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
Buluwayo was reached on April 8th, and the coffin placed in the Drill
Hall and guarded by two Rhodesian volunteers with drawn swords.
Finally it was borne, on the 10th, to its lonely bed in the almost
inaccessible steeps that he loved.
Early in April the trial of Kruitzinger was concluded, and the
prisoner was acquitted of the charges of murder or train-wrecking that
were brought against him. He therefore fell into the category of
prisoners of war. From intercepted despatches forwarded by the
commandant to Scheepers it was discovered that he had seriously
condemned the inhuman practices of his countrymen. The raiders
continued their mischievous activities, the columns their incessant
chases and hunts. Lovat's Scouts engaged Bezuidenhout at Kaal River
on the 26th of April, and in the scrimmage two of the rebels were
wounded. On the 1st of May the town of Ookiep (in north-west of Cape
Colony), which for some time had been invested by the Boers, was
practically relieved by the appearance of reinforcements from
Namaqualand under Colonels Cooper and Caldwell. These relieved the
column at Klipfontein (fifty miles from Ookiep), and thus took the
pressure off the neighbouring places.
Further particulars were given in the _Morning Post_:--"General Smuts
demanded the surrender of Ookiep on 4th April. Colonel W. Shelton
refused to entertain any terms whatever, saying that he would hold out
to the bitter end. He must, however," the letter proceeded, "have a
relief column if the place is to be saved, as he has 6000 people to
feed and provisions for only three weeks. Colonel Shelton brought in
the Mesklip and Nababeep garrisons with all their arms and ammunition
successfully. Nababeep has since been looted. Springbokfontein made a
gallant fight, but had to surrender to overwhelming numbers, our
casualties being four killed and six wounded. It is reported that
Concordia surrendered without firing a shot. Colonel Shelton ordered
the Concordia Town Guard to Ookiep, but they refused to go. The Boers
seem to be bent on doing as much damage as they possibly can. They
have destroyed miles of railway and are burning the sleepers as they
take them up. The dynamite which they seized at Garrakop, eight miles
from Ookiep, they are now using to destroy the blockhouses by dropping
charges on the roofs from the kopjes above. Colonel White and his
column are at or entrenched near Gassies, and cannot get out. Anenous,
Kookfontein, Steinkop, Ooboop, and all outlying stations are deserted.
Two trains of refugees arrived at Port Nolloth this morning during a
heavy shower of rain. Lilliesfontein refugees are also here, making
the number over fifteen hundred. The inhabitants of Port Nolloth are
feeling very uneasy, for they greatly fear that an attack will be made
on the port; but our defences are perfect, and with the assistance of
his Majesty's ship _Barracouta_ we mean to give the Boers a warm
reception. During a thunderstorm that broke over Ookiep a few days ago
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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