On June 3, four companies, Lord Alexander Russell’s, Woodford’s, Hardinge’s and Glyn’s, paraded at 6 in the morning and marched towards the Waterkloof, in order to meet General Cathcart, and to accompany him on a reconnaissance to the Waterkloof and the Blinkwater. Having reached the place fronting the Kloof called the Horse-shoe, they piled arms and awaited the General. The Kaffirs were soon seen in motion in every direction, wondering probably what was intended by this demonstration by daylight; and they lit two large fires on the opposite side of the Kloof apparently as signals. On the General’s arrival, accompanied by his Staff, some of the Cape Corps, and a troop of the 12th Lancers, they proceeded with him to examine the different parts of the Kloof to which the Riflemen had patrolled on former occasions. As they moved along the Kaffirs accompanied them, keeping within the edge of the Kloof. They proceeded towards the Blinkwater, from whence the General went on to Post Retief, while the Riflemen returned to their camp, after a most fatiguing day’s march, in consequence of the slipperiness of the grass, and the necessity of their keeping up with the mounted force. On the 4th it was seen that the Kaffirs had set fire to the grass round the camp; and watch had to be kept all night to see that it did not approach too close. On the morning of the 5th three parties were despatched to beat out the fire with bushes; which they did effectually owing to the shortness of the grass. On the 8th two companies proceeded on a reconnaissance towards the Waterkloof, and returned without doing anything; but one man was killed. On the 11th Lord Alexander Russell’s, Woodford’s and Hardinge’s companies started at 4 in the morning in the direction of Bushneck; not proceeding by the usual road, but directly across country, up and down hills, some of them extremely steep, with large projecting rocks, which the men had to climb, and to slide down on the other side. Part of the march also was over the burnt grass, the dust from which was extremely annoying, and at times almost prevented their seeing anything. They marched fully 18 miles, not even halting for breakfast. They came on traces of Kaffirs, who as usual disappeared, unless surrounded before daylight. On July 3 a patrol of Captain Somerset’s company started at 5 A.M. and examined the valleys in the neighbourhood of the Waterkloof in search of cattle; but the sun rose before they had found them, and rendered their efforts unsuccessful.