. On reaching Bloemfontein T propose On the 25th the force bad not advanced far to reopen railway communication between lhat enough to the north to keep down tbo enemy’s place and the Midland railway AngloBoerWar.com line, and to long-range Artillery and Infantry fire, and the transfer my advanced base from the Modder country is stated to be extremely difficult, but River Station and Kimberley to Colesberg or Sir Redvers Bailer is endeavouring to turn Naauwpoort. In anticipation of this transfer, the Boer position to the east, and hopes to suc­ and to relieve the congested state of the docks ceed in outflanking the enemy and reaching at Cape Town, I have directed a number of Ladysmith. vessels carrying stores and supplies to proceed Apart from the progress of the war, there are to East London. two matters affecting the force under my com- Since I last addressed your Lordsbip the maud, to which a brief reference seems desir­ situation on the frontier north of Naauwpoort able. On the 25th February, l'telegraphed to has remained virtually unchanged. On the your Lordship requesting that 100,000 khaki enemy at Colesberg being reinforced, Major- warm coats of the Indian’ pattern might be sent General Clements found it necessary to with­ to the Cape Colony and Natal from India. draw from Rensburg to Arundel, where he These coats proved very serviceable during the experienced no difiiculty in maintaining his expeditions on the North-west frontier in 1897- position. A portion of the Boer force has now 98, and will greatly conduce to the health and retired'for the purpose of covering Bloemfontein, comfort of the troops in Sonth Africa as soon and on the 27th February Rensburg was re­ as the cold season sets in. On the 26th February, occupied by our troops. in reply to a telegram from your Lordship, I On the eastern frontier Brigadier-General asked for the 8th Infantry Division to bo Brabant moved forward on the evening of the despatched to South Africa as quickly as pos­ 16fch February, and, after continuous fighting sible, more troops being needed in my opinion on the '17th, stormed the Boer position near to enable me to operate in sufficient strength in Dordrecht. the Orange Free State and Transvaal. On the 23rd February Lieutenaut-General I have, &c., Gatacre made a reconnaissance in the direction ROBERTS, Field-Marshal, of Stormberg, which showed that the hostile Commanding-in-Chief, garrison had been reduced in men and guns. South Africa.' Our casualties on this occasion amounted to Prisoners taken at Paardeberg, 27th February, 2 • killed, 2 wounded, and 6 missing, among the 1900. last being included Captain the Hon. R. de Orange Free State Artillery, under" Montmorency, V.C., 21st Lancers, and Major Major Albrechts: — 3 Krupps, P. R. Hockin, 2nd Devonshire Volunteer Artil­ Officers—Y. Dewitz,. • 7'5-cm.tt lery, two very promising Officers. V. Heister. r i m .h .. On- the 24th February Lieutenant-General Angenstein. . Maxim.* Sir W. Gatacre provided a garrison for Dor­ 45 men. drecht by moving to that place from Biid River * The gnus taken are 3—7 5-can., .iurpp’s; old 2 guns, 2 companies of infantry, 50 signallers, pattern QJ?., about 12-pr.; 1—3'7-cm. Vickers-Maxim and 50 mounted police *■ The garrison was automatic gun. THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 839

Orange Free State. arriving there on the 6 th ; the 1st, or Guards Commando, Kioonstadt; Commandant, J. Y. Brigade, at Klip Drift and Klip Kraal, simi­ Meantges; Field Cornet, F. Nell; men, 134. larly to arrive at Osfontein on the 6th; and Commando, Ladybrand ; Commandant, R. J. the 15th Brigade, at Jacobsdal, under Major- Sneyman; men, 134. General Wavell, to accompany the last convoy Commando, Ficksbnrg; Commandant, De from the Modder Camp, and to reach Osfontein Yilliers; men, 44. on the 7th. On these movements being com­ Commando, Wynberg (1); Commandant, pleted I directed the line of communication J. W. Kok; men, 60. with the Modder Camp to be abandoned, that Commando, Wynberg (2) ; Field Cornet, with Kimberley being maintained for a few Ooathuizen; men, 133. days longer until I was ready to advance on Commando, Hoopstadt; Commandant, J. Bloemfontein. Greyling; Field Cornets, T. Nieuwondt, S. Y. As there bad been considerable additions to Zeyl; men, 373. the strength of tbe Mounted Infantry, I re­ Commando, Bloemfontein, Town; Field distributed this branch of the Service into the Comet, W. Akermann; men, 31. following commands:— Commando, Bloemfontein, De Wetsdorp; 1st Brigade. Commandant, Fonri; men, 104. Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. H. Alderson, Com­ Commando, Bloemfontein, Mid., Mud River; manding. Field Cornet, J. J. Bosbof; men, 67. 1st Regiment Mounted Infantry. Commando, Jacobsdal; Commandant, A. 3rd „ ,, Smit; men, 16. Roberts’s Horse. Commando, Bosbof; Field Cornet, J. W. New Zealand Mounted Infantry. Griinewald; men, 112. Rimington's Guides. Commando, Petrnsbnrg and Fauresmitb; 2ud Brigade. men, 66. Lieutenant-Colonel P. W. J. Le Gallais, Com­ Commando, Vryburg; men, 1. manding. Commando, Natives; men, 7. 6th Regiment Mounted Infantry. Total, 1,327 men. 8th „ „ Transvaal. City Imperial Yolunteers. Commando, Potchefstroom; Commandant, Kitchener’s Horse. Roos; Field Cornets, Lemmer, with 300 men, Nesbitt’s Horse. and Hatting, with 315 ; men, 615. New South Wales Mounted Infantry. Commando, Potchefstroom; Commandant, 3rd Brigade. Wolmarans; Field Comets, Da Plessis, 100, Lieutenant-Colonel C. G. Martyr, Com­ De Velleres, 61; men, 161. manding, Commando, Potchefstroom (Schoenspruit) ; 2nd Regiment Mounted Infantry. Commandant, Wolmarans ; Field Cornets, Ven- 4th „ ters, 275, Naude, 210; men, 485. 2nd Battalion Durham Mounted Infantry. Commando, Gats rand ; Commandanl, AngloBoerWar.com Maar- 2nd Battalion Essex Mounted Infantry. tens; Field Cornets, Oosthnizen, 349, Alberts, 2nd Battalion West Riding Mounted In­ 37, Naude, 60; men, 446. fantry. Commando, Scandinavians; Field Cornet, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry. Friis, 49; men, 49. 2nd Commando. Bowyk; Field Cornet, Terblanch, 4th Brigade. 318; men, 318. Colonel C. P. Ridley, Commanding. Commando, Bloemhof; Commandant, Woeste; 5th Regiment Mounted Infantry. Field Comets, Badenborst, 107, Sneyman, 171, 7th Bosman, 240; men, 518. Total, 2,592. 1st City of Grfthamstown Volunteers. Grand total (besides about 150 wounded, &c.), Ceylon Mounted Infantry. 3,919. Heavy rain fell daily up to the- 6th, greatly impeding the march of the troops, and delaying the convoys of provisions and stoies, the drifts No. 4. across the Modder River becoming almost un- From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts to the fordable. Secretary of State for War. It had been my original intention to movo Army Head-quarters, South Africa, towards Bloemfontein as soon as the enemy’s Government House, Bloemfontein, force under Cronje had been obliged to sur­ My L ord, 15th March, 1900. render, but the Cavalry and Artillery horses IN my letter No. 3, dated the 28th February, were so exhausted by their rapid march to 1900,1 continued my narrative of the operations Kimberley and back, and so weakened by the in the Orange Free State and elsewhere up to scarcity of forage, that I found it absolutely the end of the month. necessary to give them a week’s rest. On the 1st March I proceeded to Kimberley, Meanwhile, reports came in that the enemy from my camp at Paardeberg, for the purpose were collecting in considerable strength to the of discussing with Lieutenant-General Lord east of Osfontein, and were entrenching them­ Methuen the measures to be taken for the relief selves along a line of kopjes, running north of Mafeking. I returned the next day to and south, about 8 miles distant from the Osfontein, about 5 miles east of Paardeberg, camp at Osfontein. The northernmost or where I established my head-quarters. Leeuw Kopje was to the north of, and 2 miles The troops at Paardeberg marched to Os­ distant from, the river; and the southernmost fontein on the 1st, on which day the following cluster of kopjes, to which the name of ‘'The movements were ordered:— Seven Kopjes ” was given, was 8 miles to the The Mounted Infantry at the Modder Camp south of the river. The front of the Boer to leave on the 4th March, and arrive at position extended, therefore, for 10£ miles. Osfontein in three marches ; the three batteries It was noticed that several gun emplace­ of Field Artillery at Jacobsdal, under Lieu- I ments were being constructed on the summit tenant-Colonel Flint, to proceed to Osfontein, [■of a flat-topped kopje (called "Table Mouu- B 2 840 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. tain ”) -which, formed a salient in the centre of Had the Cavalry, Horse Artillery, and the alignment and gnns -were also mounted Monnted Infantry been able to move more on the Leeuw Kopje at the northern end, and rapidly, they would undoubtedly have inter­ on “ The Seven Kopjes” at the southern end. cepted the enemy’s line of retreat, and I should On the 6th March I gave orders for an attack have had the satisfaction of captaring their on the enemy’s position early the following guns, wagons, and supplies, as well as a large morning. The Cavalry Division, with Alder- number of prisoners. The failure to effect this son’s and Ridley’s Brigades of Mounted Infan­ object was the more mortifying when I learnt the try and seven batteries of Horse Artillery, was next day on good authority that the Presidents of directed to march at 2 A.M., its object being to the Orange Free State and South African circle round the left flank of the Boers, to take Republic had been present during the engage­ their line of entrenchments in reverse, and ment, and had strongly urged the Boers to moving eventually to the river near Poplar continue their resistance. Their appeals to the Grove to cut off their line of retreat. The burghers were, however, unavailing, as the 6th Division under Lieutenant-General Kelly- Boer forces were quite broken, and refused to Kenny, with its Brigade Division of Field fight any longer. Artillery, one howitzer battery, and Martyr’s In the course of the afternoon the Russian Mounted Infantry, was to follow the route and Dutch Military Attaches with the Trans­ taken by the Cavalry nntil reaching a point vaal Government, Lieutenant-Colon el Gourko south-east of “ The Seven Kopjes.” It was and Lieutenant Thomson, who were accompany­ then to drive the enemy fron these kopjes, and ing the enemy, claimed our protection, the afterwards move to the north in the direction horses in the cart in which they were travelling of “ Table Mountain.” having been killed by shell fire. In the attack on “ Table Mountain ” the 6th One Krupp gun and six ox wagons were Division was to be assisted by Flint’s Brigade crptured during the day, and a large quantity Division of Field Artillery, four 4'7-hich of rifle ammunition was afterwards found in naval guns, Le Gallais’ Brigade of Mounted the deserted trenches. The casualties during Infantry, and the Guards Brigade. This latter the day were not heavy, and were confined force was to concentrate at daybreak near a almost entirely to the Cavalry Division. They small kopje and farm distant 2 miles to the east consisted of 2 Officers (Lieutenant Keswick, of Osfontein Farm, where my head-quarters 12th Lancers; Lieutenant Frieslich, 1st Gra- had been established. “ Table Mountain ” hamstown Volunteers) and 2 men killed, 3 being the key of the enemy’s position, I antici­ Officers and 46 men wounded, and one man pated that the Boers would retire to the river as missing. soon as it was occupied by our troops. On the 8th and 9th of March the force halted The 14th Brigade of the 7th Division, with at Poplar Grove, but on the latter date the its Brigade Division of Field Artillery, Nes- 1st Cavalry Brigade and the 6th Infantry bitt’s Horse, and tho New South Wales and Division moved 8 miles eastward to Waaihoek, Queensland Mounted Infantry, was ordered to on tho road to Abraham’s Kraal. march eastward along the south bankAngloBoerWar.com of the On the 9th I issued orders for the advance of river for the purpose of threatening the enemy, the force in three columns on Bloemfontein. distracting attention from the main attack on The left column, under Lieutenant-General “ Table Mountain," and assisting the Cavalry in French, consisted. of the 1st Cavalry Brigade, preventing the Boers from crossing the river at Alderson’s Mounted Infantry, and the 6t.h the Poplar Grove Drift. The 9th Division, with Division. The centre column, which 1 accom­ three Naval 12-pounders, and Mounted Infantry, panied, comprised the 9th Division, the Brigade nnder Lieutenant-Colonels De Lisle and Henry, of Guards, the 2nd Cavalry Brigade, Martyr’s was instructed to act in a similar manner on and Le Gallais’ Mounted Infantry, the 65th the north hank of the river, and to drive the Howitzer Battery, four 6-inch howitzers, the enemy from the Leenw Kopje, which formed Naval Brigade, the ammunition reserve, the the northern extremity of their defensive posi­ Supply Park, and the 7th Field Company, tion. Royal Engineers. The right column, nnder On the 7th March the operations were carried Lieutenant-General Tucker, included the 7th out in accordance with the above scheme, but Division, the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, and Ridley's the 6th Division made too wide a detour to the Brigade of Monnted Infantry. The left column south, the result being that, before it approached was to march by the northern road, through “ The Seven Kopjes,” the Boers had been dis­ Baberspan, Doornboom, and Venter’s Vlei, to lodged by the Horse Artillery fire in reverse, Leeuwberg; on the railway line, about 15 miles coupled with the well-aimed shell-fire of the south of Bloemfontein ; the centre by the middle 4'7-inch Naval gnns in front, while the turning road through Driefontein, Assvogel Kop, and movement of the Cavalry and Horse Artillery, Venter’s Vlei to LeeuwheTg; and the Tight in conjunction with the advance of the 9th column through Petrusbnrg, Driekop, and Pan- Division and 1st and 14th Brigades, caused the fontoin or Woltevrade to Venter’s Vlei, the enemy to evacuate “ Table Mountain ” and the distance being, in each case, covered in four Leeuw Kopje without offering any Berious oppo­ marches, with halts at the places mentioned. sition. Long distances had, however, to he It should here he explained that my reason traversed by the troops, the ground was heavy for not proposing to use the northei’n and most owing to the recent rain, and the Cavalry and direct road beyond Baberspan was, that I had Artillery horses were in very poor condition. good reason to believe that tbe enemy expected Moreover, the Boers displayed such skill in ns to advance by that road, and were ready to delaying the pursuit of the Cavalry Division, oppose ns in a strong entrenched position which that they succeeded in taking away with them they had prepared in tbe vicinity of Bainsvlei. almost all tbeir guns and wagons, and it was On the 10th the movement was began as not nntil the evening that the main body of the ordered, and the right column occupied Petrns- force reached Poplar Grove, to which I had burg without opposition. The left column ordered the baggage to be transferred as soon found the enemy holding several kopjes behind as I perceived that the enemy were in full Abraham’s Kraal, and endeavoured to turn their retreat. left flank by moving to the south. The Boers, THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 841 however, anticipated this manceuvro by a rapid These corps had been left behind, together march southward, and took up a fresh position with Lieutenant-Colonels Do Lisle and Henry’s on a ridge about 4 mile3 long, running north battalions of Mounted Infantry, at Osfontein and south across the road 2 miles east of Drie- and Poplar Grove respectively, for the purpose fontein. Lieutenant-General French followed of keeping open communication with Kim­ up the enemy with the 1st Cavalry Brigade and berley, until certain convoys which were being the 6th Division, and came into contact with despatched from that place had arrived, and them at 11 a.m. nntil the sick and wounded who were being sent Meanwhile the 2nd Cavalry Brigade had back from Poplar Grove and Osfontein had reached Driefontein, and endeavoured, in con­ crossed the Modder River. junction with the 1st Cavalry Brigade, to turn I mny here mention that the Russian and the rear of the Boers by operating in the plain Dutch Military Attaches who had given them­ behind the ridge which they were holding. selves up on the 7th March at Poplar Grove The enemy’s guns, however, had a longer range were sent to Kimberley cn route to Cape Town than our field guns, which were the only ones with this convoy of sick and wounded. immediately available, and some time elapsed On he 11th March the combined left and before the former could be silenced, especially centre columns marched to Aasvogel Kop, no a Crensob gun, which hud been placed in a com­ opposition being met with. This day I ordered manding position on an isolated kopje, 2i miles the 3rd Cavalry Brigade with two batteries of east of the northern end of the ridge. The Horse Artillery to proceed from Driekop to Infantry of the 6th Division reached this end Venter’s Vlei. On 12th March my head-quar­ of the ridge abont 2 p.m., having been under ters, together with the 6th and 9th Divisions, the enemy’s shell fire, which did but little moved to Venler's Vlei, while the 1st and 2nd damage, for more than an hour. The Boers Cavalry Brigades under Lieutenant-Goneral wore gradually pushed back towards the centre French pushed on to Brand Dam Kop, 7 miles of the ridge, where they made an obstinate to the south-west of Bloemfontein. 1 diverted stand. the Cav.,lry from Lcenwberg, which was their The 9lh Division came up at 5 p.m., and I original objective, to a point much nearer Bloem- at once ordered the Guards Brigade and the fouteiu for two reasons :— 19th Brigade to the assistance ot the 6th Di­ First, it was reported that reinforcements vision ; bat before these reinforcements conld from the north were hourly expected at Bloem­ reach the ridge, the enemy’s position was fontein, and it thus became imperatively neces­ stormed in the most gallant manner by the sary to forestall the enemy's movements. This 1st Battalions of the Essex and Welsh Regi- report has subsequently been substantiated by menls, supported by the 2nd Battalion of the a telegram from President Kruger to General Buffs. The bodies of 102 Boers were after­ Joubert, which has fallen into my hands. wards found along the ridge, mainly in the Secondly, if any delay occurred, the Boers position which they held to the last. Many of would have had time to remove the locomotives their horses were killed. AngloBoerWar.comand rolling stock, which I understood to he still I regret to say that onr casualties were in the railway station at Bloemfontein. heavy, aggregating 4 Officers (The Buffs— Some slight resistance was met with by the Captain Eustace. Welsh Regiment—Captain Cavalry, but no serious fighting took place, and Lomax. Essex Regiment—Lientenant b'. N. the only casualties that occurred were on the Parsons, 2nd Lieutenant A. B. Coddington) side of the Boers. killed, and 20 wounded, and 60 men killed, Early the next morning I proceeded to Brand 314 wounded, and 16 missing. The Cavalry, Dam Kop, accompanied by the 3rd Cavalry Artillery, and Mounted Infantry suffered com­ Brigade, and found that tho hills commanding paratively slight loss, 1 Officer (Mr. McCartie, the town had already been occupied by the 1st a’ retired ludian civilian) being killed and 4 and 2nd Cavalry Brigades. At noon several wounded, and 4 men killed, 25 wounded, and 2 of the leading citizens of Bloemfontein, in­ missing. cluding Mr. Frazer, drove out to the kopje A flagaant breach of the recognised usages which 1 had just reached, abont a mile from of wav was the cause of most of the casualties the town, and tendered its submission to the iu the Infantry. The enemy held np their British Government. I entered Bloemfontein hands and hoisted a white flag in sign of sur- at 1 p.m., meeting with a cordial reception from render, but when our troops approached they the inhabitants, a number of whom accompanied were fired on at close quarters by a number of the troops singing “ God save the Qaeen,” Boers posted under cover in rear of their front “ Rule Britannia,” &c. I established my head­ line and had to retire until reinforced, when quarters iu the official residence of the State the position was carried at the point of the President, which Mr. Steyn had vacated at bayonet. The holding up of their hands on the 6 o’clock on the previous evening. The 1st In­ part of the Boers was observed by me and by fantry Brigade marched this day from Venter's several Officers of my Staff through telescopes, Vlei to Bloemfontein, and the 6th and 9th and it, aB well ns the persistent use by the enemy Divisions from the same place to Brand Dam of fiat-nosed expanding bullets, has been Kop. On the morning of the 14th, the 6th brought to the notice of the Presidents of the Division advanced to Bloemfontein, beiug joined Orange Free State and South African Republic there in the course of the day by the 9th Divi­ in a telegram, dated 11th March, a copy of sion. As soon as the troops occupied the town which was forwarded for your Lordship's in­ I appointed Major-General G. T. Pretyman, formation, with a request that its contents C.B., to be Military Governor of Bloemfontein, might be communicated to the neutral Powers. granting him, subject to your Lordship’s ap­ On the evening of the 10th the left and proval, the rank and pay of a Major-General on centre columns bivouacked together in the the Staff while so employed. vicinity of Driefontein. On this date I directed It may here be noted that under my orders Lieutenaut-General Tucker to halt the 7th Divi­ the railway north and south of Bloemfontein sion and 3rd Cavalry Brigade at Driekop, until was broken up for a sufficient distance on the he was joined by the second battalions of the evening of the 12th by Major Hunter-Weston, Hampshire and Warwickshire Regiments. R.E., attached to the Cavalry Division, and this 842 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901 enterprising officer also succeeded in cutting Finding that he could make a practicable the enemy’s telegraph and telephone wires in approach to this passage, he recrossed men and both directions. Eleven locomotives, 20 car­ guns and took up the pontoon bridge which he riages, and 140 trucks were captured at the caused to be relaid at the new site. The troops Bloemfontein Bail way Station, the Boers not meanwhile bivouacked behind hastily con­ having had time to remove them. The acquisi­ structed shelter trenches, where they were tion of this amount of rolling stock will greatly harassed by the enemy’s rifle and artillery facilitate the reopening of railway communica­ fire. tion with Cape Colony, in spite of the fact that On the 27th February Major-General Barton, the bridges at Norval’s Pont and Bethulie were with two battalions of the 6th Brigade and the blown up by the enemy when they withdrew to 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, crept the north side of the Orange River. 1^ miles down the river bank, and ascending an Yesterday I issued an Army Order* thanking almost precipitous cliff, 500 ieet high, assaulted the troops under my command for their con­ and occupied the top of Pieter’s Hill. This to duct during the operations which resulted in some extent turned the enemy’s left, and enabled the relief of Kimberley and Ladysmith, the Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Warren, with surrender of Cronje, the capture of a large the 4th Brigade under Colonel Norcott and the number of paisoners, and the occupation of 11th Brigade under Colonel Kitchener, to asBail Bloemfontein. A copy of this Order is ap­ the main position, which was carried by the 1st pended, and I trust that yonr Lordship will Battalion South Lancashire Regiment, 2nd Bat­ agree with me in thinking that by their spirit talion East Surrey Regiment, and 1st Battalion and endurance the soldiers and sailors serving Rifle Brigade about sunset. Sixty prisoners in Sonth Africa have worthily upheld the tradi­ were captured, and the enemy scattered in all tions of Her Majesty’s forces. directions. In Natal events of the highest importance On the evening of the 28th February Major- have occurred since I last addressed yonr Lord- General Lord Dundonald with the Natal ship. On 28th February I received a telegram Carbineers and a composite Cavalry Regiment' from General Sir Redvers Buller informing me entered Ladysmith, the country between that that Major-General Hart was not strong enough place and Pieter’s Hill being found to be clear on 24th February to take the entrenchments of the enemy. The next day Sir Redvers commanding the passage of the Langerwachte Buller moved his head-quarters to Nelthorpe. Sprnit. Sir Redvers Bnller had therefore deter­ On 2nd March 73 wagon loads of supplies mined to make use of another passage which entered Ladysmith, the first seven containing had been discovered below the Falls. hospital comforts. On the same date Sir Redvers Buller telegraphed to the effect that * Army Orders, South Africa. there was no prospect of the enemy making any Bloemfontein, 14Lh March, l ‘J00. further stand up to Laing’s Nek, as the whole It affords the Field-Marshal Con manding.in-Chief the district was clear of them except at the top of greatest pleasure in congratulating the ArmyAngloBoerWar.com in Sonth Van Reenen’s Pass, where a few wagons were Africa on the various events that hare occurred during visible. The last train load of Boers had left the past few weeks, and he would specially oder his sin­ cere thanks to that portion of the army which, under his Modderspruit at noon on 1st March and the immediate command, hare taken part in the operations bridge had afterwards been blown np. They resulting yesterday in the capture of Bloemfontein. had abandoned vast quantities of ammunition ■ On the 12th February this force crossed the boundary aurl stores of every description, including tools, which divided the Orange Free Slate from British terri­ tents, and individual necessaries. tory. Three days later Kimberley wes relieved. On the lath day the bulk of the Boer Army in this State, uniter The troops employed in the relief of Lady­ one of their moat trusted Generals, were mode prisoners. smith wanted a week’s rest, as well as new On the 17th day the news of the relief of Ladysmith was clothes and boots; those forming the Lady­ received, and on the 13th March, 29 days from the com­ smith garrison required a fortnight’s rest, food, mencement. of the operations, the capital of the Orange and exercise. Free State was occupied. This is a record ol which any Army may well be proud— As it was most desirable to strengthen the a record which tould not have been achieved except by force in Cape Colony operating by the eastern earnest, well-disciplined men, determined to do their duty railway line in the direction of Stormberg, and to surmount whatever difficulties or dangers might especially in view of my advance on Bloem­ be encountered. fontein, I requested Sir Redvers Buller to Exposed to extreme heat by day, bivouacking under heavy rain, marching long distances (not infrequently despatch one infantry division from Durban to with reduced rations), the endurance, cheerfulness, and East London, with its brigade division of field gallantry displayed by all ranks are beyond praise, and artillery, should it be possible to spare the Lord Roberts feels sure that neither Her Majesty the latter, and with auy mounted troops that he Queen nor the British Nation will be unmindful of the conld dispense with. efforts made by this force to uphold the honour of their country. On the 5th March Sir Redvers Buller tele­ The Field Marshal desires especially to refer to the graphed that he was prepared to send me the fortitude and heroic spirit with which the wounded have 5th Division, under Lieutenant-General Sir borne their sufferings. Owing to the great extent of Charles Warren, and two squadrons of the 14th country over which modern battles have to he fought it is Hussars, the third squadron being already with not always possible to aUord immediate aid to those who arc struck down; many h'urs ha.e, indeed, at times the force in the Orange Free State. He re­ elapsed before some of the wounded could be attended to, marked that the Ladysmith garrison would but cob a w ord of murmur or complaint haB been ultei ed; take some time to regain its fitness for field the anxiety of all, when succour came, was that their service. He proposed to reoccupy Dundee and comrades rhould be cared for first. Newcastle. The lailway from Ladysmith to In assuring every Offiier and man how much he ap­ preciates tlieir efforts in the past Lord Roberts is confi­ Vau Reenen’s Pass was practically complete as dent that, in the future, they will continue to show the far as the Reversing Station, hut above that same resolution and soldierly qualities, and to lay down point considerably damaged. The pass itself their lives if need be (as so many brave men have already was held by a small party of the enemy who had done) in order to ensure that the war in South Africa entrenched themselves. The other passes were may be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. By Order, not entrenched, and it was doubtful whether W. F. KELLY, Major-General, they were occupied. The only organized body Deputy-Adjutant-General, for Ohief of the Staff. of the enemy to be heard of in Natal was about THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 843

7,000 strong. This body was at “ One Tree On the 5th March Lieutenant-General Gatacre Hill,” in the Biggarsberg Range, and it was telegraphed that he had that day occupied moving towards Laing’s Nek. Stormberg with one battalion of Infantry, four On the 9th March Sir Red vers Bnller in­ companies of Mounted Infantry, two field formed me that 800 Boers with 2 gnns were batteries, and some Cape Police. The enemy occupying the Tintwa Pass, and the Harrismibh had evacuated the town during the night of the and KroonRtad Commandoes with 3 guns were 4th. Repairs to the railway line were being posted at Van Reenen’s Pass. The other passes begun. On the 7th March Brigadier-General were being held by small bodies of the enemy. Brabant reported that the enemy had retired On the Biggarsberg about 9,000 Boers were from their position in front of Jamestown, and entrenched from Water Kloof, past “ One Tree that the road to that place was now open. Hill ” and Hlatikulu, to Glencoe Junction. On the same date Lieutenant-General Gatacre These included the Johannesburg, Rustenburg, intimated that the repairs to the railway line Middleburg, and Vryheid Commandoes, with towards Stormberg and Steynsburg were being 10 guns. Dundee was occupied by the enemy. pushed on, and that he intended that day to If he were to remain quiet, Sir Redvers Bnller occupy Burghersdorp. His intention was was of opinion that the Boers would begin carried out, and the British troops were cor­ raiding, and he proposed therefore to repair the dially welcomed by the inhabitants. Many railway to Elandslaagte and thence to strike at rebels in the vicinir.y were stated to be anxious Dundee through Beith. He would thus turn to lay down their arms, if their lives wonld be the enemy’s position and probably save the line spared. to Newcastle. To do this, and simultaneously Brabant’s force from Dordrecht reached to threaten the Drakensberg Passes, Sir Redvers Jamestown on the 8th March without opposi­ Buller considered that he needed all the troops tion, Information was received from Ladygrey at his disposal, though, if I desired in, he would that the rebels were handing in their arms and still send me the 5th Division. ammunition to the Field Cornet of Htrschel, In reply, on the 10th March, I agreed that 55 rifles and 70,000 rounds having already beeu the despatch of the 5th Division should be surrendered. The local civil authorities were postponed until I reached Bloemfontein and proceeding to Ladygrey to resume control over was able to judge of the situation as it might the district. then present itself. I added that I had no On. the 11th March Lieutenant-General Gat­ objection to active operations being undertaken acre telegraphed from Burghersdorp that he in Natal, but that no attempt should be made had reconnoitred to within a mile of the to force the passes of the Drakensberg until I Bethulie railway bridge, and had fonnd it blown was in readiness to co-operate from the west of up, though the piers were standing. The enemy that range. were still holding the north bank of the river. Taming now to the northern frontier of Cape The road bridge at Bethulie was uninjured, Colony, I heard on 28tb February from Major- though the piers had been mined. It would General Clements that he had that morning appear that the charges bad failed to explode, marched from Ransburg to Arundel, AngloBoerWar.com and on and tbe Boers bad no time to attach fresh fuzes. arrival there had ascertained that Colesberg The railway as far as Knapdaar was open on the had been evacuated by the enemy. He accord­ afternoon of the llth . ingly sent a force to occupy Colesberg Railway In the Pricska, Britstown, and Carnarvon Junction and himself with other troops entered districts of Cape Colony, west of the railway the town of Colesberg, where he was accorded between De Aar and Orange River, I regret to an enthusiastic reception by the loyalists. report that signs of organized disaffection have On the 3rd March I received news that a been apparent during tbe past fortnight. further advance had been made to Acbtertang At the end of Febrnary I ordered a force to Station, and that the line towards Norval’s be held in readiness for operations in this direc­ Pont was being repaired. tion. One column from De Aar was directed On the 5th March the enemy were reported to concentrate at Britstown under Lieutenant- to be holding a position 3 miles to the south­ Colonel Adye’s command, consisting of 3 com­ west of Norval’s Pont, the bridge being still panies of Mounted Infantry, 1 Field Battery, intact, but during the evening of the same day and 400 City Imperial Volunteers. Another they crossed to the north side of the river. column under Major-General Settle was to On the 9th Norval’s Pont Station and the assemble at Hopetown, consisting of Orpen’s adjacent drifts on the south side were occupied Horse about 60 strong, one company of Mounted by Major-General Clements, wbo proposes to Infantry, one field battery, and half a battalion cross the river as soon as the Pontoon Train of infantry from the Orange River Station. arrived, and to begin repairs to the lailway line This left for the defence of the Orange River and bridge, the latter as well as the road an'd Zoutpan’s Drift" two 15-pounders, two bridge having been blown up by the" enemy. Maxims, loor howitzers, 3 companies of In- I have this morning sent by train a force con­ fantrtry, and'700 City Imperial Volunteers. A sisting of the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards third column consisting of 3 companies of New and the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, with four Zealand Mounted Infantry and 1 company of guns, from Bloemfontein to Springfontein Junc­ West Austrilian Mounted Infuntry, with a tion. I anticipate that their presence will lead Canadian Field Battery, was ordered to march to the withdrawal of any Boer troops which on Carnarvon from Victoria West-road Station, may still remain to the north of N orval’s Pont, and afterwards to occupy Ofcterpau to the and will thus enable railway communication north. across the Orange River to be restored with all On the 3rd March I was informed that possible speed. Lieutenant-Colonel Adye had reached BnIn­ As regards the eastern line of advance, Lieu­ to wn. and had been instructed to drive the tenant-General Sir W. Gatacre reported on the rebels out of Houvvwater. Major-General Settle 3rd March that the number of the enemy at had left for Hopetown and Omdraai Vlei and. Stormberg had been much reduced. News was intended 'to co-operate with L eutenaut-Colonel" also received from Cape Town that the Boers Adye in an adVanoe on Riieska. The latter w'dr? retreating towards Burghersdorp. officer appears to ' have reconnoitred oh 6th 844 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

March towards Honwwater in insufficient Major-General H. H. Lord Kitchener of strength. The enemy were reinforced and Khartoum, G.C.B, K.C.M.G., R.E., has brought up several guns, the result being that filled the important post of Chief of the our troops were obliged to retire to Britstown Staff, and I am greatly indebted to him for with the loss of 1 officer and 4 men of the his counsel and cordial support on all Warwickshire Mounted Infantry wounded, and occasions. 3 missing, and of 7 men of the City Imperial I consider he has rendered invaluable Volunteers wounded, and 6 missing. To ensure service to the State iu his onerous and the operations being vigorously conducted in responsible position. the western districts, I desired Major-General Lieutenant-Colonel H. V. Cowan, R.A., Lord Kitchener to proceed ti De A ir on 8th has filled the post of Military Secretary. March with the object of collecting reinforce­ In that important position he lias done ments, and of taking such steps as might be most excellent work. He is able, pains­ necessary to pnnish tbe rebels and prevent the taking and methodical, and is possessed of spread of disaffection. sound judgment. I could not wish for a The only other event to be recorded is the more useful Military Secretary. occupation of Boshof, about 30 miles to the Colonel N. F. Fitss G. Chamberlain, Indian north-east of Kimberley, which was effected on Staff Corps, Private Secretary, gives me the 12th March by Lieutenant-General Lord entire satisfaction. His work is constant Methuen, without any opposition being met and he carries it on with zeal and intelli­ with. gence. I cannot speak too highly of the I am at present halting for a few days at assistance afforded me by Colonel Cham­ Bloemfontein in order to give the troops, horses, berlain. and transport animals a much-needed rest, to Lieutenant-Colonel J. J. Byron, Royal bring up remounts and fresh mules and oxen, to Australian Artillery, Aide-de-Camp. repair wagons which have broken down, to Major S. Denison, The Royal Canadian replace worn-out boots and clothing, and to Regiment of Infantry, Aide-de-Camp. collect supplies and ammunition for a further Captain H. Watermeyer, Cape Town High­ advance. landers, Aide-de Camp. I have, &c., Colonel H. R. Viscount Downe, C.I.E, wa ROBERTS, Field-Marshal, deputed to accompany the Military Attaches Commanding in Chief, representing Foreign Powers, and has dis­ South Africa. charged his duties with tact and discretion. Major-General G. T. Pretyman, C.B., B.A., No. 5. acted a3 Head-quarters Commandant to my From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts to the entire satisfaction. I selected him to take Secretary^ Stato for War. charge of General Cronje ou the journey to Sm, War Office, 31 March, 1900, Cape Town, and on my arrival here I IN the foregoing despatches, Nos. 1,AngloBoerWar.com 2, 3, and appointed him to the responsible post of 4, dated respectively 0th February, 16r.h Feb­ Military Governor oE Bloemfontein. ruary, 28th February, and 15th March, 1900, I Lieutenant-Colonel (local Colonel) G. F. R. have drawn attention to the conduct of tbe Henderson, York and Lancaster Regiment, troops during the operations therein described. Director of Military Intelligence, re­ I would here like to mention the distinguished organised the Intelligence Department, part played by the Royal Canadian Regiment in anil gave me valuable and reliable in­ its advance on the enemy's trenches ou 27th formation regarding the physical features February, and referred to by me in my despatch of the country and the dispositions of the No. 3 of 28th February, 1900. enemy. No account of the recent operations would, Captain (Brevet Major and local Lieutenant- however, be complete, were I to omit to draw Colonel) C. J. Mackenzie, Seaforth High­ special attention to the good services performed landers (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of by the splendid and highly efficient body of Albany’s). On Colonel Henderson being troops from other parts oE Her Majesty’s invalided he was succeeded by Lieutenant- Empire which have, while serving under my Colonel C. J. Mackenzie, who afforded me orders, borne a distinguished share in the material assistance by the accurate and advance into the Orange Free State. The valuable reports he submitted. Lieutenant- various contingents from Australia, from New Colonel Mackenzie has drawn special atten­ Zealand, and from Ceylon, tbe several corps tion to the good service rendered in the which have been formed locally in the Cape Intelligence Branch by Major C. V. Hume, Colony, and the City of London Imperial Royal Artillery. Volunteers have vied one with the other in the Major-General W. F. Kelly, C.B., Deputy performance of their duty. They have shared Adjutant-General, has afforded me very with the regular troops of Her Majesty’s Army great assistance in the responsible position the hardships aud dangers of the campaign in he has filled, and the vigilanoe and energy a manner which have gained for them the he has shown in the performance of his respect and admiration of all who have been duties.have been most marked. associated with them. I trust that your Lord- Major (local Lieutenant-Colonel) H. I. W. ship will concur with me in considering that Hamilton, D.S.O., Deputy Assistant- by their valour and endurance the soldiers and Adjutant- General. sailors serving in the force which is under my Captain (Brevet-Major) R. M. Poore, 7th immediate command have worthily upheld the Hussars, Provost-Marshal, has exercised best traditions of Her Majesty’s Army and his responsible duties, whether as regards Navy. the care of prisoners, or in maintaining It is now my pleasing duty to bring to your order in camp and on the line of march, in Lordship’s notice the names of the following a most satisfactory manner. Officers, non-commissioned officers and men, on Colonel (local Major-General) G. H. Marshall, nccount of the services they have rendered Royal Artillery, Commanding Royal Artil­ during the recent operations :— lery, has been untiring in his supervision ' THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 845

of the large force of Artillery in tills Kendal Franks, M.B, F.R.C.8.I., Consult­ country, ,and I would specially refer to the ing Surgeons, who have accompanied the value of the service he rendered during the Army, have rendered invaluable service by bombardment of the enemy’s entrench* their advice and assistance to the Medical ments from the 10th to the 27th February, Officers. They have been unwearying in 1900. Major*General Marshall mentions their work among the wounded and sick, the able and unceasing assistance he has and, humanly speaking, many a valuable received' from Major (local Lieutenant- life has been saved by their skill. Colonel). H. C. Sckter, Assistant Adjutant- Major J. H. Fiaschi, New South Wales General, Royal Artillery. Medical Staff Corps, is deserving of special Colonel (local Major-General) E. Wood, C.B., mention on account of the assistance which Royal Engineers, Chief Engineer, super­ be rendered to the sick and wounded, as vised the arrangements for pushing forward well as upon the efficient condition in which trenches towards the enemy’s laager at he has kept the ambulance under bis com­ Paardeberg, and the successful result at­ mand, the serviees of which, ever since its tained there is due in a large measnre to arrival, have been most valuable. that Officer’s efforts. Honorary Colonel E. G. V. Lord Stanley, Colonel (local Major-General) Sir W. G. 2nd Volunteer Battalion The Loyal North Nicholson, K.C.B., Royal Engineers,'under­ Lancashire Regiment, has carried ont the took, at my request, the organisation of a* difficult duties of Press Censor.with tact Transport Department in the limited time and discretion. available. He performed this duty with The following Officers, non-commissioned conspicnous ability, and his services in this officers, and men have distinguished themselves connection have contributed materially to during the recent operations:— the success of the recent operations. Army Service Corps. Colonel W. Richardson, .C.B., Army Service Brevet-Colonel F. F. Johnson, Staff Officer to Corps, Deputy Adjutant-General, Director Director of Supplies. of Supplies, has successfully overcome the Captain R. ford. many difficulties 'connected with arranging Lieutenant P. G. P. Lea. for the supplies of the Army in a district Transport Department. where scarcely any forage,, and no rations, Captain W. T. Forse, Royal Artillery, De­ except fresh meat, are procurable. puty-Assistant Adjutant-General. Lieutenant-Colonel R. L- Hippisley, R.E., Major S. S. Long, Army Service Corps. Director of Telegraphs, was indefatigable Major J. T. Johnson, Royal Artillery. in endeavouring to ensure'that 1 should be Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel F. I.Maxse, D.S.O., in communication with the whole of my Coldstream Guards. force. That such a result was on most Army Veterinary Department. occasions attained, despite the distance Veterinary.Captain L. J. BJenkinsop, D.S.O. which had to be traversed in an enemy’sAngloBoerWar.com Veterinary-Lieutenant H. T. Sawyer. country, is most creditable to Lieutenant- Staff of the Line of Communications. Colonel Hippisley, as well as to Captain Lieutenant-General Sir F. W. E. F. Fores- E. G. Godfrey-Fauesett, R.E., who was iu tier-Walker, K.C.B., C.M.G., Commanding immediate command of the Telegraph the Lines of Communication, has had heavy Division during the march to Bloemfon­ and responsible work, not only in questions tein. relating to the disembarkation of troops Captain (Brevet-Major and Local Lieutenant- and military stores, but especially in de­ Colonel) E. P: C. Girouard, D.S.O., R.E., spatching them to the front.' He has car­ Director of Railways, has carried out his ried ont these dnties with credit to himself duties in a highly creditable manner. The and with advantage to the public service. concentration of troops prior to my advance Captain Sir Edward Chichester, Bart., Royal was carried ont by him without a hitch, Navy, has been Chief Naval Transport and he has recently performed valuable Officer during the whole campaign, and has sendee in restoring through railway com­ carried ont his ardnons dnties with an munication between the Orange Free State ability and tact which have ensured the and Cape Colony. smooth and successful working of all his Surgeon-General W. D. Wilson, M.B., has arrangements. * had responsible and important duties to Royal Navy. perform. The arrangements necessary to Captain J. Bearoroft, Royal Navy, Command­ provide for the wants of the many sick ing the Royal Naval Brigade. My tbanks and wounded in South Africa, have required are due to this officer for the assistance he unremitting care and forethought, and the has at all times afforded me. The Naval snccessful way in which they have been Brigade, under his orders, has performed carried out reflects the greatest oredit on valuable service, and has fully maintained him. the traditions of Her Majesty’s Navy, not Colonel W. F. Stevenson, M.B., R.A.M.C., only in action, but also in overcoming the has been Principal Medical Officer with the many difficulties attending the march of Force, and I desire to draw attention not heavy ordnance over a country devoid of only to the efficieot manner in which he roads. has supervised the working of the Corps, Commander W. L. Grant, Royal Navy, H.M. but also to the assistance I have received Ship “ Doris.” from him at all times. Commander Spencer de Horsey, Royal Navy, I cannot apeak too highly of the care and H.M. Ship “ D-ris.” devotion shown by the Medical Officers to Lieutenant F. D. Deans, Royal Navy, H.M. the sick and wonnded, or the gallant way Ship ‘‘Monarch.” in which many of them have exposed them­ Major A. G. B. Winston, Royal Marine Light selves when performing their duties on the Infantry, H.M. Ship “ Powerful.’’ field of battle. Cavalry Division, Mr. Watson Cheyne, M.B., F.R.S., and Mr. i Major-General (local Lieutenant-General) J. No. 27282. C 846 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

D. P. French, Commanding the Cavalry Lieutenant Hon. R. Ward, Royal Horse Division, carried out to my entiro satisfac­ Guards. tion tlio arduous and important duties Lieutenant Hoa. A. V. Meade, Royal Horse entrusted to Lis charge. By his rapid Guards. movement from Dekiel’s drift to Kimberley Corporal-Major C. Putman, 1st Life Guard.-. he relieved tliat beleaguered town on the Corporal-Major W. Silwood, 2nd Life loth February. 1900. After engaging the Guards. enemy the following day, he made a forced Corporal of Horse T. Taylor, Royal Horse mii'eh 10 Kuedoesnmd driit and cutoff the Guards. line if retriat of the enemy's force. He 10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars. bore a distinguished share in the engage­ Lieutenant-Colonel R. B. W. Fisher. ments of the 7th, 10th, and 13th of March, 2578 Sergeant S. Sanders. on which latter date he dislodged the 2585 Pioneer Sergeant E. Engl eh ear t. enemy from the vicinity of Bloemfontein. 2882 Lance-Sergeant P. Thwaites. Cavalry Divisional Staff and Troops. 3855 Lance-Corporal A. Nugent. Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. Donovan, Royal 3815 Private M. Johnson. Army Medical Corps, Principal Medical 12th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Lancers. Officer. Lieutenant-Colonel D. S. W. The Earl of Major (local Lieutenant-Colonel) DonglaB Airlie. Haig, 7th Hussars, Assistant Adjutant- Lieutenant C. Fane. General. 3rd Cavalry Brigade. Major Tue Honourable H. Lawrence, 17th Lieutenant. Colonel (Brigadier-General) J. Lauctrs, Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Gene­ R. P. Gordon, Command d with distinc­ ral for Intelligence. tion the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, and his Major The Honourable C. £. Bingham, 1st services in leading the advance Brigade of Life Guards, Aide-de-Camp. the Cavalry Division during the advance Cavalry Divisional Staff aud Troops. on Kimberley are specially worthy of French's Scouts. mention. Sergeant A. fel. Green. 9th (Queen’s Royal) Lancers. Private W. S. Penny. Major (local Lieutenant-Colonel) M. O. Civil Guide. Little. Mr. Hogg. Lieutenant Lord F. T. Harailton-Temple- Army Service Corps. Blackwood. 4831 Staff Sergeant-Major T. Sinfield. 2nd Lieutenant L. W. De V. Sadleir- Royal Horse Artillery. Jackson. Lieutenant-Colonel W. L. Davidson. 3810 Corporal C. Wilson. Lieutenant-Colonel F. J. W. Eustace. 3988 Corporal C. Green. Lieutenant-Colonel A. N. Rochforfc. 4223 Corporal T. Mitcheli. Major B. Burton. 4309 Private C. Stamford. Major Sir J. H. Jervis-White-Jervis,AngloBoerWar.com Birt. 3697 Private T. Holman. 79959 Corporal G. Hearn. 16th (Queen’s) Lancers. 79243 Gunner F. "Wallace. Major S. Fvewen. 20392 Trumpeter R. Hanna, Lieutenant Hon. C. M. Evaus-Freke. 1st Cavaliy Brigade. 3702 Lance-Corporal F. Nash. Lieutenant-Colonel and Brevet-Colonel T. C. 3994 Private G. Chanlish. Porter. Commanded the 1st Cavalry 3528 Private E Daniel. Brigade, and handled his troops with 4389 Private F. Moseley. ability during the operations of the 12th Royal Engineers. and 13th March, 1900. Captain and Brevet Major A. G. Hunter Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. W. Alexander, Weston. Royal Scots Greys, Commanded the 1st Lieutenant J. E, R. Charles. Cavalry Brigade at the actions of the Riet 26810 Corporal F. Kirby. and Modder rivers in Colonel Porter’s 26249 Lance-Corporal S. Edwards. absence with most satisfactory results. 1204 Sapper J. Redding. 6ih Dragoon Guards (Carabineers). 1165 Sapper J. Webb. Major A. Sprot. 22907 Sapper J. Parsons. 2nd Leutenanc W. J. S. Bundle. Mounted Infantry with Cavalry Division. 2587 Seigeaut W. J. Bowman. 1st Mounted Infantry Brigade. 2758 Sergeant A. Cruwshay. Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. H. 3211 Corporal A. Blackman. Alderson, Royal West Kent Regiment, 3450 Private G. Bunn. Commanding 1st Mouuted Infantry Bri­ 3726 Private J. Buckeuham. gade. 3764 Private H. Cowley. Roberts’s Horse. 2nd Dragoons ("Royal Scots Greys). Lieutenant-Colonel H. L. Dawson, 9th Bengal Major H. J Scibell. Lancers. Lieutenant A. G. Seymour. Captain A. W. Pack Beresford, Royal Artil- 4172 Sergeant A. J. Pott. lery. 3800 Private A. Elliott, 2479 Trooper L. Chadwick. 6th Dragoon?. 2500 Trooper C. H. Worrod. Major E. H. H. Allen by. New Zealand Mounted Infantry. 2nd Cavalry Brigade. Major A. W. Robin. Major and Brevet Colonel (B rigadier-General) Rimington’s Guides. R. G. Bi cad wood, Commanded th9 2nd Major M. F. Rimington, 6th (Inniskilling) Cavalry Brigade with exceptional ability Dragoons. and dasli throughout the operations. Lieutenaut R. C. Master, King’s Royal Rifle Household Cavalry Regiuieut. Corps. Lieutenant-Colonel A. D. Neeld, 2nd Life Lieutenant W. F. Murray. Guards. Corpoial W. Kir ton. THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 847

Guide E. Christian. Division, conducted with conspicuous Guide H. E. Jackson. ability the operations which resulted in 2nd Mounted Infantry Brigade. the force under General Cron,e being sur­ Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Cidone] P. W. rounded by our troops at Paardeberg. He J. Le Gallais. 8th Hussars, Commanding also performed distinguLhed service in 2nd Mounted Infantry Brigade. command of his Division in the actions of 6th Regiment Mounted Infantry. the 7th and 10th March at Poplar Grove 'Captain (local Lieutenant-Colonel) H. de B. and Driefontein. de Lisle, D.S.O., Durham Light Infant,ry. Divisional Staff and Troops. Captain R. Fanshawe, Oxfordshire Light Major C. C. Monro, The Queen’s (Royal ' Infantry. West Surrey) Regiment, Deputy Assistant Captain W. V. Pennefather, Welsh Regi­ Adjutant-General. ment. Captain and Brevet-Major C. F. S. Vande- Lieutenant B. Anley, Essex Regiment. leur, D.S.O., Scots Guards. 8140 Sergeant F. McKay, Gordon High­ Captain W. H. Booth, The Buffs, Aide-de- landers. Camp, 2885 Private W. Taylor, Gordon High­ Lieutenant-Colonel W. L. Gubbins, M.B., landers. ' Royal Army Medical Corps. 8th Regiment Mounted Infantry. Major W. W. Pike, Royal Army Medical Major (local Lieutenant-Colonel) W. C. Ross, Corps. Durham Light Infantry. Captain E. C. Anderson, Royal Army Medi­ City of London Imperial Volunteers Mounted cal Corps. Infantry. Lieutenant J. G. Berne, Royal A m y Medi­ Lieutenant-Colonel and Honorary Colonel H, cal Corps. C. Cholmondeley, London Ride Brigade. Reverend J. Blackbourne, Chaplain. Kitchener’s Horse. Major R. A. G. Harrison, Royal Field Artil­ Major (local Lieutenant-Colonel) N. Legge, lery. D. S.O., 20th Hussars. Major W. H, Connolly, Royal Field Artil­ Captain W. N. Congreve, V.C., Rifle Brigade. lery. Captain H. J. M. MacAndrew, 5th Bengal Captain C. F. Stevens, Royal Field Artillery. Cavalry. Captain J. A. Hobson, Royal Field Artillery. Captain and Adjutant C. H. M. Ritchie. Lieutenant A. H. N. Devenish, Royal Field Lieutenant J. E. Jackson. Artillery. 8167 Squadron Quarter-Master Sergeant D. R.A./3759 Corporal C. Bowles, 82nd B ittery, P. Bree. Royal Field Artiller}. 8236 Trooper T. Maldrett. 29492 Gunner C. H. Fox, 76th Battery, 3638 Trooper T. Hackle. Royal Field Artillery. 3248 Trooper A. Miller. 13th Infantry Brigade. 3644 Trooper A. Lewis. AngloBoerWar.comColonel (local Major-Geuerai) C. E. Knox, Nesbitt’s Horse. Commanding 13ih Brigade, performed dis­ Major Currie. tinguished services on several occasions, New South Wales Mounted Infantry. notably during the rear-guard action of Captain J. M. Antill. 16th February, and the action of 18th Corporal English. February, on which occasion he was 3rd Mounted Infantry Brigade. wound) d. Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel C. G. 2nd Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regi­ Martyr, D.S.O., Duke of Cornwall’s Light ment). Infantry, Commanding 3rd Mounted In­ Lieutenant-Colonel and Brevet-Colonel R. A. fantry Brigade. Hickson. Queensland Mounted Infantry. Captain R. McDouall. Captain D. E. Reid. Lieutenant L. H. Hickson, The Queen's Own Captain R. S. Browne. (Royal West Kent Regiment), attached. . 4th Mounted Infantry Brigade. 160U Sergeant W. R. Staiuforth. Colonel C. P. Ridley, Commanding 4'h Bri­ 2682 Private G. White. gade Mounted Infantry, performed con­ 2nd Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment. spicuous service when the enemy attacked Lieutenant-Colonel R. F. Lindsell. the convoy under his charge on the 15th Captain C. Moss. February, and on other occasions subse­ Lieutenant and Adjutant E. D. A. le Mottde. quently. 1st Battalion The Duke of Wellington’s 5th Regiment. Mounted Infantry. ( West Riding Regiment). Lieutenant-Colonel E. G. T. Bainbridge, The Lieutenant-Colonel U. E. Lloyd, D.S.O. Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Major B. St J. Le Marchant. 7th Regiment Mounted lufantry. ; Captain O. Harr s. Captain W. D. Holland, the Worcestershire j Lieutenant and Adjntant W. E M. Tyndall. Regiment. I 2953 Lance-Corp ual T. Hinchcliffe. The Guards Brigade. i 4742 Private C. Horsley. Colonel (local Major-General) R.Pole-Carew, | 1st Battalion Oxfordshire Light Infantry. C.B., has commanded the Guards Biig.ule Lieuteuani-Colonel the Hon. A. E. Dalzell. in a highly efficient manner. Captain E. A. E, Lethbridge. Although the troops under his command Captain F. J. Henley. have had no opportunity of engaging the 18ih lufantry Brigade. enemy during the period under renew, Colonel (Brigadier-Gei eial) T. E. Stephen­ they have performed excellent service son, Commanding 18th Brigade, rendered throughout. valuable service in command of his brigade 6th Infantry Division. on ihe 18th February at Paardeberg, end Major-General (local Lieutenant-General) again at Abraham's Kraal on 10th March, T, Kelly-Kenny, C.B., Commanding 6th 19(>0. C 2 848 THE LQNDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

1st Battalion The Princess of Wales’ Own with distinction in the engagement at .(Yorkshire Regiment). Poplar Grove on the 7th March, 1900. Lieutenant-Colonel H. Bowles. Divisional Stiff and Troops. Major J. E. Foaron. Major and Btevet Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. Captain M. Ferrar. Ewart, Queen’s Own Cameron High- 3549 Sergeant B. Richardson. hinder, Assistant Adjutant-General. 5684 Lance* Corporal A. P. Hatton. Captain H. G. Rnggles-Brise, Grenadier 1st Battalion The Welsh Regiment. Guards, Deputy Assistant Adjutant- Lieutenant-Colonel R. J. F. Bamfield, General. Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel W. C. Major A. E. W. Count Gleichen, C.M.G., Gifford. Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General for Captain C. B. Morland. Intelligence. L'entenant C. R. Berkeley. The Rev. J. Robertson, Chaplain to the 2nd Lieutenant H. C. L. Lloyd. Forces. 5166 Sergeant F Bristowe. 5647 Staff Sergeant-Major W. G.' Nash, Army 2917 Piivate J. Foulny. Service Corps. 2672 Private G. Ardent. Royal Engineers. 5361 Private j. Williams. Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. H. S. Kincaid. 1st Battalion The Essex Regiment. Captain F. R. F. Boileau. Major H. H. W. Nason. Lieutenant E. E. B. Wilson. Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel R. J. Tudway. Lieutenant H. Musgrave. Captain W. K. Legge. The Highland (3rd Infantry) Brigade. Captain 0. G. Godfrey-Faussett. Colonel (local Major-General) H. A. Mac­ Lieutenant and Adjutant A. G. Pratt. Donald, C.S., D.S.O., A.D.C., Command­ 2119 Colour-Sergeant F. Howlett. ing the Highland (3rd; Brigade, whose 1931 Colour.-Sergeant A. Brandon. services on the 7th February, in the engage­ 1470 Sergeant J. Francis. ment at Kuedoesberg have already been 3093 Si rgeant II. W. Crabb. brought to notice, led bis brigade with 3102 Sergeant P. Long. distinguished personal gallantry ut Paarde- 2466 Lance-Sergeant H. B. Often. berg on the 18th February 1900, until 2682 Corporal F. Fenner. wounded. 3721 Private C. Shanks. 2nd Batialion The Black Watch (Royal High­ 2586 Private S. Copplestone. landers). 3262 Private W. Campbell. Lieutenant-Colonel A. M. Carthew-Yorstoun. 7th Infantry Division. Major N. W. Cuthbertson. Major-General (local Lieutenant-General) Lieutenant J. G. H. Hamilton. C. Tucker, C.B., Commanding 7th Divi­ Second Lieutenant C. C. West. sion, was in personal command of the 1313 Pioneer Sergeant T. Howden. force which returned to WatervalAngloBoerWar.com drift on 6269 Piper Donald Cameron. the 15th February. He subsequently 117 Private J. Hastie. rendered valuable services at Paardcberg, 5657 Private J. R. MacGregor. and during the action at Poplar Grove on 6745 Private W. Forrest. the 7ih March, 1900. 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (RosS-shire Divisional Staff and Troops. Buffs, The Duke of Albany’s), Lieutenant-Colonel R. C. Maxwell, R.E. Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Hughes-Hallett. 14th Infantry Brigade. This Officer led the Highland Brigade out Major-General Sir H. Chermside, K.C.M.G., of action on the 18th February, and com­ Commanding the 14th Infantry Biigade, manded it subsequently in an efficient came specially to my notice by the good manner. service he rendered in assisting to prevent Captnin E. A. Cowans. the escape of General Cronje’s force east­ 5627 Lance-Corporal C. McKenzie. wards at Paardebtrg, and for the efficient 2466 Private E. Steele. condition of his brigade. 3u54 Private H. Christian. 2nd Battalion The Norfolk Regiment. 5384 Private J. Hunter. Captain J. Marriott. 4U99 Private T. Birch. 3237 Corporal R. Chilvers. 3158 Private T. Rollie. 2nd Battalion The Lincolnshire Regiment. 1st Battalion Princess Louise’s (Argyll and Captain J. J. Howley. Surherland Highlanders). ■1st Battalion The King’s Own Scottish Lieutenant-Colonel A. Wilson. Borderers. 5714 Corporal Ferrier. Captain J. B. T. Pratt. 6442 Private A. Luke; Lieutenant E. M. Young. 3852 Private C. McLaren. 2255 Colour-Sergeant G. Armstrong. 6403 Private J. McDonald. 1343 Serjeant J. P. Larkin. Royal Army Medical Corps. 3724 Private C. Peebles. 1119 Corporal W. Glasgow. 15th Infantry Brigade. Cape Medical Bearer Company. Major-General A. G. Wavell, Commanding Captain J. J. Brownlee. the 15th Infantry Brigade, carried out his Sergeant A. Bettington. > duties most satisfactorily during the march 19th Infantry Brigade. to B oemfontein, and dislodged the enemy Lieutenant-Colouel end Brevet-Colonel (local from Jacobsdal on the 15 ih February. Major-General) H. L. Smitb-Doriien, 9th Infantry Division. D.a.O., Commanding 19th Brigade, Major-General (local L entenant-General) rendered valnable and distinguished Sir H. E. Colvile, K.C M.G., C.B., Com­ seaviue on each occasion on which his manding 9th Division, contributed materi­ brigade was engaged. ally to the success of the operations which 2nd Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light In­ took place between the 16th and 27th fantry. February, and commanded his Division Major G. A. Ashby. THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 849

