South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 5 (of 8): From the Disaster at Koorn Spruit to Lord Roberts's Entry into PretoriaCreswicke, Louis
History
South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 5 (of 8): From the Disaster at Koorn Spruit to Lord Roberts's Entry into Pretoria
Creswicke, Louis
South African War, 1899-1902; Transvaal (South Africa) -- History
On the right fighting still lingered on, the enemy trying hard to hold
their ground, the Canadians trying equally hard to dislodge them from a
position before Mafeking known as the White House. There was some tough
work here, and presently M Battery from 3600 yards north of the house
came to the assistance of the Canadians. Finally the Fusiliers and the
Queenslanders with fixed bayonets, and a rush and roar, assailed the
enemy's last position, and the door to Mafeking was opened! Off
scrambled the remnant of the Boer hordes, leaving behind them ammunition
and many other things grateful to the hearts of the conquerors.
For the first time the enemy found themselves outmatched in the way of
guns as in the way of wits. Gloating, they had been circling round
Mafeking, waiting with confidence for an exhausted force. They found
instead a force that had marched warily, and reserved itself, and came
with full rush upon them; a force that had been concentrating its
energies to give them as much fighting as they cared for. The whole
route was now purged of Boers, and when at dusk the column outspanned it
was but for a brief hour or two. Without warning, Colonel Mahon
inspanned again, determining to take advantage of the moonlight and the
clear road; in a very short time he was wending his way towards the
great destination. At four o'clock on the morning of the 17th his
mission was accomplished!
The losses were many, for the fighting, during the short time it lasted,
was fierce and sustained; and the Boer force numbered some 2000, while
the British columns amounted to about 1500. There were over sixty killed
and wounded:--
Lieutenant Edwin Harland, Hampshire Regiment--commanding C
Squadron Rhodesian Regiment, was killed. The following were
wounded: 2nd Royal West Surrey Regiment--Major W. D. Bird,
severe. British South Africa Police--Lieutenant Richard Sherman
Godley, slight. Rhodesian Regiment--Lieutenant John Alexander
Forbes, slight. Royal Horse Artillery--Lieutenant N. M. Gray,
severe. Kimberley Mounted Corps--Captain C. P. Fisher, slight.
Imperial Light Horse--Lieutenant Hew Campbell Ross, slight.
Gallant young Harland was generally regretted. He had taken the place of
Captain Maclaren when that officer was wounded in the attempt to rescue
Mafeking on the 31st, and had displayed such first-rate talents, both as
soldier and scout, that he had earned for himself the title of
"Baden-Powell the Second."
The following table describes the forces engaged in the Relief:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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