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 Beatson, on the right bank of Olifants River, soon came in
contact with Trichard's commando, which was strongly entrenched on
Vaalkrans. The Boers were hard pressed, and had to run for it, leaving
behind them, as usual, waggons and stock. After this Allenby's column,
temporarily commanded by Colonel Hippisley, searched the region of
Brugspruit, found no signs of the foe, and consequently returned _viâ_
Wilge River Station to Pretoria. General Beatson continued his
operations in the direction of Bethel. A small force of the enemy was
reported to be at Boschmansfontein, consequently the General, then
encamped at Van Dycks Drift, detached a force to deal with them. Major
Morris, with four companies of Victorian Mounted Rifles and two
pom-poms, marched towards the laager and found it deserted. On the
12th of June he was instructed to combine with the General in an
attack on the marauders to be made on the 13th at Elandsfontein.
Therefore the detachment the night before bivouacked at Wilmansrust.
No sooner had darkness fallen than the enemy, evading the outposts,
crept up to the bivouac, and within very short range poured a deadly
fire in on the astonished force. A scene of turmoil followed. Rifles
blazed, horses stampeded, and soon the guerillas had rushed the camp
and captured the pom-poms. The struggle was desperate, and two
officers and sixteen men were slain, four officers and thirty-eight
men wounded, while many men were made prisoners. Only two officers and
fifty men escaped to General Beatson's camp, though such as had been
made prisoners were afterwards released. Promptly to the rescue rushed
the General, leaving his baggage under guard of his infantry, but
though he arrived soon after daybreak on the 13th, the desperadoes had
made off, and not a vestige of them was to be seen. He therefore
concentrated his force at Koornfontein. The column later, sweeping
east, came in touch with General Blood's force north of Ermelo on the
19th, and from thence proceeded, clearing the ground as they went, to
Middelburg to refit. The total result of the operations were, 16 Boers
killed and wounded; prisoners, 23; rifles, 160; ammunition, 10,850
rounds; 58 vehicles, and some stock.
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR BINDON BLOOD. EASTERN TRANSVAAL
In the middle of May General Bullock, as we are aware, was holding a
line from Lake Chrissie southwards. To co-operate with him came
General Blood on the conclusion of his operations north of the Delagoa
line.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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