Captain F. M. J. D.-Rhodes. Lieutenant G. J. Grieve, New Sonth Wales Captain G. B. M. Rawlinson. Forces, attached 2nd Battalion The Black Captain J. M. Mander. Watch (Royal Highlanders). 1178 Colour-Sergeant D. Owen. 2nd Lieutenant R, H. McClure, 2nd Battalion 2135 Colour-Sergeant H. F. Smith. the Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire 1095 Sergeant F. J. Symons. Buffs, Duke of Albany’s). 8058 Corporal H. Cooper. 2nd Lieutenant D. B. Monypenny, 2nd Bat­ 3186 Corporal A. Bedford. talion the Seaforth Highlauders (Ross- 2840 Bugler C. Best. shire Buffs, Duke of Albany’s). 2562 Private J. Thompson. Returns of Casualties and of Transport are 2757 Private B. Cole. attached. 3630 Pr ivate Retallick. I have, &e., 5591 Private C. Haythorpe. ROBERTS, Field Marshal. 2nd Battalion King's Shropshire Light In­ fantry. Casualties from 28bh February to 13th Lieutenant-Colonel J. Spens. Maroh, 1900, inclusive :— Captain C. P. Eigginson. Paardeberg, 28th February.—Wounded, non­ 22->4 Colour-Sergeant S. Bertram. commissioned officers and men, 1. ■3041 Colour-Sergeant Lea. Osfontein, 1st—6th March.—Killed, non­ 3266 Sergeant W. Henshftw. commissioned officers and men, 1; wounded, 2749 Private E. Bawden. Officers, 1, non-commissioned officers and 4246 Private Rr. Meredith. men, 7; missing, non-commissioned officers 1st Battalion Cordon Highlanders. and men, 1. Lieutenant -Colonel F. Macbean. Poplar Grove, 7th March.—Killed, Officers, 2; Captain VV. E. Gordon. non-commissioned officers and men, 2; Lieutenant D. R. Younger. wounded, Officers, 3; non-commissioned 3697 Sergeant A. AnBtm. officers and men, 41; missing, non­ 313 L Sergeant J. Saunders. commissioned officers and men, 1. 2979 Sergeant J. Wills. Dreifontein, lUth Maroh.—Killed, 4 Officers, 3191 Lance-Corporal R. Edmonstone. 58 non-commissioned officers and men; The Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry. wounded, 20 Officers, 342 non-commis­ Lieutenant-Colonel W. D. Otter, Canadian sioned officers and men; missing, 14 non­ Staff, Aide-de-Camp to His Excellency the commissioned officers and men. Governor-General of Canada. Total.—Killed, 6 Officers, 61 non-commis­ Major L. Buchan, Lieutenant-Colonel Royal sioned officers and men; wonnded, 24 Offi­ Canadian Regiment of Infantry. cers, 391 non-commissioned officers and' Major O. C. C. Pelletier, Lieutenant-Colonel men; missing, 16 non-commissioned offi­ Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry.AngloBoerWar.com cers and men. Captain H. B. Stairs, Captain 66th Princess Ox and Mnle Transport. Louise’s Fusiliers. Return of mule and ox transport on march Lieutenant and Adjutant A. H. Macdonnell, from Modder River to Bloemfontein. Captain, Royal Canadian Regiment of In- Mule Transport:—18 Transport Companies. fautry. —864 buck wagons, 72 8.A.A. and Scotch 6559 Sergeant Utton. carts, 18 water carts, 9,360 males. 8110 Private J. Kennedy. Regimental Transport:—Cavalry.—9 water 7017 Private H. Andrews. carts, 54 mules. 7040 Private J. H. Dickson. Mounted Infantry.— 72 S.A.A. and Scotch 7043 Private C. W. Duncafe. carts, 18 water carts, 612 mules. 7376 Private F. C. Page. Royal Engineers.—32 R.E. technical wagons, Bearer Company, Royal Army Medical Corps. 4 water carts, 296 mules. Major R. H. S. Sawyer. Infantry.—104 S.A.A. and Scotch carts, 52 Captain P. J. Probyn. water carts, 1,040 mules. 4691 Sergeant-Major F. Crookes. Ox Transport:—Naval Brigade.—19 ox ’ 10999 Corporal A. C. Ralfe. wagons, 428 oxen. 10734 Private F. A. Farrell. Royal Artillery.—106 ox wagons, 1,760 oxen. I confidently recommend those I have named Supply Park.—475 ox wagons, 7,600 oxen. . to the favourable consideration of Her Ma­ Total at commencement of movement—32.. jesty’s Government. R. E. technical wagous, 864 back wagons, 248 S.A.A. and Scotch carts, 101 water, carts, 600 ox wagons, 11,362 mules, 9,788 The following Officers, who have been oxen. killed in action or have died from the effects of wonnda, rendered conspicuously valuable ser­ Casualties during march—46 back wagons, 3 vices. Had they survived, I should have water carts, 186 ox wagons, 796 mules, brought their names prominently to your Lord- 3,500 oxen. ship’s notice. Balance—32 R.E. technical wagons, 818 buck ‘ Colonel O. C. Hannay, Commanding 1st wagons, 248 S.A.A. and Scotch carts, 98 Brigade Mounted Infantry. water carts, 414 ox wagons, 10,566 mules, Lientenant-Colonel W. Aldworth, D.S.O., 6,288 oxen. ’ Commanding 2nd Battalion Duke of Corn­ Replacements during march—184 ox wagons, wall’s Light Infantry. 2,680 oxen. Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. Umphelby, Royal Totals on arriving at Bloemfontein—32 R.E. Australian Artillery. technical wagons, 818 buck wagons, 248 Captain and Adjutant D. A. N. Lomax, 1st S. A.A. and Scotch carts, 98 water carts,. Battalion The Welsh Regiment. 598 ox wagons, 10,566 mules, 8,968 oxen, - Lieutenant F. N. Parsons, 1st Battalion The Essex Regiment. 850 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

No. 6. while I had occupied Gleu Station and Karee From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts to the Siding, and on the 29th March a force under Secretary of State for War. Lieutenant-General Tucker as detailed in the Head-quarters of the Army in South Africa, margin * attacked the enemy and drove them Kroonstad, 21st May, 1900. back to Brandfort, afterwards holding and en­ Mt L ord, trenching a position which effectually protected MF despatch of the 15th March, 1900, ended the siding and the railway bridge under recon­ with a description of the entry of the Head­ struction at Glen. quarters of the Army in South Africa into 7. On the following day, in consequence of a Bloemfontein. report that a large hostile force bad. collected In the present letter I propose to give a brief near Thabanchn, I found it necessary to with­ account of events from that time up to the 12th draw the Cavalry outpost at that town towards May, on -which date the force under my imme­ Bloemfontein. During its retirement to the diate command occupied Kroonstad, which had Waterworks, 21 miles east of Bloemfontein, the been made the temporary head-quarters of the Boers rapidly followed it up, and, by means of Orange Free State Government. a cunningly laid ambush near Sannah’s Post, to 2. Our rapid advance from the most western which I shall refer in a separate despatch, suc­ portion of the Orange Free State and the ceeded iu capturing seven 12-pr. guns, with the seizure of their capital had greatly dispirited entire personnel of a Horse Artillery battery the Boers, and the forces which fell back in and many other prisoners, besides inflicting front of our main army retired towards heavy loss on the troops engaged, and seizing a Kroonstad, while those which were in the convoy which accompanied them. Encouraged northern districts of Cape Colony crossed the by this success, the Boer commauders moved Orange River, and retreated in a northerly southward and came iu contact with a weak direction along the Basutoland border and the detachment which had been sent to Dewetsdorp fertile district of Ladybrand. by Lieutenant-General Sir W. Gatacre, and was 3. As these forces oleared off, the southern being withdrawn by my orders. The enemy portion of the Stato appeared to he settling surrounded the detachment, and, before assist­ down. Mauy Burghers surrendered their arms ance conld arrive, it had surrendered to superior arid horses, and took an oath to abstain front numbers, and the Officers and men composing further hostilities against the British Govern­ it had been removed, as prisoners of war, to ment. Had I then been able to follow the Kroonstad. enemy up and take advantage of this condi­ 8. The enemy then occupied Dewetsdorp, tion of affairs, the task of bringing tho Orange while a considerable force attacked Wepener, Free State to terms would have been a com- where a column of Colonial troops, under Lieu­ paratively easy one. tenant-Colonel Dalgety had arrived a few days 4. I found, however, it was impossible to previously. do so. Cape Town, our main depfitAngloBoerWar.com for sup­ Retiring from the town to a defensible posi­ plies, is 750 miles distant from Bloemfontein, tion 3 miles to the west, whioh commanded an with which it is connected by a single line of important bridge over the Caledon River, Lieu­ railway, and communication with Cape Colony tenant-Colonel Dalgety entrenched his force, had been interrupted by ihe destruction by and for 16 days be succeeded in keeping the the enemy of both the bridges over the Orange Boers in check, despite the fact that they far River. outnumbered the small body of about 1,600 From the country itself we were able to get men under his command, and had also a con­ scarcely anything in the shape of food except siderable superiority in artillery, under pressure meat, and every mile we advanced took ns from the south and west caused them to with­ further away from the only place where a draw northward along the Basutoland border. sufficiency of supplies was obtainable. More­ 9. While these events were taking place, over, the army needed rest after the nnnsual the state of my mounted troops prevented me exertions it had been called upon to make, from attempting any operation which demanded and by which its mobility had been greatly rapidity of movement. I was determined, impaired. moreover, to adhere, if possible, to my plan of 5. The enemy knew exactly how we were campaign, and not to be led into diverting situated. They had accurate information as to from it, for operations of subsidiary import­ the condition of our supplies, our transport, ance, the troops which I required to attain and our artillery and cavalry horses; they re­ my main objective, namely, to advance in gained courage by our prolonged and enforced adequate strength through the northern por­ halt at Bloemfontein, and their retrograde tion of the Orange Free State on Johannes­ movement was arrested. They showed con­ burg and Pi'etoria. I had to content myself, siderable strategical skill by reoc.cupying Lady- therefore, with carefully guarding the line of brand, and by concentrating a large force railway, and with collecting a force strong between Brandfort and Thabanchn. This gave enough to drive the enemy north of the Brand- them free access to the south-eastern districts fort-Thabanchn line. For this purpose I of the Orange Free State, and prevented me bronght the 3rd Division up to its full strength from moving until they had been forced hack by the addition of some Militia battalions, and north of the Thabanehu-Ladybrand line. concentrated it, as well as tho newly arrived fi. I may here mention that, as scon as rail­ 8th Division, at Edenburg. I had previously, way communication with Cape Colony had been on the 5th April, requested General Sir Rodvers restored, the 3rd Division, under the command Buller to transfer the 10th Division, under of Lieutenant-General Sir W. Gatacre, was Lieutenant-General Sir Archibald Hunter, directed to move up along the railway from t-gether wiih the Imperial Light Horse, to Pethulie, vi& SpringfonteiD, towards Bloem­ Cape Colony, additional troops being urgently fontein, while the column under Major-General required to effect the relief of Mafeking, the Clements, which had previously dislodged the stato of affairs in Natal justifying some reduc­ enemy from ColeRberg and Norval’s Pont, tion in the force quartered there. I utilized marched through F&uxesmith and Petrnsburg, • 7th Division, 8rd Cavalry Brigade, Le- Oallais' joining my head-quarters on 2nd April. Mean­ Mounted Infantry. THE LONDON GAZETTE, EEBRtJARY 8 1901. So 1

Major-General Hart’s Brigade of this division 2 miles to the east of the siding; tbe 14th fpr the relief of Wepener, in conjunction ■with (Maxwell’s) Brigade was at Vlakfontein, 5 miles the main body of the Colonial troops under further east. (Ju the morning of this day, Brigadier-General Brabant, the remainder of Major-General Ian Hamilton’s force was at Sir Ax’chibald Hunter’s Division proceeding to Isabellafontein. Kimberley. I increased and re-organized the 13. Brandfort was occupied the same after­ Mounted Infantry, supplementing it by several noon, the Boer forces under General Delaroy battalions of Imperial Yeomanry, and these making but a feeble resistance as soon os their troops, together with the 4th Cavalry Brigade, right flank had been tamed by Hutton’s which had recently arrived from England, I Mounted Infantry. collected in the neighbourhood of Bloem­ 14. The following day the 7th and 11th fontein. Divisions with the 1st Brigade of Mounted 10. My dispositions for protecting the rail­ Infantry remained in the vioinity of Brandfort, way and expelling the enemy from the south­ while Major-General Ian Hamilton engaged aud eastern districts of the Orange Free State drove back the enemy’s rear gnard at Welkom had the desired efEect, and on the 24th April about 15 miles south of Winbnrg. On this Wepener was relieved and Dewetsdorp occupied occasion the junction of the two Boer Forces by a body of troops under the command of was frustrated by a well-executed movement of Lientenant-General French. The enemy find­ the Household Cavalry, the 12th Lancers, and ing themselves thwarted in the south-east por­ Kitchener’s Horse, under the command of tion of the Orange Free State, took up a Lieutenant-Colonel the Earl of Airlie. Tho position between Thabanchu and Ladybrand, euomy fled after the encounter, leaving their from which they were gradually pushed back dead and wounded on the field. by the 8th division under Lieutenant-General 15. On the 5th May the force which I was Sir Leslie Handle, Brigadier-General Brabant’s accompanying marched to within 3 miles of the Colonial Division, and a force under the com­ Vet River, the north bank of which was held mand of Major-General Ian Hamilton.* by the enemy in considerable force. For three 11. On the 28lh and 29th April onr troops honrs the action was chiefly confined to artillery were engaged with the enemy in the neighbour­ on both sides, our Field and Naval guns making hood of Thabanchu, and on the 1st May the excellent practice, but just before dork the enemy was signally defeated at Houtnek with Mounted Infantry executed a turning move­ comparatively small loss on our side, thanks to ment, crossing the river fi miles west of the the admirable dispositions made by Major- railway bridge, which, like other bridges over General lan Hamilton. It would doubtless the rivers along our line of advance, had been have been more satisfactory had the troops em­ previously destroyed by the enemy. Iq this ployed at Dewetsdorp and Wepener been able affair the Canadian, New South Wales, New to cut off the enemy’s retreat and capture their Zealand Mounted Infantry, and the Queensland guns; but, as I have already explained, they Mounted Rifies, vied with each other in their were limited in number, and during the recent efforts to close with the enemy. Wc captured operations the Boers moved with hardlyAngloBoerWar.com any one Maxim gnn and 26 prisoners, onr Josses baggage, each fighting man carrying his blan­ being slight. kets and food on a led horse. Being intimately 16. On this day Major-General Ian Hamilton acquainted with the resources of the country, captured Winbnrg after an engagement at and where grain and cattle were abundant, the Bobiansberg in which the 2nd Battalion Black enemy were not obliged to take tbeir supplies Watch under Lieutenant-Colonel Carthew- with them, and could march at a pace which our Yorstoun greatly distinguished themselves. troops could not hope .to equal. _ It followed, 17. Daring the night the enemy retired therefore, that they were able to escape without northwards to the Zand River, and on the 6th suffering auv other loss than that inflicted by May the main force crossed the Vet River un­ our troops when dislodging them from the opposed and occupied Smaldeel Junction. The various positions they occupied. drifts in the river bed were so bad that con­ 12. By the beginning of May I had all the siderable delay occurred in getting the baggage sti’ategical points in the south-eastern districts and supply convoy across the Vet, and I was securely held, and I was no longer anxious for consequently obliged to halt at Smaldeel for the safety of the railway. The condition of the two days. The Mounted Infantry, however, Cavalry, Artillery, and Mounted Infantry had pushed on to Welgelegen, and Major-General materially improved, and a considerable number Ian Hamilton’s force moved some 10 miles north of remounts had arrived; sufficient supplies of Winbnrg, its place there having been taken had been collect d at Bloemfontein, and the by the Highland Brigade. arrangements for the transport had been com­ 18. I was joined on the 8th May by Lieu­ pleted. Under these circumstances I felt justi­ tenant-General French with the 1st (Porter's), fied in ordering a forward movement towards 3rd (Gordon’s), and the 4th (Dicki-on’s) Bri­ Kroonstad. I left Bloemfontein by train for gades of Cavalry, and the following day the Karee Siding; to this point 1 had previously whole force marched to Welgelegen, the 1st despatched the 11th (Pole-Carew’s) Division. aud 4th Cavalry Brigades and the Mounted The 1st (Hutton’s) Brigade of Mounted Infantry Infantry moving on to the south bank of the had moved to Brakpan, 10 miles to the west, Zand, opposite Dupreez Laager. That evening while Lieutenant-General Tncker with the 15th a Bquadron of the Soots Greys succeeded in (Wavell’s) Brigade of the 7th Division was crossing the river near Vemeulen’s Kraal and holding the drift at that point. The 7th Divi­ * Tiiis consisted of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade under sion bivouacked near Merriesfontein, and Major- Brigadier-General Broadwood, the 2nd Brigade of General lan Hamilton marobed to Bloemplaats, Mounted Infantry under Brigadier-General Ridley, Brig, and pushed- on the 1st Battalion Derbyshire aditr-General Smith-1 'orrien s Brigade of the 9rh Divi­ Regiment to Junction Drift. sion, and a newly-formed brigade (21st) composed of 1st 19. On the morning of the 10th May the Battalion Sussex, 1st Battalion Derbysliires, the 1st Bat­ talion Cameron Highlanders and the City Imperial enemy could be seen holding the north bank of Volunteer Battalion, under the command of Major- the Zand in considerable strength. At day­ General Bruee Hamilton. break Lieutenant-General French with two 852 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

Cavalry brigades crossed the river and made a to Warrenton. He subsequently • visited wide turning movement past the diamond mine Barkly West, and repaired the railway line at Dirksburg, supported by tthe 1st Mounted between Kimberley and WarreDton. On the Infantry Brigade under Major-General Hutton. 3rd April he proceeded to BoBhof with the force I directed Ross’ and Henry’s Mounted Infantry- marginally named.* On the 5th April, with battalions to seize the drift near the railway the Imperial Yeomanry, Kimberley Mounted bridge. This they succeeded in doing by 7 a.m., Corps, and 4th Field Battery, he surrounded a and were followed across the river by the 3rd small Boer commando near Boshof. Colonel de Cavalry Brigade and the 11th Division. The Villebois Mareuil and seven of the enemy were 7th Division crossed by Junction Drift. Major- I killed, eight were wounded, and the remainder, General Ian Hamilton pushed forward the numbering 54 Boers, Frenchmen, and Germans, Cavalry Brigade across the same drift followed were taken prisoners. by the 21st Brigade under Major-General Bruce 25. On this day, a message, dated 17th March, Hamilton, and the 19 th Brigade nnder Major- was received from Colonel Baden-Powell to the ; General Smitli-Dorrien. The enemy on his effect that the enemy were still besieging Mafe- flank, as well as in front of Lieutenant-General king, though in somewhat reduced numbers. French, offered a stubborn resistance, but by A reinforcement under Colonel Plumer was 11.30 a.m. they were driven from the positions approaching from the north, but it seemed they had taken up, and withdrew towards doubtful whether it could break through the Kroonstad, blowing up the railway bridges and Boer lines. I had previously enquired from culverts as they fell back. him how he stood as regard supplies, and he 20. My head-quarters with the 11th Division informed me in reply that they would, in all pressed ou that day to Riet Spruit, 8 miles probability, only last until the 18th May. north of the river. The 7th Division bivouacked 26. On the 17th April, I gave orders for the at Deelfonteiu Noord, and Major-General Ian formation of a-flying column of mounted troops Hamilton’s colnmn halted about 4 miles east of about 1,100 strong, with mule transport, for that place. During the afternoon Lieutenant- the l-elief of Mafeking. I placed Colonel B. T. General French with the 1st and 4th Cavalry Mahon, 8th Hnssars, in command of this force, Brigades, and Hutton’s Brigade of Mounted which consisted of 900 mounted men, including Infantry, reached a point 4 miles west of Venters- the Imperial Light Horse, four Horse Artillery burg Road Station. guns with 100 men, 100 picked infantry soldiers 21. On the 11th May I marched with {the to guard the wagons, 52 wagons with 10 mules - 11th Division some 20 miles to Geneva Siding, each, and nearly 1,200 horses. The colnmn was 14 miles from Kroonstad, and 8 miles from to take with it rations for 16 days and forage Boschrand, where the Boers were holding an for 12 days. Medicines and medical comforts -entrenched position to cover the town. Gordon’s for the Mafeking garrison were also to be taken. Cavalry Brigade advanced to within touch of Food and other Btores for Colonel Baden-Powell’s the enemy, supported, on the left, by Hutton’s force wei’e to be sent on by railway as soon as the line could be repaired. The flying column Mounted Infantry ✓ Lieutenant-GeneralAngloBoerWar.com French, with the - 1st and 4th Cavalry Brigades, was ordered to start not later than the 4th May. marched to the Valsch River Drift, 10 miles 27. On the 24th April I instructed Lieutenant- northwards of Kroonstad, with instructions to General Hunter to have everything in readiness out the railway line. The 7th Division halted for an immediate advance, and to co-operate a short distance south-east of Geneva Siding, with Lord Methuen in distracting the enemy’s with Major-General Ian Hamilton’s column a attention until the flying column had crossed little further to the east. the Yaal and had obtained a good start. On ■ 22. During the night the enemy evacuated the 29th April, Lieutenant-General Hunter their entrenchments at Boschrand and retreated reported that he hoped to force the passage of northwards, and on the 12th May I entered the Yaal on the 2nd May, and to- send on the Kroonstad, with the 11th Division, without en­ flying column on the 4th May. It started on countering any opposition. the day specified, and while penning these President Steyn had left the town ou the words the gratifying news reaches me that evening of the 11th May, after having pre­ Mafeking was relieved on the 18th May after viously proclaimed Lindley to be the seat of the au heroic defence of over 200 days. Orange Free State Government. Commandant- 28. On the 5th May, Major-General Barton’s General Botha and Commandant De "Wet Brigade engaged the enemy 2,000 strong, 2 accompanied the Transvaalers in their retreat miles north of Rooidam, and inflicted consider­ ■ northwards. able loss-on the Boers, who retired northward. 23. Turning now to the operations in other On the 7th May, Lieutenant-Geueral Hunter ■ directions, I may remark that during the period occupied Fourteen Streams without opposition, dealt with in this letter nothing calling for the enemy retreating in groat disorder, and special notice occurred in Natal. The Boers abandoning their ammunition, clothing, and continued t.o entrench themselves on the Biggars- personal effects. This result was iu a gi*eat berg, and heid the Drakensberg PasseB, but measure due to the able dispositions of Major- they attempted no offensive action. Sir Redvers General Paget,-who brought a powerful artillery Bailer remained at Ladysmith, and beyond fire to bear on the Boer position. keeping the enemy under observation did not 29. The repair of the railway bridge at Four­ risk any serious engagement. In this he was teen- Streams was at once taken in hand, and a acting iu accordance with my wishes, for, as he Btroug entrenched post to be held by one bat­ did not feel himself strong enough to force the talion was constructed. The force under-Sir A. Drakensberg Passes, he could not -afford me any. Hunter occupied Chn'stiana, and is now moving material assistance until I was in possession of along the railway, line towards Mafeking, while Kroonstad -and prepared to advance on the that under Lord Mothuen is marching from Ti'ansvaal. Hoopstad to join me. 24. In the vicinity of Kimberley the course -of events has been as follows:—On the 16th v Three field batteries, a section of a Howitzer battery, seven companies of Imperial Yeomanry, Kimberley March, Lord Methuen reconnoitred as far as 11 oiinlcd Corps, 6t.O strong, the 9lh Infantry Brigade, ' Fourteen Streams, returning tlie same evening and two battalions of ihe 20th Brigade THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 858

30. It only remains to say that, since oar entry Orange River Colony, on being driven hack by into Bloemfontein on the 13th March, the paci­ our advance, during which we occupied Thabanchu fication of the Prieska district haB been com­ and Laaybrand, collected in the north-eastern part pleted. The arrangements for this were initiated of the Colony, whence it seemed probable that by Major-General Lord Kitchener with his they would endeavour to cut our line of com­ characteristic energy, and carried out by munication by rail, as soou as the main force Brigadier-General Settle, Colonel Sir C. Par­ under my immediate command had crossed the sons, and Lieutenant-Colonel Adye. Vaal River. These commandoes blocked the 31. Tranquillity has been restored in the passes of the Drakensberg Range and were likely northern districts of Cape Colony, where a large to oppose any attempt on the part of the Natal number of rebels had joined the Boers. force to co-operate with me through Laing’s Nek. 32. Progress has also been made in organizing A considerable number of the enemy were also a provisional administration in that portion of disposed along the line of railway for the purpose the Orange Free State which is occupied by the of holding the several defensive positions and British troops; District Commissioners, under river crossings between Kroonstad and Pretoria. the control of the Military Governor of Bloem­ The southern and western districts of the Orange fontein, having been appointed, and a police River Colony were settling down, and I had good force being in course of formation. reason to hope that no important concentration of 33. I enclose a list of casualties, j the enemy was to be anticipated in the western 1 have, &o., portion of the Transvaal, as the possession of the ROBERTS, Field-Marshal. railway junctions at Johannesburg and Pretoria List of Casualties which occurred in the and the restoration of the line from Kimberley to Force serving in the Orange Free State, South Mafeking, would render any such concentration Africa, between the 13th March and the unlikely, if not impossible. 20th May, 1900. 3. My object then was to push forward with Operations near the Glen and Karee Siding.— the utmost rapidity, while providing as far as my Killed, 2 Officers, 19 other ranks ; wounded, resources would admit for the safety of the main ' 14 Officers, 165 other ranks; missing, 11 line of communication by occupying strategical other ranks; prisoners, 5 other ranks. points to the east of the railway at Winbnrg, At Sannah’s Post.—Killed, 3 Officers, 12 other Senekal, Lindley, and Heilbron. I calculated ranks; wounded, 15 Officers, 108 other that, as soon os Mafeking had been relieved, a ranks; missing, 17 Officers, 413 other large proportion of the troops under the command ranks. of Lord Methuen and Sir Archibald HuDter would Reddersburg.—Killed, 2 Officers, 8 other he available to co-operate on my left dank and ranks; wounded, 2 Officers, 33 other I hoped Sir Redvers Buller would be able to assist ranks; prisoners, 8 Officers, 538 other by an advance westward t j Vrede, or north­ westward in the Standerton direction. But Siege of Wepener.—Killed, 3 Officers, 25 whether these anticipations could be realized or other ranks; wounded, 11 Officers, AngloBoerWar.com 130 not, I felt that the enormous advantage to he other ranks. gained, b}’ striking at the enemy's capital before To east of the line of railway.—Killed, 4 he had time to recover from the defeats he had Officers, 29 other ranks; wounded, 32 already sustained, would more than counter­ Officers, 224 other rankB; missing, 3 balance the risk of having our line of communica­ Officers, 69 other ranks; prisoners, 1 Officer, tion interfered with—a risk which had to be 6 other ranks. taken into consideration. To west of the line of railway.—Killed, 3 4. I had to halt at Kroonstad from the 12th to Officers, 9 other ranks; wounded, 4 Officers, the 22nd May for the repair of the railway upon 67 other ranks; missing, 6 other ranks; which I was dependent for my supplies. prisoners, 11 other ranks. 5. On the 14th May I directed Lieutenant- Advance on Kroonstad.—Killed, 3 Officers, General Ian Hamilton’s coluifin to march from 29 other ranks; wounded, 13 Officers, 149 Kroonstad to Lindley and on the 17th that town other ranks; missing, 2 Officers, 35 other surrendered to Brigadier-General Broadwood. ranks; prisoners, 3 Officers, 8 other ranks. 6. Lord Methuen, whom I had ordered to Total.—Killed, 20 Officers, 131 other ranks; move on the 14th May from Boshof to Hoopstad wounded, 91 Officers, 876 other ranks; and there await further instructions, reached missing, 22 Officers, 534 other ranks; Hoopstad ou the 17th May. I had thought of his prisoners, 12 Officers, 568 other ranks. force taking part in the Transvaal operations, but with regard to the probability of disturbances on the line of railway I determined to place it in No. 7. the neighbourhood of Kroonstad, to which place From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts to the it was accordingly directed to proceed. Secretary of State for War. 7. On the 20th May, Lieutenant-General French Army Head-Quarters, South Africa, with the 1st and 4th Cavalry Brigades inarched Pretoria, from Jordan Siding, north of Kroonstad, to the My Lord, 14th August, 1900. north-east of Rhenoster Kop, while Major-General IN my last despatch dated the 21st May, 1900, Hutton with the 1st Brigade of Mounted Infantry I brought my narrative of the war in South Africa (exclusive of the 4th and 8th Corps, which under up to the occupation of Kroonstaad on the 12th Colonel Henry were attached to Army Head- May. I shall now endeavour to describe the Quarters) advanced to the south of the same place course of events after that date which led to the and Lieutenant-General Ian Hamilton’s column seizure of Pretoria and to give an account of the started from Lindley on the road to Heilbron. several military operations which have been 8. On the 22nd of May my head-quarters with carried out in South Africa up to the 13th June. the 7th and 11th Divisions left Kroonstad and 2. Before going into details, a brief referenceadvanced to Honing Spruit Siding, while General may be made to the general attitude of the enemy Ian Hamilton’s column reached and occupied during the period under review. A portion of the Heilbron. The enemy disputed his passage of the Boer commandoes, especially those raised iu the Rhenoster and our loss might have been heavy had No. 27282, D 854 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. not Major-General Smith-Dorrien, Commanding and Colonel Henry’s Corps of Mounted Infantry' one of Hamilton’s brigades (the 19th), been moved to the north. The troops under Generals French on the previous day to a position from which he and Hutton, strengthened by the 2nd Cavalry was able to deliver at the right moment an Brigade, advanced to the north-west of Johannes*, unexpected attack upon the Boer dank. burg, and those under Ian Hamilton to Syper* 9. On the 23rd May I marched past Roodevol fontein 15 miles to the south-west of that town. Station to the Rhenoster River with the 7th and 15. On the 29th May, I continued my 11th Divisions, Colonel Henry with the two corps march to Johannesburg, arriving opposite the of Mounted Infantry being in advance on the east Germiston Railway Junction at 3.30 p.m. The of the railway. No opposition was met with, 11th Division, with the 7th Division on its left, although the hills north of the river furnished a moved along the railway and occupied Germiston strong defensive position and all preparations had after some slight resistance. Colonel Henry, been made by the enemy to give us a warm whose Mounted Infantry preceded the main body, reception. It must be concluded that they felt met with opposition at Natal Spruit Junction their line of retreat was threatened from the east early in the day and later on at Boksburg. by General Hamilton’s column at Heilbron and Forcing the enemy baek, he moved round by his from the west by the Cavalry and Mounted left to the north of Germiston, supported on the Infantry under Generals French and Hutton, right by Gordon’s Cavalry Brigade. General which bad effected a crossing lower down the Ian Hamilton, who was advancing to a point Btream. about 12 miles west of Johannesburg, found his 10. On the 24th May I marched with the 11th wuy blocked at 2 p.m. by a considerable force of Division to Vredefort Road Station. The 7th the enemy at Doornkop. They had with them Division bivouacked near Prospect on the west of two heavy guns and several field guns and the railway, four miles in rear, and the 3rd pompoms, and were holding a strong position on Cavalry Brigade four miles east of the station. a long ridge running east and west. - Hamilton The troops under Generals French and Hutton decided to engage with the enemy at once. ' The moved to the north-west, the 1st and 4th Cavalry right attack was led by the 1st Battalion Gordon Brigades crossing the Vaal at Parys and Ver­ Highlanders, who captured the eastern end.of the sailles. General Ian Hamilton’s column halted ridge Bnd, wheeling round, worked along it until at Eerstegehik, seven miles north of Vredefort- after dark. Tlie City Imperial Volunteers led on Road Station and to the east of the railway. the left flank and behaved with great gallantry'*; 11. In view of the probability of opposition at but the chief share of the action and casualties the crossing of the Vual River and of the advan­ fell to the Gordon Highlanders, who lost 1 O.fficer tages which a turning movement to the west killed and had 9 Officers wounded. The enemy, appeared to afford, I directed Lieutenant-General who had fought obstinately, retired during (he Ian Hamilton to move his column across the night. Our casualties in this engagement were railway on the morning of the 25th May, and to 2 Officers and 24 men killed aud 9 Officers and march in the afternoon to Wonderheuval and 106 men wounded. General French also was thence to the Vaal at WonderwaterAngloBoerWar.com Drift. By opposed throughout his march on the 28th and this move the enemy were completely deceived. 29ih May, but he had succeeded by dark on the They had expected Hamilton’s column to cross latter day in working round the very extended the Vaal at Engelbrecht’s Drift, east of the rail­ right flank of the enemy, thereby facilitating the way, and collected there in some force to oppose progress of Ian Hamilton’s column. French’s him. My head-quarters with the 11th Division losses were slight, 2 Officers being wounded and advanced this day to Grootvlei and the 7th 2 men killed and 17 wounded. Division to Witllepoort. The 4th and 8th Corps 16. The next morning I halted to the south of of Mounted Infantry proceeded to Steepan on the Germiston, the force being distributed as railway, 10 miies north of Grootvlei, and 3rd follows:— Cavahy Brigade to Welterseden to guard our The 11th Division, with the heavy guns, near right flank. Generals French and Hutton moved my head-quarters. up the Vaal to a drift near Lindaque. The 7th Division, 3id Cavalry Brigade, and 12. On the 26th May I marched with the 7th Colonel Henry’s Mounted Infantry on the heights arid 11th Divisions to Taaibosch Spruit, while to the north of Johannesburg. Colonel Henry’s Mounted Infantry reached the Lieutenant-General lan Hamilton’s Column at Vaal at Viljoen’s Drift and, after occupying the Florida, three miles west of the town. coal mines and railway station on the south bank, The troops under Generals French and Hutton crossed the river and held the drift and bridge, a few miles north-east of Florida. one span of the latter having been blown up by On this day I had an interview with Dr. the Boers. The 3rd Cavalry Brigade continued Krause who had been left in temporary charge of to guard my right and General Ian Hamilton’s Johannesburg and who agreed to surrender the Column my left at Wonderwater Drift, which town to me the next morning. In the course of was crossed this day by Brigadier-General Broad- the day the Queensland Mounted Rifles captured wood’s Cavalry Brigade. Generals French and a Creusot field gun, a gun wagon, 11 wagons Hutton advanced across the Riet Spruit loaded with military stores and ammunition and encountering but Blight opposition and the 23 prisoners. Highland Brigade, with the head-quarters of the 17. Meanwhile, on the 29th May, I had 9th Division, was ordered from Lindley to received information that the Highland Brigade Heilbron. was being hard pressed by the enemy at Roode- 13. On the 27th May I crossed the Vaal with poort, 18 miles south of Heilbron. The Irish the 7th and 11th Divisions and 3rd Cavalry Battalion of Imperial Yeomanry had been ordered, Brigade and bivouacked at Vereeniging. to proceed from Ventersburg-road Station to j.oin. Generals French and Hutton moved to Rietfontein this brigade at Lindley. It had, however, failed and General Ian Hamilton to Rieikuil. to reach that place before the Highlanders left 14. On the 28th May my head-quarters, with for Heilbron and Lieutenant-General Sir ,H. the 11th Division, proceeded to Klip River Colvile, in command of the troops, had- started - Station ; the 7th Division to Witkop, south of without it This was very unfortunate, as the station ; the 3rd Cavalry Brigade to the east, Colvile . waB much in need of mounted troops. THE. LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 855

On this news reaching me, I directed Lord north of Johannesburg on the Pretoria road, the Methuen to despatch Douglas’s Brigade from 11th Division bivouacking four miles farther Kroonstad to Colvile’s assistance. This order north and the 14th Brigade of the 7th Division had scarcely been issued when I heard from a short distance to the west. The 15th (Wavell’s) Lieutenant-General Rundle, at Senekal, that Brigade was detailed to garrison the town and the Irish Yeomanry, which had arrived at Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. Mackenzie, Seaforth Lindley only a few hours after the d- par- Highlanders, was appointed Military Governor. ture of the Highland Brigade, had found 20. On the 1st and 2nd June my head­ that place in the hands of the enemy. Lieu­ quarters remained at Orange Grove, while tenant-Colonel Spragge, who commanded the Lieutenant-General Ian Hamilton's column moved Yeomanry, accordingly halted 3 miles west of the from Florida to Bramfontein, four miles west of town, and sent messengers to Colvile and Bundle Orange Grove, and the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Cavalry apprising them of hiB dangerous position, which Btigades, with Hutton’s Mounted Infantry, were was aggravated by his having only one day’s distributed ten miles to the north of the same provisions in- hand. Spragge was at first opposed place. - by only a small force, but, on his defenceless 21. During these two days, disquieting news position becoming known to the Boers, their continued to reach me regarding the activity and numbers rapidly increased. General Bundle numbers of the enemy who had opposed us in could not go to Spragge’s relief, as ho had heen the Orange River Colony and who were now called upon to support Brigadier-General Brabant closing in behind us, threatening the single line of in the direction of Hammonia, nor could he leave railway leading to Cape Colony, upon which I Senekal until the arrival of Major-General was dependent for provisioning the army. This Clements, who, with a portion of his brigade, information was the more disconcerting, as, was proceeding to that place from Winburg. owing to our rapid advance and the exten­ Under the impression, however, that he might sive damage done to the railway, we had practi­ indirectly relieve the hostile pressure on Lieu- cally been living from hand to month and, at ' tenant-Colonel Spragge’s detachment. General times, had not even one day’s rations to the good. Bundle, with a force of six companies of Yeomanry, It was, therefore, suggested to me that it might be two Field Batteries, Major-General Campbell’s prudent to halt at Johannesburg until the Orange Brigade; and the 2nd Battalion Royal West Kent River Colony should be thoroughly subdued -and Regiment, moved out four miles on the Bethlehem the railway from Natal opened. But, while fully roaid and encountered the enemy, who were in recognizing the danger attending a further advance, considerable strength at Kuring Kraus. After I considered the advantages of following up with­ - an engagement, which had no decisive result, out delay the successes we had achieved, and not General Bundle fell back on Senekal, his casual­ giving the enemy time to recover from their ties amounting to 30 killed and 150 wounded. several defeats, or to remove the British prisoners 18. General Colville, with the head-quarters from Pretoria quite justified the risk being run. of the 9th Division and the Highland Brigade,AngloBoerWar.com Accordingly I advanced on the 3rd June with reached Heilbron on the 29th May. Daring the Pole-.C arc w’s division and the head-quarters and ' latter part of the march the brigade was but Maxwell’s Brigade of the 7tli Division to slightly troubled by the enemy, the greater part of Let-uwkop, a distance of 12 miles, Colonel Henry, whom had turned their attention to the Imperial with his corps of Mounted Infantry, moving to a Yeomanry. point 4 miles to the north, Brigadier-General On this day Lord Methuen left Kroonstad in Gordon, with the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 6 miles to obedience to my instructions to assist the High­ the east, Lieutenant-General Ian Hamilton with land Brigade. On the third march out he received his column to Diepsloot, 15 miles south of a message from Lieutenant-Colonel Spragge, Pretoria, and the troops under Generals French dated the 29th May, reporting that he was heavily and Hutton to Rooikrans, 13 miles south-west of pressed by the enemy and was short of food and Pretoria. ' ammunition, but hoped that he would be able to 22. On the 4th June I marched with Henry’s hold' out until the 2nd June. This message Lord Mounttd Infantry, four Companies Imperial Methuen repeated to me by telegraph and I at Yeomanry, Pole-Carew’s Division, Maxwell’s once ordered him to push on to Lieutenant- Brigade and the naval and siege guns to Six Colonel Spragge’s assistance, and on the 1st June, Mile Spruit, both banks of which were occupied half an hour after the receipt of my reply, he by the enemy. The Boers were quickly dis­ started off with his mounted troops, Imperial lodged from the south bank by the Mounted Yeomanry, a Field battery, one section of pom­ Infantry and Imperial Yeomanry, and pursued for poms, and reached Lindley at 10 o’clock the nearly a mile, when our troops came under following morning, having covered 44 miles in artillery fire. The heavy guns were at once 25 hours. Unfortunately he was too late, as pushed to the front, supported by Stephenson’s Lieutenant-Colonel Spragge had found it neces­ Brigade of the 11th Division, and the enemy’s sary to surrender two days before. MethueD, on fire was soon silenced. They then moved to the nearing Lindley, attacked the Boer force, which south along a series of ridges parallel to our main had increased from 300 to 3,000 strong, and, line of advance with the object of turning our - after a running fight which lasted five hours, com­ left flank, but in this they were checked by the pletely defeated them and occupied the town. I Mounted Infantry and Imperial Yeomanry, sup­ 'then directed him to leave one of his Infantry ported by Maxwell’s Brigade. As, however, the brigades (Paget’s) and to march with the other Boers continued to press on our left flank and (Douglas’s) to Heilbron with supplies for Sir H. thus threatened our rear, I ordered Ian Hamilton, Colville’s force. who was moving three miles to our left, to incline 19. To return to the operations at Johannes­ to his right and close the gap between the two burg. I received the formal surrender of the columns. As soon as Ian Hamilton’s troops came town early on the* 31st May and entered it at up, and De Lisle’s Mounted Infantry pushed' well ' noon with the 7 th and 11th Divisions, the. Union round the enemy’s right flank, they fell back on -Jack-being hoisted-with the usual salute-in the Pretoria. It was now dusk, and the troops had main square. - After the. ceremony, I- established to bivouac in the positions which they were ihy- lieifd-quarters at- Grange- Grove, three miles occupying,. the Guards Brigade near the most D 2 856 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

southern of the forte defending Pretoria, and assaulted it by direct attack would have involved within four miles of the town, Stephenson’s next a useless loss of life. I, therefore, determined to to the Guards on the west, and Ian Hamilton’s develop flanking operations, knowing by experi­ column still further to the west, French with the ence that the enemy would retire as soon as their 1st and 4th Cavalry Brigades and Hatton’s rear was seriously threatened ; but the long dis­ Mounted Infantry towards the north of the town, tances to be traversed, and the defensive advan­ Broadwood’s Cavalry between French and Ian tages which the nature of the ground afforded the Hamilton, and Gordon’s Cavalry to the east, near Boers impeded our advance. Moreover, as I have the Irene Bailway Station. since learnt, the Boer leaders had intended to 23. Shortly before dusk Lieutenant-Colonel follow our tactics and try and ontflank us ; conse­ De Lisle, whose Mounted Infantry had followed quently, their centre was but lightly held, whilst up the enemy to within 2,000 yards of Pretoria, the wings of their army were so strong that sent an officer under a flag of truce to demand in French and Hutton on our left, and Broadwood my name the surrender of the town. To this no and Gordon on our right, informed me by signal reply was given, but about 10 pm, Mr. Sandberg, that they were only just able to hold their own. Military Secretary to Commandant-General Botha, Broadwood was indeed, at one time, hardly with a General of the Boer Array, brought in a pressed, being under a heavy artillery fire from letter from the Commandant-General proposing his front and left, whilst he was simultaneonsly an armistice for the purpose of arranging the terms attacked on his right rear by a commando from under which Pretoria would be handed over to Heidelburg. The enemy came on with great the British force. I replied that the surrender boldness and, leing intimately acquainted with must he unconditional and requested an answer the ground, were able to advance unseen so close before 5 o’clock the following morning, as my to “ Q ” Battery, Boyal Horse Artillery, that it troops had been ordered to advance at daybreak. was with some difficulty they were kept off, while At the time named on the 5th June I received at the same time another body made a separate the reply from Commandant-General Botha to attack on Broadwood’s right flank. To help the the effect that he was not prepared further to guns and drive off this second body, Broad a ood defend the place and that he entrusted the woman, ordered the 12th Lancers and Household Cavalry children, and property to my protection. I, there­ to charge. Both charges were successful, .inas­ fore, ordered Pole-Carew’s Division with Henry’s much as they relieved the immediate pressure on Mounted Infantry to move within a mile of the the guns and Broadwood’s right flank, and caused town and at 9 a.m. I proceeded myself to the rail­ the enemy to revert to artillery and long-range way station. At 2 p .m. I made a ceremonious rifle fire ; but I regret to say that these results entry, the British flag being hoisted on the Baad- were obtained at the cost of some 20 casualties, zaal, and Pole-Carew’s Division and Ian Hamil­ amongst them being Lieutenant-Colonel the gal­ ton’s Column marching past. That evening I lant Earl of Airlie, who fell at the head of his established my head-quarters at the British regiment, the 12th Lancers. Meanwhile, Ian Agency. The 14th Brigade was detailed to Hamilton’s Infantry was pressing on as fast as it garrison Pretoria and Major-GeneralAngloBoerWar.com J. G. Max­ could to the assistance of the Cavalry, and as well was appointed Military Governor. each battalion came up, it deployed for attack and 24. The prisoners found here on our arrival very soon became hotly engaged. From my own numbered 158 Officers and 3,029 men, but about position I could clearly see (though Ian Hamilton 900 men had been removed by train the previous could not) a large number of Boers galloping day in the direction of Middleburg. away in great confusion from a long low ridge 25. It may be here mentioned that the forts some | mile in front of his Infantry, and about surrounding the town were undefended, and that 1£ mile short of Diamond Hill near Bhenoster- their armament had been dismounted and carried fontein. Diamond Hill appeared to me to be the off. The place was quiet and the population key of the formidable position taken up by the orderly; and, though most of the gold in the Boers on this flank and I saw there was every banks, and all the public treasure had been taken probability of our troops shortly capturing the away, no damage had been done to private pro­ subsidiary ridge and thereby gaining certain perty. The wives of President Kruger and facilities for a further advance on the morrow Commandant-General Botha remained in Pretoria against Diamond Hill itself. I, therefore, de­ when their husbands left and are still here. termined to press the attack home at this pjint 26. The enemy had retired during the night of next day, and ordering all the troops along our the 4th June in an easterly direction, but not to any 25 miles of battle front to bivounc on the ground great distance, and as the presence of a consider­ they held, I made arrangements to reinforce Ian able Boer force (calculated at 12,000) was having Hamilton by the Guards Brigade under Major- a very disquieting effect on the town, I determined General Inigo Jones and two naval 12-prs. under to drive them further away. The position they Captain Bearcroft, Boyal Navy. were holding was a strong one along a range of 27. On the morning of the 12th June, I directed hills at Pienaars Poort, 15 miles from Pretoria ; Ian Hamilton to continue his advance on Diamond the attack commenced early on the 11th June, Hill and then to move towards the railway at Pole-Carew’s Division, with the naval and siege Elands Biver Station, with a view to his threaten­ gunB, moving to Christinen Hall, opposite the ing the enemy’s line of retreat should they con­ Poort, with Ian Hamilton’s column on the right tinue to oppose ui. and Broadwood’s and Gordon’s Cavalry Brigades Hamilton told off Gordon’s Cavalry Brigade still further to the right in touch with each other with one Infantry battalion to guard his right rear and with Hamilton’s column. Henry’s corps of and Broadwood’s Brigade with a party of Mounted Infantry was directed to close the gap Mounted Infantry to contain the enemy on liis in the hills at Frankpoort, to the north of right, whilst he attacked Diamond Hill with the Eerstefabriken Bailway Station; while French, 82nd Field Battery, the 1st Battalions of the with Porter’s and Dickson’s Cavalry Brigades Sussex and Derbyshire Begiments and Qity and Hutton’s Mounted Infantry, was to work Imperial Volunteer Battalion. The troops round to the north-east of the enemy’s position. advanced under Artillery fire from both flanks, as The centre of the Boer alignment at Pienaar’s well as heavy Infantry fire from the hill itself. Poort was so strong naturally, that to have The steadiness with, which the long lines moved THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. ,857

.forward, neither faltering nor hurrying, although and men who had been wounded on that occasion. dust from bullets and smoke from bursting Bhells Other desultory attacks were subsequently made hung thick about them, satisfied me that nothing on the railway line and the trains employed for could withstand their assault. reconstruction purposes, but the enemy were on The position was carried at 2 p.m., by the each occasion repulsed without serious loss on onr troops abore named, the Guards Brigade being in side and in the course of a few days railway and close support. Fighting continued until dusk, the telegraphic communication were restored. Boers having rapidly taken up a fresh position 81. Turning now to the western side of opera­ near the railway. tions,* I have the satisfaction to record that 28. On the morning of the 13th June it was Mafeking was relieved by the flying column under found that the enemy bad withdrawn during the Colonel Mahon’s command on the 17th May, night towards Middleburg and Ian Hamilton at Hearing no doubt of the approach of this column, once took up the pursuit, his Infantry moving to the Boers made a daring attempt to capture the Elands River Station, while his mounted troops place on the 12th May. Before dawn on that pushed on towards Bronkhorst Spruit Station. morning a storming party 250 strong, led by Generals French and Hutton moved east to Commandant Eloff, rushed the pickets on. the Doornkraal, but finding that the enemy had dis­ west and got into the Staat and Protectorate appeared returned to Kameelfontein. The enemy camp, a severe musketry demonstration being having' been dispersed, our troops returned the simultaneously made against the eastern part of next day to the neighbourhood of Pretoria, the the defences. The western pickets closed in and mounted corps requiring a large number of prevented the enemy’s supports from following up, remounts to restore their efficiency. thus cutting off EloiPs line of retreat, while the 29. While the force under my immediate com­ town guard stopped his further advance. Fight­ mand was thus occupied near Pretoria, the enemy ing went on all day and in the evening two parties in the Orange River Colony under Commandant surrendered, while the third was driven out of the Christian L'e Wet continued their attacks on our Staat camp under heavy fire. Ten of the enemy lines of communication south of the Vaal. On were killed, 19 of their wounded were left behind, the 2nd of June a convoy of 50 ox-wagons left aud 108 prisoners were taken, including among the Rhenoster River Station for Heilbron with an the latter Eloff and 9 Officers, 17 Frenchmen and escort of details proceeding to join the Highland a good many Germans. Our casualties amounted Brigade. The following afternoon the convoy to six men killed and 2 Officers and nine men was surrounded by the Boers in greatly superior wounded. numbers, but was obliged to surrender before 32. On the 15th May Mahon joined hands reinforcements from the Vredefort Road Station with Colonel Plumer’s column at Jan Massibis, could reach it. 30 miles west of Mafeking, and moving north the Early on the morning of the 7th June the next day to the Molopo he was stubbornly enemy attacked the post on the Rhenoster railway opposed by the local Boer Force augmented by a bridge held by the 4th Battalion DerbyshireAngloBoerWar.com Regi­ commando from Klerksdorp under General ment, 70 men of the Railway Pioneer Regiment, Delarey, which bad taken up a strong position and a few men belonging to the Imperial nine miles from the town. The Canadian Field Yeomanry. Pickets had been posted on the Battery from Buluwayo joined Colonel Mahon kopjes commanding the railway bridge and camp, early that morning, having pressed on by forced but these were driven in by the heavy artillery marches, and rendered valuable assistance. The and rifle fire brought to bear on them from the enemy were defeated and the combined column more distant hills. The engagement continued entered Mafeking at 4 a.m. on the 17th May. up to 11 A.M., by which hour 5 Officers and Being there reinforced by the garrison, they 82 men had been killed and 100 men wounded marched out after a ehoit rest and attacked the out of a total strength of 700. The Boers having enemy’s main laager, capturing one gun and a six guns, to which the defenders of the post could quantity of stores and ammunition. The Boers not reply, and outnumbering the latter in the retreated into the Transvaal, most of them dis­ proportion of six to one, the garrison had to persing to their farms. surrender, as further resistance would have been Steps were at once taken to restore railway useless. communication with Mafeking from the north 80. The possibility of such mishaps had been and south. The line from Buluwayo was com­ clearly foreseen by me when I determined to pleted on the 26th May and that from Kimberley advance on Pretoria, for I knew I was not suffici­ was nearly finished on the 6th June. On the ently strong in numbers to make the railway lino 20th May Zeerust was occupied without opposi­ absolutely secure and at the same time have a tion by a flying column under Colonel Plumer, force at my disposal powerful enough to cope with and a few days afterwards troops were quartered the main army of the Transvaal supported by in Ottoshoop and Polfontein. forts and guns of position. Now, however, that 1 33. Lieutenant-General Hunter moved from was in possession of the Capital and the majority Fourteen Streams into the Transvaal on the 15th of our prisoners had been recovered, I took May, and the next morning entered Christiana immediate steps to strengthen the posts along the unopposed, the Boers 3,000 strong under Du Toit railway. The liberated prisoners were armed and having retired to Klerksdorp. Hunter then equipped and despatched to Yereeniging and other returned to Fourteen Streams and marched up the stations south of the Yaal, and as soon as more railway line, reaching Yryburg on the 24th May. troops could be spared, they were distributed along On the 26th I directed him to form an advance the line between Pretoriaand Kroons tad. I deputed base at Doornbult Siding and to concentrate at Lieutenant-General Lord Methuen to superintend Holfontcin, marching thence to Licihtenborg. these arrangements and on the 11th June he The force at his disposal consisted of Mahon's attacked aud defeated the commando under Flying Column, less the Kimberley Mounted Christian de Wet at the Rhenoster River. The Corps which I left with Major-General Baden - Imperial Yeomanry Field Hospital, which had Powell, the Scottish Imperial Yeomanry,. a fallen into the hands of the Boers when the brigade-division of field artillery, and six battalions Derbyshire Militia surrendered a few days pre- of infantry. Hunter’s adaVnced troops occupied . viouuy, was recovered, together with the Officers Lichtenburg on the 1st June and his whole force 858 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

wag-collected there on the 7th June. On the 8th move rapidly through Botha’s or some neigh­ ' Be'started vi& Ventersdorp for Potchefstroom, in bouring pass, thus obliging the enemy to with­ order, to get into railway Communication with draw from their strong position at the Nek. On -Xlerisdrnrp and Johannesburg. the 8th June Sir Redvers Buller attacked and ' -84. In the western districts of Cape Colony defeated the Boers at Botha’s Pass, and moving -'Lieutenant-General Warren and Colonel Adye northwards again came in touch with them on the have operated against the rebels with considerable 10th at Gansviei. The enemy were driven hack lucce.-s. On the 21st May Wmren surprised the along the ridge, which they held till dusk. During ' lehem'y at Donglas, capturing their wagoms, tents, the night they withdrew to a range of hills 6ix -and cattle. The Boers retreated northwards. On miles north-east of Gansviei, through which the ■rtbe 30th May Atye had an engagement near Yolksrust road passes at a point called Allemann’s -'Eh'ees in the Prieska district, our casualties being Nek. On the 11th June Sir Redvers Buller ' T Officer and 3 men killed and 4 Officers advanced against this position, and, after some "*Dd 16 men wounded. On this occasion over severe fighting, the brunt of which fell on the * 4.800 head of cattle and sheep were captured with 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment, seized Alle­ 'large number of wagons and tents and much mann’s Nek and occupied the crest of the hills, the ' personal property. On the 3rd June Warren Boers retreating all along the line. The 3rd \ advanced against the enemy at Campbell and Cavalry Brigade was also heavily engaged on the 'dispersed them. He reported the Herbert district right flank. Our casualties amounted altogether to be then clear of rebels and that he proposed to 142 killed and wounded. The same night the sh drily to occupy Griquetown. Boers evacuated Laing’s Nek and Mnjuba, Sir - - - ’ ■ 35.--In the Orange River Colony bands of Redvers Buller establishing his head-quarters at mafauders - were reported by the Military Joubert’s Farm, four miles north of Volksrust. •'Governor to le raiding the country in the vicinity 37. To the north of the Transvaal some delay ‘-of -Abraham’s Kraal, and on the 13th May I has occurred in concentrating General Carrington’s ’iifesifert Lieutenant-General Kelly - Kenny to force owing to the small carrying capacity of the -•dfekpatch-three companies of Imperial Yeomanry railway from Beira to Marandellas ; but the con­ fJRHn Bloemfontein with the object of dispersing gestion of traffic has lately been relieved and the ^themi -aud ' at the same time of repairing the greater pa rt of the troops have reached Mafeking, ’'telegraph line between Bloemfontein and Boshof. wl’.ere their co-operation will be very valuable. -This- duty was satisfactorily performed, the 38. In conclusion, I desire to record my high Yeomanry detachment returning to Bloemfontein opinion of the conduct and endurance of the troops ;©a- - the 22nd May, after having quieted the during the operations summarized in this letter. •'disturbed- district and collected nearly 100 rifles Their powers of marching and tbeir gallantry when '-and 3,000 rounds of ammunition. Up to the engaged with the enemy were equally admirable; and -&4th May 400 Burghers had surrendered to the it is particularly gratifying to me to bring to notice -'Officer Commanding at Boshof, including Com- the services rendered by the Colonial Corps, the Imperial Yeomanry and the City Imperial and •niadant Duplessis and Field-CornetsAngloBoerWar.com Botha and ’-H.-J. Duplessis. other Volunteers, who have proved themselves ; 36.- During the period dealt with in this letter most efficient soldiers. My acknowledgments -ran 'important advance has been made by the are also due to the Militia Battalions, which have -l-tnoops in -Natal. Between the 10th and 13th done excellent work in the Orange River Colony, 'May the force under General Sir Redvers Boiler’s in the western districts of Cape Colony, and on -'command moved by Sunday’s River Drift to the lines of communication. Waschbank' Station, the enemy retiriug to the I have, &c. fiek in front of Helpmakaar. On the night of ROBERTS, Field-Marshal. -the 13th, Helpmakaar was evacuated, and on the Commanding-in-Chief, South Africa. -15th our troops occupied Glencoe and Dundee, :fte-Boers falling back on Laing’s Nek. The No. 8. “Cavalry reached Newcastle on the 17th aud From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts to the Sir Redvers Buller with the 3rd Division entered Secretary of State for War. ’the town the next day. The railway was found Army Head-quarters in South Africaf, ‘-to be much damaged and it was necessary to Pretoria, 10th October, 1900. 'tfejpiair it before attempting to cross the Drakens- H y L ord, ‘bergi The delay thus caused enabled the enemy IN continuation of despatch, dated 14th '■to concentrate in greater strength at Laing’s Nek August, 1900, I have the honour to submit for -Otfd in front of the Botha and other passes, and your Lordship’s information an account of the local commandoes were reported to be threatening military operations in the Orange River Colony - the railway line from the east. Sir Redvers Buller and Transvaal from the 14th June up to the decided first to clear his rigbt flank and on the 27th present date. May he despatched a column to Utrecht. On the 2. Subsequent to the occupation of Johannes­ -29th, Utrecht surrendered to Lieutenant-General burg and Pretoria the organized forces of the •Hildyard, while-Lieutenant-General the Honour- enemy were materially reduced in number, " able-Neville Lyttelton was marching on Vrjheid, many of the burghers in arms against us re­ "which - also surrendered a couple of days later. turning to their farms, surrendering their rifles, •■Railway-communication was restored to Newcastle and voluntarily taking the oath of neutrality. "fm-the 29th May. On the 4th June Sir Redvers But the submission only proved real when the 'Buller reported that he would be ready to foice burghers were protected from outside inter­ •Laing’s Nek by a turning movement on the 6th ference by the actual presence of our troops. and that the enemy, though probably 4,000 to Whenever a Boer Commando has traversed a -5,000 strong with a considerable number of guns, district the inhabitants of which had ostensibly iwwe much disheartened. resumed their peaceful avocations, a consider­ --e-Whilia deprecating a direct attack which able part of the male population has again -‘-might--entail heavy loss of life, I suggested joined the enemy and engaged in active hostili­ -that enough men should bo left to occupy the ties. In some cases it has been reported that - enemy’s Attention at ‘-Laing’s Nek and that with arms have been-taken up with alacrity. 'In the - rtsfeldf ‘his force-Sir Redvers Buller should •most instances, however, hostilities were only THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBB.UARY 8, 1901. ftjfe

