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
After the Majuba Day successes the lower part of the Orange Colony
remained clear. Colonels Du Cane and Rimington in the region of Tafel
Kop made some important captures. Among the prisoners were Adjutant
Labuschaque and Viemann. Elsewhere, in the caves of the river bed, a
large Boer supply depot was discovered by Major Ross (Canadian
Scouts). A Krupp, a pom-pom, a Nordenfeldt, ammunition, heliographs,
and other valuable supplies were taken possession of or burnt. Another
of Lord Kitchener's big drives took place, the troops and tactics
being the same as before. The columns were encamped in the
neighbourhood of Harrismith, and the impression was given that they
would sweep towards the northern blockhouses. De Wet, finding that
Elliot and Rimington pushed him north, consequently flew west round
Elliot, and in the very direction desired. By the night of the 9th
there was a complete line of troops from Lindley to Frankfort, De Wet
and Steyn being enclosed. Stray parties made rushes at Dunlop's and
Scott's lines but were repulsed, and some Boers were made prisoners.
On the 10th, all keeping touch, the advance continued. It was
scorching weather, but the British stalwarts, under the blazing sun,
maintained splendid courage and cheeriness. As an example of their
endurance, it may be noted that Rawlinson's men on the 10th and 11th
covered sixty miles. On the 11th the drive concluded, but not with the
capture of the redoubtable one.
De Wet and Steyn, it appeared, had escaped west of the main Orange
Colony Railway by crossing the Heilbron-Frankfort line at night at an
hour when some of the British troops were expected to cross. Mentz, to
escape Colonel Cox and Rimington's Australians, adopted the same
tactics as De Wet's former ones. He rushed the Heilbron-Wolvehoek line
on the night of the 10th of March by furiously driving a herd of
horses against the line held by the Leinsters near Gothenburg. Though
these leaders got off, in the course of the operations, 127 Boers were
taken and Commandant Celliers was wounded.
De Wet and Steyn remained west of the railway line endeavouring, it
was presumed, to get into communication with Delarey. That some Boers
had evaded the big drive was evident by the fact that a convoy was
attacked between Kronspruit and Frankfort. The enemy was, however,
beaten off by the Mounted Infantry, who had some of their number
wounded.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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