Book -3 SS 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 




CHARGE OF THE NINTH HUSSARS. 




BOERS HAULING HEAVY ARTILLERY TO THE FRONT. 



RITISH AND BOERS 

IN 

South Africa 

CONTAINING A 

THRILLING ACCOUNT OF THE GREAT STRUGGLE 
BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND THE BOERS 

INCLUDING THE 

CAUSES OF THE CONFLICT; VIVID DESCRIPTIONS OF FIERCE 
BATTLES; SUPERB HEROISM AND DARING DEEDS; NAR- 
RATIVES OF PERSONAL ADVENTURES; LIFE IN CAMP, 
FIELD AND HOSPITAL, ETC., ETC. 

TOGETHER WITH 

THE WONDERFUL STORY OF THE TRANSVAAL 

THE ORANGE FREE STATE; NATAL AND CAPE COLONY; THE 

KAFFIRS AND ZULUS; RICHEST GOLD AND DIAMOND 

MINES IN THE WORLD, ETC., ETC. 



By JAMES H. BIRCH, JR. 

WHO HAS RECENTLY RETURNED FROM SOU! H AFRIC/^ 
IN COLLABORATION WITH 

Henry Davenport Northrop 

THE WELL-KNOWN AUTHOR 



Magnificent Galaxy of Phototype and Wood Engravings 



NATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY 

No. 241 AMERICAN STREET 

PHILADELPHIA, PA. 



TWO COPIES HECElVfc;^ 

Library of Coiigrst% 
Uffiou of tha 

MA!^ 2 9 1900 

Keglttsr of Copyrlghtik 



5b?8i 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1900, by 

J. R. JONES, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 

All Rights Reserved. 



-3 \9 



SECOND COPY, 






PREFACE. 



ThK Englisli Army and the Boers have met in the shock of 
battle in South Africa. All attempts to avert the desperate conflict 
have failed and the eyes of the whole world are turned to watch the 
progress of the fierce struggle. 

The first settlement of the Boers in South Africa — another 
name for Dutch inhabitants — dates from the sixteenth century. 
They have received accessions from the Huguenots of France, but 
retain the old Dutch character. After the final cession of the Cape 
of Good Hope to England in 1814 they disliked the new Govern- 
ment, especially its friendly policy to the natives and the emancipa- 
tion of the slaves in 1833, the Boers having long been slaveholders. 
They moved northward and occupied the Orange Free State and 
the Transvaal. 

The Boers are the landholders and farmers of South Africa, 
famous for their courage and endurance, of strong and well- 
developed physique, good horsemen and splendid marksmen. 
They have proved themselves to be terrible fighters on many 
occasions. Previous to 1870 the Boers had much trouble with the 
surrounding native tribes, which resulted in many sanguinary 
battles. Wars were of frequent occurrence and little progress was 
made in the development of the country. The selfish policy of the 
Boers caused constant irritation with England. In 1877, owing to 
an exhausted public treasury and accumulated debts brought about 
by conflicts with the Zulus and other tribes, the Transvaal, or South 
African Republic, was on the eve of dissolution and the country 
about to relapse into barbarism. To avert this catastrophe the 
British Government assumed the care of it, subjugated the rebel- 
lious natives, and put the finances of the State in good condition. 

Aftferward England declared that the promises made by the 
Boers at this time were not carried out. One of the thrilling inci- 

iii 



iv PREFACE. 

dents of the war tliat followed was the slaughter at Majuba Hill, 
where, in 1881, a regiment of British troops was defeated, with the 
loss of their leader, Sir George Colley, by a greatly superior force 
of Transvaal Boers. Majuba Hill has become famous in the story 
of South Africa. It is claimed that the conditions upon which 
peace was finally secured have been violated. 

The contention of the Boers is that the agreement of 1881, by 
which the British had secured certain rights, was set aside by the 
Treaty of 1884, and the British had no longer any right to regulate 
the internal affairs of the Transvaal. On the other hand, England 
contends that the convention or treaty of 188 1 has never been abol- 
ished or impaired. The British Government, acting upon this in- 
terpretation, has insisted upon certain changes in the domestic 
government of the Transvaal touching the franchise, education and 
parliamentary representation, which were emphatically refused by 
the Boers. The people of the South African Republic refuse to 
grant what the British demand, and deny them any say in the 
affairs of the Transvaal. 

This is the issue which diplomacy failed to settle, and which 
resulted in an appeal to arms and the God of battles. 

Intense interest in South Africa was awakened by the san- 
guinary war raging there. Questions have arisen as to the character 
of the country, its diversified tribes, its fabulous wealth in gold and 
diamonds, and the remarkable circumstances under which the 
country has become known to the world. 

This comprehensive volume answers all these questions, states 
the causes of the war, furnishes thrilling descriptions of the des- 
perate battles and portrays the great leaders on both sides, Oom 
Paul Kruger, General Joubert, General Yule, Cecil Rhodes, Dr. 
Jameson, Barney Barnato, General Sir George White, General Sir 
Redvers Henry Buller, Field Marshal Roberts, and many others. 
It abounds in stories of heroic exploits and daring deeds. The 
grand panorama of exciting events in South Africa, startling and 
thrilling, and presenting remarkable exhibitions of courage and 
patriotism, passes swiftly before the eyes of the reader, and his 
interest increases from chapter to chapter. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

PAGE 

THE TRANSVAAL AND ORANGE FREE STATE 17 

CHAPTER II. 
THE BOERS AND KAFFIRS 34 

CHAPTER III. 

WHITE SETTLERS AND THE ZULUS 62 

CHAPTER IV. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOERS 65 

CHAPTER V. 

THE GREAT POWERS DIVIDING AFRICA 86 

CHAPTER VI. 

WONDERFUL COUNTRY OF RHODESIA 98 

CHAPTER VII. 

VAST STORES OF NATURAL WEALTH 112 

CHAPTER VIII. 

THE CHIEF CITY OF THE TRANSVAAL 123 

CHAPTER IX. 

GOLD AND DIAMONDS IN SOUTH AFRICA 134 

CHAPTER X. 

CECIL J. RHODES— "THE UNCROWNED KING" 148 

V 



vi COiYl^EiNTS. 

PAOB 

CHAPTER XI. 

COM PAUL KRUGER AND OTHER FAMOUS LEADERS 155 

CHAPTER XII. 

TRAGIC STORY OF MAJUBA HILL AND L.\ING'S NEK 175 

CHAPTER XIII. 
FAMOUS R.\ID OF DR. JAMESON 193 

CHAPTER XIV. 
CAUSES FOR WAR MANY YEARS OLD 210 

CHAPTER x^^ 

THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS IN THE TRANSVAAL . . 223 

CHAPTER XVI. 

GALL.\NT CANADIAN TROOrS OFF FOR THE WAR 238 

CHAPTER XVII. 

FIRST CL.\SH OF ARMS BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND BOERS . . 257 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

FIERCE FIGHTING IN NATAL 274 

CHAPTER XIX. 

THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND L-\DYSMITH 290 

CHAPTER XX. 

BRITISH VICTORIES IN THE WESTERN CAMPAIGN 315 

CHAPTER XX:i. 

CURIOUS SIGHTS IN THE LAND OF THE BOERS 332 

CHAPTER XXII. 

REMARKABLE FEATURES OF THE BRITISH CAMPAIGN .... 345 



CONTENTS. VU 

PAGE 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE CANADIAN CONTINGENT 86t 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

ATTEMPTS TO RAISE THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH 381 

CHAPTER XXV. 

THRILLING STORIES OF THE RATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA 396 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

SCENES AND INCIDENTS OF THE GREAT STRUGGLE 413 

CHAPTER XXVII 

THE BRITISH END THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLY 435 

CHAPTER XXVIII 

SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE AND HIS ENTIRE FORCE .... 453 

CHAPTER XXIX 

BRAVE GARRISON AT LADYSMITH SAVED BY GENERAL BULLER'S ARMY 472 




LORD KITCHENER 

CHIEF OF STAFF TO FIELD MARSHALL ROBERTS IN SOUTH AFRICA 





; T:SH military OBSERVATION BALLOON USED AT MODDER RIVER 

THIS BALLOON CONTAINS 11,000 CUBIC FEET OF GAS AND LIFTS 700 POUNDS 




QUEEN VICTORIA. 




PAUL KRUGER, PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC, 

AND HIS WIFE 



WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA 

BETWEEN 

THE ENGLISH AND THE BOERS. 



CHAPTER L 

The Transvaal and Orange Free State. 

'1^ Y the outbreak of war between tbe Englisli and tbe Boers 
universal interest was at once awakened concerning tlie 
countries in Soutb Africa involved in tlie fierce struggle. 
The storm of conflict lias been gathering for more tban half a cen- 
tury. South Africa, being rich in its native products, has long been 
a prize for European nations. Its wild animals have been a strong 
ttmptation to the hunter. Its diamond and gold fields make it one 
of the richest parts of the globe. It is not strange, therefore, that 
it has drawn many immigrants, some of whom were little else than 
reckless adventurers. 

The march of civilization has rapidly transformed the south- 
em part of the Continent of Africa. In the mining districts 
towns have sprung up, imigrants have come from all parts of the 
world, and important centres of business have been established, 
such as Kimberley, Mafeking, Johannesburg, Bulawayo, and many 
others that might be mentioned. A wide territory once peopled 
only by native tribes and famous for its wild animals has been 
subdued, and is now one of the wealthiest and most promising 
countries of the globe. Among the most enlightened portions 
of Africa are the republics in the south, some knowledge of 
which will be of great advantage to the reader. 

The South African Republic and the Orange Free State, which 
constitute the hostile territory, are bounded on the southeast by 
Natal and Basutoland, on the south and southwest by Cape 
Colony, and on the west by British Bechuanaland and Griqualand 



18 yhe transvaai. and orange Free statue. 

West. Natal runs up into the Boer country in the shape of an acute 
triangle, with its apex at Laing's Nek. It is here separated from the 
Orange Free State by the Drakenberg Mountains, in which there 
are numerous defensible passes, affording ingress for the Boers 
into British territory-. 

The boundary on the south of the Orange Free State is the 
Orange River ; on the west the boundar}' is marked b}' no natural 
feature. The Vaal River separates the Orange Free State from the 
South African Republic. Natal and Basutoland are in the moun- 
tains. The boundary on the west runs through rather flat countr}-, 
while the interior of the hostile territory is principall}^ veldt, a pla- 
teau in the neighborhood of four thousand feet high, broken here 
and there b}' rough ground and aftbrding many strong positions. 

The boundaries of the Transvaal, long a subject of dispute 
with Great Britain and the conterminous states, were at last pre- 
cisely defined by the convention of Februar}^ 27, 1SS4. 

TERRITORY OF THE TRANSVAAL. 

Transvaal thus forms a compact inland territory nearly as 
broad as long, not more than 45 or 50 miles from the Indian Ocean 
at Delagoa Ba}-, but otherwise Ij'ing completety within the outer 
rim of the vast South African table-land. A line drawn from the 
southwest extremity, where it touches Griqualand West, north- 
eastwards to the Limpopo-Sliasha confluence, gives an extreme 
length of 500 miles, the distance from the same confluence south- 
wards to the Natal frontier being 425, and the greatest length east 
and west between the Zulu and Bechuana frontiers about 400 
miles. In the absence of accurate surveys, the total area has been 
variously estimated at from 110,000 to 120,000 square miles. 

Physically Transvaal forms a well-marked section of the great 
South African plateau, an elevated shallow basin with a mean alti- 
tude of over ;^ooo feet, whose confornuition has been compared to 
that of a saucer. On the soiith and east this basin is separated 
from the coast by a loft}' inner and less elevated outer rim, the 
former from 6000 to 10,000, the latter about 2000 feet high, sweep- 
ing round in curves concentric with that of the seaboard, from 



I^HK TRANSVAAL AND ORANGE) FRKK STAT:^. 



19 



Cape Colony tlirougli Natal and the east vSide of Transvaal north- 
wards to tlie equatorial regions. 

The inner rim, whose various sections in the extreme south 
are known as the Roggeveld, Nieuweveld, and Quathlamba ranges, 
takes in Natal and Transvaal the general name of the Drakenberg 
Mountains. From the Natal frontier to the Lipalule (Olifant) 



^j 



bAMARA LAND 
GERMAN 

SOUTH WEST 

AFRICA 

CREA7 
NAMAOUA LAND 



.Ngoml 



siBuIawayo 



^Beit^' 



..'''felf'SSgPo .:^' PORT UCU ES E 
/ ,./ - ,^--11-^ :\\ EAST 

f^ Pi.t.r,>'urc ■ '\AfRI CA 

Caberones/y \ T a /»^. 15' S 'y A 'J^ I. ? 
BEOHUANALAND yl^ \ f , .' ^iydcnhur^ 

Marking lA , .:-: - '■' \f'~-''-mJd;!bvrqT--.^ Y^^'^^^'fi'^'s'', 

/mtchefsti-ocsii f^icideJbsri^ iSWA7J\ \. ' 







3UR: 



'\liom 

CniQUALANDf^ ^ 
KitnberljBy v 

xNoLauwlPoort oV7 

nf'"^ WiHovmore ^^-. 

IrorcesCfr /. 

,^;-: TCWN,"|< ~~^Swelkndam - '^ 



CAPE 



:Mi 



.^em^-elk;:?;^ 



REFERENCE 

uui-^rCi Rqilvays 
•— — ' Bpuodariea 

5ea Routea 

Distances In NoMtical Miles 



e. PHILIP i S0H.3Z netT sT/if gr 



MAP OF SOUTH AFRICA SHOWING TRANSVAAL AND ORANGE FREE STATE. 

tributary of the Limpopo, the Drakenberg maintains the aspect of 
a more or less continuous range 5000 to 7000 feet high, culmina- 
ting in the Mauchberg, 8725 feet, the highest point in Transvaal. 
A little to the east is the Spitskop, 5637 feet, and further south 
the Klipstad, 6020 feet, and Holnek, 5600 feet. 

This section falls everywhere precipitously eastwards towards 
the Libomba range, or outer rim of the plateau, which maintains 
a mean elevation of 2000 feet along the eastern border of Trans- 



20 THE TRANSVAAL AND ORANGE FREE STATE. 

vaal. Beyond tlie Lipalule, the Drakenberg loses tlie character of 
a well-defined monntain system, broadening out into nplands 
moderately elevated above the snrronnding plateau, and breaking 
into ridges, such as the Murchison and Zoutpansberg ranges, which 
run east and west between the Lipalule and Limpopo. The whole 
S3^stem slopes gently westwards to the central table-land, which is 
elf intersected by several broken ranges, all mostlj^ trending in 
.le direction from east to west. But few of these ridges rise much 
above 4000 feet, and, as the plateau has a mean altitude of consid- 
erably over 3000 feet, they detract little from the aspect of a vast 
level or slightly rolling upland plain, almost everywhere presented 
by Transvaal west of the Drakenberg Mountains. 

The numerous fossil remains of aquatic life, together with 
extensive sandy tracts and the presence in several places of water- 
worn shingle, give to the central table-land the appearance of an 
upheaved lake basin, whose waters escaped at one time through 
the Limpopo to the Indian Ocean, at another through the Vaal to 
the Orange river, and thence to the Atlantic. The Vaal and Lim- 
popo are still the two great fissures in the plateau, which carr}'- off 
most of the surface waters to the surrounding marine basins. The 
water-parting between these two river systems lies, not in the 
Drakenberg, itself pierced by the Lipalule and several of its 
affluents, but in the Witwater Rand towards the southwest of the 

State. 

ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL RIVERS. 

From this point the Limpopo, or Crocodile, sweeps round first 
to the west, then to the northeast, describing a semi-circle of about 
1000 miles to the Linivuba (Pafuri) confluence, where it leaves 
Transvaal, flowing thence for nearly 340 miles through Portuguese 
territory southeast to the Indian Ocean. Captain G. A. Chaddock 
has shown that it is navigable for steamers to this confluence, above 
which it is obstructed by the Tolo Azime and other rapids. 
Throuehout its whole course it receives numerous affluents on 
both sides, and others from Transvaal, of which region it drains 
fully 95,000 square miles. 

With the exception of a few tracts watered b}'- the head streams: 




CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES 

TWO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NORTHWEST SQUADRON FULLV ATTIRED IN 

•KHAKI, THE NEW UNIFORM 



THE TRANSVAAI. AND ORANGE FREE STATE. 21 

of the Buffalo, flowing in independent channels eastwards to tlie 
Indian Ocean, all the rest of Transvaal is drained by the Vaal 
westwards to the Orange and Atlantic. The Vaal has its eastern- 
most sources in the Wakkerstroom district on the west slope of 
the Drakenberg, whence it flows for about 450 miles, partly within, 
but mainly along, the southern frontier of Transvaal, of which, 
with the Hart and other tributaries on its right bank, it drains 
about 20,000 square miles altogether. 

Besides these perennial streams, there are numerous shallow 
lagoons or salt-pans scattered over the western and northern dis- 
tricts, as well as thermal and mineral waters, such as the Warmbad 
in the Nyl valley. But the only lake properly so called is Lake 
Chrissie, a sheet of water nearly 40 miles round, and in parts very 
deep, which lies on the west side of the Drakenberg, 5755 feet 
above sea level, and filling an immense circular basin. 

HEALTHY AND PLEASANT CLIMATE. 

Although lying on the border of and partly within the tropics, 
Transvaal, thanks to its great elevation above the sea, and to the 
absence of extensive marshy tracts, enjoys on the whole a healthy 
invigorating climate, well suited to the Buropean constitution. 
Owing to the dryness of the air, due to the proximity of the Kala- 
hari desert, the western and central districts are specially favorable 
to persons suffering from consumption and other chest cbmplaints. 
But some of the low-lying moist tracts along the Limpopo and 
other river valleys, close to or within the torrid zone, are extremely 
insalubrious, fever of the general African type being here endemic, 
and its prevalence usually marked by the presence of the destruc- 
tive tsetse fly. 

The route from Delagoa Bay to the interior also traverses a 
fever-stricken coast district between the sea and the Libomba 
escarpment, dangerous especially in the rainy summer season. 
The rains generally begin about October, sometimes a little before 
or after, and last intermittently till April. But the rainfall is very 
unequally distributed, most of the moisture-bearing clouds from the 
Indian Ocean being arrested by the great barrier of the Draken- 



22 THE TRANSVAAL AND ORANGB FREE STATE. 

berg, or counteracted by tbe dry west winds from tlie Kalabari 
desert. Thus, while there is abundance of rain in the east, the 
country gradually becomes drier as it approaches Bechuanaland. 

During the dry winter season (April to September) keen frosty 
winds blow from the south, sweeping freely over the central plains 
and carrying the moisture to be precipitated as snow along the 
eastern highlands. Nevertheless, according to the careful meteoro- 
logical observations made by Mr. Lys at Pretoria between 1877 
and 1S80, the mean annual temperature is considerably over 68°, 
falling to about 40° in June, and rising to 90° and occasionally 
even 95° in January. The rainfall in the same central district 
seldom reaches 30 inches, which is probably a fair average for the 
whole of Transvaal, falling to 12 towards the western and rising 
to 60 on the eastern frontier, increasing towards the coast. 

VAST MINERAL RESOURCES. 

Transvaal yields to no other African region in the abundance 
of its mineral resources, while it is altogether imrivalled in their 
extraordinary variety. These include, besides the precious metals 
and diamonds, iron, copper, lead, cobalt, sulphur, saltpetre, and 
coal, this last with gold, copper, and iron being probably the most 
abundant and widely distributed. Gold, largely diffused through- 
out the Drakenberg, and in the northern Zoutpansberg and 
Waterberg districts, and in the Rustenburg and Marico districts 
in the extreme west, as well as in the highlands between Transvaal 
and the Zambesi, has hitherto been worked chiefly in the rich auri- 
ferous region of Lj'denburg about Mount Mauchberg and Mount 
Spitskop in the central parts of the Drakenberg range, and farther 
south in the Johannesburg district. 

The Lj^denbiirg deposits, discovered in 1873, lie at an eleva- 
tion of 4500 to 5000 feet 40 miles south of the Lipalule river and 
125 northwest of Lorenzo Marques on Delagoa Ba}^, the chief 
diggings being at Pilgrim's Rest and Mac Mac close to the Spitskop. 
In the Middleburg district the chief centres of mining operations 
are the recently founded towns of Barberton and Johannesburg. 
Iron ores are also widely distributed, and the Yzarberg ('' Iron 




23 



24 THE TRANS\'AAL AND ORANGE FREE STATE. 

Mountain ") near ^larabastad consists of an enormous mass of rich 
iron ore, wliich tlie natives have worked for ages. Diamonds are 
chiefly confined to the Bloemhoff district on the Vaal above the 
great diamantiferons region of Kimberle}' in Griqnaland West. 
Coal abounds in the southeasten districts, and also farther north 
in ]\Iiddelburg (Nazareth) and Lydenburg. 

In some places seams 7 or 8 feet thick lie so near the surface 
that they are quarried and the coal carted awa}" b}' the natives. 
The prevailing formations where this gxeat mineral wealth is 
embedded are quartz, porphyr}', granites, cla}^ slates, greenstone, 
Lower Devonian strata, conglomerates, and limestones. 

In Transvaal, as in most of the continent, an herbaceous flora 
prevails largeh^ over forest growths, which are here confined 
chiefl}' to the deep kloofs (gorges) of the mountain ranges, and to 
the courses of the larger streams. Bush, including mimosas, thorn 
thickets, and creepers, covers extensive tracts on the northern and 
southern plains, and the districts towards Natal are well wooded. 
But elsewhere the characteristic features are grass lands, downs, 
hill slopes, flats, and even man}- parts of the higher uplands being 
covered with savannahs generally afibrding good pasturage and 
fodder for cattle, which are a large source of wealth. 

FINEST WHEAT IN THE WORLD. 

In the woodlands the prevailing species are three varieties of 
3'ellow wood, often growing to an enormous size, the Cajpe beech, 
several varieties of the wild pear, and of stinkwood, ironwood, and 
ebon}'. The Boers and other settlers have hitherto occupied them- 
selves chiefly vnih stock-breeding (sheep, cattle, and horses), but 
there can be no doubt that much of the countr}' is eminenth" 
suited for the cultivation of cereals, pelding two annual crops and 
producing some of the finest wheat in the world. Tobacco, the 
\TLne, and most European fruits and vegetables also thrive well, 
while semi-tropical products, such as cotton, sugar, and coffee, 
might be raised in the warmer northern districts. 

B}' the early settlers Transvaal was described as the '' paradise 
of hunters," abounding in the characteristic large animals, such as 



THE TRANSVAAL AND ORANGE FREE STATE. 25 

the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, giraffe, zebra, qiiagga, several 
varieties ef antelope, and the ostrich, which roam over the continent 
from Soudan to the Cape. All these animals still exist, but in 
greatly reduced numbers, being now largely replaced by the 
domestic animals — cattle, sheep, and horses — introduced by the 
white settlers. All the large rivers are inhabited by the hippopot- 
amus and crocodile, the latter giving an alternative name to the 
Limpopo; the buffalo, gnu, eland, springbok, wildbeeste, baboon, 
and several other members of the ape family are also frequently 
met with. 

The country is occasionally swept by destructive flights of 
locusts ; but the greatest enemy of the stock breeder is the tsetse 
fly, which infests the coast lands and many of the river tracts, but 
shows a tendency to disappear with the large game, retreating with 
the advance of the plough. A tsetse belt forty miles wide along 
the whole course of the Limpopo still bars the spread of European 
settlements beyond Transvaal in the direction of the Zambesi. 

PROPORTION OF WHITES AND NATIVES. 

Of the population only a fourth part are whites, mostly Boers 
(descendants of the early Dutch, French and German immigrants 
to the Cape), with a large and increasing percentage of British 
settlers, attracted in recent years especially to the Lydenburg and 
other mining districts. All the rests are natives, belonging mainly 
to the Basuto and Bechuana branches of the Bantu family, and con- 
sequently allied in speech and to a large extent in physique to 
their Zulu-Kaffre neighbors. A considerable number of these 
natives have abandoned the tribal state and taken service, either 
freely or by compulsion, with the whites as farm laborers in the 
rural districts, and as domestic servants in the towns, and are also 
largely employed in mining operations. The great bulk of the 
rest, who retain their national usages and recognize the authority 
of more or less independent tribal chiefs, are concentrated in the 
northern and eastern provinces. 

There are also natives in Bloemhoff (extreme southwest), and 
in the western provinces of Rustenburg and Marico, but only a few 



2G THE TRANSVAAL AND ORANGE FREE STATE. 

scattered groups in all tlie rest of the country. These western and 
southwestern tribes are all Bechuanas ; the others mainly Makatis, 
as the Basutos are here collectively called. It nia}^ be stated in a 
general way that the whole country south of the Lipalule is now 
free of native claims and open to European colonization, while the 
northern region between that river and the Limpopo is still to a large 
extent occupied by unreduced or unbroken Basuto communities. 

