South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 7 (of 8): The Guerilla War, from February 1901 to the Conclusion of HostilitiesCreswicke, Louis
History
South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 7 (of 8): The Guerilla War, from February 1901 to the Conclusion of Hostilities
Creswicke, Louis
South African War, 1899-1902; Transvaal (South Africa) -- History
We left General Plumer, on the 11th of August, surrounded by the
prizes won during his expedition to block the exits to the west during
General Elliot's sweep from the Vaal to the Modder River (see Map, p.
89). These prizes included 32 prisoners, 346 horses, 566 cattle, 28
waggons, and 39 carts. Four days later he was off again on fresh
Boer-hunting adventures. On his right moved Colonel Colvin, _viâ_
Doornhoek and Roodepan to Zoutpans Drift on the Orange River; on his
left marched Colonel Sir J. Jarvis through Koffyfontein and Luckhoff.
The place between the Kimberley-Luckhoff line was a desert. Not a Boer
showed his nose. Only some cattle, which were captured, betrayed his
recent haunts. General Plumer concentrated his force at Zoutpans Drift
on the 21st, and on the 23rd began a new move. The Orange River Valley
to the east and all its mysterious kloofs were thoroughly searched,
and the loopholes, whence the hunted might evade the vigilance of
General French's troops on the other side, were watched with lynx
eyes. But the Boers were not to be caught napping in this way. At
last, however, a commando under Lategan, which had been forced to run
from the Cape Colony before Colonel Byng's men, came plump upon
Plumer, who was then on the look-out, south of Philippolis. A spirited
chase ensued, and the fugitive band was relieved of 8 comrades, 4
rifles, 46 horses, and 11 vehicles. General Plumer's force reached
Prior's Siding and Springfontein on the night of the 30th of August,
and, one may almost say, without waiting to draw breath, was off again
to join in the hunt for Kruitzinger.
ORANGE RIVER COLONY, E.--MAJOR-GENERAL ELLIOT--AUGUST
After a brief rest at Glen, General Elliot, on the 18th, spread his
troops on the line Glen, Sanna's Post, Ladybrand, with the intention
of making a sweep to the north-east and a final wheel towards the
Wittebergen Mountains. The object of this wheel was to drive such
Boers as might be lurking about into the arms of General Campbell,
who, it may be remembered, was waiting at the Brandwater Basin to mop
them up. On General Elliot's left were Colonel Barker and Major Pine
Coffin, working from Winburg to co-operate towards the Tabaksberg and
Doornberg; while in the Senekal district was an outstretched
net--composed of the troops of General Spens, Colonel Rimington, and
Colonel Wilson--ready to haul in any interlopers that might be driven
north by General Elliot's activities.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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