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
General C. Knox's columns (Colonels Pilcher and Crewe, moving by way
of Kalabas Bridge and Koffyfontein respectively), advanced at the same
time, reaching Bloemfontein on the 10th and 11th, the astute Pilcher
having captured a Boer laager by the way. He had three killed, eleven
wounded, three missing, and his captures included twenty-four
prisoners, 1500 horses, and some cattle.
Colonel Crewe engaged in a smart tussle with Brand's commando at
Olivenberg (south-west of Petrusburg), and reached his destination
_plus_ five prisoners, twenty-one waggons and carts with teams
complete, and 2000 horses.
During March, Major Goold-Adams, the Deputy-Administrator of the
Orange River Colony, in whom the burghers placed much confidence, bent
his mind to the organisation of the civil administration of the
colony. Mr. Conrad Linder, an ex-official of the late Government, was
provisionally appointed registrar. A scheme of education, based on the
Canadian principle, was drawn up, and the organisation of the civil
police taken in hand. The Imperial authorities were engaged in a
scheme for restocking the country after the war by establishing stock
depots on the Government farms in both the Transvaal and Orange
River.
[Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL CHARLES KNOX.
Photo Elliott & Fry, London.]
LYTTELTON'S SWEEPING MOVEMENT--10TH TO 20TH MARCH--THABANCHU LINE
The enemy, under the direction of Fourie, in many small gangs of from
two to four hundred, still hovered in the region between the Orange
River and the Thabanchu-Ladybrand line. With the object of sweeping
them up, General Lyttelton organised a combined northward movement
which began on the 10th of March. General Bruce-Hamilton's columns,
under Lieutenant-Colonels Monro, Maxwell, and White pushed up from
Aliwal North, Colonel Hickman and Lieutenant-Colonel Thorneycroft
moved out from Bethulie and Springfontein respectively, prolonging the
line on the left to the railway, while Colonel Haig's troops advanced
from Edenburg. Later on, as the columns swept upwards, Colonel
Bethune's Brigade took its place in the scheme, filling the gap
between Leeuw Kop and Boesman's Kop, with its right flank resting on
the Kaffir River. While these were marching up, the line of posts from
Bloemfontein _viâ_ Thabanchu to the Basutoland border was temporarily
reinforced by Colonel Harley, who, with some 200 mounted men, two
guns, and a battalion, had been detached from the portion of General
Rundle's force which was holding Ficksburg. The road still further
north, near Houtnek, was watched by Colonel Pilcher to guard against
hostile movement in that region. The combined advance, though there
was little fighting, was decidedly successful. Heavy stocks of grain
were found, and such as could not be accommodated in the British
waggons were destroyed. Though, as usual, the Boers were dispersed in
driblets and most of the farms were deserted and the property
abandoned, some of their number got caught in the meshes of the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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