In the southern part of Lydenburg lies the somewhat detached 
district of New Scotland, conipi*ising some 500,000 acres selected 
b}^ the late Mr. JMcCorkindale as a Scotch pastoral and agricultural 
settlement. It is a healthy prosperous country, lying on the slopes 
of the Drakenberg, within 310 miles of Durban, Natal. But the 
most tliickl}^ settled province is Potchefstroom, a fertile tract, 3500 
to 5000 feet high, abundantly watered b};' the Mooi, Schoen, aud 
other streams flowing to the Vaal, and well suited for tillage and 
pasturage. Its capital of like name is one of the largest towns in 
Transvaal. The only other places deserving the name of town are 
Pretoria, capital of the province of like name and of the state, 
occup3'ing a somewhat central position 100 miles northeast of 
Potchefstroom, 980 from Cape Town, 820 from Port Elizabeth, and 
400 from Durban ; Barberton, in the Lower Kaap mining district, 
150 miles by road from Delagoa Bay, and Johannesburg, centre of 
the gold fields of the same name, 30 miles southeast of Pretoria, 
and 72 east of Potchefstroom, founded in 1886. . 

HISTORY OF THE TRANSVAAL. 

The historic life of Transvaal begins with the '' Great Trek," 
or general exodus of the Cape Colony Boers, who, being dissatis- 
fied, especially with the liberal policy of the British Government 
towards the natives, removed northward in large numbers between 
the 3'ears 1833 and 1837. ^3' ^^36 some thousands had already 
crossed the Vaal, that is, had reached the '^ Trans- Vaal " country, 
which at that time was mostl}^ under the sway of the powerful 
refugee Zulu chief IMoselekatze, Avhose principal kraal was at 
IMosega in the present Alarico district on the west frontier. To 
avenge the massacre of some emigrant bands, the Boers under 



THE TRANS VAAI, AND ORANGE FREE STATE. 2V 

Maritz and Potgieter, attacked and utterly defeated Moselekatze at 
this place in 1837. 

Next year tlie Zulu chief withdrew beyond the Limpopo, 
where he founded the present Matebele state between that river and 
the Zambesi, thus leaving the region between the Vaal and Limpopo 
virtually in the hands of the Trekkers or Boers. But their position 
was rendered insecure on the east side by the military despotism 
of the fierce Zulu chief Dingaan, who, after the murder of his 
brother Chaka, had asserted his authority over the whole of Zulu- 
land and most of the present Natal. The situation was rendered 
almost desperate by the complete rout and wholesale massacre, in 
1838, of the right division of the emigrant Boers, who had ven- 
tured to cross the Buffalo under Pieter Retief, and who were defeated 
, by Dingaan, when as many as 800 fell before the irresistible 
onslaught of the disciplined Zulu w^arriors. iVt this critical junc- 
ture the Trekkers were saved from utter extermination by Andries 
Pretorius of Graafif Reinet, by whom Dingaan met with a first 
check before the close of 1838, followed in January, 1840, by a still 
more crushing defeat, from which he did not recover. 

ORIGIN OF THE BOER REPUBLIC. 

Dingaan having been soon after murdered, the friendly Panda 
was set up in his place, and Natal proclaimed a Boer republic. But 
the British occupation of that territory in 1843 induced the Boers 
to retire in two bands across the Drakenberg, the southern divi- 
sion settling in the present Orange Free State, the northern again 
passing into Transvaal. But, owing to internal dissensions, and 
the perpetual bickerings of the two most prominent personalities, 
Pretorius and Potgieter, all attempts at establishing an organized 
system of government throughout Transvaal ended in failure, till 
Pretorius induced the British Government to sign the Sand River 
convention, January 17, 1852, which virtually established the poli- 
tical independence of that region . 

The death of both Pretorius and Potgieter in 1853 prepared 
the way for a period of internal peace under Pretorius's eldest son, 
Marthinus Wessels Pretorius, first president of the " Dutch African 



28 THE TRANSVAAL AND ORANGE FREE STATE. 

Republic," wHose title was afterwards altered, 1858, to tliat of the 
" South. African Republic." But a fatal element of weakness lay- 
in the persistent refusal of the Boers to treat the natives on a foot- 
ing of equality, or even with common justice. The murder of Her- 
mann Potgieter and family, 1854, avenged by Pretorius at Maka- 
pan's Cave, was followed, 1856, by the " Apprentice Law," estab- 
lishing a system of disguised slavery, which was further strength- 
ened b}^ the sanction, 1858, of the Grond ivet^ or " Fundamental 
Law," declaring that the " people will admit of no equality of per- 
sons of color with the white inhabitants either in State or Church." 

Owing to this policy opposition was constantly shown both to 
the Knglish traders, disposed to deal fairly with all, and to the 
missionaries, preachers of universal equality, as illustrated by the 
plunder of the explorer Livingstone's house by the expedition sent 
against the native chief Secheli in 1852. 

Orange Free State, an independent republic adjoining the 
Cape Colony, South Africa, is bounded on the north by the Vaal 
river, south by the Orange river, east by the Caledon river and 
Drakenberg mountains, and west by a line dividing it from Kim- 
berley and the diamond fields of Griqualand West. The area is 
70,000 square miles, and the population is nearly equally divided 
between the Dutch and native races. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES OF ORANGE FREE STATE. 

The country, which has an average elevation of 4500 feet 
above the sea, consists of a series of extensive undulating plains, 
bounded or diversified b}^ detached rocky hills. These plains slope 
from the central watershed northward and southward, respectively, 
to the Vaal and Orange rivers, and are intersected at various inter- 
vals by the Wilge, Rhenoster, Valsch, Vet, Modder and Riet rivers, 
emptying their waters into the Vaal river, and by the Caledon, 
which joins the Orange river. The southern and eastern districts 
are covered with luxuriant grasses, affording excellent pasturage 
for stock. In the western districts the grasses are gradually being 
supplanted by a dwarf bush vegetation. The river-banks are 
fringed with willow, mimosa, and other indigenous trees, and 



30 "run TRANSVAAL AND ORANGE EREB STATE. 

shrubs and trees of larger growtli are found on tlie eastern moun- 
tain ranges ; but generally the country is woodless, and, to remedy 
tbis, tbe Government offers premiums for tbe encouragement of 
tree-planting. 

Tbe geological cbaracteristics are similar to tbose of tbe inland 
districts of Cape Colony. Tbe soutb-western portion is an exten- 
sion of tbe Karroo or lake formation of Soutb Africa, consisting 
of sandstone and sbales intersected by intrusive igneous rocks. In 
tbis formation occurs tbe diamond mine of Jagersfontein, near tbe 
village of Fauresmitb, wbicb bas been worked for years. Tbe 
nortb-eastern part, again, consists of sandstones, containing hori- 
zontal coal-seams. Tbe coal outcrops in tbe Kronstad and Heilbron 
districts are being utilized. In tbe Drift deposits along some river 
beds, sucb as tbe Sand, Caledon and Vaal rivers, tbere are accumu- 
lations of pebbles, consisting of agate, jasper, cbalcedony, came- 
lian, wbite quartz, garnets and occasionally diamonds. 

Tbe climate is salubrious, and specially remarkable for its 
dryness. Tbousands of ^vild game formerly occupied tbe plains 
of tbe state, but tbeir numbers and variety bave greatly diminisbed, 
and some bave been entirely exterminated. 

SOURCES OF IMMENSE WEALTH. 

Tbe resources of tbe state are agricultural, pastoral and min- 
eral. Tbe principal occupations of tbe inhabitants are tbe breed- 
ing of cattle, borses, goats, merino sbeep and ostriches. Agriculture 
is attended to on a larger or smaller scale according to the capabil- 
ities of tbe various farms, and vineyards and orchards are planted 
on many properties. Tbe staple articles of export, however, arc 
wool, skins, ostrich feathers and diamonds, all of which are shipped 
from tbe seaports of tbe Cape Colony and Natal. 

Bloemfontein, tbe capital and seat of government, is situated 
about the centre of tbe state. It is an agreeable town, and bas a 
handsome range of public offices, where the Volksraad, or assembh' 
of tbe people, meets, a high court (consisting of a chief-justice and 
two judges), a municipal burgher council, banks, newspapers, 
hotels, clubs, a college, schools, and several churches, including 




ELEPHANT PROTECTING HER YOUNG FROM HUNTERS' SPEARS. 

31 



32 THE TRANSVAAI. AND ORANGE FREE STATE. 

the Dutcli Reformed cliurcli, the Anglican clinrcli, with a resident 
bishop, and Wesleyan, Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches. 
At the commencement of the nineteenth century, the country 
was inhabited by sections of aboriginal tribes—Bushmen, Koran- 
nas, and Bechuanas; and soon afterwards a number of Griquas 
from the north-west of the Cape Colony came in among them. A 
chronic state of warfare prevailed between these races. In 1824, 
nomad farmers from the Colony, seeking pastures for their flocks, 
crossed the Orange river, and settled in the territory. These were 
followed in 1835-36 by large bodies of Dutch Boer emigrants, who 
left the Colony in order to be beyond British control. 

NO PEACE WITHOUT GOOD GOVERNMENT. 

They formed a rude government for themselves, and, in 
attempting to exercise authority, came into collision with the Gri- 
quas, who claimed protection from the Colony, with which they 
were allied by treaty. The British governor. Sir P. Maitland, 
intervened in 1845, assisting the Griquas with troops, and defeat- 
ing the Boers at Zwart Koppies; and, to prevent further collisions, 
a resident was appointed. In 1848, Governor Sir H. Smith visited 
the territory, and came to the conclusion that peace could not be 
maintained among the mixed elements forming the population 
without the establishment of a regular government. 

He, therefore, issued a proclamation, afterwards confirmed by 
the Crown, annexing the territory to the empire, under the name of 
the Orange River British Sovereignty. Thereupon some of the 
Boers, under their leader Pretorius, took up arms, and expelled the 
British magistrates; but a military force was brought against them 
by Sir H. Smith in person, and, after a short, but sharp, encounter 
at Boomplaats, the Boers were defeated, and the Crown's authority 
re-established and maintained from that time until 1853. 

But disturbances again occurred, arising from long-standing 
disputes between the native tribes ; and, in order to chastise the 
most powerful of them — the Basutos — for certain acts of outrage. 
Governor Cathcart in 1852 moved a large military expedition 
against their chief, Moshesh, and the battle of the Berea was 




FIELD MARSHAL LORD ROBERTS 

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE BRITISH FORCES IN SOUTH AFRICA, 
SUCCESSOR TO GENERAL BULLER 




, AN 



BOOY-GU'VRO VISITING A C\n 




A bRIllSH CORPORAL OF THE 5th LANCERS SPEARING TWO BOERS 
WITH ONE THRUST AT THE BATTLE OF ELANDSLAA^TE 




BRITISH ARMORED TRAIN ATTACKED BY BOERS 
NEAR LADYSMITH 




A TYPICAL HINDOOSTANEE 

THROUGHOUT SOUTH AFRICA, ESPECIALLY IN NATAL, ARE MANY INDIANS DISTRIBUTED AMONG 

THE FARMERS. THE WOMEN DECORATE THEMSELVES WITH SILVER AND GOLD 

JEWELRY. THE POORER CLASSES TAKE THIS METHOD OF SAVING MONEY 




"long TOM"— the great GANNON USED BY THE BOERS IN 
BOMBARDING DUNDEE AND CAPTURED BY THE BRITISH 




THE STRUGGLE IN SOUTH AFR.CA-ARR, VA L OF ENGLISH TROOPS AT 

LADYSMITH, NATAL 




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I'HK TRANvSVAAl^ AND ORANGlii FREH STATK. 38 

fought, after wliicli the chief, on behalf of the tribe, gave in his 
submission. After this expedition the British Government resolved 
to withdraw from the territory. 

Sir George Clerk was deputed as a special commissioner to 
carry out the abandonment of the country ; and, notwithstanding 
the protests of many inhabitants, he formally handed it over to a 
body of Boer delegates, in terms of a convention entered into on 
the 23d of February, 1854. They were released from their alle- 
giance, and permitted to constitute an independent republican com- 
munity of their own, under the title of the " Orange River Free 
State." Since that time the government has been in the hands of 
a president, assisted by an executive council, with a volksraad or 
congress elected by the people, exercising all legislative functions. 

The state is financially in a flourishing condition. In case of 
necessity all able-bodied citizens are liable to be called upon for its 
defense. Commerce exports wool, diamonds, hides, ostrich-feathers 
and live animals. Education stands at a fairly high level amongst 
the whites ; the prevailing religion is the Dutch Reformed. 

Pastoral pursuits predominate, and the Orange Free State is a 
nation of farmers, yet gradually the mineral resources of the coun- 
try are being developed, and commerce has already assumed con- 
siderable importance. 



1R 



CHAPTER II. 

The Boers and Kaffirs. 



HB territory of tlie Transvaal and Orange Free State was once 
exclnsively occupied by tlie famous Kafars, and, indeed, this 
tribe is now freely intermingled with the white or foreign 
inhabitants of those republics. The same may be said of Natal 
and Cape Colony, which are British possessions, although with the 
constant advance northward of civilization the native savages grow 
less in number as compared with the white settlers and are no 
longer the controlling power. Here is witnessed a repetition of 
that subjection of the native race which is seen in our own country 
with respect to the Indians. 

The Kaf&rs form one tribe of the great Bechuana family. 
Their national character is bold, warlike and independent. From 
these qualities,, as well as from the cast of their countenance, some 
have conjectured that they are of Arabian origin. The men are 
extremely tall and well-proportioned, many being six feet and more 
in height ; the women are naturally good-tempered, animated and 
cheerful, with teeth beautifully white and regular, and without the 
thick lips or flat noses of most of the natives of Africa ; but they 
form a strong contrast to the men in the lowness of their stature, 
their figures being short and sturdy. 

Their name of Kaffir, or unbeliever, was originally given to 
the inhabitants of the southeastern coast of Africa by the Moors, 
and, being adopted by the Portuguese, it became the common ap- 
pellation of all the tribes occupying that region. The following 
sketch was from the life: 

" lyO ! where he crouches by the kloof's* dark side, 
Eyeing the farmer's lowing herds afar; 
Impatient, watching till the evening star 

lyead forth the twilight dim, that he may glide 

*In these lines "kloof" means gully, a dark ravine, 
34 



THE BOERS AND KAI^FIRS. 35 

lyike panther to the prey. With freeborn pride 

He scorns the herdsman — nor regards the scar 
Of recent wound — but burnishes for war 

His assagai and targe of bufifalo-hide. 
' He is a robber ? ' — True ; it is a strife 

Between the black-skinned bandit and the white. 
' A savage ? ' — Yes ; though loth to aim at life, 

Evil for evil fierce he doth requite. 
* A heathen ? ' — Teach him, then, thy better creed, 

Christian, if thou deserv'st that name indeed ! " 

The manner of life of these people is, in general, extremely 
simple. Their diet mostly consists of milk, which is kept in leath- 
ern bottles until it is sufficiently thick and acidulous. They eat 
also boiled corn, which is usually served up in small baskets, from 
which each one helps himself with his hands. They sometimes 
make of their corn a kind of pottage ; at other times they form it 
into thick cakes, which are baked on the hearth. They lay up 
provisions for winter use, either in pits or subterranean granaries. 
An occasional feast of animal food, with the articles now mentioned, 
are sufficient for the support of this hardy race. 

MODE OP DRESS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 

The native apparel of the Kaffirs consists wholly of the skins 
of beasts, so prepared as to render them perfectly soft and pliable. 
Sometimes they are long enough to reach to the feet, hang loosely 
from the shoulders in the manner of a cloak, and are, in general, 
the only covering adopted by the men. To protect themselves from 
the parching effect of the sun's rays, they anoint themselves from 
head to foot with some unctuous substance. The same materials 
are used by the women, but their dress is of a different shape. The 
iress of the white settlers is becoming more and more common 
among the natives. 

The chief wealth of the Kaffir consists in his herds of cattle. 
Nothing affects him more than an injury done to his horned crea- 
tures, whose increase and prosperity appear to occupy the chief 
place in his' thoughts, and to be the ruling motive of his actions. 
The more laborious occupations of tillage, of felling wood, and of 



36 



THE BOERS AND KAFFIRS. 



building dwellings, are performed by the women, whose life, after 
marriage, is indeed one of bondage. 

The bartering practiced at a fair is worth}- of notice. The 
Kaffir having articles to dispose of, sits down amidst his comrades, 
waiting the approach of a colonial dealer, who produces his beads 
and other species of traffic. Neither party understands the other's 
language, yet it seldom happens that an interpreter is present. 

Should the beads or other commodities offisred not be con- 




EXPLORER DINING WITH A KAFFIR CHIEF. 

sidered b}- the Kaffir sufficient for the transfer of his own produce, 
a shake of the head adequately denotes his dissatisfaction. ^lore 
beads, perhaps, are then added on the one side, dissent being still 
manifested on the other, until, as the dealer is not disposed to 
make any further advance, the affair terminates, without agree- 
ment, to the vexation of the bead merchant, whose time and patience 
have been so unprofitably exhausted ; but to the utter indifference 
of the Kaffir, whose imperturbable coolness is an additional source 
of chagrin to the unsuccessful bidder. 



THE BOERS AND KAFFIRS. 37 

A second and a third dealer often display their ornamental 
treasures with similar failure, and it not infrequently happens that 
the tenacious Kaffir departs without disposing of his commodity, 
which he brings to the next fair, and perhaps exchanges ultimately 
for articles of less number and value than had previously been 
offered. 

When a bargain of any magnitude is concluded, the chief is 
generally at hand to substantiate his claim, considering himself 
entitled to a certain portion of the profits as his tribute, in con- 
sequence of his territory having been made the scene of traffic. 
His retainers are therefore dispersed throughout the fair, to watch 
the various negotiations, and summon their chief at the close of 
any considerable bargain, no fraction of the payment being touched 
by the salesman before his arrival. The chief is sometimes extor- 
tionate. 

A traveler having expressed to an interpreter his surprise 
that on one occasion a Kaffir should have submitted, without 
remonstrance, to the greedy demands of the chief Gaika, he shook 
his head significantly, and, showing his mutilated hand, replied, 
" I once ventured to remonstrate with him myself, when he flew 
into a rage, and would have thrust his assagai through m}'' body, 
had I not parried the javelin with my hand, and luckily escaped 
with the loss of my thumb. I am not taking any risks.'' 

SAMPLE OF SOUTH AFRICAN JUSTICE. 

A different story is told of the chief Macomo. An English- 
man, being dissatisfied with the conduct of a slave he had brought 
into Kaffraria from the Cape Colony, after some altercation and 
a few strokes from his whip of rhinoceros hide, carried him before 
Macomo, the chief of a tribe near the river Keissi. Here the 
master and slave filed cross bills against each other. The slave 
produced Avitnesses to prove that his master had abused and struck 
him without cause; and the master accused the slave of laziness, 
insolence, and disobedience, and demanded that he should be 
punished by a severe flogging. 

Macomo, having heard both parties, informed them that in 



38 THK BOERS AND KAFFIRS. 

KafFraria there are no slaves, and that he mnst therefore consider 
them nierel}' as two men who had made a bargain with each other. 
'' Now, it appears," said he to the Englishman, '' that 3'on have 
strnck this man, and otherwise ill-treated him ; bnt you can show no 
proof that he had injured you by offering 3'ou violence. I therefore 
declare your bargain at an end. He is free to go where he pleases, 
and you shall pay him an ox for the wrong you have done him." 

The decision liiglil}- incensed the Englishman, who refused to 
submit. '' He deserved punishment, not reward," said he, " for his 
insolence." " You have not proved that,' ' said Maconio ; '' but had 
it been so, j-ou should have brought him to me. Why do I sit 
here, if need be, from sunrise to sunset ? It is to decide between 
man and man in cases where their anger blinds them, and hinders 
their judgment. If men use their hands in. secret, instead of their 
tongues before the judge or the old men, whose life would be worth 
a husk of corn ? There would be no safety then for any one." 

''DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ELEPHANT AND A DEER." 

The traveler replied that he would not argue the matter with 
Alacomo, " as he was ignorant of the usages of civilized life, and 
did not understand the rights of property. I will complain of 3'our 
conduct," he added, "to Major Somerset, the commander of the 
frontier, who will soon show you the difference between an elephant 
and a deer." To this taunt IMacomo calmly replied, '' I know that 
Somerset is stronger than I am. He is an elephant, but neither I 
nor ni}' father has been called a deer. You say that 3'our people 
are wiser than ours. You do not show it in appealing from reason 
to force. ^Vhen 5^ou return to the colon}-, the magistrate will decide 
between you ; here it can go no further. Give him the ox," he 
added ; " it will be better for 3-011." The ox was given. 

The tribes of South Africa, like the Indians of North America, 
the natives of Ceylon, and man}- other wideh- separated people, 
have their rain-makers, who pretend to command the clouds b3' 
means of certain magic charms of which the3- have the secret. 

These impostors have most power in countries which are sub- 
ject to frequent droughts, and where the people depend for subsist- 



THE BOERS A^ND KAFFIRS. 39 

ence on corn or cattle. Such is the case with the Kaffirs, among 
whom the belief prevails that rain can be withheld or granted at 
the will of their rain-doctor. 

They therefore seek the aid of one of them with much cere- 
mony. The chief and his attendant warriors proceed in state to 
his dwelling with presents of cattle ; and after signifying their re- 
quest, they institute a feast, which often lasts many days, during 
which the impostor pretends that he is using his magic charms. 

One of the devices is to collect a few leaves of each kind of 
tree from a neighboring forest, to be simmered in large pots over a 
fire, and then to kill a sheep by pricking it in the heart with a long 
needle, while the series of superstitious ceremonies is passed through. 
As the simmering goes on and steam arises, it is supposed to ascend 
and render the clouds propitious, so that the needed showers de- 
scend. Meanwhile the dance is joined in by all the tribe; it is 
continued throughout the day, and when midnight comes it still 
goes on ; it may be accompanied with songs, in which the praises of 
the rain-maker are shouted in a long-continued chorus. 

STRANGE METHODS OF THE RAIN-MAKERS. 

This act, however, is often premature ; for the rain-maker fails ; 
the young corn often withering for want of the genial and refresh- 
ing showers. Other expedients are then tried. Thus, a large 
circle is formed of young men ; they encompass the side of a moun- 
tain which the antelopes love to haunt, and, gradually contracting 
their range, they commonly succeed in taking captive several of 
these little animals. Their voices are supposed to attract rain. 
The cunning practitioner, trusting not to any natural sounds, urges 
them round the kraal, and calls forth their screams by pinchings 
and other tortures. Should all his efforts prove abortive, he seeks 
safety, like other impostors, in flight, when, on the continuance of 
drought, the aid of some other of his tribe is eagerly coveted. 

When visitors arrive wanting aid, he often amuses them by 
pretending to work his witcheries, and they are, at length, dis- 
missed with a variety of instructions, on the due observance of 
which the expected boon is made to depend. These instructions 



40 THE BOERS AND KAFFIRS. 

are generally of the most trivial nature : they are not to look back 
on their journey home ; or they are not to speak ; or they are to 
compel ever}' one the}^ meet to return home with them ; and so on. 
If rain occurs, the credit, of course, is assumed by, and conceded 
to, the rainmaker ; if disappointment ensues, they blame themselves 
for not having adequatel}'- carried out the instructions they received. 
The idle ceremou}^ is again repeated ; the poor people have 
again to make presents, to feast, and to receive instructions ; thus 
much time is consumed, during which the season of drought fre- 
quently passes away. One of the most intelligent of the Kaffirs 
once visited a missionary, Mr. Shaw, and said he was determined 
to have the question set at rest, whether or not the rainmaker could 
produce rain. " We will have our rainmaker summoned to meet 
you in an open plain, where all the Kaffirs of the surrounding 
kraals shall be present to judge between you and him." 

EASY EXCUSES FOR FAILURE. 

This was agreed to, and at the appointed time and place thou- 
sands of Kaffirs from the neighboring country appeared in their 
war-dresses. Mr. Shaw being confronted A^-ith a celebrated rain- 
maker, declared openly that God alone gave rain ; and offered to 
present the rainmaker with a team of oxen if he should succeed in 
causing any to descend within a certain specified time. This was 
aoreed to : the rainmaker commenced his ceremonies, which are 
said to have been well calculated to impose on an ignorant and 
superstitious people. The time ha\'ing expired without anj^ signs 
of rain, the chief who had convened the meeting inquired of the 
rainmaker wh}- he had so long imposed upon them ? The rain- 
maker evaded the question, and complained that he had not been 
paid well enough for the rain, and he appealed to all present to say 
whethei rain had not alwa3's been forthcoming on proper remuner- 
ation. 

j\Ir. Shaw now pointed out some half-famished cattle belonging 
to the rainmaker which were to be seen on an adjacent hill starving 
for want of pasturage ; thus clearl}^ proving that had he possessed 
the skill to which he pretended, it was not likely he would have 



THE BOKRS AND KAFFIRS. 41 

neglected his own interests. To this the rainmaker adroitly replied, 
addressing the people : " I never found any difficulty in making 
rain till he came among us " (pointing to Mr. Shaw) ; " but now, 
no sooner do I collect the clouds, and the rain is about to fall in 
copious showers on the dry and parched soil, than there immediately 
begins a sound of ting^ ii'^g-^ ^if^g (alluding to the chapel bell), 
^' which puts the clouds to flight, and prevents the rain from de- 
scending on your land." Mr. Shaw could not decide as to the effect 
of this ingenious plea on the majority of the Kaffirs ; but he had 
the satisfaction of knowing that the intelligent native who consulted 
him on the subject never made any more presents for rain. 

FRIGHTFUL WAR-DANOE. 

