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
Among the splendid supporters of the Colonel who were notable for
exceptional gallantry were Captain Lord Douglas Compton, 2nd
Lieutenants Wynn and Neilson, Captain Purcell (9th Lancers), and
Lieutenant Bowers, Cape Mounted Rifles; while all the men of the 9th
Lancers so distinguished themselves that it is impossible to cite the
names and the deeds done by those glorious fellows without devoting
pages to the task. Unfortunately Lieutenant Theobald, who had been
killed earlier in the month, lost the finale, to which he, with his
comrades, had so perseveringly and so gallantly contributed.
The list of prisoners included Commandant Lotter and Field-Cornets J.
Kruger, W. Kruger, and Schoeman, and among the dead were two notorious
rebels named Voster. The booty consisted of 200 horses, 29,000 rounds
of ammunition, and all the vehicles and supplies of the commandos. Our
casualties included Lieutenant Burgess, Cape Mounted Rifles.
In other parts of the Colony the columns were almost equally active,
if not equally successful. The remnant of Fouché's party, after his
departure across the Orange, gathered themselves under the banner of
Myburg and took up positions in the triangle Ladygrey, Dordrecht, and
Burghersdorp. Colonel Munro spent his time in hustling them, and on
the 29th of August had a spirited engagement some twenty miles
north-east of Dordrecht, which resulted in the defeat of the hordes,
who were driven over the Drakensberg into Transkei territory. His
columns, together with the local troops, then took up positions in the
defiles and passes, so as to block them effectually and prevent a
chance of the return of the marauders.
General Beatson, who was now assisting in General French's operations,
was actively chasing Scheepers in the south--first below Willowmore,
then to Aventour, then to the west in the direction of Klip Drift;
thence to Oudtshoorn and Ladysmith. Here the young Boer leader was set
on by the local troops, whereupon he shifted his course to Barrydale.
This rush took him till the 31st of August, during which time the hunt
was vigorously carried on by Colonel Alexander and the 10th Hussars.
Scheepers made an attempt on Montague, and was baulked by a detachment
of the Berkshire Regiment. He then made various plucky but futile
efforts to get across the rail, his object being to effect a junction
with Smit, who was on the other side of Matjesfontein. He came in
collision several times with the troops of Colonel Alexander, who, in
the course of their gallant efforts to frustrate the Boer designs, had
2 officers and 10 men wounded, and lost 4 men. In the south-west,
Maritz was meanwhile being hunted by Colonel Capper, who kept the
raiders perpetually on the move, and forced them to break into an
aimless, rudderless gang, glad of hiding-places in the Roggeveld
Mountains.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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