On the 20th General Buller's headquarters arrived at Sandspruit Station beyond Volksrust, and pitched camp two miles further on, to west of the rail. Many surrenders took place, and some blowing up of culverts by those who were retreating in disgust at the defeat at Almond's Nek, a defeat which they considered the worst disaster to their arms that had yet occurred. The Natal Volunteers were now about to be disbanded, and left for Dundee. They were highly praised by all, and the Chief issued an order expressing his keen appreciation of the services rendered by Brigadier-General Dartnell and his stalwart followers in the arduous task which has resulted in the expulsion of the enemy from Natal territory. General Lyttelton now moved from Coetzes Drift to Laing's Nek to protect the line from Newcastle to Volksrust, while General Coke's Brigade mounted guard over the latter place. The next day, the 21st, the advance column reached Paardekop, situated some thirty miles from their destination. Standerton was neared by Lord Dundonald's mounted force on the 22nd, while the infantry followed some eight miles behind, the 10th Brigade only being left at Paardekop. As Major Gough and a squadron of the Composite Regiment entered Standerton a party of Boers made off, leaving the place to be occupied without resistance. The railway bridge was found to be injured, as also were some engine trucks and engines. The Hollander railway officials, for whose idle hands the devil had invented this mischief, were imprisoned. [Illustration: RAILWAY MAP SHOWING LINES FROM PRETORIA TO E. AND S.E. (Scale, 1 inch = 64 miles. By permission of the Publishers of "South Africa.")] While these activities were taking place, and General Buller was slowly making his way into the Transvaal from the east (guarding every inch of the rail in his rear, so that when he should reach Heidelberg the Natal Field Force would be extended all along the line), General Ian Hamilton, in order to join hands with him, was moving with a mobile force _viâ_ Springs to Heidelberg, which was occupied on the 23rd. Both armies thus approaching were now capable of frustrating concerted and combined action between the hostile bands of the Transvaal and those still lingering in Orange River Colony. Lord Dundonald's Brigade, meanwhile, had been joined by Strathcona's Horse, a picked body of sporting men who were tingling for fight.[6] This experience they soon enjoyed, as in the course of the march towards Heidelberg they came on a gang of Boers and had an animated encounter which cost them a man killed and two missing, including the officer who was in command of the party. Four Boer victims were left on the scene of the fray.