Steedman describes an occasion when Gaika, the Kaffir chief, 
accompanied by his wives, and a large retinue of attendant warriors, 
had been permitted to enter Fort Wiltshire, on the Keiskamma 
River, and were exhibiting to its inmates the peculiar and terrific 
war-dance of his tribe. 

" This," he says, " was a performance, indeed, far more adapted 
to astonish than to please, exciting alarm rather than admiration, 
and displaying in rapid succession the habits and ferocious passions 
of a savage community. Let the reader picture to himself a hun- 
dred or more unclad Africans, besmeared and disfigured with copious 
defilements of red clay, and assuming with frantic gestures all the 
characteristic vehemence of a furious engagement. The dance 
commenced with a slow movement to a sort of humming noise from 
the women in the rear, the men stamping and beating time with 
their feet, until the gradual excitement occasioned a simultaneous 
spring with corresponding shouts, when the action proceeded to an 
unnatural frenzy, and was calculated to produce in the mind of a 
stranger the most appalling sensations. 

" The dusky glare of the fire blazing in front of these formid- 
able warriors, during their wild and unearthly evolutions, gave an 
additional degree of awful effect to this extraordinary scene ; and 
all that I had ever read in poetry or romance of the Court of Pan- 
demonium, or the Hall of Bblis, fell infinitely short to my imagi- 



42 



THE BOERS AND KAFFIRS. 



nation, compared witli tiie realities before me. It was indeed a 
most seasonable relief amidst tbe bewildering fancies of tbe 
moment, to bear tbe gratifying sound of 'All's well ' from tbe sen- 
tries on tbe outposts of tbe fort, wbicb imparted to tbe mind a feel- 
ing of security and composure tbat, as may well be conceived, was 
truly welcome." 

A traveler, wisbing to survey tbe scenery in tbe vicinity of 




HERD OF SPRINGBOKS IN Wh'h I^LIGHT. 

tbe Wbite river, started one morning before sunrise, and set out on 
borseback on an exploratory ramble, accompanied by a Hottentot 
guide on foot, equipped witb bis gun and bunting gear. Tbe sun 
bad not yet risen over tbe busby bills as tbey proceeded down tbe 
valley, and every tree and flower was brigbt and sparkling witb 
dew, diffusing a grateful feeling of fresbness in tbis tbirsty land, 
wbere rain is precarious and often long denied. 

Tbe ricb fragrance of tbe wild African jessamine, clustering 



THE BOERS AND KAFFIRS. 43 

witli its white flowers around the rocks and aged trees, agreeably 
attracted attention, and recalled the thoughts of the traveler to far 
distant scenes, where he had seen the same beautiful shrub, or a 
species nearly resembling it, naturalized in the rigorous clime of 
Britain. Blue-bells, too, almost precisely similar to those of the Scot- 
tish braes, were growing among the tangled brushwood through 
which they wound their way ; and a small bird now and then chirped 
a few wild notes, which so much resembled the preluding quiver of 
the wood-lark, as to be almost startling. But the song died away 
in a feeble trill, and all again was silent, save the cooing of turtle- 
doves, which, even in the autumn of South Africa, is continually 
to be heard at early morn, in a woodland country, and which pro- 
duces a soothing, though somewhat monotonous, effect. 

VAST FOREST OF EVERGREENS. 

After proceeding a mile or two down the river, they struck 
into a path on the left hand, which led into the bosom of a jungle, 
behind the woody heights which bound the White river on the 
south. The path on which they now entered led them along a sort 
of valley, or rather avenue, through the forests of evergreens and 
brushwood, which covered the undulating country as far as the eye 
could reach. This avenue consisted of a succession of grassy 
savannahs, often of large extent, opening into each other through 
the jungle, and affording a wide range of excellent pasturage for 
the herds of the settlement. 

It had, however, the disadvantage of being destitute of water, 
excepting after heavy rains ; and another serious drawback was the 
extreme hazard to which the cattle pastured in it, as well as their 
keepers, were exposed during the disturbances with the Kaffirs, in 
consequence of the extent of jungle that surrounds it. Of this 
danger sufficient demonstration was exhibited to the traveler by 
his guide pointing out, as they passed along, the spot where, a few 
years before, nine of his comrades were slaughtered, and of which 
he gave the following account. 

During the irruption of the Kaffir clans, after the invasion 
and devastation of their country by the Colonial Government in 



44 THE BOERS AND KAFFIRS. 

1819, tlie mountains and forests of the Zureberg were occupied by 
numerous marauding bands of tbese barbarians, who poured them- 
selves into the colony in a state of great exasperation, resolved 
either to recapture the cattle of which they had been plundered, or 
to indemnify themselves by carrying off those of the colonists. They 
had already several times menaced the Moravian village of Bnon with 
nightly attacks ; and as it was well known that parties of them were 
lurking in the vicinity, the cattle of the community were constantly 
guarded by ten or twelve of the most courageous and sturdy Hot- 
tentots armed with guns. 

The Kaf&rs had no other arms than " kirries " and "assagais," 
that is, clubs and javelins ; and they knew from experience that 
these herdsmen were unerring marksmen, and that their own 
weapons and mode of warfare were but ill-fitted to compete with 
the firelock. They had determined, however, at all hazards, to 
possess themselves of the fine herd of cattle belonging to the set- 
tlement, and in their attempt they proved successful. 

A HORRIBLE MASSACRE. 

The Hottentots had one day driven the cattle up this avenue 
into one of the open spots, or woodland prairies, already described, 
and observing no fresh traces of the enemy, seated themselves in 
a group, about a hundred paces from the side of the jungle, and 
began to smoke their pipes, each with his loaded gun lying down 
beside him on the grass. 

The Kafiirs, who were eagerly watching all their motions 
from the neighboring heights, judged that this was a favorable 
opportunity to attack them. Creeping through the thickets, with 
the stealth}^ pace of the panther, they advanced cautiously to the 
skirts of the copse-wood nearest to the herdsmen ; and then 
crouching in silence till they observed them eagerly engaged in 
conversation, and with their faces turned in a different direction, 
the}^ burst out upon them suddenly, with their frightful war-whoop. 
Pouring in a shower of javelins as they rushed forward, they almost 
instantly closed, club in hand, with the few not already transfixed 
by their missiles. 



tnU BOERS AND KAFElRg. 45 

So sudden and unexpected was tlie onset, tliat only two of tlie 
ten Hottentots had time to fire. Two of tlie assailants fell ; but 
tlieir loss was bloodily avenged by tbe slaughter of nine of the 
herdsmen, one of their number escaping by flying to the jungle, 
with two javelins sticking in his body ; and the cattle of the settle- 
ment, to the amount of upwards of a thousand head, became a prey i 
to the enemy. 

The men thus slain were among the best and most industrious 
of the little community, and all of them left wives and families to 
deplore their untimely fate. The event overwhelmed the settle- 
ment with lamentation and dismay ; and as the cattle were the 
chief support of the inhabitants, and as an attack on the village 
was nightly anticipated, the Moravian institution was soon after- 
wards abandoned, and its inmates took refuge in the district town 
of Uitenhage, where they were received with much sympathy, and 
treated with great kindness both by the inhabitants and the gov- 
ernment functionaries. From this place of refuge they subse- 
quently returned to further carry on their work. 

FAMOUS "SLAUGHTER TREE." 

As a rude wagon track approaches a glep, the path is closed 
in on either side for a considerable distance by the tall jungle, so 
luxuriant in its growth that one would suppose even a wolf or a 
leopard would scarcely be able to find a way through it. The path 
itself, originally tracked out by the elephants, appears to have been 
widened by the axe just sufficiently to allow a single wagon to pass 
along, and it now formed the only access on this side to the upper 
part of the glen. This pass is called the " Slagtboom;" and it is 
said to have acquired its name from the following occurrence : 

Many years before the Kaffirs were dispossessed of this part 
of the country, and finally driven over the Great Fish River, the 
chief Congo and his clan occupied the White River valley and the 
fastnesses of the adjacent mountains in great force. During one 
of the struggles that ensued, in consequence of Congo's attempt 
to maintain himself in possession of this district, a party of seventy 
or eighty Boers were sent to occupy this glen, while other troops 



46 



THE BOERS AND KAEl^IRS- 



environed tlie Kaffir camp from the opposite side. The Boers rode 
in without opposition through this pass ; but, finding the enemy 
stronger than they expected, the}^ became alarmed, and attempted 
to retreat by the same road. 

The Kaffirs, however, who on this occasion showed themselves 
to be not destitute of military skill, had in the meantime blocked 




SCENE IN A SOUTH AFRICAN VIIvLAGE- 

up the narrow path by stretching a large tree across it near the 
centre, and fastening it with thongs and wattles at either end; 
and then stationing themselves in strong bands among the copse- 
wood, they attacked the Boers on all sides, as soon as they had 
fairly entered the defile, with showers of javelins, and slew a great 
number of them before they were able to force a passage through. 
From this blood}^ catastrophe the spot obtained the name of 
*' Slagtboom " or '' Slaughter Tree." 



ThK BOKRS and KAI^I^IRS. 47 

In 1811 a great effort was made by the colonial government 
to expel the Kaffirs from this quarter of the country, which they 
claimed as their own, having occupied it, in fact, for the greater 
part of a century, and having, as they alleged, and it is believed 
truly, twice purchased it — first from the Hottentots, and afterwards 
from the Boers. Their claim of possession, however, whether just 
or otherwise, the colonial government had determined not to re- 
cognize, and orders were suddenly issued to "invite'' them to 
evacuate this territory, and, if they refused immediate compliance, 
to drive them by fire and sword across the Great Fish River. 

CRUEL TREATMENT OF THE KAFFIRS. 

At the time when the colonial troops assembled to carry this 
order into execution it was in the summer, when the corn and 
vegetables of the Kaffirs were not fully ripe ; and the hardship of' 
their being obliged to abandon their crops, and, consequently, to 
suffer a twelve months' scarcity, during which many must perish 
of absolute famine, was urgently pleaded to obtain a short respite. 
Their remonstrances, however, were not listened to ; the peremptory 
mandate was given to remove instantly. 

During these transactions, while the Kaffirs were highly ex- 
asperated by what they considered cruel and oppressive treatment, 
and were beginning to assume a very hostile attitude, the chief 
magistrate of the district, old Landdrost Stockenstrom, sought a 
conference with some of the principal chiefs, with the benevolent 
purpose of endeavoring to persuade them to evacuate the country 
peacefully, in order to avoid the devastation and bloodshed that 
must otherwise ensue. Mr. Stockenstrom was much respected by 
the Kaffirs, on account of the justice and humanity he had dis- 
played when disputes had occurred between them and the colonists ; 
and, trusting to their characteristic good faith, he had repeatedly 
ventured among them with a very slender escort. 

It was reported that on the present occasion, for an interview 
was not declined, a message was secretly sent him by one of the 
chiefs warning him not to trust his safety at that time among 
them. This warning, however, as well as the earnest dissuasions 



48 THE BOERS AND KAEFIRS. 

of some of his own people, Stockenstrom, thougli a cautious as well 
as a brave man, disregarded, and met tlie Kaffirs in tlie forest of 
the Zureberg with only about a dozen or fifteen attendants. 

Whether the chiefs who acceded to this meeting were accessory 
to any premeditated plan of treachery does not appear to have been 
clearly ascertained, but certain it is that Stockenstrom and his j 
party were suddenly attacked in one of the dangerous defiles of the 
forest, near the spot appointed for the conference, and most of 
them massacred. One of the few who escaped saved his life by 
flying into the forest and creeping through the thickets " like a 
jackal," as he expressed it, until he reached a place of safety. 

MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD. 

This perfidious slaughter appears, on satisfactory evidence, 
to have been perpetrated by a band of the Ammadankee tribe, a 
broken clan, who entertained an inveterate, deadly animosity to- 
wards the colonists, of the origin of which the following account is 
given : About the year 1770, the Boers of Bruin tjes-hoogte invited 
the Ammadankee clan of Kaffirs, of whom Jalumba was then chief, 
to meet them on the western bank of the Great Fish River, for 
the purpose of holding a consultation on some public matters. The 
Ammadankee attended the meeting, where a peaceable conference 
was held, and they were entertained with brandy and tobacco. 

After which the Boers said they had brought a costly present 
for their good friends, the Kaffirs ; and, having placed some rush 
mats on the ground, they spread upon them a profusion of beads, 
and invited their visitors to make a scramble and display their 
activity in picking them up on a signal being given. The Boers then 
retired a little distance to where their guns were lying loaded with 
two or three bullets each. The promised signal being given by the 
Veld-cornet Botman, the Kaffirs, dreading no guile, rushed upon 
the beads, overturning one another in their eagerness to seize a 
share of these tempting trinkets. At this instant the Boers, seiz- 
ing their firearms, poured in a volley on their unsuspecting visitors 
with so destructive an aim that very few, it is said, escaped the 
massacre. 




TRANSVAAL ARTILLERY FIRING ON THE ENEMY AT GLENCOE 







LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR GEORGE WHITE 

COMMANDER OF THE BRITISH FORCES IN NATAL 




THE TRANSVAAL CRISIS-BOERS HELIOGRAPHI NG ON THE FRONTIER 




BRITISH MOUNTED INFANTRY RECONNOITERI NG IN NATAL 



THE BOERS AND KAEl^IRS. 49 

^he residue, having lost their chiefs and their principal men, 
became a *' broken clan," abandoned the banks of the Fish River, 
and sought refuge in the Zureberg with their chief Congo and 
their countrymen of the tribe of Tinde; and it was some of the 
descendants of this unfortunate family, who, remembering that day 
of treachery and murder, now seized the opportunity of revenging 
the wrongs of their race on the colonists. A son of their old op- 
pressor, Botman, was among the slain. 

When the Cape Colony, by the events of war, passed finally 
into British hands, it was occupied by a Dutch population, be- 
yond the limits of whose somewhat circumscribed settlements 
resided various tribes of native origin, thinly scattered and curiously 
mixed. The Bushman was probably the earliest tenant of the soil ; 
but he had receded before the Hottentot, and the Hottentot before 
the Kaffir ; until the actual occupation of the country had come to 
be determined by a species of conquest. Then the frontier of the 
colony was defined towards the northeast by the course of the 
Orange River, beyond which the jurisdiction of the British Gov- 
ernment was not presumed to extend. 

SETTLEMENT OF A NEW COUNTRY. 

Although the European settlers were but thinly planted on the 
territory, yet the irresistible exigencies of pastoral life induced a 
few of the colonists as early as 1825 ^^ struggle across the Orange 
River in quest of fresh fields and more productive pastures ; but it 
was not till eleven years later that the emigration in this direc- 
tion assumed any serious proportions. Then, however, occurred an 
exodus which, in relation to the numbers of the colonial population, 
was really considerable, and in its character and consequences more 
important still. 

The Dutch farmers, or Boers, had become actively hostile to 
British rule. Without speculating on the cause of this enmity, it 
will be enough to say that a large body of them crossed the frontier, 
and fought their way through dangers and difficulties, until they 
reached Natal, where they proceeded to establish a Batavian Re- 
public. Such an event naturally demanded the attention of the 



50 THE BOERS AND KAFFIRS. 

Britisli Government, for tlie Boers were Britisii subjects, and tlieir 
migration Had been accompanied by alarming disturbances on tbe 
colonial border. 

It was at tbat time, as it always lias been, tbe professed policy 
of England to put limits on her territorial progress, to avoid, if pos- 
* sible, the extension of her dominion, and to preclude the risks of 
' war and its results by cultivating the good will and amity of the 
chiefs beyond the frontier. But her precautions in this respect 
were utterly nullified by the proceedings of the Boers, who, assum- 
ing, as was in fact the case, that the tribes claiming a general 
ownership in the soil had little better title than themselves, showed 
small scruple or consideration in selecting their new settlements 
and the result appeared accordingly in confusion, discord, blood- 
shed, and peril. 

To extirpate these elements of danger the British followed the 
Boers to Natal, asserted their sovereignty in that province, and left 
Natal to become a British settlement, dependent on the Crown 
Colony of the Cape. Upon this, the Boers, animated by an invin- 
cible fanaticism, wheeled off to the west, crossed the Drakenburg 
range of mountains, and established themselves in the spacious 
district to the north of the British possessions between the Orange 
and Vaal rivers, and there set up a permanent home. 

SUPREMACY OF BRITISH AUTHORITY. 

In this region they maintained their institutions for some 
time, though always under the same conditions of conflict and 
with similar liabilities on the part of the colonial government. 
At length, in the year 1848, when Sir Harry Smith was Governor 
of the Cape, another step was taken. In the exercise of his admin- 
istration he discovered a disposition on the part not only of the 
native chiefs, but, as it appeared, on that of the Boers also, to place 
themselves immediately and actually under British sovereignty. 

At that time the Boers seem to have acquired the ascendancy, 
and to have alarmed the chiefs for the safety of their possessions, 
though the contest was still stubbornly maintained on both sides ; 
but the upshot of the negotiations was that the supremacy of the 



THE BOKRS AND KAl^I^IRS. 51 

Britisli Government was definitely and directly proclaimed. Tliese 
measures were but half agreeable to tbe authorities at home, who 
were impressed with a laudable horror of extending obligations 
which had already been found to carry with them so heavy a charge. 
However, as it was represented that England's supremacy would 
be sincerely welcomed by both parties, and that its exercise would 
cost nothing, the position was accepted, and the settlements of the 
Boers became attached to the Cape Colony as the Orange River 
Sovereignty. 

Six months sufficed to show that the misgivings of the Home 
Government were well founded, for in August, 1848, Sir Harry 
Smith was suddenly called upon to quell something like an insur- 
rection in the new sovereignty. In this he succeeded, but when, 
some two years later, a fresh Kaffir war broke out, it became pres- 
ently evident that the Orange River Sovereignty would aggravate 
England's troubles. The chiefs quarreled with each other, and all 
quarreled with the Boers, while both sides, instead of deferring to 
British authority, found their sole ground of agreement in plotting 
against the protectorship they had invited. 

Into the events of the Kaffir war, commenced by Sir Harry 
Smith, and concluded by General' Cathcart, we do not enter ; but 
one of the consequences of the contest was, that after a demonstra- 
tion of power the British retired from the Orange River Sovereignty, 
evacuated the country, and left the Boers to establish there a" Free 
State," adjacent to which, and beyond the river Vaal, there was 
also erected a " Trans- Vaal Republic." 



CHAPTER III. 

White Settlers and the Zulus. 

(5 I HK history of the Boers in South Africa is largely connected 
^1 with that of savage tribes, among whom the most powerful 
are the Kaffirs and Zulus. Strictly speaking, the Kaffirs 
include the Zulus, the latter being a subdi\dsion of the former. 
They are a branch of the great Bantu division of the human 
family, among whose sections the aggregate tribes or clans now 
generally known as the Zulus are conspicuous for their physical and 
intellectual development. 

By nature the men are brave, and are given to field sports, 
and, where opportunity offers, to border forays and intertribal 
strife. A noticeable feature in their nature is that when a fight is 
really ended, bitterl}^ and bravely as it usuall}^ is fought, no pas- 
sions appear to remain, nor are feelings of revenge harbored 
against each other. The Zulu government is that of a pure demo- 
crac}^, the chiefs being elected, and holding office during the plea- 
sure of the people. 

This pleasure is given expression to through parents to 
subheads of districts, through them to the heads of larger dis- 
tricts, and through them in turn to the chief direct. Legisla- 
tion occurs in the same way, through an expression of feeling 
from the body of the people to the chief through the heads of the 
districts. A very complete, though unwritten, code of law, civil 
and criminal, exists, and is well known to every adult Zulu. 
Polygamy is practiced throughout the country, and has been since 
time immemorial. The marriage-tie, however, with the tenth ol 
twentieth wife is as sacred as where there is only one. As a race 
the Zulus are conspicuous for their freedom from drunkenness and 
crime. The pursuits of the people are pastoral. 

Zululand is a territory of South Africa, lying to the north of 
the colony of Natal, with a coast line of about 130 miles. It is 

52 



WHITE SETTLERS AND THE ZUIvUS. 63 

occupied chiefly by Zulu tribes ; but since its conquest by England 
in 1 8 79 a Boer republic, known as the New Republic, has been 
carved out of it, which extends into the centre of the country from 
the Transvaal on its northwest, and comprises an area equal to 
nearly one-half of the remaining portion of Zululand. 

This portion is composed of a strip of country adjacent to 
Natal, lying to the south of the Umhlatuzi river, and the district 
extending along the coast to the north of that river for a distance 
inland var3dng from fifty to seventy miles. The former piece of 
country has been known since 1882 as the Zulu Reserve. It is 
bounded on the southwest by the Tugela, Buffalo and Blood rivers, 
the last named being one of the borders of the Transvaal. Republic. 

PICTURESQUE AND DIVERSIFIED SCENERY. 

Zululand presents very varied physical features : undulating 
country covered with mimosa " bush," in some parts very densely, 
alternates with wild and fantastically broken scenery, and thickly- 
wooded precipices and ravines, and these again with grass-clad hills. 
Two considerable forests exist in the country — one, the Ingonie 
Forest, lying in northern Zululand, just within the territory ceded 
to the Boers, the other upon the Natal border. The wholesale de- 
struction of woods for domestic purposes, which has robbed that 
colony of much of its beauty, and is believed to have seriously 
affected its rainfall, has not proceeded very far in Zululand. 

The mineral resources of the country have yet to be investi- 
gated, but gold has been found in the Reserve. The rivers, like 
those in Natal, are rapid streams of small volume, running over 
rocky beds ; the Tugela river is the most considerable. The cli- 
mate differs but little from that of Natal. The country is very 
healthy for the most part ; but horse sickness prevails in the val- 
leys in the hot season, and the swampy neighborhood of San Lucia 
Bay, a lagoon lying at the mouth of the Umfolosi river, is unin- 
habitable. 

Like the Natal natives, the Zulus cultivate the ground very 
superficially, planting maize, gourds of several kinds, and a grain 
from which a light beer is prepared. Cattle, the sole wealth of the 



64 WHITE SETTLERS AND THE ZULUS. 

people, were at oue time very numerous in the country, and also 
goats. A few of the chiefs use horses. 

Long after big game had become scarce in Natal^ Zululand 
offered excellent opportunities to the sportsman. It still has ante- 
lopes of various kinds, including a few koodoo, and at the mouths 
of the more northern rivers, hippopotamuses ; but the buffalo and 
rhinoceros are not met with farther south than the densely -wooded 
hills near the Umfolosi river. The lion is not seen south of the 
Lebombo I^Iountains in the north of Zululand, but the leopard and 
smaller carnivores are plentiful enough in the countr}^ Its natural 
history is similar to that of Natal ; but indications are not wanting 
in its fauna and flora of its closer proximity to the tropics. 

A FIERCE ENEMY IN WAR. 

Since the establishment of the Zulu military ascendanc}^ early 
in the nineteenth century varous Zulu hordes have successively^ 
invaded and overrun a great part of southeast Africa, as far as and 
even beyond the Lake Nyassa district. Such is the terror inspired 
by these fierce warriors that many of the conquered tribes have 
adopted the very name of their conquerors or oppressors. Hence 
the impression that the true Zulus are far more numerous north of 
the Limpopo than has ever been the case. In most places they 
have already become extinct or absorbed in the surrounding popu- 
lations. But they still hold their ground as the ruling element in 
the region between the Limpopo and the lower Zambesi, which 
from them takes the name of Matabeleland, and which, like Zulu- 
land itself, in 1888, became a British protectorate. 

The Zulus possess an elaborate s^-stem of laws regulating the 
inheritance of personal property (which consists chiefly of cattle/, 
the complexity arising from the practice of polygamy and the ex- 
change of cattle made upon marriage. The giving of cattle in the 
latter case is generall}^ referred to as a barter and sale of the bride, 
from which indeed it is not easily distinguishable. But it is regarded 
in a different light by the natives themselves. 

The kraal, or village, is under the immediate rule of its head- 
man, who is a patriarch responsible for the good beha\4or of all its 



M 



lyw 

%-x^ 






JffHf.*s^J 




56 WHITE SETTLERS AND THE ZULUS. 

members. Over the headman, whose authority may extend to more 
than one kraal, is the tribal chief. The exercise by some of the prin- 
cipal chiefs, during the reign of Pande and his son, of the power of life 
and death could not alwa3?'S be controlled b}^ the central authority. 
Several of the Zulu customs resemble those of the Jews, such 
as the Feast of the First Fruits, held upon the ripening of the maize, 
when the whole nation gathers at the king's kraal, and the custom 
of raising up seed to a deceased brother. The employment of 
" witch doctors " for '' smelling out " criminals or " abatagati '' 
(usually translated " mzards," but meaning evildoers of anj^ kind, 
such as poisoners) is still common in Zululand, as in neighboring 
countries, although it was discouraged by Cetewayo, who estab- 
lished " kraals of refuge " for the reception of persons rescued by 
him from condemnation as " abatagati." 

FIGHTING STRENGTH OF THE TRIBE. 

No means exist for estimating the present population of Zulu- 
land. The country was at the time of the war in 1879 regarded as 
less densel}^ inhabited than the colony of Natal. The Zulu army 
was estimated to contain twenty-three regiments, of 40,400 men in 
all, and, although the enrolment was voluntar3% it maj^ be assumed 
that it comprised nearly all the able-bodied men of the nation. In 
addition to the heavy mortalit}^ sustained by the Zulus in the war 
man}'- lives have been lost in subsequent conflicts in which they 
have enQ:aQ;-ed amouQfst themselves. 