resumed with reluctance, and after some pres- | selves anxious to submit to. the British Goverq^ sura had been placed upon them by the Boer ment. To their honour be it said, a few of £he, Commandants or Field-cornets concerned. burghers have suffered imprisonment or losspf . 3. During the period dealt with in this property sooner than thus break their faith, hut- despatch the first objective in urgency and their number was not sufficient to enable them; importance was to provide for the security of to exercise any influence on the general situa­ the railway south of the Yaal, and to capture tion. . _ or disperse the enemy’s forces to the east of Recent events have convinced me that, the that line and in the north-east angle of the permanent tranquillity of the Orange River ( Orange River Colony. The second objective Colony and Transvaal is dependent on the com ­ was to push eastward from Pretoria towards plete disarmament of the inhabitants; -and.- Komati Poort, defeating and dispersing the though the extent of country to be visited, and troops under Commandant-General Botha, and the ease with which guns, rifles, and ammuf releasing the ^British .prisoners confined at nition can be hidden, will render the task a., Nooitgedacht. But at the same time that difficult one, itB accomplishment is only a matter portion of the Transvaal which lies west of of time and patience. - - Johannesburg and Pretoria had to be kept 6. My last despatch ended with the defeat of nnder control; the railway line from Johannes­ the Boers nnder LoniB Botha at Diamond BiH burg through Krngersdorp to Potchefstroom on the 12th June and their retreat the next could not be left unguarded; and, in view of day towards Middleburg. I then issued orders the presence of the enemy north of the Delagoa for the formation at Pretoria of a strong Bay railway, it would have involved undue risk column* under Lieutenant-General Ian Hanuh to attempt an advance against the Boer head­ ton, which would move through Heidelberg on quarters at Machadodorp until sufficient troops Frankfort, and thence co-operate with Lieu1-' were available, not only for the forward move­ tenant-General Bundle and. Major-Generals ment, but to secure tlie line of communication Clements and Paget with a view to driving tjie.- between Pretoria and tbe field force operating Commando under C. De Wet eastwards towards eastward. To obtain these troops I had to Bethlehem and surrounding it, as well as the' wait until the railway from Natal to Johannes­ other Boer forces which were still occupying burg had been restored and proper arrange­ the north-east angle of the Orange River ments made for its protection, and until the Colony. On reaching Heidelberg the coliiian- action which was being taken in the north­ was to be joined by the 81st Battery, Royal- east of the Orange River Colony had been so Field Artillery, from the liue of communication* . far successful as to admit of the transfer to the and by two companies of Imperial Yeomanry-, Transvaal of a considerable portion of the from Major-General Hart’s Brigade. H art,- troops engaged in that direction. with a portion of his Brigadet was to garrison-: 4. In further explanation of the delay which Heidelberg. On reaching Frankfort Ian has occurred in dealing with the Boer force Hamilton’s column was to be further , under Commandant-General Botha, it may be strengthened.J The force thus rendered avail; mentioned that, though the inhabitants ofAngloBoerWar.com the able for operations beyond Frankfort amounted, Lichtenburg, Potchefstroom, and Rustenburg to two Cavalry Brigades, some 3,000 Mounted-. districts seemed at first disposed to submit Infantry, Imperial Yeomanry, and .other, quietly to the British authorities, a large pro­ monnted corps, seven Infantry battalions, portion of them subsequently joined General three Horse and three Field batteries, two. Delarey’s Commando and assisted him in 5-inch guns, 5 pompoms, and twenty-one. attacking the garrisons which were posted machine guns. // at the principal towns and in intercepting To protect the railway between Kroonstad; convoys of supplies. It consequently became and the Yaal River, and to prevent De Wet necessary either to withdraw or reinforce these from breaking oat westward, Lord Methuen’s garrisons, as well as organize flying columns force§ was directed to take'up a position, in . for the pursuit of the enemy. the neighbourhood of Paardekraal, 10 miles- The vast area of the country in which the south-west of Heilbron on the Kxoonstad road., .. operations are being conducted has also to be Heilbron, which would be Ian Hamilton’s-, remembered. The troops have had to march base of snpply on reaching Frankfort, and long distances, and, though existing railways operating thence towards Bethlehem, was .to- have been utilized to the fullest extent, the be garrisoned by 50 Mounted Infantry and one/ limited capacity of single lines—especially of battalion from the 9th Brigade, with • two that between Pretoria and Bloemfontein— 4'7-inch naval guns. - . - ? coupled with the scarcity of rolling-stock, has The force at and near Lindley under Pagetjj/- *§ rendered it difficult to move and concentrate rapidly according to the European standard of * The 2nd and 3rd Cavalry Brigades, the 2nd, 5th, GCI^, what should be possible in war. and 7 th Corps of Mounted Infantry, the 21st ■ Infantry 5. To deal with the organized forces of the brigade, under Major-General Bruce Hamilton, three’ enemy was a comparatively easy matter; but batteries of Horse and Field Artillery, and two .5-inch-, in South Africa the problem has been compli­ guns. - cated, and the settlement of the country re­ f One company of Imperial Yeomanry, 1} battalion* of Infantry, and 1 Field battery. tarded, by the determination of some of the J 'Ihe 5th Battery, Boyal Field Artillery; CavalrysAid: Boer leaders to pursue a guerilla warfare after Monnted Infantry details, numbering 350; two companies their troops had been defeated in the field. of Imperial Yeomanry, Lovat’B Scouts, Fasten) Province*’' Owing to the non-compliance of the Boers with Horse, and three battalions of the Highland Brigade, the recognized custom of war which compels under Macdonald. § Four battalions of Imperial Yeomanry, about 1(9011 combatants to wear a distinctive'uniform, they strong; two field batteries, two 5-inch howitzert, tWft have ■ found it easy to pose as peaceful agri­ Infantry battalions from the 9th Brigade, a provisional culturists one day and to take part- in active battalion of Infantry details,- two- -pompoms; -and—1© hostilities on the next. Their leaders have also machine guns. usually found means by threats or by per­ || 400 mounted men from Kroonstad, two companies)of) Imperial Yeomanry, four field guns, 1st: Bn. BoyaP suasions to induce them to disregard their oath Munster Fusiliers, 2nd Bn. King’s Own Yarkshire'Lighb' of neutrality, although this was. voluntarily Infantry, 4th. Bn. South Staffordshire Begiment, an'4-a taken by men who at the time professed them­ wing of the 4th Bn. Scottish Bides. 860 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901,

was to act in the direction of Bethlehem in tercepl a convoy of supplies. The Boers were conjunction with the troops under Clements. driven off with a loss on our side of 10 men Clements, whose head-quarters were at Senekal, killed and four Officers and 50 men wounded. Was to be reinforced* and to proceed to Bethle­ On 2nd July, Clements and Paget joined hands hem, being joined on the march by Paget’s and began their advance on Bethlehem, the column. The combined movement from Lind- enemy, under C. lie Wet, falling back in a ley and Senekal was to begin on 28th July. south-easterly direction. On the 3rd July, Paget • Lieutenant-General Sir L. Rundle was in­ drove the Boers from a strong position which structed to occupy the line from Winburg they were holding across his line of march, and through Trommel to Ficksburg with 1,000 bivouacked 15 miles north-west of Bethlehem. mounted troopB. As soon as the combined On approaching the town on Ihe evening of the force under Clements had arrived north of 5th July, Clements, who, as senior Officer, was Bethlehem he was to garrison that place and in command of the two columns, found C. De subsequently to operate against Harrismith. Wet occupying the hills to the south. The The force at Bundle's disposal consisted of the next morning Bethlehem was summoned to sur­ balance of the Colonial Division—namely, about render, and, on this demand being refused. 1,200 mounted men, two battalions of Imperial Paget moved to the north-west with the object Yeomanry, three Field batteries, and seven of turning the enemy’s left, while Clements’s Infantry battalions. troops operated on their right flank. On the • 7. Leaving Pretoria on the 19th June, Ian morning of the 7th, a general assault was made, Hamilton’s column occupied Heidelberg on the and by noon the place was in onr hands and the 23rd. The enemy vacated the town, and were Boers were in full retreat to the north-east. pnrsued for some distance by our Cavalry. The On this occasion, the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Boksburg Commando was completely broken Regiment specially distinguished itself, captur­ up, 60 Boers laying down their arms and the ing a gun of the 77th Battery, Royal Field remainder dispersing in different directions. Artillery, which had been lost at Stormberg. During the Cavalry pursuit, Lieutenant-General The good service rendered by the 38th Battery, lan Hamilton unfortunately broke his collar­ Royal Field Artillery, and the City Imperial bone and had to return to Pretoria. I accord­ Volunteers Battery has also been brought to ingly placed Lieutenant-General Sir A. Hunter notice by Major-General Paget. in command of the column, which he joined on 9. On being driven from Bethlehem, the the 25th June. On the 27tb, the column left enemy—estimated at about 7,000 strong, with Heidelberg, and crossing the Vaal at Villiers- 20 guns—retired through the hills into the dorp, reached Frankfort on the 1st July. Two Brandwater Basin, around which they occupied days later Hunter was joined there by the troops positions of great natural strength at Naauw- from Heilbron nnder Macdonald. On the 1th poort, Retief’s, and Slabbert’s Neks, Witnek July, the force marched sonth towards Beitz, and Commando Nek. These, at the time, were from which place, on the approach of the British believed to be the only points of ingress into, or troops, 800 prisoners belonging to the Irish egress from, the Basin; but it was afterwards Battalion of the Imperial YeomanryAngloBoerWar.com and the found that there was another route available 4th Battalion Derbyshire Regiment were de­ through Golden Gate in Harrismith direction. spatched by the Boers across the Natal frontier, The disposition of the investing force, on the and proceeded to Ladysmith. The Officers, 11th Jnly, was as follows:—The 8th and however, were not liberated, but sent to Nooit- Colonial Divisions, under Rundle, were eche­ gedacht, on the Delagoa Bay railway. Brace loned along the line from Ficksburg to Bid- Hamilton was left at Beitz with the 21st dulphsberg, their duty being to watch Witnek Brigade, two Field Batteries, and the 7th Corps and Commando Nek, and to prevent the enemy of Mounted Infantry, with orders to send back from breaking out to the south-west. Clements’s b convoy of empty wagons to bring on fresh Brigade, awaiting supplies from Senekal, was supplies from Heilbron under escort of one at Biddulphsberg ; while at, or near Bethlehem battery and one battalion. Hunter reached were the 2nd Cavalry Brigade under Broad wood, Bethlehem on the 10th July, where he received the 2nd Brigade of Mounted Infantry under orders placing Bundle’s Division and Clements’s Ridley, the Highland Brigade under Macdonald, column under his command. On the 11th Jnly, the 20th Brigade nnder Paget, and the 21st the 3rd Cavalry Brigade was sent back to Heil­ Brigade nnder Bruce Hamilton. On the 15th bron, vifl Reitz, the country south of Bethlehem Jnly, the 2nd Cavalry Brigade and the 20th being so hilly that the presence of two Cavalry Infantry Brigade were sent out along the road Brigades seemed unnecessary; and, on the 14th, to Senekal, with the object of beading back Bruce Hamilton’s Brigade rejoined Hunter at the enemy if they should attempt to break Bethlehem. out in that direction, but daring tbe night 8. On reaching Bethlehem, Hunter founda Boer force nnder C. De Wet, consisting that it had been occupied on 7th July, after of about 1,500 men and six guns, and two days’ fighting, by the force nnder Clements accompanied by Mr. Steyn, succeeded in and Paget. The combined movements of troops escaping through Slabbert’s Nek, and rapidly nnder the latter Officers, and under Rundle, bad moved off towards Lindley. On the 16th been earned out as directed. On the 26th June, Broadwood’s Cavalry, with 800 Mounted In­ Clements ordered his mounted troops, with two fantry nnder Ridley, were ordered to pursue field guns, to attack a Boer laager at Rietfon- De Wet, and Clement3 was directed to relieve tein, 7 miles north of Senekal. The enemy Rundle’s troops in front of Witnek. On the were "dispersed and the laager destroyed, onr 2oth and 21st, Bruce Hamilton, with the casualties being three killed and 23 wounded. Cameron Highlanders, a corps of Mounted The same day Paget engaged the enemy near Infantry, and the 82nd Battery, Royal Field Lindley, while they were endeavouring to in- Artillery, attacked the enemy holding Spitzkop, a hill 9 miles south-east of Bethlehem, and * 1,C00 mounted men from the 8th and Colonial Divi­ succeeded in occupying it. Drawing his cordon sions, 400 mounted men from Bloemfontein, one Field battery, two 5-inch guns, 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Begiment, tighter, Hunter, on 22nd July, moved the High­ 1st. Bn. Boyal Irish Begiment, 2nd Bn. Worcestershire land Brigade, the 5bh and 76th Batteries, Royal Regiment, ana 2nd Bn. Wiltshire Begiment. Field Artillery, Lovat’s Scouts, and Rimington’s TEE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 861

Guides, in front of Relief's Nek, this force being the same day to rejoin Hnuter at Bethlehem. joined the next morning by the 1st Battalion Meanwhile, Paget’s and Brace Hamilton’s Bri­ Royal Sussex Regiment and the 31st Battery, gades had marched as escort of the Boer Royal Field Artillery. On the 23rd, the heights prisoners to Winburg, and Clements's Brigade commanding the nek were seized by the Black had been ordered to Kroonstad. Watch and Highland Light Infantry, our 11. I have already mentioned that C. De casualties being one Officer and 11 men killed, Wet’s commando, which was accompanied by and six Officers and 68 men wounded. The ex-President Steyn, had managed to break same day Clements effected a junction through Hunter’s cordon during the night of between his own troops and those under the 15th July, and had been followed up by a Paget 2 miles north of Slubbert’s Nek. mounted force 2,300 Btrong, with two batteries Holding the enemy in front with the 1st Batta­ of Horse Artillery, under Broadwood, in the lion Munster Fusiliers, lie gained a footing on direction of Liadley. To protect bis baggage, the high ground to the right of the nek by a Broadwood took the 1st Battalion Derbyshire turning movement executed by tho 1st Batta­ Regiment and two fiold guns from the escort of lion Royal Irish Regiment, the 2nd Battalion a convoy which he met on the road between Wiltshire Regiment, and Brabant’s Horpe. Liadley and Bethlehem. The 3rd Cavalry Early on the 24th, the Boers vacated Refcief’s Brigade had reached Heilbron on the 15th July. Nek, and Hunter pushed through the pass into There Brigadier-General Gordon, who com­ the valley beyond, while Clements occupied manded it, was ordered to Pretoria to replaco Slabbert’s Nek and sent his mounted troops and Co'onel Porter, who had broken his collar-bone, artillery in pursuit of the retreating enemy. in command of the 1st Cavalry Brigade, and Rundle was now directed to move towards was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel Little. Fonriesburg, and, on the 25th, Macdonald and On the 16th, the brigade left Heilbron for Bruce Hamilton’s "blocked the exits from the Kroonstad, and the next day I ordered it 1o Brand water Basin at Naauwpoort Nek and march as rapidly as possible towards Lindley Golden Gate. The same day, Hunter advanced, and join Broad wood's column. On the morning with Clements's and Paget’s troops, in the direc­ of the 191 h, Little came into touch with a por­ tion of Fonriesburg, on which place the enemy tion of De Wet’s commando near Lindley, and had retired. On entering the town, on the iu the afternoon Broadwood attacked the 26th July, he found it already occupied by a enemy’s rearguard, the action continuing until portion of Bundle's Division, headed by Dris­ dusk. The commando then broke up into two coll’s Scoots, who had made a lorced march of parties, both of which, owing to the superior 25 miles from Commando Nek. Macdonald, in mobility of the Boers, contrived to get away the meantime, had blocked Naauwpoort Nek during the night. One of these parties reached and Golden Gate, towards which the Boers had the railway on the night of the 21st July, and fallen back, and, on the 28th, Hunter followed captured a supply train 20 miles north of the enemy with Clements’s and Paget’s Brigades, Kroonstad. The commando afterwards reunited and the available troops of die 8th Division.AngloBoerWar.com to the west of Roodeval Station. Broadwood, On the 29th, General Prinsloo asked for a four after joining hands with Little on the 21st July, days’ armistice, and, this request being refused, crossed the railway in pursuit, and three days agreed to surrender unconditionally the follow­ later found De Wet holding a strong position ing morning. On the 30th July, Prinsloo and in the hills cast of Reitzburg. Not strong Crowther, with the Ficksburg and Ladybrand enough to attack the enemy, he held on to Commandoes, 879 strong, surrendered, other Vredefort and awaited the arrival of infantry commandoes coming in later. General Olivier, reinforcements. with his commando, managed, however, to 12. While the operations described above were escape during the night through Golden Gate, taking place in the Orange River Colony, the though he and his men had been included by Boers had been displaying considerable activity Commandant-General Prinsloo in the uncondi­ north of the Vaal, and along the railway in the tional surrender of the Boer force. The total vicinity of Kroonstad. Botha’s force retreated number of prisoners taken was 4,140, with three towards Middelburg on the 13th June, and guns, two of which belonged to “ TJ ” Battery, Baden-Powell from Zeerust occupied Rnsten- Royal Horse Artillery. Over 4,000 horses and burg on the 14th, a small column being sent the ponies, a large number of rifles, and over a following day from Pretoria to meet him and million rounds of small-arm ammunition also repair the telegraph line between the two fell into our hands. places. On the 14th June, our post on the Tail­ 10. On the surrender of Prinsloo’s force,way at Zand River was attacked by 800 Boere Hunter directed Macdonald to march on the with three guns, but Major-General Knox, 1 Bt August to Harrismith in pursuit of Olivier Commanding at Kroonstad, promptly sent out with 700 mounted troops, four battalions, two reinforcements, and the enemy were driven off 5-inch guns, and 16 field guns. He reached with some loss. On the 18th June, Hunter, Harrismith unopposed on the 4th August, and who had been advancing eastward through the next day was joined there by two squadrons Potchefstroom, reoccupied Krugers Jorp with his of the 5th Lancers from Besters and one of the mounted troops under Mahon, aud one battery 13th Hussars from Ladysmith. Railway com­ of Horse Artillery, being joined the next day by munication was opened between Harrismith and Hart’s Infantry Brigade and a Field Battery. Natal, the line having only been slightly On the 21st June, Baden-Powell reported that damaged. As it had been ascertained that 3,000 rifles had been handed in at Rustonburg, Olivier had moved northwards through Vrede, and that the district was quiet, a small com­ and Macdonald’s troops were wanted elsewhere, mando, under Field-Cornet Duplessis, having I ordered them to be relieved by nine companies retired north-eastward. The same day Hunter of Imperial Yeomanry, Driscoll’s Scouts, seven was ordered to proceed from Krcgersdorp to battalions, and 14 field guns from the 8th. Divi­ Heide'bjrg with troops under Hart and Mahor, sion, under Randle, who also provided garrisons Barton’s Brigade, which was then holding for Senekal, Bethlehem, Fouriesburg, Lady- Klei’ksdorp and Potchefstroom, moving on to brand, and Thabanchu. Rundle reached Harri­ Krngersdorp. A Field battery and two batta­ smith on the 6th August, Macdonald leaving' on lions of the latter brigade, the 2nd Battalion No. 27282. E 862 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

Royal Soots Fusiliers and the 1st Battalion • Rnstenburg district,- but shortly afterwards Royal Welsh Fusiliers remained as garrison signs of unrest were apparent north of the of Krngersdorp, under Barton, the remaining Maga’icsberg, and in the country between two, the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers Rustenhurg and Mafeking. At first- only a few and the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, being scattered parties of the enemy were reported to railed to Pretoria. In Hart's Brigade a wing be in the field, and in order to break them up of the 2nd Battation Somersetshire Light In­ Baden-Powell was directed to leave a small fantry had remained at Yryborg, while the garrison at Rnstenburg, uuder Major the Hon­ other wing with the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin ourable A. H. C. Hanbury-Tracy, and to march Fnsiliers and one Field battery, formed the eastward with the remainder of his troops to garrison of Heidelberg, under Hart; the 1st Commando Nek. Orders were also given for • Battalion Border Regiment and the 1st Battalion Carrington’s force to concentrate at Mafeking, Connaught Rangers marching to Irene Station. detachments being left to guard the principal Mahon’s mounted troops, with the Imperial drifts across the Crocodile River, namely, Light Horse and one battery of Horse Artillery, Baines, Rhodes, and Victoria Drifts. On tbe were also moved tp Irene. 5th July, definite information reached me that 13. On the 22nd June, a Boer commando a commando under Delarey, 2,000 strong, with 700-Strong, with'three guns, attacked the post four guns, was threatening Rnstenburg from- on "the railway at Honingspruit, north of Kroon- the north-east, and that Oliphant’a Nek, 10 stad. The enemy were driven off by a force miles south of that town, had been occupied by from Kroonstad, after having destroyed three the Boers. Baden-Powell was then holding culverts and broken up the line. Loid Methuen Commando and Uitval Neks, with his head­ was ordered to move his column from Heilbron quarters at Rielfontein, south of the Magalies- towards*Honingspiu.t, and after clearing off the berg and between the two neks. His force enemy to take up a central position near consisted of 450 mounted men, 'a Canadian Field Paardekraal, so as to cover the railway from the battery, and two Mountain guns. Lieutenant- east. Colonel C- O. Hore was at Elands River, 40 14. On the 25th June, a large convoy under miles west of Rustenburg, with 400 Imperial Colpnel Brookfield, Commandant 14th Battalion, Bushmen, two Field guns, and one Maxim. Imperial Yeomanry, left Kioonstad for Lind- Having arranged to relieve the detachments at ley.* This columu was engaged with the Commando Nek and Uitval Nek by troops from enemy, 1,500 strong with two guns, throughout Pretoria, I ordered Baden-Powell to return to the 26r.h and 27th, but Colonel Brookfield Rustenburg. On the 7th July the Boers succeeded in bringing the convoy safely into attacked that place, but were beaten off, Lindley on the evening of the latter day. The Hore’s column making a rapid march and re­ casualties were two men killed, two Officers inforcing (he garrison towards the end of tbe and fourteen men wounded, and five men engagement. Baden-Powell reached Rnsten- ■ missing. bnrg tbe uext day, but a large commando re- • 15. On the 27th June, the poston AngloBoerWar.comthe raiilway trained in position 6 miles to the sonth, which near Rondeval Station was attacked, but the he was not strong enough to deal with. enemy were repulsed by a detachment of the 19. Meanwhile, at the beginning of July, the Shropshire Light Infantry and the West enemy assumed an aggressive attitude towards Australian Mounted Infantry, with the aid of a the east of Pietoria, and the following disposi­ 15-pouudcr gun on an armoured tram. tions were made to prevent them from getting 16. Ou .the 20tli June, Lord Methuen re round our right flank and interrupting railway potted from Paardekraal that he had captured communication with the south. Mahon’s troops, 8,000 sheep and 800 head of cattle, and that the with the Imperial Light Horse, one battery of euemy had withdrawn eastward; and 2nd July Horse Artillery, and two battalions from Hart’s he arrested at Welgelegen Andries Wessels, Brigade (the Border Regiment and Connaught a prominent Boer member of the Afrikander Ranger-s) were ordered to Rietfontein, 6 miles Bond. The next day he captured 6,000 sheep east of Irene. The column was strengthened and 500 oxen, the property of the enemy, near by Hutton,* who assumed the command. On Paardekraal. On the 8th July, Mr. Blignaut, the 8th July it was further reinforced from State'Secretary of the Orange Free State; Mr. Krugersdorp,f Hntton advancing on that date Dickson, Attorney-General; and Mr. van Ton- with his -mounted troops to Rietvlei. On the dcr, member of the Council, surrendered at 9th July French was sent from Kameeldrift to Heilbron. the sou'h oF the Delagoa Bay rail way ,J and ou 17. Early in July a force consisting of the 11th, in co-operation with Hutton, he en­ Mounted Infantry details, about 1,200 strong, gaged the enemy and pushed them back to the under the command of Colonel T. E. Hickman, east of Bronkhorst Spruit. The next day D.S.O., was organised at Kroonstad, to assist French was directed to return to Pretoria with Lord Methuen in protecting the railway. The three battalions and two 5-inch guns, while the enemy caving been pushed back by the com­ 2nd Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light In­ bined movement of the troops under Hunter,' fantry was moved from - Irene to Derdepoort, Clements, and Paget, Hickman’s force was no and the 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment from longer required south of the Vaal, and on the Irene to Tigevpoort. 11th. and I2th July, it was railed from Kioon- 20. When Baden-Powell left Rietfontein for stadt to Pretoria. For the same reason on the Rustenburg, Commando and Uitval Neks-were' 12th July, I directed Lord Methuen’s column, occupied by the Scots Greys with a battery of which had moved to Liudley, to march to Kroon- Horse Artillery, and the Waterval post north of Btad, and thence proceed by rail to Krugersdorp. Pretoria was held by the -7th Dragoon Guards.’- 18.. By 20th June, 4,000 rifles had been col- The Scots Greys were subsequently reinforced-' leoted by Baden-Powell from the Boers in the by the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, * 800 men of the tmper al Yeomanry and Colonial' Corps, a ■vring of the 2nd lln. King’s Own Yorkshire 0 1st Brigade of Mounted Infantry, Light. Infantry, and. the 3rd’Bn. the' Buffs, with four’ t Royal Fusiliers and Royal Irish Fusiliers,’ one Field guns of the. City.Imperial Volunteers, and two of the battery, and two 5-inch gunB.' - .- . - 17th Battery, Koyal Field Artillery. $ Carabineers, Inniskillmg Dragoons, and 8th Hussars;. THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 863 under Colonel H .R . Roberts. On the 11th telegraph line and clear the road between Rus­ July, the Boers simultaneously attacked UitvaL tenburg and Zeerust. On the 22nd July this Nek and Waterval. At the former place, owing party came into contact with a Boer commando, mainly to the defective dispositions of the 1,000 strong, a few miles west of the Magato Commanding Officer, the enemy gained posses­ Pass, and after a protracted engagement suc­ sion of the pass and captured two gnns, ceeded in dispersing the enemy, with the loss almost an entire squadron of the Scots Greys, on onr side of one Officer and five men killed and 90 Officers and men of the Lincolnshire and 19 men wounded. On the 26th July Lord Regiment, including Colonel Roberts who had Methuen’s force had reached Bank Station, and been wounded early in the day. The 1st Bat­ the same day Baden-Powell reported that talion King’s Own Scottish Borderers, nnder several Boer commandoes, aggregating 3,000 Lieutenant-Colonel Godfrey, were despatched men with eight guns, were concentrating on from Pretoria to strengthen the post, but Rnstenburg. Meanwhile a large convoy of arrived too late to extricate the garrison. At supplies, escorted by Lientenant-Colonel Hore, Waterval the 7th Dragoons were well handled, had left Mafeking for Elands River eu route to and our loss would have been trifling had not Rustenburg, and Carrington with four com­ one troop mistaken the Boers for their own panies of Imperial Yeomanry under Lord comrades. The regiment was supported in the Erroll, and four squadrons of Paget’s Horse, early morning by one squadron of the 14th was ordered to proceed in the same direction Hussars, one company of the 2nd Battalion with a view to reinforcing Baden-Powell. Hampshire Regiment, and two Field guns, but 23. At this time C. de Wet was still holding owing to the numerical superiority of the the hills near Reitzbnrg, and as it seemed enemy, it had to fall back to Derdepoort, likely that be would attempt to cross the Vaal which was strongly held. and effect a junction with Commandant-General 21. On the 10th July, Smith-Dorrien, whose Botha to the east of Pretoria, 1 directed Lord brigade had been employed in guarding the Metbnen to move on Potchefstroom, and thenoe railway between Pretoria and the Vaal, was take a position from which he could observe ordered to proceed by rail to Krugersdorp with the drift across the river near Venterskroon. the 2nd Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry, On the 28th July Lord Methnen engaged the and 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders. On enemy at Frederickstad, and the next day the 11th, he marched towards Heokpoort with reached Potchefstroom. Smith-Dorrien was these battalions, one company of Imperial left at Frederickstad, where on the 31st he was Yeomanry, and two guns of the 70th Battery, attacked, but repulsed the enemy who retired Royal Field Artillery, his object being to collect on Ventersdorp, supplies which the inhabitants were anxious to 24. While these operations were going on, sell to us before the Boersffrom Oliphant’s Nek Hutton, whose outposts were holding the could get hold of them. On reaching Zeekoe- Tigerpoort-Witpoort ridge east of Irene, was hoelc, 10 miles from Krugersdorp on the road attacked by 2,000 Boers with eight guns at to Heckpoort, he found the enemy holdingAngloBoerWar.com a daybreak on the 16th July. On this occasion strong position across hi3 line of advance, and the detachment at Witpoorb under Major an engagement, which lasted 6 hours, resulted Muun, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, in his withdrawal to Krugersdorp, with the consisting of three companies of that regiment loss of one Officer killed and two Officers and and 60 men of the New Zealand Monnted Rifles 35 men wounded. It had been my intention with two pompoms, greatly distinguished them­ that the Scots Greys with two gnns from Com­ selves. By 3 p.m. the enemy fell back, and at mando Nek should join Smith-Dorrien on his dusk they were in full retreat eastward. march towards Heckpoort, but this combina­ 25. The time had now arrived when it was tion could not be effected, owing to the enemy’s necessaly to make a further move to the east­ attack on the Uitval Nek. ward along the Delagoa Bay Railway, but 22. As previously mentioned, Lord Methuen before this could be effected, it was necessary was ordered to Krugersdorp from Lindley on to clear the country to the north and cast of the 13th July, his force consisting of 1,200 Pretoria, where the Boers had been increasing mounted troops, 2,400 infantry, 12 field guns, in strength and boldness. A strong column* two 5-inch howitzers, two pompoms, and nine was, therefore, organized and placed under Ian machine guns. The movement was completed Hamilton’s command. This column left Pretoria by the l(»tb, on which day I arranged for the on the 16th July, and on the 18ih had reached column, in combination with the troops under Hammanskraal, 25 miles north of Pretoria on Smith-DorrieD, to clear the road to Rustenburg the Pietersburg Railway. A second colorant and relieve 'the garrison there nnder Baden- under Mahon was concentrated on the latter Pow6ll. Leaving Krugersdorp on the 18th date at Kameeldrift, 12 miles north-east of July, Lord Methuen reached Heckpoort unop­ Pretoria. The head-quarters of the 11th Divi­ posed on the 19th, Baden-Powell advancing at sion were at Eerste Fabrieken, east of Pretoria, the same time to Olifant’s Nek with 400 mounted with the Guards Brigade 10 miles further east men and six guns. Olifant’s Nek was occupied at Rhenosterfontein. French’s foreej was dis­ on the 21st after a short engagement, the enemy tributed near Witpoort and Rietvlei, 30 miles retreating hastily eastward along the Magalies- south-east of Pretoria, Hutton’s troops being on berg range. On the 20th the Boers nnder * An Infantry Brigade, under. Brigadier-(general Q-. General Delarey .destroyed the railway line near G-. Cnnningnam, D.S.O., consisting of the 1st Bn. King’s Bank Station, between Krugersdorp - and Pot- Own Scottish Borderers, 1st Bn. Border Regiment, 2nd chefstrpom, I therefore directed Lord Methuen Bn. Berkshire Regiment, 1st Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Hickman’s Mounted Infantry, the Canadian to leave a sufficient- garrison in Rustenburg and Elswick Batteries, two 6-inch howitzers, and 5-inch under Baden-Powell, and to return in the direc­ guns. tion of Krugersdorp. The 1st Battalion North f 1,000' Mounted Infantry, 2nd Bn. Royal Fusiliers, Lancashire Regiment, from Methuen’s column, 1st Bn. Connaught Rangers, a battery of Horse Artillery, with two guns and 50 mounted men from two 4'7 inoh gum. - ~ I 1st and 4th Cavalry.Brigades, Hutton’s Mounted Baden-powell’s force, was. left to hold Olifant’s Infantry, 1st Bn. Suffolk Regiment, 2qd Bn. Royal Irish Nek;-' while, 450 Imperial B u sh m en nnder Fusiliers, three, batteries of Horse-Artillery, -one battery Colonel Airey were despatched to repeal' the of Field Artillery, ttw’o'u-inhb guns. 864 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8. 1901. the left next the Guards Brigade and the Cavalry large convoy of supplies for the Rustenburg on the right. Ian Hamilton was ordered to garrison. After accompanying this convoy into move on Bronkhorst Spruit, rid Doornkraal; Rustenburg, Carrington was to fall back oil Mahon joining him on the 21st July at the latter Zeerust simultaneously with the withdrawal place, where the two columns were united under of Baden-Powell’s force. Iau Hamilton’s Hamilton’s command. From Doornkraal Hick­ column left Pretoria on the 1st August, his man's Mounted Infantry returned to Pretoria, Infantry marching to the south and h>s escorting an empty convoy. Ian Hamilton’s mounted troops to thenorihof the Megalies- force reached Rustfonlein 7 miles north of berg towards Uitval Nek. The next day, on BronkhorBt Spruit on the 22nd July. The approaching the nek, he found it strongly held enemy, whose line of retreat was then threat­ by the enemy, whom lie engaged in front with ened, abandoned the strong positions which a portion of Cunningham’s Brigade, while two they were holding in front of the 11th Division, companies of the Berkshire Regiment gallantly and Stephenson’s Brigade advanced unopposed escaladed the steep clifE overlooking the pass on on the 23rd to Eland’s River Station, our right the east. As soon as the Boers found that dank being protected by the Mounted Infantry their position was under fire from above they and Cavalry under Hutton and French. The fled, abandoning their wagons and horses. Our same day French crossed to the east oE the losses amounted to 40 killed and wounded. Wilge River. On the 24th July 1 proceeded from The mounted troops under Mahon on the north Pretoria by rail to Van der Merwe Station, side of the Megnliesberg were delayed, and did marching thence to Bronkhorst Spruit, which not come up in time to take part in the engage­ was occupied in the course of the day by the ment; otherwise but few of the enemy could 11th Division and Ian Hamilton’s column. The have escaped. On the 4th August the column enemy opposed Hutton and French 6 miles reached Kroondal, 5 miles south-east of Rusten­ south of Balmoral. Colonel Alderson attacked burg, and the same day it was reported that a their right, while the 1st and 4th Cavalry Bri­ Boer commando, with four field guns and two gades made a wide turning movement round pompons, had surrounded Lieutenant-Colonel their left. The Boers fell back towards Middle- Hore’s camp at Eland’s River. Carrington had burg. On the 25th Balmoral was occupied by marched from Zeerust on the 3rd August with Ian Hamilton’s troops, and the 11th Division 800 Imperial Yeomanry and Bushmen and a reached Wilge River. French and Hutton 15-pr. battery manned by New Zealanders. crossed Olifant’s River at Naauwpoort, and Two days later he was atMarico River, whence bivouacked on high ground whence the enemy he made a reconnaissance to within 2 miles of could be seen retreating in great disorder the post at Eland’s River. As a result of this, he through Middelburg. The next day French reported that the enemy were in such great and Hatton occupied Middelburg, and a line of strength that he was unable to open communi­ outposts was established so as to cut ofF com­ cation with Hore, and he therefore fell back cm munication between Botha’s force and the Marico River. On the 6th August, Baden- Boer commandoes to the west and south of Powell reconnoitred inibe same direction from Pretoria. Finding that it wonld takeAngloBoerWar.com some time Rustenburg; but though firing was going on to repair the railway bridges which had been its£pund became more distant, and, concluding destroyed between Pretoria and Middleburg, that Lieutenant-Colonel Hore’s force had been and to collect supplies at the latter place, and either captured by the enemy or relieved by being of opinion that a considerably larger Carrington, he returned to Rustenburg. The force than what was then available would be Rustenburg garrison was not rationed beyond needed to operate towards Machadodorp, I re­ the 9th August, while Ian Hamilton had only turned to Pretoria on the 26th July. Ian sufficient food and forage for the return march Hamilton’s column was also also brought back to Commando Nek. I was therefore obliged to to Pretoria, two battalions under Colonel recall Ian Hamilton and Baden-Powell, and as Brooke, with the Canadian battery, being I was unable to reinforce Carrington from the left at Pienaar’s Poort. The lllh Division, Rustenburg direction, he fell back on Zeerust. under Pole-Carew, was distributed along the In view of the enemy’s numbers and activity, line |from Balmoral to Middelburg; French Carrington retired thence to Mafeking, taking being in command at Middelburg with his with him the Zeerust and Oltoshoop garrisons. two Cavalry Brigades and Hutton’s Mounted Leaving Rustenburg on the 7th August, the Infantry. On the 30th July, Ian Hamilton troops under Ian Hamilton and Baden-Powell reached Pretoria with Mahon’s Mounted troops, reached Commando Nek on the 9th, accom­ Cunningham’s Infantry Brigade, a batteiy of panied by the Loyal North Lancashire Regi­ Horse Artillery, the Elswick Battery, and two ment, which Lord Methuen had left at Olifant’s .5-inch and two 4-7-inch guns. Nek. 26. 1 have already mentioned that on the 27. I must now turn to the operations of the 26ih July, Baden-Powell reported that a strong Natal force under Sir Redvers Buller, who had Boer force was again threatening Rustenburg. occupied Laing’s Nek on the 12th June, and As it was impossible at that time to find had to halt there until the 18th, in order to sufficient troops not only for holding the bring up supplies and rest his transport isolated posts at Rustenburg and Lichtenburg, animals. Marching on the latter date, he but for keeping open communication with reached Zandspruit on the 20th, and Katbosch those places, I determined to withdraw the Spruit on the 22nd, Dundonald’s Cavalry Rustenbuig garrison to Commando Nek and Brigade entering Standerton unopposed the ■the Lichtenburg garrison to Zeerust. To effect same day. 18 locommotives and 150 railway the first withdrawal I directed Ian Hamilton carriages and trucks were secured at Stander­ to maroh to Rustenbuig and bring back with ton. The force concentrated there daring the him Baden-Powell’s force. Carrington, who next few days consisted of the 2nd Infantry was then at Maf< king, was ordored .to proceed Division, three battalions of the 11th Brigade, with his mounted troops to Elands River, to four 5-inch and two 4'7-inch guns, two howitzer which place Lieutenant-Colonel Hore, with 140 batteries, and Dundonald’p Cavalry Brigade- Bushmen, 80 men-of the Rhodesian Regiment, On the 25th June, Sir Redvers Buller reported snd '80 Rhodesian Volunteers, had escorted a that -the'enemy, in 'considerable strength, were THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 865 threatening the railway line, that the railway Lake Chrissie. On the 12th, Clery reported bridge at Standertou bad been blown up, and that a Field-Cornet and 182 burghers had would take 10 days to repair, and that he mast surrendered at Waterval Bridge and handed in collect supplies before advancing further. On their arms. On the 14th, Bnller’s mounted the 30th June, Olery, with the 4th Brigade, left troops entered Carolina and Twyfelaar, his Standertou for Greylingstad, and, after meeting Infantry being at Kraspan, 10 miles south of with some opposition, occnpiel that place on Carolina, and the Boers having fallen back on the 2nd July. On the 4th Jnly, he reached the Komati River. The next day Sir Redvers Vlakfontein and nut Hart at Zuikerbosch Bnller established his head-quarters at Twy­ Spruit, relieving the detachment from the felaar, where he awaited the arrival of supplies Heidelberg garrison which was guarding the and the completion of the arrangements for an railway at that point. This day the line from eastward advance. Natal was opened np to Greylingstad. On the 28. And here J will ask your Lordship to 10th July, the Boers destroyed a railway bridge revert to the operations against De Wet, whose at Grootsprait, 6 miles east of Greylingstad, commando towards the end of July was occupy­ and broke np the line. Glcry was, therefore, ing the hills in the neighbourhood of Reitzburg. recalled from Vlakfontein, and Hart reoccupied The enemy’s position was being watched by the Zuikerbosch Spruit-. On the 12th, the Sonth 2nd and 3rd Cavalry Brigades and Ridley’s African Light Horse drove off a Boer commando Mounted Infantry, but it was too strong to be moving upon Vlaklangte Station, while Clery attacked by mounted troops alone. Hart, with moved to Witpoort. Dundonald, scouting one and a half battalions, arrived at Rhenoster 5 miles north of Clery, captured the camp of on the 30th July, and proceeded to Kopje the party which had injured the Grootsprait Alleen, 25 miles north of Kroonstad, where he Bridge. Clery returned to Vanl Station for was joined on the 3rd Angnst by Major-General supplies on the loth July, and thence marched C. E. Knox* * from Kroonstad. Broad wood, who to Leeuwspruit, 10 miles north of Standerton, was holding the line from Wilgebosch Drift with the intention of visiting Bethel. In view, throngh Wonderheuvel and Leeuwspruit to however, of the possibility that C. De Wet, with Vredefort, had with him the 1st Battalion the commando which had broken through Derbyshire Regiment and Hart’s Infantry Hunter's cordon, might endeavour to cross the force, and was subsequently strengthened by the Vaal opposite Heilbron, and thus effect a junc­ 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers from tion with Botha’s forces, I directed the column Bloemfontein, and the Canadian Regiment from to return to Greylingstad. Clery reached Grey­ Springs. Tbe Colonial Division was also trans­ lingstad on the 24th July. The same and the ferred from Rundle’s command on the 27th following days Hildyard engaged the Lydenbnrg Jnly, and, marching through Kroonstad, pro­ Commando near Amersfort, on which occasion ceeded on the 5th August to Winkledrift on the the 13tb and 69th Batteries, Koyal Field Artillery, Rhenoster with orders to watch the principal the 1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, and drifts down stream. Lord Kitchener left Pre­ the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders, AngloBoerWar.com distin­ toria on the 4th Angnst in order to assume guished themselves, especially the Volunteer command of the troops surrounding De Wet Company of the latter battalion. The enemy sonth of the Vaal, and arrived the next day at retired northward, having suffered considerable Wonderheuvel. At this date the military situa­ loss. tion was as follows:—De Wet was hemmed in On the 22nd Jnly, the Boers made a deter­ on the sonth by the Cavalry Brigades, the Colo­ mined attack on the post at Zuikerbosch Spruit, nial Division, Ridley’s Mounted Infantry, and 13 miles eaBb of Heidelberg. This post was two Infantry columns under Hart and Knox. held by two companies of the Royal Dublin North of the Vaal Lord Methuen was in position Fusiliers, 110 men of the Royal Engineers, and near Potchefstroom to head De Wet back if he 10 men of the Imperial Yeomanry, under Major crossed the river, with Smith-Dorrien in support English of the first-named regiment. Hart at Frederickstad. Methuen’s force consisted of proceeded at once with reinforcements from 750 Imperial Yeomanry, the 2nd Battalion Heidelberg, but before he arrived the enemy Northamptonshire Regiment, and 1st Battalion had been beaten off, great credit for the Northumberland Fusiliers, with one Field bat­ achievement being dne to Major English and tery, two howitzers, and two pompoms. Smith- his small party. Dorrien had nnder his command 250 Mounted On the 26th July, the railway to Heidelberg Infantry, the 2nd Battalion Shropshire Light In­ was open, communication between Johannes­ fantry, the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, burg and Natal being thus restored; and, on the City. Imperial Volunteers, and one Field the 28th, Major-General Cooper, with the 3rd battery. I had hoped with so strong a force, Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps nnd the 1st distributed in the manner which I have in­ Battalion Rifle Brigade, took over the command dicated, De Wet would have found escape at Heidelberg .from Major-General Hart, the impossible.' But the country round Reitzburg latter proceeding by rail to Rbenoster with the is extremely difficult, and the hills on both Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and a wing of the sides of the river furnish an effective screen Somersetshire Light Infantry. Sir Redvers to the movements of a mobile column. On the Bnller was then ordered to concentrate a 7th Angnst, it was reported that De Wet had Cavalry brigade, 1,000 Mounted Infantry, and succeeded in crossing the Vaal during the pre­ an Infantry Division, at Standerton, and to ceding night by De Wet’s Drift, and that he move as early as possible on Amersfort, and was marching rapidly northward. On the thence through Ermelo to Carolina, with a view 8th and 9th, Methuen engaged his rearguard, to his co-operating with the advance from having been joined on the latter day by the Middelburg along the Delagoa Bay Railway. Colonial Division, which had crossed by Scan­ He moved to Paardekop on the 2nd August, dinavia Drift. The 2nd and 3rd Cavalry and-reached Amersfort on the 7th, meeting with Brigades were at Lindeque Drift on Die 9th, some slight opposition- on the march. He with Ridley’s Mounted Infantry on the north crosse'd the Riet Spruit on the Ermelo Road- 1 - - on -the 9th, andJ occupied Ermelo-unopposed * 1st Bn. Oxfordshire Light Infantry, 3rd Bh. Royal ■ t\v6 da£s 'latter, -the enetey having -retreated tg Soots,' one Field' battery, two pompoms, and 250 Infantry.- 866 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901 bank of the river, and Hart’s column at Erom- creditable to Colonel Hore and the troops und^r ellenburg Spruit. Lord Kitchener’s advanced his command. troops co-operated with Lord Methuen’s force 30. After visiting Rustenbnrg, De Wet moved in the attack on De Wet’s rearguard, while eastward to the north of the Megaliesherg Srnirh-Dorrien moved from Prederickstad to Range. On the 17th Augast, he reached Wol- Welverdiend and Bank Stitions, the Shrop­ hnter’s Kop, 15 miles west of Commando Nek, shire Light -Infantry marching 43 miles in and thence sent a messenger to Baden-Powell 82 hours, and the rest of hiB troops 30 miles summoning him to surrender. On the 18th, Ian in 17 horns. As soon as I had ascertained Hamilton attacked from the south the detach­ that De Wet had entered the Transvaal, I ment which De Wet had left at Olifant’s Nek, ordered Ian Hamilton to march with his and carried the position with very si ight loss. column from Commando Nek to Heckpoort, Mahon’s mounted troops then pushed on in leaving Baden-Powell at the former place with pursuit, towards Roods Kopjes, while a force his mounted troops aitd the 1st Battalion uuder Paget, reinforced by Baden-Powell fiorn Border Regiment. On the 10th August, Lord Commando Nek, was ordered to march north Methuen reached Taaibosoh Spruit, Lord from Waterval along the Pietersbcrg Railway. Kitchener’s force occupied the Ghitsrand On the 19th, Mahon was engaged with the Range, south of the Potchefstroom—Krugers- enemy’s rearguard near Roode Kopjes, and the doi-p railway, and Smith-Dorrien headed back a next day Fan Hamilton crossed the Crocodile portion of the Boot1 commando which attempted River and pressed on in a north-easterly direc­ to cross the railway near Welverdiend Station. tion. Paget and Baden-Powell, who were Hearing that the enemy had turned westward, advancing north of Hamman’s Kraal, were Kitchener changed direction accordingly and opposed by Grobler’s commando on the 19th moved towards Tafel Kop, the two Cavalry ami 20th, but on the latter date they occupied Brigades and Ridley's Mounted Infantry cross­ Pienaar’s River Station, the enemy falling back ing the railway at Welverdiend on tho llt-h to Warm Baths Station. Lord Kitchener, with August. Hart followed the next day, while Ridley’s Mounted Infautry and Smith-Dori-ien’s Knox remained south of the Van! to watch the Brigade, reached Wolhuter’s Kop on the 20th drifts'in case of any of De Wet’s men breaking August, and Commando Nek on the 22nd, Lord back into the Orange River Colony. On the 12tb, Kitchener himself returning to Pretoria that Methuen again engaged the Boer ve.-rguard a ' afternoon. Three days later Ridley marched few miles east of Ycntersdorp, and captured a into Pretoria, being followed on the 27th gun. Lord Kitchener, with his monnted troops August by S ini oh - Dorrien. Broadwood’s and two Infantry battalions under Siulth- Cavulry Brigade went to Bank Station from Dorrien, was at Rietviei, 10 miles east of Lord Eland’s River to obtain supplies, and thence Methuen, followed by Hart’s column from proceeded to Pretoria, whei’e it arrived on the Welverdiend. On this date, one British Officer 30th August. On the 22nd August, Baden- and 60 men, who had been taken prisoners by De Powell occupied Warm Baths Station, near which he engaged the enemy, rescuing 100 Wet when he seized a train north of AngloBoerWar.comKrooustad, escaped from the enemy’s laager. On the 13tli British prisoners and capturing 25 Boers. He Lord Kitchener was at Schoolplaats, 8 miles east was followed by Iau Hamilton, who, passing of Yentersdorp, and Ian Hamilton had reached through Zwaartbooi’s Location, 10 miles west Blaanbank, 18 miles west of Krngersdorp. On of the railway, between Hamman’s Kraal and the 15th, Ian Hamilton reached Vlakfontein, Pienaar’s River Station, reached Warm Baths 15 miles south-west of Olifant’s Nek; Lord Station on the 2-1 th. On the way he captured Methuen, with 1,200 mounted troops, was at 13 Boers and a large number of cattle and Buffelshoek, 6 miles south of the Magato Pass, sheep. Paget also reached Warm Baths during his Infantry and baggage following him in rear. the night of the 24th. On this date, the enemy Lord Kitchener was at Leeuwfontein, JO miles broke up into several small parties in the north-east of Tafel Kop, and Broadwood at neighbourhood of Nylstroom, which was occu­ Tweefonteiu, 8 miles further west. During the pied by Baden-Powell by a flank march on the preceding night, however, De Wet had moved 26th August. A b it appeared that De Wet, unobserved to the north of Hamilton’s column, with a few of his followers, had left the and, crossing Olifant’s Nek, he made for Rus- commando which be had brought northward tenburg. across the Yaal, and was returning to tho Orange River Colony through the Potchef- 29.. On the 14th August, information had stroom district, and as the forces under Paget reached me that Lieutenant-Colonel Hore was and Baden-Powell were strong enough to deal still defending the post at Blands River, where with the Boers opposed to them op .the he .had been attacked 10 days before. Difficul­ Pietersburg Railway, I directed Ian. Hamilton ties with regard to supplies rendered it impos­ and Mahon to march back to Pretoria, their, sible to continue the pursuit of De Wet in a troops being needed on the Delagoa Bay line of northerly direction, and I, therefore, desired operations. I also withdrew that portion of Lord Kitohener to proceed to Elands River Clements’s Brigade which had been supporting with the 2nd Cavalry Brigade. Ridley’s Mounted Paget at Hamman’s Kraal, as I intended this Infantry, and Smith-Dorrien’s Infantry, and brigade, with Ridley’s Mounted Infantry, to act after relieving Hore to return to Pretoria, vitl as a flying column for the puipose of clearing Boschhoek, Rusteuburg, and Commando Nek. the country between Commando Nek and Lord Methuen’s column, with the 3rd Cavalry Krugersdorp. Brigade, was ordered to Zeerast, and thence to 31. Seeing no advantage in a further advance Mafekmg. Hart moved to Krugersdorp, and towards Pietersburg, I .desired Paget, op the Jan Hamilton- was instructed to orois Ouiant’s 27th August, to withdraw Raden-.Powell’s Nek- anti march back north of Megalicsberg to troops to. Warm Baths Station., Two days later Commando Nek. ' On the 16th August, the Commandant Grobler sent in to. Paget the.re- Elands .River garrison was relieved by Lord maining prisoners in his hands, 34 in all, Oa Kibokeaasv-its casualties being live men killed, the 31st, flamer, left Piep&ar’s River Station, sem i men died of wounds, and 36 nlen wounded. with a small flying column to clear the country The - gallant • -defence of-this post was m ost1 to--the east, and the next day he. engaged the THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901, 867

Cnemy, capturing 26 prisoners, 31 wagons, and days later the 11th Division, under Pole- 90 rifles. On the 1st September, he attacked Carew, was concentrated at Wonderfontein. the Boers near Rooikop, 25 miles east of Buller met with some opposition on the Pienaar’s River Station, securing: seven prison­ 2ord in the neighbourhood of Van Wyk’s Vlei, ers, 100 rifles, 40,000 rounds of ammunition, nnd towards evening two companies of the 1st 350 cattle,'and three wagons containing sup­ Battalion Liverpool Regiment entered by mis­ plies. On the 2nd September, he again came take a hollow, out of sight of the main body, into contact with a party of the enemy near where they came under a heavy fire, losing Warm Baths Station, seising a number of cattle 10 men killed, and one Officer and 45 men and sheep and a large amount of supplies. On wounded. The other casualties on this occa­ reaching Warm Baths Station, Plumer assumed sion were one man killed, and three Officers command of Baden-Powell’s troops, the latter and four men wounded. On the 24th August, Officer having proceeded on leave. On the 3rd I left Pretoria for Wonderfontein, and on the September, during an attack which the Boers 25th proceeded ‘ to Belfast, which had been made on a kopje held by our troops near Warm occupied the previous day by the 11th Division. Baths Station, Commandant Piet Cronje was Some opposition was encountered, onr casual­ killed and the enemy driven off with heavy ties amounting to one man killed, and one loss. On the 7th September, Paget fell back Officer and 14 men wounded.' As soon as I with his whole force to Pienaar’s River Station, arrived, it became apparent to me that we and thence marched in the direction of Hebron, were already in touch with a part of the Boer 16 miles north-w6st of Pretoria. He arrived main position. This position, as far as could there on the 14th, having captured on the way be ascertained, extended from the neighbour­ 10 prisoners and 2,000 head of cattle. hood of Swartz Kopjes on the north to Dal- 32. In paragraphs 7 to 10, I described manntha on the south, a distance of some Hunter’s operations in the Orange River Colony 20 miles, it was furnished with a numerous up to the 6th August. On the 10th August, artillery, including two 6-inch guns, and was Hunter* left Bethlehem for Kroonstad. He entrenched at various points of importance. reached Liudley the following day, and was My first idea was to hold the euemy in front then directed to move on Heilbron, so as to with the 11th Division, whilst Buller and guard against any attempt on the part of French turned their left from the south. On General Olivier, who was then in the vicinity consultation, however, with Geueral Buller, it of Frankfort, to effect a junction with Be Wet’s seemed that the ground was not favourable to commando at Roitzburg. Sending into Kroon­ a turning movement from this quarter, and I stad his sick and the cattle and sheep which therefore decided to contain the enemy’s front bad been captured in Brandwater Basin, Hun­ by the 18th Brigade and turn his right flank ter marched north and reached the Rhenoster with the Guards Brigade, assisted by General River on the 13th. On crossing the river nest French and Colonel Henry’s Mounted Infantry. morning, he found the enemy, 1,8(10 with sis With this object French moved, on the 26th, from Gclnk, 12 miles south of Belfast, and uns, under Generals Frohnemann and Olivier,AngloBoerWar.com olding a strong position across the road at passing to the west of the town reached Witpoort, 12 miles south of Heilbron. After Lakenvlei, 6 miles to its north on the evening an engagement, which lasted from 11 a.m. until of this day. Pole-Carew, with the 11th Divi­ 5 P.M., the position' was occupied by our troops, sion, endeavonred to advance along the Lyden- the enemy retiring to the north-east. Our burg road iu his support, but came under so casualties amounted to one Officer and three heavy a shell and rifle tire that be made but men killed, and one Officer and 40 men wounded. little progress. Boiler, whose Artillery was On the 15th August, Hunter entered Heilbron engaged throughout the day, pushed back the unopposed, and, on the 20th, Bruce Hamilton’s Boers, who were holding a series of strong Brigade arrived at Kroonstad. positions to the south-east of Belfast, to within 33. As soon as the troops engaged in the 4 miles .of the railway between that town and pursuit of De Wet became available for opera­ Dalmanutha. Our casualties on this date tions elsewhere, I redistributed the field army amounted to five men killed, and two Officers with the object, first, of advancing along the and 56 men wounded. On the 27th, French Delagoa Bay Railway to Komati Poort, and, advanced 8 miles further north, and drove secondly, of .forming flying columns to pursue the enemy from Swartz Kopjes.. From this au'd disperse the scattered- -Boer- commandoes position he threatened the enemy’s line of which were carrying on a guerilla warfare both retreat, although he oonld hardly yet be said in the Transvaal-and the Orange River Colony. to have turned their right flank. Meanwhile, As regards the first. objective, the military however, General Buller was able to take more situation was as follows —On 15th August, Sir decisive action at the other extremity of the Redvers Buller’s forcef reached Twyfelaar. Boer line of defence. At Bergendal, 3 miles French^ was in command at Middelbnrg. On south-east of Belfast, the Boers bad established the 18th August, the Mounted Infantry were a very strong position on a low rocky kopje, holding.the line stretchin'g'from Wonderfontein and in some farm buildings and plantations, to Doornkop; 12 miles north of Middelbnrg, which formed the key to that portion of tne main and French’s Cavalry was distributed between position. The kopje was heavily entrenched, Wonderfontein and Twyfelaar. On that date and was garrisoned by the Z.A.R. Police French rejoined his two Cavalry brigades. with a pompom. - The ground, which sloped . On' the 21st, Buller marched to Van Wyk’s gently away in all directions, afforded no cover. Vle'i,' 15 miles south-east of Belfast, and two Bailer attacked this post early in the day, and after some hard fighting it was carried very . -* Three battalions of the Highland Brigade, a wing gallantly by the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade, of the 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment, two companies of supported by the 1st Battalion Royal Innis- the Imperial Yeomanry, Lovat’s Scouts, one 5-inch gun, killing Fusiliers. The brunt of the action fell . andl4 Field guns. to the former battalion, which lost heavily, our f Lyttelton’s Division, and two -Cavalry Brigades, casualties being one Officer and 13 men killed, under Brocklehurst and Dundonald. J' lBt and - 4th Cavalry Brigades, Hutton*B. Mounted. and seven-Officers-and 57 men wounded. 19- Infantry, and the 11th Division.' - Boers were taken prisoners; 20 of their dead 868 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

■were found on the kopje, and their pompom Buller. Ian Hamilton reached Swartkopjes, ■was captured. The success of this attack was on the Dullstroom road, meeting with but decisive. It was carried out in view of the slight opposition. On the 4th, he entered main Boer position, and the effect of it was such Dullstroom—the enemy, with two guns, fight­ that the enemy gave way at all points, flying in ing a rearguard action, and disputing every confusion to the north and east. Next morning yard of the way—and on the same day con­ Buller was able to occupy Machadodorp almost tinued his march to Falmietfontein. During without opposition. On this day, the 28th, his march he was joined by Brocklehurst’s Dnndonald’s Cavalry pushed on to Helvetia, Cavalry Brigade from Buller’s column. On where they came into touch with the enemy’s the samo day, French occupied the bridge rearguard. French’s Cavalry and the 11th over the Komati Biver between Machadodorp Division moved due east to Elandsfontein, 8 and Carolina, while Mahon’s mounted troops miles west of Helvetia. On the 29th August, reached Wonderfoutein, and Cunningham’s leaving garrisons at Dalmanutha and Machado­ Brigade reached Balmoral. At Wonderfontein, dorp, Buller marohed to Helvetia and occupied the 76th Buttery Boyal Field Artillery and the Waterval Boven with his advanced troops. 1st Battalion Suffolk Begiment were placed Pole-Carew sent on three battalions to support under Mahon’s orders, aud he was directed to French, remaining himself with the rest^of the join French at Carolina on 6th September. On 11th Division near Helvetia. On the 30th, the 5th September, Ian Hamilton advanced French, supported by the Guards Brigade, about 12 miles to Wemershoek, whence, by a occupied Waterval Onder, while Buller reported night march, he occupied Zwagershoek with from Woltevreden that Nooitgedaebt bad been the Boyal Scots, thus securing 1 he debouchment vacated by the Boers, and that Ihc British through the defile into the Lydenburg Yalley, prisoners confined there were to be seen moving and threatening the right rear of the Boer along the road to Waterval Onder. By night­ position at Badfontein. The same day Buller fall the prisoners, numbering 1,800, and in­ demonstrated strongly against the enemy’s left cluding seven Officers, reached our camp at flank, the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Begiment Waterval Onder, and were subsequently and the 1st Battalion King’s Boyal Rifle Corps sent by rail to Pretoria. The remainder dragg’ng the guns of a Field battery up a steep of the officers had been removed to Bar­ hill, whence a heavy fire was brought to bear berton. The prisoners stated that Presi­ on the Boers. dent Kroger, ex-Presidenr. Stoyu, and Com­ 35. On the 6th, owing to the right flank of mandant-General Botha had left for Nelspruit their position having been turned, nnd to the on the 29th August. On the 31st August, pressure on their left flank, the Boers evacuated Buller fell back to Helvetia, preparatory to their stronghold at Badfontein, and fell back inarching on Lydenburg, Pole-Carew, with the through Lydenburg, some going to Kruger's 11th Division holding Waterval Onder, and Post, but the mojoiity with two 6-inch guns, Henry’s corps of Mounted Infantry occupying taking up another formidable position at Paar- Waterval Boven. French returned with the deplaats on the mountains overlooking the 1st and 4th Cavalry Brigades to Machadodorp,AngloBoerWar.com town, and 7 miles to tho east of it. On the whence I directed him to move, vA Carolina, same day, Dundonald'e mounted brigade aud on Barberton, there being no practicable road to the Cavalry attached to Ian Hamilton’s force the latter place, from the railway east of occnpied Lydenburg, Buller’s and Hamilton’s Machadodorp. Infautry halting 5 miles in real*. French In the meantime reinforcements had keen reached Carolina on this date, and he was moving up from the west. A brigade, under joined there by Mahon’s column, and the 2nd Smitb-Dorrien,* had been railed to Belfast Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry. Cun­ between the 26th and 29th August. Mahout ningham's Brigade airived at Pan Station, and marched from Pretoria on the 30th August. Hatton began to concentrate Alderson’s Corps He was followed the next day by Cunningham’s of Monnted Infantry from the line of communi­ Brigade. J cation preparatory to marching from Machado­ 34. On the 1st September, I issued a procla­dorp along the heights south of the railway mation annexing the Transvaal uuder the orders towards Tafelkop. On the 6th September, of Her Majesty’s Government. On this day Buller attacked the enemy at Paardeplaats, Buller moved from Helvetia to El&ndspruit on whence, with their 6-inch guns, they were the Crocodile Biver. Next morning his firing into the camp and town of Lydenburg. advance was opposed by the enemy, who The Boers held a precipitous ridge, 1,800 feet were holding a strong position at Badfontein, above the valley, horse shoe in shape and only and had with them three 6-inch guns. Buller easily approachable by paths which were com­ described the position as resembling Laing’s pletely commanded from the crest. One great Nek, and I agreed with him that it would be feature of the attack was the skill {with which wiser to defer his attack until I could send him the guns were pushed forward from point to assistance. Accordingly, on the 3rd September, point until they reached positions from which I despatched Ian Hamilton from Belfast§ to they silenced the enemy’s artillery, and greatly turn the right flank of Boer force in front of *§ subdued the ril’e lira. Another was the dash with which the Infantry pressed forward over * 20th Battery, Royal Field Artillery; Mounted In­ rocks and across ravines, and other apparently fantry of the City Imperial Volunteer#, 2nd Bn. West impracticable ground until they carried the Yorkshire Regiment, 1st Bn. Royal Scots, 1st Bn. Rojal ridge. A third was the simultaneous arrival of Irish Regiment, and 1st Bn. Gordon Highlanders. the right, left, and centre of the attack, namely, f “ i l ” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery; 3rd Corps of Mounted Infantry, Queensland Mounted Infantry, and the Boyal Scots, the Boyal Irish, and tho 1st New Zealand Mounted Rifles, 79th Company of Imperial Battalion Devonshire Begiment in the enemy’s Yeomanry, Imperial Light Horse, and Lumsden’s Horse. position. The Boers lost considerably, bnt J “ D ” Field Battery, Canadian Artillery; Elswick theii retreat was concealed by heavy mist. Battery, 1st Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers, 2nd Bn. Our casualties amounted to 13 killed and 25 Berkshire Regiment, 2nd Bn. Shropshire Light Infantry, and 1st Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. wounded, three of the former and 16 of the § 10 Field g ics, Royal Soots, Royal Irish, and Gordon latter belonging to the Volunteer Company ol' Highlan lers. the Gordon Highlanders, which came under THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 869 shrapnel fire at a distance of nearly 7 miles containing supplies were also captured. The from the enemy’s gnns. In this action Buller bridges at this point and at Poort City Station reported that Ian Hamilton rendered valuable had been blown up by the enemy, but steps were assistance, and praised the excellent leading of at once taken (to repair them. Ian Hamilton’s Major-General Smitb-Dorrien and Brigadier- column followed in support of Pole-Carew’s General F. W. Kitchener. The next day force. Buller occupied Manchberg, the enemy being 38. The Boers, who retreated to Komati dislodged by the 1st Battalion King’s Royal Poort as we advanced from Machadodorp, were Rifle Corps, snpported by Artillery fire. about 3,000 strong, and out of this number it 36. On the 10th September, French crossed was ascertained that 700 had crossed the Portu­ the Komati River at Hlomohlom unopposed, guese frontier; others dispersed in various and made for the high ground near Deerdekop, directions, and the balance were reported to be which he reached after some fighting the next occupying spurs of the Lebombo Monntain, day. Hutton was on the hills south of the south of the railway between Portuguese terri­ railway, protecting the right of the 11th Divi­ tory and the bridge over the Komati River. On sion at Nooitgedacht. Buller occupied the the 21st September I returned from Nelspruit junction of the roads from the eaBt and south to Pretoria. The same day 80 Burghers sur­ near Spitzkop on the 11th September, the rendered to Sir Redvers Bnlller at Spitzkop, enemy retiring, some to Nolspruit and some while a detachment of the Imperial Light to the north aoross the Sabie River. 300,000 lbs. Horse proceeding from French Bob to Kaap­ of Boer supplies, mainly rice, sugar, flour, and muiden captured 20 prisoners and 200 rifleB, cofEee, and 300 boxes of small-arm ammu­ with a quantity of the enemy’s ammunition. nition were captured by Buller at Spitzkop. On the 26th September Buller occupied the Ian Hamilton’s column, after leaving Buller, Mac-Mac River and eastern side of Burgher’s returned to Helvetia on the 12th, and moved Pass. The latter is a very awkward defile, but the next day to Waterval Onder, where it the opposition was slight. On the 27th Sep­ replaced the 11th Division, which advanced tember he entered Pilgrim’s Rest without any unopposed to Godwaan. The enemy had been casualties. On the 28th, by a well-executed holding a strong position commanding Godwaan night march, a force under Colonel Byng for some days, but they fell back to Nelspruit obliged the enemy to retire hurriedly from as soon as they found their line of retreat Pilgrim’s Hill. The 29th was spent in getting threatened by Hutton’s occupation of Kaapsche the transport up this exceedingly difficult Hoop. On the 12th September, the news ascent, which for a distance of 2J miles has reached me that, after resigning the Presidency an average gradient of 10 degrees. The troops to Mr. Schalk Burger, Mr. Kruger had left the worked admirably, and dragged up the guns Transvaal and arrived at Lourenfo Marques the and wagons by hand. On the 30th Kruger’s previous evening, and that Commandant-Gene­ Post was reached, and toueh regained with the ral L. Botha had been obliged on account of Lydenburg garrison. The Boers who had beon illness to hand over his command to General holding Kruger’s Post withdrew to the Water- Viljoen. On the 13th September, FrenchAngloBoerWar.com val Valley, and so evaded our troops. On the entered Barberton with his Cavalry, which he 2nd October Buller returned to Lydonburg. took across the mountains, thus completley sur­ The results of this march were that the enemy prising the enemy. 82 British prisoners, in­ were divided into three columns, the largest of cluding 23 Officers, who had been removed to which went north to the Limpopo. The inten­ Barberton from Nooitgedacht, were released, tion of concentrating at Spitzkop was also and 43 locomotives, with a considerable amount frustrated. During the march 109 Burghers of rolling stock, were found in the railway surrendered or were taken prisoners, 600 head station. Over 100 Boers were made prisoners. of cattle, 4,000 sheep, and 150 wagon loads of In the town French secured three weeks’ food snpplies were captured, and large quantities of and one week’s forage for his column, and he ammunition fell into our hands. seized many Mauser rifles and a quantity of On the 24th September Pole-Carew, with the ammunition, 50 wagons, and a large number of Guards Brigade and Henry’s Mounted Infantry, sheep and cattle. General Schoemann was entered Komati Poort, where he found the rail­ found in the Barberton Jail, having been im­ way bridge uninjured. Nearly 1,500 trucks, as prisoned by the Boers on account of his refusal well as 3(1 locomotives, including two cog-wheel to break his parole. Owing to the difficulty of engines, were recovered on the main line and getting his transport through the pass leading Selati branch line, while a considerable amount into the valley, the remainder of French’s force of rolling stock and of food supplies had been did not reach Barberton until the 14th Sep­ burnt. South of the railway bridge the Boers tember. had left several truck-loads of gun and rifle 37. On this day, the 11th Division marched ammunition, as well as a 6-inch Creusot gun, to Kaapsche Hoop, and Ian Hamilton’s column which had, however, been destroyed. On this to Nooitgedacht. On the 15th September, date, Ian Hamilton's column reached Hector- Pole-Care w, with the Guards Brigade and spruit. In the Crocodile River were discovered Colonel Henry’s Corps of Mounted Infantry, a number of Field guns, which had been de­ moved towards Kaapmuiden, and the 18th stroyed with dynamite, amoDg them two Brigade, under Colonel Stephenson, towards 12-pounders belonging to “ Q ” Battery, Royal Nelspruit. Ian Hamilton’s column reached Horse Artillery. On the 26th, Ian Hamilton Godwaan Station, to which place Hutton’s joined Pole-Carew at Komati Poort, between Mounted Infantry had returned for supplies. which place and Pretoria railway communica­ Nelspruit was occupied by Stephenson’s Brigade tion was this day restored. The line to Lou- on the 17th, while French’s advance Cavalry ren^o Marques was also open, supplies of food captured 50 locomotives at Avoca Station, Ian being sent up therefrom. On the 28th Septem­ Hamilton’s column being one march in the rear. ber, the Guards Brigade began to return by rail On the 19th, Henry’s Mounted Infantry and the to Pretoria, where the whole brigade was con­ Guards Brigade entered Kaapmuiden, where 19 centrated on the 4th October. It was followed locomotives were found in the railway station, by two 5-inch guns, two naval 12-pounders, the all of them in a damaged condition. 114 tracks 85th Battery, Royal Field Artillery; Colonel No 27282. F 870 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRTrARlf 8, 1901.

