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
renewed set of battles!
It must be admitted that all the Colonial troops entered into their
work with the same cheeriness and military ardour, though all had not
the same chance to win fame. The Tabaksberg engagement on 29th January
afforded the Kaffrarian Rifles an opportunity of distinguishing
themselves, and the following quotation from a letter from Colonel
Crewe (commanding the Colonial Division in the Field) to the Mayor of
East London serves to show how they availed themselves of it:--
"I am sure you will be pleased to hear of the gallant conduct of the
Kaffrarian Rifles at the recent engagement at Tabaksberg on 29th
January last, when the force under my command, some 700 in all, were
engaged by the forces of De Wet and Steyn. With odds of 2500 to 700
against us, we were able to successfully maintain our position owing
to the extreme bravery of the men I have the honour to command. Where
all did well, the Kaffrarian Rifles did especially fine service. To
Major Price and Captain Fairweather much of this success is due, and
amongst the non-commissioned officers and men it is difficult to pick
out names for special mention where all did so well. I am sure East
London will be prouder than ever of her gallant sons. Both General C.
Knox and Lord Kitchener have expressed their admiration of the
behaviour of all ranks on that day."
It seems unfair to make special mention of any single branch of the
Colonial Volunteer Service, when all the Cape loyalists behaved in
some way like "trumps" or veterans. The permanent forces of the Cape
Government were grandly supported almost from the very first by the
Cape Garrison Artillery, the Duke of Edinburgh's Own, and the Cape
Town Highlanders, and these, when the "call to arms" came, were
finally backed up by the Town Guards, the Peninsula Horse, and other
irregular forces that had been raised practically at a moment's
notice--drawn straight from the hearth and home to throw in their lot
with the soldiers in the field. It was thanks to these that the colony
was saved, and thanks to the Town Guard that the regular and irregular
forces and volunteers were freed to push on to the front. Indeed, at
one period of the war, the Cape Town Guard (which enrolled for three
months and hung on to the end) were left almost entirely alone for the
protection of the towns.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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