The earliest records of contact between Europeans and the Zulu 
race is probabl}'' the account of the wreck of the " Doddington " in 
1756. The survivors met with hospitable treatment at the hands of 
the natives of Natal, and afterwards proceeded iip the coast to St- 
Lucia Bav, where they landed. They described the natives as '' very 
proud and haught3% and not so accommodating as those latel}^ left." 
Thej^ differ from the other natives in the superior neatness of their 
method of preparing their food, aud were more cleanl}^ in their 
persons, bathing every morning, apparently as an act of devotion. 
Their chief pride seemed to be to keep their hair in order. It is 
added that they watched strictly over their women. 



WHITE SETTlyERS AND THE ZUI^US. 57 

In 1780 the Zulu tribe inhabited the valley of the White Unr 
folosi river under the chieftainship of Senzangakona. At that time 
the Zulus numbered some few thousands only, being subject to the 
paramount chief Dingiswayo, who ruled over the Tetwa tribe, which 
inhabited the country to the northeast of the Tugela. Dingiswayo 
is represented as having been very much in advance of other chiefs 
in those parts in enlightment and intelligence. He opened up a 
trade with the Portuguese, bartering ivory and oxen for beads and 
brass. He was also very warlike, and introduced a strict military 
organization among his people, by means of which he obtained the 
ascendancy over neighboring tribes, including that of the Zulus. 

A SOUTH AFRICAN NAPOLEON. 

Upon the death of Senzangakona at tlie beginning of the nine- 
teenth century he was succeeded by a son named Tshaka, who had 
served as an officer in the army of Dingiswayo, whose favor he won 
through his force of character and talents. Dingiswayo having 
been killed in battle, the Tetwa tribe sought the protection of 
Tshaka, who lost no time in further developing the new military 
organization, and very soon became master of nearly the whole of 
southeastern Africa from the Limpopo to Cape Colony, including 
the settlement of Natal, Basutoland, a large part of the Orange 
Free State, and the Transvaal Republic. The terror of the Zulu 
arms was, moreover, carried far into the interior through the revolt 
of a Zulu chief, Moselekatse, who conquered a vast territory towards 
the northwest. 

Tshaka's strict discipline and mode of attack, in which the 
long missile weapon of the- other tribes was replaced by a short 
stabbing assegai, was such that nothing in the mode of warfare of 
those opposed to him could withstand him. He overran the district 
of Natal with his armies in 1820 ; but crowds of the northern tribes 
driven before his onslaught passed through the country about 181 2. 

In 1825 ^^ English naval officer, Lieutenant Farewell, visited 
Tshaka with the object of obtaining leave to establish a settlement 
in what is now the district of Natal. He found the king at his 
capital " surrounded by a large number of chiefs, and about 8,000 



58 WHITE SBTTlvERS AND THE ZULUS. 

or 9,000 armed men, observing a state and ceremony in our intro- 
duction that we little expected." The king showed his visitor 
much friendliness, making him a grant of land in that neighbor- 
hood. Lieutenant Farewell took formal possession of the territory 
h^ had received, which he described as nearly depopulated and not 
containing more than 300 or 400 inhabitants, on August 27, 1825. 
The Zulu monarch, being anxious to open a political connec- 
tion with the Cape and English Governments, entrusted in 1828 
one of his principal chiefs, Sotobi, and a companion to the care of 
Lieutenant King, to be conducted on an embassage to Cape Town, 
Sotobi being commissioned to proceed to the king of England. 
From causes which are not now certainly known these people were 
not allowed to proceed beyond Port Elizabeth, and were soon sent 
back to Zululand. On September 23, 1828, Tshaka was murdered 
by his brother, Mhlangana, and a few days afterwards Mhlangana 
was killed by another brother, Dingane. 

AMBITIOUS TO FOUND A GREAT KINGDOM. 

Tshaka's reign had involved an immense sacrifice of human 
life, but he had set before himself the aim of establishing a great 
kingdom, and, having succeeded in that, his home rule had been 
relieved by acts of generosity and statesmanship. 

What is recorded of Dingane's reign shows him in the light of 
a bloodthirsty and cruel monster without a redeeming feature. The 
attempts made by the emigrant Dutch Boers under Piet Retief to 
establish friendly relations with him, and obtain a cession of the 
district of Natal, ended in the massacre of the whole party of 
seventy of their leading men at the king's kraal February, 1838, 
and of all members of their families left behind in Natal who 
could not be collected into fortified camps. Two unsuccessful 
attempts were made to avenge the deaths of the emigrant Boers. A 
Dutch command under Pieter Uys invaded the Zulu countrj^, but 
was compelled to retreat, leaving their leader behind them, while a 
considerable force, composed of English settlers, Boers and natives, 
entered Zululand at the mouth of the Tugela, and was completely 
annihilated, after inflicting very great loss on the Zulus. 



WHITE SETTI.KRS AND THE ZUI^US. 59 

A detachment of the Zulu army on this occasion entered Natal 
and compelled the settlers at the port to take refuge on board a 
ship. After a further attack by Dingane the emigrant Boers and 
settlers again invaded Zululand in December, 1838, and after a 
severe engagement defeated the Zulu army with great slaughter, on 
the banks of the Blood river, which owes its name to the results of 
the victory. In 1840 the Boers agreed to support Dingane's brother, 
Pande, in rebellion against him. The movement was completely 
successful, several of Dingane's regiments going over to Pande. 
Dingane passed into Swaziland in advance of his retreating forces, 
and was there murdered, while Pande was crowned king of Zulu- 
land by the Boers, who received in exchange for their services the 
much coveted district of Natal. 

During the next sixteen years of Pande's reign nothing oc- 
curred to disturb the peaceful relations between the Zulus and the 
Natal Government. In 1856 a civil war broke out between two of 
Pande's sons, Cetewayo and Umbulazi, who were rival claimants 
for the succession. A bloody battle was fought between them on 
the banks of the Tugela in December, 1856, in which Umbulazi 
and many of his followers were slain. 

CORONATION OF A NEW KING. 

The Zulu country continued, however, excited and disturbed, 
until the Government of Natal in 1861 obtained the formal nomi- 
nation of a successor to Pande ; and Cetewayo was appointed. 
Pande died in October, 1872, but practically the government of 
Zululand had been in Cetewayo's hands since the victory of 1856, 
owing both to political circumstances and the failing health of his 
father. 

In 1873 the Zulu nation appealed to the Natal Government to 
preside over the installation of Cetewayo as king ; and this request 
was acceded to. The rule of Pande was in earlier years a severe 
one, the executions ordered by him being so numerous in 1859 ^^ 
to evoke remonstrances from Cetewayo, who warned the king that 
be would drive all the people over into Natal. In 1856 and for 
some years afterwards, a considerable exodus of refugees did take 



60 WHITE SETTLERS AND THE ZUIvUS. 

place into the colony, but by 1871 the tide appeared to be turning 
tbe other way. 

The encroachments of the Transvaal Boers upon the borders 
of Zululand having for many years exposed the British Govern- 
ment to urgent appeals on the part of the Zulus for its interven- 
tion, a second attempt was made by the Government of Natal, and 
this time with success, to induce the Boers to submit the boundary 
disputes between them and their neighbors to arbitration. A commis- 
sion was appointed, composed of three British officers, who in June, 
1878, pronounced a decision substantially in favor of the Zulus. 
But the high commissioner, Sir Bartle Frere, had determined upon 
measures for re-modeling the Zulu nation with a view to the con- 
federation of the South African colonies and states. 

ANGRY FEUDS AND TERRIBLE BATTLES. 

The invasion of Zululand took place in January, 1879, and 
the war was ended by the capture of the king at the end of August. 
Cetewayo having been conveyed to Cape Town, the Zulu country 
was portioned out among eleven Zulu chiefs^ a white adventurer, 
and a Basuto chief who had done good service in the war. This 
Arrangement was productive of much bloodshed and disturbance, 
and in 1882 the British Government determined to restore Cete- 
wayo again to power. In the meantime, however, the deepest blood 
feuds had been engendered between the chiefs Zibebu and Hamu on 
the one side and the neighboring tribes who supported the ex-king 
and his family on the other. 

These people suffered severely at the hands of the two chiefs, 
who were assisted by a band of white free-booters. Zibebu, having 
created a formidable force of well-armed and trained warriors, was 
left in independence on the borders of Cetewayo's territory, while 
the latter was restrained by the conditions of his restoration from 
any military enterprise or defensive measures. A collision very 
soon took place ; but in the conflicts that followed Zibebu's forces 
were victorious, and on July 22, 1883, led by a troop of mounted 
whites, he made a sudden descent upon Cetewayo's kraal at Ulundi, 
which he destroyed, massacring the inmates of both sexes. 



WHITE SBTTI.KRS AND THE ZUIvUS. 61 

THe king escaped, tliougli wounded, into the Reserve, whicli 
had been placed under British rule ; there he died in 1884. He left 
a son, Dinuzulu, who sought the assistance of some of the Trans- 
vaal Boers against Zibebu, whom he defeated and drove into the 
Reserve. These Boers, not a large number, claimed as a stipulated 
reward for their services the cession of the greater part, and the 
more valuable part, of central Zululand. The Government of 
Natal attempted to mediate on behalf of the Zulus and accepted on 
their behalf, in spite of their protests, a line which roughly divides 
central Zululand into two equal portions. Of these the north- 
western has been created into the independent Boer state already 
mentioned. The rest of central Zululand is administered, with 
the Reserve, as a British protectorate and dependency. 

WHAT IF THE ZULUS RISE? 

When the war of 1899 broke out a careful observer of events 
in South Africa said : " Should the Zulus seize the opportunity 
offered by the Transvaal war to strike for freedom, England would 
have her hands full. Should the bold Basutos join arms with their 
fierce cousins, South Africa would become hot soil for the British 
foot for many long months to come. Both of these uprisings are 
threatened ; both are greatly feared. The Zulu situation in par- 
ticular is watched with anxious eye. England for awhile was over- 
matched in the last Zulu war, and victory was bought in the end 
with rivers of English blood. Scarcely any greater misfortune 
could come just now than an uprising such as this." 

The Zulu is undoubtedly the best native fighter of South 
Africa. He is physically a splendid savage — fierce, powerful and 
enduring. Add to this the memory of a magnificent past, the tra- 
ditions and courage of a race unwhipped except by white men, and 
by them only at fearful odds, and you have a worthy foeman. The 
Zulus yielded to the sway of England through force indeed, but the 
fight they made then was one to keep alive the hope of a better 
ending for renewed struggle. 

The secret of the Zulu power lies, first in organization, and, 
second, in the tradition of victory. Organization under the great 



(V2 WHITE SKTTLERS AND TIIlv ZULUS. 

cluoUaiii Tsliaka at the bogiiiuing of the niiictoontli coiituiy gave 
thorn their lust superiority over other savage tribes, and au imeiid- 
ing series o( \ietones for half a eeiitury or more produced a race of 
rare courage and warlike prowess. The story of it describes the 
Zulu of tcvday. 

What is uow knowu as Zululaud — a wild countr3% bouuded on 
the uorth by the Trausvaal, ou the south aud west by Natal, and 
on the east by the sea — was then divided among several savage 
tribes, of which the Zulus were one of the weakest. As we have 
seen, the chief of a neighboring tribe, the Umtetwas, plotted the 
murder of his two sons, one of whom, however, escaped, and in his 
wanderings fell in with the British, the organization of whose forces 
he noted with shrewd nnderstanding. After his Other's death he 
returned to his tribe, was nuide chief, and proceeded to organize his 
warriors into brigades, regiments and companies, British fashion, 
and had remarkable success in warfare. 

A CHIEFTAIN OF G-REAT ABILITY. 

l^Jue of his lieutenants was a youth of fierce and restless energ3\ 
He was the sou of a conquered chieftain and his name was Tshaka. 
He studied the organization of the Umtetwa ami}' zealousl3% and 
saw in it wonderful things not accomplished by his wise but mild 
chieftain. He made up his mind that some daj' his own chance 
would come. 

\Vinniug cousidemtion, Tshaka w^as finally, as a reward, 
appointed chief of the weak tribe of Zulus. He organized them 
perteetlv, and when the chief of the Umtetwas was killed in battle 
Tshaka announced the independence of tlie Zulus and upheld it 
by force. 

This done Tsliaka started in to make the Zulu power supreme. 
He attacked his weaker neighbors first, and with every victor}- ab- 
sorbed the young warriors into his own army and destroyed the 
old men, women and children. In this waj'' his own army grew 
mar\-ellously, and his conquered neighbors lost recuperative power 
and eventually identity. 

He dividcvl his vouui^- w-arriors into regiments, disdngiiishing 



WHITE SHTTLKRvS AND Tl-IE ZUI^US. 68 

each regiment by different colored shields, and established with re- 
wards a competitive spirit among regiments. He trained them to 
advance and attack in solid formation, something new in Sontli 
African savage warfare, and he developed the close qnarters' attack 
with the short stabbing assegai or spear, so generally nsed among 
Sonth African tribes. 

Then he established an inviolate law that any soldier return- 
ing from battle without assegai or shield, or with a wound in the 
back, should be executed as a coward. By another law young 
soldiers were forbidden wives until after long service, unless mean- 
time they earned them by distinguished bravery in the field. 

Absolute discipline was inculcated. An expedition never knew 
its destination and purpose until far from home. In attacking the 
first onslaught was always in solid formation, supported on either 
side by wings of skirmishers. Flank movements were a regular 
manoeuvre, and as effective in savage as in civilized warfare. 

ZULUS EVERYWHERE VICTORIOUS. 

It can easily be seen how the ^ulus, under such a system, 
swept all before them. The undisciplined savages of the plains 
and forests went down like grain before the reaper. And every 
new tribe subjugated was ruthlessly amalgamated into the vic- 
torious nation. The Zulus swept the coast, subjugated Natal and 
pushed their fierce, bloody sway far inland. The terror of their 
name passed far north and far south. 

Nor was there limit to their ravages until the Dutch settled 
in Natal. Then began a series of fierce fights in which the white 
man and the rifle finally triumphed and the Zulu j^owerwas broken, 
or at least reduced to the point of non-interference with the move- 
ments of the Dutch and the English, who soon after swarmed over 
the land. But while taught to respect the white man, the Zulu 
nursed his traditions, his pride and his ferocity. It was a disgrace 
in his eyes to labor except in the prosecution of war. Under Cete- 
wayo, the great chief whose power England broke in a war in 
which she met several terrible reverses and lost hosts of splendid 
men, the Zulu was at heart the Zulu of the great Tshaka's days. 



64 WILITK SKTTLI':rS AND THK ZULUS. 

And this is tlie people wlio now threaten to avail of England's 
tronbles to regain their freedom. They are the same in spirit and 
are rich in resentment. For years tlie}^ have nnrsed their wrongs. 
What the}" have lost in savage fierceness by a generation of peace- 
ful snbjectiou, is more than matched b}^ their gains in knowledge. 
They still retain their teiTible stabbing assegai, bnt the}" have 
added the rifle, and are splendid marksmen. The}^ dream of re- 
storing the splendors of their past, and if the}' rise can be counted 
a terrible foe. 

The only occupation is the raising of cattle. There are 8,900 
square miles in the district and the government is a British protec- 
torate. The Basutos, while by no means the peers in war of the 
Zulus, occupy a strong position. Basutoland is bounded by Cape 
Colony, the Orange Free State and Natal. They have discouraged 
the white man, and there are only 600 Europeans in their entire 
territory. The country is a splendid grain producer, and the 
Basutos are thrifty and rich. There are wild mountain districts 
to ser\'e in time of need. 

They were once a warlike power of some consequence, and in 
1 879 they stood off England in a war over disarmament to a com- 
promise by which the Cape Government has since paid them 
590,000 a year toward the cost of government. They are in large 
measure self-governing — of course, under British dictation — and 
enjoy a considerable measure of ci\'ilizatiou. About fifty thousand 
out of a population of two hundred and twenty thousand have 
been converted to Christianity. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Manners and Customs of the Boers. 



(SThe 



HH traveler Burchell met with mucli hospitality from opulent 
( Jl Dutch farmers in South Africa, but even among those of the 
lowest class, there was ever a readiness to open the door to 
the hungry and benighted stranger. In the family of a farmer of 
the middle class, whose dwelling did not indicate much of either 
afEuence or comfort, but v/hose members appeared contented and 
happy, he spent a short time. The following particulars are taken 
from his observations. 

The situation of the house was bleak and exposed, and there 
was not much display of art or culture around. It was situated on 
a wide flat, bounded by rocky mountains. One large room, having 
a mud floor, and a single glazed window, whose broken panes 
betokened the scarcity of glass, formed the principal part of the 
house. At one end were the bed-rooms, and at the other a very 
deep and wide fire-place, exactly resembling that of an English 
farm-house. 

As the Boers often find it better econom}^ to consume the sheep 
in their own families, and convert the fat into soap, to be sold at 
their annual visit to Cape Town, than to sell the animals at a low 
price, a large cauldron of boiling soap stood over this fire. A door 
in the back wall of the apartment opened into the kitchen. At the 
time of the traveler's visit, a small window near the fire-place was 
kept constantly closed with a wooden shutter, to exclude the cold 
wind, as it had neither sash nor glass. 

Near the glazed window stood a small table, and on it a little 

old-fashioned coffee-urn, an article in constant use. On each side 

of the table were two homely-looking chairs, for the use of the 

master and mistress. A few chairs and benches, with a large din- 

ing-table, were duly ranged round the room. A large Bible and a 

few books lay on a shelf. 

5 65 



66 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOKRS. 

The three daughters of the farmer were under the instruction 
of an itinerant tutor, who had been, for several months, an inmate 
of the family. He could make himself understood in English and 
French, and appeared full}'- able to complete the education of such 
a family as was gathered round him. He was a native of Holland, 
and had passed the last twenty-nine years of his life in Cape 
Colony. Teachers of this class are scattered everywhere through- 
out the South African Republics. Their abilities, in many 
instances, are too humble to allow of their getting a living in their 
native land by the same occupation. They generall}^ traverse a 
great portion of the colonies ; for their usual stay at each house is 
onl}^ from six to twelve months, and in this time they must engage 
to " finish '' their pupils in what the village school-master called 
"the three js — reading, 'riting, and 'rithmatic.'' 

READY MARKET FOR CATTLE. 

The head of this famil}^ emplo3?'ed his farm only in rearing 
cattle, for the purchase of which he was visited by a " slagter's 
knegt " — a butcher's man. This person was commissioned by his 
employer in Cape Town, to travel into the grazing district, and 
buy up the number of sheep or oxen he might require, paying, 
however, not in mone}- , but in small notes of hand, previously 
signed by his employer, and the validity of which was certified at 
the fiscal's office. Such notes were considered as good as cash, into 
which the}" were converted b}" the grazier on taking them to town, 
or they were sometimes negotiated in pa3^ment with his neighbors. 

The inland traffic connected \vith Cape To\vn was long carried 
on with much risk and difficult3^ on account of its remote position 
at the extreme comer of the countr}', and of the miserable state of 
the roads b}^ which it was approached. The barrenness and defi- 
ciency of pasturage in the tract of land lying around the town ex- 
posed the Boer's or Dutch farmers, trading there to serious incon- 
venience. 

Those residing at a distance of five or six hundred miles, 
generallj" made but one journe}^ there in the course of a 5^ear. 
On such occasions, the vehicles which conveyed them had much 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOERS. 67 

the appearance of a traveling menagerie ; for, in addition to the 
principal members of the family, there were poultry, goats, sheep, 
dogs, monkeys, and other animals. A musket or two, with ammu- 
nition, were taken, not only to afford means of protection, but also 
to procure game for subsistence by the way. 

The wagon bearing this motley group, drawn by a team of 
eight, ten, or even sixteen oxen, with the immoderately long whip 
of the driver, and the paked figure of a little negro leading the 
foremost pair, presented to a stranger in the country a novel and 
amusing spectacle. The driving seat was considered an honorable 
post ; but the office of leading the oxen was looked on as degrading 
to any but a native. 

Between the capital and the cultivated districts lie the exten- 
sive plains, commonly called the Cape Downs, which were and are 
traversed by numberless roads and wheel-tracks in every direction. 
The soil is composed of loose white sand on a substratum of clay, 
supporting only a few stunted shrubs and rushes. A few solitary 
huts are scattered here and there. 

OX TEAMS FROM UP COUNTRY. 

From the general barrenness of the country, the travelers 
often stop but a single day at Cape Town. After having come the 
distance of perhaps twenty days' journey, they cross the barren 
heath already described, and frequently " outspan," as they call it, 
or unyoke, at Salt River, to be ready to enter the town at day- 
break the next morning. Thus they are often able to sell their 
produce, and to make the purchases they require during the day, 
and immediately set out on their return home. 

Another Boer rejoiced in a more extensive domain. The 
visitor descended from the ridge of a mountain, by a steep and 
stony path, tracked out by the hartbeests, elands, and other large 
game, and followed the rugged course of a solitary brook, or rather 
torrent, for the greater part of its bed was now dry, until, after a 
ride of about three hours, he reached the farm of Blands'-drift, in 
the valley of the Tarka, and the residence of Winsel Koetzer. 

On riding up to the place, consisting of three or four thatched 



68 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOERS. 

houses and a few reed-cabins, iuliabited b}- tlie native servants, lie 
was encountered by a host of some twenty or thirty dogs, which 
had been lying about in the shade of the huts, and now started up 
around him, open-mouthed, with a prodigious barking and clamor, 
as is generally the case at ever}'- farm-house on the approach of 
strangers. In daylight these growling guardians usually confine 
themselves to a more noisy demonstration ; but at night it is often 
a matter of no small peril to approach a farm-house, for many of 
these animals are both fierce and powerful, and will not hesitate to 
attack a stranger, if in their eyes, he has the ill-luck to appear in 
any way suspicious, or is contemplating mischief. 

A MOTHER AND BASHFUL GIRLS. 

The noise of the dogs brought out Arend Koetzer, one of the 
farmer's sons, from the principal dwelling-house, a fine, frank 
young fellow. Seeing the visitor thus beset, he came instantly to 
his help against the canine rabble, whom he discomfited with great 
vigor, by hurling at them a few of the half-gnawed bones and bul- 
locks' horns which were lying in scores about the place. An in- 
troduction now took place to the ^'-oung Boer's mother and sisters 
— a" quiet looking matron, and two bashful girls, who appeared 
from one of the outhouses. '' Wil IMynheer aff-zadel ? " (" Will 
the gentleman unsaddle ? ") was the first inquirj'. The visitor 
readil}^ agreed, intending, indeed, though it was still early in the 
afternoon, to spend the night at this farm. 

On entering the house, he found that the old Boer had not 3''et 
risen from his afternoon nap, or siesta, a habit which is generall}' 
prevalent throughout the colony. He was not long, however, in 
making his appearance ; and, after shaking hands with a sort of 
gruff heartiness, he took down a bottle of brand}^ from a shelf, and 
urged his visitor to drink a '' zoopje " (dram) with him, declaring 
it was good " brandiw^yn," distilled by himself from his own 
peaches. The spirit, which was colorless, had something of the 
flavor of bad whisk}', but the visitor preferring a cup of '' thee- 
water," it was in the meantime prepared and poured out for him by 
the respectable and active-looking dame. 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOERS. 69 

This " tea-water " (properly enough so termed), was made by a 
decoction, rather than an infusion, of the Chinese leaf, and which, 
being diluted with a certain proportion of boiling water, without 
any admixture of milk and sugar, was offered to every visitor who 
might chance to arrive during the heat of the day. A small tin 
box with sugar-candy is sometimes handed around with the " tea- 
water," from which each person takes a little bit to keep in his 
mouth, and thus to sweeten, in frugal fashion, the bitter beverage 
as he swallows it. 

During this refreshment, the visitor carried on a tolerable fluent 
conversation, in broken Dutch, with his host and his " huis-vrouw," 
and he gratified them not a little by communicating the most recent 
information he possessed of the state of European politics, respect- 
ing which old Koetzer was very inquisitive, 

A BARN OP A HOUSE. 

The domicile of this family would not, probably, have sug- 
gested any ideas of peculiar comfort to an American. It was a 
house somewhat of the size and appearance of an old-fashioned 
Scotch barn. The walls were thick, and substantially built of 
strong adhesive clay ; a material which, being well prepared or 
" tempered," in the manner of mortar for brick making, and raised 
in successive layers, soon acquires, in a dry climate, a great degree 
of hardness, and is considered scarcely inferior in durability to 
brick. 

These walls, which were about eight or nine feet high, and 
tolerably smooth and straight, had been plastered over within and 
without with a composition of sand and cow-dung, and this being 
well white-washed with a sort of pipe-clay, or with wood-ashes 
diluted with milk, the whole had a very clean and light appearance. 

The roof was neatly thatched with a species of hard rushes, 
which are considered much more durable and less apt to catch fire 
than straw. There was no ceiling under this roof; but the rafters 
over-head were hung with a motley assemblage of several sorts of 
implements and provisions, such as hunting apparatus, " bill- 
tongue " (that is, dried flesh of various kinds of game), " sjamboks " 



70 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOERS. 