Henry’s Corps of Mounted Infantry, and the loss, our own casualties being two meu killed West Australian Mounted Infantry. and 14 wounded. On Ihe 12th September 39. I have already mentioned that, concur­ Delarey fell back on Rustenburg through rently with the advance along the Delagoa Bay Oliphant's Nek. railway, I organized flying columns for the pur­ On the 29th August, Lieutenaut-Colonel pose of pursuing and dispersing the enemy’s Bradley, Commanding the '2nd Battalion commandoes which were carrying on a desul­ North Staffordshire Regiment, attacked and tory warfare north and south of the Yaal. In dispersed a body of the enemy at Modderfon- addition to the force operating north of Pretoria, tein, 25 miles south of Krugersdorp, aud two under Paget, whose inarch to Warm Baths days later Hart drove off a Boer detachment Station and thence to Hebron, has been de­ which was attempting to destroy the main of scribed in paragraphs 30 and 31, a column under the Johannesburg waterworks, 10 miles south­ Clements9 was formed at Commando Nek. The west of the town. Prom the 4th September to duty assigned to this colnmn was to bring under the 7th September, he pursued small parties of control the Rustenburg and Heckpoort districts, the enemy to the south-west of Krugersdorp, and to clear the country of marauders between Commandant Theron being among the killed in Krugersdorp and Johannesburg. Another one of the skirmishes which took place. Ou column under Hart was concentrated at Kru- the 11th September, Hart occupied Potchef­ gersdorp.f The area allotted to this force stroom by a forced march, his mounted troops stretched from the Yaal to Krugersdorp, in­ having covered 45 miles, and his Infantry cluding Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom, and Yen- 35 miles, without halting for more than a few tersdorp. A third column nnder Lord Methuen hours. The Boers were completely taken by had its head-quarters at Mafeking.J Its sphere surprise and suffered heavy loss, onr only of action was the Lichtenburg district as far casualty being one Officer killed. On the 30th cast as Tafel Kop and Rustenburg, and thence September, after an absence of 33 days, up to the left bank of Crocodile River below its General Hart returned to Krugersdorp. During junction with Elands River. that time he had marched 310 miles, and had In the north-east angle of the Orange River been almost constantly in tonch with the Colony, Rundle in command of the 8th Division enemy. The Boers suffered considerably in the formed two columns, one under Boyes§ based on succession of skirmishes. 96 prisoners were Yrede, and the other under Campbell[| based taken, and his column captured 2,720 head of On Harrismith. In the centre of the colony, cattle, 3,281 sheep, 129 horses, pouies, and and east of the railway, Hunter had under Lis mules; 67 wagons and carts, and large quanti­ orders Macdonald’s column^ based on Heilbron, ties of supplies. Our casualties were not aud Bruce Hamilton’s9'1’ column based on heavy, namely, three killed, 24 wounded, and Kroonstad. A third columnff under Majoi*- three missing. Geueral C. E. Knox was also based on Kroon­ 41. To the west of the Transvaal, Carrington stad for operations between that town and the engaged the Lichtenburg Commando near Otto- shcop on the 20th and 21st August. Lord Vaal. AngloBoerWar.com 40. As regards the operations of the columns Methuen reached Zeerust on the 22nd and in the Transvaal, there is not much that calls Ottoshoop on the 25th. Thence he marched for special mention. Clements moved west with his own and Carrington’s colnmns to from Commando Nek into the Hekpoort dis­ Mafeking, arriving there on the 28th. On the trict and encountered the enemy under Delarey latter date, as Carrington’s services were re­ on the 9th September at Hartebeestfontein, his quired in Rhodesia, I directed him to proceed Mounted Infantry clearing the Witwatersberg with his staff to Salisbury, and placed Major- Range. The next day he again engaged the General C. W. H. Douglas in command of Boer commando, which suffered considerable *§ Mafeking and the adjacent district. Lord Methnen’s flying column was in readiness to move on the 7th September. He proposed first The 8th Battery, Royal Field Artillery; 2nd Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd Bn. 'Worcestershire Regi­ to clear the country round Jacobsdal and ment, 1st Bn. Border Regiment, 2nd Bn. Torkshire Light Zeerust, and afterwards to march south towards Infantry, and 900 mounted troops, under Brigadier- General Sohweizer-Reneke, on Hart’s River, the garri­ Ridley. son at that place being threatened by a local f The 28th Battery, Royal Field Artillery; 2nd Bn. rising of the inhabitants of the Bloetnhof dis­ South Wales Bordorers, 2nd Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers, a wing of the 2nd Bn. Somersetshire Light Infantry, 400 trict. A second small column was placed at Yeomanry, and one 4'7-inch naval gun. Douglas’s disposal for operations in the Lichten­ t The 4th Battery Royal Field Artillery; four guns burg district, and a garrison was detailed for of the 88th Battery, Royal Field Artillery; a section of Mafeking consisting of 400 mounted troops and the 87th Howitzer Battery, New Zealand Battery, six 800 Infantry with four Field guns. On the pompoms, four battalions of Imperial Yeomanry, under Lord Obesham; Australian Bushmen, 1st Bn. Northum­ 9th September, Lord Methuen moved on a berland Fusiliers, 1st Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Regi­ laager under Commandant Yermaas at Melopo ment, and 2nd Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment. Oog, 10 miles south-east of Ottoshoop, aud com­ § The 11th Battalion of Imperial Yeomanry, 1st Bn. pletely dispersed the Boers, taking 30 of them South Staffordshire Regiment, 2nd Bn. Royal West Kent prisoners and seizing 22 wagons and 40,000 Regiment, 2nd Bn. Manchester Regiment, and seven Field guns. rounds of rifle ammunition. On the 11th Sep­ || Three companies of Imperial Yeomanry, Driscoll’s tember, Douglas was attacked on the road from Scouts, 2nd Bn. Grenadier Guards, 2nd Bn. Scots Guards, Ottoshoop to Lichtenburg, but drove off the 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regiment, with six Field guns and enemy, capturing a large quantity of grain and one 5-inch gun. other stores. He was again engaged the follow­ II The 2nd Bn. Black Watch, 2nd Bn. Seaforth High­ landers, 1st Bn. Highland Light Infantry, with 900 men ing day, when 39 prisoners, 10 wagons, and a and 12 Field guns, one 5-inch gun, and one pompom. considerable number of sheep and oxen fell into The 76tn Battery, Royal Field Artillery; 2nd Bn. his hands. Bedfordshire Regiment, 1st Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment, On the morning of the 19th, Lord Methuen, 1st Bn. Cameron Highlanders, with 700 mounted men, while marohiug from Jachskraal towards under Lieutenant-Colonel Ross. ft The 17th Battery Royal Field Artillery; 800 Schweizer-Reneke, heard of a Boer convoy Imperial Yeomanry, and Mounted Infantry, 1st Bn. moving in his vicinity. He pursued and dis­ Oxfordshire Light Infantry, and 3rd Bn. Royal Scots. persed it, capturing a 15-pr. gun which had THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 871 been lost atColenso by the 14th Battery, Royal activity in several directions, but their attempts Field Artillery, 28 prisoners, 26 "wagons, 8,000 failed, owing to the promptitude with which cattle, 4,000 sheep, some rifles, and 20,000 rounds troops were concentrated at the points of attack. of ammunition. Next day he continued his march On the 22nd August Bundle reported that the and reached Rietpan, 45 miles north-east of Imperial Yeomanry patrols which he had sent Yryburg Railway Station, where 634 cattle and to Brandwater Basin had brought in 17 rifles, 3,000 sheep fell into his hands. On the 28th 140,000 rounds of Mauser ammunition, 12 shells, September, Methuen was twice engaged with and 200 lbs. of dynamite ; while nearly 700 Boers Lemmer’s force, consisting of 500 men, one gun had surrendered in the Harrismith and Vrede and one pompon. The Boers had seven killed districts. On the 24th August it was reported and 14 of them taken prisoners. Oar casualties from Winburg that Lieutenant-Colonel H. M. were two killed and three wounded. On the Ridley, Imperial Yeomanry, while reconnoi­ 22nd, Brigadier-General Settle, with a column tring 9 miles north-cast of that place with 250 from Vryburg, entered Schweizer-Reneke un­ mounted troops and a few infantry, had been opposed, and Lord Methuen began to move surrounded by a Boer commando, 1,000 strong north with a view to clearing the Rustenburg with two guns. I therefore directed Hunter to district from the west. On the 23rd September, despatch by rail 200 Mounted Infantry, one and General Broadwood, with the 2nd Cavalry Bri­ a half battalions of Infantry, and eight Field gade, and a battalion composed of Infantry guns under Bruce Hamilton, to Winburg, and a details from Johannesburg, under Lieutenant- half battalion with 4 guns to Ventersburg Road Colonel C. E. Bradley, North Staffordshire Station, to co-operate thence with a small Regiment, left Pretoria for Commando Nek, to column under Lientenant-Colonel W. L. White, he followed later on by the 75th Battery, Royal R.A., which Lieutenant-General Kelly-Kenny Field Artillery, a section of Elswick Battery, had sent to Ventersburg. Ridley’s party was the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, relieved and the enemy driven off on the 25th and the 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland August, the casualties on our side amounting to Highlanders, under Brigadier-General Cunning­ one man killed, one Officer wounded, and five ham, these troops having been withdrawn from men missing. On the 27th a Boer force 1,400 the Delagoa Bay line. The above force, in con­ strong, under Olivier, attacked Winburg. It junction with Clements’s column was intended was repulsed by Bruce Hamilton, 29 prisoners to operate in the Rustenburg district from the being taken, including Olivier and his three east. Bi'oadwood also arrived at Rastenburg sons, who were captured by a small detachment on the 26th, having on the way met with slight of the Queenstown Rifle Volunteers. The opposition from a Boer force consisting of 300 enemy then moved south-east with a view to men, one pompom, and two Maxims under attacking Ladybrand and Thabanchu. Kelly- Steenkamp. He had no casualties, aud cap­ Kenny accordingly railed Lieutenant-Colonel tured two wagons. Cunningham reached White’s column from Ventersburg Road Station Elandskraal, half-way between Commando Nek to Bloemfontein on the 28th August, and sent it and Rustenburg on the 28th. BetweenAngloBoerWar.com this thence to the Waterworks ontbeModder River. date and the 4th October, Broadwood, Clements, Bruce Hamilton’s Brigade, with Le Gallais’ and Ridley were engaged in clearing the country Mounted Infantry, was also railed during the in the neighbourhood of Rustenberg, while three following days to Bloemfontein from Cunningham occupied the town. They captured Kroonstad and Winburg, while MacDonald’s 29 wagons, some rifles, and 10,000 rounds of column proceeded from Heilbron to Winburg. small-arm ammunition. No casualties. The Ladybrand garrison, consisting of 43 men 42. The force under Paget, as mentioned in of the Wiltshire Imperial Yeomanry, and one paragraphs 30 and 31, arrived at Hebron on the company of the 1st Battalion Worcestershire 14th September. Thence it moved east to Regiment, under the command of Major F. Waterval in order to disperse a commando White, R.M.L.I., District Commissioner, was under Erasmus, which was advancing towards surrounded on the 2nd September by a Boer Pretoria from Nylstroom direction. On the force 3,000 strong, with nine field guns and two 23rd September a party of Boers from this machine guns. Lieutenant-Colonel White, R.A., commando attacked Elands River Station on occupied Thabanchu on the 1st September, and the Delagoa Bay Railway and did some slight the next day he was joined by Bruce Hamilton damage, bnt waB driven off by the garrison. with a column of 2,000 men, supported by Le Gal­ Meanwhile Erasmus’s camp was surprised by lais with his mounted troops and the2ndBattalion Paget, who during the preceding night had Royal Irish Rifles from the Bloemfontein made a forced march with the 1st Battalion garrison. Ladybrand was relieved by Bruce West Riding Regiment, two companies of the Hamilton on the morning of the 5th; and 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, two com­ although the Boers had brought a heavy panies of the 1st Battalion Royal Munster artillery fire to bear on the entrenchments, Fusiliers, the City Imperial Volunteer Battery, our casualties were only one Officer and four and two 5-inch guns. The camp was captured, men wounded. The enemy had withdrawn together with 12 prisoners, 2,500 cattle, 6,000 north-westward the previous night in the sheep, 50 horses, and some rifles and ammuni­ Allandale direction. Bruce Hamilton’s Infantry tion. The commando was simultaneously en­ marched 80 miles in 4|- days to effect this relief. gaged by Plumer’s Bushmen, who took 11 Meanwhile, Bundle, with Boyes’ column was prisoners, 750 cattle, and 1,600 sheep. Four marching towards Bethlehem, which he reached days later the portion of Paget’s force at on the 11th September, and Campbell’s column Pienaar’s River Station, under the command of passed through FickBburg on its way to Trom­ Colonel L. Chapman, was attacked on two sides, mel on the 7th September. On the latter date the enemy being able to come up close, under Bruce Hamilton was ordered to move to the eover of the thick bush. They were beaten off Leeuw River Mills, taking with him the after three hours’ fighting, and were followed Ladybrand garrison, and Macdonald’s column np by the Bushmen. Our casualties were one arrived at Winburg. The object of these Bushman killed and one wounded, also three movements was to defeat and disperse the Munster Fusiliers taken prisoners. Commandoes which had retired to the hills 43. South of the Vaal th e . enemy showed near Korannaberg and Dpornberg. On the F 2 872 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

12th September a party of Boers belonging to the inhabitants. Major Wright, the District the Commando which had attacked Ladybrand commissioner, was also forced to withdraw appeared near Brandfort, with thein tention of together with his police into Basutoland. The damaging the railway. Kelly-Kenny reinforced Boers are reported to have treated the residents the posts between Bloemfontein and Smaldeel, with civility, but they helped themselves and communicated with MacDonald, who the liberally to money from the bank, and also next morning crossed to the south of the Vet commaudeered clothing and supplies to a con­ River on the road from Winburg to Bloemfon­ siderable extent. The occurrence was unfortn- tein, and engaged the enemy 8 miles west of nate, but it has not hitherto been found possible Tafel Kop, driving them across the river and to garrison every place which it might be pnrsuing them to the north of the Winburg— advantageous to occupy, with troops. As soon Smaldeel railway. The Boers retired in great as I heard of this raid I issued orders for Lady- confusion, seven prisoners, 31 wagons, 270 trek brand, Wepener, and Dewetsdorp to be occupied oxen, and a large quantity of supplies, ammuni­ by detachments from the Highland Brigade, tion and dynamite falling into our hands. which had been sent down by rail from Kroon­ Lovat's Scouts especially distinguished them­ stad to Bloemfontein. selves during the pursuit. 47. Ou the 30th September, Hildyard held On the 18th September, Rundle attacked a Wakkerstroom and Utrecht, 150 of the com­ party of Boers near Bronkhoratspruit, 20 miles mando from the latter place having sur­ west of Senekal, capturing one gun and 30 rendered. wagons, while C. Knox successfully engaged I am, &c., the enemy at Klompie Dooms between Senekal ROBERTS, Field-Marshal. and Kroonstad. 44. It may be here mentioned that, in view of No. 9. De Wet’s return from the Transvaal to the From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts to the Secre­ district between Heilbron and Reitzburg, And tary of State for War. the possibility of his collecting a fresh com­ Head-quarters of the Army in South Africa, mando in that direction, I thought it desirable Johannesburg, 15th November, 1900. to concentrate a strong mounted force at Kroon­ (Despatched 3rd January, 1901.) stad and on the Rhenoster River. The Colonial Sir , Division, which had been attached to Lord In continuation of my despatch, dated 10th Methuen’s column during the pursuit of De October, 1900,1 have the honour to submit, for Wet, was accordingly ordered to march from the information of Her Majesty's Government, Zeernst to Elandsfontein, vift Krugersdorp. It an account of the military operations in the left Zeerust on the 25th August, being joined Orange River Colony and the Transvaal, from by the 3rd Cavalry Brigade under Colonel the 4th October to the present date. Little. The same day Colonel Little was 2. With the cccupation of Komati Pcort, and wounded near Jacobsdal, and the command of the dispersal of Commandant General Louis the combined force devolved on ColonelAngloBoerWar.com Dal- Botha’s army, the organised resistance of the gety. Between Zeernst and Krugersdorp con­ two Republics may be said to have ceased, but siderable opposition was met with, the casualties there still remained much for the Army in South in the Colonial Division being 10 men killed Africa to do before the country could be said to and five Officers and 20 men wounded ; and in be completely conquered. Certain Boer leaders, the 3rd Cavalry Brigade one man killed, and notably De Wet, Delarey, and others of lesser one Officer and six men wounded. On reaching importance had, and have still to l>e dealt with, Elandsfontein, the Colonial Division proceeded and the guerilla warfare carried on by them put on the 14th September to Rhenoster, a portion a stop to. of it through Heidelberg, and the remainder 3. To meet this state of affairs the Army had along the railway. The 3rd Cavalry Brigade, to be broken up into smaller columns than had under Colonel Porter, who by this time had hitherto been found advantageous, and the replaced Colonel Little, was railed to Kroon­ mobility of each column had to be increased. stad ; while De Lisle's Corps of Mounted In­ Great difficulty was, however, experienced in fantry was withdrawn from Clements’s column carrying out these necessary changes, owing to and moved by rail on the 17th September to the time having arrived for the withdrawal of Rhenoster, where it was joined by 250 men of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, the Royal Kitchener’s Horse from Kroonstad. Canadian Regiment, the three batteries of 45. The Boers broke np in small parties from Canadian Artillery, and the greater part of the the hills near Doornberg without giving our first contingents furnished by Australia, New troops any further ohance of attacking them, Zealand, and Tasmania, and allowing the members and as it seemed likely that they would re­ of the several South African corps to return to assemble in the Heilbron and Eranklort dis­ their homes and employments after having been tricts, Hunter made a fresh disposition of the embodied for twelve months. four columns nnder his command. On the It was impossible to disregard the urgent 22nd September he ordered the force under reasons given by our Colonial comrades for not MacDonald to march to Kaalfontein, ou the being able to remain longer at the seat of war. Valsch River. Bruce Hamilton and Boyes were They had done admirable service and shown to converge on Lindley from Senekal and themselves well fitted to take their places by the Bethlehem; and Campbell, who had returned to side of Her Majesty’s Regular troops, and I the latter place, was directed to proceed to the witnessed their departure with deep regret, not vicinity of Reitz. These movements were com­ only on account of their many soldierly qualities, pleted by the 25th September. but because it materially impaired ihe mobility 46. On the 29th September, the quietude of and efficiency of the Army in South Africa for the Orange River Colony was disturbed by a the time being, a very critical time, too, until small party of Boers, probably numbering less indeed a fresh body of Mounted Infantry could than 200, and without guns, who moved upon be formed from the nearest available Line Wepener. About 30 or 40 of the enemy battalions, and the several South African local entered the town at 6 a.m. upon that date, and corps could be again recruited up to their caused a considerable amount of panic amongst original strength. THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 873

4. At this particular period the scattered prisoners. Delarey was on his flank during the bodies of Boers became more than usually active. whole march, but, refused to fight On the Commandant-General Botha, who had relinquished 16th October Methueu surprised Lemmer, who his command, ostensibly on account of ill-health, retired with some casualties, leaving two dead after his burghers were defeated at Bergen dal, Boers on the ground. Methuen’s casualties resumed his position, and was joined by Ex- during this march were six men killed and ten President Steyn, who has been indefatigable in wounded. his efforts to encourage his countrymen and the 7. On the 24th October, Methuen’s column Transvaalers to maintain the struggle by de­ from Buffelshoek (284) was joined by Douglas's ceiving them with false accounts of success on Brigade from Zeerust and engaged the Boer their part, and defeat on ours. commandos, about 600 strong, under Lemmer, 5. The presence of Botha and Steyn in the near Kaffir Kraal (214). These commandos Waterberg District necessitated our taking were dispersed, leaving six dead and four action in that direction, and during the first wounded on the field, while many wounded two weeks of October, Major-General Paget’s Boeis were seen to be carried off. The Yeomanry, mobile columns* were employed clearing the under Lord Erroll, on this occasion showed great country from the Pretoria—Bronkhurst Spruit dash, and we succeeded in capturing 28 prisoners, railway, as far north as a line joining Pienaar’s 180,000 rounds of ammunition, 21 wagons with Railway Station with the junction of the Wilge supplies, and a quantity of l;ve stock. Our and Olifants rivers. This was accomplished casualties were six men severely wounded, two with very little fighling. Paget’s troops cap­ slightly, and one man missing. tured 150 prisoners, 200 rifles, 50 wagons, and 8. Large as the force appears to bo in South 12,000 sheep, and the Boers retired into the Africa, it has proved all too small for the duties bush veldt to the north-east. it has been required to perform, and I have not During the latter half of the month Paget’s found it practicable to occupy in sufficient columns^ traversed the country to the west of strength the many places it would have been Pretoria—Pietersburg line, with the two-fold advantageous to have held. Every garrison object of clearing the country of scattered bands thus isolated not only reduces the power and of the enemy, and of preventing Louis Botha mobility of the several columns in the field, but from moving west of the Megaliesberg and necessitates the withdrawal of these columns Pilandsberg. In these operations Pagot, in con­ from other important duties to periodically junction with the troops in the Rustenburg escort convoys of supplies for its use. Lately, valley, was successful, Louis Botha’s force did however, since it has not been necessary to have not get beyond Ramakok’s Kraal (307), just such large columns in the field, I have been able west of the junction of the Apies and Crocodile to do more in this way, and, on the 26th October, rivers, though he himself was reported to have I arranged for the permanent occupation of accompanied Steyn in his journey south as far as Zeerust, much to the satisfaction of themajoiity Steenbokfontein (570), about 45 miles west of of the inhabitants of the Marica district, whose Ru3tenburg. Our efforts were then directedAngloBoerWar.com sympathies are more British than Dutch. towards preventing ex-President Steyn from Methuen was accordingly directed to leave at returning south to rejoin De Wet, but in this we Zeerust four companies of Infantry, 100 were not successful. He evaded our columns mounted men, and two guns, the whole to be with a small following, and succeeded in joining securely entrenched and provisioned for 60 days; De Wet, being present, as mentioned later, at the and to place himself with the remainder of his force commencement of the engagement near Botha- (except Douglas’s Brigade) west of Ottoshoop to ville on the 6th November. prevent Botha from moving to the west of the Paget’s force reached Rustenburg on the Mafeking-Kimberley railway, as there were 31st October, and on the 1st November he had very persistent rumours that his intention was an engagement to the south-west of Magato to invade the Kenhardt district in the hope of Pass, when Plumer’s mounted troops drove the obtaining recruits, supplies, aod horses from the Boers from two strong positions over some disloyal inhabitants of Cape Colony. I ordered difficult country. The Yorkshire and Warwick­ Douglas’s Brigade* to Klerksdorp, partly in view shire Yeomanry, under Colonel Howard, carried of reoccupying that place, and partly to assist in one position by assault, and the 3rd Imperial some operations I had directed Lieut.-General Bushmen, under Major V-ialls, turned another French to undertake in the valley of the Vaal. position, which caused the enemy to retreat Douglas marched to Mababstad on the 1st No­ precipitately. Unfortunately rain had made the vember, and on the 11th he reached Ventersdorp roads too heavy for the infantry and heavy guns after a 27 miles’ march across a waterless desert to arrive in time to take part in the engagement. from Tafelkop, arriving at Klerksdorp on the Our casualties were one man killed and two 16th. After leaving Zeerust, Douglas was fre­ wounded. The enemy’s losses are unknown, but quently engaged. His own casualties were few, six prisoners were left in our hands. while he succeeded in capturing 29 prisoners, 6. In the Western Transvaal the mobile 4,700 head of cattle, 11,200 sheep, 90 horse3 and columns, underLieutenant-General Lord Methuen, mules, 13S wagons and carts, and large quanti­ performed good work, clearing the country ties of supplies. between Rustenburg and Zeerust. Leaving 9. Further to the south and west, in the Rustenburg in two columns on the 9th and 10th country extending from Modder River to Vry- October, Methuen reached Zeerust on the 20th bnrg and Schweizer Reneke, the operations were after a very trying march through broken country entrusted to Major-General Settle, who left covered with dense bush, and having captured Christiana on the 13th October with 600 mounted on the way a large number of wagons and men, 10 guns, and 1,350 Infantry. He occupied Bloemhof cn the 14th, having captured 1,000 * Paget’s Command.—Fltuner’s force, 1st ltn. West Biding Begiment, two companies 1st Bn. Boyal Munster head of cattle, 12,000 sheep, and 80 horses Fusiliers, two 5-inch guns, City Imperial Volunteers Battery. * It consisted of Grey’s Mounted Brigade (strength— ’ f Paget’s command.—Plumer’s force,the Scots Guards, 68 Officers, 764 other ranks), two sections 88th Battery, four companies 1st Bn. Boyal Munster Fusiliers, two Boyal Field Artillery ; four pom-poms, head-quarters 5-inch guns, 7th Battery, Boyal Field Artillery j section and two companies 1st Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Begi­ 38th Battery, Boyal Field Artillery, ment, 2nd Bn. Northamptonshire Begiment, 874 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. belonging to burghers who had violated their 12. Meanwhile, De Lisle’s Mounted Infantry, oaths of neutrality, and he secured 50 prisoners. with the remnant of the Colonial Division, had On arriving at Hoopstad on the 17th October, I been watching De Wet in the neighbourhood of instructed him to co-operate with Hunter by Rdtzburg, and after three days’ fighting had marching on Bothaville. Hunter, who was then driven him north of the Vaal near Venterskroon, near Kopje Alleen, about 14 miles north-west of but De Lisle’s litt’e column was not strong Ventersburg Road Station, had received informa­ enough to follow him up, and as it seemed tion that 1,600 Boers were moving from the likely that he would make an attempt again to south-east on Bothaville, and was following them damage the Krngersdorp-Potcbefstroom railway, up with half the 1st Bn. Sussex Regiment and I directed Barton to proceed on the 9th Octoberto half of the 1st Bn. Cameron Highlanders, of the pass over the Gatsrand at Buffelsdoorns (578). Brace Hamilton’s Brigade, Rimington's and Barton reached Banks Station on the 11th, and Le Gallais’ mounted troops, and the 3rd Cavalry Wolverdriend on the 13th October, and on the Brigade (Porter’s). Hunter reached Bothaville 15th he came in contact with De Wet’s force, on the 20th October, and sent the 3rd Cavalry said to consist of four guns and 1,800 men, all Brigade to Commando Drift to reconnoitre that well mounted, every man having two, and some crossing of the Vaal and to communicate with three, horses. A fight took place at Buffels- Settle. dooms, where the Scottish Yeomanry, under Sir 10. Meanwhile Settle was attacked on the James Miller, and the 1st Bn. Royal Welsh night of the 19th October at Elizabeth’s Rust. Fusiliers, behaved with great gallantry. Six After a sharp little engagement, lasting 45 dead Boers were left on tile ground, and a large minutes, the Boers retreated to the north bank quantity of small-arm ammunition was captured. of the Vaal. Our casualties were one Officer and On the 18th October, Lieuti-Colonel Wools 15 men wounded. On the 21st October, the Srd Sampson, with the Imperial Light Horse, joined Cavalry Brigade met Settle’s advanced troops Barton at Frederikstad, and on the 20th the under Colonel Sir Charles Parsons, as neither camp was attacked and an engagement ensued. force had seen anything of the Boers, Settle The 2nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers had one retraced his steps on the 22ud to Hoopstad, and Officer and one man killed, and the Imperial Hunter reached Kroonstad on the 26th October. Light Horse 12 men wounded. On the 23rd October, whilst on his way to Hoop­ On the 22nd October, I ordered the 1st Bn. stad, Settle was closely engaged by a Boer force, Essex Regiment and some 550 mounted men to numbering about 650 men from the commandos join Barton, and the same day instructed under Potgeiters, De Villiers, and Wolmaranstad, Charles Knox, then at Heilbron, to take com­ which had probably crossed the Vaal from the mand of a column consisting of the Colonial north. The Cape Police and Cape Mounted Rifles Division and De Lisle’s and Le Gallais’ forces, and bore the brant of the fighting, covering the bag­ to move across the Vaal against the Boers opposed gage of the column (73 wagons), and were to Barton, who was more or less invested at Fred­ heavily engaged for two hours before the Boers erikstad until the 25th October, when he attacked were driven off. The Cape Police were forced the enemy with half the 1st Bn. RoyalWelsh Fusi­ to abandon their two Maxims (havingAngloBoerWar.com first liers and three companies of the 2nd Bn. Royal rendered them useless), owing to the horses Scots Fusiliers, supported by his guns and being shot and darkness setting in. Our cas­ mouuted troops, and scattered them in all ualties were seven men killed, 12 men wounded, directions. The Boers suffered heavily, leaving and 17 missing. Settle arrived at Boshof on the 24 dead and 19 wounded on the ground, while 26 80th October, and from there made arrangements were taken prisoners. Our own casualties were to send Sir Charles Parsons to Honevuest Kloof severe, one Officer and 12 men killed, and 25 men to relieve Koffyfontein, he himself following in wounded. On the 28th October, Barton moved support. to Potchefstroom and established a permanent 11. On the 26th October, Hunter reached garrison there with three months’ supplies. Kroonstad and reported that the Boers, with 13. De Wet, notwithstanding the severe treat­ some guns, were in position to the east of the ment met with on the 25th October, endeavoured railway between Ventersburg town and the rail­ to recross the Vaal, but finding the drifts blocked, way station. As it was necessary that this he moved along the north bank of the river in gathering should be dispersed and the whole of the direction of Lindeque, Charles Knox pushing that neighbourhood cleared of the enemy to on rapidly from Potchefstroom, caught him at prevent further attack on the railway in that Rensburg Drift halfway between Venterskroon vicinity, I ordered Hunter to sweep the district, and Pnrys. The Boers tried to escape south­ using for that purpose Bruce Hamilton’s troops east, but being headed by Le Gallais’ mounted and the 3rd Cavalry Brigade.* troops, which Knox had sent from Venterskroon In pursuance of these instructions, Hunter, towards Vredefort, they made for Parys. They after some opposition, occupied Ventersburg lost considerably in this engagement leaving before daylight on the morning of the 30th behind seven killed, while nine prisoners, two October. The Srd Bn. of The Buffs was hotly guns, and three wagons were captured, and an engaged and behaved with conspicuous steadi­ ammunition wagon was blown up by a shot from ness. The enemy retired north, leaving three of “U” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery. Darkness and their dead on the field. In this engagement, I a heavy storm stopped pursuit Our only casual­ regret to say, Major Hanwell, Commanding ties were two men wounded, De Lisle handled 39th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, was his troops with great skill over very difficult mortally, and 10 men severely wounded. couutry, and Le Gallais’ ready co-operation Having completed the work in this neighbour­ merits much praise. hood, Hunter proceeded to Bloemfontein and 14. On the 3rd November Le Gallais was took over Kelly-Kenny’s command, and Bruce again in touch with De Wet’s scouts east of Hamilton moved with a convoy to Bindley and Bothaville, and on the night of the oth surprised Frankfort.______the Boer force three miles south of that place, and was heavily engaged for five hours when he_ * Half Cameron Highlanders, half Sussex Regiment, was reinforced by Charles Knox wiih De Lisle’s" three 15-pr. guns, Koyal Field Artillery; Rimington’s Scouts, 120; Imperial Yeomanry, 70; Mounted Infantry, Mounted Infantry. The enemy was completely 40. Additional sent by Gen. Knox—3rd Bn. The Buffs, defeated. This was a most successful engage­ 300; one 5.inch gun. ment, reflecting great credit on Major-General THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRtfAR? 8, 1901. 876

Charles Knox and all serving with him, especially in the hope that it would be possible to let them on the Australian and other mounted troops return to England at an early date. under Colonel Le Gallais and Lieut.-Colonel De On the 27th and 29th October, the 3rd Cavalry Lisle, who must have felt themselves amply Brigade left Kroonstad for the south, and at the rewarded for the perseverance and energy they same time the 3rd Bn. Grenadier Guards were had displayed during the preceding weeks which despatched from Pretoria, and the 1st Bn. Cold­ had been most harassing for all concerned. One stream Guards from Heidelburg, followed on the 12-pr. of “ Q” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, 7th November by the 1st Bn. Scots Guards. and one 15-pr. of the 14th Battery, Royal Field 18. Meanwhile Kelly-Kenny had recalled Artillery, were recaptured. Four Krupp guns, Lieut.-Colonel White’s column® from the one pompom, one Maxim, all the enemy’s Sraithfield direction, and fo-med a second ammunition and wagons, and 100 prisoners were column,f under the command of Lieut.-Colonel taken, and 25 dead and 30 wounded Boers were Barker, R.A. left on the field. Amongst the wounded was De Before, however, these troops could be avail­ Villiera, Stevn’s secretary, and amongst the dead able the south-west of the Orange River Colony a Boer doctor, with the red cross on his arm, a became the scene of renewed hostilities. Jagers- rifle in his hand, and a bandolier half emptied. fontein was attacked by the Boers on the 16th Ex-President Steyn and De Wet were both October. The garrison was under the command present at the beginning of the engagement, but of Major King-Hall, and consisted of two com­ made a hurried retreat early in the day. Our panies of the 2nd Bn. Seaforth Highlanders, two casualties were three Officers and seven men guus, and 100 Towu Guard and Police. This killed, and seven Officers and 27 men wounded. force was divided into two parties, one holding Amongst the killed, I deeply regret to say, was two forts to the south of the town, the other a Colonel Le Gallais, 8th Hussars, a most gallant range of kopjes to the north, with a reserve in and capable leader, whose place it will be very the town. At daybreak the Boers opened fire difficult to fill; and amongst the wounded Lieut.- from the north-east of the town, and almost Colonel W. Ross, Durham Light Infantry, who simultaneously the reserves in the town were had done extremely good work throughout the subjected to a heavy fire from the houses. campaign with the Mounted Infantry. About 25 Boers under cover of the night, and The advanced troops of Charles Knox’s column aided by the treachery of the inhabitants, had under De Lisle reached Kroonstad on the 8th mauaged to evade the picquets and gain entrance November to refit and obtain supplies, and were to the town, and- at daylight, reinforced by followed in the course of a day or two by the sympathisers, both men and women, were in rest of the force. position to open fire in perfect security from the 15. From information which had reached me houses. The garrison, under these trying cir­ from various sources, I had for some time been cumstances, were ably handled and behaved very aware that there was likely to be a recrudescence well. After two hours' fighting they drove the of Boer activity in the southern part of the Boers from the town and its vicinity, but not, Orange River Colony. Their stock of ammuni­ unfortunately, until they had succeeded in tion was running short, their numbers wereAngloBoerWar.com con­ releasing the prisoners confined in tho gaol. siderably reduced, supplies were not over The Boer loss was heavy, including Commandant plentiful, and they hoped that if they could only Visser and about 27 men being killed. Our casual­ show themselves south of the Orange River, they ties were nine men killed, and one Officer and 11 would be able to induce many of the disloyal men wounded. inhabitants of Cape Colony to join their ranks and 19. Fauresmith, in the same neighbourhood, also replenish their stores. was attacked on the 19th October. The garrison The news that the Boers intended to move to was under the command of Captain Stewart, the south caused a general feeling of unrest 2nd Bn. Seaforth Highlanders, and consisting of throughout Cape Colony, and the prisoners of war oue Officer and 20 men of the 30th Company, at Cape Town were firmly convinced that the Imperial Yeomanry, a company of the 2nd Bn. time of their captivity was drawing to an end. Seaforth Highlanders (117 strong), and a small 16. Up to the middle of October, Steyn and Town Guard composed of 17 civilians. The De Wet had been loath to leave the valley of the configuration of the ground made the place not Vaal, trusting that some fortunate combination an easy one to hold against the enemy, but a of circumstances would admit of their acting in satisfactory scheme of defence was arranged by communication with Botha and Delarey, and holding the large and very rough kopje to the making a successful attack on Johannesburg or south-east of the town with the Seaforth High­ Pretoria. landers, the Imperial Yeomanry being placed on The decisive victory of Charles Knox crushed a low ridge on the northern side, and the Town these hopes; so soon as they could collect their Guard occupying two houses to the west of the scattered forces, they hurried south to join town. About 4.15 a.m. a determined assault on Harsbruk and Hertzog, who had already given the defences was made by some 400 Boers, who us considerable trouble on the line of railway first pushed forward against the kopje held by the between Bloemfontein and the Orange River, and Seaforths, where some of the enemy were killed amongst the small towns lying to the west of within 10 yards of the picquets. By 6.30 a.m. that line. » the Seaforths had cleared this kopje, and by 17. So many troops had been required for the 8.30 a.m. the enemy had been repulsed on all extended operations in the Transvaal that the sides, and had retired in a southerly direction. southern part of the Orange River Colony had to Our casualties were three men killed, and an be very lightly held, and it was not easy, on Officer and 5 men wounded. account of the great distances to be traversed, 20. Between the 18th and 24th October, to increase the strength of Lieut.-General Kelly- Phillipolis was almost daily attacked by the Kenny’s command on short notice. As mentioned, Boers, and gallantly defended by the Resident however, in my last despatch, the Highland Magistrate, Mr. Gostling, who had organized a * Brigade had already been sent to Bloemfontein * Two Field guns, one pompom, four companies of on receipt of the news that Wepener had been Yeomanry, two companies Boyal Irish Bides. temporarily occupied by the Boers, and was f Two Field guns, one pompom, two companies Irish followed by a few companies of Volunteers Yeomanry, one company Mounted Infantry, two com­ which had been withdrawn from their battalions panies Seaforth Highlanders. 876 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901 small local force consisting of 18 British important mining centre, was attacked and residents and 11 police. This force was skilfully gallantly defended by Captain Bobertson,* who entrenched on a kopje having access to a spring. had organized a defence chiefly from town The first attack on the 18th was made by about guards of British mining people and the police. 60 Boers, who kept up a heavy fire for 8 hours Sir Charles Parsons from Honeynest Kloof, with before they drew off. The same party resumed Settle’s mounted troops, relieved the town, on the attack on the 21st October and kept it up on the 3rd November, without opposition. the whole day. On the following day the Boers 23. Anticipating that more mounted troops were reinforced by a commando about 600 would be required in the Orange River Colony, strong, under Commandant Schippers. Mr. and anxious that our Cavalry should not be ex­ Goatling's small garrison augmented to 41 by the posed longer than necess ary to the horse sick­ enrolment of a fow Afrikanders, continued the ness, which usually rages in the eastern parts of fight against these heavy odds during the 22nd, the Transvaal in the summer months, I had issued 23rd, and 24th October, being subjected the ordeis, at the end of September, for Lieut- whole time to a heavy fire from all quartern. General French to make the command at Barber­ On hearing of the investment of Phillipolis the ton over to Major-General Stephenson, and to Commandant of Cclesberg despatched, at 11 p.m. proceed himself with all available troops vid on the 20th October, Lieutenant Hanna and 34 Carolina, Ermelo, and Bethel to Heidelburg. men of Nesbitt’s Horse, with instructions to Frencht accordingly left Barberton on the 2nd relieve the beleaguered garrison. Lieutenant and 3rd October for Machadodorp, where he Hanna reached Phillipolis on the 21st and posted remained until the 13th, when he moved off in picquets guarding the waterworks and covering the direction of Carolina, having started ofi the road from Springfontein, but he was ignorant Mahon’s Brigade the day before. of the overwhelming number of the enemy in By the evening of the same day French had the neighbourhood. Early on the 22nd his crossed the Komati River, and occupied the high picquets were heavily attacked and forced to grouud six miles north of Carolina. Mahon, who surrender, but Lieutenant Hanna himself and six had been specially charged to direct his march men succeeded in joining the defending force. so as to guard the light flank of the division, In the meantime arrangements were made by became heavily engaged near Geluk (143) with Lieut.-General Kelly-Kenny for the despatch of a body of 1,100 men (including the Carolina and two columns to relieve Phillipolis, Lieut.-Colonel Ermelo commandos) with four guns. Although White’s column moving from Bethulie, and hardly pressed, Mahon succeeded in holding his Lieut.-0oloneJ Barker’s from Jagersfontein. own until French came to his assistance, when Lieut.-Colonel White’s column moved from the Boers were driven back in three bodies in a Bethulie to Prior’s Siding, where they arrived south-easterly direction, having sustained some early on the 24th October, the Infantry and loss. supplies by rail, and the mounted troops and Marching by moonlight, on the early morning transport wagons by road. Without any delay of the 14th, French occupied Carolina without the force started at 10 a.m., and reached Osfon- opposition, the Carabiniers capturing a convoy of tein 8 miles east of Phillipolis about AngloBoerWar.com5 p.m., after the enemy on the way. a march of 16 miles through a very difficult and 24. French left Carolina on the 16th rough country. The gun and transport teams October, and, moving by Ermelo, reached were much exhausted. At Osfontein the sound Bethel on the 20th October. The enemy ofiered of Lieut.-Colonel Barker’s guns were audible, so a stubborn resistance throughout the march, Lieut.-Colonel White sent forward the Yeomanry at times attacking the column from all sides. under Lieut.-Colonel Wentworth-Forbes. This They were especially bold round Ermelo, but force, which had left Bethulie at 6.30 p.m. on the opposition diminished as our troops ap­ the 23rd October, reached Phillipolis at 6.15 p.m. proached Bethel. The Ermelo, Standerton, on the 24th, a remarkable performance as the Bethel, and part of the Middelburg commandos horses thus covered 50 miles in 26 hours. were engaged in these operations. Heidelburg Lieut.-CoIonel Forbes found the actual town in was reached on the 26th October. occupation of the enemy who retired on his All the Cavalry regiments in turn, and on approach. Meauwhile, Lieut-Colonel Barker different occasions, got to close quarters with left Jagersfontein with his column at 5.15 a.m. the Boers during this march, and it is beyond on the 24th October, and arrived, without doubt that the latter suffered heavily from our opposition, about 2 miles north of Phillipolis shell and pompom fire. Over 60 prisoners fell about 5 p.m.; he succeeded in dislodging the into French’s hands, and throughout the march enemy, and the town was entered by the com­ very large quantities of cattle, forage, and bined forces the following morning. The ammunition were captured. casualties amongst the garrison and Nesbitt’s French reported that it had been established Horse amounted to three men killed and 12 men on reliable authority that the Boers, in many wounded. There were no casualties in the cases, fought in our uniforms, and that armed relieving columns. Kaffirs were to be seen in their ranks, while on 21. Again, at Jacobsdal, on the 25th October, occasions our wounded were killed by the enemy. the treacherous part played by some of the Our casualties between the 18th and 26th inhabitants in admitting the Boers into their houses during the night led to the temporary * Assistant Resident Magistrate, and late of the Kim. occupation of that town. The Boers opened fire berley Light Horse. at daybreak on the garrison, and 14 men were + French’s force consisted of— killed and 18 wounded, nearly all belonging to Gordon’s Brigade—The Carabiniers, Royal Scots the Cape Town Highlanders and Cape Artillery. Greys, Inniskilling Dragoons, “ T” Battery, Royal Horse .Artillery; and section Field Troop, Reyal On the news reaching the Modder River post, Engineers. troops were at once detached to Jacobsdal Mahon’s Brigade—8th Hussars, 14th Hussars," M ” and drove the Boers off. The houses of the Battery, Royal Horse Artillery: and section Field treacherous inhabitants were destroyed; in three Troop, Royal Engineers. of them were found large stores of soft-nosed Dickson’s Brigade—7th Dragoon Guards, Lumsden’s Horse, Imperial Guides, “ Q” Battery, Royal bullets. In this engagement the Boer Com­ Horae Artillery; and section Field Troop, Royal mandant Bosman was killed. Engineers. 22. On the 26th October, Koffyfontein, an Infantry—half 1st Rn. Suffolk Regiment. THE LONDON GAZETTE. FEBRUARY 8. 1901. 877

October were: killed, four Officers and 13 men; of the Royal Canadian Artillery, under Lieu­ wounded, seven Officers and 67 men -, missing, tenant Morrison, with great gallantry covered one man. ihe rear of the force against the enemy’s close On the 30th October, French left Heidelburg attack. About 2 p.m. some 200 Boers suddenly for Pretoria, moving vtd Springs. chaiged our rearguard, and, without dismount­ 25. The departure of French’s troops en­ ing, fired wildly, coming to within 70 yards of couraged the enemy to again threaten the rail­ the dismounted Dragoons. Not succeeding in way between Belfast and Machadodorp, and this attempt on onr rear-guard, the Boers then towards the end of October a considerable threatened us on both flanks in large numbers; number of them were reported to be south of our gons, however, were so ably handled -that Van Wyk’s Vlei (96), consequently Major- they prevented their coming to close quarters General Smith-Dorrien, Commanding at Belfast, and caused them to retire. Our casualties in this started off on the evening of the 1st November engagement were two killed and 12 wounded. with the object of attacking the Boers at Van The Boers suffered very heavy losses, amongst Wyk’s Vlei and at Witkloof, where a second the killed being Commandant H. Prinsloo and laager was reported. Smith-Dorrien’s force General Fonrie, and amongst the wounded moved in two columns, one commanded by General John Grobelaar. Smith-Dorrien halted himself, the other by Lieuk-Colonel Spens, The for the night at Bly vooruitzicht, and returned to King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Not far from Belfast on the morning of the 8th of November. Belfast a violent storm with a cold driving rain 28. On the Slst October, Major-General set in, but as the columns were operating in sup­ Walter Kitchener, Commanding at Lydenburg, port of each other, and moving several miles moved ont columns from that place and from apart neither could turn back. By 7 a.m. both Witklip (26) and after capturing Commandaut columns had reached Van Wyk’s Vlei, and there, Shoemon’s laager in the Steenkampsberg at owing to the continued inclemency of the weather dawn, pushed on and shelled Schalk Burgher’s and exhaustion of the troops, Smith-Dorrien laager at Rooikrantz. The difficult nature of wisely decided to abandon the attack on the country, however, made further advance in Witkloof, and to retrace his steps to Belfast. that direction impracticable, and the columns As soon as the retirement was begun the Boers relumed to Lydenburg. Our casualties were followed up the column with most unsual bold­ five men wounded. The enemy is known to ness, in fact one Boer was killed within 50 yards have had five men killed, and some rifles and a of our Infantry A steady rearguard action had quantity of ammunition, with one prisoner, fell to be fought the whole way back to Belfast, into our hands. Kitchener, hearing that Van de which was reached at 3 p.m. The Infantry had Beer’s commando operating to the east of Lydea- covered 28 miles in 20 hours under the most berg had been reinforced, decided to disperse trying conditions. Our casualties were: killed, this body of the enemy. On the night of the one Officer and one man; wounded, two Officers 7 th November, he proceeded against it with a and 12 men; missing, one man. mounted column under Captain Chetwode, 19th 26. On the 6th November, Smith-Dorrien Hussars, which succeeded in passing through decided to make another attempt to carryAngloBoerWar.com out the Boer outposts. Then, while the Mounted his original project. Leaving Belfast at 8.30 a.m., Infantry of the 1st Bn. Manchester Regiment he marched towards Witkloof and Lelienfontein, engaged three of the picquets, the Cavalry at both of which places the Boers were known charged and sabred many of the enemy as they to have camps. By 7.40 a.m., he was in touch fled m the moonlight. wilh the Boers at Eersteling, and steadily Kitchener specially mentions the excellent forced them back across Van Wyk’s Vlei. The manner in which the Mounted Infantry engaged enemy then took up a strong position along the the Boers, who opened fire upon the Hussars from Komati River, extending fro.u Witkloof to no less than three directions while they were Lelienfontein. Here they made a determined charging over exceedingly difficult ground. stand, and it was not till 4 p.m. that a wide At daylight on the 8th November the second turning movement brought the 1st Bn. Suffolk column, consisting of Infantry and Artillery, Regiment and the Royal Canadian Dragoons under Major Callwell, Royal Garrison Artillery, on the Boers’ flank and forced them to withdraw joined the mounted troops. The whole force across the river towards Carolina. Sinitb- then continued the pursuit, and drove the Dorrien camped for the night at Lelienfontein. enemy from ridge to ridge, until the summit of His casualties for this day were six men killed the Berg was reached. Our casualties were and 20 wounded, mostly belonging to the Shrop­ only one man killed and two wounded. The shire Light Infantry, whose conduct was much Boers lost heavily and fled, evidently panic- praised. stricken. 27. On the following day Smith-Doirien 29. While these various movements were started to march in an easterly direction. being carried ont m the Transvaal, Lieut.-General Observing this, several hundred Boers at once Sir Leslie Randle was busy in the north-east galloped back to seize their position of the corner of the Orange River Colony, and, on the previous day, but were forestalled by Lieut.- 12th October, he moved from Vrede with 800 Colonel Evans and the Royal Canadian Dragoons, mounted men, five guns, and two battalions of with a section of the 84th Battery, Royal Field Infantry, and engaged a small force of the Artillery, who by going at full speed for two enemy which had collected in that neighbour­ miles succeeded in seizing the key of the position, hood. He drove them back for abont 10 miles, and in holding about 300 of the enemy in the with a loss to ns of seven wounded. bed of the river, while the 5-inch guns did good 80. Leaving 100 Imperial Yeomanry, a section execution among masses of the Boers in the of Artillery, and the 1st Bn. Leinster Regiment Open. As it now became evident that the to hold Vrede, Bundle moved on to Reitz, enemy had received large reinforcements arriving there on the 19th October. Placing a after the engagement of the previous day, garrison at Reitz of similar strength to that left Smith-Dorrien directed Lieut.-Colonel Spens, at Vrede, he, on the 20t.h October, proceeded to Commanding the Advanced Guard, to secure Bethlehem, which he entered the next day. On the high ground near Van Wyk’s Vlei, which our approach Bethelem was evacuated by the was done by the 5th Lancers. Colonel Lessard, Boars who, under Commandant Prinsloo. had with the Royal Canadian Dragoons and a section' re-occupied the tpwp on the 1st October: our No. 27282. G '8fcB THE LONDON GAZETTE. FEBRUARY 8. 1901.

^inck and wounded who had been left there had Miles. - hot been in any way disturbed. On the after- Cape Town to Pretoria .. 1,040 ' noon of the 2-ith October, Rundle, in an inter- Pretoria to Komati Poort 260 'view he' had with Prinsloo and Borne other Cape Town to Kimberley 647 ' . representatives of the Bethlehem commando, Kimberley to Mafeldog ., 223 told them1 of ex-President Kruger’s flight, and Mafeking to Pretoria .. 160 -"generally explained the situation. Commandant Mafeking to Beira.. .. 1,135 ’ Prinsloo, however, decided that hostilities must Durban to Pretoria .. 511 • go on, and that he was bound to do his part in From these tables it will be seen that, after maintaining the struggle. having been brought by sea 6,300 miles and 311 Bundle left the 1st Bn. Worcestershire more from their base in the United Kingdom, -'.Regiment, a section of the 79th Battery, Royal the Army in South Africa had to be distributed -Field Artillery, and the 62nd (Middlesex) Com- over an area of greater extent than France ny,. Imperial Yeomanry, under Lieut.-Colonel (204,146 square miles) and Germany (21.1,168 ikes of the Worcestershire Regiment, to gar­ square miles) put together, and if we -include grison Bethlehem, and on the 26th October hethat part of Rhodesia with which we had to do, 'taarehed with the rest of his force on Harri- larger than the combined areas of France, ' smith. Germany and Austria (261,649 square miles). About three miles out of Bethlehem, Rundle And it should be remembered that over these -found the Boers strongly posted across the road, gieat distances we were dependent on single -'and on both flanks; an engagement ensued, and fines of railway for the food - supply, guns, ’-it was only after fighting all day that Lieut.- ammunition, horses, transport animals, and ' Colonel Golightly, with the Hampshire and hospital equipment, in fact, all the requirements ' Gloucestershire Companies of Imperial Yeomanry, of an army in the field, and that, along these ' and two companies of the Grenadier Guards, lines, bridges and culverts had been destroyed in succeeded in driving the enemy from the kopjes many places, and rails were being constantly ’ they were holding to the north of the road. As tom up. soon as this was accomplished, Major-General 35. As stated in my Farewell Order*, “ the ‘ Campbell, with half a battalion of the Grenadier “ service which the South African Force has ' Guards and half a battalion of the Scots Guards, “ performed is, I venture to think, unique in the ; covered by the fire of our guns, attacked the “annals of war, inasmuch as it has been very strong position held by the enemy to the “ absolutely incessant for a whole year, in ■’ south of the road. The attack eventually proved “ some cases more than a year. There has successful in spite of a very stubborn resistance “ been no rest, no days off to recruit, no going - by the Boers. Our casualties were three killed “ into winter quarters as in other campaigns -and 17 wounded. “ which have extended over a long period.” In Harrismith was reached on the 30th October, illustration of this I may mention that Lord ' and, with this place as his head-quarters, Rundle Methuen’s column marched 1,036 miles between has been doing good work clearing the district the 14th May and the 2nd September, covering, - -with a small mobile column, and AngloBoerWar.com at the same on one occasion, 125 miles in 115 hours. The - time provisioning the garrisons of Vrede, Reitz, 2nd Cavalry Brigade (Broadwood’s) marched and Bethlehem. 1,200 miles between the 29th April and the 32. From this, my final despatch, I have been28th August. The City Imperial Volunteers obliged, on account of its great length, most marched on 75 days, between the 16th April and .reluctantly to omit many interesting incidents, the 23rd August, the total distance traversed ' and to leave unrecorded many gallant deeds. As being 1,018 miles, and the average length of it is, I feel nn apology is due for the almost march 13$ miles. The Brigade of Guards at the inordinate proportions which this, as well as my commencement of the war formed part .of .former despatches, have assumed, owing to the Methuen’s force destined for the relief of -vastness of the couutry over which operations Kimberley. In February it joined the Head­ ' had to be carried out, the length of time to which quarters of the Army and took part in the march ' they have extended, and consequently the great to Bloemfontein and Pretoria. In September, it number of events, going on in different places was at Komati Poort, and now, November 19»0, simultaneously, which have had to be described. it is guarding the drifts over the Orange River, 33. The magnitude of the task which Herclose to where it was a year previously,' having Majesty’s Imperial troops have been called upon meanwhile marched from the most western part to perform will perhaps be better realised a I of the Orange River Colony to the most eastern give the actual number of miles of the several part of the Transvaal. lines of communication, each one of which has The Imperial Light Horse, the Border had to be carefully guarded, and compare with Regiment, the Royal Irish Fusiliers, the the well-known countries of Europe, the enor­ Connaught Rangers, and the Brigade Division of mous extent of the theatre of war from one end Artillery attached to Hart’s command, after of which to the other troops have had to be taking part in all §ir Redvers Butler's battles on .frequently moved. the Tugela and the relief of Ladysmith, were '-The areas included in the theatre of war are brought round to Kimberley to aid in the relief : as follows -.— of Mafeking. Since then they have been over Square miles. the greater part of the Transvaal, and part Of Gape Colony .. .. 277,151 them (the Connaught Rangers) are now on the Orange River Colony . . 48,326 Orange River engaged in frustrating the.Boecs Transvaal .. .. 113,640 in their attemjpt to invade Cape Colony. Natal .. .. 18,913 36. These instances,-out of many which might be brought forward, show how. severely the Total ., 458,080. troopshave :been taxed, and how. admirably they Rhodesia.'. 750,000 have responded to the .nail • made upon them. Nor has their discipline, or their .conduct .-when .And the distances troops have had to travel engaged' with the enemy, been less praiseworthy we*-*- • • B y - l a n d - — ; : • * ...... ' - ...... 1900y . THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 879 than their feats of marching. The Army ni have enabled me to faring this long and arduous South Africa has included many branches of Her campaign to what I hope will ere long prove a Majesty’s Service: (he contingent furnished by' successful conclusion. the Royal Navy, the Regular Forces, with the 37. As the strength of the troops engaged at* Volunteer companies of the Infantry battalions,* (he'occupation of Bloemfontein and Pretoria, aiflf the Militia, the Imperial'Yeomanry, the City of also in the final advance of the Army towards LondonImperial Volunteers, and the Colonial corps Komati P-oort, is not shown in my former des­ raiBCK} in Canada, AilstrahaTlfew' Zealand; Tas­ patches, I annex statements giving this informa­ mania, South Africa, India, and Ceylon. No-fiuer tion, which 1 think may prove useful and force than, that which I have had the honour and interesting. • - privilege to. command has ever taken thet field 88. My recommendations on behalf of indi­ under the British Rag, and I gludly'avail myself vidual Officers and men will be submitted in a of. this opportunity to- record my acknowfedg-. separate letter. men is to Her Majesty’s soldiers ot all ranks, whether drawn from the United Kingdom or 1 ^ROBERTS. Field-Marshal, from the great Coloniesjmd.Uepsndendes.of the ______jCommanding-in-Ohiaf. Empire, whose exertions and nghtingqualities

AngloBoerWar.com

G 2 880 THE LtiNbON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, lSoi.

