Is about sixty years of age. He entered the 2nd Derby Militia as Ensign in 1855, but went abroad and joined the Cape Rifles a year later, rose to the rank of Captain, and retired in 1870. He was elected, in 1873, member of the Legislative Assembly for East London; Field-Commandant of Colonial (Cape) Forces, 1878; Col. of Cape Yeomanry, 1879; served in the Basuto War and was created C.M.G. in 1880; Brigadier-General, 1899. [Sidenote: [DEC. 13, 1899-JAN. 3, 1900.] At Modder River there had been inactivity since the disastrous day of Magersfontein--inactivity broken only by reconnaissances and demonstrations. As far back as December 13, a reconnaissance had been directed from Orange River Station to Zoutpan's Drift, some miles to the east of the great] bridge by which the railway from De Aar to Modder River crosses the Orange River. Seventy men of the mounted infantry and of Rimington's Guides were sent out under Captain Bradshaw; at Ramah, a farm just upon the Free State frontier, they were surprised by the enemy in some force, and lost four killed and eight wounded, including Captain Bradshaw, killed. The Boers, after inflicting this loss, fell back. [Illustration: DEPARTURE OF THE SECOND QUEENSLAND CONTINGENT FROM BRISBANE. The first contingents supplied by the Colonies were sent off with wild enthusiasm by the great crowds which witnessed their departure. A more sober, but not less impressive, loyalty marked the departure of later contingents. War had, even to the man in the street, become a dread reality.] [Illustration: ON THE WATCH: AN OUTPOST AT MODDER RIVER, AFTER THE BATTLE OF MAGERSFONTEIN.] [Sidenote: Lord Methuen keeps the enemy busy.] [Sidenote: JAN. 8-FEB. 4, 1900.] _Minor Movements from Modder River Camp._]