(large whips of rhinoceros and hippopotamus hide), leopard and 
lion skins, ostrich eggs and feathers, strings of onions, rolls of 
tobacco, bamboo for whip handles, calabashes, and a variety of 
similar articles. A large pile of fine home-made soap graced the 
top of a partition wall. 

The house was divided into three apartments ; the one in which 
they were now seated (called the " voor-huis") opened immediately 
from the open air, and is the apartment in which the family always 
sit, eat, and receive visitors. A private room or "slaap-kamer " is 
formed at either end of this hall, by partitions of the same height 
and construction as the outer walls running across, and having 
doors opening out of the sitting-room. 

A PECULIAR FLOOR. 

The floor, which, though made only of cla}'-, appeared uncom- 
nionl}" smooth and hard, was formed of ant-heaps, which, being 
pounded into dust, and then watered and well stamped, assume a 
consistency of great hardness and tenacitJ^ The floor was care- 
fully washed over every morning, in order to keep it cool and free 
from vermin — especiall}'- fleas, which are apt to become an intoler- 
able pest in this countr3^ 

This house was lighted by four square windows in front, one 
in each of the bed-rooms, and two in the " voor-kamer," and by the 
door, which appeared only to be shut during the night. The door 
consisted merel}^ of some reeds, rudel}^ fastened on a wicker frame, 
and fixed to the door-posts by thongs of bullock's hide. The win- 
dows also were without glass, and were closed in the night, each 
with the untanned skin of the quagga, or Arild ass. 

The furniture amounted to little more than a dozen of chairs 
and stools, bottoms formed of thongs, and a couple of tables, one 
large and roughly constructed of common plank from the " geel- 
hout " tree, the other small, and more highly finished of ornamental 
wood. At the smaller table was the station of the old dame, who 
had before her a brass tea-urn and the other apparatus, whence she 
dispensed the beverage already mentioned. Opposite her sat the 
" baas " (as the Hottentot attendants called their master), with the 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOERS. 71 

flask of bfandiwyn at liis elbow, and his long clumsy Dutch tobacco- 
pipe in his mouth. 

At the further end of the apartment, a couple of wooden pails 
bound with bright polished hoops of brass, were suspended from 
crooked antelope's horns built into the wall ; these pails were filled 
with spring-water, and had bowls of calabash affixed to them, in 
order that whoever was athirst might drink with facility. Sour 
milk, however, is the favorite beverage in this country; and when 
that is to be had, no one drinks water. In another comer stood a 
huge churn, into which the milk is poured every night and morn- 
ing until it is filled, when it is churned by two negro women. 

In the same end of the hall, part of the carcass of a sheep was 
suspended from a beam ; two sheep, and sometimes more, being 
slaughtered for daily consumption ; the native herdsmen and their 
families, as well as the farmer's own household, being chiefly fed 
on mutton, at least during summer, when beef could not be salted. 
The carcasses were hung up in this place, it appeared, chiefly to 
prevent waste, by being constantly under the eye of the mistress, 
who, in this country, instead of the ancient Saxon title of " giver 
of bread " (" levedy," whence our English term of lady), might be 
appropriately called the " giver of mutton." 

ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE POOD. 

Mutton, and not bread, is here the staff of life ; and they think 
it no more odd to have a sheep hanging in the " voor-huis," than a 
farmer's wife in America would to have a ham in the smoke-house. 
At this very period a pound of wheaten bread in this quarter of 
the colony was six times the value of a pound of animal food. 

In regard to dress, there was nothing very peculiar to remark. 
That of the females, though in some respects more slovenly, resem- 
bled a good deal the costume of the lower classes in Europe. The 
men wore long loose trowsers of sheep or goat-skin, tanned by the 
servants, and made in the family; a check shirt, a jacket of coarse 
frieze or cotton, according to the weather, and a broad-brimmed 
white hat completed the dress. Shoes and stockings appeared not 
to be essential to either sex, and were seldom worn, 



72 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OK THK BOKRS. 

Sandals, however, of a certain kind, called " conntry shoes," 
are in counnon nsc, the tashion of which appears originally to have 
been borrowed from the Hottentots. They are made of raw bnl- 
lock's hide, with an npper leather of dressed sheep or goat-skin, 
ninch in the same way as the old brognes of the Scottish high-; 
landers. They do not last long, bnt they are light and easy in dry 
weather: every man can make his own sandals, and the leather 
costs little or nothing. 

The visitor, having previonsly heard that the indnstrions 
dame, the Jnftronw Koetzer, sometimes mannfactnred leather 
dresses for sale, bespoke a traveling jacket of dressed spring- 
bnck skin, the latter to be faced with leopard-fnr, the price of 
which, altogether, was abont £ve dollars. He also purchased the 
skin of a leopard, which one of the yonug Koetzers had lately 
shot, for abont a ponnd of gnnpowder. 

AN INQUISITIVE HOUSEHOLD. 

Old Koetzer and his fomily, like the old Dntch colonists gen- 
erally, were extremely inqnisitive, asking a great variety of ques- 
tions, some of them on very trifling matters. Americans are apt 
to feel annoyed at this practice, bnt withont any snflicient cause. 
Though it betokens a lack of refinement, it is not at all allied to 
rudeness or impertinence ; it is simply the result of untutored 
curiositv in the manners of people living in a wild and thinlj' 
inhabited conntry, to. whom the sight of a stranger is a rare 
event, and by whom news of any description is welcomed M-ith 
avidity. Instead, therefore, of haughtily or sullenly repelling their 
advances to mutual confideuee, the visitor answers all their ques- 
tions with good humor, including those that respected his owm 
age, the number, names, and ages of his flimily and relations, the 
object and extent of his present journey, and such like. 

In return, he plied them with similar interrog-ations, to all of 
which they not only replied with the utmost openness, but seemed 
highly delighted with his frankness. In this manner he soon 
learned that his host had eight or ten brothers, all stout frontier 
gT-ainers like himself, and all with numerous families. His own 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOERS. 78 

family consisted of six sons and as many daughters, several of 
whom were married, and settled in the neighborhood. Two of his 
sons, with their wives and families, were now living at this place 
in cottages adjoining the house. 

The old dame stated that she was herself by birth a Jourdan^ 
and was descended from one of the French Huguenot families 
who settled in the colony after the revocation of the Edict of 
Nantes. Her father, she said, could speak French ; but she her- 
self knew no language but Dutch. Her manner and address, 
however, retained something of French urbanity and politeness, 
which the Belgian bluntness of her husband rendered the more 
obvious. 

Having exhausted the usual topics of country chat, the visitor 
suggested a walk round the premises, and sallied forth, accom- 
panied by the Boer and his son Arend. They first went to the 
orchard, which was of considerable extent, and contained a variety 
of fruit trees, all in a thriving state. The peach-trees, which were 
now in blossom, were the most numerous ; but there were also 
abundance of apricot, almond, walnut, apple, pear and plum trees, 
and whole hedges of figs and pomegranates. 

GROVES OF LEMON AND ORANGE TREES. 

The outward fence, when there was any, consisted of a hedge 
of quinces. There was also a fine grove of lemon and a few 
orange trees. The latter required to be sheltered during the 
winter, until they had attained considerable size, the frost being 
apt to blight them in this upland valley. All the other fruits 
were raised with ease : peach trees would bear fruit the third year 
after the seeds had been put in the ground. From the want of 
care and skill, however, in grafting, few of the fruits in this part 
of the colony were of superior sorts, or of delicate flavor. The 
peaches especially, were but indifferent ; but as they were chiefly 
grown for making brandiwyn, or to be used in a dry state, excel- 
lence of flavor was but little regarded. 

Two mulberry trees, which were planted in front of the house, 
were large and flourishing, and produced an abundance of fruit. 



74 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOERS. 

This was not tlie wild or white miilberr}^ raised in Europe for feed- 
ing silk worms ; but the latter sort thrives also very well in differ- 
ent parts of the country. 

The garden, if it deserved the name, was ver}^ deficient in 
neatness, but contained a variet}^ of useful vegetables : a large plot 
of beet root, some beds of very fine cabbages, and plenty of mint, 
sage, and garlic, catching the eye. Onions were raised in great 
abundance, and of a qualit}" equal to those of Spain. Pumpkins 
and melons were cultivated in considerable quantities. The sweet 
potato is raised here ; but the common ones, though growing well, 
appeared not to be in much request in this part of the colony. 
Until the arrival of English settlers, indeed, the value of this use- 
ful root was not geueralh^ appreciated by the inhabitants, and the 
quality of the few they raised was ver}^ inferior. 

VINEYARDS OF LUSCIOUS GRAPES. 

Since that period, however, the cultivation of potatoes has 
greatly extended itself in the eastern districts, and their quality 
has been so much improved by the seed brought out b}^ the settlers, 
that they now are scarcely, if at all, inferior to our own; and the 
prejudices with which the native population, particularly the 
Hottentots, regarded them, rapidly declined. Adjoining to the 
garden and orchard was a small, but well-kept vineyard, from which 
a large produce of very fine grapes was obtained, which, as well as 
the peaches, are chiefl}' distilled into brand}^ for home consumption. 

The whole of the orchard, ^-inej^ard, and garden ground 
together Arith about twent}^ acres of com land adjoining, was irri- 
gated b}' the waters of a small mountain rill, collected and led 
do\\Ti in front of the house bj- an artificial canal. Without irriga- 
tion little can be done in this part of the colony ; and though the 
river Tarka passes onl}^ a short distance from the back of the 
orchard, the channel is here too deep to admit of its water being 
led out upon the banks. 

The limited extent, therefore, of from twenty to thirty acres 
was the whole that could be cultivated on this farm, comprising at 
least 6,000 acres, exclusive of the waste and inappropriated tracts 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOERS. 75 

adjoining. But this is quite sufficient for the wants of a large 
family ; the real wealth of the farm, so far as respects marketable 
commodities, lies in the stocks of herds which are raised on its 
extensive pastures. This old Winsel himself hinted to his visitor 
— as, shutting up a gap in the garden hedge with a branch of 
thorny mimosa, they issued out towards the " kraals " or cattle-folds 
— the Boer exclaiming in a tone of jocund gratulation, while he 
pointed to a distant cloud of dust moving up the valley — " Maar 
daar koomt myn vee ! " (But there come my cattle.) 

LARGE FLOCKS AND HERDS. 

The appearance of the Boer folding his herds and flocks is 
patriarchal and picturesque, and may well recall the words of the 
ancient poet : 

" On came the comely sheep, 

From feed returning to their pens and folds, 

And those the kine in multitudes succeed ; 

One on the other rising to the eye, 

As watery clouds which in the heavens are seen, 

Driven by the south or Thracian Boreas ; 

And numberless along the sky they glide ; 

Nor cease ; so many doth the powerful blast 

Speed forward ; and so many, fleece on fleece, 

Successive rise reflecting varied light. 

So still the herds of kine successive drive 

A long extended line ; and filled the plain 

And all the pathways with the coming troop." 

As the Boer and his visitor were now conversing, the clouds of 
dust which had been observed approaching from three different 
quarters came nearer, and it was manifest that they were raised by 
two numerous flocks of sheep and one large herd of cattle. 

First came the wethers, which are reared for the market, and 
are often driven even down to Cape Town, seven hundred miles 
distant. These being placed in their proper fold, the flock of ewes, 
ewe goats, and lambs, vv^as next driven in, and carefully penned in 
another ; those having young ones of tender age being kept 
separate. And finally, the cattle herd came rushing on pell-mell, 
and spontaneously assumed their station upon the summit of their 



76 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOERS. 

guarded mound ; the milch cows only being separated, in order to 
be tied up to stakes within a small enclosure nearer the houses, 
where they are milked by the hottentot herdsmen, after their 
calves, which are kept at home, had been permitted to suck for a 
certain period. 

Not one of these cows, it was said, would allow herself to be 
milked until her calf was first put to her ; if the calf dies, of course 
there is an end to her milk for that season. This appears to be the 
effect of habit, and might be remedied by proper management. 
About thirty cows were milked ; but the quantity obtained from 
them was very small, not so much as would be got from six or eight 
American cows. 

The Boer and his wife, with all their sons, daughters, daugh- 
ters-in-law, and grandchildren, who were about the place, were 
assiduously occupied, while the herds and flocks were folding, in 
examining them as they passed in, and in walking through among 
them afterwards, to see that all was right. The people thus em- 
ployed declared that though they do not very frequently count 
them, yet they know at once whether any individual ox is missing, 
or if any accident has happened among the flocks, by which any 
are lost, from beasts of prey or otherwise. 

FLOCKS OWNED BY WHOLE FAMILY. 

This faculty, though the result, doubtless, of peculiar habits 
of attention, is certainly very remarkable ; for the herd of cattle at 
this place amounted altogether to nearly 700 head, and the sheep 
and goats (which were mingled together) to upwards of 5,000. This 
is considered a very respectable, but by no means extraordinary, 
stock for a Tarka grazier. 

Every indi\adual of an African Boer's famil}^, including even 
the child at the breast, has an interest in the welfare of the flocks 
and herds. It is their custom, as soon as a child is bom, to set 
apart for it a certain number of the young live stock, which in- 
crease as the child grows up ; and which, having a particular mark 
regularly affixed to them, form, when the owner arrives at adult 
age, a stock sufficient to be considered a respectable dowry for a 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS 01^ THE BOERS. 



77 



prosperous farmer's daugliter, or to enable a young man, tliougli 
he may not possess a single dollar of casli, to begin tbe world re- 
spectably as a " Vee Boer.'' 

On approacbing tbe cattle kraals, tbe visitor was struck by 
tbe great beigbt of tbe principal fold, wbicb was elevated fifteen 
or twenty feet above tbe level of tbe adjoining plain, and bis sur- 




NATIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA CAPTURED BY A FEROCIOUS I^EOPARD. 

prise was certainly not diminished wben be found tbat tbe mound, 
on tbe top of wbicb tbe kraal was constructed, consisted of a mass 
of solid manure, acccumulated by tbe cattle of tbe farm being 
folded for a succession of years on tbe same spot. 

Tbe sbeep-folds, tbougb not quite so elevated, and under tbe 
lee, as it were, of tbe bullocks' kraal, were also fixed on tbe top of 
similar accumulations. Tbe similar folds (for tbose of tbe sbeep 
and goats consisted of tbree divisions) were all fenced in with 



78 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOKRS. 

brancHes of tlie thorny mimosa, wHcli formed a sort of rampart 
around tlie margin of the mounds, and were carefully placed witli 
their prickly sides outwards, on purpose to render the enclosures 
more secure from the nocturnal assaults of the hyenas, tigers, and 
jackals. 

Against all these ravenous animals, the oxen are, indeed, able 
to defend themselves ; but the hyenas, tigers, and leopards are 
very destructive to calves, sheep, and goats, when they can break 
in upon them, which they will sometimes do in spite of the watch- 
dogs kept for their protection; the cunning jackal is not less de- 
structive to the lambs and kids. 

FRIGHTENING OFF LOCUSTS. 

Some travelers, approaching the residence of a farmer, had 
their attention attracted to a novel sight. Several people were 
waving white flags in some cultivated ground near the house. On 
drawing nearer they discovered that this was a method adopted by 
the farmer and his family to expel an army of locusts that had 
just alighted on their corn. They had been employed since sun- 
rise, and it was now towards afternoon, and they described the in- 
sects as being so numerous, that it would take an hour's ride on 
horseback to reach the extremity of the ground that they covered. 

No idea can be formed of such countless multitudes, except by 
those who have actually witnessed them. Their appearance when 
alighting somewhat resembles a dense crimson cloud, resting on 
the land, and when they rise up to proceed onward, the air is liter- 
ally darkened beneath, Hvery green herb — every blade of grass 
is destroyed in their course, and in their track there remain nothing 
but barrenness and desolation. Still they are turned to some use. 
Hottentots have been observed feeding fowls with locusts out of a 
large sack, and it was surprising to see with what voracity they 
were devoured. Bushmen are particularly partial to locusts, which 
contribute largely to their subsistence. 

A Boer, of the name of De Clercq, one day riding over his 
farm, had alighted in a dif&cult pass, and was leading his horse 
through the long grass, when a lion suddenly rose up before him, 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOERS. 79 

at a few yards' distance. He liad in liis liand only a light fowling 
piece, loaded witli slugs ; and hoping that the lion would give way, 
he, according to the plan always recommended in such emergencies, 
stood still and confronted him ; but the lion, on the contrary, ad- 
vancing and crouching to spring, he found himself under the neces- 
sity of firing ; he took a hurried aim at the forehead, but the slugs 
lodged in the breast, and did not prove instantly mortal. 

The furious animal sprang forward and seized De Clercq on 
either side with his claws, but at the same time bit his arm almost 
in two, as he mechanically thrust it forward to save his face. In 
this position he held him for a few seconds, till his strength failing 
from loss of blood, the lion tumbled over, dragging the Boer with 
him in a dying embrace. De Clercq, however, escaped without any 
serious injury, and before long entirely recovered. 

SEIZED BY A BIG LION. 

Gert, a Boer of the Cradock district, was out hunting with a 
neighbor. Coming to a fountain, surrounded, as is common, with 
with tall reeds and rushes, Gert handed his gun to his comrade, 
and alighted to search for water. But he no sooner approached the 
fountain, than an enormous lion started up close at his side and 
seized him by his left arm. 

The Boer, though taken by surprise, stood stock still, without 
struggling, aware that the least attempt at escape would ensure his 
instant destruction. The lion also remained motionless, holding 
fast the Boer's arm in his fangs, but without biting it severely — 
shutting his eyes at the same time as if he could not withstand the 
countenance of the victim. As they stood in this position Gert, 
maintaining his presence of mind, began to beckon his comrade to 
advance and shoot the lion in the forehead. This might have been 
easily effected, as the lion still closed his eyes, and Gert's body 
concealed from his view any object advancing in front of him. 

But the fellow proved a wretch, for instead of complying with 
Gert's directions or making any attempt to save him, he cautiously 
retreated to the top of a neighboring rock. As the lion continued 
quiet Gert continued to beckon for aid ; and lion hunters say that 



80 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOERS. 

if lie had persevered a little longer, tlie lion would liave relaxed his 
hold and left him uninjured. But Gert, indignant at his comrade's 
pusillanimity, and losing patience with the lion, drew his knife, 
which he wore sheathed at his side, and with the utmost force of 
his right arm, plunged it into the lion's breast. 

The thrust was a deadly one, for Gert was a bold and powerful 
man ; but it did not prove effectual in time to save his own life — 
for the enraged lion, held at arm's length b}^ the utmost efforts of 
Gert's strciAgth and desperation, so dreadfully lacerated the breast 
and arms of the unfortunate man with his claws, that his bare 
bones were laid open. The lion fell at last from loss of blood, and 
Gert fell along with him. 

His rascally companion who had witnessed this fearful struggle 
from the rock, had now sufficient courage to advance, and bore 
poor Gert to the nearest house — where such aid as the neighbors 
could give was afforded, but utterly in vain, Gert expired the third 
day after tliis most courageous but frightful struggle, of lockjaw. 

A SETTLER'S THRXLLING ADVENTURE. 

Kupt, one of the settlers, proceeding with several companions 
on a journe};^ into the country, to obtain some j^oung oxen for the 
Dutch East India Company, met with the following adventures. 
On the arrival of the wagons, which were obliged to take a circui- 
tous route, they pitched their tent a musket-shot from the kraal, 
and after making the usual arrangements, went to rest. They 
were, however, soon disturbed ; for about midnight, the cattle and 
horses, which were standing between the wagons, began to start 
and run, and one of the drivers to shout, on which every one, with 
his gun in his hand, ran out of the tent. 

About thirty paces off there stood a lion, which, on seeing 
them, walked ver}'' deliberately about thirt}^ paces further, behind 
a small thorn-bush, carrying something with him, which Kupt 
supposed to be a young ox. The southeast wind blew strong, the 
sky was clear, and the moon shone very bright, so that they could 
see clearl}'- ; and firing more than sixt}- shots at that bush, which 
they stoutly pierced, they could not perceive any movement. 



MANNERS AND CUvSTOMvS OK THK BOERS. 81 

After tlie cattle had been quieted again, and tliey had looked 
carefully around, they missed Sniit, the sentry, from before the tent. 
They called as loudly as possible, but in vain; nobody answered, 
and it was then concluded that the lion had carried him off. Three 
or four men then advanced very cautiously to the bush, which 
stood right opposite the door of the tent, to see if they could dis- 
cover anything of the man, but returned greatly alarmed, for the 
lion, who was there still, rose up, and began to roar ; they saw too, 
the musket of the sentry, which was cocked, and also, his cap and 
shoes. 

As the bush was sixty paces from the tent and only thirty 
from the wagon, and they were able to point at it as a target, they 
fired into it about a hundred shots without perceiving anything of 
the lion, from which they concluded that he was killed, or had run 
away. This induced Stamansz to go and see if he were there or 
not, taking with him a firebrand. But no sooner did he approach 
the bush, than the lion roared terribly and leaped at him ; on which 
he threw the firebrand at his assailant, and the others having fired 
about ten shots, he retired directly to his former place behind the 
bush. 

FIRING INTO A BURNING BUSH. 

The firebrand had fallen into the midst of the bush, and, 
favored by the strong south-east wind, it began to biirn with a great 
flame, so that they could see very clearly into and through it. 
They continued firing into it ; and as the night passed away and 
the day began to break, every one was anxious to aim at the lion, 
as he could not go from thence without exposing himself entirely 
to their fire. Seven men, posted on the furthest wagons, watched 
him that they might fire, if he should come out. 

At last, before it became quite light, he walked up the hill 
with poor Smit in his mouth, when about forty shots were fired at 
him, but, although some were very near, he escaped unhurt. 
Every time a ball approached him, he turned round towards the 
tent, and roared at his enemies ; and Kupt was of the opinion that 
if he had been hit, he would have rushed on the people and the 
tent. 

6 



^ MANNKRv^ AXn CUSTOMS 01<^ TUV. BOKRS. 

On the arrival ofbnxxd daylig'lit, they saw by the hhxxl, and a 
piece of the ch>thes ot* the man, that the lion had carried away his 
victim. They also tbiind behind the bush the place where the 
lion had kept him, and it appeared excee«.lingly strange that no 
lx\ll should have struck the lion, as several of them were beaten 
tlat. As it w:\s hoped he might have been wounded and not far 
otV, the people asked Kupt to be allowed to go in search o{ Smit's 
corpse, in order to bury it, supposing that by the tire that had been 
constantly kept up, the lion would not have had time to devour 
much of it. 

Kupt giive permission to some, on condition that they should 
take a gvod party of armed Hottentots with them, and made them 
promise that they would kcvp a go^xl Ux^kout, and avoid all un- 
necessary danger. Seven of the party, assisted by forty-three armed 
Hottentots, foUowxxi tlie track, and found the lion about half a 
league further on, lying behind a little bush. 

A TERJRIBLE ENCOUNTER. 

On the shout of the Hottentots, he sprang- up and ran a^*ay, 
on which they all followed in pursuit. At length, the lion turned 
n'mnd and rushes.!, roaring terribly among^st the crowd. The peo- 
ple, fatigneii and out of breath with running", tired, but missed him, 
on which he made directly toxAivrds theiu. Two of the people \\*ere 
now attackcii by the lion, when the captain, or chief man of the 
kn\al, threw himself lxH\veen them and the lion, and that so closely 
that the claws of the lion ^\x'>re struck into his sheej-v-skin g-annent. 

Instantly the lion hunter dofRxl his mantle and stabbed the 
lion with his spear ; and the other Hottentots striking into tlie lion 
their s^x'^ars, Kupt says '' he looked like a porcupine." Still he did 
not leave otY rvwring and leaping ; but bit off some of the spears, 
until Stamans.- tired a ball into his eye, which made him turn o\'er 
and the others shot him dead. This A\n\s a A^r>' large lion, and had 
but a short time Wfbre de\x>ured a Hottentot whom he had carried 
otT f:vm the kriiah 

On another occasion, the grass M-as exceedingly tall, and the 
country ab^^uuded in spring-bucks. A Hottentot thought he per- 



MANNKRvS AND CUvSTOMS OI<' I'TlK BOIvRvS. 83 

ceived one amidst the grass, and crept closely up to it in order to 
make sure of his shot, when, on rising to discharge his piece, he 
found himself close on a large, male lion, which instantly set up a 
loud roar. 

His own tale, however, was not a little amusing. " I saw," 
said he, " a spring-buck, which I made sure of having in the pot 
to-night ; but when T got close to it, I found it to be the Governor. 
I was just going to fire, when he asked me in a loud tone, ' What 
are you going to do?' ' Oh,' said T, * I beg your pardon, I did not 
know it was your honor, or I sliould not have presumed to draw so 
near you ; I hope your honor will not consider it an insult, and I 
shall instantly retire.' So I scampered away a great deal quicker 
than I went to him, and made the best of the situation." 

A NARROW ESCAPE. 

Diederik Muller and his brother Christian were accustomed to 
hunt in company, and between them killed a large number of lions. 
The}'' did not achieve this, however, without many hair-breadth 
escapes, and have more than once saved each other's lives. On one 
occasion, a lion sprang suddenly on Diederik, from behind a stone 
wall — bore man and horse to the ground, and was proceeding to finish 
his career, when Christian galloped up and shot the savage brute 
through the heart. In this encounter Diederik was so roughly 
handled that he lost his hearing in one ear — the lion having dug 
his claws deeply into it. 