Strength of the force which entered Bloemfontein, I3th March 1900. This return omits Officers and men of the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Naval Brigade, Staff, Army Service Corps, Transport and Medical Departments. * ’ Guns. I -3

i f tc DO ft Brigade, 4c. g 9 P* *»s ! C* *1 1 r-4 « A 1 I •n I a'£ j A 5 on 2 o •S ■a S e um .S ■s •§ .5 » 1 «S O .s 1 P* p. o £ 1 03 tO in rH rri 1 1st Cavalry Brigade.. 61 999 935 18 a • 2 2nd „ 68 965 971 12 1 3rd i f r • *• 45 770 684 12 e o 3 Alderson's Mounted Infantry 80 1,114 1,220 3 Le Gallais’ 95 1,816 1,480 2 Martvr’s „ 66 1,414 1,441 Ridley’s „ 47 955 878

6th Division...... 120 5,071 6 18 5 7 th )) .« •• o • 157 5,811 18 3 8 9th || «* so • • 122 4,564 18 8 Guards Brigade 86 3.200 •» 4

Naval and Corps Artillery .. • • 9 O a m • « 4 • • •• 4 • ■ 8 • • • a

947 26,679 7,609 • • 4 • • 6 4 96 3 3 36 113

AngloBoerWar.com

Strength of the force which entered Pretoria, 5th June, 1900. This return omits Officers and Wen of Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Naval Brigade, Staff, Army Service Corps, Transport and Medical Departments.

t Guns. | .3 a . 09 £ f a Brigade, 4c, i e i 1 §1 1 io I 1 f f A i -q 1 1 U 1 l 8 s ■s ■S i e SI “4 •i*i a 4 & r

o * a 03 o to 15-pr. and 12-pr. 9 £

1st Cavalry Brigade 60 650 550 6 • • 2 4 2nd „ 60 660 600 6 2 3 3rd || «• 60 1,040 400 6 2 6 4th „ 50 350 3o0 1 6 •• 3 Mounted Infantry Division.. 299 4,242 3,743 ■ • O • • 2 • • .. 24 8 20 Y e o m a n ry ...... 24 391 338 2 11th Division...... 199 6,353 107 2 « • 18 8 14th Brigade...... 87 2,599 67 • • 18 ,, t . 7 21st ...... 100 3,160 6 4 19th , ...... 136 4,330 6 • • •• 4 Corps Artillery •• •• 2 4 •• • •. 2 6 2 • « 1,075 23,675 6,155 2 4 4 2 102 2 15 60 V_ --y— __/ 116 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901, 881

Strength of the forces which took part in the final advance of the Array towards Komati Poort at end of August 1900. (Officers, men of Staff, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, and Departmental Coips, omitted.)

General French’s Column.

OaValry .. .. 120 2,110 1,690 6 Artillery ...... 10 ■ • 4 • • Infantry .. ,. ;; 40 1,660 2 160 8,670AngloBoerWar.com1,690 10 • • 4 8 ,

General Pole-Carew’s Column.

Mounted Infantry .. 50 900 900 ' 4 Naval and other Artillery • ■ • . • * 2 2 18 •• 2 a • Infantry .. ,. 160 6,400 8

210 7,300 900 •• • • 2 •• 2 18 * * 2 12

General Ian Hamilton’s Column.

Artillery ,. .. « • 2 •• • • 10 • • 2 • • Infantry ...... 60 2,300 3 Mounted Infantry ,. 10 80 80

70 2,380 80 •• • • 2 • a 10 2 3

Total Strength.

Cavalry ...... 159 2,860 2,440 9 Colonial and Regular 112 2,030 2,030 * * 7 Mounted Infantry Artillery ...... • • a • 6 6 4 62 4 12 Infantry ...... 420 16,260 2*1

691 21,150 4,470 • • •• 6 6 4 62 4 12 37 m " THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

^Fighting strength of other forces at the time of the-occup.ition of Pretoria ob 5th' J>ne 1000. ((ftfi&eil'atid men of Staff, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Naval Brigade anti Departmental Corps omitted.)

General Hunter’s Force (Lichtenberg District). ’ 6 Colonial mounted .corps 52 777 976 1 Feom anry...... 31 562 627 •• * * * * .s* * • » • 1 -.2 Artillery 24 4 • t 5th Brigade ...... 81 2,954 • « •• •• •• •• •• s > •* • • 4 • 6th »„ • .. ' a * 97 2,275 r * * • » 4

261 7,268. 1,603 • • • * • m 24 4 16 '

General Baden-Powell’s Force (Mafeking—Rustenburg road). ; Colonial ., mopnteci. 5Q 1,200 1,200 • • a • V 9 • • • 9 • 9 • • h troops • ■ • ' 6 9 1 1 Colonial Artillery .. . . •• • • ■ • o • • • • • - i v :

• • " 4 9 9 1 1 2 :.. A • « ■ ! • 50 1,200AngloBoerWar.com1,200 • • • •

Lord Methuen’s Force (Paardekraal).

Yeomanry 97 1,665 3L,600 • • ■i Artillery ' ' ..' 1. • • • ■ 9 •• 2 • • 16 • • c # "p • 14 Infantry 144 5,483 • • • . ■ • • 9 * •

241 7,148 1,600 2 9 9 16 2 11

.. -

General Colvile’s Force (Heilbron).

Colonial mounted troops 8 183 177 Naval " and Field * « • • •• • • 9 9 2 6 « • 9 9 m 9 y i 4 • ' Artillery Infantry „ 88 3,327 ■4 ' 96 3,510 177 2 6 4

General Clements’ Force (Senekal). C 1 • #/ Mounted Infantry 3 61 66 • • • • . . ” • • • • • • • • »«* • 9 Artillery j 6 Infantry 54 2,549 „ r ,

57 2,610' 66 • • « 6 4

. 1 THE &OETDON' GAZETTE, FEBRUARY ^ r90t;

Generals Rundle and Brabant’s Forces (Hammonia, Ficksburg, &c.).

’ ; Colonial Division 102 1,297 1,424 7 . . 1 T . .. 1 4 Yeomanry ...... 23 316 . 339 . • •• • . r- . . . . • >' «• ., * ..1 - Artillery . . . ,. • , • . • • • • • • * • • • • 18 . . «• * . • • '■*• Infantry . . 135 4,822

---- ... 260 -6,435 1,768 «* • v 25- .. 1 10 *

Summary.

i1 Mounted troops 366 6,061 6,409 17 Artillery « ♦ •• 2 2 83 | .. 1 1 2 i 6 Infantry .. .. 599 22,110 ... j1 .. 33; i " * 965 28,171 6,409 •• •• 2 88 .. 1 , 1 ■ 2 , 6 -■m ] 1

Fighting strengths of communications, &c„ forces ou the occupition of Pretoria on 5th Jun’ 1900. (Officers and men of Staff, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Naval Brigade, and Depart­ mental Corps, omitted.^ AngloBoerWar.com

Communications, Pretoria to Kroonstadt, inclusive of latter.

Mounted Infantry 40 1,076 909 Artillery ...... 6 Infantry.and. details...... 181. 4^304 a % - ■ 1j. -■ * 171 5,380 909 6' •• ------i ...... *"* , 1

Johannesburg Garrison.

Colonial Mounted Infantry 7 180 180 and Yeomanry - •• *■ t Infantry V. 60 1,959

T' _67_ .. 2,139 _.180^ v i ■ - - 'A -p* • -• • • : - • - > L J J . - . . _ L 884. THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901

Communications, Kroonstadt to Bloemfontein (exclusive of both). r Yeomanrv .. 7 182 192 Mounted Infantry .. 11 845 360 Artillery ...... * « 2 • 4 6 •• 2 Infantry and details 75 2,583 *2

93 3,110 552 • • * • • 2 6 • > 2 2

Wiuburg Garrison. I ( 1 • Yeomanry .. .. 5 120 1 120 1 ' A r t i l l e r y ...... j .. •• • • 4 Infantry and details .. 1 20 1,000 i

! 25 1,120 120 4 i 1 i

AngloBoerWar.com Bloemfontein Garrison and Outposts.

Yeomanry and Mounted 15 260 260 .. .. Infantry A r t il le r y ...... 1 4 18 2 17 Infantry and details lio 4,330 .. 3

125 4,590 260 1 4 18 2 17 • • 3

Communications, Ladybrand to Thabanchn District, &c.

; Colonial Mounted Infantry 50 800 500 i .. : 4 Y eom anry...... 600 500 ! % 25 i Infantry 20 800 1 i 95 2,200 1,000 > ..!.. 7 . i i r 1

Commuuications, Bloemfontein to Orange River.

Mounted Infantry ,. 10 250 250 ‘ Artillery ...... • • •• 4 • • 2 Infantry 84 2,541 ** " 91 2,791 250 4 • • 2

.—, Wi, .... a...--—------—----- • Tr-H - THE LONDON GAZETTE, Ee BKUa BY 8, 1901. 885

i© ©s IN to 3 w • l O H r H r H Pk a

Eastern Garrisons. Dewetsdorp, Wepener, and Smithfield.

yeomanry .. 10 120 125 Mounted Infantry 5 135 143 Artillery 6 • « « • • • Infantry 30 1,765 268 i 45 1,820 268 6 l 1

Western Garrisons, Jagersfontein, Hoopstad, and Boshof.

Mounted troops ,. .. 189 4,248 3,719 : ! 7 A r t i l l e r y ...... « » . . 1 4 4 18 2 39 J 6 2 2 , # Infantry and details.. ..; 570 20,146 1 1 15 AngloBoerWar.com 1759 24.894 3,719 1 4 4 18 2 39 .. f 6 ! 2 2 22 1 I

No. 10. From Lieutenant-General Lord Methuen, Com From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts to the manding 1st Division, to the Military Secre­ Secretary of State for War. tary, Head-quartei'S, Bloemfontein. Army Head-quarters, South Africa, Boshof, Government House, Bloemfontein, Sib, 6th April, 1900. My Loan, 12th April, 1900. NEWS arrived at 10.30 a.m. yesterday that a I HAVE the honour to submit, for your Boer commando, 300 strong, had passed through Lordship’s information, a despatch, dated 6th Tweefontein, south of Boshof, and about 5 miles April, 1900, from Lieutenant-General Lord off. They had again saddled up and made for a Methuen, describing an engagement which took ridge about 2J miles north of Tweefontein, and place the preceding day near Tweefontein, 5 again off-saddled. This commando was there miles south of Boshof, and which resulted in at 9 A.M. when the natives left. the surrender of the Boer force after its Com­ 2. My horses were grazing when the infor­ mander, Colonel de Villebois, had been killed mation came, and some distance away. by a shell. I ordered the Imperial Yeomanry, 500 strong, 2. That the affair was comparatively a small under Brigadier-General Lord Chesham, the one does not detract from the credit due to Kimberley Mounted Corps, 250 strong, under Lord Methuen for his promptness in following Lieutenant-Colonel Peakman, and the 4th Field up and surrounding the enemy, and for the Artillery Battory under Major Butcher, to saddle Careful dispositions which he made for attack­ up at once. ing them. The troops seemed to have behaved 3. At 11.50 a.m. the force marched, the Kim­ admirably, and it is satisfactory to notice that berley Mounted Corps under Lieutenant-Colonel the Imperial Yeomanry rendered valuable ser­ Peakman leading, and followed by the Imperial vice on this occasion. Yeomanry under Brigadier-General Lord Ohes- 3. I concur with the General Officer Com­ ham. No. 4 Battery under Major Batcher, with manding in his favourable mention of Brigadier- one company of Imperial Yeomanry as escort, General Lord Chesham, Lieutenant-Colonel brought up the rear. Peakman, and Major Butcher. 4. The natives, who knew the position of the X h&Y6 <3i/C. enemy, led the column in a south-south-easter'.y ROBERTS, Field-Marshal, direction, keeping the colnmn concealed until it C ommanding-in- Chief, reached a knoll, \vhen the position was recon­ South Africa. noitred, but with no result. No. 27282. H 886 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 5. A native stated that they still occnpied a the operations in the vicinity of Wepener, kopje 2,500 yards in front. between 2nd April and 25th April, during 6. The Kimberley Mounted Corps pushed on which period the force under his command, to the right dank and front, followed by the numbering some 1,600 men with six guns, two Imperial Yeomanry and the battery. One com­ 15-prs.,.two 12-prs. Naval,. two .7-prs., and pany of the Imperial Yeomanry moved to the one Hotchkiss, was attacked by a Boer force left front with the object of cutting off the estimated at about 6,000 men with 10 guns. enemy should they attempt to escape in that 2. The report is somewhat incomplete, and direction. to render it more intelligible 1 may mention 7. Two Colonial scouts attached to the Im­ that Lieutenant-Colonel Dalgety’s force entered perial Yeomanry brought back the first reliable Wepener on 4th April from the south. The information regarding the enemy’s position. Caledon River runs from the north-east to. the The column reached some small kopjes in front, south-west, about 3 miles west of the town ; the and a few of the enemy were located occupying Zammersberg bridge, 200 yards in length, cross­ some low kopjes about 1,200 yards distant. ing the river nearly west of Wepener. The Firing now commenced. enemy advanced from the north and occupied 8. The position taken up by the enemy was the town, another Boer commando also advanc­ composed of a few small low kopjes in the centre ing from the direction of Smithfield. The of a large flat plain. position taken up by Lieutenant-Colonel Dal­ 9. I completely surrounded the kopjes before gety on 5th April consisted of an oval line of 1 took any farther action. kopjes to the west of and commanding the 10. The guns were kept under shelter, having bridge, enclosing a basin abont 6 miles in cir- no target. cn inference. The enemy’s attack began at 11. I ordered the Imperial Yeomanry and the 6.30 Jl.m. on the 9th, and most of the casualties Kimberley Mounted Corps to attack the kopje occurred on that and the following day, the from the east, supporting the attack from the defences of the position not having been com­ south-east and north. pleted until the morning of the 11th. The The order was intelligently carried out, care investment lasted up to the night of the 24th, being, taken to advance very slowly, taking all the Boers retiring northward early on 'the advantage of the fine cover given by the bushes morning of the 25th. The relief of the force and boulders. was effected by the movement on Wepener from - 12. The enemy made a fine resistance from Aliwal North of the 5th Brigade under- Major- 2 p.m. to nearly 6 p.m., not surrendering until General A. FitzHugh Hart, and a column of our troops, with bayonets fixed, were 15 yards Colonial troops under Brigadier-General Brabant, from them. They sent to my Aide-de-Camp tc and by the advance of the 8th Division nnder Bay they intended to fight to the end, and they Lieutenant-General Sir H. M. L. Rundle from only changed their minds when General Ville- Edenburg to Dewetsdorp, supported by the 3rd bois de Mareuil was killed by a shell. Division nnder Major-General Sir H. C. Cherm- 13. The guns found difficulty inAngloBoerWar.com firing with­ side. Brigadier-General Brabant with his out endangering our men’s lives, but at last the mounted troops entered Wepener at 4 p.m. on battery, firing three shell, helped materially 25th April. towards closing the defence. 3. The ammunition expended during the in­ 14. The enemy had 7 killed, 11 wounded, vestment was as follows:—In possession, per and 51 prisoners. I regret the loss of Lieu­ rifle, 500 rounds; expended, 250 rounds. In tenant C. Boyle, Imperial Yeomanry, and of possession, per 15-pounder, 850 rounds; ex­ Lieutenant A. C. Williams, Imperial Yeomanry; pended, 750 rounds. In possession, per 12- 10 men wounded. ponnder, 250 rounds; expended, 200 rounds. 15. Lieutenant A. C. Williams was killed In possession, per 7-pounder, 250 rounds ; ex­ deliberately, after the white flag was held up. pended, 100 rounds. In possession, per -Hotch­ The man who fired was at once shot by my kiss, 350 ronnds; expended, 342 rounds. order. The strength and composition of the force 16. This was the first time the Imperial under Lieutenant-Colonel Dalgety’s orders are Yeomanry and the Kimberley Mounted Corps detailed below— have been engaged with the enemy, and I was Royal Engineers.—1 officer, 10 non-commis­ mncb struck by the intelligent manner in which sioned officers and men. they carried out the attack, and made use of Royal Scots, Mounted Infantry.—3 officers, cover. Had they not done so, the list of casu­ 78 non-commissioned officers and men. alties would have been far greater. Cape Mounted |Rifies.—18 officers, 409 non­ 17. I draw attention to the careful manner commissioned officers and men. in which Brigadier-General Lord Chesham, 1st Brabant’s Horse.—25 officers, 320 non­ Lieutenant - Colonel Peakman, and Major commissioned officers and men. - - Butcher executed my orders. 2nd Brabant’s Horse.—29 officers, 430 non- I am, Ac., commissioned' officers and men. METHUEN, Kaffrarian Rifles.—23 officers, 370- non-com^ Lieutenant- General, missioned officers and men. - - Commanding 1st Division. Driscoll's Scouts.—3 officers, 53 non-com- mis.-ion ed officers and men. No. 11. Colonial Artillery (C.M.R. Artillery).—3 - From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts to the officers, 90 non-commissioned officers and Secretary of State for War. men. •;- Army Head-quarters, Royal Army Medical Corps.—6 officers, 27 Camp Smaldeel, non-commissioned officers and men. - >; South Africa, 4. I am of opinion that the utmost credit- is My Lobd, 8th May, 1900. due to Lieutenant-Colonel Dalgety and the • I HAVE the honour to submit for your Lord- troops under his command for the stubborn ship's information a report, dated 29th April, and successful resistance which they offered to 1900, from Lieutenant-Colonel E. H. Dalgety, t an enemy greatly outnumbering them. The Commanding Cape Mounted Rifles, describing I hardships of the investment were increased by THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. m

heavy rain, and by the impossibility of reliev­ Driscoll’s Scouts, and the right rear by-.the in g the men holding the line of entrenchments Kaifrarian Rifles, while the guns were moved for a period of 16 days, owing to the large about as it was found necessary. The weakest .perimeter which had to be guarded, and the part of the position was on the extreme left small force available for the purpose. rear, which was held by the Cape Mounted .. 5. I cordially support- Lieutenant-Colonel Rifles, and it was here that the'heaviest casual­ Dalgety’s recommendations on behalf of the ties took place, the Cape Mounted Rifles losing officers, non-commissioned officers, and men 21 killed and 75 wounded out of a total of whose services he has brought to special 33 killed and 133 wounded. notice. The attack on the 9th was made in force, I have,

The Medical Staff under Major Faskally, it made any attempt to give the alarm by firing although heavily taxed, worked splendidly. their rifles or by any other means, on discover­ I have, &c., ing the presence of the Boers in ambush. E. H. DALGETY, Lieat.-Colonel, 4. After fighting for 10 hours on the previous Commanding Cape Mounted Riflemen. day, and after a trying night march of 24 miles' Assistant Adjutant-General, 3rd Division, and a rest of only 2 | hours, Brigadier-General Dewetsdorp, Forwarded. Broadwood found, himself at daylight on the E. G. BRABANT, Brigadier-General, 31st March under the fire of the enemy's guns Colonial Division. from the hills to the east of Sannah’s Post, at Jammersberg Drift, a range to which bis Horse Artillery guns could 29th April, 1900. not reply. He thereupon, very judiciously, ar­ ranged to withdraw his force out of fire. Theo­ retically speaking, he Bhonld unquestionably No. 12. have detained his transport until he had detailed From Field Marshal Lord Roberts to the a suitable advance guard, or thrown out scouts Secretary of State for War. iu front and on the flanks of the column, but Army Head-quarters, Pretoria, my experience leads me to believe that it was 19th June, 1900. impossible for him to restrain the followers and Mt Lord, baggage from streaming away to the rear when I HAVE the honour to submit for your they unexpectedly found themselves exposed to Lordship's information a report, dated 20th a heavy shell fire. April, 1900, from Brigadier-General R. G. This is precisely what occurred. The fugi­ Broad wood, Commanding 2nd Cavalry Brigade, tives and the leading wagons preFscd on so describing his withdrawal from Tliabanchu and vapidly that they outstripped the scouts of the the engagement at Sannah’s Post on the 30th advanced guard, and they had entered the and 31st March, 1900. watercourse, and had been permitted by the 2. The reverse which occfuired on tho latterBoers to cross to the other side of the Koom date, resulting in heavy casualties as well as the Spruit, before the Mounted Infantry had been capture by the enemy of seven 12-pounder guns, able to get in front of the column and take its the personnel of an entire battery of Royal proper place. Horse Artillery, and the convoy of the baggage 5. In my telegram No. 363, dated 31st March, and supplies accompanying Brigadier-General 1900, I stated that the Boers had concealed Broadwood’s column, was most unfortunate, and themselves so well in tho spruit that our lead­ it seems necessary to examine and weigh care­ ing scouts passed over the drift without dis­ fully the reasons to which it may be attributed. covering them. Subsequent investigation has It will be observed that when Brigadier- proved, however, that such was not the case, General Broadwood found Iiis position at Tha- but that the sequence of events was as indicated hanchu seriously threatened he directed his as above. baggage to proceed to Sannah’s Post,AngloBoerWar.com a distance 6. As regards tbe point raised in paragraph of some 24 miles, aud after successfully warding 9 of the accompanying report, I consider that off the attack of the enemy on the Nek, he with­ Lieutenant-General Sir H. Colvile would have drew his troops from their positions and reached done better if, on his arrival with the 9th Sannah’s Post at 3.30 A.ir. During tbe night a Division at Boesman’s Kop, he had proceeded party of Boers succeeded in establishing them­ at once to tho scene of the engagement, and selves, undetected, in a dry watercourse called ascertained personally how matters stood, before the Kooru Spruit, some 2,000 yards west of deciding on the flank movement towards Water- Sana ah’s Post, at a point where the road to val Drift. Bloemfontein crosses the watercourse. It was 7. After a very carefnl consideration of the at this point that the disaster occurred. circumstances, I am of opinion that the disaster 8. I have thought it desirable to call on is mainly due to the failure of the patrol from Lieutenant-Colonel Pilcher, commanding the Boesman’s Kop to warn their comrades of the 3rd Mounted Infantry Corps, who escorted the ambuBh which had been prepared during tho baggage from Thabanchu to Sannah’s Post, to night, and that no specific blame can be attri­ report what steps he took for the security of his buted to the General Officer Commanding the bivouac on his arrival in camp. This Officer’s force. report is appended, and I consider that, in view I am further of opinion that Brigadier- of the fact of his finding a body of our troops, General Broadwood displayed presence of equal in strength to the force under his own mind and gallantry in his endeavours to command, already in occupation of the Water­ retrieve the disaster and extricate his troops. works, he was not called upon to make special In the example he set to his comrades nnder aiTangementsfor the security of his camp, other peculiarly trying circumstances he acted up than those which he might reasonably expect to the high reputation he had already gained to find in existence on his arrival there. In addi­ in the Sndan, and in command of a Cavalry tion to the guard on the camp, an Officer’s patrol Brigade in South Africa, and that reputation left camp before daylight, and proceeded some 10 has been added to by the distinguished and miles to the east, towards Thabanchn. Two small admirable manner in which he has subsequently patrols were despatched at the same time north exercised his command during the advance and south of the camp, while a patrol of four from Bloemfontein to Pretoria. men left the Waterworks about sunset for 8. The submission of this despatch has been Boesman’s Kop, a hill some distance from considerably delayed, but the delay has been Sannah’B Post on the Bloemfontein road, where an unavoidable one, as I considered it undesir­ a party of Mounted Infantry were stationed able to submit it until I had had an oppor­ with orders to return between 3 A.M. and 5 A.M. tunity of personally enquiring into the case the following day. On the morning of the 31st from the principal actors iu it. Owing to the March this patrol was unable to reach Sannah’s manner in which the Cavalry has been em­ Post, owing to the Boers having occnpied the ployed on detached duties this has not been KooFn Spruit watercourse during the night possible till tho Army reached Pretoria. and it does not appear that the men composing 9. In conclusion I am glad to say that on THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 839 this, as on other occasions, the troops behaved could be seen galloping on the north bank of in a most gallant manner, and 1 cordially sup­ the river in the direction of Boesman’s Kop, a port Brigadier-General Broad wood’s recom­ steep hill on the road by which reinforcements mendations on behalf of the Officers, non-com­ would arrive from Bloemfontein, and on which missioned officers and men whose names he has a detachment of Mounted Infantry was brought to notice. stationed. 1 ordered the force to retire out of I have, &c., shell fire, and directed Roberts’s Horse and ROBERTS, Field-Marshal, “ U ” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, to rein­ Commanding-in-Chief, force the post at Boesman’s Kop, on which South Africa. point I proposed to withdraw my force. One regiment of Mounted Infantry I detailed From Brigadier-General Broadwood to the to act as rear-guard, and one company of Military Secretary to the Field-Marshal, Mounted Infantry to reinforce the patrol sent Commanding-in-Chief, South Africa. out by the Officer Commanding at Sannah’a Bloemspruit, Post towards Waterval Drift. Sik, 20th April, 1900. 5. The regiment of Mounted Infantry I HAVE the honour to submit the following (Roberts's Horse), ordered to Boesman’s Sop, report for tho information of the Field-Marshal and the Battery (“ U ’’ Battery, Royal Horse upon the withdrawal from Thabanchu and action Artillery), moved off on opposite sides of the at Sannah’s Post on the 30th and 31st March, baggage column, which was clearing rapidly 1900:— out of the shell fire, and, before they had 1. At 11 a.h. on 30th March, 1900, while cleared, the column came on to a deep spruit, camped at Thabanchu in command of the force about 2,000 yards west of the bivouac. This marginally noted,* I received a report from the sprnit was occnpied by about 600 of the enemy, ontposts that a large force of Boers was moving who seized five guns of the battery and the rapidly on the town along the road from Lady- convoy, and opened a heavy fire on Roberts’s brand. I reinforced the outposts in that direc­ Horse and on the main body of Cavalry which tion by one squadron of Cavalry and 300 was following; these retired out of fire. “ Q ” Mounted Infantry ; immediately afterwards re­ Battery, owing to its losseB in the retirement, ports were brought in by natives that another was compelled to come into action within 1,200 hostile force was working round my left or yards of the sprnit, and the Durham Light north flank. I occupied a position in that Infantry Company of Mounted Infantry, which direction with three squadrons, and wired to the was acting as right flank guard to the retire­ Chief of the Staff that, if the latter report was ment, promptly occnpied a position on the right confirmed, I Bhonld be compelled to retire on and left flank of the battery; this checked any Sannah’s Post, where I should be in open intention the enemy had of advancing from the country and within supporting distance of spruit. Bloemfontein. 1 told the Officer Commanding 6. I had remained with the rear-guard, the two companies of Mounted InfantryAngloBoerWar.com at thinking it the most threatened point. Pro­ Sannah’s Post that I should probably retire on ceeding to the scene of the disaster, I found him, and that I wished him specially to recon­ that the enemy were extending up the sprnit noitre to his north. and over the ridge weBt of it. I ordered the 2. At 8 p.m. the enemy attacked the nek, Household Cavalry Regiment to oecnpy a point 6 miles east of the town. 1 ordered Lieu­ higher up the spruit., and to work down it, ono tenant-Colonel Alderson to send an escort with company Mounted Infantry to work along the my baggage to Israel’s Poovt some 3 miles ridge on the Household Cavalry’s left, and the distant, where I intended to bivouac. Soon 10th Hussars to swing round the left of this afterwards I received corroborative intelligence company and operate against the rear of the of a movement round my left. I then sent an enemy in the spruit. As soon as the movement order that the retirement was to be continued was under weigh I relieved the Household to Sannah’s Post, a distance of about 24 miles Cavalry by two companies of the Burma from where my outposts were engaged. I Mounted Infantry, and ordered the former to wired to the Chief of the Staff that I was join in the movement of the 10th Hnssars. retiring on Sannah’s Post. 7. I did not consider it possible for Major 3. At dark the enemy withdrew from the Hornby to move his battery under the heavy attack on the nek, and by 9 P.Ji. I had with­ fire, but ordered him to retire as soon as the drawn my troops from their positions, and was turning movement should have had the effect retiring on Sannah’s Post, which we reached at of checking this fire, and to then move round 3.30 a.3i., the baggage having arrived there at the pivot formed by tho Monnted Infantry in 11 p.m. My intention was to await orders or the spruit, on Boesman’s Kop. I ordered reinforcements at that point, as it commanded Lieuteuant-Colonel Alderson with the remainder the Waterworks. of his brigade to hold the enemy, who were 4. Soon after daylight on the 31st March, pressing vigorously across the river, sufficiently the Officer Commanding Sannah’s Post detach­ long to cover the retirement of the battery, ment reported that his patrol towards Water- and to follow its retirement. The whole of val Drift reported that my north flank was this operation was carried out with perfect clear, bnt that his patrols were being fired on steadiness by all concerned, the action of “ Q J’ from the kopjes east of the Modder River. Battery, tho company of Durham Light In­ Almost immediately afterwards a heavy shell fantry, and of Lieutenant-Colonel Pilcher’s fire from the latter direction was opened on regiment of Monnted Infantry being specially the bivouac at a range to which my Horse worthy of notice. By 11.15 a.m. the force was Batteries could not reply. At the same time clear, with the loss of seven guns, and of the whole of the convoy, two guns of “ Q ” Battery it was reported to me that about 300 BoerR having to be abandoned owing to the- loss of horses. ?,* " Q ” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery; “ U ” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery; Household Cavalry, 160 Eabres; 8. Lieutenant-Colonel Martyr's Brigade of •10th Hussars, 160 sabres; AldeHon’s Mounted Infantry, Monnted Infantry had meanwhile arrived a ■600, rides, ' Boesman’s Sop, one regiment, Lieutenant. 890 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY -8* 1901*

Colonel,Henry's, had moved on Waterval Drift, Statement by Lieutenant-Colonel Pilcher, pom-; w hereit extricated the company of Mounted manding 3rd Mounted Infantry Corps, re­ Infantry which had been pushed ont in that garding escorting baggage, &c., on 30th d ic tio n earlier in the day,. Another regiment, March. Major Dobell’s, 1 ordered forward on to the * Pretoria, ridge west of the spruit to see what possibility 17th June, 1900. there was. of recovering any of the lost guns or 1. At about noon on 30th March, at Tha^ convoy. He came under a heavy fire, and banchn, Lieutenant-Colonel Alderson ordered reported that the enemy in the spruit had been me, as Officer Commanding 3rd Mounted In­ reinforced to some 1,500 rifles. fantry Regiment, to form an escort for the . 9, About noon a Staff Officer arrived from baggage on that day. This was the only order General Officer Commanding 9th Division to that he gave me, except that he told me that we sky lie bad reached Boesman’s Kop, I sng- should probably halt at the pass about 3 miles gifted that a direct advance on the spruit to the west o’f where we were in bivouac. Be­ Offered the best chance of assisting. About fore reaching this pass I received information 2 p.m. I.was informed that the 9th Division had that the force was to proceed across the Mod.der Sm^ed: - towards Waterval Drift, so seeing any River. As long as daylight lasted I took up hojpe..of recapturing the guns at an end, I began successive positions guarding the right flank of ddudihg-the units to their camps, as, owing to our retirement, and also reconnoitred • to the fhe.lo'fis bf the baggage, it was inadvisable to north, but saw nothing of the enemy, except Bivouac where we were. what might have been a few scouts. After •';TO. "That the reverse was not more serious is, sunset I proceeded along the road. All the iff A great measure, due to the skilful handling baggage was parked on the far side (the west of his brigade, during the 31st, by Lieutenant- side) of the Modeler, and my regiment had Oolbnel ffiderson. Conspicuous gallantry was settled down in bivouac before midnight. Shown by the whole of “ Q ” Battery, Royal 2. I had received no orders to provide for the l^otfe Artillery, and by the following Officers, safety of the bivouac, but nevertheless, posted fftiff-cbmmissioned officers, and men who assisted five groups round it, at a distance of abont to'-withdraw the guns under heavy fire :— 500 yards, on the side of the river to which we -.^Lieutenant Maxwell, D.S.O., 18th Bengal had crossed. There was no moon, and this was ■ Lancers, attached to Roberts’s Horse. all I could do in the dark, besides having a -.-Lieutenant Stirling, 2nd Battalion Essex small post at the drift. The whole of the force '■ ’-Regiment. was following the baggage, and was several Lieutenant Ainsworth, 2nd Battalion Durham miles east of the drift when I arrived, besides '-‘"T;- Light Infantry. which, three companies of Mounted Infantry, “ -Lieutenant Way, 2nd Battalion Durham Light with a strength equal to my regiment, were Infantry. • occupying the Waterworks, and had presumably „ Lieutenant Ashburner, 2nd Battalion Durham taken precautions for safety to the west of the --'-;-;liight Infantry. river. "-Lieutenant Grover, 1st BattalionAngloBoerWar.com Shropshire 3. As I have previously stated, I received no r;-’- Light Infantry (killed). orders whatever about finding outposts, and the '■-'4127 Private Parry, 2nd Battalion West precautions I took were simply for the protec­ f - ’ -Riding Regiment. tion of my bivouac until the remainder of the "• 3840 Private Bright, 2nd Battalion Essex force arrived. Regiment. T. W. PILCHER, Lieutenant-Colonel,- ' .5908 Private Pickford, 2nd Battalion Durham Commanding 3rd Corps, Mounted Light Infantry. Infantry. ' 5708 Private Horton, 2nd Battalion Durham ' " Light Infantry. No. 13. - ;4423 Lance-Corporal Steel, 2nd Battalion From Field Marshal Lord Roberts to the Durham Light Infantry. Secretary of State for War. • -The following Officers, non-commissioned Army Head-quarters, South Africa, officers, and men risked their lives to save com­ Mr L ord, Pretoria, 2lst June, 1900. rades Under heavy fire :— I HAVE the hononr to submit for your ■ Lieutenant-Colonel Pilcher, Northumberland Lordship’s consideration a despatch, dated 18th 'Fusiliers. May, 1900, with annexnres and a letter dated -Captain Gore Amley, Essex Regiment. 6th June, 1900, from Major-General R. S. S. 4103 Corporal Lincoln, 1st Battalion North­ Baden-Powell, describing the siege of Mafeking umberland Fusiliers. which lasted from the 13th October, 1899, to the ■ 4831 Private Evans, 1st Battalion Northum­ 17th May, 1900, and bringing to notice the berland Fusiliers. Officers and men, as well as the civilians and ’ Sergeant J. C. Collins, Roberts’ Horse. ladies, who rendered good service during the Private T. Murphy, Roberts’ Horse. above period. Private V. D. Todd, Roberts’ Horse. 2. 1 feel assured that Her Majesty’s Govern­ . - 1 atff.forwarding detailed evidence in the case ment will agree with me in thinking that the of such of the above as seem worthy of the utmost credit is due to Major-General Baden- special consideration of the Commander-in- Powell for his promptness in raising two regi­ Ohief. ■ ments of Mounted Infantry in Rhodesia, and ' - I have, &c., for the resolution, judgment, and resource which J- R-, G. BROADWOOD, Brigadier-General, he displayed throughout the long and trying \ ..... Commanding 2nd Cavalry Brigade. investment of Mafeking by the Boer forces. >.L~ • • The distinction which Major-General Baden- ? :*• , *_ Powell has earned must he shared by his gallant soldiers. No episode iu the present war seems more praiseworthy than the prolonged -defence -of this town by a British garrison; consisting . almost" entirely of Her Majesty’s Colonial forces, inferior in numbers and greatly inferior inaftil. THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 891 lery to -the enemy, cut off from communication 2. Also, equally,-for- the—Protectorate an - with Gape Colony, and with the hope of relief Rhodesia. I ; '-- --- repeatedly deferred until the supplies of food 3. It threatens the weak flank of the'Trans­ were nearly exhausted.' vaal. - - •' :._> 3. Inspired by their - Com mender' s example, 4.1 It is the head-centre of the lai^e- native the defenders of Mafeking maintained a'never- districts of the north-west, with ^hefc2(%00© fading confidence' and -cheerfulness, which con­ inhabitants. . . . duced most materially to the successful'issue; 5. It: contains -important railway stocks had they made light of the hardships to-which they shops. were exposed; and they withstood the enemy’s 6. Also large food and forage supplies'.-' • '"•■'I attacks with an audacity which so disheartened Therefore I left the northern column-" in their opponents that, except on one occasion, charge of Colonel Plumer, and went myse)f-'tS namely, on 12th May, no serious attempt was Mafeking, and organized its'defence. : ~ - made to capture the place by assanlt. This 'Mafeking. ~ attempt was repulsed in a manner which showed Mafeking is an open town, 1,000 yards square) that the determination and fighting qualities of in open undulating country, on the north bank the garrison remained unimpaired to the last. of the Molopo stream. Eight miles from the 4. In recording my high appreciation of the Transvaal border. White population about conduct of all ranks during this memorable 1,000. siege, I desire cordially to support Major- The native St&dt lies $ mile sonth-west, and General Baden-Powell’s recommendations on contains 6,000 inhabitants. bebalf of those serving nnder his orders, and the civilians and others who co-operated with Defence Force. him in the maintenance of order, and in the care 700 whites, of whom 20 were Imperial Army, of the sick and wonnded. remainder Protectorate Regiment, British South I have, Ac., Africa Police, Cape Police, and Bechuanaland ROBERTS, Field-Marshal, Rifles (Volunteers). These were used to man Commanding-in-Chief, the forts and outworks. y South Africa. 300 able-bodied townsmen enrolled as.town y From Major-General Baden-Powell, Command- guard. Employed to garrison the town itself. - ing at Mafeking, to the Chief Staff Officer to 300 natives enrolled as cattle guards, watch­ Lord Roberts. men, police, Ac. Mafeking, Half the defenders wore armed with L.M., Mt Lobd, 18th May, 1900. half with M.H. rifles, with 600 rounds Jper I HAVE the honour to forward herewith my rifle. .. . report on the siege of Mafeking by the Boers, Total Numbers. from 13th October, 1899, to 17th May, 1900, for White men, 1,074; white women, 229; white the information of his Excellency the Field- children, 405; natives, 7,500. Our armament consisted of—■ Marshal Commanding in South Africa. AngloBoerWar.com 1 have, Ac. Four 7-pounder M.L. guns, one 1-pqander R. S. S. BADEN-POWELL, Hotchkiss, one 2-inch Nordeufelt—all old. Major-General. Seven ’303 Maxims. .. To this armament w.e afterwards added—; One 6-pounder M.L. old ship’s gnu, one Table of Contents. 16-pounder M.L. howitzer (made in our Part I.—Narrative of the siege. own shops). Part II.—Minor points connected with the I had two armoured engines promised from siege. Kimberley. I had armoured trucks made at Pait III.—Engagements with enemy Bulawayo and Mafeking. One engine arrived, Part IV.—Recommendation of Officers and the other was out off en route by the enemy and others. captured at Kraaipan. ■ - I.—Resumi of Report on the Siege of Mafeking. The Siege. I arrived in the beginning of August in Rho­ On the 13th October the siege began. desia, with orders— General Cronje with an army of 8,000 Boers 1. To raise two regiments of Mounted In­ and 10 guns, most of them of modern pattern fantry. and power, surrounded the place. ' -' 2. In the event of war, to organize the On the approach of the enemy we sallied out defence of the Rhodesia and Bechuanaland and, in a sharp little engagement, dealt theura frontiers. severe blow, by which they lost 53 killed and 3. As far as possible, to keep forces of the many more wonnded, and which had a lasting enemy occupied in this direction away from moral effect. their own main forces. During the first phase of the siege, October I had the two regiments raised, equipped, and November, General Cronje made various supplied, and ready for service by the end of attempts to take the place. These attacks wC September. beat off without difficulty in every case,, and As war became imminent, I saw that my responded by sorties, varying their nature every force would be too weak to effect much if time as far as possible, and making'them-so scattered along the whole border (500 miles), sudden and so quickly withdrawn as not to'give nnless it were reinforced with some men and the -enemy’s supports time to come up and good guns. I reported this, but as none were overpower us. Of these “ kicks ” we delivered available I decided to concentrate my two half-a-dozen, on 14th, 17th,-20th, 25th, 27th, columns at Tuli and Mafeking respectively, as 31st October, and 7th November (the Boers being the desirable points to hold. quote 14, but they include demonstrations and ■ Of the two, Mafeking seemed the more im­ shelling of dummy forts, gnus, and armoured portant for many reasons, strategical and trucks, Ac., which we put up to draw their political— fire). 1. Because it is the outpost for Kimberley The enemy's losses in this period were very and- Cape Colony. heavy as oompared with ours— - * ■ 898 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

Boers’ losses—287 killed, 800 wounded.* tives escaping out, and he was also able to put Onr losses—85 killed, 101 wounded, 27 a stop to enemy’s depredations and to give missing. security to tbe natives throughout the Protec­ Cronje baring lost a month of valuable time torate, bis force being too small to effect more at Mafeking, now gave up the idea of taking till reinforced. His presence enabled ns to get the place by~ storm, and moved off south for rid of nearly 2,000 native women and children, Kimberley with 4,000 men and 6 guns (leaving which materially relieved tbe strain on our food General Snyman with the remainder, viz., 3,000 supply. to 4,000 men and six guns, including a 94- Early in May, he was reinforced by Canadian pounder siege gun) to invest us. Artillery and Queensland Infantry, &c., and on Seeing then that we could not be relieved for 15th he joined hands with a relief column from many weeks, if not months, I took over into the south under Colonel Mahon. onr own management all details such as hospital, And, on the 17th May, the relief of Mafeking municipality, police, treasury, post and tele­ was successfully effected by the combined graph, railway, native affairs, water supply, columns, after a siege of 218 days. ordnance shops, &c. One of the most noticeable features of the I also took over all food, forage, liquor stores, loug and trying siege haB been the loyalty, and native supplies, &c., and put everybody patience, and good feeling which have prevailed on rations. throughout the community, civil, military, and I had disposed my garrison over what some native. The steadiness and gallantry of the of my Officers considered a rather extended troops in action, and their cheerful acceptance perimeter (about 5 or 6 miles), but everything of hardships, are beyond praise. was arranged for drawing in our horns if neces­ The ladies, and especially those who acted as sary. However, in the event we were able to nurses in the hospitals, displayed the greatest maintain our original position, and even further patience and fortitude. to extend it as became necessary. R6sum6 of Points gained by the Rhodesian The next phase lasted 3 months, November Frontier Force. to January, during which Snyman pushed his (October, 1899, to May, 1900). works and trenches nearer to the place. 1.—At Mafeking. He also drew a cordon of natives around the 1. A force of 8,000 Boers and 10 guns was whole. contained at the first outbreak of war, and pre­ His artillery kept up a continual bombard­ vented from either combining with the Tuli ment on the town. column, and invading Rhodesia, or joining the On our part, during January, February, and forces against Kimberley. Cronje’s commando March, we pushed out counter-works, and waa thus held here for a month. gradually gained point after point of ground 2. From 2,000 to 3,000 Boers and eight guns till we obtained grazing for our live stock, and (including a 94-pounder) were kept employed finally (after a hard tussel in the " Brickfields,” here for over 6 months. in trenching and counter-trenchingAngloBoerWar.com up to within 3. The enemy expended considerably over 70 yardB of the enemy’s works), we drove them 100 tons of ammunition, and lost over 1,000 bade at all points out of range for rifle fire of men killed and wounded, and had four guns the town. disabled and one captnred. During this period, owing to the careful and 4. Large stores of food and forage, and systematic sharp-shooting of our men, the general stocks, were prevented from falling into enemy’s losses continued to be largely in excess the enemy’s hands. of ours. 40 per month killed was admitted by 5. Valuable railway plant-, including 18 loco­ the Boer medical officer. motives, rolling stock, shops, coal, &c., were In April the enemy withdrew the siege gun, saved. and contented themselves with investing us at a 6. Refuge was given to a large number of distance, and shelling our cattle in the hope of British from the Transvaal. starving us into submission. 7. Most of the local neighbouring tribes, and On the 12th May th6 enemy made a bold all those of the protectorate and South Mate- night attack on the place, and succeeded in beleland, remained loyal, which they could not getting into the Stadt with their storming have continued to do had Mafeking fallen and party, bnt we beat back their supports and they been at the mercy of the Boers. surrounded the remainder, inflicting on them a 8. Loss of prestige to Gronje’s force, who loss of 70 killed and wounded, and 108 prisoners, had apparently expected to take possession at including Eloff their commandant (grandson of once on first arrival, and had had proclamation President Kruger). printed annexing the district to the South In the meantime. Colonel Plumer had near African Republic. Tuli prevented a force of Boers from invading 9. Eloff aud 108 Boers and foreigners made Matabeleland from the south. After their prisoners of war. retreat the rising of the river made the border II.—The Rhodesian Column. comparatively safe, and I called him down to During the same period the northern portion defend the railway and the Protectorate border of my force under Colonel Plumer (in spite of (which were already being held by a small force its small numbers and tbe exceptionally difficult organized from Bulawayo by Colonel Nichol­ country and trying climate in which it was son). j operating) succeeded— Colonel Plumer accordingly pushed down the 1. In holding and sending hack the enemy line, repairing it to within 40 miles of Mafeking, in their attempt to invade Rhodesia, vi& Tali. and pushing back the enemy who had been 2. In holding the Bulawayo railway for some holding it. He then established himself in a 200 miles south of the Rhodesian border. good position 35 miles north-west of us, where 3. In giving direct support and protection to he was in touch by means of runners and the natives in Khama’s and Linchwe’s domains, pigeons, was able to afford refuge to our na- and Bathoen’s and the Protectorate generally * These numbers are quoted from Transvaal news­ when threatened by the enemy. papers, bnt must, I think, be exaggerated. I think that 4. In poshing down and repairing the rail­ about 600 killed and wounded would be nearer the mark. way in the face of the enemy to within 40 miles THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 893 of Mafeking, and there establishing a place of Total non-combatants, 487. security for oar natives escaping from Mafe­ Total all casualties during siege, 803. king, and collecting supplies ready to effect Out of 44 officers, 21 were killed, wounded, or onr relief of Mafeking on arrival of reinforce­ missing. ments. Out of 975 men, 190 were killed, wounded, III.—The Palapye Column. or missing. A small column organized by Colonel Communications. Nicholson, from Bulawayo, with armoared Local. trains, &c., held Mangwe, Palapye, Mochudi, Telephone.—All outlying forts and look-out &c., on the railway until Plumer’s column was posts were connected up with head-quarters, available for the duty. under management of Mr. Howat, postmaster, The whole of the frontier force, north and and his staff. I was thus able to receive south columns combined, numbered under reports and issue orders for all parts of the 1,700, while the Boers during the early part defence instantaneously. of the campaign had between 9,000 and 10,000 Postal.—To cover the heavy expenses of out on their northern and north-western border. runners, and for the convenience of the public, Country operated over, between Mafeking and postage was established a t: Id. for town, 3d. Tnli, 450 miles in length. for outlying forts, Is. for up country. II.—Minor Points connected with the Siege. Signalling.—Heliograph, lamp, and flag sig­ (Alphabetically arranged.) nalling was established for defence purposes by Ammunition. brigade signallers, under Major Panzera and Artillery. Serjeant-Major Moffat. Casualties. Megaphones were also made and used in Communications. outlying trenches and posts. Civil administration. Phonophores were also used on the armoured Compensation. train, attached to ordinary telegraph lines. Correspondents. Distant. Defence accounts. Runners.—Native runners wore employed Defence works. twice weekly, or oftener when necessary, to Enemy’s artillery—fighting, treachery, field take despatches, letters, &c., to our northern work. column. They had to be highly paid, as the Finance. risk of capture and death was very great. Food supply. I was thus practically in touch with my force Fuel. on the railway, and through them with Colonel Garrison. Nicholson at the base, and Colonel Plumer’s Hospital. column at Tuli. Natives. Civil Administration. Railway. I established, for the trial of all cases not Relief Committee. directly amenable to military law, a Court of Specialities. AngloBoerWar.comSummary Jurisdiction— Staff. ' Members: Spies. Resident Commissioner. Transport. Resident Magistrate. Town Commandant. Women’s laager. Officer Commanding Pi’otectorate Regiment. Artillery. Chief Staff Officer. Our so-called artillery should of course have At first it was a little difficult to make the been entirely outclassed by the modern high- civilians appreciate the restrictions oE martial velocity gnus of the enemy, but in practice law, and, as times grew more critical, there came they managed to hold their own in spite of a tendeucy to spread rumours and to grumble, their using powder, shells, and fuzes all made this had to be stopped. in our own shops. I also published some explanatory remarks The artillery and also the ordnance shops and advice on the working of martial law, &c., were under Major Panzera, assisted by Lieu­ and these steps had a most marked effect, tenant Daniell, British South Africa Police. obedience to orders and a good spirit thence­ Casualties. forward prevailed in the garrison. I. —Combatants. Compensation. Whites— From the commencement of the siege careful Officex-s.—6 killed and died of wounds; record was kept of all shell-fire damage to pro­ 15 wounded; 1 missing; total 22. perty, and claims of owners considered and Non-commissioned officers and men.— assessed. Total assessed, 16,462£. 10s. 2d. No 61 killed and died of wounds; 103 promise was held out that Government would wounded; 26 missing; 16 died ; 5 grant compensation, the proceedings were accidents; total 211. merely intended to assist the commission should Total— one afterwards be assembled, and to protect Whites.—67 killed and died of wounds; Government against exorbitant claims. 118 wonnded; 27 missing; 16 died; A record was also made of losses suffered by 5 accidents ; total 233. refugees, in property, livestock, &o. Coloured.—25 killed and died of wounds; All livestock killed or wounded by shell fire 68 wonnded ; total 83. was bought at a fair price and utilized for food, Total combatants, 316. so that the owners have no claims on this head, II. —Non-combatants. at the same time the value of the animals is in Whites.—4 killed and died of wounds; 5 many cases not represented by cash, and it wounded ; 32 died; total 41. would be far more satisfactory to the owners if Natives.—65 killed and died of wounds; they could be repaid in kind. This is a point 117 wounded; total 182. which I venture to suggest be taken into con­ Baralongs,—264 killed and died of wounds; sideration when dealing with the Boers after total 264. the war ; a substantial fine in cattle would No. 27282. I 894 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. touch them heavily without leaving them desti­ wood hut was devised, and used for housing tute, and the bestowal of such cattle on de­ the garrisons of the forts. serving and looted loyalists would give great Enemy’s Artillery—Fighting, Treachery, Field satisfaction and be far more acceptable to them, Works. and loss expensive to Government., than grants Artillery.—Guns employed— of money. 1— 94-pr. Creusot, 15-cm., 20-lb. charge. Correspondents. 2— 7-pr. (Jameson’s), (Under Lieutenant to Hon. A. Hanbury-Tracy 2—5-pr. Armstrong’s B.L. as Press Censor). 1—12-pr. B.L. These gentlemen gave a certain amount of 1— 9-pr. Krnpp, B.L. tumble at first, as for the most part they were 2 Q.F. 14-prB., high velocity. more reporters than correspondents. Further 2— 1-pr. Maxims. reforms in the matter of correspondents in the Total, 11 guns. field are very desirable. The enemy derived a The 94-pr. fired 1,497 rounds, and the great deal of information as to our circum­ artillery altogether fired 2,000 rounds during stances from the newspapers, not only the the siege. local ones, but also from the Colonial and The damage done was very small, partly English papers, in spite of a strict censorship owing to the open nature of the town and on onr part. lowness of our forts, but more especially on Defence Accounts. account of the want of intelligent directing of (Under Captain Greener, British South Africa the fire. Police). Fighting.—The enemy’8 attacks invariably Expenditure during the siege. failed from want of discipline and pluck on the To labour, 13,0241. part of the men. To pay, local corps and trench allowance In the attack on Cannon Kopje they got 20,7771. within 400 yards, and even started digging To pay, clerical and civil staff, 3,5431. shelter trenches, hut when the men began to To foodstuffs, grain, rations, &c., 36,0761. fall the rest retreated promptly. To material, clothing, equipment, &o., The night attack on the Stadt, on 12th May, 10,8011. was boldly led by Eloff and a number of To hospital staff, comforts, &c., 5,4111. foreigners, and had their supports come on with To local transport, 8901. equal pluck, we should have had a hard task to Total, 90,5221. drive them out, but as it was the supports were To payments other than defence, viz., frontier easily beaten off and the storming party sur­ forces, special pay, &c., 32,7291. rounded. Total, 123,2511. Treachery.—The enemy tiled on numerous occasions on our hospital, convent, and women's Receipts. laager, although these were conspicuously By foodstuffs, and grain sales, 5,1841.AngloBoerWar.commarked with Red Cross flags, stood in isolated By soup kitchens, 3,2421. positions, and had been fully pointed out by me By sales of Government property, 4421. to the Boer Generals. By local post office, 2381. The women’s laager was deliberately shelled By dog tax, 671. in particular ou 24th and 30th October, 27tb By fines, 1271. January, and 11th April. Total, 9,3001. The Red Cross flag was used to cover artillery Weekly average expenditure in pay, 1,5501. taking up position on 24th, 30th, and 31st Average receipts for rations, 625Z. October. Soup, 6001. Convent deliberately shelled, 16th October, Total, 1,2251. 3rd and 8th November. Defence Works. Our white flag, returning from a conference (Under direction of Major Yyvyan, for town with the enemy, was deliberately volleyed, 17th and East Front; Major Godley, West Front.) January. Scheme.—General scheme at first was to Field works.—The enemy’s trenches were of secure the town acid Stadt by clearing front, a very good design, and made in well-selected laying mines, fortifying outskirts, &e. positions. The typical trench or fort consisted Then to push out advanced trenches to drive of a chain of small chambers 10 feet square, back those of the enemy, and finally to establish partly excavated, partly built up with sandbags, a girdle of outlying forts. having stout walls, loopholed to front and rear, The scheme included the provision of bomb- the whole roofed in with corrugated iron and proofs and extensive covered ways, gun emplace­ railway rails. Command, about 3 feet. ments, drainage, &o. Finance. In all some 60 works were made, and about (Under Captain Greener, as Chief Paymaster.) 6^ miles of trenches. I ordered all Government accounts to be kept The perimeter of the works at first was settled up to date, so as to leave as little as pos­ approximately 7 miles, latterly it extended to sible for subsequent settlement; much work and a little over 10 miles. confusion has thereby been saved. Nature.—Generally semicircular redans, but The accounts were well kept by Captain no two works were similar in trace, they varied Greener and his staff. An examiner of accounts according to position, ground, &c. At first dng was appointed to check accounts before pay­ out and kept very low, latterly, owing to diffi­ ment, and also an auditor for the larger culties of drainage, long grass, inaccuracy of amounts. enemy’s shell fire, &c., they were made more Cash in hank amounted to 12,0001., of which upstanding. Head cover was found to be only 6501. was in silver. Cash soon became essential. When trenches were near, steel scarce, because the public, especially the natives loopholes had to be used, the ordinary sandbag and Indian traders, concealed all the cash they and wooden ones being too good a target to could get, in anticipation of the place being the enemy. taken by the enemy. Huts.—A good form of portable iron and Paper money thus became necessary, and I THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBEUAEY 8, 1901. 895

issued coupons for Is., 2s., and 3s. Ultimately Petroleum.—Asbestos stove made, but was gold also became scarce, and 1Z. notes were not a success. printed in cyanotype and issned; but they never Patent fuel.—Cow dung and coal dust, mixed got into real circulation, as people kept them as in equal parts and baked, produced 20 tons good curios to the extent of 700Z. 10s. coupons were fuel. issued with satisfactory result. Hospital. For the convenience of the men, and to get (Victoria Hospital—70 beds. Base hospital.) cash from the public, a “ Garrison Savings Major Anderson, Royal Army Medical Corps, Bank ” was opened. Deposits amounted to Principal Medical Officer. 8.800Z. Dr. W. Hayes (acted as Principal Medical Total Government expenditure to end of Officer during first part of the siege). May, 142.660Z. Surgeon-Major Holmden, British South Africa Total Government receipts to end of May, . Police. 11.828Z. Dr. T. Hayes, District Surgeon. Food Supply. Dr. Elmes. (Under Captain Ryan.) Garrison. Early in the siege, I took over all merchant Protectorate Regiment. stocks and put everybody on rations. Lieutenant-Colonel Hore, Commander.—21 Beginning on the usual scale, I gradually Officers, 448 men. reduced it to the lowest that would allow of the British South Africa Police. men being fit for duty. During the latter part Lieutenant-Colonel Watford, Commander.— of the siege no extras of any kind were ob­ 10 Officers, 81 men. tainable. All lived strictly on the following Cape Police, Division 1. scale:— Inspector Marsh, Commander.—2 Officers, Meat, at first, 1 lb .; latterly, f to 1 lb. 45 men. Bread, at first, 1 lb .; latterly, 5 oz. Cape Police, Division 2. Vegetables, at first, 1 lb .; lattcrley, 6 oz. Inspector Browne, Commander.—2 Officers, Coffee, at first, £ oz. ; latterly, ^ oz. 54 men. Salt, at first, ^ oz.; latterly, ^ oz. Sugar, at first, 2 oz. Bechuanaland Rifles. Tea, at, first, i oz. Captain Cowan, Commander.—4 Officers, Sowens, latterly, 1 quart. 77 men. We had a large stock of meat, both live and Deduct missing at Lobatsi.—1 Officer, 26 tinned. men. For livestock, we had to open up wide extent Total drilled men.—38 Officers, 679 men, of grazing ground. Wo ate the fresh meat first Town Guard, 296 men (untrained). in order to avoid loss from enemy’s fire, failure Total garrison—44 Officers, 975 men. of grass and water, lung sickness, &o. From the above Town Guard was formed the Railway Division, 2 Officers, 20 men, under The tinned meat we Btored in bomproofAngloBoerWar.com chambers, and kept as reserve. (local) Captain Move. During the last two months we were on The following commanded sections of the horseflesh three days a week. defence:— Our stocks of meal were comparatively small, Western defences, Major God ley. but we had a large supply of forage oats. These Stadt and south-western forts, Captain we ground into flour, and fermented the residue Marsh. into sowens (a form of porridge) and the re­ Cannon Kopje and south front, Colonel Wal­ maining husks went as forage to the horses. ford. Fresh vegetables were largely grown within South-eastern works (brickfields), Inspector the defences, and for a greater part of the siege Marsh, at first. Inspector Browne, latterly. formed a regular portion of the ration. North-east works, Captain Cowan. The cost of feeding the troops was Is. 3cZ. per Town, Colonel Vyvyau, at first, Major Goold- ration, or, with fresh vegetables, Is. 6d. ; about Adams, latterly. 3d. below the contract price in peace. Civilians Head-quarters Staff— paid 2s., and women in the laager Is. 2d. Chief Staff Officer—Lord E. Cecil. All liquor was taken over and issued in “ tots ” Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General (B)— to the troops on wet nights, and I think saved Captain Ryan. much sickness. Intelligence Officer—Lieutenant Hon. Han- Natives.—For the natives, we established four bury-Tracy. soup kitchens at which home stew was sold Aide-de-Camp—Captain Wilson. daily, and five sowen kitchens, Natives were Commanding Royal Artillery—Major Pan- all registered, to prevent fraud, and bought zera. rations at 1 quart per adult, and 1 pint per Commanding Royal Engineer—Colonel child, at 3d. per pint. Vyvyan. Defence watchmen, workmen, police, &c., Hospital. and certified destitute persons were given free (Under Major Anderson, Royal Army Medical rations. The kitchens so managed paid then- Corps, as Principal Medical Officer.) own expenses. S taff- They were under Captain Wilson, A.D.C., Dr. W. Hayes (acted as Principal Medical with Mr. Myers as cash taken and inspector. Officer during the first part of the Fuel. siege). Coal.—300 tons available at railway store, Surgeon-Major Holmden, British South wa9 used for armoured train, ordnance foundry, Africa Police. pumping station, flour mills, forage factory, Dr. T. Hayes, District Surgeon. forges, &o. Dr. Elmes. Wood.—25,000 lb. weekly for bakery, soup, Victoria Hospital (base hospital).—Nursing and oat-sowen kitchens, cooking, &c. Procured Staff: Miss Hill (Matron) and three nurses, from roofs of huts in the Stadt, old wagons, assisted by four volunteer nurses; also by lopped trees, fencing, &c. Mother Teresa and six sisters. I 2 896 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

