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
"All the time Colonel Meyrick was being seconded by Colonel Lawson of
the 10th, who now dismounted his men and led them to the attack. A few
volleys sufficed, however, for at this moment a pom-pom made its
appearance on the scene, and after waiting long enough to receive a
few well-directed shells from it the Boers gave way and galloped off
in little parties as hard as they could go. In a few minutes the
Yeomanry were in hot pursuit of the enemy. 'Ware hole' was a constant
cry all day long, and casualties occurred from the treacherous state
of the ground. Now before us lay a vast plain, beyond which was a long
straggling range of kopjes. Thither the Boers had retreated in haste.
The 5th were still on our right, and I saw a body of mounted men on
our left. All the troops Colonel Meyrick had with him were Colonel
Lawson and four broken squadrons of the 10th. But there was no drawing
rein. Four men were sent forward to scout the country on the left
front and four somewhere else. The remainder galloped to the left
flank. Hereabouts some troops were detached from the main body in
order to capture some waggons; and a few minutes later two men of the
37th--Nichols and Brown--who had been sent forward to reconnoitre,
captured a gun (a twelve-pounder, O Battery, Royal Horse Artillery,
lost at Colenso). Three Boers were in charge of it, but one
immediately took to his heels and escaped, and the other two--two
beardless boys--were too much out of breath with their efforts of
whipping up and shouting at the jaded team of mules to do anything but
throw up their arms. One of the youngsters burst into tears when he
was disarmed.
"Notwithstanding all this, the two colonels still kept up the pursuit,
and came across some more waggons four miles ahead. Here, however, the
enemy were in strong numbers, and a few of our men fell foul of some
Boers in a mealie field, but miraculously escaped. Soon afterwards the
officer commanding received a message from the General recalling him,
but it was not till then that Colonel Meyrick led back his scanty
followers to escort the plunder into camp. It was a curious procession
that wended its way across the veldt. Jolting along in front were
several captured waggons with a slender escort. Then came Colonel
Meyrick, on his good dun horse, with his injured arm still in a sling,
followed by his orderlies. Next in order a pom-pom and the captured
gun, which was being driven along by the two ragged Dutch boys; two
waggons, a Cape cart, and an ambulance waggon, the officers and the
remnant of the 10th bringing up the rear. Just before we reached camp
we passed Lord Methuen, sitting on the ground, writing his despatches.
The troops bivouacked near Paarde Plaats (where Methuen captured
Sellers's laager a short time ago), after having been in the saddle or
on foot for twelve hours.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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