When the nightly depredations of a tiger have roused the 
farmers, the following is the course pursued : The animal is tracked 
to its lair in the thick underwood, and, when found, attacked by 
large dogs. If possible, it flies ; but, when unable to escape, makes 
a desperate defence, raising itself above the assailants by leaping 
on a bush, and from thence striking them down with its paws as 
they rush in, and from its great strength and activity, frequently 
destroying them. But the tiger seems to know its master foe, and 
should a man approach within the range of its tremendous spring, 
it at once leaves the dogs and darts upon him, and the struggle is 
then for life. 



84 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOERS. 

A native, going out early one morning, to look after cattle, 
heard liis dogs baying at a distance in tlie jungle, and, on coming 
up to ascertain the cause, was met b}- a tiger's spring. The tiger 
clung, and, seizing him b}'- the nape of his neck, tore the skin off, 
until the scalp hung over his eyes , but, even in this state of tor- 
ture, the native drew his wood-knife from his belt and stabbed him 
to the heart. In general, the man stands at a distance, waiting his 
opportunit}^ till he can fire without injuring the dogs. 

FIERCE COMBAT WITH A TIGER. 

Mr. Shaw, the missionary, says : " News was brought one 
evening, that a horse had been laid hold of b};' a tiger and partly 
devoured. The chief gave orders that the hunters should be on the 
spot at sunrise the next morning. I engaged to accompau}^ them, 
and took my dog and gun, the Namaquas had their clubs, and all 
the dogs which they were able to procure. A little terrier having 
obtained the scent, ran forward till it came to the cavern where the 
tiger had taken up his abode. It stood at the entrance and barked, 
not knowing the kind of game it had been pursuing. The tiger 
rose, and fixing its eyes on the terrier, it scampered away at its 
utmost speed. 

'' The tiger now stood on the surface of a large sloping rock, 
and, on seeing the other dogs, he looked angrily at them, and 
began to grumble, as though he would challenge them to an attack. 
My own dog and two others instantly accepted the challenge, and 
a furious contest ensued. It was impossible for me to make use of 
my gun ; but at this crisis, a native, on seeing that the dogs were 
fliithful to each other, ran and seized the tiger's tail, which he held 
with all his might. The tiger roared, the dogs became more 
furious, the men with their clubs approached and beat him on the 
head ; and thus assailed, he soon groaned his last." 

A resident in the colonj', named Bournan, was suddenh' 
attacked by a tiger, who stuck its claws into his head, aiming at 
his throat, that he might suck out the blood of the victim. Bour- 
nan, an athletic and powerful man, wrestling eamestlj^ wdth his 
foe, succeeded in throwing: the tiser on the ground, where, for a 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BOERS. 85 

time, lie held it down. He soon found, however, that the animal 
was too strong for him, but when about to give himself up as lost, 
recollected that he had a knife in his pocket. Instantly taking it 
out, he pressed with all his might the tiger to the ground, and 
succeeded in cutting its throat. Bouman was covered with wounds 
from which the blood during the fearful struggle copiously flowed; 
but though his life was preserved, it was long before his previous 
strength was restored. 

The testimony of old Teysho to a traveler entirely corresponded 
with what he had heard on the same subject from the Boers and 
Hottentots. The lion, he said, very seldom attacks man if unpro- 
voked ; but he will frequently approach within a few paces and 
survey him steadily ; and sometimes he will attempt to get behind 
him as if he could not stand his look, but was yet desirous of 
springing upon him unawares. If a person in such circumstances 
attempts either to fight or fly he incurs the most imminent peril ; 
but if he has sufficient presence of mind coolly to confront him, 
the animal will, in almost every instance, retire. 

The power of the human eye is felt by other animals. A 
British officer in India, having chanced to ramble into a jungle 
adjoining the encampment, suddenly encountered a royal tiger. 
The rencounter appeared equally unexpected on both sides, and 
both parties made a dead halt — earnestly gazing on each other. 
The officer had no firearms, and was aware that a sword would be 
no effective defence in a struggle for life with such an antagonist. 

But he had heard that even the Bengal tiger might be some- 
times checked by looking him firmly in the face. He did so. In 
a few minutes the tiger, which appeared preparing to make his 
fatal spring, grew disturbed — slunk aside — and attempted to creep 
round upon him behind. The officer turned constantly on the tiger 
— which still continued to shrink from his glance ; — but darting 
into the thicket and again issuing forth at a diiierent quarter, it 
persevered for about an hour in this attempt to catch him by sur- 
prise ; till at last it fairly yielded the contest and left the officer to 
pursue his walk. The direction he now took, it may easily be 
believed, was straight to the tents, at double-quick time. 



CHAPTER V. 

The Great Powers Dividing Africa. 

(5 I HK scramble for Africa among the great nations might well 
ojl be called a modem movement. It was not, indeed, until 
1884 that Europe turned anything like covetous eyes toward 
the Dark Continent. Up to that time the controlling powers in 
Africa were England and France, and even these two great colo- 
nizers pursued their annexations in a most leisurely fashion. Por- 
tugal, it is true, possessed some 800,000 square miles in East and 
West Africa, but her corrupt and feeble administrative policy in all 
colonial affairs made her practically a dead letter. 

A year previously, too, the German flag had been raised by a 
German private trader on the coast of Namaqualand, in South-west 
Africa. It was a small and apparently unpretentious incident at 
first sight, but it was the thin edge of the wedge. It was the begin- 
ning of the scramble. 

To go back to the beginning, Africa, when the Roman empire 
fell into decay, suffered a corresponding relapse. Her fringe of 
seashore civilization melted away like snow, and the Roman was fol- 
lowed by the Islamic occupation, which, by the twelfth century, had 
firmly established itself in the very heart of Northern Africa. 
Then came the maritime rise of Portugal, and the first visits of her 
adventurous seamen to the shores of the mysterious Dark Conti- 
nent. At the end of the eighteenth century, Turkey had invaded 
the north, the Dutch had landed quietly at the Cape, the French 
claimed Senegal, and the English owned Gambia and the Guinea 
coast. 

Early in the nineteenth century, however, Europe found her- 
self so busy at home, that Africa was for the time being forgotten, 
and only isolated explorers carried on operations within her 
borders. Up to 1857, when the heroic Livingstone first appeared 
on the scene, African exploration had been mainly confined to the 



THE GREAT POWERS DIVIDING AFRICA. 87 

Niger basin. But when Livingstone Had. once opened tlie way, 
Baker, Stanley, Speke, Grant and Burton were not slow to follow. 

Between 1879 and 1883, Stanley Had founded what eventually 
became the Congo Free State, and in so doing awakened the inter- 
est and the latent animosity of both France and Portugal. Europe 
woke up with a start, and from that day it was destined that Africa 
should know no longer what was meant by the word peace. 

In 1884-5, t^^ Berlin congress came together, and practically 
laid down what might be called the rules of the game. And a 
merry game it was — that of slicing up a continent. The spheres 
of England, France and Germany were nonchalantly decided upon, 
and the whole continent was roughly blocked out. It was all come 
by so easily, it was so tremendous in extent, and its possession 
was so intoxicatingly novel that the different powers said among 
themselves, with a great deal of magnanimity, that there was 
plenty of elbow room, and no need for crowding, and so it was not 
hard to arrive at an understanding. But later, when the actual 
partition of the continent took place, and the various spheres were 
delimited and looked into, dissatisfaction began to manifest itself. 

IMMENSE BRITISH POSSESSIONS. 

There was some reason for dissatisfaction. A glance at the 
map of Africa will show this. British South Africa, in the first 
place, extends from the Cape to Lake Tanganyika, a distance of 
1,800 miles. In fact, the whole south coast is British, and with 
Africa, it must be remembered, the farther you get away from the 
equator the more valuable the possession. This immense British 
sphere is bordered on the west by German Southwest Africa, Por- 
tuguese Guinea and the Congo Free State, while the two Boer 
republics are shut into the British spheres as enclosures, and will, 
it now seems apparent, be finally absorbed by the greater power, 
against whom they have seen fit to take up the sword. The only 
disputed boundary in this part of Africa is that between the pos- 
sessions of Great Britain and Portugal. 

All this immense South African British area, covering about 
1,000,000 square miles of territory, is in varying degrees of incor- 



88 THE GREAT POWERS DIVIDING AFRICA. 

poration and assimilation by tliat ever-expanding empire wliose 
center is London. Wliat is not nominally nnder the protectorate 
of the Britisli government is practically under the wing of the 
British South Africa company, that wonderful business concern 
which was first organized by two hard-headed old Scotsmen, who 
saw that an African company might exploit the Dark Continent as 
the Bast India company had done with Asia, and as the Hudson 
Bay Company had done in America. The territories of this 
African company extend up into the very heart of the continent 
to-day, and their frontier posts are steadily percolating deeper and 
deeper into the interior. 

Roughly estimated, the British Bmpire in Africa embraces 
2,300,000 square miles, a region equal in extent to all that portion 
of the United States east of the Rockies. This includes the white 
man's country of South Africa, with its high table-lands, its 
diamonds and its gold ; British Central Africa, or Rhodesia ; British 
East Africa, stretching from the Indian Ocean to Lake Victoria, 
and having within its borders Uganda, " the pearl of Africa," dis- 
covered by Henry M. Stanley, and now fast developing into a pros- 
perous and modern community, with merchant and war ships aiding 
its commerce on the lake and railroads connecting it with the ocean 
and the interior, all of which promises a bright future. 

MAKES WAR AND PEACE. 

On the west coast is the Niger Territory, holding the mouth 
of the great water-way of Western Africa, under the control of the 
British Royal Niger Company, having such absolute sway that it 
makes war and peace, concludes treaties with the natives and 
exercises all the attributes of sovereignty under the protecting care 
of Great Britain. Then there are the minor colonies, the Gold 
Coast, Sierra Leone, scarcely worth speaking of, as they are relics 
of past greatness during the slave trade days. 

It is in Bast Africa, however, from the Cape up to the Medi- 
terranean, that one sees the present imperial sway of the Briton, 
as well as the potential importance of this new empire. It extends 
practically in an unbroken sweep from the northernmost to the 



THE GREAT POWERS DIVIDING AFRICA. 89 

soutliernmost points of tHe continent. Bgypt continues to be 
nominally independent, althougli under the protection of tlie Britisli 
flag, with. British officials directing Egyptian finances and British 
officers leading Egyptian armies. 

Essentially, therefore, Egypt is to be regarded as a British 
sphere of influence, destined to regain her lost colonies. The area 
of Egypt and the Soudan was not included in the 2,300,000 square 
miles given as the British Empire in Africa, and if these depend- 
encies are added the total is brought up to almost 3,000,000 square 
miles, equal to the area of the United States, not including Alaska. 

VAST AFRICAN EMPIRE. 

A glance at the British possessions in Africa shows how strong 
the impulse of British statesmen has been to knit together this 
African empire into one homogeneous whole instead of detached 
parts. Each part is reaching out to its neighbors. This has been 
going on until the chance of a " Cairo to the Cape " route, entirely 
under British control, is no longer a dream. Already the railroad 
is up to Buluwayo, more than thirteen hundred miles from the 
Cape, while from the north Kitchener has pushed the railroad even 
further. 

The Nile and the lakes give added means of transportation. 
At present there is a gap of less than three hundred miles in the 
connection of British Central Africa and British East Africa, and 
with this gap filled the rule of the British Empire will in fact 
reach from Cairo to the Cape. It will be from Germany or from 
the Congo Free State that this gap will be made up, either by 
cession or lease. 

Considering the steady development of this new empire in 
Africa and the manifold benefits springing from it, it would seem 
to be a part of this general plan that the Transvaal and the Orange 
Free State should be absorbed by the larger power. But it may be 
that these small communities will show a Spartan fortitude and 
courage which will resist this hitherto irresistible tide of empire. 
Such a result would be of doubtful value to the world at large, for 
thus far with empire have come development and progress. 



90 THE GREAT POWERS DIVIDING AFRICA. 

The limits of Britisli East Africa were arranged by agreement 
witli Germany and Italy, the two contiguons powers. Bnt it is 
here that France steps in. France has shown a Gallic impetuosity 
in her annexations. Of England she has always been jealous in 
Africa, and thereby hangs a tale. 

The territory claimed by France in the Dark Continant covers 
something like 3,000,000 square miles, or perhaps a little more. 
By the Anglo-French arrangement of 1890 England very magnani- 
mously ceded to her European rival all the Sahara desert. Now, the 
Sahara desert, as Lord Salisbury rather wittily termed it, is "very light 
soil. " The extreme ' ' lightness ' ' of this soil did not dawn on the French 
mind until after the agreement had been dra^Ti up and settled. 
Then France saw she had been gold-bricked. Algeria and Tunis, 
of course, she held by right of conquest, but on the northwest she 
found herself shut off from the coast by Morocco, and also those 
Spanish possessions known as Rio d'Oro. Deserts under such 
circumstances are not such desirable possessions, so France realized 
that, while she was apparently the largest land-owner in all Africa, 
she was actually possessor of the biggest territorial white elephant 
ever palmed off on an unsuspecting power. 

FRANCE PUSHING HER CLAIMS. 

It was to make amends for this error that France, "misinter- 
preting the Berlin agreement, slipped in and occupied Busa, and 
also dispatched Major Marchand and his expedition to pick up any 
territorial w^aifs that might be left l3dng about bej^ond Fashoda. 
The one aim of France has been to have direct access to the lower 
Niger. In this matter Great Britain seems to have cleverl}^ check- 
mated her rival and appears to have made up her mind on no 
account to yield any part of the west bank of the lower Niger to 
France, notwithstanding the latter's claim, though a disputed one, 
to certain spots in that vicinit}^ by right of previous occupation. 

France, however, has seized on her share elsewhere. She has 
Madagascar. It cost her dear, and she is still pa3dng for it, but 
she has it. From a little to the north of Cape Blanco round to 
the British Gold Coast Colony she possesses a long line of coast, 



THE GREAT POWERS DIVIDING AFRICA. 91 

tBougli tlie same is somewhat interrupted by such foreign patches 
as British Gambia, Liberia, Portuguese Guinea and Sierra Leone. 
The whole of the upper Niger above Say is French, and nearly all 
the country that nestles in the great bend of that river is claimed 
by her. 

The most threatening bone of contention in this quarter is a 
patch of land behind the British Gold Coast and German Togoland, 
made up chiefly of the kingdom of Mossi. Over it flutter both 
the tricolor and the union jack, though one must give way. Behind 
Ashanti Great Britain also claims certain territory, and is doing her 
best to strengthen that claim by as effective an occupation as possible. 

SHARP PRAOTICE AGAINST THE NATIVES. 

Belgium occupies a goodly strip of the basin of the Congo. 
By a convention with Great Britain in 1894 a slice of the west 
Albert Nyanza shore and a portion of the upper Nile was leased to 
the Belgians. Since that time, however, pressure from France has 
cut down the original Belgian claim. It might not be out of place 
here to add that the rule of both France and Belgium has shown 
none of that liberality and general idea of fair play toward the 
native which is associated with Bnglish domination. 

In 1895, when France seemed to be menacing the country of 
the Kalifa, it was declared in the British parliament that any 
attempt on the part of France to establish herself on the Nile 
would be regarded as "an unfriendly act." The French Soudan is 
defined as that country included in the basins of the Niger and the 
Senegal west of Togoland, together with that embraced in the 
northern bend of the river. Like the Niger region, this territory 
is densely populated and capable of great commercial development. 
But France, as has already been said, is not satisfied. She declares 
that the agreements reached between England, Germany and Italy 
relative to the delimitations of the Egyptian Soudan are not bind- 
ing upon her, and declines to accept what Great Britain has pointed 
out as the limit of the French claim on the Soudan's western border. 

This eagerness on the part of France to find a footing on the 
upper Nile is intimately associated with the presence and the activi- 



92 THE GREAT POWERS DIVIDING AFRICA. 

ties of tHe Englisli in that district. xAs all the world knows, this 
Anglican acti\dt3' is bitted}^ resented bj^ France, who realizes that 
while Egypt is nominall}^ under the suzerainty of Turkey, it is 
reall}' an English dependenc3\ And since the defeat of the kalifa 
at Omdurniau once more gave England control of the lost Egj'ptian 
Soudan, France's uneasiness has been in no way allayed. It is for 
this reason that England, in her war with the South African Repub- 
lic, finds no S3'^mpathizers on the European continent. " She has 
lived by the sword," sa}^ the continental powers, '' so let her suflfer 
by the sword." 

Thus it ^\dll be seen that the French explorers and statesmen 
seem to have chosen Western Africa as their field of influence, as 
Britain has chosen Eastern Africa. The total French possessions, 
free from controvers}^ and dispute -uith other Powers, now reach 
the enormous total area of more than 3,000,000 square miles. This 
includes the flourishing colon}' of Algeria, on the north, which, 
like Cape Colony at the other extremit}^ of the continent, is na- 
turall}' adapted as a home for the white man. South of this is that 
vast sweep of countr}^ once kno^\'n as the Desert of Sahara. 

RICHES IN THE DESERT. 

But France has found unkno\\Ti wealth in these sands. Al- 
read}' a railroad has crossed Algeria and is pushing into this 
former desert for the purpose of opening up the whole western sec- 
tion and bringing forth its latent riches. South of the desert 
France controls the headwaters of the Niger, with its fertile val- 
leys. Further south is the French Congo, with the Congo River 
and its valley along the southern border. 

It was from these western possessions that Marchand pushed 
forward to Fashoda, while another French expedition, starting 
from Obok, on the east coast, sought to join hands ^rith him, thus 
demonstrating to the world that England's dream of a British 
Africa, inseparable from Cairo to the Cape, was not to be realized. 
But while these plans were not fully carried out, France has de- 
veloped her possessions in other directions, until she rightl}^ makes 
claim of holding first place in the extent of possessions in Africa. 



THE GREAT POWERS DIVIDING AFRICA. 93 

Germany, wlio may be said to liave begun tbe scramble for 
Africa, Has come off witb far less territory than ber rivals. It 
must be remembered, bowever, tbat altbougb sbe began witb a 
rusb, tbat rusb started as late as 1883. Previous to tbat time sbe 
bad notbing ; now sbe bas undisputed possession of almost 1,000,000 
square miles. Sbe began ber acquisitions in soutb-west Africa, 
wbere, by arrangement witb Bngland, sbe came into possession of 
Damaraland and Namaqualand. But it is doubtful if tbis balf 
desert country can ever be of any practical value. In fact, it would 
never bave been allowed to slip tbrougb Jobn Bull's bands were 
it otberwise. 

Germany's greatest African possession, bowever, lies in tbe 
eastern part of tbe continent, witb Britisb Bast Africa on its nortb 
and Portuguese Bast Africa on its soutb. Tbis territory of tbe 
Germans includes tbe soutbern balf of tbe Victoria Nyanza and a 
portion of tbe sbore of Lake Tanganyika, witb about 400 miles of 
coast line. Altbougb several efforts bave been made to open up 
tbis country, Germany does not seem to bave tbe remarkable suc- 
cess of tbe Britisb in ber colonizing attempts. Tbe vast bulk of 
tbe country is little more tban an unknown desert. Wbile Ger- 
many still clings stubbornly to an indefinite claim to territory 
lying nortb of Asbanti, it is extremely doubtful tbat ber African 
possessions will ever materially increase. 

GERMAN EMPIRE IN AFRICA. 

Germany, coming late, took tbe least desirable desert country, 
and even tbe scant possibilities of tbis bave been furtber weigbed 
down by officialism and militarism, wbicb are tbe main cbaracter- 
istics of German colonizing, as against tbe local civil administra- 
tions wbicb tbe Britisb and Frencb put into force. In West Africa 
Germany bas also set ber foot — in tbe Kameruns, not far from 
tbe Niger country, and at Togoland, running from tbe Gulf of 
Guinea back to a ricb interior. Witb Germany's industrial awak- 
ening and ber need for new markets tbis German Bmpire in Africa 
is viewed at Berlin as a seat of future greatness. 

At tbe beginning of tbe scramble for Africa, Portugal put 



94 THE GREAT POWERS DIVIDING AFRICA. 

fortH tremendous claims for a colonial empire stretching across tiie 
continent from Angola to Mozambique. England soon stepped 
forward and shattered that dream, and to-day the actual jurisdiction 
of the Portuguese seldom extends beyond a fringe of coast terri- 
tory. One of her richest possessions, Delagoa Bay, has passed 
into the hands of the English by purchase, and on the Guinea 
coast all that remains of her old possessions is a small strip of 
14,000 square miles south of the Gambia. 

Italy has had much the same luck as Portugal. For many a 
year she had cast a covetous eye toward Tripoli. France spoiled 
that scheme b}^ curtly telling her to keep hands off, or there would 
be trouble. So it was uot until 1882 that she took any step toward 
getting a slice of the continental pie that was going around. 
Twelve years previously an Italian trading house had obtained the 
cession of a little spot of land on Assab bay, and here Italy saw 
the chance for forcing in the usual thin edge of the usual wedge. 
In a little less than six years she had reached Cape Kasar and had 
prepared to absorb Ab^^ssinia. It w^as a sad mistake. She at- 
tempted more than she could perform, and, after a series of humil- 
iating disasters, was forced back to her little strip along the Red 
Sea. She still adheres to a vague claim on Somaliland, but it is 
doubtful if she will ever be able to establish this claim. 

THE NEGRO AND AMERICAN INDIAN. 

During all these struggles life has gone darkly with the Afri- 
can. While his eventual fate may be, as scholars and statesmen 
believe, that of the red Indian in America, it mil be a much greater 
length of time before he will pass away from the continent which 
the more virile white has wrung and is still wringing from him. 
But it is onl}^ a matter of time, and a very short time, when everj^ 
mile of Africa will be opened up and ever}' obscure tribe introduced 
to the railway engine and the advanced ideas and the whisky bottle 
of the European civilizer. 

When once Cecil Rhodes' dream of a " Cape to Cairo " rail- 
way is realized and the heart of the Dark Continent is pierced by 
a lin of steel rails, the greatest work in the transformation of 



THE GREAT POWERS DIVIDING AFRICA. 



95 



Africa will liave been accomplislied. Chnstianization, once tlie 
watcliword of every power that intruded so sanctimoniously into 
the jungle of the black, seems to have been quite forgotten in the 
mad rush for land. 

Just bow industrious the different great nations Have been in 
this respect may be gleaned from the following table, in wbicb is 
given an approximate estimate of the area claimed by the different 
powers. France, it will be seen, comes first ; but if the Bgyptian 
Soudan and the other claimed territories of Great Britain be consid- 
ered as absolutely belonging to that empire, France would be 
second in the list of African landlords : 



France ....'. . . . 

Great Britain 

Germany 

Congo Free State . . . , 

Portugal 

Italy (including Somali- 
land) 

Spain 

Boer Republics 



Square miles. 

3,300,000 

2,300,000 

925,000 

900,000 

750,000 

420,000 
214,000 
168,000 



Abyssinia 

Morocco 

lyiberia 

Turkey (Egypt and Tripoli) 
Mahdi's Territories . . . . 

Wadai 

Unannexed Sahara .... 
Lakes 



Square miles. 
195,000 
220,000 
14,600 
800,000 
650,000 
150,000 
800,000 
68,000 



Total Africa 11,874,600 



TABLE OF DISTANCES. 
Such figures may serve to demonstrate the magnitude of the 
Dark Continent. To Americans who are in the habit of thinking 
of South Africa as an out-of-the-way comer of the world the fol- 
lowing railway distances will be interesting, if not surprising : 



Cape Town to — Miles. 

Kimberley 647 

Vryburg 774 

Mafeking 870 

Bulawayo 1,360 

Salisbury 1,553 

Bloemfontein 730 

Johannesburg 1,014 

Pretoria 1,040 

Port Elizabeth to— 

Rosemead Junction 243 

Norval's Pont 329 

Bloemfontein 450 

Viljoen's Drift 628 

Johannesburg 714 

Pretoria 740 



Durban to — Miles. 

Pietermaritzburg 70 

Ladysmith 189 

Harrismith 245 

Newcastle 268 

Laingsnek 300 

Charlestown 304 

Volksrust 323 

Standerton 330 

Heidelburg 440 

Johannesburg 483 

Pretoria 511 

Delagoa Bay to — 

Kometi Paart 58 

Pretoria 310 

Johannesburg 336 



96 THE GREAT POWERS DIVIDING AFRICA. 

All of this goes to show that time brings its changes. In the 
eighteenth centnr}^ the world was busy stealing Africans from 
Africa. In the nineteenth centur}^ the world is busy stealing 
Africa from Africans. 

The United States has thus far given no attention to territory 
in Africa, and has permitted the other powers to apportion Africa 
among themselves as best suited them. Liberia has at times 
reached out to this corntr}^ for help, and an American protectorate 
has been proposed. But Liberia is little more than a dot on Africa, 
having an area of only 12,000 square miles. Moreover, it is not 
a white man's country, for Sierra Leone, alongside, is known as the 
white man's grave. As a charit\^, protection might be given to 
Liberia, but for practical considerations it would be a travesty for 
the United States to look to that spot as the seat of future Ameri- 
can effort in Africa. 

PROPORTION OF WHITES AND NATIVES. 

The territory claimed b}^ each of the great powers in Africa 
affords no estimate of the foreign or native population. For 
example, the British and Dutch in South Africa, both combined, 
are everj'where outnumbered b}" the native element, chiefl}^ Kaffirs 
and Hottentots, but for the purpose of comparison the savage races 
ma}^ be ignored. 