Convalescent hospital.—At convent, Lady Armoured train.—We armoured ordinary Sarah Wilson. long-bogey trucks with steel rails (iron ones Women and children’s hospital.—Miss Crau- not being bullet-proof) to a height of 5 feet, fnrd. with loopholes and gun ports. I had three pre­ On outbreak of war I took over the town pared at Mafeking under the able direction of hospital, but at first the administration was not Mr. More, Resident Engineer, Bechnanaland satisfactory, on acconnt of want of supervision Railway, also three at Bulawayo by Mr. Wallis, over expenses of stores, and sanitation. I there­ Resident Engineer. fore appointed an issuer and storekeeper, and a Brawn was made from ox and horse hides sanitary inspector. To existing accommoda­ and feet, and was much appreciated as meat. tion I added a native ward, nurses’ quarters, a Bombs.—Dynamite bombs were made up in ward for Colonial Contingent, and a boarded small potted meat and milk tins for use as hand marqnee for shell wouuds, &c. grenades, with slow match fuzes, with complete Both doctors and nurses did excellent work, success, by Lieutenant Feltham. Sergeant Page, always shorthanded, and frequently under fire. champion bait thrower of Port Elizabeth, by (All the hospital buildings were struck by using a whip stick and short line, was able to shells and bullets, and the first convalescent throw these with accuracy over a distance of hospital was wrecked, and the second damaged 100 yards. by 94-pounder shells). Fnel.—When coal and wood began to run Natives. low, a very satisfactory fuel was made up of (Under Mr. Bell, Resident Magistrate and Civil coal dust and cowdung mixed. Commissioner.) Fusses.—A simple and useful percussion fuze Natives in Mafeking, during the siege, was invented by Lieutenant Daniel], British were— South Africa Police, in which the butt end of a Baralongs, 5,000. Lee-Metford cartridge was used as detonator. Fingoes, Shangans, and district Baralongs, This fuze was in regular use with our locally- 2 ,000. made shells. Total, between 7,000 and 8,000. Howitzer.—A 6-inch howitzer was made in The Shangans were refugees from the our workshops, under the orders of Major Pan- Johannesburg mines, and were sent into Mafe­ zera, by Mr. Conolly. The bore was a tube of king by the Boers on the outbreak of war. steel, with iron rings shrunk on in two tiers. Being accustomed to digging, they proved useful The breech was a block of cast bronze. The for working gangs on the defences. trunnions and ring were a similar solid casting. The district Baralongs, Fingoes, and Cape The gun threw a 18-lb. ball (shell), and reached Boys, came into Mafeking when their villages a distance of 4,000 yards. were burnt and their cattle looted by the Lookout poles.—Telescopic look-out poles Boers. From among them we got about 300 were made of lengths of iron piping, and set men to act as armed cattle guards, watchmen, up with steel wire stays, with a pulley and police, &c. AngloBoerWar.comslung seat to hoist the man to the masthead. The local Baralongs living in the Stadt dis­ Height, about 18 feet. played their loyalty, and did some good service Oat bread.—Mr. Ellitson, our master baker, (especially after I had deposed their Chief made up our forage oats into a good form of Wessels for want of energy), and supplied good bread. The oats were winnowed, cleaned, kiln- despatch runners, spies, cattle runners, &c. dried, ground, steam sieved (twice), and made Of the natives living in the district, Saani into bread in the usual way, with a small ad­ remained particularly loyal, and although n mixture of Boer meal. prisoner in the hands of the Boers, he managed Search light.—Mr. Walker, agent for the to send us information from time to time. Acetyline Gas Company, under Captain More’s Bathoen was loyal, but too timid to be of use. direction, made a very effective and portable Copane, a subject of the Boers, although forced acetyline search light with an engine head-light to supply them with men, offered us his allegi­ and a theodolite stand. These we had stationed ance. Hatsiokomo and Matuba (British sub­ in the principal forts and on the armoured jects), joined the enemy, and the latter and his train. men fought with them. Signalling lamp.—Sergeant-Major Moffat and Railway. Mr. Walker devised a very effective and port­ (Under Captain More.) able acetyline signalling lamp, which is reckoned 132 men, 46 women, 86 children. to be readable at 15 miles. We had two in Eighteen locomotives, only one of which was work. damaged by shell fire, as they were moved Sowens.—This is a form of porridge, made round to the “ lee ” side of the railway buildings from the fermented bran of oats after the flour with every move of the enemy’s big gun. had been extracted for making bread. 100 lb. Also a large amount of rolling stock. of bran in 37 gallons of water give 33 gallons Value of railway plant, 120,0007. of sowens. On this food we fed both natives A defence railway, 1£ miles long, was laid and whites. We had five sowen kitchens, each round the north-east front. capable of producing 800 gallons daily. It was We made three armoured trucks, walls of sold at 6d. per quart to those not entitled to it steel rails, iron lookout tower, acetyline search as a ration. light, speaking tubes, electric bells, water, Sausages.—The horses which we used for medicine chests, stretchers, &c. meat were, as a rule, so poor in condition that 2u0 tons of rails were used in construction of we found it best to cut off the flesh from the bombproofs. bones and mince it for issue as ration. The The armoured trains did much good Bervice. remainder of the carcase then went to the soup Specialities. kitchen. The mince was then mixed with spice Ammunition.—Mr. Fodisch, our gunsmith, and saltpetre, and made up into sausages, the reloaded Martini Henry cartridges, using intestines of the same animal being used for ordinary gun caps fixed with plaster of Paris sausage skins. The meat thus treated lasted for detonators. Powder and bullets were home longer, and was more palatable. made. Steel loopholes.—Finding that the enemy THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 897 shot through ordinary loopholes at short Transport. distances, especially in trench work, I devised (Under Lieutenant McKenzie). a form of steel loophole with two plates of This department was vory ably managed, ■|-inch steel bolted together at an angle of and, though at first much hired transport was 45 degrees, with a hole 2 inches square in the employed, Lieutenant McKenzie gradually middle of the joint, the shield being 2 feet arranged so that the whole of the Army Ser­ high and 2 feet wide. vice Corps, Royal Engineers, sanitary, (fee., Steel sap roller.—I also had a sapping shield duties (as well as the regimental work) were made of two sheets of finch steel, each 4 feet carried out by the Government transport avail­ square, bolted together at an tingle and able, viz.— mounted on wheels, to be pushed in front 11 wagons. of a party pushing a sap under fire. 6 Scotch carts. Relief Committee. 2 trollies. Numbers of the refugees and some of the 3 ambulances. townspeople, being without means during the 188 mules, siege, I formed a relief committee, consisting 12 oxen. of the Mayor, the Base Commandant, the The mnle3 kept their condition wonderfnlly Chaplain, and other representative men, with well, considering the absence of forage and the myself as president, for disbursing funds for amount of work. purchase of clothing and necessaries, &c., and Water Supply. for the issue of rations to deserving cases. (Under Major Vyvyan and Major Hepworth.) Sums received from England, from the The enemy cut off our water supply from various relief funds, were thus carefully and the waterworks during the first few days of advantageously administered and accounted the siege. Fortunately the season was un­ for, and there was no real suffering among the usually wet, and consequently the Molopo white population. stream did not run dry, and lionse tanks kept Staff. fairly filled. But to make sure against con­ Head -quarters— tingencies, and to eusnre a supply of whole­ Colonel Commanding—Colonel Baden- some water, we cleaned out various wells and Powell. dug a new one of great capacity. Chief Staff Officer—Major Lord E. Cecil, The water from these was issued to the town D.S.O. and garrison by means of tank wagons, filled Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General (B) — nightly and posted at convenient points during Captain Ryan, Army Service Corps. the day. Aide-de-Camp—Captain G. Wilson. Royal Women’s Laager. Horse Guards. (Under Mr. F. Whiteley, the Mayor.) Intelligence Officer—Lieutenant Hon. A. Formed at Mr. Rowland’s house, where every­ Hanbury-Tracy, Royal Horse Guards. thing was placed at the disposal of the refugees Local— AngloBoerWar.comin a most kindly way by Mr. Rowlands. Commanding Artillery and Deputy-Assis­ Number of whites—10 men, 188 women, tant Adjutant-General—Major Panzera, 315 children; also about 150 native servant British South Africa Police. girls. Base Commandant and Commanding Engi­ Health fairly good considering the circum­ neer—Major C. B. Vyvyan, Buffs.” stances. Diphtheria made its appearance, but Principal Medical Officer—Dr. W. Hayes after fonr cases was stopped by isolation. (at first), Major Anderson, Royal Army Deaths, 24. Medical Corps. A large bombproof, 180 yards by 5 feet, was Chief Paymaster—Captain Greener, British made for the accommodation of the whole of Sonth Africa Police. the inhabitants of the laager, with protected Town Commandant and Protectorate, Na­ ways, latrines, &c. tives—Major Goold-Adams, C.B., C.M.G. The women and children were rationed, the Local Natives—Mr. C. G. H. Bell, Resi­ supply and distribution being efficiently carried dent Magistrate and Civil Commissioner. out by Mr. Whiteley, without any kind of re­ Women and children—Mr. P. Whiteley, muneration to himself. Mayor. This gentleman carried out the entire manage­ Transport—Lieutenant McKenzie. ment of the laager with conspicuous snccess, Post and Telegraphs—Mr. Howat, Post­ and was very ably assisted by Rev. W. H. master, Weekes and Mr. Rowlands. Chaplains—Rev. W. H. Weekes (Church The following were the eases dealt with by of England), Rev. Father Ogle (Roman the Court of Summary Jurisdiction :— Catholic). Charges. Spies. Honse-breaking, 14. The enemy were well informed of all that Treason, 35. went on in Mafeking during the siege. We had Theft, 197. over 30 suspects in the gaol for the greater part Minor offences, 184. of the time, but it was almost impossible to get Total, 430. proofs against them. The stationmaster had Punishments. undoubtedly been iu communication with an Death, 5. ex-Fenian, Whelan, a prominent member of the Corporal punishment, 115. Irish Land League. This man we arrested on Detention in gaol, 23. the outbreak of war, and kept in gaol. He Fines, 57. had among his papers a code for messages. Imprisonment with hard labour, 91. The natives acted as spies for the enemy ; we Total 291. caught two and tried them, and shot them. Total fines, 140Z. 3s. 6d. More than half the families in the women’s III.—Engagements during the Siege. laager were Dutch, and of pro-Boer sympathies. Action of 14th October. Four of our men. deserted to the enemy at Six miles north of Mafeking on railway. different times. Early in the morning of the 14th October 898 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. oar reconnoitring patrols exchanged shots with nnknown, but probably considerable, as their a strong party of the enemy, who were advanc­ ambulances were on the field picking up for ing along the railway 3 miles north of the over an hour after the engagement. town. It was afterwards (10th December) ascer­ I ordered out the armoured train, under tained that the attack on the Stadt was in­ Captain Williams, British South Africa Police, tended ns a feint, while the main attack should to endeavour to rush the Boers and pour a come off to northward, on our western face. heavy fire into them, as I wanted to make the The Boers had expected the Baralongs not to first blow felt by them to be a really hard one. fii\j on them, and so advanced more openly than The train carried a 1-pounder Hotchkiss and a they would otherwise have done; nor had they '303-inch Maxim, and 15 men, British South expected to find white men defending the Stadt. Africa Police. Their loss was, therefore, pretty heavy, and, I sent oat, in support of the train, a squadron surprised at their rebuff, they fell back alto­ of the Protectorate Regiment, under Captain gether. FitzClarence. At one period of the action, a small mounted On coming up with (he train he found it troop of Boers advanced at a gallop towards the heavily engaged with the Boers, who had been western position, and came nnder fire of the strongly reinforced from their laager, some 7 Cape Police Mnxim, which dropped five of them ; miles north; they had also brought up a the remainder rapidly dispersed. 7-pounder Kmpp and a 1-pounder Maxim. Daring the afternoon some of onr scoots near Captain FitzClarence, dismounting his men, the Brickfields were moving, under fire, when advanced to attack with his left protected by one of them fell with his horse and lay alUDned. the train. Two Cape Police troopers in the works ran out- For a quarter of an hour ho was held by the and placed the injured man on his horse, and enemy under a very hot tire, and then, pressing brought him in under heavy fire from the forward, well backed up by the train, he drove enemy: names, Troopers George Collins and the enemy back and successfully beat off tlieir W. F. Green. several attempts to encircle his flank. Mean­ Night Attack on Boer Trenches. time, I sent up an additional troop under Lord 27tli October, 1899. Charles Bentinck, and also a 7-pr. These also Daring past two days onemy had moved their became hotly engaged and did good work. The advanced trenches closer into the east face. £ fire from the armoured train put the enemy’s determined to make an attack on their main ad­ gun out of action before it had fired a shot, and vanced trench with the bayonet, in order to eientually also drove the 1-pr. Maxim from the discourage their advancing further. field. A night attack was therefore organized with The engagement lasted about 4 hours, and Captain FitzClarence’s squadron, Protectorate the enemy largely outnumbered onr men, bat Regiment, supported by a party of Cape Police. Captain FitzClarence made np for this de­ Gniding lights were hoisted, by which Captain ficiency bv the able handling of his AngloBoerWar.commen. More­ FitzClarence was able to lead his party past the over, he kept his orders in mind, and when he flank of the main trench. saw the opportunity he got his wounded on to The attacking force moved off 9'30 p.m. in the train, and after driving the enemy back he silence, with magazines charged, but no car­ withdrew his command quietly on Mafeking, tridges in the chamber, the order being to use covered by the train, without any attempt on the bayonet only. The men wore white armlets the part of the enemy to follow him up. and used “ FitzClarence ” as their pass word. In this, their first engagement, the Protecto­ The night was dark, but still. The squadron rate Regiment showed a spirit and dash worthy attained its position on the left rear of enemy’s of highly-trained troops, and were most ably trench without being challenged or fired at. led by Captain FitzClarence and Lord C. Ben- Captain FitzClarence then wheeled up his men, tinok. and with a cheer charged into the main and a This smartly fought little engagement had a subsidiary trench, and cleared both with the great and lasting moral effect on the enemy. bayonet. Their losses were afterwards found to amount The enemy’s rearward trenches opened a to 53 killed (including four field cornets) and a heavy fire, to which the Cape Police replied large number wounded. They also lost n from a flank, in order to draw the fire on to number of horses. themselves, and so to allow Captain Fitz­ Our casualties were— Clarence’s squadron to return unmolested. 2 killed. The whole operation was carried out exactly 16 wounded (including two Officers). in accordance with instructions, and was % com­ 1 missing (cyclist). plete success; the more so as the enemy, being 4 horses killed. taken by surprise, were in much confusion, and, 12 wounded. as we afterwards discovered, fired into each Enemy’s Attack cn the Stadt, other. Their casualties, we heard on reliable 25th October, 1899. authority, amounted to 40 killed and wounded Enemy commenced shelling at 6.30 a.m. till with the bayonet, 60 killed and wounded by midday from the east and south with 7 guns. rifle fire. Our casualties were six killed, nine At noon they commenced a general advance wouuded, two missing. against the town from the south-west, cast, and Killed. north-east; the south-west being the main 4323 Corporal Burt, 17th Lanoers. attack directed against the Stadt. Their num­ 442 Trooper Josiah Soundy, Protectorate ber about 3,000. The enemy commenced firing Regiment. at extreme range, to which we made no reply, 443 Trooper Charles Mayfield Middlediteh, reserving our fire for close distances. So soon Protectorate Regiment. as our volleys and Maxims commenced the 171 Trooper Thomas Fraser. enemy stopped their advance, and soon began 202 Robert Ryves MacDonald. to withdraw at all points. Casualties on onr 222 Alexander Henry Turner. side were one man wounded, and two horses Wounded. and eight mules wouuded; the Boers’ losses Captain FitzClarence, slightly. THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 899

Lieutenant Swinburne, slightly. Wounded. Corporal Bernard Johnson. Quavter-Master-Serjeant E. 0. Butler. Corporal Clement Adkins. Corporal A. J. Cook. Trooper Arthur Bodill, severely. Corporal F. C. Newton. Trooper Charles Donovan. Trooper C. W. Nicholas. Trooper A. H. Hodgkinsou. Trooper F. R. Lloyd. Trooper H. A. Dawson. (The two latter died the following day.) Trooper F. W. Hooper. During this fight the Boers sent out a Red Missing. Cross flag on to a commanding point and then Trooper Thomas Powell. brought their gnns np into position there. I Trooper Franz Aurel. visited Cannon Kopje after the fight and con­ The missing men were captured by the gratulated Colonel Walford and his men on the enemy. gallant and determined stand made by them in Action at Cannon Kopje. the face of a very hot shell fire. 31st October, 1899. The intention of the enemy had been to storm Cannon Kopje, and thence to bombard The enemy opened a heavy, concentrated the sonth-eastern portion of the town, and to shell fire from the south-eastern heights, from carry it with the large forces they had collected the racecourse (east), and from Jackal’s Tree in the Molopo Yalley. Their whole scheme (south-west), directed against Cannon Kopje. was defeated by the gallant resistance made by The fire was well aimed, and the racecourse the garrison, and by the telling fire it brought gun took the work in reverse. For a time to bear on them. We afterwards learnt that little harm was done beyond knocking down the attack was designed and directed by y onng parts of the parapet and smashing the iron Cronje. The enemy’s loss was not known, but supports of the lookout tower: most of the ambulances were seen about the field picking garrison were lying in the trenches some up for a considerable time, and native spies 80 yards in rear of the fort. The gun and two reported there was much mourning in the Maxims in the work had been previously dis­ laagers, and that several cart loads of dead had mounted and stowed away for safety during been bronght in and buried. shell fire, to which, of course, they were power­ Surprise on Enemy’s Western Laager. less to reply. The telephone wire was cut 7th November, 1899. away early in the proceedings. After half an At 2.30 A-tf. Major Godley paraded his force, hour’s steady and accurate artillery fire, the in accordance with a plan I had arranged, to enemy, who had been gradually massing on the attack the western camp of the enemy with a high ground south and south-east of the fort, heavy fire at daylight, and then to retire again began to advance in line of skirmishers from before enemy’s guns aud reinforcements airived three sides at once; they were backed up by on the scene. The force in enemy’s camp was other parties in support. A large force also reckoned at 200 to 250. Oar force consisted collected in the Molopo Yalley, south-east of the AngloBoerWar.comof— town, and were formed evidently with the idea Two 7-ponnders. of storming the town after Cannon Kopje had One 1-pounder Hotehkiss, under Major Pan­ been captured. zers As the enemy began to get within range of One sqnadron of 60 men, Protectorate Regi­ the fort, the garrison moved up from their ment, dismounted, uuder Captain Yernon. trench and manned the parapets and Maxims. One troop of 30 men, Bechuanaland Rifles It was then that we suffered some casualties mounted, under Captain Cowan. from shell fire. As the enemy continued their The force moved out along the heights to advance, I sent to Captain Goodyear’s Colonial about 1,500 yards in advance of Major Godley’s Contingent to advance a party on to a ridge position; Captain Yernon’s squadron leading in above them, and so to take enemy’s attacking attack order, with the guns on his left rear, and line in flank, but they could not be got to Bechuanaland Rifles covering his right rear. move. At 4.15 a.m., our guns opened on enemy a t One Maxim at Ellis’s Corner now jammed, 1,800 yards, and the squadron fired volleys by and 1 had to replace it by one from the alternate troops into the enemy’s camp, over reserve. which they had full command from the heights Meantime, I had a 7-pounder run out under they were on. The surprise was complete, the cover of houses near south corner of the town. enemy bolting in all directions to take cover. This opened, under direction of Lieutenant Their 1-pounder Maxim and 7-pounder Krupp Murchison, on the flank of the enemy’s line as in the Beacons Furt in a short time responded it began to get near the fort. The gun made with a heavy and well-directed tire. Largo excellent practice, every shell going in among bodies of reinforcements very soon began to them, and effectually stopped the further ad­ come down from tbe main south-west laager. vance of the Boers. Major Godley thereupon commenced withdraw­ These now hesitated and began to draw off, ing his forces, artillery retiring first; the and as they did so their guns reopened on Bechuanaland Rifles occupying Fort Ayr to Cannon Kopje to cover their retirement. The cover the retirement, which they did very fire then died down, and enemy sent out ambu­ effectively against a wing of mounted Boers lances under Red Cross flags to recover their who had worked round to our right flank. The dead and wounded. We lost six killed and five enemy brought a very heavy musketry fire to wounded. bear ou our force, bat the retirement was carried Killed. out with the greatest steadiness. Enemy’s Captain the Hon. Douglas Marsham. strength about 800 or 1,000. Onr retirement Captain Charles A. K. Pechell. was further covered by 7-pounder at the west 2391 Troop Sergeant-Major William Henry end of the Stadt, and the Cape Police Maxim Connihan. and escort. In the course of the retirement onr Troop Sergeant-Major Hugh Bagot Upton. 1-pounder Hotchkiss upset and broke the limber 2566 Trooper Arthur John Martyn. hook; her crew, Gunners R. Cowan and H. 2517 Frank St. Clair Traill Burroughes. Godson, very pluckily stood up and repaired 900 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. damage with rope, &c., and got the gun away tbe reserve sqnadron.there to assist. They suc­ safely under heavy fire from enemy’s 1-pounder ceeded in driving off an attack of about 500 Maxim and 7-poumler Krupp and rifle fire. without difficulty and returned to round up Three of enemy’s ambulances were seen pick­ their station. In the meantime the Boers in ing up their casualties after the action, and we the Stadt had rushed the British South African afterwards leamt that they had lost a consider­ Police fort and made prisoners the men in it, able number. On our side we had five men viz., three Officers and 16 men, staff of the wounded, five horses killed, five wounded, and Protectorate Regiment. 36 cattle in the refugee laager killed and In the darkness the attackers had got divided wounded by bullets. up into three parties, and as it got light we Names of Wounded. were able to farther separate these from each Major Godley, slightly. other, and to surround and attack them in Trooper Hodgkinson, Protectorate Regiment. detail. The first party surrendered, the second Trooper J. G. Thompson, Protectorate Regi­ were driven out with loss by three squadrous ment. Protectorate Regiment, under Major Godfrey*, Trooper P. J. Wostdyk, Beohuanaland Rifles. and the third, in the British South African Corporal R. B. Christie, Cape Police. Police fort, after a vain attempt to break out in On this day a commando of the Boers made a the evening, surrendered. During the whole of demonstration against Khama’s men on the the day, while the struggle was going on in the Limpopo, and opened fire upon them, but shortly Stadt, the enemy outside made demonstrations after retired across the border. as if about to attack, and kept up a hot shell Action at Game Tree. fire on the place, bnt without palpable effect. 26th December, 1899. We captured this day 108 prisoners, among The Boers’ work at Game Tree, 2,500 yards whom waB Commandant Eloff, Kruger’s grand­ north of town, had checked our grazing in that son. We also found 10 killed and 19 wounded direction, and it commanded our line of com­ Boers, and their ambulance picked up 30 more munication northward. Some shells thrown killed and wounded. Our losses were four into it a few days previously had caused enemy killed, 10 wounded. temporarily to vacate it, showing it to be a Our men, although weak with want of food weak open work; thiB had been confirmed by and exercise, worked with splendid pluck and reconnaissance by our scouts, but as the enemy energy for the 14 hours of fighting, and had been seeu strengthening it during the past instances of gallantry in action were very few days, I determined to attack before they numerous. should make it impregnable. Accordingly, two Relief of Mafeking. squadrons Protectorate Regiment, supported by 16th—17th May, 1900. armourod train and Bechuanalaud Rifles, were When relief became imminent, I formed a small ordered to attack from the left flank of the force of 180 men and two guns, under Colonel work, under direction of Major Godley, while Walford, capable of taking the field should it three guns and Maxim prepared the way from bo desirable to make a diversion or counter­ the right front of the work. This AngloBoerWar.comscheme was attack during: the probable encounter between carried out at dawn on the 2Cth, the guns the investing force and the relieving column. making good practice, and the two squadrons On the evening of the 16th May, the enemy advancing in attack formation exactly as re­ contested the advance of the relief column quired. But on pressing home the attack a 6 miles west of the place. Colonel Walford’s heavy fire killed or wounded most of the party moved out and demonstrated as if to Officers and the loading troops. These suc­ attack the Boers in rear. This caused them to ceeded in gaining the parapet, but the work withdraw a 1-pr. Maxim which had been posted was found to have been strongly roofed in and ou the probable line of advance of the column, so closed as to be impregnable. and also a number of men with it. This move Tbe attack fell back upon the eastern face, left the road open for Colonel Mahon’s force to and pushed forward again on the southern face, como into Mafeking, which it did during the bnt eventually had to lebiro with a loss of— night without the knowledge of the Boers. Captain Vernon, Early next morning, seeing that the enemy Captain Sandt'ord, were beginning to move wagons from tbe Lieutenant. Paton, and 21 non-commissioned laager, I pushed forward Colonel Walford’s officers and men killed, and, force at ouce to attack, ordering the relief force Captain FitzClarenco and 22 men wounded. to join in as soon as possible. This bad a good Three missing. effect, as our guns opened on their advanced If blame for this reverse falls on anyone it trenches aud prevented them from getting their should fall on myself, as everybody concerned 5-pounder away, and our men from the Brick­ did their part of the work thoroughly well, and fields, moving up the river, took the trench in exactly in accordance with tbe orders I had rear and cleared it, killing five Boers and taking issued, Both Officers and men worked with their flag and gun, Meanwhile, Colonel Mahon splendid courage and spirit. and Colonel Plumer’s guns came into action and Boers’ Attack. shelled the enemy’s laager with great effect, tbe 12th May, 1900. Boers going off in full flight, abandoning several At about 4 a.m. on 12th May a very heavy wagons, camp equipment, hospital, &c. Colonel long-range musketry fire was opened on the Walford’s men, who had been working up town from east, north-east, and south-east. I through the bush, quickly took possession and sounded the alarm, and the garrison stood to drove off the enemy’s rear guard, without diffi­ arms. The fire continued for half-an-hour. I culty. thereupon wired to the south-west outposts to The operations connected with the relief of bo on the look-out. the place have, I assume, been reported on by At about 4.30,300 Boers made a rush through Colonel Mahon, but I would add that his clever the western outposts and got into the Stadt; this move near Maritzani, when he shifted his line they then sot fire to. I ordered the western defen­ of advance suddenly from one road to another, ders to close in so as to prevent any supports quite unexpected by the Boers, entirely puzzled from coming in after the leading body, and sent * 1 Godley. THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 901

them, and disconcerted their plans. And again, | the first instance. To his untiring zeal and after the fight outside Mafeking, when he ability the successful defence of the town is bivouacked his column at nightfall, the Boers largely due. He carried out a very heavy were prepared to renew the attack in the morn­ amount of work, practically single-handed, and ing only to find that he had slipped into the with conspicuous success. place during the night, and was through the Major Anderson, Royal Army Medical Corps, town and shelling their laager on the other throughout the siege showed untiring zeal, side. coupled with coolness and gallantry, in attend­ The whole operation of the two relief columns ing the wounded under fire in action, in addition was exceedingly well conceived and carried out. to his eminent professional ability. Latterly, IV.—Recommendation of Officers and as Principal Medical Officer, his unfailing tact Others. and administrative capabilities rendered his 1. Staff. services of greatest value. The strain of his 2. Regimental. devotion to his duty told heavily on his health. 3. Civil. Medical Staff.—Dr. W. Hayes, Surgeon-Major 4. Warrant and non-commissioned officers Holmden, British South Africa Police, and Dr. and men. T. Hayes, all worked with conspicuous zeal 1. Staff—Military. and skill under a never-ending strain of work; Major Lord Edward Cecil, D.S.O., as Chief all of them very frequently under fire in carry­ Staff Officer, was of the greatest assistance to ing out their duties, even in their own hospital. me. He stuck pluckily to his work, although Nursing Staff.—The work done by the lady much hampered by sickness during the first nurses was beyond all praise. art of the siege. He did a great amount of Miss Hill, the Matron of the Victoria Hospital, ard work in the first organization of the fron­ was assisted by a number of lady volunteers, in tier force, and at Mafeking, his tact and un­ addition to her regular staff, consisting of Mrs. ruffled temperament enabled our staff dealings Parmister and Miss Gamble. with the Colonial civilians to be carried on with Mother Superior Teresa and eight Sisters of the least possible friction. Mercy also worked in the hospital. f / Captain Ryan, Army Service Corps, as Lady Sarah Wilson, assisted by other ladies, Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General (B), proved managed the Convalescent Hospital. an exceptionally capable and energetic Supply Mis3 Craufurd managed the Women and Officer. On his shoulders fell the whole work Children’s Hospital. of feeding the entire community, garrison, non- The above ladies worked with the greatest combatants, and native, a dnty which he carried zeal and self devotion throughout the siege. out with conspicuous success (practically un­ The protracted strain of heavy work, frequently assisted), as we took the food supply out of the earned out under fire (Lady Sarah Wilson was hands of contractors and merchants; and he wounded), told on most of them, Miss Hill being lost the services of his two chief assistants, at one time prostrated by overwork. It was Captain Girdwood, killed, and Sergeant-MajorAngloBoerWar.com largely due to their unremitting devotion and Loney, convicted of theft of Government stores. skill that the wonnded, in so many cases, made Captain Ryan’s work has been invaluable, and marvellous recoveries, and the health of the has mainly contributed to the successful issue garrison remained so good. of the siege. Captain Greener, Paymaster, British South v Lieutenant Honourable A. Hanbury-Tracy, Africa Police, as Chief Paymaster, rendered Royal Horse Guards, as Intelligence Officer and most efficient and valuable service throughout Press Censor, has worked hard and successfully, the siege. He kept account of all Government and with tact and firmness in his dealings with expenditures and receipts connected with de­ the Press correspondents. fence, feeding population,

Brickfields, where for over a month they were Commissioner of the Protectorate, commanded -within close range of the enemy's works, and the Town Guard during the last half of the constantly on the alert and nnder fire. siege. His extensive knowledge of the country - Inspector Marsh, Gape Police, Division 1, and people (both native and white) was of the commanded the detachment of Division 1 greatest value, and his advice was always most throughout the siege, and carried out his duties willingly at my disposal. I am greatly in­ most efficiently and zealously. debted for the great assistance he at all times Captain Cowan, commanding the Bechuana- afforded me. The fact that the natives of the land Rifles (Volunteers), had his corps in such Protectorate remained loyal to ns at a very a condition of efficiency as enabled me to employ critical time is dne in a great measure to his them in all respects as regular troops. He was advice and great personal influence over them. at all times ready and zealous in the perform- 3. Civil. ance of any duty assigned to him. Mr. C. G. H. Bell, Resident Magistrate (Local) Captain More, Resident Railway and Civil Commissioner, had entire charge of Engineer, organized most effectively the rail­ native affairs, and he managed the chiefs with way employes into a paid division for the great tact, and very successfully, at a critical armoured train, and a division for the Town time, when they were inclined to sit on the fence . Guard. He managed their rationing, hospital, and see which was going to win, and were being defence works, protection for their women and tempted with offers from the Boers. As magis­ ohildren, &c., in a most practical manner. His trate fie also Tendered me great assistance energy and resourcefulness were conspicuous during the siege. throughout the siege. The armoured trains, Mr. F. Whiteley, Mayor of Makeing. This defence railway, search light, &c., were made gentlemen’s services were invaluable during under his supervision. the siege. In a most public-spirited manner Captain Marsh, Royal West Kent Regiment, he took up, at my request, the difficult task of commanded a squadron of the Protectorate arranging for the feeding and housing of all the Regiment, with very good results. He also women and children, and carried out their had charge of the defence of the native Stadt, management with marked success throughout .and displayed great tact and patience in his the siege, devoting himself to the task without .successful management of the natives. any return whatever. Captain Vernon, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, He was much assisted by Mr. Rowlands, who was a most successful Officer in command of a gave up his house, garden, water supply, &c., squadron, and displayed the greatest gallantry to be used by the laager, similarly without draw­ in action. He was killed in action on 26th ing any kind of compensation or return. December. The Rev. Mr. W. H. Weekes also rendered Captain FitzClarence, Royal Fusiliers, com­ valuable service in assisting in the management manded a squadron in the Protectorate Regi­ of the women’s laager,

Front Major-General C. E. Knox, Commanding Company Sergeant-Major H. Pitt, No. 8 Kroonstad, to Lieutenant-General Kelly-Kenny, Company, Railway Pioneer Regiment. Commanding Lines of Communication. 6815 Sergeant Gray, 3rd Battalion Royal Lan­ Sib, 16th June, 1900. caster Regiment I HAVE the honour to forward report from Seriously Wounded. the Officer Commanding detachment of troops Lieutenant W. Mitchell, No. 8 Company, stationed at Zand River, describing an attack Railway Pioneer Regiment. made on his post yesterday. 639 Private Ross, No. 3 Company, Railway 1 am glad to say that owing to the careful Pioneer Regiment. arrangements made for defence of the post by 4733 Lance-Corporal Jackson, 3rd Battalion Lieutenant-Colonel Capper, commanding Railway Royal Lancaster Regiment. Pioneers, and Colonel North, commanding 3rd 1898 Private Montgomery, Royal Irish Rifles Battalion Royal Lancaster Regiment, the attack Mounted Infantry. failed. 1632 Private Ruddy, Royal Irish Rifles Mounted I beg to bring both these Officers to your Infantry. favourable notice. Missing.' I have, &c., (Prisoners, believed to be uninjured.) CHARLES E. KNOX, Major-General, 731 Private Bourne, Royal Irish Rifles Mounted Commanding Kroonstad. Infantry. 5420 Private Driscol, Royal Irish Rifles Mounted Infantry. Virginia, 15th June, 1900. I cannot speak to highly of Lieutenant W. To General Knot, Mitchell, a young Officer, who was wounded in WE were attacked at daybreak yesterday by both thighs about 6 a.m., in going from one trench Muller and Boerman’s commandoes, said to be to another to encourage the men, and remaining 800 men with one or two pompoms, one Maxim, throughout the day in the most exposed trench, and, I think, one field gun, but this is uncertain. keeping his men (22 in number, scattered among We had to hold rather an extended position, our Beveral small trenches) calm, and cheering them left being in trenches on very broken ground, and up, ordering them not to waste ammunition, &c. in thick scrub, which there was no time to clear. I attribute to his example, and the very steady The enemy got in this scrub, and gave some conduct of the men of his Company in the trouble by sniping. The garrison consisted of advanced trenches, who suffered severely (one four companies 3rd Battalion Royal Lancasters, holding three men had one killed, and one hold­ tinder Colonel North (about 250 fit for duty), and ing five men had two killed), the fact that our four companies Railway Pioneer Regiment, under losses were so comparatively small. Major Seymour (about 300 fit for duty), together I especially deplore the death of Major Seymour, with 25 men, Royal Irish Regiment (Mounted whose loss will not only be felt by us as a regi­ Infantry), under Lieutenant Davenport (16 fit for ment, but by the whole of South Africa. He duty). The attack was most pressed and deter­ AngloBoerWar.comwas killed while advancing with the extended line mined on our left, and was held most steadily by through the bush, to clear out the snipers. Four No. 3 Company, Railway Pioneer Regiment, dead Boers were fouud in a donga, within 40 under Lieutenant W. Mitchell, Railway Pioneer yards of No. 3 Company’s advanced trenches, and Regiment. Fighting was continued on all sides two were found on our right outside the Militia until about 11 a.m., when it quieted down, and trenches. the enemy had practically retired by the time a The enemy’s loss is known to be these six, and body of 170 Veomanry, under Lieutenant Crane, it is probable that some more were hit. We took arrived from the south at about noon. We had nine prisoners, of whom one was wounded. I no opportunity of making a counter-attack, being sent off a son of the wounded man with a letter to practically surrounded in a very extended position, Commandant Boerman, asking him and advising and I did not consider it advisable to attempt to him to give up his arms. It is thought that the follow up the enemy with the Yeomanry alone. commando is retiring on Senekal. I sent an engine The troops behaved very well and steadily. The down last evening to try and open communication Railway Pioneer Regiment in the advanced with the south, but up to the present, 7.30 a.m., trenches on the left especially were most cool and have not heard of it. The telegraph wires were collected, engaging the enemy at very close broken. I am sending to Doornspruit this morning quarters. They were for part of the morning sur­ to ascertain if the party there are all right. I regret rounded by„ the enemy in the scrub, but never to report that most of my men were killed with lost their heads, and the enemy were ultimately explosive and soft-nosed bullets, and I have in driven out of the scrub by an advance through it my possession a nnmber of explosive and soft- of a line of reserve. Railway Pioneer Regiment, nosed bullets taken from the dead, and from the aided by half company of Militia. bandoliers of prisoners who have surrendered. I regret to report that our losses were— I have the honour to inquire if the prisoners in Killed. whose possession they were found should be shot, Major Seymour, Railway Pioneer Regiment. as I am unaware of the orders of the Field- 2i0 Lance-Corporal A. E. Smith, No. 3 Com­ Marshal Commanding-in-Chief on the subject. pany, Railway Pioneer Regiment. J. E. CAPPER, Lieut.-Coloael, 56 Private A. Miller, No. 3 Company, Rail­ Officer Commanding Troops, Virginia. way Pioneer Regiment. 366 Lance-Corporal A. Matthew, No. 3 Com­ No. 15. pany, Railway Pioneer Regiment. From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts to the 632 Private H. Dant, No. 3 Company, Railway Secretary of State for War. Pioneer Regiment. Army Head-Quarters, South Africa, 386 Private T. B. Varker, No. 3 Company, Mr L ord, Pretoria, 9th July, IS00. Railway 1 ioneer Regiment. I HAVE the honour to submit for your Dangerously Wounded. Lordship's information a report, dated 23rd May, L;eutenant J. Clement, No. 2 Company, 1900, from Brigadier-General B. T. Mahon, Railway Pioneer Regiment (since d- ad;. D.S.O., describing the march of the Flying THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 905

Column under his command from Barkly West we beat them off after 45 minutes’ fighting; all to Mafeking, and the relief of the latter place, in troops behaved excellently. conjunction -with the force under Colonel Plumer. From what I have since heard there were 2. The operation entrusted to Brigadier-900 Boers there with four guns, viz., 500 who hud General Mahon was conducted by him with marched up parallel to us, and 400 which had conspicuous ability and energy, and I would come from Mafeking to intercept u s; the two draw special attention to the skill which he dis­ forces joiued on the 12th. played in evading the enemy, who had arranged We crossed the Marolzani at Dr. Smart’s Farm to dispute his - advance along the main road, by and had difficulty in watering, as we had to dig deflecting his line of march to the west. Credit in the dry bed of the river for i t ; but, although is also due to Brigadier-General Mahon fur tho it took 8 hours to water the force, we managed it dispositions which resulted in the defeat of the all right ; we marched from Marotzani direct to Boers on 13th and 16th May, and opened the Jan Masibi on the night of the 14tli and reached way into Mafeking. the Molopo (lots of running water) at Jan Masibi The admirable behaviour of the troops during at 5.30 a.m. on the 15th, and there met Colonel the march and in action contributed most materi­ Plumer’s column, which had also just arrived ally to the successful issue. after a night march. 1 would especially bring Colonel Plumer’s We all rested on the loth, as both men and name to your notice. His hearty co-operation at animals required it. the right moment was of immense value to I formed the force into two brigades, 1st Brigade Colonel Mahon. under Lieutenant-Colonel Plumer, 2nd Brigade I am also informed that Mrs. Abrams, an under Lientenant-Colonel Edwardes. Englishwoman living at Taungs, rendered valuable We advanced at 6.30 a.m. towards Mafeking, assistance by giving information to Lieutenant- along the north or right hank cf the Molopo, in General Hunter and Colonel Mahon, and I would two parallel columns at half a mile interval, the add that the native chief Molala of Taungs did convoy in the centre and slightly in rear. excellent work by supplying horses and runners Plumer’s brigade on the right and Edwardes’ during the siege of Mafeking. on the left. A t Sani’s Post, about 12.30 p .m., I have, &c., firing was heard on the left front, and I advanced ROBERTS, Field-Marshal, Edwardes’ brigade ; Plumer’s at the same time Commanding-in-Chief, South Africa. advancing along the river ; the convoy following on the road iu rear of and between the two brigades. As we advanced I found that the Boers From Colonel B. Mahon ti Lieutenant-General had taken up positions all around us, and had five Sir Archibald Hunter, K.C.B., Commanding guns and two pompoms in positions in different 10th Division. places. IN accordance with orders received from you I The convoy rather impeded my movements, as left Barkly West on 4th May, 1900, in command it was under shell fire, and the Boers were trying of Flying Column for relief of Mafeking.AngloBoerWar.com We to attack it from both flanks and also from the reached Spitz Kop on 5th May and from the top ' rear, so I had to strengthen both my flank and of a hill there I could see your engagement to the rear guards, at the same time I continued my east near Rooidam, a party of the Boers you were advance on Mafeking; the Boers retiring from engaged with seemed to be moving north-west in our front and keeping up with us on the flanks. the direction of our road, I moved the Imperial Our Artillery, especially the Royal Horse Artilleiy, Light Horse and Royal Horse Artillery so as to were making very good practice. At 4.40 p.m. intercept them, but they turned east and we did I ordered Colonel Edwardes to bring up his left not come in contact. and turn the Boer right flank, this movement was I despatched Captain Rickman with one entirely successful. A t 4.40 p.m. I had a message squadron Kimberley Mounted Corps to join yon. from Colonel Plumer to say his advance was The next Boers we came across were at Taungs, checked on the right by a gun and pompom fire where a patrol of ours chased them as they were from the White Horse (Israel’s Farm). 1 ordered leaving, and picked up a portfolio, which one of the Royal Horse Artilleiy to shell the home. They them dropped, with their latest telegrams, one of soon silenced the gun, but not the pompom. I then which stated that Young Cronje with his com­ sent Captain Carr with the Infantiy to take the mando was moving north to intercept us at house, which they did, and captured one wagon Pudimoe. and a lot of pompom ammunition. It was by this * From Pudimoe there was a Boer commando time getting dark, or I think they would have got inarching parallel to us on our right flank. the pompom. In the Pudimoe district we arrested several At 5.45 P.M. all firing, except stray shots of the rebels and seized a number of rifles, also sheep, rear guard, had ceased, and the Boers had retired cattle, and some horses; between Pudimoe and from all partB. I advanced two miles nearer Try burg no Boers were seen, but we made some Mafeking, and formed up the force, with the excep­ more prisoners and se:zed several rifles and some tion of infantry, which I leiDforced with £0 New stock. Zealand Infantry, and left holding the White At Vryburg I left Mr. C. St. Quintiu in House. The Buer fire was very heavy at times, and charge and gave him powers of acting magistrate, their guns very accurately laid. I attributed the a ad Mr. P. Gethln as his assistant. I left our smallness of our casualties to our very wide front sick at Vryburg under charge of Dr. Nugent. and loose formation, and to the excellent way in I also left the live stock we ha I captured an 1 which our Artillery was served, especially the Royal our sick horses and mules un.’er charge of Horse Artillery, as they never gave the Boers an Mr. P. Gethin. No Boers were encountered opportunity of getting fixed tenure in any positions until the 13th May between Brodie’s and Wright’s which allowed them a close range fire, and partly Farms, north-west of Koodo’s Band ; the Boers to the defectiveness of the Boer shells, very few here had an ambush in thick scrub, which was of which burst. strongly supported from Koodo's' Itand (at A t 11 p.m., after first ascertaining by patrol Koodo’s Band Nek they had several guns in that the road was open, I ordered an advance on position}; they made a determined at*ack, but Mafeking. We started at 12.30 am., and 906 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. marched seven miles to Mafeking, which place we From Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Warren, entered at 3.80 a.hi. on the 17th of May, 1900. Military Governor of Cape Colony, North of ■ Shortly after daylight it was reported that the Orange River, to Chief of Staff, Head-Quarters, Boers were clearing out of all their laagers on the Pretoria. east of the town. At 8 a.u . Colonel Baden- Attack on Faber’s Put. Powell ordered out the troops, and we shelled and Sra, Blickfontein, 29th June, 1900. pressed for a short way, but the horses were too 1. AFTER having occupied Douglas, on 21st beat to do much. However, we captured one gun May, I found that the whole country west of Vaal and a large quantity of ammunition and other River was occupied by rebels, encamped in a great stores, and by 11 a.si. there was not a Boer near number of laagers, and frequently shifting from Mafeking. place to place, so that it was difficult to obtain I cannot say whet the Boer losses were in any clear estimate of their numbers, the estimate either engagement, but from what I have since of the Intelligence Branch varying from 700 to heard I believe they were fairly heavy. I saw I 2,000 within a 50-mile radius, it has since been one man at Kraaipa.n who assisted in burying 22 apparent that the numbers are not less than 1,000. Boers on the 14th May. 2. Our objectives were the townships of Camp- • I estimate the number of Boers engaged against bell and Griquatown, which stand on a raised us on the 17th of May at about 2,000. plateau, about 400 or 500 feet above the level of I cannot speak too highly of the behaviour of the Vaal River ; this plateau is terminated on the all ranks, more especially the Royal Horse east by a steep ridge, about 400 feet high, running Artillery and Imperial Light Horse, both during 50 or 60 miles north-east and south-west, at a the march, which was long and tiring, and distance of about 10 to 12 miles from the Vaal during both engagements. The march was River. Roads pass up from the river on to the rendered the more fatiguing by having an high lands through various deep kloofs, which a active enemy on our flank always looking for few resolute men could defend against a consider­ an opportunity to delay and harass us, and thus able number, and the only point where I considered rendering scouting more necessary, and extra work we could attack without a very heavy loss was at on men and horses. Tweefontein, where the position could he turned The following farmers were very useful to us a flank movement; but this position was very and rendered us every assistance, viz., Mr. Keely, difficult of access on account of the thick thorn Mr. Lamb, Mr. Brodie, and Mr. Wright. The bush covering its front, as well as the dense bush latter had cur wounded (25) from the engagements on the plateau between it and Campbell. The on the 13th May, 1900, in his house, and was most whole country for miles round is covered with, kind in many ways to them. All the above live bush, more or less thick, with kopjes every here in the Marotzani district. and there presenting excellent positions for defence I brought into Mafeking five wagon loads of and ambuscade. provisions and hospital stores, equalling 10,500lbs.; 3. The only good position that could be also 17 bags of flour and 81 head of cattle (these selected as a base for an attack on Tweefontein latter, viz., flour and cattle, were capturedAngloBoerWar.com on the was that of Faber’s Put, where there was plenty march), and handed them over to Ordnance Corps of water, and a hollow surrounded by hills where Stores, Mafeking. I at the same time sent for horses could be kept more or less secure from 200 more cattle and 1,000 sheep to Vryburg: they musketry at long ranges. duly arrived, and I handed them over about the 4. I began to concentrate my force at this 23rd May. place on the 27th May, about 10 miles east of B. MAHON, Colonel, Tweefontein, and was unable to move forward Commanding Mafeking Relief Column. owing to delay in transport of food which did not Mafeking, 23rd May, 1900. arrive until the night of 29th of May, accompanied by an escort of 50 Infantry. This convoy must have arrived shortly before the enemy, on their way to attack us at Faber’s Put, passed across the road. 5. Ridges encircle Faber’s Put to the north­ No. 16. east and west, while a shallow valley runs from - From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts to the the water through the garden to the south. The Secretary of State for War. north and north-west is the front of the position, Army Head-Quarters, South Africa, and the south is the rear, facing on the Vaal. Pretoria, 1st August, 1900. River. There are two farm bouses about 800 My L ord, yards apart at north-east and north-west, and the I HAVE the honour to forward, for your Lord­ Infantry picquets occupied the whole of this front, ship’s information, a despatch, dated 29th June, the Infantry being bivouacked near the north-east 1900, from Lieutenant-General Sir Charles farm house, where were also my head-quarters ; Warren, describing the operations in the vicinity the men of the Intelligence Branch and Warren’s of Faber’s Put on 30th May. Scouts and some Infantry were at the north-west 2. I consider that the force under Lieutenant- farm house, while the Yeomanry and Artillery General Warren’s command was ably bandied, were in the hollow occupying the kraals around and that the troops displayed great steadiness and the water and northern portion of the garden, gallantry when attacked by the Boers. providing the picquets on the ridges south-east and 3. I support Sir Charles Warren’s recom­ south-west. mendations on behalf of the Officers, non-com­ Daylight was at this time at 6 a.m., reveille missioned officers, and men whose names he has being at 5.30 a.h. brought to special notice. 6. On the night of the 29th the rebels col­ I have, &c., lected at Campbell from several points, and ROBERTS, Field-Marshal, arranged for an early morning attack on Faber’s Commanding- in-Chief, South Africa. Put, in three parties, under De Villiers, Ventner, and Forster. One party, under Forster, to attack the Infantry camp and head-quarters farm house, composed of men from the northern part of Ha THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 907 and Barkly West districts ; the second party of I now saw some of our troops moving opt to the crack shots, under Commandant-General De south-west hill to support their picquets, and Villiers, from the country about Campbell and being sure that part of the fire came from the Griquatown, to steal into the garden and attack continuation of the ridge to their left, I directed the Yeomanry and Artillery ; and a third party, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Volunteer Rifles under Yentner, composed of men from the to fire at the ridge at 2,000 yards so as to keep country about Postmasberg, who were to take down the enemy’s fire and support our advance. possession of the western ridge and fire into the 11. I had felt certain on coming across the open kraals and Artillery. that it would be quite impossible we could be fol­ 7. Their scheme, so far as 1 cau ascertain, was lowed with such accuracy by bullets, if the range as follows:— was more than 500 yards, and now 1 found with the No. 1 party was to go direct upon the Infantry Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Volunteer Rifles, that nnd take possession of the farm house where I whenever any movement was made by a superior and my Staff were, and the firing of No. 1 party Officer, there were at once a shower of bullets all was to be the signal for a simultaneous attack on round him, making me feel certain that the hot the Yeomanry from the gardens, and on the fire upon us for the most part must be from the kraals and Artillery from No. 3 party, the rebels gardens at about 600 yards. Several men of the being quite satisfied that the attack would be Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Volunteer Rifles also successful. No. 3 party took possession of some told me that they saw flashes of firing from the old diamond diggings on the crest of the hill, garden, and although I knew that we had men in about 200 yards from our picquet, where they the garden, and had seen some of the south-east could fire upon the kraals and upon our Infantry picquets retiring into the garden, I made sure that at a range of about 1,700 yards. it must be occupied by a large number of Boers, 8. I was up that morning at reveilld, making and directed the reserve company to fire on to it .up a good fire, as the thermometer was below at a range of 500 yards, and I then went on to a freezing ; and some minutes before 6 a.m., heavy kraal near the head-quarterB where the Maxim firing commenced from the east upon our head­ gun was, and ordered the fire of all the Infantry quarters and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Own there and of the Maxim gun to be directed on it, Volunteer Rifles’ camp. The Duke of Edin­ and to be distributed along the nearer edges of it. burgh’s Own Volunteer Rifles were all on the After about ten minutes I collected half of Captain alert, and at once moved out two companies in Simkin’s company together and directed him to the direction of the firing. I stopped one com­ charge the gardens by a route I pointed out, but pany to act as reserve, and the fourth company while doing so the enemy were seen to be running went off to hold our front and north. Some away from the gardens. The Artillery came into of the enemy crept up through the bush action beyond the gardens, and in a tew minutes to within 250 yards of my head-quarters, the whole attack was over. Throughout this part which could not be prevented in this very of the action the Duke of Edinburgh’s Own thick bush by any number of picquets, and Volunteer Rifles acted with all the steadiness of were driven back by the Maxim Gun DetachmentAngloBoerWar.com well-seasoned troops. and the two companies, under Captain Twycross, 12. No. 2 party, who went to the garden, appear moving out to meet them. These two companies to have arrived there in the early morning, and drove the enemy right back to the eastern ridge their numbers, as giveu to me by a considerable and thence, in an easterly direction, right away number of Boers from different parts, was 56, out over the bushy plain. This took about half an of which they say only four returned unwounded. hour, and the fire from this quarter was over Many of these were known to be among the noted about 6.30 A.M., but while it lasted it was ex­ shots of Griqualand West, many of whom were ceedingly heavy and well directed, the equipment killed; they were under Commandant De Villiers, of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Volunteer who is stated to have threatened that he would Rifles being smashed to pieces by the bullets in all shoot any man who attempted to retire from the directions. A portion of this party, some of the gardens j they were mostly men who knew the rebels have informed me, were stationed at long farm intimately, which alone accounts for their ranges with instructions simply to fire into the being able to occupy and line the edge of- tbe kraals and camp. garden without being seen, as men of . the 9. After placing a company of the Duke of Yeomanry were constantly in and out of .the Edinburgh’s Own Volunteer Rifles in readiness garden during the night, where there was a latrine, in reserve, I mounted and went across with my and a Yeomanry guard in the kraal, and a sentry Staff close to the main farmhouse to see that the walking between the garden and the blockhouse Yeomanry were on the alert and the Artillery at the northern end of the garden. It seems were getting ready to come into action whenever probable that they effected the entry of the garden it was necessary, for it was still dark and it was unheard during the noise made by the convoy impossible to conjecture the exact point where the coming in. fire was coming from. Major F. Heath, C S.O., 13. They appear to have commenced their fire and my two Aides-de-Camp were with me, and from this garden at about 6 a.m. ; they com­ in returning across the open space when it was menced their fire upon a kraal where the Colt gun almost daylight we were subjected to an ex­ was with a party of Yeomanry, and upon some ceedingly heavy fire, which was directed with of Paget’s Horse who were exposed on the left. such precision that I came to the conclusion that Two or three of their men got into the block­ it must be at very short ranges ; it proved to be house, but the Artillery and a great part of the less than 400 yards. Both Major Kelly, A.D.C., Yeomanry were quite secure in tbeir bivouacs and Lieutenant Paton, A.D.C., were wounded, and from fire from the garden; subsequently they Major Heath had his horse shot under him. fired on a party of tbe Yeomanry under Colonel 10. It was now daylight, and I dismounted to Crawley moving out to the ridge towards the west direct the fire of the reserve company, Duke of to support the picquet at that point, while another Edinbuigk’s Own Volunteer Rifles, who were party in the gardens fired on anybody moving on now under a very hot fire from .the south-west, the open space between the gardens and upon the and, Just as .1 arrived, Colonel Spence, who had reserve company of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Own sat up to give a direction, was mortally wounded. Volunteer Rifles in position near their camp. " - 908 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

14. 'When the firing commenced, Colonelveldt to the north to endeavour to intercept Crawley, commanding 8th Battalion of Yeomanry the enemy, but there were not sufficient horses (not knowing that the enemy were in the garden left to do more then scouting, and though some close to him), finding firing from four different shells were fired very close to the retreating enemy, directions and having seen his horses stampeded, both east and west, I was unable to intercept them. judged the best defence would be to make an I then proceeded to collect together the stampeded offensive movement, south-west to reinforce his horses, but some of them stampeded for over picquet on the ridge, and from there direct a fire 20 miles, and they have not yet been all got into the garden, or on to the enemy further along together. on the ridge. He took SO men with him, and 30 Several acts of gallantry occurred during the followed shortly afterwards ; it was during this attack, mostly in cases where the firing was at advance across the open that nine men of the very short ranges, which I will bring forward. Yeomanry were killed. This detachment under Since the action of Faber’s Put, the rebels in Colonel Crawley reinforced the picquet, and all directions have continued to surrender in in­ forced No. 3 party, under Ventner, to retire from creasing numbers, and with one consent the whole the diamond diggings on the ridge. of the rebels say that the repulse at Faber’s Put While Colonel Crawley was making this and great loss they sustained there caused a sudden advance, Lieutenant Huntingdon, 23rd Company, collapse of the rebellion. Imperial Yeomanry, whose bivouac was close to 19. I consider that this attack was a very for­ the garden, covered his left flank by firing at close tunate occurrence, as with the very splendid range into the garden while under a heavy fire. shooting of so many of the rebels in this part This, no doubt, saved Colonel Crawley from of tbe country it would have been impossible to suffering heavier loss. have attacked and taken the position about Camp­ Jo. This rebel party under Ycntner had the bell and Griquatown without a far greater loss duty of occupying the diamond diggings so as to than was sustained at Faber’s Put, and with our fire at long ranges into our camp, and some of the small force we could not have hoped to have killed more daring of the men were directed to occupy so many of the enemy in any attack we could a stone cemetery about 600 yards from the large make, as their mobility is so immeasurably superior kraal and to go right down to the kraal itself, fire to ours. It was fortunate that our troops were into it, and stampede the English horses of the not taken by surprise in this attack as otherwise Yeomanry which Colonel Crawley had placed the loss would have been far greater. The whole there and which he had omitted to ring. It is not of the troops behaved with remarkable steadiness certain whether two or more rebels got so far as and carried out their movements under fire with the kraal, but it is certain they fired into the kraal the greatest coolness. in the dark, and that the English horses at once I have not been able to estimate the number surged up against the wall of the kraal, pushed it that attacked us, but from general information over, and stampeded in all directions. they cannot have been less than five to six 16. Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes, who was at hundred. main farm house with the scouts, ou AngloBoerWar.com hearing the 20. Tbe troops engaged were firing and seeing the horses stampede, got together Duke of Lancaster Yeomanry, 23rd Company. a few of his men and rushed into the kraal, Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry, opening a brisk fire on the ridge where the Boers 24th Company. were in the diamond washings, until they were Paget’s Horse, small detachment. obliged to cease fire, by tbe Yeomanry advancing 4 guns “ E ” Battery, Royal Canadian out in front of them. At the same time Captain Artillery. Parkin and a troop of 23rd Yeomanry took pos­ 4£ Companies Duke of Edinburgh’s Own session of the south end of the same kraal, and Volunteer Regiment. acted under the orders of Colonel Hughes. By Warren’s Scouts. holding this kraal they prevented the rebels getting 21. The main farm house was rapidly cleared hold of it from the direction of the cemetery. At out and turned into a hospital under the this time the rebels began to run away from the dire-tions of the Senior Medical Officer. All the south side of the garden, and were, in doing so, medical arrangements were most satisfactory, the exposed to our fire, but Colonel Hughes, supposing following Officers having done very excellent work, them to be our own men, ordered Captain Parkin not only in the hospital, but also in tbe field and party to cease fire, and they thus escaped. dressing tbe wounds under heavy tire, viz. :— Colonel Hughes then decided to outflank the Major McLaughliD, Senior Medical Officer. enemy, and with some of the Yeomanry and some Major Cox, Officer Commanding Cape Field good shots of various corps, he drove the enemy Hospital. up beyond the direction of the cemetery, thus Major Worthington, attached Canadian getting in line with Colonel Crawley and bringing Artillery. his right shoulder up he took Yentner’s men on Captain C. Smith, attached 8th Battalion their flank and drove them away to the south. Imperial Yeomanry. 17. The picquet on the hill which Colonel 22. An attack of this kind in South Africa is Crawley went to reinforce under Corporal Wilson, almost unprecedented, and would test to the 23rd Company, gallantly held its own against a utmost the vigilance and arrangements of well- superior force until relieved. A section of seasoned troops ; but the whole of the troops were Yeomanry, with two Colt guns under Lieutenant equal to the occasion and stood their ground in a Brocklebank, 23rd Company, Imperial Yeomanry, most magnificent manner. in the kraal near the garden, were under a heavy 23. Although the Officers and men were acting fire for a considerable time, and the shields to the in a most gallant way all over the field, there are guns were smashed to pieces j they were joined by a few special instances which I would more a party of Yeomanry under Sergeant Fawkes and specially particularize, viz.:— made a most gallant defence at close range. The bringing in of Lieutenant Lethbridge, 18. The whole attack did not take more than Paget’s Horse, and Trooper Park, both severely an hour, and as soon as the enemy cleared off I wounded, under a very heavy fire, by— pushed out the available mounted men, two Lieutenant Claude Lowther, 24th Company, guns, and two companies of Infantry across the 8th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry. THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 909

Trooper Hurst, 24th Company, 8th Battalion No. 17. Imperial Yeomanry. From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, Commanding- Trooper Elce, 23rd Company, 8th Battalion in-Chief, South Africa, to the Secretary of Imperial Yeomanry. State for War. Trooper Mather, Paget’s Horse. Army Head-Quarters, Pretoria, Trooper Looker, 23rd Company, Imperial Yeo­ My Lord, 25th September, 1900. manry, who was seriously wounded in the groin, I HAVE the honour to forward for your refused to be taken to the ambulance, but con­ Lordship’s information a report, dated 4th August, tinued to fire into the garden until the enemy LOO, with enclosure and plans of engagements, retired. from Lieutenant-General Sir A. Hunter, K.C.B., The determination and courage of Lieutenant D.S.O., describing the operations carried out Brocklebank, Commanding Colt Gun Section, 8th under his command from the 25th June to the Battalion Imperial Yeomanry, and his gun party, 1st August, 1900, which resulted in the uncon­ assisted by Sergeant Fawkes, 24th Company, ditional surrender of Generals Prinsloo and Imperial Yeomanry, with 17 men, in holding Crowther with 4,140 of their men and three kraal and fighting his Colt guns, is beyond all guns, besides many horses and rifles and a large praise. quantity of ammunition. These guns were within 100 yards of the enemy’s 2. I am of opinion that the operations under firing line, and one of the shields was shattered reference were conducted by Lieutenant-General to pieces. Hunter with marked ability and judgment, and I have to name the following Officers and men that the behaviour of the troops both on the as being particularly woithy of mention for the march and when engaged with the enemy, merits excellent services they performed in their respec­ high commendation. tive spheres during the day ;— 3. While it is to be regretted that the com­ mandos under Generals C. de Wet and Olivier Personal Staff. contrived to break through the British force Major Kelly, R.A., A.D.C., severely wounded. surrounding the Brandwater Basin, it must be Lieuteuant Patou, A.D.C., wounded. remembered that the country was extremely Staff. difficult, and that owing to their intimate know­ Major F. C. Heath, A.A.G., horse shot under ledge of the ground the Boer leaders could mote him. at night along routes which our own Officers were Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes, IutelligenceOffieer. at the time imperfectly acquainted with, and “ E ” Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery, Major which, therefore, were not blocked in sufficient Ogilvie. strength to preclude the escape of a portion of the 8th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry. enemy from the invested area. Colonel Crawley, Commanding, Imperial Yeo­ I have, &c., manry. ROBERTS, Field-Marshal, Captain Kemp, Commanding, 23rd Company, Coinmanding-in-Chief, South Africa. Imperial Yeomanry. AngloBoerWar.com Captain Parkin, Commanding, 24th Company. From Lieutenant-General Sir A. Hunter, Imperial Yeomanry. K.C.B., D.S.O., Commanding Operations in Lieutenant Huntington, 23rd Company, Im­ the Eastern Districts of the Orange River perial Yeomanry (wounded). Colony, to the Chief of' the Staff, South Africa. Lieutenant Williams, 24th Company, Imperial Fouriesburg, Yeomanry (wounded). Sir, 4th August, 1900. Lieutenant J. Brockiebank, Officer Command­ I HAVE the honour to report that on 25th ing Gun Section, Icnperiul Yeomanry. June, in accordance with your orders, I assumed Lieutenant C. Lowther, 24ih Company, command of Lieutenant-General Ian Hamilton's Imperial Yeomanry. force at Heidelburg. Sergeant Fawkes, 24ih Company, Imperial 2. The force consisted at the time of the 2nd Yeomanry. and 3rd Cavalry Brigades, the 2nd Mounted Corporal "Wilson, 24th Company, Imperial Infantry Brigade, the 21st Infantry Brigade, Yeomanry. Rimington’s Guides, and Divisional Artillery, Troo, er Looker, 23rd Company, Imperial whilst two squadrons of Scottish Yeomanry were Yeomanry. nlso added to it from the 10th Division, making a Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Volnuteer Regiment. tolal effective strength of 416 Officers, 7,312 Colonel Spenco (killed in action). men, 3,942 horses, and 30 guns. Major T. Lewis (who commanded the regiment 3. Leaving Heidelburg on 27th June, I on death of Colonel Spence). marched, preceded by the Cavalry under Captain G. Twycross. Brigadier-General Broadwood, by Villiersdorp, Captain W. Simkins. Frankfort, and Reitz to Bethlehem, which place Lieutenant VV". Prince. I reached on 9 th July. Lieutenant B. H, Thorne. I cleared the country I matched through of all Sergeant-Major Pearson, in charge of Maxim horses and supplies. gun. 4. At Frankfort, on 3rd July, I was joined Warren’s Scouts. front Hcilbron by Major-General MacDonald with Capfaiu Mackie, Royal Canadian Artillery. the following troops: three battalious Highland 1 regret very much the loss of Colonel Spence, Brigade, 12th Company, Imperial Yeomanry, Commanding Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Volun­ Eastern Province Horse, Lovat’s Scouts, and the teer Rifles, a must gallant and efficient Command­ 5th Battery, Royal Field Aitillery, a total strength ing Officer. I have, &c., of 4,008 men, 1,801 horses, and six guns. CHARLES WAR REM, 5. At Reitz I lc't Major-General Bruce Hamil­ Lieutenant-General, Military Governor ton with the 21st Brigade, two batteries, Royal of Cape Colony, North of Orange River. Field Artillery, and the 7th Mounted Iufantry, with orders to send a convoy of all empty wagons, with escort of one battery and a battalion, to Heilbron to fetch further supplies. No. 27282. L 910 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 190i.