Taking the various political di\4sions in detail, in Cape Colony 
the western, that is, the older settled part, is predominant^ Dutch. 
The British form the majorit}^ onl}- in the south-east, from Algoa 
Bay eastwards, the diamond mining country about Kimberley, the 
copper-producing part of Little Namaqua Land, and in Cape 
Town itself. The south-eastern pro-British portion of the colon}^ 
is much more progressive and gTOwing in population than the older 
western portion. The former derives a great deal of trade from 
the rapidly developing countries lying to the north ; the latter has 
onh' deserts on its northern side, and is, therefore, almost entirely 
dependent on its trade. 

Taking Cape Colonv as a whole, the British and Dutch sec- 
tions are probably- in about the ratio of seven to ten. In Natal 



I 



THE GREAT POWERS DIVIDING AFRICA. 97 

about five-sixtHs of the 50,000 wHites are estimated to be Britisli. 
lu the extreme northwest, however, there is a small Boer majority, 
a survival of the Great Trek, or emigration of 1836. 

The Orange River Free State and Transvaal republics are, 
of course, pre-eminently Boer. The small, but relatively densely 
peopled patch about Johannesburg is the glaring exception, from 
the existence of which has sprung the whole vexed question. 
The as yet sparsely peopled Rhodesia and Bechuanaland are with 
equal obviousness British, but their white population is too insig- 
nificant to play any great part in the solution of the difficulty. 

A COUNTRY FOR THE ANGLO-SAXON. 

Although the whole of South Africa is not under the rule of 
Great Britain, the Bnglish or American emigrant is able to make 
his home in any part of it, and the Knglish language is commonly 
used in every town or village, whether in Cape Colony or in Natal, 
in the Dutch republics or in the Portuguese possessions. 

It appears that the shape and construction of South Africa are 

of particular, almost of providential, advantage to the Anglo-Saxon 

of to-day. Had the harbors been more .accessible, the roads into 

the interior easier and more general, the land itself better watered 

and more readily cultivated, a country with so genial a climate 

must, centuries ago, have passed into the hands of other nations, 

which were at that time much further advanced than ourselves ; or, 

failing this, must have been so thickly peopled by races native to 

the soil as to leave no room for colonists from abroad. It needed 

Anglo-Saxon enterprise to open up this wild country. 
7 



CHAPTER VI. 

Wonderful Country of Rhodesia. 

IN 1S97 tlie celebrated explorer, Heiirj^ M. Staule}'-, to wliom 
credit must be given for man}' of tlie most important discov- 
eries ever made in Africa, visited the southern part of the 
continent and gathered most valuable information concerning the 
Transvaal, Orange Free State and other localities that have become 
well knoAvn in the war between the English and Boers. 

]\Ir. Stanley first visited Rhodesia, a vast territor^^, under the 
dominion of Great Britain, and h'ing north of the Transvaal. 
Named after Mr. Cecil Rhodes, the most prominent English capi- 
talist and government official in South Africa. This tenitory has 
come prominenth' into vieM' on account of its vast agTicultural and 
mineral wealth, and the splendid future believed by ever^'bod}' to 
await it. We cannot do the reader a gxeater favor than to peiTuit 
Mr. Stanle}' to give, in his o^Yll language, his most interesting ac- 
count of his latest visit to the southern part of the great continent 
that ^^'ill hereafter ever be associated ^^ith his name. Writing from 
Bulawaj'o, the principal town in Rhodesia, he says : 

The exploration and the development of Rhodesia have alwa3'S 
been regarded bv me \vith sentimental interest. Ever}' new advance 
in this region has been hailed b}- me with infinite satisfaction, and 
no man regretted more than m^-self the lapses of the founder and 
x\dministrator in December, 1S95, which threatened to involve the 
whole of South Africa in trouble, and to arrest the progress which 
had begun. It appeared for a moment as if Rhodes and Jameson 
had relinquished golden substance for a shadow. 

It is not in human capacit}' to realize from a far distance the 
tmtk of the rumors which came from here respecting the intrinsic 
value of the land, and so I came here at a great inconvenience to 
mvself to verify by actual observation what had been repeatedly 
stated. I have been rewarded for so doing b}- clear con^'ictions, 

98 



WONDERFUIv COUNTRY OF RHODESIA. 99 

wliicli, tliougii tliey may be of no great value to others, are very 
satisfactory to myself, and will forever remain fixed in my mind, 
despite all contrary assertions. There was a little speech recently 
delivered by Commandant Van Rensburg, which, perhaps, will be 
thought by London editors of no importance, but it was most gratify- 
ing to me, inasmuch as I had become possessed with the same ideas. 
He said that it was generally supposed that without gold Rhodesia 
could not exist, but he differed from that view, as, he was certain 
in his own mind, it would remain an important country because 
of its many agricultural products, its native wood, coal, cement, 
etc., etc. 

He had come to the conclusion that Rhodesia was as fit for 
agriculture as any part of South Africa, though he had been rather 
doubtful of it before he had seen the land with his own eyes. That 
is precisely my view. It is natural that the large majority of vis- 
itors who have come here to satisfy themselves about the existence 
of gold in Rhodesia should pay but little attention to what may be 
seen on the surface ; but those who have done so now know that 
Rhodesia has a great agricultural future before it. 

GREAT RAILWAY ACHIEVEMENT. 

Several hundreds of men, eminent in divers professions, have 
come from England, America, the Cape, Orange Free State, Natal, 
Basuto and Zulu Lands, the Transvaal, Bechuanaland and Northern 
Rhodesia, to celebrate the railway achievement by which this young 
colony has become connected with the oldest colony in South Africa. 
In any other continent the opening of five hundred miles of new 
railway would be fittingly celebrated by the usual banquet and the 
after-dinner felicitations of those directly concerned with it ; but in 
this instance there are six members of the Imperial Parliament, the 
High Commissioner of the Cape, the Governor of Natal, scores of 
members of the Colonial Legislatures, and scores of notabilities, 
leaders of thought and action, bankers, merchants, and clergy from 
every colony and state in the southern part of tliis continent. They 
all felt it to be a great event. 

Few events of the century surpass it in interest and import- 

uofa 



100 WONDERFUI. COUNTRY OF RHODESIA. 

ance. It marks the conclusion of an audacious enterprise, which 
at one time would have been deemed impossible, and later as most 
unlikely. It furnishes a lesson to all colonizing nations. It 
teaches methods of operation never practiced before. It suggests 
large and grand possibilities, completely reforms and alters our 
judgment with regard to Africa, effaces difficulties that impeded 
right views, and infuses a belief that, once the political and capi- 
talist public realizes what the occasion really signifies, this railway 
is but the precursor of many more in this continent. In fact, we 
have been publicl}^ told that we are to expect others, and that the 
railway to the Victoria Falls of the Zambesi is the next on the 
programme, and will soon become a palpable fact. 

RAPID ADVANCE EVERYWHERE. 

The Rudd-Rhodes Concession was granted by Lo Bengula in 
1888. The Charter to the South Africa Compau}^ was given in 
1889 ; possession of IMashonaland was taken by Jameson and his 
pioneers on September 12, 1890; Bulawa}^© was entered in 1893, 
and thus the Lo Bengula Concession grew to be Rhodesia. But 
during this brief interval the advance has been so rapid that, 
though at home people ma}^ vaguely believe in it, one has to see 
the town of Bulawayo and to come in personal contact with its peo- 
ple to fully comprehend what has been done, and to rightly under- 
stand the situation. 

With the clearer view gained by a personal ^dsit the huge 
map in the Stock Exchange, which shows the estates, farms, to^vn- 
ships, and mines of Rhodesia, becomes an encyclopaedia of informa- 
tion — the plans of Bulawayo and Salisbury, and other towns which 
have arisen in Rhodesia, valuable directories. If fresh from an 
inspection and ^tud}- of these you step out and look at the to^\m of 
Bulawayo, and glance at the countr}^, 3^ou begin to share the local 
knowledge of the inhabitants, see with their eyes, understand on 
what they base their hopes, and grasp the real meaning of pushing 
a railway 500 miles to reach a tovm of 3000 people. 

So that, while at home men were arguing that the Rudd- 
Rhodes Concession was valueless, and Rhodesia a fraud, th« land 



WONDERFUL COUNTRY OF RHODESIA. 101 

was being bought witb avidity, prospectors liad discovered gold 
reefs, shafts had been sunk, tunnels had been made to get a fair 
idea of the value of the reefs, a nominal capital of many millions 
■ — some say twenty millions, some say double that sum — had been 
assured for operations, towns had been created with all the com- 
forts suited to new colonists, and the embryo State was fairly started 
into existence. 

While being instructed in the hopes and ambitions of several 
of the local people, my knowledge of how other young countries, 
such as the States, Canada, Australia, had been affected by the ex- 
tension of the railway into parts as thinly inhabited as Rhodesia, 
induced me to cast my glance far beyond Rhodesia, that I might 
see what was likely to be its destiny, whether it was to be a Free 
State like Orange, self-suf&cient and complacent within its own 
limits, or broadly ambitious like Illinois State, of which Chicago is 
the heart. Assuming that the energy which has already astonished 
us be continued, there are enormous possibilities in view. 

A COMMERCIAL CENTRE. 

Bulawayo is 1360 miles from Cape Town, but it is only 1300 
miles of land travel from Cairo, for the rest of the distance may be 
made over deep lakes and navigable rivers ; it is but 1300 miles to 
Mossamedes, in Angola, which would bring the town within fifteen 
days from London ; it is only 450 miles from Beira, on the East 
Coast, which would give it another port of entry open to commerce 
from the Suez Canal, India, Australia, and New Zealand ; it is but 
350 miles from N'gami ; it must tap British Central Africa and the 
southern parts of the Congo State. That is the position acquired 
by Bulawayo by the railway from Cape Town. 

Chicago, less than 60 years ago, had far less pretensions 
than this town, and yet its population now runs into the millions. 
Something of what Chicago has become Bulawayo may aspire to. 
The vast coal fields to which the new railway is to run, the stone, 
granite, sandstone, trachyte, the woods, minerals, gold, copper, 
lead and iron, the enormous agricultural area, are valuable assets 
which must nourish it to an equal destiny. 



102 WONDERFUL COUNTRY OF RHODESIA. 

Tlien the Victoria Falls, larger tlian Niagara, what miglity 
electrical power lies stored there ! I merely mention these things 
hap-hazard with the view of assisting my readers to understand 
the significance of these festivities. Many men will think and 
meditate on them, and new confidence, courage and energy will be 
begotten to stimulate them to greater designs and larger effort. 

But how does the scene at Bulawayo affect the political world ? 
It seems to me to have great importance for all South African and 
British politicians for the way it affects Germany, Portugal, the 
Congo Free State and Cape Colony. It will cause people to revise 
their opinions, and to clear their minds of all previous policies. 
Any influence that Germany may have hoped to exercise on South 
African politics has received a check by the insuperable barrier 
that has been created by those slender lines of steel between its 
South- West African Colony and the Dutch Republics. The Bech- 
uana Crown Colony and Protectorate, through which they run, 
must receive a percentage of all immigrants to Rhodesia. 

RIVALS OP THE GERMAN COLONY. 

These last two are far in advance of the German Colony, and 
each day must see them strengthened, so that they will become 
formidable obstacles in the way of German aspirations. These 
colonies, lying along the length of the western frontier of the 
Transvaal State, are four times larger than the Transvaal, and 
their grand stock-raising areas and agricultural plains having now 
become easily accessible, cannot remain long unoccupied. I fancy, 
therefore, that the ambition of Germany to rival England's claims 
to the paramountcy will become wholly extinguished now, and that 
her thinkers, like wise men, will prepare their minds for the new 
problems which must be met in a not remote future. 

The populating of Rhodesia by mixed races of whites of a 
superior order to any near it must exercise the Portuguese, whose 
territory lies between Rhodesia and the Indian Ocean. The iron 
road leading to it cannot be closed. The future of the country is 
no longer doubtful. We have tested its climate ourselves ; we have 
heard the general conviction that these lofty plains, 4500 feet above 



WONDERFUL COUNTRY OF RHODESIA. 103 

the sea, suit the constitution of the white race; we have seen a 
hundred English children going from Bulawayo to a picnic to cele- 
brate the arrival of the railway, and assuredly that would have 
been impossible on a tropical day in any other tropical country I 
know of. We have seen scores of infants on the streets, in the 
suburbs, on the plains outside, in arms and in perambulators, and 
they all looked thriving, pink and happy. 

The market of Bulawayo each day shows us Knglish vege- 
tables fresh from the garden. We have seen specimens of the 
cereals. Well, then, it appears to me certain that there will be a 
masterful population in this country before long, which it would 
be the height of unwisdom to vex overmuch with obsolete ordi- 
nances and by-laws such as obtain in Portuguese Africa, and bur- 
densome taxes and rates on the tra£6.c that must arise as this 
country grows in wealth and population. 

POSSESSIONS OF PORTUGAL. 

It may be hoped that intelligent Portuguese will do all in their 
power to promote concord and good feeling with their neighbor, to 
check refractory chiefs from doing anything to disturb the peace, 
for nothing could make the people of Rhodesia more restless than 
interruption to traffic, and a sense of insecurity. If they do that 
the Portuguese territory must become enriched by the neighbor- 
hood of Rhodesia. 

The Congo State will doubtless recognize its profit by the 
advent of the railway to Bulawayo and the extension of the line 
towards its southern borders, and the arrangements of the govern- 
ment will be such as to ensure respect for boundaries and to teach 
the native tribes that transgression of such will be dangerous. 

The British Government have a valuable object lesson for the 
development of African colonies. For over two hundred years the 
West African colonies have been stagnating for lack of such means 
of communication. They have been unable to utilize their re- 
sources. Their natural pretensions to the hinterlands have been 
greviously curtailed, and what ought to have been British is now 
French. Nyasaland has also too long suffered from Imperial par- 



104 WONDERFUIv COUNTRY OF RHODESIA. 

simony. Tlie function 'of government should comprise sometHng 
more than police duty or the collection of taxes. 

The removal of causes injurious to health and life, and the 
establishment of communication as required by circumstances of 
climate, and needful to augment commerce, are just as urgent as 
the prevention of lawlessness and the collection of imposts. The 
climate of Nyasaland has slain more valuable men than the assegais 
of the Angoni. Against the latter the government sent their Sikhs; 
against the former they have done nothing. Many of the sick 
colonists might have been saved, if, when weakened by ansemia, a 
little railway past the Shire Rapids had taken them quickly through 
the malarious land to a more healthful locality. 

ADVANTAGES OF RAPID TRANSIT. 

If it be worth while to retain and administer Nyasaland, it is 
surely worth while to supply the population with certain means to 
send the fruits of their industry to the world's markets, and to 
enable them to receive the necessaries of existence without endan- 
gering their lives in the effort of risking the loss of their goods. 
Therefore, to a government that has shown such dread of constructing 
an insignificant railway a hundred miles in length, the enterprise 
of the Chartered Company in constructing one five hundred miles 
long — and starting immediately upon an extension two hundred 
and twenty miles — at the cost of one and three-quarter millions, 
must be exceedingly stimulative. The antique and barbarous 
method of porterage should be abolished in every British colony, 
more especially in tropical colonies, where exposure to sun and 
rain means death to white and black. 

To the South African Republic it is vitally important to weigh 
well in what manner the Bulawayo railway will affect her future. 
The republic will soon be surrounded by a rampart of steel on 
three sides and alien land and ocean on the other. From Beira, 
north of the republic, a railway will run west to Salisbury, and 
thence south to Bulawayo and the Cape 

With two ways of ingress from the sea a country like Rhode- 
sia — with as good a climate as the Transvaal State, with resources 



WONDBRFUI. COUNTRY OF RHODESIA. 105 

wliicli tend to rapid prosperity, enjoying impartial and liberal laws, 
just and pure administration, opening its arms widely to tlie whole 
world without regard to race, blessed with ample domains and 
suited to the needs of all classes — must necessarily prove more at- 
tractive to all people in search of homes, than a country which 
only favors Dutch burghers ; and Rhodesia therefore bids fair in 
a few years to overtake the Republic in population, and even to 
surpass it. The Boers do not avail themselves of the advantages 
of their position to that fulness which would make it doubtful 
whether Rhodesia or the Transvaal offered the most inducements 
to intending settlers for making a permanent home. 

TRYING TO MONOPOLIZE THE COUNTRY. 

On the contrary, the common report is that the object of the 
Boers is to restrict population and reserve the State for Boer 
progeny. If true, the attempt to suppress population and growth 
by restrictions, monopolies, and vexatious ordinances is simple 
imbecility, as compared to the Chartered Company's polic}^ of 
stimulating commerce by giving free rein to enterprise, and keep- 
ing the paths and gates to its territory freely open to all comers. 
If there is an intelligent man in the Transvaal, it must be clear to 
him that the Republic must soon lose the rank among South 
African States to which she was entitled by her wonderful re- 
sources and undoubted advantages ; and the only thing that can 
save her from degradation, neglect, and financial difficulties, is the 
absorption of that alien population which crowds her cities and 
clamors for political rights. 

Cape Colony, though much is due to it for its support of the 
Bechuana railway, is not wholly free from the blame of inertness 
in the past. One cannot look at the map of Africa and miss see- 
ing that extraordinary territory labeled German close to Cape 
Colony, without being reminded of the obtuseness shown by the 
Cape democracy. But the Germans are a great nation, rich, com- 
merce-loving, and enterprising, and the Cape people need to be 
Vv^arned, considering that they are largely mixed up with Dutch 
Boers, who are slow to move and sadly behind the times. If the 



106 WONDERFUIv COUNTRY OF RHODESIA. 

Germans chose to invest $20,000,000 in railways from tlie month, 
of the Swakop to the banks of the Orange, they would be formida- 
ble competitors for the trade of Bechuanaland and the north of the 
colony, and Swakop is three days nearer Bnrope than Table Bay. 

The railways in America created cities and filled the wastes 
with settlers, and every new settler was supposed to be worth 
^1,000 to the nation ; and in this country there is a mile of railway 
to every twenty square miles of country. The Cape has but a mile 
of railway to every 112 square miles. The railways should spread 
out like a fan from Cape Town. The existing lines require straight- 
ening greatly. 

It is not good policy that the line to Natal should run through 
alien States, nor is it conducive to the development of the Colony. 
Some railways may not show large dividends, but they are indis- 
pensable to development and communication: they give value to 
acres which otherwise would be worthless, and indirectly contribute 
to revenue in other ways than by dividends. Hence Cape Colony 
may learn a good deal from this new railway. 

APPEARANCE OF THE TOWN. 

I think I have said enough to illustrate the position in which 
Bulawayo has been placed by the arrival of the railway. At pres- 
ent its broad avenues and streets give one an idea that it has made 
too much of itself. When the avenues are about 90 feet wide and 
the streets 130 feet wide, naturally the corrugated iron one-storied 
cottages and the one-storied brick buildings appear very diminu- 
tive ; and the truth is that, were the streets of proportionate width 
to the height of the buildings, the town would appear very small. 
The plain upon which it stands gives an idea of infinity that ren- 
ders poor one-storied Bulawayo very finite-looking indeed. 

The town, however, has laid itself out for future greatness, and 
the designers of it have been wise. Winnipeg, in Manitoba, which 
Bulawayo reminds me of by the surrounding plain, was laid out on 
just such a spacious plan ; but ten years later six-storied buildings 
usurped the place of the isolated iron hut and cottage, and the 
streets were seen to be no whit too wide. Ten years hence Bula- 



WONDERFUL COUNTRY OF RHODESIA. 107 

wayo will aspire liiglier towards tlie sky, and when the electric 
trams run in double lines, between rows of sbade trees, tbere will 
be no sense of disproportion between buildings and streets. 

On tbe walls of the Stock Exchange I found hanging plans 
and elevations of the brick and stone buildings already contracted 
for. They are not to be very lofty, none over two stories, but 
architecturally they are most attractive. These new buildings will, 
perhaps, stand for about five years, for, according to my experience, 
it is not until the tenth year that the double story becomes the 
fashion. At the twentieth year begins the triple story ; at thirty 
years the fourth story begins to appear. 

ORANGE TREES AND FLOWERS. 

Hast of the town area devoted to commerce is a broad strip of 
park. It occupies a gentle hollow in the plain, watered by a 
crooked ditch, called spruit here, running through a rich, dark, and 
very thirsty earth. It contains a few puddles here and there along 
its course. Only a portion of the park is laid out as yet, and that 
has been well and carefully done. Its plots contain a few hundreds 
of grape vines, which look like currant bushes. There are also 
about a hundred very young orange trees, a few flowers, shrubs, 
etc. A stone column to the memory of Captain Lendy occupies 
an eminence in it. 

The whole park has a sombre appearance, owing to the dark 
soil and ironstone freely sprinkling it. But as the bushes, shrubs, 
and flowers have only been lately planted, and as around the forcing 
houses there is a large number of young plants in tins and pots, 
soon to be transplanted, a couple of years will make an immense 
difference in the appearance of the place. 

From various people I have learned that the average estimate 
of the population of Bulawayo is 3000 whites, one-fifth of whom 
are women and children. There are several hotels, but none of 
them are fit for ladies, and scarcely for gentlemen. The noise and 
clatter at these forbid sleep, except between midnight and 5 A. m. The 
food is somewhat coarse, but plentiful ; the tea and coffee such as 
one may obtain on a Cape liner — that is, too strong an infusion of 



108 WONDERFUL COUNTRY OF RHODESIA. 

oue, aud a watery decoction of the otlier. The cooks evidently are 
common ship-cooks, as one ma^- gather b}- the wsty the}^ boil pota- 
toes and cabbages. The bread is good, the butter is tolerable, the 
meat is like leather. The waiters, though ci\'il and willing enough, 
are awkward and new to their work. 

There are seven churches — the Wesley an, Congi'egational, 
Church of England, Dutch Reformed, Presb3rterian and Roman 
Catholic, and one Temperance Hall. There is, of course, a jail, a 
fire brigade and police station. In the jail are several prisoners, 
white and black. The crimes of the whites have been burglar}", 
theft aud drunkenness. Among the blacks are fourteen prisoners 
under sentence of death for various crimes. 

POOR WATER SUPPLY. 

The railway station is fairly adapted for its purpose, though 
its construction was necessaril}- rapid. The settling reservoirs, fed 
b}' pipes from the dams, are not far from it ; but I fear that they 
will be of little use, as the soil is too porous. A coating of cement 
would make them effective, but the general opinion is that cement 
would be too costly. 

The ereat defect of Bulawavo is the smallness of the water 
supply aud the badness of it. At present the inhabitants depend 
on wells, and water is easily obtainable at 30 and 40 feet, but the 
water is of a hard and indifferent qualit}'. Up on one stream, 
about two and a half miles from the town, there have been con- 
structed three dams of different lengths and var34ng heights. No. 
I dam is the nearest to Bulawa3'o, and has a solid stone and cement 
core starting from the bedrock 10 feet wide, and decreasing b}- set- 
backs of 6 inches to a width of 2 feet at the top. No. 2 dam has 
a puddled core of cla^^ faced \\-ith stone, and No. 3 is of similar 
construction. In April these dams were full and overflowing, but, 
unfortuuaLeh^ through bad construction and want of care, there 
were several leaks, and it is now decided to demolish two of the 
dams and rebuild them. Nos. 2 and 3 are quite fit to retain the 
water catchment. The estimated storage of water b}- the three 
dams is calculated to be between 40 and 45 million gallons. A 



WONDERFUL COUNTRY OF RHODESIA. 109 

fourth dam, about to be erected, will, it is tbougbt, considerably 
increase tbe storage. 

We have bad four copious showers of rain since our arrival, 
but a few Hours later tbe spruits, gullies and water-courses were 
almost waterless, tbe streets showing scarcely a trace of the rain, 
so porous and thirsty is the soil. Daily it becomes apparent to me 
that the inhabitants of Bulawayo should lose no time in stud3dng 
the art of water conservation. In a country just within the tropics 
an abundant supply of water is essential, and thirty gallons per 
head per day would not be excessive. 

Ten thousand inhabitants should be able to command 300,000 
gallons daily, but Bulawayo within twenty years will have probably 
20,000, and there is no river between here and Khama's country 
that could supply 600,000 gallons daily. Numbers of little water- 
sheds may be drained into reservoirs, but if I were a citizen of 
Bulawayo my anxiety would be mainly on the subject of water. 
The water question is not at all an insoluble one, because, for the 
matter of that, Bulawayo will have always the Zambesi tributaries 
to fall back upon, especially the Guay River. 

A FINE AVENUE. 

At the north end of the town we came to a gate leading to an 
avenue which ran perfectly straight for two miles and a half The 
carriage road, which it is intended to macadamize, is about 30 feet 
wide, and running parallel with it on either side is an inclosure 50 
feet wide, to be planted with shade trees. Thus the avenue em- 
braces a width of about 130 feet. At the extremity of it is the 
Government House, standing in grounds which four years before 
were occupied by Lo Bengula's kraal. We were all curious to see 
the place, and one of the first objects shown to us was the small tree 
under which the Matabele king dispensed his bloodj^ judgments. 