Major-General Bruce Hamiton rejoined me at and 15tli Companies, Imperial Yeomanry, also Bethlehem on 11th July with the remainder of proceeded the same day in that direction. his troops. 13. During that night, as I learnt later, a force 6. I found that Bethlehem had been occupied consisting of from 1,500 to 2,000 Boers, with on 7th July, after two days’ fighting, by the troops four guns and 100 wagons under General C. De under command of Major-Generals Clements and Wet, and accompanied by ex-President Steyn, Paget. broke out from Slabbert’s Nek, and was engaged Major-General Clements’ Brigade left again throughout the 16th with the troops of Generals for Senekal on 9th July to bring up supplies. Paget and Broadwood towards Klipscheur and 7. On 15th July I detached the 3rd Cavalry Bulifontein. Brigade to Heilbroo, vift Reitz, and the same day In the afternoon of the 16th the enemy’s received your instructions placing the troops of wagons were seen moving in the direction of Lieutenant-General Sir L Bundle and Major- Witklip towards Lindley, and his main body, General Clements under my orders. followed as it moved to the north by Brigadier- 8. The enemy, whose strength was estimated General Broadwood, arrived at Sterkfontein at at 6,000 to 8,000 men with 20 guns, h id retired 3 a.m. on 17th July. through the mountains to the south of Bethlehem 14. At 3 p.m. on 16th of July, the wires being into the basin of the Brandwater, and were cut, on receiving news of this outbreak of the holding positions of great natural strength at enemy, I despatched Brigadier-General RidJey Naauwport, Reliefs and Slabbert’s Neks, Witnek, ' with 800 Mounted Infantry to reinforce General and Commando Nek, positions which appeared to ! Broadwood, and sent Lieutenant-Colonel Donne mark the only possible points of ingress and with the 1st Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment and egress into and from the mountainous district 81st Battery, Royal Field Artillery, to occnpy which lay before me. I subsequently learnt that, Meyer’s Kop. I also directed M*jor-General in addition to several bridle paths over the hills, Clements to relieve Sir Leslie Rundle’s troops at there was yet another exit available for the Witnek with a portion of his force. enemy in the pass of Golden Gate, which lies at I failed, therefore, in giving effect to the first the north-eastern extremity of the basin in the part of the Oommander-in-Chief's instructions. direction of Ham smith. 15. On 19th July I was joined by the convoy 9. The task imposed upon me by the instruc­ under Lieu tenant-Colonel Ewart from Heilbron, tions of the Fie':d-Mar«hal Commanding-in-Chief for which I had waited at Bethlehem. was to block the enemy into the enclosed district 16. On 20th July I detached Major-General into which he had retired, to prevent his escape, Bruce Hamilton with the 1st Battalion Cameron bring him to action, and if possible force him to Highlanders, Lieutenant-Colonel Bainhridge’s surrender. Mounted Infantry, and the 82nd Battery, Royal 10. At the date of the assumption by me of Field Artillery, to occupy Spitzkop, 9 miles south­ command of the whole of the troops iu the east of Bethlehem, a kopje said to overlook and command the approaches to Naauwport Nek. eastern districts of the Orange RiverAngloBoerWar.com Colony, the disposition of the investing line was as follows:— Major-General Hamilton was engaged through­ The 8th and Colonial Divisions, under Lieu­ out the day with a force of the enemy, estimated tenant-General Sir L. Rundle, distributed upon a ut 400 men, and succeeded in establishing himself general line FicksLurg—Biddulphsberg, were on two headlands 1^ miles short of Spitzkop. charged with watching Witnek, Rooikranz, Mool- He reported casualties to the number of two man’s Kloof, ar.d Commando Nek, and preventing Officers and seven men wounded. His operations any outbreak of the enemy in a south-easterly were resumed the following morning and resulted direction. in the occupation of Spitzkop, in which three men Major-General Clements’ 12th Brigade, await­ were killed, three Officers, and 16 men wounded. ing supplies from Senekal, was at Biddulphsberg, 17. On 20th July, Major-General Clements whilst at Bethlehem were Brigadier-General reported to me that Colonel Hacket Pain, with a Broad wood’s 2nd Cavalry Brigade ; Brigadier- battalion and a half and two guns, liad occupied General Ridley’s 2nd Mounted Infantry Brigade ; Witnek, relieving Major-General Campbell, who the Highland Brigade, under Major-General now commanded the troops of Lieutenant-General MacDonald; the 21st Brigade, under Major- Sir L. Rundle’s Division at Rooikranz. General Bruce Hamilton ; and the 20th Brigade, 18. On 22nd July, having ordered a concen­ under Major-General Paget. tration of the troops of Major-Generals Clements and Paget, with a view to a simultaneous assault 11. On 13th July, fighting occurred between a on 23rd July upon Slabbert’s Nek, and a demon­ party of Mounted Infantry and some Boers en­ stration by Sir Leslie Rundlc’s forces along their trenched at Meyer’s Kop, 10 miles to the west of whole front, I left Bethlehem at 11 a.m. with the Bethlehem, which resulted in Lieutenant Robbins intention of attacking Relief’s Nek, taking with (Imperial Yeornanryj and 11 men being wounded, me the Highland Brigade under Major-General and on the following day I despatched Brigadier- MacDonald, two 5-in. guns, the 5th and 76tli General Ridley with 1,300 Mounted Infantry ; Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, Lavat’s Scouts, the 5th Battery, Royal Field Artillery ; two and Rimington’s Guides. At the same time 1 sections, “■ R ” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery ; directed Lieutenant-Colonel Donne to join me the and the 1st Battalion, Highland L;ght Infantry to ' next morniug from Meyer’s Kop with the 1st the scone of the skirmish. Brigadier-General Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment and 81st Battery, Ridley found Meyer’s Kop now unoccupied, and Royal Field Artillery. With the idea of deceiving at 4 p.m. he returned to Bethlehem. the enemy, my force started, in the first instance, 12. As the southern portion of the investing as if going to Naauwport Nek, but changing line now seemed to mo to he the weakest, and direction, it moved to Boshof’s Farm under Vaal constant rumours reached me of an intention on Kranz, about 3 miles to the north of Relief’s Neb, the part of the enemy to break out in that direc­ where it bivouacked. My mounted troops were tion, I detached Brigadier-General Broadwood engaged towards the close of the day with some on loth July with the 2nd Cavalry Brigade along 200 Boers who retired into the nek as dusk fell. the Bethlehem—Senekal road, and Major-General 19. Major-General Bruce Hamilton was again Paget, 20th Brigade, with eight guns, and the 14th engaged with the enemy on the 22nd near Spitz- THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 911 kop, the casualties incurred being one man killed Retief’s Nek Farm, about a mile beyond the and three wounded. position previously held by the enemy. 20. The following rooming, 23rd July, soon 24. There I learnt the complete success of the after daybreak my force moved out of its bivouacs, simultaneous attack which I had ordered upou the 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders being Slabbert’s Nek by the force under Major-General left to furnish an outpost line round Boshof’s Clements, whose troops also bivouacked in the Farm to protect the convoy. valley, four miles beyond my own head-quarters. At 8 a.m. my artillery opened fire shelling the 25. Major-General Clements having marched nek^and the kopjes on either side of it, and at himself from Bester’s Kop, had effected a junction 9 a.3i., the 2nd Battalion Black Watch (under between his own troops and those of Mijor- Lieutenant-Colonel Carthew-Yorstoun) moved Genernl Paget, about two and a half miles north forward to occupy a prominent hill to our left of Slabbert's Nek at 10 a.m. on 23rd July. frontj'which seemed to be a starting point from He at once proceeded to secure a position for which the enemy’s position might be turned. My his artillery, whence the enemy’s trenches witliiu direct advance, however, upon the nek was the nek were bombarded and his guns silenced. delayed until 1.40 p .m., awaiting the arrival of Then, whilst lie held the enemy in front with the Colonel Donne’s troops from Meyer’s Kop, but at Royal Munster Fusiliers, he directed Lieutenant- that hour the 81st Battery, Royal Field Artillery, Colonel Grenfell with Brabant’s Horse (2nd opened fire to the west of the road leading up into Regiment) to seize a ridge which ran down from the nek, the Sussex Regiment advanced towards a the high ground to his right of the nek. Lieu­ high conical hill overlooking the right side of the tenant-Colonel Grenfell was unable to make much nek, whilst the Highland Light Infantry moved progress, but wider turning movements still more forward to try and gain the precipitous Height to the right by portions of the 2nd Battalion commanding the nek to our left Wiltshire Regiment (Lieutenant-Colonel Carter) These hills, and an intervening shelter trench and the Royal Irish Regiment (under Lieutenant- connecting the two within the nek itself, were Colonel Guinness) gave a footing on the high heavily bombarded by my field batteries and the ground which paved the way for success next day. two 5-inch guns. At dusk the Sussex Regiment, 26. Major-General Clements directed his troops unable to gain ground, was compelled to fall back to bivouac on the night of the 23rd in the positions on the 81st Field Battery, Royal Field Artillery, they had gained, and at 4.30 a.m. on the 24th, the Highland Light Infantry had gained a foot­ Lieutenant-Colonel Guinness with four companies ing, albeit not a very firm one, on the lower spurs Royal Irish Regiment and two companies 2nd and kloofs of the rocky height to our left of the Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, favoured by some nek, whilst the Black Watch, who had been clouds which obscured the crest, was able to gain heavily fired at throughout the day, and whom I a ridge to the west of, and overlooking the enemy’s supported with two guns of the 5th. Battery, position. This ridge had previously been recon­ Royal Field Artillery, had not only obtained noitred and occupied by a portion of 2nd Regiment, possession of the conical hill already alluded to, Brabant’s Horse, under Captain Cholroondcley, but a further crest which practically turned theAngloBoerWar.com who found it unoccupied by the enemy. Having enemy's possition in the nek, and gave access to gained this commanding ground, Lieutenant- the wide valley lying beyond and within the Colonel Guinness was directed by Major-General mountains. Clements to clear the intervening space between 21. My casualties during the day were 1 Officer it and the nek, which was evacuated by the enemy and 11 men killed ; 6 Officers and 68 men when he saw that his position was turned. wounded. 27. At 11 a.m. , Major-General Clements ordered a general advance into the now vacated 22. During the night a portion of the Highland nek, sending the mounted troops and artillery of Light Infantry, guided by several men of Lo vat’s Major-General Paget’s force, under Lieutenant- Scouts, succeeded in gaining possession of the Colonel Burn, in pursuit of the retiring Boers. highest peak of the hill on the east of the pass, a 28. Major-General Clements reports that the point of vantage whence a successful occupation position occupied by the Boers, who brought of the whole height was made the next day. several guns and pompoms into action, was one of 23. At daybreak on the 24th July, I pressed great strength, and the fact that his turning the success already achieved overnight. Bringing movement was directed over ground from 1,500 to the Sussex Regiment and 81st Battery, Royal 2,000 feet high is sufficient to explain the arduous Field Artillery, back to Boshof’s Farm to act as nature of the operation. His casualties during escort to the convoy, I ordered Major-General the two days’ fighting amounted to one Officer and MacDonald to bring up the Seaforth Highlanders seven men killed, and three officers and 39 rank in a wide-turning movement to my left, and and file wounded. beyond the Black Watch, who had come at 29. On the evening of 24th July, having daybreak under fire of a Boer gun at the foot of apprised Lieutenant-General Sir Leslie Rundle the hills beyond Bamboehoek Farm. This turning of the success of these operations and directed movement was completely successfnl, the Seaforth him to push on and effect a junction with me Highlanders, supported by the 76th Battery, towards Fouriesburg, and having detailed Lieu­ Royal Field Artillery, advancing with quiet tenant-Colonel Donne with the 1st Battalion gallantry and seizing the edge of the kloof which Royal Sussex Regiment and 2nd Battalion Bed­ runs down by Bamboehoek, whence a heavy fire fordshire Regiment and six guns to remain in was poured upon the retiring Boers. The seizure occupation of the captured neks, I ordered Major- of this point at 11.40 a.m. enabled the Black General MacDonald to start at daybreak next Watch and Seaforth Highlanders to descend into morning, wifh the Highland Brigade, two 5-inch the valley beyond, thus completely turning the guns, Lovat’s Scouts, and the 5th Battery Royal enemy’s position already compromised by the Field Artillery, and join Major-General Bruce footing gained by the Highland Light Infantry Hamilton now at Heilbrou Farm, assigning to on the height overlooking the nek. him the important task of occupying or blocking I then, at 1.10 p .m., directed the whole of my the enemy’s possible exits at Naauwport Nek and artillery and baggage to move upon the now Golden Gate. Major-General MacDonald evacuated nek, and, by 3 p .m., bivouacked at bivouacked on the night of the 25th at Mid- L 2 912 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. delvlei. I also ordered Colonel Hacket Fain his casualties being one officer killed, one o'liccr with the garrison of Witnek to Slabbert’s and and 22 men wounded. Retief’s Neks. 36. At 9 a.m. on 30th July, Generals Prinsloo 30. At 7 a.m. on the 2oth July, taking with and Crowther surrendered personally, their sur­ me the 81st Battery Royal Field Artillery anil i render being followed during the day by that of Rimington’s Guides, and effecting a junction with the Ficksburg and Lailybrand Commandos ; 879 the troops under Major-Generals Clements and men with one 9-pr. Krupp gun, under Cora- Paget beyond Slabbert’s Nek, I pushed on with mandauts De Yilliers and Ferreira. them for 9 miles in the direction of Fonriesburg, 37. On 31st July, the Senekal and Winburg upon which place the Boers had retired on the Commandos (Commandants Van der Merivc and previous day, executing a reconnaissance with my Rautenbaeh) with a total strength of 351 came mounted treops (O within 3 miles of the town. in to Slaapkianz, and the same day Major- I was not anxious to press too closely on the General Bruce Hamilton reported that 1,298 men enemy’s rear, so as not to drive him out towards with one Armstrong gun (under Commandants Naauivport Nek and Golden Gale till General Crowder, Duploy, Potgieter, and Joubert) had MacDonald had blocked those exits. surrendeted to him near Erste Geluk. 31. The following day, the 26th, I entered On 1st August I ordered General MacDonald Fouriesburg with my mounted troops and found .lo pursue General Olivier in the direction of that the town had already been occupied by a Loskop, and he occupied Harrismith on 4th portion of Sir Leslie Rundle’s Division, headed August. Since then he hits been recalled to by Driscoll’s Scouts, after a forced march from i Bethlehem, Sir Leslie Rundle being instructed Commando Nek of 25 miles. to move on Harrismith as directed by the Field- The enemy bad retired from the town in the Marshal Commanding-in-Chief. direction of Naauwport Nek and Golden Gate, 38. Although the Field-Marshal Comiuanding- where I trusted that they would be anticipated iu-Chief has kindly expressed his satisfacti >n at by Major-Generals MacDonald and Bruce the final result gained by Hunter’s force, which it Hamilton, whose casualties on this day in nn truthfully de-erves and highly appreciates, I, as action fought outside the former pa-samountel its commander, am sensible that in two points I to one man killed, two officers and ten men have failed to carry out my orders, in that, firstly wounded. General C. De Wet, accompanied by Mr. Steyn, To strengthen the force at Isis disposal, I now ! formerly President of the Oronge Fiee State, and ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Donne, on being ! a force of men and guns, escaped on loth July relieved by Lieutenant-Colonel Pain’s troops (the j from Brandw.iW Basin, and secondly, General Worcestershire Regiment, half Battalion Wilt­ Olivier from outside Golden Gate on aOih July, shire Regiment, four guns), now set free from with a force of men and guns, escaped towards Witnek by our occupation of Fouriesburg, to push Vrede. As regards this second case I regard it on with his two battalions and guns from Rctiefs as a dishonourable breach of faith on the part of Nek, and effect a junction with AngloBoerWar.com the Highland General Olivier, for which I hold General Olivier Brigade towards Naauwport Nek ; I also personally responsible. He admitted that he knew strengthened Donne by two squadrons Scottish that Commandant-General Prinsloo had included Yeomanry under Lieutenant-Colonel Burn from him in the unconditional surrender. Fouriesburg. This he did, and on the 27th Major-General 39. My operations extended over a vast area. MacDonald informed me that having left Lieu­ The country is a perfect network of mountains tenant-Colonel Hughes Hallett with the Seaforth and precipices. I had no information from local Highlanders, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regi­ forces, except from Basutoland. As I neared ment, and one 5-inch gun opposite to Naauwport, Fouriesburg this information proved very valu­ he was moving on with the remainder of his force able, but so long as I was outside the Brandwater to establish Major-General Bruce Hamilton, Basin I could learn practically nothing to point towards Golden Gate. to the dispositions and numbers of the enemy or 32. On the morning of the 28th July, I fol­ their plans. lowed up the enemy beyond Fouriesburg with the Our maps are worse than useless ; they are a troops now at the disposal of Lieutenant-General positive danger and delusion. The constant Sir L. Rundle and Major-Generals Paget and cutting of our telegraph wires upset communi­ Clements; the latter Officer commanding my cation with my distant Generals. The feeding a advanced guard, being soon engaged with the large force away from the railway, and protecting Boers, who fought a tenacious rear guard action convoys to and fro constituted an ever present throughout the day in the vicinity of Slaapkranz anxiety, and depleted the fighting strength of the Ridge, which was only occupied by the Scots investing troops. Cloudy weather and grass fires Guards under Major Romilly, D.S.Q., after mid­ limited the use of heliographs. night. These were my difficulties. 1 do not claim that they furnish a sufficient excuse for the failure 33. Our casualties during the day amounted to to block the whole hostile force inside the Witte- 4 men killed, 3 Officers and 27 men wounded. bergen. 34. I established my head-quarters for the 40. As I have enlarged on my difficulties I night at Schoonzicht Farm, where at 7.15 a.m. on also gratefully acknowledge that to meet them the the morning of the 29th, I received a written Commander-in-Chief gave me command of as request from General Prinsloo for a four da} s’ fine a fighting force as ever stood to arms. I had armistice. This request I refused to accede to, a good staff and was backed up throughout by all demanding unconditional surrender, a demand ranks of the force. In spite of hardships there which, backed as it was by a further advance was no crime ; no grumbling. Officers and men towards the enemy during the day, led at 4.30 are stout-hearted, cheerful, and full of fight. I p.m., to a promise of compliance for the following have only one fault to find and that is the cations morning. indifference of many Officers and men to the danger 35. During the 29th Major-General Bruce of grass fires, and the necessity of at once putting Hamilton was engaged with the enemy in the them out. vicinity of Stephanus Draii’s Farm (Erste Geluk), 41. As regards the tactical employment of the THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 91.3 various arms under me, I submit a few remarks Jays at a time, but always came safely back with with some general observations on Boer warfare: — the truthdiscovered. Major the Honourable A. D. Cavalry Brigade, General Broadwood com­ Murray who commands them, Captain Lord manding.—On the march to concentrate outside Lovat who raised them, each Officer and mail the perimeter of the Brandwater Basin and Witte- in the corps is a specialist and picked man. As bergen District, across the open rolling downs scouts, spies, guides, on foot or pony, ns individual both sides of the Vaal, on the line Heidelburg— marksmen or as a collective body in the fighting Villiersdorp—Frankfort—Rei 1 z—Bethlehem the line, they are a splendid baud of Scotchmen, Cavalry brigades were properly employed to scout which is the highest complim-mt I can pay them. for and guard my column. At Bethlehem and Artillery.—Our gunners are not at fault, but towards the theatre of subsequent operations the our guus. topography changes and is unsuited to the action Boers seldom offer a target within the limited of Cavalry. I, therefore, detached the 3rd Cavalry range of British Field Artillery. When they do Brigade (Rrigadier-Gencral Gordon) to Heilbron. the accuracy/of our fire leaves uothing to bo On loth July, I sent the 2nd Cavalry Brigade desired as a rule. and 5th Corps, Mounted Infantry under Brigadier- The quality]of the a-inch guns is well knawn. General Broadwood towards Senekal, and, when General Paget speaks in high praise of the General C. De Wet broke out on loth July, rein­ range andjsliooting of the City Imperial Volun­ forced him with Mounted Infantry, 800 strong, teers’ 12^-prs. under Brigadier-General Ridley, to assist in the Infantry.—Everybody knows howj Napoleon pursuit. No more Cavalry were now left with appraised British Infantry. Since then they have me. I assume General Broadwood will report on not changed except to improve. his action direct to you. Generals, Regimental Officers, and men have Yeomanry and Mounted Infantry. —The excel­ learnt how to minimize losses against magazine lent work by this arm is so fully understood that rides and smokeless powder in defensive positions ; I will confine myself to discussing certain corps now they threaten flanks and turn positions. which I saw at work. General remarks.—Boer artillery fire is accurate The Yeomanry is daily gaining experience in in aim but contemptible in effect. actual warfare, which is all they ask for and all Some Boers are crack shots ; man for man their they require to make them rank with the best. shooting is not so good as ours. Their^mobility This they now do. is the main point where they excel us. By Rimington’s Guides, Major Ritnington com­ reason of superior mobility they can hold manding. — Major Rimington has gathered a on till turned when instead of being beaten body of men whose virtues are like his own. they take up a fresh position or reinforce their They can ride, see, tight, and shoot straight. flank, and so convert our flank attack into a frontal They are in the forefront when there is danger. one with all its drawbacks to us. Their local They have never disappointed me, let alone knowledge and power of getting over the country, failed me. their being masters of three laDguageB in use here Lovat’s Scouts, Major Honourable AngloBoerWar.com A. D. to our one, their sources of news from all men Murray, Cameron Highlanders, commanding, and women, their not wearing uniform, and so Captain Lord Lovat second in command. —I paused posing one moment as a peaceful farm dweller and at Bethleliam from 9th July to 22nd July, to the next proving an active enemy, their secret regulate the supply question and gain news. supplies of arms, ammunition, and food, their The mountain range in my front acted as a hardihood and physical training, their expert and screen, behind which I could not penetrate, and it universal skill with horses and transport, with concealed forces whose numbers and whereabouts every resource of the country in their favour and were a mystery. It possessed ins aud outs, denied to us ; these are some of the advantages to paths, and shepherd tracks, even occasional the Boers in this warfare. cart roads ; none marked on maps but known I have, &c., to local experts who were dumb so far as I was con­ cerned. To get news Lovat’s Scouts were used. ARCHIBALD HUNTER, The idea was General MacDonald’s instigated by Lieutenant-General. Lord Lovat. In ones, twos, and threes, these men crept, climbed, and spied ; were absent for 914 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

SECTION II.—NATAL FIELD ARMY. the Infantry under the shelter of a high ridge, No. 1. parallel to the road, and facing the Intintany- From Geneial Sir Redvers Buller to the one Mountain. The 1st Bn. Gloucestershire Secretary of State for War. ' Regiment on the left, and the 1st Bn. Liverpool (Through the Field-Marshal Commuu ding-in Regiment on the right were then advanced to Chief, Cape Town.) the crest of this ridge, the Artillery also ad­ vancing and coming into action on the crest Spearman’s Hill Camp, line between these two regiments. The position Sir, 2nd February, 1900. ! thus attained was one most suitable to my I have the honour to forward a despatch purpose, which was to prevent the enemy moving from Lieut.-General Sir George White, which I to the east, across the Newcastle Road, und have only just received by runner. It is in attacking Brigadier-General Yule’s force during continuation of his despatch of the 2nd Novem­ its retirement from Dundee. ber, 1899,” and it will be seen by paragraph 12 3. Our Artillery was entirely successful in pre­ that it deals only with his operations up to venting the enemy from making any further use 30th October, 1899. of liis guns, but a severe fire fight gradually It may, therefore, I think, be inferred that developed between my troops and the enomy’s the services of the Officers, non-commissioned infantry, und it became necessary to push the officers and men which he brings to notice were 1st Bn. Devonshire Regiment also to the crest rendered by them prior to that date. of the ridge, half the 2nd Bn. King’s Royal Rifle J have &c. Corps being brought up from the wagons to take REDVERS BULLER, General. their place in reserve. In this Infantry fight Jacobsdal, our Artillery rendered great assistance, search­ 18th February, 1900. ing out the crest line and reverse slopes of the Secretary of State for War. opposing ridges most effectively, and thus Forwarded. keeping down the enemy’s rifle fire. Meanwhile ROBERTS, Field-Mars! ml, the Natal Mounted Volunteers, who had beeu Conimanding-iu-Chief, South Africa. with the Cavalry, had been recalled, and, as the enemy showed some disposition to work round From Lieut.-General Sir George White, V.C., my left flank, as if to cut me from Ladysmith, I G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., Commanding the sent this force, under Colonel Royston, to work British Forces in Natal, to the Secretary of round the Boer right and cover my left flank, a State for War. movement which was most successfully per­ (Through the General Officer Commanding in formed. It was no part of my plan to deliver South Africa.) an attack on the enemy, posted as he was in Ladysmith, Natal, 2nd December, 1899. ground exceptionally well suited to his tactics, Sir, and especially difficult for our troops; I con­ In continuation of my despatch of 2nd tented myself, therefore, with maintaining the November, 1899, I have now the honour to position I had gained. The Boers, on the other report the occurrences of 24th October,AngloBoerWar.com referred hand, were unwilling to attack us except by fire to briefly in the last paragraph of my above- at long ranges, and, as they could not approach mentioned despatch. On that date I marched Brigadier-General Yule’s force without doing so, out of Ladysmith at dawn with the 5th LancerR, they gradually withdrew to the westward. By 19th Hussars, Imperial Light Horse, Natal 2 p.m. firing had ceased, and as time had now Mounted Volunteers, 42nd and 53rd Batteries, been afforded for the Dundee column to pass Royal Field Artillery; No. 10 Mountain Battery, the point of danger I returned with my troops ltoyal Garrison Artillery; 1st Bn. Liverpool to Ladysmith. Our casualties consisted of one Regiment, 1st Bn. Devonsliire Regiment, 1st Officer and 11 non-commissioned officers and men Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment, and 2nd Bn. killed, six Officers and 97 non-commissioned King’s Royal Rifle Corps. The mounted troops officers and men wounded, and two non-com- were sent on in advance, and, after going about miasioned officers and men missing. The 6 miles along the Newcastle Road, came under enemy’s loss was heavy, particularly from rifle fire from the hills on their left on Riet- artillery fire. fontein Farm. The 19th Hussars pushed on over 4. On 25th October I sent out a force, under the Modder Spruit and seized and held a ridge Lieut.-Colonel Coxhead, R.A., to meet and, if about 2 miles beyond that stream by dismounted necessary, to assist Brigadier-General Yule. This fire, while watching the country to the front force got touch with the Dundee column that and flanks with patrols. The 5th Lanoers afternoon, and, as already reported, both similarly seized and held ridges south of the columns reached Ladysmith next morning (26th Modder Spruit, as also did the Imperial Light October) without any interference from the Horse. By this disposition of the mounted enemy. troops my right flank was entirely protected 5. On 27th, 28th and 29th October the enemy during the subsequent action. gradually approached Ladysmith from the west, 2. At 8 a.m. I arrived at Rietfontein at the north, and north-east. These days were spent head of the main body. At this moment the by us in reconnaissances with a view to finding enemy opened artillery fire on my advanced a favourable opportunity to strike a blow at him. Cavalry from a point high up on the Intintany- On 29th October our Cavalry located a consider­ o«e Mountain, and about 5,000 yards to the west able Boer force, with artillery on Long Hill, of the main road, at which he had apparently north-east of Ladysmith, and well within striking posted four guns. My artillery was at once distance. I accordingly issued orders for an ordered to wheel off the road and come into attack next day, which resulted in the action of action against these guns, which opened fire on Lombard’s Kop. them, but were quickly silenced. Leaving the 6. My object was, in the first instance, to 2nd Bn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps with the carry Long Hill, and, in the event of success, to baggage waggons, I moved the remainder of similarly carry Pepworth’s Hill, sending, at the

Already published. Th e LONDON. GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 915

shluc time, a considerable mounted force round 15-cm. gun, throwing a shell of about lOOlbs. over Nicholson’s Nek to cut the enemy’s lino of weight, which commenced firing on the town of retreat and endeavour to capture his laagers. Ladysmith at a range of 8,000 yards. These To gain these objects I employed the entire force guns were silenced by our Field Artillery, which assembled at Ladysmith. 200 Natal Mounted also drove the enemy from the crest of Pep worth Volunteers were sent out the evening before to Hill. It was now about 8 a.m. At this period hold Lombard’s Kop and Bulwana Mountain. Major-General French reported that he was hold­ The 5th Lancers, 19th Hussars, and the remain­ ing his position with difficulty against superior der" of the Natal Mounted Volunteers were forces of the enemy, and I detaohed the 5th ordered to move out, under Major-General Dragoon Guards and 18th Hussars, under Bri­ French, at 3 a.m. on 30th October, cross Lom­ gadier-General Brocklehurst, to his assistance; bard’s Nek and the Modder Spruit and cover the 69th and 21st Field Batteries being also my right flank during the operations. A Brigade moved to his support, and with this assistance he Division of Royal Field Artillery, the Natal easily held his own till the end of the action. Of Field Battery, 1st and 2nd Bub. King’s Royal the remaining batteries, the 13th and 53rd were Rifle Corps, 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regiment, 1st engaged in supporting Colonel Grimwood’s force, Bn. Liverpool Regiment, and 2nd Bn. Royal while the 42nd and 67 th were still firing on Pep- Dublin Fusiliers, the whole under Colonel Grim- worth Hill, from which the enemy had reopened wood, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, were detailed fire, while he had also brought fresh guns on to for the attack on Long Hill (moving at night Long Hill. so as to be ready to commence the attack at 8. About 10 a.m. I withdrew the Manchester dawn. An Infantry Brigade, under Colonel Ian Regiment from Colonel Hamilton’s force, and Hamilton, C.B., D.S.O., consisting of 2nd Bn. placed it in a position to support Colonel Grim- Gordon Highlanders, 1st Bn. Manchester Regi­ wood. The fight now became stationary, our ment, 1st Bn. Devonshire Regiment, and 2nd troops holding their positions without any great Bn. Rifle Brigade, together with the Divisional difficulty, but being unable to advance. The Troops, consisting of a Brigade Division, Royal Boers on the other hand, were unable to make Artillery, 5th Dragoon Guards, 18th Hussars, any headway. This condition of affairs continued Imperial Light Horse, and two companies, until 11.30 a.m., when, finding that there was Mounted Infantry, were directed to rendezvous little prospect of bringing the engagement to a at the railway crossing on the Newcastle Road, decisive issue, I determined to withdraw my and proceed to take up a position under cover troops. I accordingly moved the 2nd Bn. of Limit Hill. This latter Brigade Division was Gordon Highlanders from my left to a strong directed, in the first instance, to assist in shelling position on Flag Hill, and sent Major-General Long Hill, the Infantry being intended for the Sir A. Hunter, K.C.B., my Chief of Staff, to attack on Pepworth’s Hill. To cover my left arrange a retirement in echelon from the left, flank and open a way for the action of the covered by the fire of our Artillery. This was Cavalry after the position had been carried,AngloBoerWar.com No. most successfully carried out, the Artillery ad­ 10 Mountain Battery, the 1st Bn. Royal Irish vancing in the most gallant manner, and cover­ Fusiliers, and the 1st Bn. Gloucestershire Regi­ ing the Infantry movement with the greatest ment, the whole under Lieut.-Colonel F. Carle- skill and coolness. ton, Royal Irish Fusiliers, with Major W. Adye, 9. Meanwhile the Naval Brigade landed from D.A.A.G., for Intelligence, as Staff Officer and H.M.S. “ Powerful,” which had reached Lady­ Guide, were directed to fall in at 11 p.m., on smith that morning, under Captain Hon. H. 29th October, and make a night march up Bell’s Lambton, R.N., had moved out with their long Spruit to seize as strong a position as could be 12-pr. guns on improvised field mountings, drawn obtained towards Nicholson’s Nek; if possible, by oxen, and had engaged the enemy’s artillery the Nek itself, on Pepworth Hill, directing their special atten­ 7. The troops moved out in accordance withtion to the heavy gun mounted there, which they these instructions. The mounted troops, under temporarily silenced. The enemy did not follow General French, passed between Lombard’s Kop up our retirement, and the whole force employed and Bulwana Mountain, but failed to penetrate on this side returned to camp at 1.30 p.m. further than the line of kopjes north-eaBt of the 10. Turning now to this force, consisting Nek, where at daybreak they came under the of No. 10 Mountain Battery, Royal Irish fire of the enemy’s guns and rifles. They held Fusiliers, and the Gloucestershire Regiment, the enemy in check here but could not advance under Lieut.-Colonel F. Carleton, Royal further. The Infantry Brigade, under Colonel Irish Fusiliers, whioh proceeded by a Grimwood, reached their appointed position, and night march up Bell’s Spruit towards Nichol­ the Artillery opened on Long Hill, which, how­ son’s Nek to cover my left flank, I regret ever, was found to have been evacuated by the that, owing to the circumstances about to be enemy during the night. At this moment related, I have no official report of their move­ Colonel Grimwood’s force was attacked by guns ments. My information has been obtained and mounted infantry in large numbers from from subordinate Officers, who, being severely beyond the Modder Spruit, and had to change wounded, were sent into my camp here by front to the right to meet this development, as General Joubert. From this information it the Cavalry, having been unable to get beyond appears that the force moved off, as ordered, at the kopjes north-east of Lombard’s Nek, were 11 p.m. on 29th October, and proceeded for not in a position to cover that flank. Gradu­ some distance without seeing signs of the enemy. ally the enemy’s numbers increased, and made When passing along the foot of a steep hill, continual efforts to turn both flanks of the posi­ known as Cainguba, stones were suddenly rolled tion occupied by Colonel Grimwood’s force, down on them and some shots were fired. The necessitating a constant prolongation of his Infantry at once fixed bayonets and carried the fighting line, and thus using up his supports and hill without difficulty, but unfortunately both reserves, which, by 10 a.m., had all been ab­ the Mountain Battery mules and those carrying sorbed in the firing line. Meanwhile artillery the Infantry ammunition took fright and stam­ fire had been opened by the enemy from Pep- peded. Mules, carrying two guns eventually worth Hill, one of the guns employed being a returned to camp, one was retained with the 9i6 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. force, but no trace has been found of the other command of the Dundee force when Major- three, which presumably fell iuto the enemy’s General Sir W. Penn Symons was wounded, and hands. had a difficult duty to carry out. He conducted The force took up a position on Cainguba, the retirement of the force from Dundee to which they strengthened with breastworks to Ladysmith with marked success. some slight extent, and remained unmolested Brigadier-General J. Wolfe Murray, command­ till daybreak. It was then found that the ing Lines of Communication, is an Officer of position was too large for thorn to adequately great administrative ability, and has done his occupy, and that only the most pronounced work excellently well. He has been specially salients could be held. The Boers appear to selected for this most important post from the have gradually surrounded the hill, and after a confidence felt in him, and, as it is one that fight extending over several hours, our men’s entails hard work and is not as popular as ammunition began to fail owing to the ammuni­ employment in the front, I think the value of tion mules having stampeded, as already the service should be exceptionally recognised. described. The advanced parties holding the Colonel Ian Hamilton, C.B., D.S.O., has acted salients were driven back on the main body in ns Brigadier-General in command of a brigade the centre of the plateau, and the Boers gained rince my head-quarters have been established at the crest line of the hill, whence they brought a Ladysmith. I have made a special recommenda­ converging fire to bear from all sides on our tion in favour of this Officer for the manner in men crowded together in the centre, causing which he led the Infantry at the action of much loss. Eventually it was seen that this Elandslaagte on the 21st October, and consider position was hopelessly untenable, and our force him an Officer of special ability who is well fitted hoisted a white flag and surrendered about for higher rank and command. 12.30 p.m. Colonel, B. Duff, C.I.E., Indian Staff Corps, 11. Including under the head of “ missing” lias been my Assistant Military Secretary, and those thus taken prisoners, our losses this day lias discharged the duties of the office with amounted to six Officers and 63 non-com­ marked ability and success. His advancement missioned officers and men killed, 10 Officers will be a benefit to the Service, and he is well and 239 non-commissioned officers and men fitted for the highest staff appointments. wounded, and 37 Officers and 917 non-com­ Brevet-Colonel E. W. D. Ward, C.B., A.S.C., missioned officers and men missing. A.A.G. (B).—I cannot speak too highly of this 12. Next day, 31st October, General Sir Red- Officer. His forethought in collecting supplies vers Buller, Y.C., G.C.B., Colony of Natal. Brigadier-General J, H. Yule succeeded to the Colonel J. G. Dartnell, C.M.G., Chief Com- THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 917 missioner, Natal Police, rendered valuable Brigadier-General Yule during the retire­ service to the late Lieut.-General Sir W. Penn ment from Dundee. Symons and to Brigadier-General Yule when the Brevet Lieut.-Colonel H. M. Lawson, R.E., Dundee column fell back on Ladysmith. His A.A.G., Lines of Communication and Com­ advice and experience were of the highest value, manding at Durban. and I found' him always ready and willing to Major S. C. N. Grant, R.E., Special Service. help me in any way in his power. Commander Holland, Royal Indian Marine, Brevet-Colonel Sir H. Rawlinson, Bart., Disembarkation Officer at Durban. Coldstream Guards, D.A.A.G., has acted as A.A.G. since this force was formed, and has The railway administration, under David proved himself a Staff Officer of very high Hunter, Esq., C.M.G.,was most excellently carried ability. He has great power of work, and carries out, and was worked most harmoniously and out his duties pleasantly and thoroughly. He successfully in concert with the ^military and is also a most valuable Staff Officer in action, naval Officers. and possessed of a quick eye and great dash. I 15. I also desire to bring to your notice the recommend him for advancement. following Officers, Ac., who have rendered ex­ Lieut.-Colonel R. Exham, R.A.M.C., Principal cellent services: — Medical Officer, has had an anxious time in the Colonel C. E. Beckett, C.B., A.A.G. charge of the sick and wounded of thiB force, Lieut.-Colonel R. W. Mapleton, R.A.M.C. and has done everything in his power to meet Major C. de C. Hamilton, R.A., who has been the medical requirements of the various phases acting throughout as D.A.A.G. on my of the present campaign. His zeal and assiduity Head-quarter Staff. are worthy of recognition. Major H. Mullaly, R.E., D.A.A.G. The services of the Royal Artillery have been Brevet-Major A. J .. King, Royal Lancaster so valuable that I have special pleasure in Regiment, A.D.C. to Major-General Sir A. recommending Lieut-Colonels J. A. Coxhead Hunter, K.C.B., D.S.O. and E. H. Pickwoad, Commanding Brigade Captain F. Lyon, R.F.A., A.D.C. Divisions with this force, and the conduct of the Captain J. R. Young, R.E., Railway Staff individual batteries has been so good, and Hie Officer. services of each so valuable, that I consider the Captain F. S. Tatham, Natal Mounted Rifles. following Majors have well earned special men­ Rev. E. J. Macpherson, B.A., Senior Chaplain, tion:— Church of England. • Royal Field Artillery. Rev. 0 . S. Watkins, Acting Wesleyan Chap­ Major J. W. G. Dawkins, 13th Battery. lain. Major W. E. Blewitt, 21st Battery. T. R. Bennett, Esq., Resident Magistrate, Major C. E. Goulburn, 42nd Battery. Ladysmith. Major A. J. Abdy, 53rd Battery. D. G. Giles, Esq., Resident Magistrate, Upper Major J. F. Manifold, 67th Battery. Tugela Magistracy. Major F. D. V. Wing, 69th Battery. AngloBoerWar.comConductor W. C. Ashmore, Indian Unattached Major S. R. Rice, R.E., acting as Command­ List. ing Royal Engineer, has been indefatigable in Quarter-MaBter-Serj eant E. H. Morton, Corps the discharge of his duties, and his services have of Military Staff Clerks. been most valuable in preparing the entrenched No. S.C./227, Serjeant P. Burke, Staff Clerk positions occupied by the garrison of Ladysmith, Seotion, A.S.C. and in other matters connected with this par­ Guide A. B. Allison, Natal Corps of Guides. ticular branch. „ T. Loxton „ „ Major E. A. Altham, Royal, Scots Regiment, „ P. Greathead „ „ A.A.G., Field Intelligence, has had a very 16. The following Officers, Warrant and non­ difficult office to fill. I consider he has done commissioned officers, and men, have been all that was possible. He has kept me informed brought to my notice by General Officer com­ of the enemy’s movements, as well as changes manding and Officers Commanding units. (The in his strength and dispositions. I have a very names are arranged in the order of precedence high opinion of his' ability and aptitude for the of corps):— particular branch in which he is employed. Officers. Major D. Henderson, Argyll and Sutherland 4th Dragoon Guards (attached to 5th Dragoon Highlanders, D.A.A.G., Field Intelligence, is a Guards). most painstaking and -reliable Intelligence Captain G. F. Mappin. Officer. He possesses boldness, discretion, and 5th Lancers. reticence, and is an Officer of high promise. Major A. C. King. Major W. Adye, Royal Irish Rifles, D.A.A.G., Lieutenant and Adjutant H. H. Hulse. Field Intelligence, has proved himself an Officer of a most adventurous spirit in reconnoitring 7th Hussars. and reporting upon the enemy’s positions, and Major D. Haig. '.his services have been valuable to me. Captain R. G. Brooke, D.S.O. Major H. G. Morgan, D.S.O., A.S.C., Assistant 11th Hussars. Director of Supplies, rendered most valuable Lieutenant P. D. Fitzgerald. service in disembarking and entraining the first 53rd Battery, Royal Field Artillery. reinforcements that arrived in Natal, and hurry­ Captain W. Thwaites. ing them on to the front. The following Officers have also carried out Royal Engineers. the duties of their departments with advantage Captain G- H. Fowke. to the. State and credit to themselves: — 1st Bn. Devonshire Regiment. Veterinaiy Lieut.-Colonel I. Mathews, P.V.O. Major M. C. Curry. Major W. C. Savile, R.A., Army Ordnance Captain W. B. Lafone. Department. Captain and Adjutant H. S. L. Ravenshaw. - Major A. J. Murray, Royal Inniskilling Lieutenant J. E. I. Masterson. Fusiliers, who acted as Staff Officer to Lieutenant H. N. Field. No. 27282. M 918 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

Somersetshire Light Infantry. Indian Commissariat—Transport Department. Captain J. M. Yallentin. Conductor H. Young. 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regiment. Sub-Conductor M. W. Tyler. Lieutenant B. de W. Weldon. I have, Ac., 1st Bn. Scottish Rifles—(attached to 2nd Bn. GEORGE S. WHITE, Lieut.-General, King’s Royal Rifle Corps.) Commanding Natal Field Force. Lieutenant N. M. Tod. 1st Bn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps. No. 2. Lieut.-Colonel R. H. Gunning (killed in From Field Marshal Lord Roberts to the Secre­ action). tary of State for War. Captain and Adjutant H. R. Blore (killed in Army Head-quarters, South Africa, action). Government House, Bloemfontein, 2nd Bn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps. My Loan, 28th March, 1900. Major H. E. Buchanan-Riddell. In continuation of my Memorandum of 1st Bn. Manchester Regiment. the 18th ultimo, I have the honour to submit for your Lordship’s information a Major J. E. Watson. despatch, dated 23rd Maroh, 1900, from Lieut.- Captain A. W. Marden. General Sir George White, V.C., G.C.B., Lieutenant H. Fisher. G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., describing the defence of 2nd Bn. Gordon Highlanders. LadyBmith, which was invested by the enemy Major W. A. Scott. from 2nd November, 1899, until 1st March, Captain C. F. N. Macready. 1900, and including the operations of the two Captain and Adjutant E. Stretfeild. days preceding the siege. 2nd Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers. 2. In the second and third paragraphs of the Major S. G. Bird. despatch, Sir George White gives his reasons Captain G. A. Weldon (killed in action). for deciding to remain at Ladysmith, instead of Captain and Adjutant M. Lowndes. falling back on the line of the Tugela River. If Army Service Corps. the question were regarded from an abstract Captain A. Long. point of view, arguments might be advanced in favour of' the latter course; but the existing Royal Army Medical Corps. state of affairs when Sir George White landed Lieut.-Colonel P. H. Johnston. in Natal, political exigencies, and the estimate Major H. Martin. then current of the resources and fighting Major M. W. Kerin. strength of the Boers must be taken into con­ Captain G. S. Walker. sideration. Sir Georgej White arrived at Durban Indian Staff Corps. on the 7th October, 1899, where he was met by Major W. J. R. Wickham. the late Major-General Sir A. P. Symons. He Imperial Light Horse.AngloBoerWar.comfound most of the troops in Natal already dis­ Colonel J. J. Scott-Chisholme (killed in tributed between Glencoe and Ladysmith, Major- action.) General Symons being confident that he could Major A. Wools-Sampson. drive back any hostile force which might cross Major W. Karri Davis. the frontier. Sir George White proceeded at Captain J. E. Orr. once to Maritzburg, and on 10th October dis­ Captain C. H. Mullins. cussed the military and political situation with Captain J. C. Knapp (killed in action). the Governor of Natal. At this interview he expressed disapproval of the forward position Natal Volunteer Force. which had been taken up near Glencoe, the force Permanent Staff, Natal Volunteer Force. at his disposal, in hiB opinion, too weak to Major H. T. Bru-de-Wold (Senior Staff admit of its defence, together with that of Lady­ Officer, Natal Volunteer Force). smith, against superior numbers, and the troops Volunteer Medical Staff. being liable to be cut off, should the Boers advance Captain H. T. Platt. from the Orange Free State through the passes of the Drakensberg Range. The Governor Warrant and Non-Commissioned Officers and deprecated a voluntary withdrawal from the Men. position, as being almost certain to lead to a rising among the Dutch, and possibly the native Royal Engineers. population, not only in Natal, but in Cape No. 21916, Corporal H. Rawlinson. Colony. In face of this objection. Sir George No. 28457, Sapper S. Hudson. White resolved to postpone the concentration of No. 27735, Sapper C. Spurling. his force at Ladysmith. 1st Bn. Devonshire Regiment. On 11th October Sir George White proceeded No. 2034, Colour-Serjeant G. Palmer. to Ladysmith, Major-General Symons going on to Dundee. That evening the Boers crossed the 1st Bn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps. frontier, but beyond a slight affair of outposts Bandmaster F. Tyler. in the direction of the Drakensberg, no fighting 1st Bn. Manchester Regiment. took place until the 20th. The interval was No. 2699, Serjeant R. Lloyd. occupied by Sir George White in organizing his troops and examining the Ladysmith position. . 2nd Bn. Gordon Highlanders. On 20th October a Boer force, which had No. 3747, Serjeant H. Shepherd. entered Natal from the Vryheid district of the Transvaal, and crossed the Buffalo River, was Army Service Corps. attacked near Glencoe by Sir A. P. Symons. No. 4709, 1st Class Staff-Serjeant-Major T. The General was mortally wounded, and, though Curtis. the enemy’s advance was checked for a time, Royal Army Medical Corps. reinforcements came up which necessitated a No. 7598, Serjeant E. J. Cadogan, retirement. Our troops fell back first in the THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 919 direction of Helpmakaar to Beith, and thence to causes. First, the enemy greatly out-numbered Ladysmith, which was reached on 27th October. the British force available in Natal when Lady­ On the 19th October the enemy, advancing smith was invested. Secondly, the sharp salient from Newcastle, cut the railway line at Elands- angle formed by the frontier line along the north laagte; on the 20th the ground was reconnoitred of Natal, and the convergence on Ladysmith of from Ladysmith, and the nest day an action was the railways from the Orange Free State and fought in which the Boers were signally defeated. Transvaal, gave the invaders a decided strategi­ But here again no permanent advantage was cal advantage. This advantage waB increased gained, as the reported arrival of a strong by the general configuration of the country, column of the enemy from the Orange Free consisting of a series of rocky terraces Bioping State at Beater’s Station led to the immediate gradually downwards from the Drakensberg to withdrawal of our troops to Ladysmith. On the the sea. Thirdly, although Ladysmith, had been 24th Sir George White moved out some 7 miles selected as our advanced military station and to the north-east of Ladysmith in order to cover depot of supplies in Northern Natal, its liability the march of the force returning from Glencoe, to attack does not seem to have been recognised, under the command of Major-General Yule, and and no steps had been taken before the war engaged the enemy at Rietfontein, returning to began to construct the works and provide the Ladysmith the same evening. He again armament which would have materially facili­ attacked the Boers on the 30th at Lombard’s tated its defence. Eop, the action being without decisive result. The foregoing review of the situation, as it By the 2nd November Ladysmith had been must have presented itself to Sir George White, invested, and railway communication between it shows that he had Btrong grounds for deciding and Colenso interrupted. not to withdraw behind the Tugela, his decision 3. From the foregoing narrative it is apparent was approved by General Sir Redvers Buller. that Sir George White was placed in an ex­ and though the relief of Ladysmith was an tremely difficult position in being called upon to arduous operation which cost many lives, the decide, immediately after his arrival in Natal, presence of a strong British garrison at this whether he should concentrate his whole force point prevented the enemy from penetrating at Ladysmith, and, subsequently, when the further south than Estcourt, and protected the enemy had shown their strength, whether he capital and Bouthem portion of the Colony. should attempt to withdraw that force behind 4. The behaviour of the Ladysmith garrison the Tugela. through the four months during which it was As regards the first question, 1 think that he exposed to continual bombardment, as well as would have done better had he ignored the to the privations of a protracted siege, reflects political objections which were urged by the the greatest credit on all ranks. I have much Governor of Natal and concentrated at Lady­ pleasure in bringing to the favourable notice of smith. The retention of a portion of his force Her Majesty’s Government the resolution and at Glencoe at once involved him in military resource displayed by the General Officer in complications which he foresaw and oughtAngloBoerWar.com to Chief Command, and the cheerful spirit which have avoided. Nor, indeed, was the political pervaded the troops, in spite of repeated situation improved by his being eventually com­ failures to relieve the town from the south; pelled to order a retirement which could have and I cordially support Sir George White's been effected without risk or loss before the recommendations on behalf of the Officers ^naval enemy had arrived within striking distance. and military), the Warrant, non-commissioned, As regards the second question, I am of and petty officers, and the men, whose names opinion that under the existing circumstances, he has brought forward as specially deserving and having regard to the information then avail­ of recognition. able, Sir George White’s decision to make a Praise is also due to the civilians and nursing stand at LadyBmith was correct. A position on sisterB, who rendered valuable assistance. the Tugela would to some extent have been more 5. It is gratifying to observe that, in his secure, as the country is more open, and the account of what occurred on 6th January, when reinforcement of the troops holding the river the enemy’s determined attack on Ladysmith alignment would have presented fewer diffi­ was gallantly repulsed, a Colonial corps, the culties. But, as Sir George White explains in Imperial Light Horse, has been singled out by his despatch, the Tugela, at the time of the Sir George White for special commendation. year, was not a formidable defensive obstacle, By their conduct on this and other occasions and if Ladysmith had been evacuated, the Boers during the present war our Colonial kinsmen would have pressed on, enveloped the British have proved their readiness to share with their force, and cut off its communication by rail comrades in Her Majesty’s Regular Forces the with Maritzburg. The same process might have honourable duty of upholding the rights and been repeated if Sir George White had fallen furthering the interests of the British Empire. back on Maritzburg. Moreover, a withdrawal I have, Ac., to the Tugela would have enabled the enemy ROBERTS, Field-Marshal, to over-run a much larger portion of the Colony, Commanding-in-Chief, South Africa. and so encouraged the disloyal Dutch population throughout South Africa that a general rising From Lieut.-General Sir George White, V.C., might not improbably have taken place. G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., late Commanding Undoubtedly the protracted siege of Lady­ the LadyBmith Garrison, to the Chief of the smith caused grave anxiety, and the necessity Staff to the Field-Marshal Commanding-in- for its relief diverted a large body of troops Chief in South Afrioa. from Cape Colony, and thus delayed the con­ Cape Town, centration of a force sufficient to undertake Sir, 23rd March, 1900. offensive operations in the enemy’s country. In my despatch dated 2nd December, But for these consequences Sir George White 1899, addressed to the Secretary of State fo“ cannot justly be held responsible, his main obli­ War, and forwarded through you, I brought gation being to defend Natal against a Boer down the history of events relating to the force invasion. They may be ascribed to several under my command to the evening of 30th M 2 920 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8. 1901.

October, 1899. On tlie morning of the follow­ volved the abandonment to the enemy of .a ing day, General the Right Honourable Sir large town full of an English population, men, Redvers Buller, V.C., G.C.B., K.C.M.G., arrived women, and children; and of a mass of stores at Cape Town and assumed command of the and munitions of war which had been already whole of the forces in South Africa. On the collected there before my arrival in South Africa, 10th January, 1900, Field-Marshal Lord Roberts and had since been increased. The line of the took over the chief command. I have now the Tugela from the Drakensberg to the Buffalo honour to report, for his Lordship’s information, River is some 80 miles long, and in a dry season, the events which have taken place from that such as last November, can be crossed on foot date until the 1st March, 1900, on which day almost anywhere. Against an enemy with more Sir Redvers Buller arrived in Ladysmith, having than double my numbers, and three times my successfully carried out the relief of this long mobility, I could not hope to maintain such a besieged town. line with my small force, and any attempt to 2. It will be remembered that during October, prevent their turning my flanks could only have 1899, the forces of the Orange Free State and resulted in such a weakening of my centre as the South African Republic had been gradually would have led to its being pierced. Once my converging on Ladysmith from west and north, flank was turned on the line of the river the and that, although my troops had successfully enemy would have been nearer Maritzburg than encountered portions of the enemy’s armies at I should have been, and a rapid withdrawal by Talana, Elandslaagte, and Rietfontein, the battle rail for the defence of the capital would have of Lombard's Eop on 30th October had proved been inevitable. Even there it would have been that the numbers and mobility of the Boer impossible to make a prolonged defence without forces, when once concentrated, were too great leaving it open to the enemy to occupy the to admit of any prospect of victory should I important port of Durban, through which alone continue with inferior numbers to oppose them supplies and reinforcements could arrive, and in the open field. The task before me was the for the defence of which another retreat would protection from invasion by the Boers of as large have become eventually essential; thus aban­ a portion as possible of the Colony of Natal, and doning to the enemy the whole Colony of Natal especially of Pietermaritzburg, the capital of from Lang’s Nek to the sea. On the other hand, that Colony and the seat of its Government; I was confident of holding out at Ladysmith as and I had now to consider how this could be long as might be necessary, and I saw clearly best insured. On 31st October General Sir that so long as I maintained myself there I Redvers Buller telegraphed to me as follows: — could occupy the great masB of the Boer armies, "Can you not entrench and await events, if not and prevent them sending more than small at Ladysmith then behind the Tugela at flying columns south of the Tugela, which the Colenso?” On the same date I replied, stating British and Colonial forces in my rear, aided by my intention to hold on to Ladysmith, and on such reinforcements as might be shortly ex­ 1st November I received Sir Redvers Buller’s pected, could deal with without much difficulty. approval of this course in a telegramAngloBoerWar.com which com­ Accordingly, I turned my whole attention to menced as follows: —“ I agree that you do best preparing Ladysmith to stand a prolonged siege. to remain at Ladysmith, though Colenso and line 4. With this object in view, I employed my of Tugela river look tempting. ” troops during 31st October and 1st November 3. It may be well to state here shortly the ita improving and strengthening the defences of reasons which governed my choice of this posi­ the various positions surrounding Ladysmith, tion. Ladysmith is the most important town in which together enclosed the area whioh I had Northern Natal, and there was reason to believe determined to hold. During these days the that the enemy attached very great and perhaps Boers gradually pushed round from north and even' undue importance to obtaining possession west to the south and east of the town, which of it. It was suspected then, and the suspicion underwent a slight bombardment on 1st Novem­ has since been confirmed that the occupation of ber. On 31st October, General Koch, of the that town by the Boer forces had been decided Army of the South African Republic, who had on by the disloyal Dutch in both Colonies as the been wounded and taken prisoner at Elands­ signal for a general rising; as, in fact, a laagte, died, and his widow was permitted to material guarantee that the power of the com­ remove his body for burial in the Transvaal. bined Republics was really capable of dealing Before leaving she expressed her gratitude for with any force the British Empire was able to the courtesy and kind treatment which both her place in the field against them. Our with­ late husband and herself had received at our drawal would, therefore, have brought about an hands. On the same date, I despatched the insurrection so widespread as to have very 2nd Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers and Natal Field materially increased our difficulties. Strategi­ Battery by rail to Colenso to assist in the de­ cally the town was important as being the junc­ fence of the bridges over the Tugela. During tion of the railways which enter Natal from the the night of 1st—2nd November, the Boers Transvaal and the Orange Free State, and until brought several new guns, into position, and the Republics could gain possession of that although the Naval Brigade, under Captain The junction their necessarily divergent lines of Hon. H. Lambton, R.N., opened fire from one of supply and communication prevented their en­ the naval 4.7-inch guns on the morning of 2nd joying to the full the advantages of combined November, the bombardment of the town became action. Tactically the place was already par­ much more severe than on the previous days. tially prepared for defence and offered a natural At about 4 a.m., the 5th Dragoon Guards, 5th position of some strength; and although the Lancers, 18th Hussars, Natal Mounted Volun­ perimeter which must be occupied was very teers, and 69th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, great for the number of troops available, yet it- moved out south into the Long Valley to recon­ afforded a possibility of maintaining a protracted noitre, the enemy and to endeavour to surprise defence against superior numbers. On the other one of his camps in the direction of Onder- hand, the mere fact of a retirement behind the brook. Major-General Frenoh, who was in com­ Tugela would have had a moral effect at least mand, left Colonel Royston with the Natal equal to a "\rious defeat, and would have in­ Mounted Volunteers and two guns to hold the TNE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 921

Nek between Wagon Hill and Middle Hill, and 5th Dragoon Guards, under Major Gore, the with the remainder of his force passed round squadrons, Imperial Light Horse, on Lancer’s .: the southern end of End Hill (where he left a Hill were retired under oover of Artillery fire squadron of the 5th Lancers to hold a ridge, till they reached the main body, when the whole _ dismounted), and gaining the plateau pushed on force engaged was gradually withdrawn to camp. about 3,000 yards and opened an effective fire Our loss was two Officers and two non-com­ on the Boer camp. The enemy evacuated their missioned officers and men killed. Three Officers ■ camp and took up a position on a ridge to and 23 non-commissioned officers. and men - which they brought up field guns. Major- wounded, and. one man missing. The enemy’s - General French, having fulfilled his mission, loss is reported to have been considerable, chiefly . withdrew his force, reaching camp by 10 a.m. from .our Artillery fire. Our casualties were one man wounded. - In the afternoon the enemy made demonstra­ As he returned to Ladysmith a telegram was tions of an attack in force on Devonshire Post, received from General Sir Redvers Buller, de­ which was reinforced as a measure of precaution, siring that Major-General French and his staff but the attack was not seriously pressed, and might be sent to the Cape. Communication by was repulsed with ease. The bombardment this wire and rail were Btill open, and although trains day was very heavy, a large number of shells were constantly fired upon, advantage had been falling into the town, and specially in and taken of the fact to send southward as many of around the hospitals, which were in various the civil population of Ladysmith as were churches and public buildings near the centre of willing to depart. Major-General French and the town. In the evening a deputation of his staff left by train about noon on 2nd civilian residents of Ladysmith waited on me November, and a telegraphic report was received with the request that permission might be here that, although the train Lid been heavily obtained for them to pass through the enemy’s fired on near Pieters Station, it had reached lines and proceed to the south. The Principal Colenso in safety. Immediately afterwards the Medical Officer of the Force also represented wires were cut by the enemy, and railway com­ that the effect of the bombardment on the large munication was interrupted. Ladysmith was number of wounded in his hospitals was very thus isolated from the world outside it, and from bad, and asked that, if possible, an agreement this date the siege may be held to have com­ might be arrived at for the hospitals to be menced. placed outside the town. Next morning I sent 5. On 3rd November, four squadrons, ImperialMajor Bateson, R.A.M.C., under flag of truce, Light Horse, under Major Karri Davis who with a letter to General Joubert, asking that were reconnoitring to the south, found a body these requests might be agreed to on grounds, of the enemy, with one gun, on Lancer’s Hill, of humanity to sick, wounded, and non-combat­ and asked for reinforcements to drive them off. ants. In reply. General Joubert agreed to my The 5th Dragoon Guards, 18th Hussars, 19th hospitals being moved out of Ladysmith to a HuBsars, and 21st Battery, Royal Field Artillery point on the flats, 4 miles down the railway and (the whole under Brigadier General J.AngloBoerWar.com F. close to the Intombi Spruit. He refused to Brocklehurst, M.V.O.), were accordingly sent allow the civil inhabitants to go south, but per- - down the Long Valley to their assistance. The raitted them to accompany the sick and wounded 19th Hussars seized Rifleman’s Ridge and en­ to the Intombi Camp. Food and all other deavoured to turn the enemy’s left, while the requisites for this camp were to be supplied from 18th Hussars covered the right rear; two com­ Ladysmith, and, for this purpose, one train was panies of Infantry, detached from Cesar’s Camp, to be allowed to run each way daily, and by day­ occupied Wagon Hill, and a Mounted Infantry light only, under flag of truce. On this same.-. company Beized Mounted Infantry Hill to pro­ day General Joubert sent into Ladysmith six - tect the left rear; while -the 5th Dragoon Officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps, 10 Guards and 21st Field Battery were moved Assistant Sturgeons, and 98 of our wounded from - straight down the Long Valley.. Meantime two Dundee; together with a number of Indian squadrons, Imperial Light Horse, were holding hospital attendants. There was a threatening . Middle Hill, while the remaining two squadrons of attack on Caesar’s Camp on this night, 4th .- were facing the enemy on Lancer’s Hill. The November, but it was not pressed. Our first squadrons on Middle Hill were opposed to a communications by pigeon post to Durban were considerable, body of the enemy, who were mov­ sent off on this date. ing up from the east. The 21st Field Battery 6. 5th November was Sunday. Throughout opened fire on Lancer’s Hill and quickly silenced the siege Sundays have generally been observed. the- enemy’s gun. Believing that the enemy by both sides, as far as possible, as days of rest were evacuating the hill the two squadrons, from fighting. There has been no special Imperial Light Horse, made a gallant but some­ arrangement on the subject, but a kind of tacit what ill-advised attempt to occupy it, but though understanding came into existence that neither - they seized and held a portion of the hill the side would fire unless specially provoked- to do enemy was in too great strength for further so by the construction of fortifications or other ' progress. In the meanwhile I had sent out the signs of movement on the opposite side. 5th Natal Mounted Volunteers and the 42nd and November was no exception to this rule, and 53rd Field Batteries to join Brigadier-General advantage was taken of the day to send our Brocklehurst, and to cover his retirement, if sick and wounded mid all such civilians, men, necessary. General Brocklehurst sent the Natal women, and children, as elected to go, to the Mounted Volunteers to reinforce the Imperial Intombi Camp. Light Horse squadrons on Middle Hill, and 7. The defences of Ladysmith were, for th e. brought both batteries into action in the Long purposes of command, divided into four sections,- - Valley. Finding, however, that the numbers of “A,” “B,” “C,” and "D.” “A” section,under „ the. enemy in his front and on both flanks were Colonel W. G. Knox, C.B., commenced at Devon­ continually increasing, and that he could not shire Post and extended to the point where the hope to press his reconnaissance further with­ Newcastle Road passes between Junction Hill out serious loss, he determined to withdraw. and Gordon Hill. “B” section included all With the assistance oil a dismounted squadron, the defences from Gordon Hill round to Flag- m THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, Idol. atone Spruit, and was commanded by Major- himself up on the 12th November. From him General F. Howard, C.B., C.M.G., A.D.C. “C" we learnt that the total force then surrounding section, under Colonel Ian Hamilton, C.B., us here numbered about 25,000 men, that they D.S.O., comprised the ground from Flagstone were mounting more guns, and expected to be Spruit to the eastern extremity of Caesar's Camp. reinforced shortly. "D" seotion, under Colonel Royston, Command­ 13. On 14th November, I sent Brigadier- ant of the Natal Volunteers, included the thorn General J. F. Brocklehurst, M.V.O., with two country north of Caesar's Camp and the Klip regiments of Cavalry, two batteries of Artillery River Flats. The troops, which were allotted to the detachments of the Imperial Light Horse these sections, and to the general reserve, and and Natal Volunteers, across the Klip River, to the variations in these arrangements which were, try and work out on one or both sides of Rifle­ from time to time, found necessary. man’s Ridge into the more open country beyond, 8. On 6th November, 2nd Lieutenant R. G. to find out the enemy’s strength in that direc­ Hooper, 5th Lancers, reaohed Ladysmith with tion, and, if possible, to capture one of their despatches. Arriving in Natal too late to join wagon convoys, of which several had recently his regiment before communication was cut off, been seen passing at a distance of some miles. he most gallantly made his way through the Boer The Natal Mounted Volunteers and Imperial lines at night, and on foot, accompanied only Light Horse seized Star Hill, but after shelling by a Kaffir guide. All the provisions in the Rifleman’s Ridge for some time General Brockle­ shops and stores in the town were taken over hurst decided that it was too strongly held for on this date and administered as part of the him to leave it in his rear, while an attempt to general stock, all civil residents being placed on storm it would have been more costly than the rations which were issued free or on payment occasion would justify. He, therefore, returned according to their means. to camp. On this night the Boers commenced 9. Next day, 7th November, Caesar’s Camp for the first time to shell the town and camps at was subjected to a heavy fire of shells and long night, opening fire from their heavy guns about rangs musketry. Although no actual attack was midnight for a few minutes, a practice which made, it was found advisable to send the Im­ they maintained nightly for about a week, and perial Light Horse to reinforce this point; while then discontinued. the 42nd Battery Royal Field Artillery, under 14. From this time nothing worth record Major Goulburn, wub placed in position on the took place until 19th November, when the Boers plateau during the night, the horses returning sent into Intombi Camp six privates of the 2nd to the camp. A number of natives of India Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers, who had been were sent into Ladysmith by the Boers. wounded in the attack on an armoured train 10. On 8th November a 6-inch gun opened near Colenso, on 15th November. fire from the top of the Bulwana Mountain. 15. 20th November was marked by an un­ Troughout the siege this gun has proved most usual number of casualties from shell fire, chiefly troublesome to the defence. On the same day among the 18th Hussars and Gordon Highlanders. a number of refugees from Dundee, bothAngloBoerWar.com English 16. Next day General S. Burger sent in a and Indian, were sent into Ladysmith by the letter under a flag of truce, complaining that we Boers, and were located by us in the Intombi had been running trains at night to the Intombi Camp. Camp, contrary to our agreement with General 11. 9th November was ushered in by a very Joubert—a complaint for which there was no heavy fire at dawn on all sides of our defences foundation whatever. He also inquired why a from the enemy’s artillery, which included Red Cross flag was flying on the Town Hall several new guns, which now opened for the first although our hospital was at Intombi. I replied, time, and whose exact positions it was very hard on 22nd November, by giving my personal assur­ to locate. This was followed by a general ance that trains never had been, and never would advance of their infantry and the development be, run to Intombi at night, and explaining that of a severe musketry action at Cmsar’s Camp, in the Red Cross flag was hoisted on the Town Hall the thorn bush north of that ridge, at Devonshire because that building was in use as a hospital Post and Observation Hill. The steady front for ordinary cases of sickness, and for Blightly shown by our troops prevented the enemy from wounded men whom it was not worth while to trying to close, and although on Caesar's Camp, send to Intombi. Before my answer could reach where the 1st Bn. Manchester Regiment, under him the Boer guns were deliberately turned on Lieut.-Colonel A. E. R. Curran, rendered very the Town Hall, which was several times struck. valuable service, the action lasted until dark­ 17. On 23rd November the enemy en­ ness set in, yet elsewhere it had mostly died deavoured, under flag of truce, to send into away at 12 noon. At that hour I proceeded, Ladysmith 230 Indian coolies. It became evi­ with my Staff, to the Naval Battery on Gordon dent that the intention was to send in here as Hill, when a salute of 21 shotted guns, in honour many non-combatants as could be collected who of the birthday of the Prince of Wales, was fired would be useless for defence, but would help to at the enemy by Captain the Hon. H. Lambton, consume our supplies. For this reason I R.N., and three cheers were given for His Royal refused to receive them, and requested that they Highness, which were taken up by the troops might be sent to the Officer commanding our both in camp and on the defences. A message forces south of the Tugela. I understand that of congratulation, to be telegraphed to His Royal this course was eventually adopted. Copies of Highness, was despatched by pigeon post to the correspondence attached as Appendix B. Durban. Our casualties during the day The same evening an attempt was made to wreck amounted to 4 men killed, 4 Officers and 23 men the only engine which the enemy possessed on wounded. It is difficult to form any accurate the Harriamith line, With this object an old estimate of the enemy’s losses, but they certainly locomotive was selected from those in the rail­ considerably exceeded our own. way yard here and was sent off down the line, at 12. From 10th to 13th November, inclusive, night, with a full head of steam and with, the very little of importance occurred, the fire both safety valve screwed down. The BoerB had, of guns and rifles being much less severe than however, provided againBt such an attempt by usual. An Irish deserter from the Boers gave destroying a culvert on our side of their tempor- THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 928 ary terminus, and here our engine was derailed messages, but we were without means of reply­ and upset The enemy evidently feared that it ing in similar fashion. carried a cargo of explosives, as they did not 23. 30th November was a day of very heavy approach it next morning until they had sent a bombardment, a new 6-inoh gun opening fixe number of shells into it from their artillery. from Gun Hill and doing much damage. One 18. On the 24th November we had the mis­ shell in particular entered the Town Hall which fortune to lose 228 oxen, which were captured we had hitherto used as a hospital, killing and by the enemy. Owing to lack of rain the graz­ wounding 10 persons. It was found necessary ing within our lines had become insufficient for to evacuate the building and place the hospital all our animals, and a number of our cattle had under canvas in a gorge where the protection to be grazed outside our defences, wherever a from shell fire was better. This severe bom­ re-entrant gave them some protection from bardment continued throughout 1st and 2nd capture. Owing to the carelessness of certain December, but fortunately proved comparatively civilian conductors, these oxen were allowed to harmless. On the latter date heliographio com­ stray too far out and seeing this the BoerB com­ munication via. Weenen was restored after menced bursting shells on our side of the oattle having been interrupted for a long period. in order to hasten their movements. In this 24. On 3rd December General Joubert sent they were successful, the Kafirs in charge aban­ me a letter alleging that we had made unfair doning their animals in order to seek shelter. use of the Intombi Camp, and proposing that it As soon as the occurrence wsb noticed, the should be broken up. In reply, I dealt in detail Mounted Infantry Company of the 1st Bn. with the points raised, none of which had any Leicestershire Begiment, under Captain C. foundation in fact, and as a result the breaking Sherer, was Bent out to try and head them back, up of the camp was not pressed. but it was then too late, and though Captain 25. On 5th December, at 1.30 a.m., two com­ Sherer did all that was possible and drove baok panies of the 2nd Bn. Rifle Brigade moved out, a considerable number, under a heavy musketry under Captain J. E. Gough, to surprise Thorn­ fire from the enemy, yet, as already mentioned, hill’s Form which the enemy were in the habit the enemy obtained possession of 228 head. of occupying with a picket at night. The enter­ 19. Beyond the usual daily bombardment prise was very well conducted, but the farm was nothing worth recording took place till 27th No­ unfortunately found unoccupied. vember, which was marked by the unmasking of 26. On the night of 7th December, Major- a new 6-inch gun on Middle Hill, and a very General Sir A. Hunter, E.C.B., D.S.O., made a evident increase in the number of Boers in our sortie for the purpose of destroying the Boer immediate vicinity. An attack on our positions guns on Gun Hill, whioh hod been giving us seemed likely, and all precautions were taken much annoyance. His force consisted of 500 accordingly, but next day news arrived of Major- Natal Volunteers, under Colonel Roys ton, and General Hildyard’s fight at Mooi River, and the 100 men Imperial Light Horse, under Lieut.- consequent withdrawal of the Boers to the north Colonel A. H. M. Edwards, with 18 men of the of the Tugela, which fully explained theAngloBoerWar.com in­ Corps of Guides, under Major D. Henderson, creased numbers visible from Ladysmith. [ D.A.A.G. for Intelligence, to direct the oolumn, 20. On the 28th November, two 6.3-inch how­ and four men Royal Engineers and 10 men No. itzers were sent to occupy emplacements whiqh 10 Mountain Battery, Royal Garrison Artil­ had been prepared for them on the reverse slope lery, under Captain Fowke and Lieut. Turner, of Wagon H ill; a naval 12-pr. was also placed Royal Engineers, with explosives and sledge on Cseur’s camp. From this position they hammers for the destruction of the guns when opened fire next day, and proved able to quite captured. Sir A. Hunter’s arrangements were keep down the fire from the enemy’s 6-inch gun excellent throughout, and he was most gallantly on Middle Hill, which some days afterwards was supported by all his small force. Gun Hill was withdrawn from that position. I arranged an taken, a 6-inoh Creusot and a 4.7-inoh howitzer attack on Rifleman’s Ridge for the night of 29th destroyed, and a Maxim captured and brought November, but was compelled to abandon it, as into camp. Our loss was only one Officer and just at sunset the enemy very strongly reinforced seven men wounded. I consider that Major- that portion of their line. There can, I think, General Sir A. Hunter deserves the greatest be no doubt that my plan had been disposed to- credit for this very valuable service for whioh them, and indeed throughout the siege I have he volunteered. He brings to my notice been much handicapped by the fact that every specially the gallant behaviour of Colonel W. movement or preparation for movement which Royston, Commanding Volunteers, Natal, Lieut.- has taken place in Ladysmith,- has been at once Colonel A. H. M. Edwards (5th Dragoon Guards), communicated to the Boers. The agents through Commanding Imperial Light Horse, Major D. whom news reached them, I have, unfortunately, Henderson, D.A.A.G. for Intelligence (wounded), failed to discover. I have sent away or looked Major A. J. King, Royal Lancaster Regiment, up every person against whom reasonable Major Karri Davis, Imperial Light Horse, Cap­ grounds of suspicion could be alleged, but tain G. H. Fowke, R.E., and Lieutenant E. V. without the slightest effect. Turner, R.E., whose names I have much pleasure 21. Two civilians, who had volunteered to in bringing forward for favourable consideration. blow up the Sunday’s River railway bridge, 27. The same night three companies of the started on their perilous journey on 29th Novem­ 1st Bn. Liverpool Regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel ber, and returned here on 1st December. They L. S. Mellor, seized Limit Hill, and through reaished the bridge without mishap, and duly the gap in the enemy’s outpost line thus created, placed the charges, but owing to not fully under­ a squadron 19th Hussars penetrated some 4 standing the use of the fuze, only one out of four miles towards the north, destroying the enemy’s charges exploded. telegraph line and burning various kraals and 22. On 29th November also we observed shelters ordinarily occupied by them. No loss flashing signals on the clouds at night from was incurred in this enterprise. At the same Estcourt and were able to read a portion of a time five companies 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regi­ message. At a later period of the siege no ment, under Lieut.-Colonel G. D. Carleton, difficulty was experienced in reading such visited Hyde’s and McPherson’s farms, usually 924 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901,

occupied by the enemy as night outposts, but that he had attacked Colenso on the previous found them evacuated. day, but without success. Although this news - 28. The slight opposition met with by these was naturally disappointing to the hopes of ' ■ various operations of the night of 7th—8th immediate relief which they had entertained, yet •December made it appear probable that the it was - received by both soldiers and civilians enemy had unduly weakened his force to the without any discouragement, and with a cheer­ north of us in order to strengthen that opposing ful readiness to wait until the necessary rein­ Sir Redvers Buller on the Tugela. Recognising forcements should arrive. From this time up to that if this proved to be the case there might the close -of the year few other events of im­ - be an opportunity for my Cavalry to get far portance occurred, but on Christmas day a tele­ ■ enough north to damage the enemy’s railway, I gram was received from Her Majesty and most ■ ■ ordered Brigadier-General J. F. Brocklehurst, gratefully appreciated by the garrison of Lady­ M.V.O.r to move out at dawn with 5th Lancers, smith. At this period a few of the many shells 5th Dragoon Guards, and 18th Hussars and 53rd daily fired into our camps were especially Battery, Royal Field Artillery, along the New­ destructive, one shell, on the 18th December, castle Road, to feel for the enemy and discover killed and wounded 10 men and' 12 horses of - his strength and dispositions. The reconnais­ the Natal - Volunteers. Another, on 22nd De­ sance was carried out in a very bold and dashing cember, killed 8 and wounded 9' of the - manner by the 5th Lancers and 18th Hussars, Gloucestershire Regiment, and, on the same day the 5th Dragoon Guards being in reserve. The a single shell wounded 5 Officers and the - enemy, however, proved to be in considerable serjeant-major of the 5th Lancers. On 27th strength, and having obtained the information December, again, one shell killed '1 Officer of I required I directed Brigadier-General Brockle­ the Devonshire Regiment and wounded 8 Officers hurst to withdraw his brigade. The effect of and 1 private of that regiment. During this thefce various enterprises was shortly evident in period, also, fresh complaints regarding the •the return from the line of the Tugela next day 1 Intombi Camp were made by the enemy; and, Of some 2,000 BoerB. by agreement with General S. Burger, Major- 29; On the 10th December, Lieut.-Colonel General Sir A. Hunter was sent to that camp C. T. E. Metcalfe, • Commanding 2nd Bn. Rifle-to hold an inquiry. A few minor irregularities Brigade, volunteered to carry out a night enter- ' were discovered and corrected, and a copy of ‘ - prise against a 4.7-inch howitzer on Surprise Sir A Hunter's report was sent to General Hill; The undertaking was one of very consider- Burger, who was apparently satisfied that the -able risk, as to reach that hill it was necessary complaints were without serious foundation. ■ to pass between Thornhill's and Bell’s Kopjes, 32. At the close of the year my chief source both of which were held by the enemy. Lieut.- of anxiety lay in the heavy and continuous ■’ Colonel Metcalfe moved off about 10 p.m., with ’ increase in the number of the sick, which had ‘ 12 - Officers and 488 men of his battalion, risen from 475 on 30th November to 874 on together with a destruction party under Lieu- 15th December, and to 1,558 on the- last day of tenant Digby Jones, R.E., andAngloBoerWar.com succeeded in the year. Enteric fever and dysentery were -effecting a- complete surprise, his advance not chiefly responsible for this increase, there being being discovered until he was within 4 or 5 452 cases of the former, and 376 of the latter yards of-the crest line, which was at once carried, under treatment on 31st December. and- the howitzer destroyed. The ’ retirement, 33. The Boers opened the new year by a fire - however, proved more difficult, since the enemy of heavy guns at midnight, but beyond the daily from Bell’s and Thornhill’s Kopjes, consisting long-range bombardment, nothing of importance - • apparently of men of various nationalities, closed occurred until 5th January, when we shelled, by " in from both sides to bar the retreat. Lieut. - indirect fire, two Boer camps, one behind Bell’s - Colonel Metcalfe, however, fixed bayonets, and Kopje, and one near Table Hill on the Colenso -'.-the-companies, admirably handled by their cap- l’lateau. In the latter case the fire probably . - tains, fought their way back to the railway line, had little effect, as the range was too great ' - where a portion of the force had been left in even for the naval gun employed, and the only • support; and from which point the retirement possible observing station was very incon­ became- easy. A number of the enemy were veniently placed. It was subsequently ascer­ - • killed with the bayonet, and his total casualties tained from the Boers themselveB that the shells \ must have been very considerable. Our own falling into the camp behind Bell’s Kopje had 'loss amounted to-1 Officer and 16 men killed, 3 been very effective, stampeding the horses and , Officers and 37 men wounded, and 6 men compelling the enemy temporarily to vacate the missing. The affair reflects great credit on camp and seek shelter elsewhere. Lieut.-Colonel C. T. E. Metcalfe and his bat­ 34. On the 6th January the enemy made a talion,. and I have much pleasure in bringing most determined but fortunately unsuccessful •• to your notice,, in a subsequent portion of this attempt to carry Ladysmith by storm. Almost . despatch, the names of the Officers who particu­ every partof my position was more or less heavily larly distinguished themselves on this occasion. assailed, but the brunt of the attack fell upon 30. My attention was now chiefly directed to Caesar’s Camp and Wagon, Hill. On the night - preparations for moving out a flying column of the 5th—6th January, Caesar's Camp was held •.- to co-operate with General Sir Redvers Buller. by its usual garrison, consisting of the 1st Bn. • All these preparations, including the movement Manchester Regiment; the 42nd Battery, Royal •- of a 4.7-inch- and a 12-pr. gun, both belonging Field Artillery; a detachment of the Royal •' to the Royal Navy, were completed by 15th De­ Navy, with a 12-pr. gun; and a detachment cember. Meanwhile the enemy had moved his Natal Naval Volunteers. ' Wagon Hill was held : 6-inch gun from Middle Hill to Telegraph 'Hill, as usual by three companies, 1st Bn'.'King’s • - and orrl 2th December I moved down the 6.3-inch Royal Rifle Corps, and a squadron, Imperial - howitzers-to near Ration Post to oppose it. Light Horse. A detachment Natal Naval Volun­ ••-- .31. The firing- of Sir Redvers Bullets guns teers, with a 3-pr. HotchkisB gun, had been sent '■ from ..the- direction of Colenso had been audible there on the evening of the 5th January, and - for some days, and was especially heavy on 15th two Naval guns,’ one a 4.7-inch and the other a December. On 16th, Sir Redvers heliographed 12-pr., were in process of transfer \f +-he hill THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 925 during the night. These guns were accompanied to work round so as to outflank the enemy, but by naval detachments and a working party of were unable to do so owing to the extreme Royal Engineers and Gordon Highlanders, who severity of. the fire kept up by the Boers from were consequently on Wagon Hill when the Mounted Infantry Hill and from every available attack commenced at 2.30 a.m. on the morning scrap of cover in BeBter’s Valley, which they of 6th January. This attack was first directed on occupied in great numbers. At 7 a.m., four the centre of the southern face of Wagon Hill, companies 1st Bn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps whence it spread east and west. It fell directly and four companies 2nd Bn. King’s Royal Rifle on the Bquadron of Imperial Light Horse, under Corps arrived, and about 8 a.m., one of these Lieutenant G. M. Mathias, and the Volun­ companies, followed shortly afterwards by teer Hotchkiss Detachment under Lieutenant another, was sent to reinforce the extreme south­ E. N. W. Walker, who clung most gallantly to western point of the hill, but although gallantly their positions, and did invaluable service in holding their own under a rain of shells and holding in oheck till daylight the Boers who bullets, no progress could be made either there had gained a footing on the hill within a few or on the main ridge. Meanwhile the 21st and yards of them. The extreme south-west point 42nd Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, and the of the hill was similarly held by a small mixed naval 12-pr. on Ceesar’s Camp, were in action party of Bluejackets, Royal Engineers, Gordon against Mounted Infantry Hill and the scrub on Highlanders, and Imperial Light Horse, under either side of it, and were of great assistance in Lieutenant Digby Jones, R.E. The remainder keeping down the violence of the enemy’B fire. of the hill was defended by the companies of 1st Colonel Hamilton, seeing plainly that the only Bn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Shortly after way of clearing out those of the enemy’s marks­ 3 a.m. An attack was developed against the men who were established on the eastern crest south-east end of Caesar’s Camp (which was gar­ of Wagon Hill, within a few yards of our men, risoned by the 1st Bn. Manchester Regiment), was by a Budden rush across the open, directed and on the thorn jungle between that hill and Major Campbell to tell off a company of the 2nd the Klip River, which was held by the Natal Bn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps to make the Mounted Volunteers. As Boon as the alarm attempt, which however failed, Lieutenant reaohed me, I ordered the Imperial Light Horse, N. M. Tod, who commanded, being killed, and under Lieut.-Colonel A. H. M. Edwards, to pro­ the men falling back to the cover of the rocks ceed as rapidly as possible to Wagon Hill, and from behind which they had started. The the Gordon Highlanders to Caesar’s Camp. fighting continuing stationary and indecisive, at Shortly afterwards, four companies, 1st Bn. 10 a.m. I sent the 5th Lancers to Caesar's Camp King’s Royal Rifle Corps, and four companies, and the 18th Hussars to Wagon Hill, two 2nd Bn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, were ordered squadrons 19th Hussars having been previously to march at once on Wagon Hill, and ther posted on the ground near Maiden Castle to 2nd Bn. Rifle Brigade on Caesar’s Camp. This guard against any attempt of the enemy to turn section of my defences was under the command Wagon Hill from the west. of Colonel Ian Hamilton, C.B., D.S.O., wh<*, For some time the fighting slackened con­ judging that Wagon Hill was the pointAngloBoerWar.com most siderably, the Boers being gradually driven seriously threatened, proceeded there himself, down below the crest line, except at a single where he arrived about dawn, bringing with him point where they were favoured by excellent a company of the 2nd Bn. Gordon Highlanders cover, with a flat open space in front of it. At under Major Miller Wallnutt. Perceiving that 1 p.m., however, a fresh assault was made with the close and deadly nature of the fighting made great suddenness on the extreme south-west it impossible for one Officer to adequately com­ point of the hill, our men giving way for a mand on both hills, I directed Colonel Hamilton moment before the sudden outburst of fire and to devote his attention to Wagon Hill, while I retiring down the opposite Blope. Fortunately entrusted the defence of Caesar’s Camp to Lieut.- the Boers did not immediately occupy the crest, Colonel A. E. R. Curran, 1st Bn. Manchester and this gave time for Major Miller Wallnutt, Regiment, who had been stationed there with 2nd Bn. Gordon Highlanders, Lieutenant Digby his battalion ever since the commencement of Jones, R.E., Lieutenant P. D. Fitzgerald (11th the siege, and was specially acquainted with the Hussars), Adjutant Imperial Light Horse, locality. I ordered Major W. E. Blewitt’s Gunner W. Sims, R.N., and several non-com­ battery of Royal Field Artillery, escorted by the missioned officers, Imperial Light Horse, to rally Bth Dragoon Guards, to move out by Range the men; while Major E. C. Knox, Commanding Post and endeavour to prevent reinforcements 18th Hussars brought up a portion of his regi­ reaching the enemy from the west. Major A. J. ment, whioh was in reserve at the foot of the hill, Abdy’s battery of Royal Field Artillery I sent to to act dismounted. Colonel Royston, Commanding Natal Mounted The top was reoocupied just as the three fore­ Volunteers, to take up position on the Klip most Boers reached it, the leader being shot by River Flats and shell the south-eastern corner of Lieutenant Digby Jones, R.E., and the two others Caasar’s Camp, where the enemy had effected a by No. 459 Trooper H. Albreoht, Imperial Light lodgment. Horse. Had they survived I should have had The Imperial Light Horse reached Wagon Hill great pleasure in recommending both Lieutenant at 5.10 a.m., and were at once puBhedinto action. Jones and Trooper Albrecht for the distinction They pressed forward up to and over the western of the Victoria Cross. I regret to say that edge of the flat crest of the hill to within a few both were killed before the conclusion of the yards of the enemy, who held the opposite edge action. of the crest. They thus afforded a most welcome At 3.30 p.m., a storm of wind and rain of relief to the small garrison of the hill, but they extraordinary severity set in and lasted for 3 themselves suffered very severely in occupying hours. During its continuance the 5th Dragoon and maintaining their position. The company Guards, 5th Lancers, and 1§ squadrons 19th of 2nd Bn. Gordon Highlanders, which arrived Hussars reinforced Wagon Hill, acting dis­ with Colonel Hamilton, was sent under cover of mounted. About 4.45 p.m., when the storm was the western slopes to reinforce the extreme at itB worst, the portion of our troops holding the south-west point of the hill, and to endeavour extreme south-west point of the hfll were again No. 27282. N 926 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. driven from their position, but were rallied and cleared as already described, their retreat being reoccupied it ; 2nd Lieutenant R. E. Reade, 1st hastened by the heavy fire poured on them as Bn. King’B Royal Rifle Corps, rendering himself they retired. conspicuous by his gallant service at this period. Another attack was made before dawn on the At 5 p.m., Lieut.-Colonel C. W. P art arrived 6th January on Observation Hill West, occupied at Wagon Hill with three companies 1st Bn. by £ battalion 1st Bn. Devonshire Regiment, Devonshire Regiment, which I had ordered up aB under Major M. C. Curry. The enemy gained a reinforcement, and was at once directed some dead ground near our works during the, by Colonel Hamilton to turn the enemy off the darkness, and at 9.30 a.m., and again at a later ridge with the bayonet. The Devons dashed hour, they attempted to storm the works under forward and gained a position under cover with­ cover of the fire of these men and of guns and in 50 yards of the enemy. Here a fire fight rifles from all the surrounding kopjes. These, ensued, but the Devons were not to be denied, and, however, were repelled with no great difficulty eventually, cheering as they pushed from point by the wing 1st Bn. Devonshire Regiment, and to point, they drove the enemy not only off the the Artillery allotted to this portion of the plateau but cleared every Boer out of the lower defence, consisting of Royal Field Artillery and slopes and the dongas surrounding the position. naval guns. The enemy, however, held on to Lieut.-Colonel Park went into action with four the dead ground originally occupied all day, and Officers, but he alone remained untouched at the only withdrew during the storm in the afternoon. close. The total loss of the Devons was nearly The remainder of Section “B ” and the whole of 28 per cent, of those engaged, and the men fired Section “ A” of the defences were subjected to only 12 rounds per rifle. Captain A. Menzies, a heavy fire of guns and rifles all day, but no 1st Bn. Manchester Regiment, with a few of his other attempt to press home an attack was men, accompanied the Devons throughout. He made on these portions of our line. also was wounded. Our losses, I regret to say, were very heavy, I desire to draw special attention to the consisting of 14 Officers and 135 non-com­ gallantly displayed by all ranks of the Imperial missioned officers and men killed, and 31 Officers Light Horse, some of whom were within 100 and 244 men wounded. I have not been able yards of the enemy for 15 hours exposed to a to ascertain the actual loss to the Boers, but deadly fire. Their losses were terribly heavy, 79 bodies found within our lines were returned but never for one moment did any of them to them next day for burial, and native spies waver or cease to show a fine example of courage report that their total casualties could not be and determination to all who came in contact less than 700. with them. I have already mentioned that about 3 a.m., 35. On 8th January a thanksgiving service the south-east end of Caesar’s Camp was also in commemoration of the repulse of the enemy attacked, as well as the pickets of the Natal on 6th idem was held by Archdeacon Barker, Volunteers in the thorn scrub to the north of and very largely attended by such officers and that hill. During the darkness the enemy suc­ men as could be spared from duty. From this ceeded in establishing themselves onAngloBoerWar.com part of that time until the end of the siege, no further effort end of Caesar’s Camp, but the precise details of to carry Ladysmith by assault was made by the what occurred have not been made clear, as Boers, whose attention was fully occupied by nearly all the defenders of this portion have been the various attacks made by Sir Redvers Buller killed. It is believed, however, that taking on the line of the Tugela, though the town and advantage of a general similarity of dress to camps were exposed to a daily bombardment that of the Natal Volunteers and Police, and from the enemy’s guns, and skirmishing between many of them having a perfect command of the our outposts and those of the Boers went on all English language, the Boers succeeded in deceiv­ day and every day, and caused us small but ing the pickets as to their identity, and were continuous losses. During this period I shall thus able to effect a surprise. As already only refer to a night enterprise undertaken by stated, I sent the 53rd Battery, Royal Field 2nd Lieutenant H. C. W. Theobald, and 15 non­ Artillery, under Major A. J. Abdy, to Colonel commissioned officers and men, 1st Bn. Glou­ Royston, Commanding Natal Volunteers; and cestershire Regiment. The object was to set fire these guns, most ably handled, came into to the abbattis which the enemy had constructed action on the Klip River flats, and, though at the foot of Gun Hill, and was carried out in exposed to the fire of several Boer guns (includ­ a manner reflecting credit on the young Officer ing a 6-inch Creusot gun on Bulwana Mountain), in command, and without loss; while creating to which they had no means of replying, shelled a considerable scare among the Boers who fired the south-east portion of Caesar’s Camp with heavily in the darkness for a considerable time. great effect, and inflicted very heavy losses on 36. On 1st March I sent Colonel W. G. Knox, the enemy. The 2nd Bn. Gordon Highlanders with the 1st Bn. Liverpool Regiment, 1st Bn. and 2nd Bn. Rifle Brigade were sent to Lieut.- Devonshire Regiment, 2nd Bn. Gordon High­ Colonel A. E. R. Curran, who was in command landers, 5th Dragoon Guards, and the 53rd and here, and were gradually pushed into the fight, 67th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, to move company by company, wherever their services out along the Newcastle Road to harrass aB were most required. Gradually the Boers were much as possible the enemy whom we could see pushed back over the crest line, but held on most retiring before the successful advance of Sir stubbornly to the slopes, being continually rein­ Redvers Buller’s force. Colonel Knox carried forced or relieved from the dongas below and Long Hill and Pepworth Hill and opened fire from the adjacent hills, whence a fire of very with his guns on Modder Spruit Railway Sta­ great intensity was kept up, while the whole of tion and the large Boer camp there, which the the plateau was swept by the Boer long-range enemy at once evacuated. Both men and horses guns from distant eminences. At last, after 15 were too weak for rapid or prolonged operations, hours of stubborn resistance by our men, and of but several of the enemy’s camps were captured, continual effort on the part of the Boers, the and the force returned after having very success­ enemy were driven off at all points during the fully carried out their object to as great a dis­ same storm in which Wagon Hill was also tance as their weakness permitted them to pur- THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901 927 sue. Our casualties were 2 Officers and 6 non­ meat was given to the soldiers at the rate of commissioned officers and men wounded. £ lb. per man. 37. Colonel Lord Dundonald with a body of The whole of this factory was under the Colonial troops rode into Ladysmith on the management of Lieut. C. E. J. MacNalty, A.S.C., evening of 28th February, and on 1st March whose untiring energy, ingenuity, and intelli­ General Sir Redvers Buller himself arrived, and gence are deserving of high commendation. Cap­ the siege came to an end. tain J. R. Young, R.E., R.S.O., converted a rail­ way locomotive shed into a factory, and dis­ 38. During the period from 6th January to played very great skill in improvising the 1st March, our struggle became one against dis­ various appliances necessary for the manufac­ ease and starvation even more than against ture of the different foods . the enemy. Our worst foes in this respect With the object of still further improving were enteric fever and dysentery, the former the rations a sausage factory was established especially committing great ravages among the young soldiers of the garrison. Our which converted. the horse-flesh into excellent sausages, issued to the men at the rate of Jib. deaths by disease from 2nd November, 1899, to per head. This factory was most efficiently 28th February, 1900, amounted to 12 Officers worked under the supervision of Mr. R. Beres- and 529 non-commissioned officers and men. ford Turner. The Officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps, As a safeguard against any serious loss of the Army Nursing Sisters, the many ladies who animals by disease or from other causes with a voluntarily offered their services as nurses, and consequent reduction of our power of continu­ the hospital staffs of all ranks, maintained ing the defence, a reserve of “biltong” was pre­ throughout the siege a brave and protracted pared, under the superintendence of Captain A. struggle against sickness under almost every Long, A.S.C., who undertook it in addition to possible disadvantage, their numbers being most his onerous duties of Local Transport Officer. inadequate for the work to be done, and the sup­ The very large number of enteric and dysen­ plies of drugB and of suitable food for invalids tery patients rendered it necessary to utilise all being entirely insufficient for so many patients available sources of milk supply. All milch cows for so long a period. were requisitioned, and a dairy system estab­ 39. Even more important was the regulation lished which provided milk, on medical certifi­ and augmentation of the food supplies, as will be cate, for the sick, both military and civilian. realized from the simple statement that 21,000 The feeding of the civil population was mouths had to be fed for 120 days; and the carried out by the Army Service Corps, a staff admirable manner in which all arrangements of civilian assistants being organised for distri­ were made and carried out by the Officers of the bution, and a large shed specially converted for Army Service Corps and Indian Commissariat the purpose. The two foregoing duties were Department under the able and untiring super­ carried out under the direction of Lieut.-Colonel intendence of Colonel E. W. D. Ward, C.B., my Stoneman, D.A.A.G., and Major Thompson, A.A.G. (B), will be evident from the fact AngloBoerWar.com that A.C.G. at the date of the relief we still possessed re­ 40. On the investment of Ladysmith, the main sources capable of maintaining this great number was broken by the enemy, and the water supply on reduced rations for another 30 days. for the camp and town became dependent upon At the commencement of the siege, it became the Klip River. A system of filtration by necessary to augment as far as possible all food Berkfeld filters was commenced, which an­ supplies, and, with this view, one mill and sub­ swered well so long as the limited supply of sequently two, were taken over and worked alum lasted; as soon as it was expended the under military supervision and with labour and muddy condition of the water clogged the filters, mechanics obtained from the employees of the and this method became unreliable. Three con­ Natal Government Railway, who remained vol­ densers were then constructed out of impro­ untarily with the garrison. From these mills we vised materials by Mr. Binnie,' Maintenance produced during the siege mealie flour, mealie Manager, Natal Government Railway, under the bran and crushed mealies. The mills were able direction of Engineer C. C. Sheen, R.N., worked under the personal supervision of Lieut.- H.M. Ship “ Powerful. ” As a further means of Colonel Stoneman, A.S.C., D.A.A.G., assisted by obtaining pure water, apparatus for clearing water Major D. M. Thompson, Assistant Commissary- was constructed out of barrack sheeting placed General, Indian Commissariat Transport Depart­ on wooden stands, and having a deposit of wood ment. asheB, through which the water was strained. It When grazing and forage became scarce and thus became possible to use the filters and also the supply of cattle approached within a measur­ to provide all units with clearing arrangements. able distance of extinction, it was necessary to It was possible, so long as the coal lasted, to utilize for food the horses which would otherwise supply at least 12,000 gallons of condensed have died from exhaustion and weakness. From of filtered water daily. The management of the these slaughtered horses very considerable addi­ water supply was carried out by Lieutenant tions to the food supply were made by the H. B. Abadie, 11th Hussars, who performed the establishment of a factory from which were duties of Staff Officer for Water Supplies, and made : (i.) “ Chevril, ” a strong meat soup isBued whose work is deserving of much praise. nightly to the troops; (ii.) a condensed form of Mr. W. King, District Inspector, Public Works “Chevril” which took the place in the hospitals Department, Mr. R. Brooke and the officials of of various meat extracts which had been ex­ that department, rendered most valuable assist­ pended; (iii.) a jelly similar to calf-foot jelly ance in every way possible. for the sick and wounded; (iv.) “ Chevril paste ” 41. With the object of reducing the number made of boiled meat and jelly and issued as a of orderlies employed in the conveyance of ration to the men, and which being similar to letters, a postal system, which included all the the potted meats manufactured at home was defences and the camp and town, was organised much appreciated by the troops; and finally and most efficiently carried out by Captain (v.) “neats-foot oil,” which was used for lubri­ P. C. J. Scott, A.S.C. cating the heavy Naval Ordnance. The boiled 42. In order to supply the deficiency of hay, N 2 928 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

a corps of grass-cutters was formed and placed severe losses, have triumphantly carried out the under the charge of Major W. J. E. Wickham, relief of my beleaguered garrison. Assistant Commissary-General, Indian Commis­ 46. Finally, I desire to bring prominently to sariat Transport Department. This corps, which your notice the following Officers, Warrant consisted of Indian refugees and Kaffirs, did Officers, non-commissioned officers, sailors, excellent work, and collected grass under condi­ soldiers, volunteers, and civilians, who have tions of considerable difficulty. rendered specially good service during the four 43. I take this opportunity of publicly months of the siege. expressing my deep sense of the gallantry and Major-General Sir Archibald Hunter, K.C.B., D.S.O., who acted as my Chief of the Staff, is an patient endurance of hardships displayed by all ranks of all corps under my command Officer of well-known reputation. I cannot The Naval Brigade of H.M. Ship “Powerful,” speak too highly of him, whether for the per­ under Captain the Honourable Hedworth formance of Staff duties or for bold leading in Lambton, R.N., have rivalled the best of our the field. He is a most loyal and efficient Staff troops in gallantry and endurance, and their Officer, and I recommend him for advancement long-range guns, though hampered by a most with the utmost confidence, being well assured serious want of sufficient ammunition, have that such a step would be for the good of the played a most prominent part in the defence, State. and have been most successful in keeping the Captain the Honourable Hedworth Lambton, enemy from bringing his guns to the ranges at R.N., commanding the Naval Brigade, reached which they would have been most efficient. Ladysmith in the nick of time, when it became The Cavalry have not only performed their evident that I was not strong enough to meet regular duties, but when their horses became the enemy in the open field. He brought with non-effective have served as infantry, being re­ him two 4.7-inch and four 12-pr. guns, which armed with rifle and bayonet, and taking their proved to be the only ordnance in my possession regular share in holding the fortifications. capable of equalling in range the enemy’s heavy The Artillery have displayed their usual skill guns. Although the ammunition available was and gallantry, whether as mobile batteries or very limited, Captain Lambton so economised it that it lasted out to the end of the siege, and when used as guns of positions in fixed emplace­ under his direction the naval guns succeeded in ments as became increasingly necessary during keeping at a distance the enemy’s siege guns, a the latter portion of the investment. service which was of the utmost importance. The Royal Engineers, both Officers and men, Captain Lambton personally has been the life have sustained the grand traditions of their of the garrison throughout the siege. corps, and whether engaged on the defences, in Major-General F. Howard, C.B., C.M.G., maintaining telegraphic and telephonic communi­ A.D.C., Commanding the 8th Brigade and in cation between all sections of the defences, in charge of Section B of the defences, has proved ballooning, or in any other work required of himself a careful and able administrator. The them, have done everything whichAngloBoerWar.com they were works constructed in his section were excep­ called upon to perform in a manner which has tionally strong and well maintained. afforded me the highest satisfaction. Colonel I. S. M. Hamilton, C.B., D.S.O., Com­ The work of the Infantry especially, exposed manding 7th Brigade and in charge of Section day and night to all weathers on our lines of C of the defences, has, during the whole of the defence, almost continually under fire, and living latterly on a ration consisting of little more than operations of the defence, been in charge of the most exposed and most extended front, including a proportion of horse flesh with lb. per man the immense position of Ceesar’s Camp and of inferior and scarcely eatable mealie bread, has been of the most severe and trying nature, Wagon Hill, over 4 miles in perimeter. I can­ not speak too highly of his indefatigable zeal in and has been carried out without a murmur and organising the defence of his front, and in keep­ with the most cheerful steadfastness. ing up the hearts of all under him by his con­ Of the Imperial Light Horse, specially raised in Natal at the commencement of the war, I stant and personal supervision. His leadership on 6th January was the most marked factor in have already expressed my opinion. No praise the success of the defence. can be too great for the gallantry and deter­ Colonel W. G. Knox, C.B., Colonel on the mination which all ranks of this corps have invariably displayed in action. Staff in charge of Section A of the defences, The Natal Volunteers have performed inval­ exercised the command entrusted to him with uable service. Their knowledge of the country great zeal and skill. The works constructed on has been of the very greatest use to me, and in his front were models of semi-permanent en­ every action in which they have been engaged trenchment, laid out from the commencement they have shown themselves most forward and on a plain which enabled him to strengthen daring. The Natal Naval Volunteers have them day by day until they became practically impregnable. He is an Officer of fine nerve proved themselves worthy comrades of the land and a strong disciplinarian. I trust his services forces of the Colony. may be adequately rewarded. 44. The civil inhabitants of Ladysmith, of all Colonel W. Royston, Commanding Natal ages and both sexes, have uncomplainingly borne Volunteer Forces and in charge of Section D of the privations inseparable from a siege, and have the defences. I can only repeat the high praise endured the long-continued bombardment to which I had the pleasure to bestow on Colonel which they have been exposed with a fortitude Royston in my despatch of the 2nd December, which does them honour. 1899. He commanded Section D of the defences 45. In conclusion, I trust I may be allowed to in an admirable manner, and with his force, give expression to the deep sense of gratitude, though much reduced in numbers by casualties felt not only by myself but by every soldier, and disease, continued to the end to perform sailor and civilian who has been through the invaluable service. He is an Officer exceptionally siege, to General Sir Redvers Buller and his suited to his important position as Commandant gallant force, who, after such severe fighting, of the Natal Volunteer Forces, and I trust that so many hardships, and notwithstanding very he may receive some suitable reward. THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901. 929

Major-General J. F. Brocklehurst, M.V.O., in forecasting their intentions. He is an officer continued to command the Cavalry Brigade until well worthy of advancement. the horses became useless from starvation. In Brevet Lieut.-Colonel H. M. Lawson, R.E., all Cavalry actions round Ladysmith his per­ additional Assistant Adjutant-General (A), is a sonal gallantry -was conspicuous. Staff Officer of the highest ability and the Colonel C. M. H. Downing, Commanding Royal soundest judgment, and rendered me most Artillery, did all that a highly-trained specialist valuable service throughout the siege. could do to assist me in the defence, both as Major E. A. Altham, Royal Scots, Assistant regards the employment of his batteries as mo­ Adjutant-General for Intelligence, has had to con­ bile units, and also in their distribution and tend with all the difficulties inseparable from in­ action when it became necessary to demobilise telligence work under the limitations imposed by them, and place the guns in fixed epaulments. siege conditions. All that was possible under He is an Officer in whose knowledge and judg­ these conditions he has done, and I consider him ment in artillery matters I have every confi­ an excellent Intelligence Officer in every respect. dence. Brevet-Major H. Henderson, Argyll and Major S. R. Rice, Commanding Royal Engin­ Sutherland Highlanders, Deputy-Assistant eers, was indefatigable in his exertions both by Adjutant-General for Intelligence. Towards the day and night, and showed considerable skill in latter end of the siege, Major Altham was laying out works and in giving to the Com­ attacked by enteric fever, and Major Henderson manders of Sections of the defences that advice assumed charge of the Field Intelligence Depart­ and assistance in their construction which the ment. He iB a bold and accurate reconnoitrer, trained Officers of the Royal Engineers can so and the intelligence he brought back was always ably afford. reliable. Whether as a subordinate or as head Brevet-Colonel E. W. D. Ward, C.B., Army of the Field Intelligence Department, he has Service Corps, Assistant-Adjutant-General, for always afforded me the greatest assistance. I “B ” duties. As the siege continued and the recommend him for reward. supply difficulties constantly increased, Colonel Major C. de C. Hamilton, R.A., Deputy- Ward’s cheerful ingenuity met every difficulty Assistant Adjutant-General (A), has done a good with ever-fresh expedients. He is unquestion­ deal of most useful work, and has shown himself ably the very best Supply Officer I have ever a Staff Officer of high promise. met, and to his resource, foresight, and Major W. F. Hawkins, R.E., Director of Army inventiveness the successful defence of Lady­ Telegraphs, waB indefatigable in maintaining smith for so long a period is very largely due. electric communication between my head­ He is exceptionally deserving of reward, and I quarters and all portions of the defence. The trust that he may receive the advancement service thus rendered was of the highest value, which his services have merited. and conduced greatly to the successful defence of Colonel B. Duff, C.I.E., Indian Staff Corps, Ladysmith. Assistant Military Secretary, performed the Major G. M. Heath, R.E., in charge of Balloon duties of his office with his characteristicAngloBoerWar.com Section, is a bold and enterprising aeronaut, and ability and zeal. He also took a prominent rendered useful service during the siege; the part in the general Staff duties of head-quarters, constant watch which he kept on the enemy’s in which his services were equally valuable. movements being a source of much disquiet to This Officer is fitted for the highest posts. them. Colonel R. Exham, Royal Army Medical Major W. C. Savile, R.A., Senior Ordnance Corps, did all that a Principal Medical Officer Officer, conducted the duties of his department could do in organising the medical services under with zeal and ability. circumstances of exceptional difficulty, and with Colonel J. G. Dartnell, C.M.G., Chief Commis­ personnel and materiel both inadequate for a sioner, Natal Police, possesses an exceptional siege of such long duration, accompanied by knowledge of the Colony of Natal and of native such a great amount of sickness. character. I am greatly obliged to him for the advice and assistance which he has always been Lieut.-Colonel R. W. Mapleton, Royal Army ready to afford me, of which I have availed Medical Corps, in charge of Intombi Hospital myself freely, and which I have found of the Camp, was placed in a most exceptional posi­ highest value. tion, in charge of a ' neutral camp where the Mr. T. R. Bennett, Resident Magistrate of maintenance of discipline in the ordinary way Ladysmith, was placed by me in charge of the was impossible, but in the face of all difficulties Civil Camp at Intombi, and performed much he did everything possible to maintain the sani­ good service in strictly enforcing the conditions tation of the camp, and to ensure the well-being on which I was permitted by Commandant- of the sick and wounded. General Joubert to maintain that camp. Veterinary Lieut.-Colonel I. Matthews, Army Mr. D. G. Giles acted as Resident Magistrate Veterinary Department, Principal Veterinary at Ladysmith during Mr. Bennett’s absence, and Officer, did excellent work in maintaining, so was of great assistance in maintaining discipline far as the want of proper forage would admit, amongst the civil population, both European and the efficiency of all animals belonging to the Native. Force. He was a very valuable adviser on The Reverends E. J. Macpherson, 0. S. Wat­ veterinary matters both to myself and to the kins, T. Murray and Father Ford, the senior General Officer Commanding the Cavalry chaplains of the Church of England, Wesleyan, Brigade. Presbyterian and Roman Catholic denominations Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Sir Henry S. Rawlinson, respectively, showed the greatest zeal and self- Bart., Coldstream Guards, Deputy-Assistant sacrifice in their attention to the sick and Adjutant-General, who officiated throughout the wounded, as well as in their ministrations to siege as Assistant Adjutant-General (A), is a those in health. I regret that the calls on them Staff Officer of great ability and activity, with a for aid and comfort by the dying were only too wonderful eye for the topography of the country. constant. His constant observations of the enemy’s posi­ My especial thanks are due to the following tions and movements were of much value to me Commanding Officers of Units : — 930 THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 8, 1901.

Lieut.-Colonel St. J. C. Gore, Commanding Cavalry. 5th Dragoon Guards. 4th Dragoon Guards. Major E. C. Knox, Commanding 18th Hussars. Lieutenant B. H. H. Mathew-Lannowe. Lieut.-Colonel J. A. Coxhead, Commanding 5th Dragoon Guards. 2nd Brigade Division, Royal Field Artillery, Lieutenant and Adjutant W. Q. Winwood. Lieut.-Colonel E. H. Pickwoad, Commanding 1st Brigade Division, Royal Field Artillery. 5th Lancers. Major J. W. G. DawkinB, Commanding 13th Major A. C. King. Battery, Royal Field Artillery. 11th Hussars. Major W. E. Blewitt, Commanding 21st Lieutenant P. D. Fitzgerald. Battery, Royal Field Artillery. 16th Lancers. Major C. E. Goulbum, Commanding 42nd Captain G. P. Wyndham, Brigade-Major, Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Cavalry Brigade. Major A. J. Abdy, Commanding 53rd Battery, Royal Field Artillery. 18th Hussar8. Major J. F. Manifold, Commanding 67th Major H. T. Laming. Battery, Royal Field Artillery. 19th Hussars. Major F. D. V. Wing, Commanding 69th Major H. D. Fanshawe. Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Lieutenant and Adjutant M. Archer-Shee. Lieut.-Colonel C. W. Park Commanding 1st Royal Artillery. Bn. Devonshire Regiment. Staff. Lieut.-Colonel A. E. R. Curran, Commanding Captain A. L. Walker. 1st Bn. Manchester Regiment. Captain E. S. E. W. Russell. Lient.-Colonel C. T. E. Metcalfe, Commanding 2nd Bn. Rifle Brigade. 21st Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Major (local Lieut.-Colonel) A. H. M. Edwards, Lieutenant R. E. Ramsden. 5th Dragoon Guards, Commanding Imperial 42nd Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Light Horse. Lieutenant S. W. Douglas. 47. I also desire to bring to your notioe the 1st Brigade Division Ammunition Column. following Officers, &e., who have rendered Major E. S. May. excellent service: — Captain H. W. A. Christie. Lieutenant A. W. Heneage, R.N. Lieutenant L. Halsey, R.N. Royal Engineers. Lieut.-Colonel J. Stoneman, Army Service Lieutenant R. J. T. Digby-Jones (killed 6th Corps, Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General. January). Major J. R. Dick, Army Pay Department. 23rd Field Company. Major F. H. Treherne, Royal Army Medioal 2nd Lieutenant G. B. B. Dennis (killed 6th Corps. January). Infantry. Major S. C. N. Grant, Royal Engineers.AngloBoerWar.com Major J. F. Bateson, Royal Army Medical 1st Bn Royal West Surrey Regiment. Corps. Brevet-Major D. Mackworth (killed 6th Major H. Mullaly, Royal Engineers, Deputy- January). Assistant Adjutant-General. 1st Bn. the King’s (Liverpool Regiment). Major A. J. Murray, Royal Inniskilling Fusi­ Lieut.-Colonel L. S. Mellor. liers, Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General. Lieutenant and Adjutant L. M. Jones. Brevet-Major A. J. King, Royal Lancaster 1st Bn. Devonshire Regiment. Regiment, A.D.C. to Major-General Sir A. Major M. C. Curry. Hunter. Captain W. B. Lafone (killed in action 6th Major E. R. 0 . Ludlow, Army Service Corps, January). Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General (B). Captain and Adjutant H. S. L. Ravenshaw. Captain J. R. Young, Royal Engineers, Rail­ Lieutenant J. E. I. Masterson. way Staff Officer. Lieutenant H. N. Field (killed in action 6th Captain F. Lyon, Royal Field Artillery, A.D.C. January). Captain F. S. Tatham, Natal Mounted Rifles. Lieutenant J. D. G. Walker, Royal High­ Somersetshire Light Infantry. landers, Divisional Signalling Officer. Captain J. M. Vallentin, Brigade-Major, 7th Conductor W. C. Ashmore, Indian Unattached Infantry Brigade). List. Lieutenant C. E. M. Walker (killed in action Mr. J. Farquhar, Mayor of Ladysmith. 6th January). Mr. A. Henderson, in charge of Native Guide 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regiment. Establishment. Major E. R. Scott. 48. The following Officers, Warrant Officers, Captain L. C. Sherer. non-commissioned and petty officers and men 1st Bn. Scottish Rifles. have been brought to my notice by General Lieutenant N. M. Tod, attached to 2nd Bn. Officers Commanding, Heads of Departments, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (killed in action and Officers Commanding Units, and I cordially 6th January). endorse their commendations. (The names are 1st Bn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps. arranged in order of precedence of corps):— Lieut.-Colonel W. P. Campbell. Officers. Captain E. Northey. Captain and Adjutant H. R. Blore. Royal Navy. Lieutenant M. H. Hodges. 2nd Bn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Lieutenant E. Stabb, Royal Naval Reserve Major H. E. Buchanan-Riddell, Acting Deputy- (died of enteric fever, 15th January). Assistant Adjutant-General, Divisional Fleet Paymaster W. H. F. Kay. Troops. Engineer C. C. Sheen. Major H. S. Bowen (killed in action 6th Midshipman Hon. I. F. A. Carnegie. January).