Here is a description of the place from " Zambesia :" The 
King's capital stands upon a ridge on the northern side of the 
Bulawayo River, in a most commanding position, overlooking as it 
does the entire country round. Every yard of the ground was 
covered with manure, layer after la3^er ; the whole place was filthily 



110 WONDBRFUI. COUNTRY OF RHODESIA. 

dirty. Tlie King used to sit on a block of wood in tlie middle of 
a great pole stockade, surrounded by sbeep and goats. 

The first sentence is most misleading, tbougb not inaccurate. 
The kraal stood upon the same level as the plain of New Bulawayo ; 
but the " Bulawayo River " — a dry watercourse most of the year — 
has scoured out a broad hollow to a depth of about 20 feet in the 
plain, and, as the kraal was seated on the brow above it, it enables 
one to have a view of a circle of about fifteen miles in diameter, 
within which are probably three or four of these long, broad swells 
of plain land. 

Government House is a long, low, white-washed house, 
in Dutch Colonial style, with a pillared verandah outside. 
It is the property of Mr. Rhodes, as well as the avenue just 
mentioned. I am told he possesses about eighty square miles 
altogether hereabouts, and by the way he is developing his estates, 
it will some day be a beautiful as well as valuable property. 

FOREMOST MAN IN SOUTH AFRICA 

This reminds me that I have not once mentioned Rhodes, 
though when describing Rhodesia one ought not to omit his name; 
but the fact is he has preferred to remain in the country rather than 
undergo the fatigue of the banquets and ceremonies. From Cape 
Town here many men have spoken of him to me, and always with 
unqualified admiration. I know no man who occupies such a place 
in men's thoughts. His absence has given rise to all kinds of con- 
jectures as to the cause of it. Some say it is due to the fact that 
the Cape elections are approaching, and he did not wish^ to be forced 
to a pronouncement of policy ; others that it is due to Dr. Jameson's 
zealous care of his health, as he suffers from heart complaint; others 
again say it is due to a wounded spirit, which too long grieving 
might easily end in a Timonian moroseness. 

Whatever the true cause may be, he has so planted himself in 
the affections of the people that no eccentricity of his can detract 
from his merits. When a man scatters ^1,000,000 a year on the 
country out of which he made his wealth, it covers a multitude of 
sins in the minds of the recipients of his gratuitous favors. 



WONDKRFUIv COUNTRY OF RHODESIA. Ill 

" He does mad and fantastic execution 
Engaging and redeeming of himself, 
With such a careless face and forceless care, 
As if that luck, in very spite of cunning, 
Bade him win all." 

We liave seen wiiat Bulawayo is as it terminated tlie employ- 
ment of the ox-wagon, and liad just emerged out of ttie sore troubles 
caused by war, famine and rinderpest. The next train that arrives 
after our departure will be the beginning of a new era. The ma- 
chinery that litters the road will be brought up, and the ox-wagons 
drawn by fourteen oxen, and the wagons drawn by twelve mules, 
and those drawn by twenty donkeys, will haul it to the mines, and 
hence we may hope at the end of a year or so that Rhodesia will 
have proved by its gold output its intrinsic value as a gold field. 




CHAPTER VII. 

Vast Stores of Natural Wealth. 

|R. STANLEY furnislies tlie following graphic description 
of Rhodesia and its timbers and mines : It is fitting to 
ask, What is Rhodesia, about which so much has been 
said and written ? What are its prospects ? I cannot help but 
wish I were more qualified by local and technical knowledge to 
describe the country ; but as I have been at some trouble in solicit- 
ing the judgment of experienced men, conscientiously weighing 
the merits of what was told me, and carefully considering what I 
have personally seen, I can only hope the following summary may 
have some value to those interested in Rhodesia. 

I have been asked by my fellow-guests at Bulawayo how the 
face of the countrj'- appeared as compared with the tropical regions 
further north with which I am more familiar. With reg^ard to the 
superficial aspect of Rhodesia, I see but little difference between it 
and Bast Central Africa, and the southern portion of the Congo 
basin. Indeed, I am much struck with the uniformity of inner 
Africa on the whole. Except in the neighborhood of the great 
lakes, which mark the results of volcanic action, where great sub- 
sidences have occurred, and the great plains have been wrinkled 
up or heaved into mountains of great height, the body of Inner 
Africa away from the coasts is very much alike. 

The main difference is due to latitude. From the Cape Penin- 
sula to north of Salisbury, or the Victoria Falls, the whole country 
is one continuous plain country. Between the tops of the highest 
hills and the highest grassy ridge in the Transvaal the difference 
of altitude seems solely due to the action of the rain. In the Zam- 
besi basin you have a great shallow basin, and directly you cross 
the river and travel northward the ascent is being made to reach 
the crest of the watershed between the Zambesi and the Congo, 
which is but little higher than the highest ridge of Salisbury. 

112 



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DUNCAN STUART 

CAPTAIN B COMPANY, CANADIAN CONTINGENT FOR THE TRANSVAAL 





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SUPPLYING THE BOERS IN THE TRANSVAAL WITH AMMUNITION 




THE NATIVE POLICE OF NATAL 

THEY ARE THE MOST INTERESTING CHARACTERS IN SOUTH AFRICA. THE WORK THEY HAVE 

TO PERFORM IS TO KEEP THE NATIVES STRAIGHT AND THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED 

TO ARREST THE WHITES. THEY TAKE MUCH PRIDE IN THEIR UNIFORMS 




PRESIDENT KRUGER PREACHING AT PRETORIA 



VAST STORES OF NATURAL WEALTH. 113 

From thence a gradual descent is made to reach the central 
depression of the Congo basin. Northward of the Congo water- 
shed, 3^011 gain the average altitudes of the grassy ridges of South 
Africa, and then begin a descent into the basin of the Tchad lake, 
and from thence to the Mediterranean the same system of great 
land waves rolling and subsiding continues. 

Latitude — and I might say altitude — however, changes the 
appearance of the land. Rarely on the tableland of Equatorial 
Africa do we see the scrub and thorn trees of South Africa. The 
vegetation there is more robust, the trees taller, the leafage thicker 
and of a darker green ; the mere grasses of the tropics are taller 
than the trees growing on the plains of Cape Colony, Bechuana- 
land and Rhodesia, though in the latter country there are oases 
favorable to the growth of noble timber. In nitrous belts — fortu- 
nately of no great width — in Ugogo, Nyasaland, Bast Africa, we 
should be reminded of the thorny productions of Bechuanaland, 
and ten degrees north of the equator we should again see a recur- 
rence of them, but this happens only in detached portions. 

GROWING THRIFT AND LUXURIANCE. 

It must have struck even the most unobservant of our guests 
how the land improA^ed as we traveled northward. How the 
ungrateful looking Karroo of Cape Colony was presently followed 
by expansive plains covered with dwarf shrubs ; how the plains 
became more promising after we passed the Hart river ; how the 
rolling grassy prairie-like country of Southern Bechuana was fol- 
lowed by the acacias and mimosas of Northern Bechuana; and how 
as we neared Rhodesia these trees in a few hours of travel rose 
from ten feet to twenty feet in height ; how the land became more 
compact, and lost much of its loose porous texture, and conse- 
quently the grasses were higher, and water might be found at a 
lesser depth. 

That improvement, I am told, continues as we go northward 
towards Salisbury, even though we may keep on a somewhat uni- 
form level, that is on the tableland separating the river flowing 
eastward, south to the Limpopo and north-west to the Zambesi. 



114 VAST STORES OF NATURAL WEAI^TH. 

So rapid is the effect of a lower altitude, and consequent greater 
heat and moisture, that about eight}- miles from Bulawa3"o to the 
north-west, a magnificent forest of teak has been found, from 
whose grand timber we saw several specimens of furniture, such as 
tables, desks and bureaus, a log of twent}' feet length and a foot 
square, besides a quantity of planks. 

Now, this Rhodesia consists of Matabeleland and Mashona- 
land, and covers about a quarter of a million square miles. It is the 
northern portion of the Great South African tableland, and its high- 
est elevations run northeast and southwest, var3dng from 4000 to 
nearly 6000 feet above the sea. This height declines on the east- 
ern, southern, and northwestern sides, as it slopes along with the 
rivers flowing from them. This high land, which is eminently 
suitable for European families, is about 70,000 square miles in ex- 
tent, of solid, unbroken agricultural country as compared with 
Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Those who remember what coun- 
tries of similar superficial area in Europe can contain in population 
may be able to gauge what numbers of the white race may exist 
in Rhodesia. Here is room for an empire. 

MALARIOUS DISTRICTS MADE HEALTHY. 

Outside the limit I have mentioned the resident must expect 
to be afflicted with malarial fevers, and the lower one descends 
towards the sea, the more frequent and severe will the}^ become. 
There is this comfort, however, that long before the upper plateau 
is over-populated, population will have made a large portion of the 
malarious districts health}- and inhabitable — at least, it has been so 
found in ever}'' land that I have visited. 

On the upper lands, the resident who has come by way of the 
Cape and Bechuanaland need have no fear of malaria. I regard 
my o^\^l oft -tried system as a pretty sure indicator of the existence 
of malaria, for a very few hours' residence in a country subjected 
to this scourge would soon remind me of my predisposition to it ; 
but during the whole of the time I have spent in Rhodesia I have 
not felt the slightest svmptom. I have seen white women driving 
their babies in perambulators on the plain outside Bulawayo in a 



VAST STORES OF NATURAI, WEAI^TH. liO 

sun as hot as any in the Egyptian or Moroccan desert, and, though 
I felt they were unwise, it was clear to me that in such a climate a 
sufficient head protection was the only thing necessary to guard 
against a sunstroke or the feverish feeling which naturally follows 
a rash exposure to heat. 

Rhodesia has been visited by us during what is generally said 
to be its worst period. The rainy season begins in November and 
ends in March. We arrived November 4th, and, though we have 
been here only a week, we have had four showers and one all-night 
downpour. The rainfall during the season amounts to as much as 
45 inches. I fancy few men have had larger experience of the per- 
nicious effects of cold rains alternating with hot suns than I, and 
the composure of the Bulawayo population under what seems to 
promise four months of such weather strikes my imagination, and 
is to me a strong testimony of the healthfulness of the climate. 

FINE MARKET GA.RDEN. 

The park of Bulawayo, the grounds of Government House, 
ana especially the advanced state of the charming gardens, afforded 
to me valuable proofs that the soil responded very readily to civil- 
ized treatment ; but the most conclusive proof to me of the capacity 
of the soil was furnished by a large market garden laid out in a 
depression just outside the town. From end to end the garden, 
supplied with water by a wind-pump from a well, was a mass of 
robust European vegetables, whence cabbages weighing 30 pounds 
each, and tomatoes of extraordinary size, have been sent to market. 
At the Palace Hotel the hundreds of guests made large demands 
for vegetables, and there was no stint of them. 

Further on towards old Gubulawayo we were attracted by na- 
tive women hoeing in a field, and our attention was drawn to the 
native fields, which showed by the old corn-stalks that the Mata- 
bele must have found the black earth of the plains gracious to their 
toils. Here and there in these villa gardens, market gardens, pub- 
lic pleasances, and ornamental grounds, we found sufficient evi- 
dences that, given water, the soil of Rhodesia was equal to supply- 
ing anything that civilized man could possibly demand. 



116 VAST STORES OF NATURAL, WBAI^TH. 

Tlie next thing to do was to find out something relating to 
the precious metal, whose presence in Rhodesia was the immediate 
cause of the railway. I remember last session having heard in the 
Smoking Room of the House of Commons the most disparaging 
views regarding the prospects of Rhodesia and the quality of the 
reefs. The gold of Rhodesia was said to be " pocket " gold, and 
that the ancients, whose presence long ago in this land is proved 
by the multitude of old workings and disused shafts, were too clever 
to have left any for us moderns. Not knowing how to controvert 
such statements, I had left them unanswered, half believing that 
they were true. 

Sir James Sivewright, in his speech on the first festal night, 
said that Bulawayo was built upon faith, and the majority of the 
guests I discovered held the most doubtful views, and I must con- 
fess little was needed to confirm the skepticism which had been 
planted in me in Bn gland. But when I heard that there was an 
exhibition of ores to be seen in the Hall of the Stock Exchange, I 
felt that the Reception Committee had provided for us something 
more valuable than banquets — something which should satisfy an 
anxious mind and furnish much needed information. 

SPECIMENS OF NATIVE ORES. 

Within a well-lighted, decent-sized hall, on an ample shelf 
ranged around it, a few of the mining companies of Rhodesia had 
sent various specimens of the ores. Above these shelves hung 
admirably-drawn maps to illustrate the reefs whence they were 
taken. I had noticed, as I went in, other specimens of Rhode- 
sian products ranged along the passages — bulky lumps of coal from 
the Zambesian coal district, a coal that is said to give only from 
eight per cent, to twelve per cent, of ash ; fine red sandstone blocks, 
a stone closely resembling that of which most of the houses on Fifth 
avenue. New York, are built ; blocks of grey sandstone, to which 
substance I had already been attracted, it being so much used for 
lintels and doorways of Bulawayan houses ; and rough and polished 
granite blocks, which reminded me of the famous Aberdeen stone, 
besides several limestone briquettes. 



VAST STORES OF NATURAI, WEALTH. 117 

The first exhibits of ores I happened to inspect were from the 
Camperdown Reef, in which the virgin gold was conspicuous enough 
to satisfy the most unbelieving. The next exhibit consisted of a 
number of briquettes of cement manufactured in Bulawayo. The 
third was a glass case which contained old gold beads, discovered 
at Zimbabwe, and attracted a great deal of attention from the dusky 
appearance of the metal which centuries had given it, the rude 
workmanship, evidently African, and the puerility of the orna- 
ments. Beyond this the Rhodesia Company had specimens from 
the Criterion Reef, situated eight miles from Bulawayo. 

GOLD IN DISGUISE. 

The rock contained no visible gold, and the Curator who 
guided me round had the assurance to say that the quartz where 
gold was not visible was more appreciated than that which showed 
nuggets. This made me think of the mountains of white quartz 
I had seen on the Congo, and to wonder whether the Curator was 
indulging in unseemly levity. However, perceiving some doubt in 
my glance, he said it would be demonstrated shortly. Adjoining 
the Criterion ores was a heap from the Nellie Reef in the Insiza 
district, fifty miles from Bulawayo. The Curator said these were 
" very rich," and taken from old workings ; but despite the Curator 
and the old workings, I could not see a trace of gold in the rock, 
even with a magnifier. Next to the Nellie exhibit was a pile of 
rock from the Unit and Unicom Reef — in the Selukwe district, 
eastern Rhodesia — ^but I saw no gold in any one of these rocks. 

Just at this juncture the Curator told me that one of these 
apparently valueless rocks was about to be crushed and panned 
for our instruction. We went out into a yard, where there was 
quite a crowd of curious people assembled. The lump of rock 
was put into a small iron mortar, and in a few minutes it was 
pounded into a dusty-looking mass. It was then passed through 
a fine sieve, and the large fragments were returned into the 
mortar to be again pounded. 

A suflSicient quantity of the gra5dsh dust having been obtained, 
the mortar was emptied into a broad iron pan. The pan vras 



118 VAST STORKS OF NATURAL WKALTH. 

dipped into a tub full of muddied water, a dexterous turn or 
twist of the wrist, and tlie coarser material was emptied into tlie 
tub. Frequent drippings and twists reduced the quantity of mate- 
rial in the pan, until at last there was barely a tablespoonful of 
it left, and still I saw no glitter. Again the dipping and twist- 
ing and rinsing were repeated, until at last there was only a tea- 
spoonful of the dirt left ; but all around the bottom of the pan 
was a thin thread of unmistakable gold dust. It was beyond 
belief that such a barren-looking piece of quartz rock should 
contain gold ; but then these experts are wonderful fellows. I 
pay them my most respectful homage. 

Returning to the hall under the influence of this very need- 
ful lesson, I resumed my examination of the exhibits. Beyond 
the Unit and Unicorn exhibit stood some planks of a teaky qual- 
ity, beautifully polished, and showing numbers of small dark knots, 
and wavy patterns, which gave a walnutty appearance to the wood. 
The next exhibit was from the Gwanda district by the Geelong 
Gold Mining Company, taken from a ninety-feet level. In this 
district the ancient workings are found deepest. The prehistoric 
miners were accustomed to build charcoal fires on the quartz, and, 
when the rock was suf&ciently heated, threw v/ater on it, which 
soon disintegrated it, and enabled the picks and gads to be used. 

QUARTZ CRUSHED TO DUST. 

This reminded me how often I had done the same to huge 
rocks which blocked the way for my wagons on the Congo. The 
broken quartz, being brought to the surface, was then handed to 
natives, who crushed it to dust on blocks of granite with diorite 
hammers, or ground it as the modern natives do mealies. The 
dust was then panned in much the same way as is done by pros- 
pectors of to-day. In one of the old shafts, over sixt}'- feet deep, 
was found the dome of a human skull and some pieces of human 
bone. The relics lay side by side with the quartz exhibits. One 
could moralize here if one had time. 

The exhibit of the Ellen Reef of the United Matabele Claims 
Development Company showed distinct gold. Just near it were 



VAST STORES OF NATURAL WEALTH. 119 

blocks of fine-looking coal from tke Matabele Gold Reefs and 
Estates Company. The coal-field is situated 120 miles nortk of 
Bulawayo. The coal has been already tested, and is found to be 
admirable for all uses. 

The Nicholson Olympus Block, Gwanda district, showed speci- 
mens which panned 120 ounces to the ton. The Mary reef speci- 
mens assayed six ounces to the ton. Next to these was a clock 
frame made out of trachyte in the form of a Greek temple. This 
trachyte is grayish-white in color and easily workable, but hardens 
by exposure. As there is plenty of this material it is probable 
Bulawayo will make free use of it in future. Mansions and villas 
of this stone would look extremely chaste and beautiful. 

OLD MINES ABANDONED. 

Then we came to the exhibits from the Tebekwe Mine, Selukwe 
district, seventy miles from Bulawayo on the Salisbury Road. The 
large map above was worth studying. It illustrated a reef about 
1 100 yards in length, and eight oval-form excavations made by the 
ancients, resembling the pits Kimberley diamond diggers formerly 
made in the blue clay. The base lines of these excavations were 
not much over 60 feet from the surface. On the appearance of 
water in each shaft the ancients were unable to make their fire on 
the exposed quartz reef, and consequently had to abandon it, and 
they probably made another excavation along the reef until the 
appearance of water compelled them to relinquish that also. 

I next came to the Gaikwa and Chicago Reef, whose old work- 
ings had a shaft 70 feet deep. Its present owners sunk this to 100 
feet when they came to the abandoned reef. I think the assay 
showed nearly twelve ounces to the ton. 

Close to it were specimens from the Adventurers Reef in the 
Insiza district, which assay i ounce to the ton. Beyond was the 
Willoughby's Consolidated Company, Limited, which had exhibits 
from the favorite mines, called Bonsor, Dunraven and Queen's. 
People v/ho have no pecuniary interest in mines have told me that 
the best mines in Rhodesia, and of which there is not the least 
doubt, are the Globe and Phoenix, Bonsor, Dunraven, Tebekwe 



120 VAST STORES OF NATURAL WEAI.TH. 

and Geeloiig, all of wliicli are in the Selukwe district, excepting 
the last, which is in Gwanda. 

After this exhaustive inspection of the ores on exhibition, it 
remained for us to see one of these Rhodesian mines in operation 
to dispel the last remnant of doubt which eloquent skeptics had 
inspired me with. We chose the Criterion ]\Iine, which is b}^ no 
means the nearest to the town. It belongs to the Rhodesia Com- 
pany, and is situated eight miles south from Bulawaj^o, and as Mr. 
Hirschler, the engineer of the mine, was willing to take upon him- 
self the trouble of being our guide, we flung ourselves gladl}^ upon 
his generosity. In one hour and a half ^Ye made the distance in a 
spring cart drawn bj'- four spirited little mules. 

BIG HOLE WORTH LOOKING INTO. 

We halted at the engineer's station on a commanding grassy 
ridge, which neighbors that once occupied b}- Alosilikatse's old 
kraal of Gubulawa3^o during the forties, fifties and sixties of this 
centur}'. A few spaces from the spot where we outspanned we 
came to a series of '' old workings " which ran along the crest of 
the ridge for about 2000 feet. Where one of these old workings 
was untouched by the engineer, it reminded me of just such a big 
hole as mio^ht have been made to unearth a boulder, or to root out 
a large tree. One of these hollows was chosen by the engineer to 
sink his first shaft. After penetrating through fifty feet of debris, 
he came upon the reef which the ancients had abandoned because 
of flooding, and time, aided by rain, had filled up. He continued 
for about 10 feet more, sampling ever^^ 3 feet as he went, to dis- 
cover the grade of the ore. 

Since then he has sunk eight other shafts. The mine consists 
of 170 claims, but the development is concentrated on about twenty- 
five claims, ten of which are in the centre of the propertj^ and 
fifteen towards the eastern boundar3\ In the centre two shafts are 
being sunk to the 150 feet level, and are at present connected by a 
drive 300 feet long. On this level the reef is throughout payable, 
while a chute 100 feet long is of high-grade ore. Trenches on the 
line of the reef indicate its occurrence towards the eastern portion 



VAST STORES OF NATURAL WEALTH. 121 

of the mine, where five shafts varying from loo feet to 150 feet 
deep liave been sunk. On examining the material at the mouths 
of the shafts, those among us who knew of what they were speak- 
ing declared that much of it was of high grade. High pyritic 
quartz abounded, and this was rich in fine gold. Sulphide galena 
was found in some of the quartz. 

At the mouth of one shaft visible gold was very frequent, and 
about forty of the visitors obtained specimens wherein miniature 
nuggets were plainly visible. Where the reef was being worl^d 
at the deepest shaft it showed a breadth of 24 inches ; in soibie 
places it is only 18 inches wide ; at others it is 48 inches broad. 

LAND RICH IN GOLD. 

My readers need scarcely be told that the exhibits of ores are 
only such as a few companies of Rhodesia were induced to send 
after urgent appeals from the public-spirited citizens of Bulawayo. 
I saw none from Salisbury, Mazoe, or any part of Mashonaland, 
and only a few mines in Matabeleland were represented. There 
was no time for a proper exhibition. Many more were en route^ 
but the distances are great and the ox-wagon is slow. At any 
rate we have seen sufficient to prove that Rhodesia is an auriferous 
country, though as yet no one knows what rank it will take among 
gold-producing lands. 

My own conviction — a conviction that is, I suppose, made up 
from what I have seen and heard from qualified men — is that Rho- 
desia will not be much inferior to the Transvaal. True, it has no 
Witwatersrand — forty miles of reefs ; but the superficial area is 
tu'ice the size of the Transvaal State, and the prospectors have 
only succeeded in discovering a few plums. Then, though the 
railway has been brought to Bulawayo, it is still far from the 
Belingwe and Selukwe districts, and within a radius of 100 miles 
from the town there are many gold fields richer than those in the 
immediate neighborhood of the railway terminus. It is necessary 
to state this in the clearest manner, for many will be carried away 
by the idea that now the railway is at Bulawayo the output of gold 
should follow immediately. 



122 VAST STORES OF NATURAL WEALTH. 

Tliere is no doubt in my mind tliat gold \vill be produced in 
payable quantities from tbese Rbodesian mines ; but the extent of 
profit depends upon circumstances. It is also as certain that Rho- 
desia cannot hope to compete with the Transvaal under present 
conditions. Bulawayo is 1360 miles from the sea, and at least 40 
miles from the richest mines. Johannesburg is 390 miles from the 
sea, and is in the centre of its forty mile long gold field. That 
simple fact means a great deal, and shows an enormous disadvan- 
tage to Rhodesia. 

The latter country will have to pay four times more for freight 
than the Transvaal gold fields. Against this must be set the small 
duties that will have to be paid. After paying five per cent, to 
Cape Colony, goods will be admitted free to Rhodesia. Then the 
heavy taxes paid to the Boers will still further diminish the disad- 
vantages of Rhodesia ; yet when we consider the time wasted in 
the long railway journey, and the haulage by ox-wagon to the 
mines, we shall find a much heavier bill of costs against the gold 
output of Rhodesia, than on that of the Transvaal. 

A good substantial railway from Beira or Sofala to Bulawayo, 
via Victoria, would completely reverse things. Bulawayo would 
then be about the same rail distance from the sea as Johannesburg 
is ; the poor ores could then be worked profitably, and the aggre- 
gate of gold product would in a few years rival that of the Rand. 
If I were a Chartered Director, my first object should be to get the 
shortest and most direct route to the sea from Bulawayo, and a 
substantial railway along it, and having obtained that, and a liberal 
mining law, I should feel that the prosperity of Rhodesia was as- 
sured. 



J 



CHAPTER VIII. 

The Chief City of the Transvaal. 

TT^ONTINUING his observations on the Transvaal and its tur 
I jp bulent political condition, tlie writer states some plain 

^. — ^ truths, and points clearly to the impending struggle 
between the English and Boers. He says : 

Between Bulawayo and Johannesburg there is a great differ- 
ence. In common with some 400 guests of the Festivities Com- 
mittee, I looked in admiring wonderment at the exuberant vitality, 
the concentrated joyous energy, and the abounding hopefulness of 
the young sons of British fathers who, in the centre of Rhodesian 
life, were proud of showing us a portion of their big country, and 
what they had done towards beginning their new State. We shared 
with them their pride in their young city, their magnificently broad 
avenues, the exhibits of their resources, their park, their prize cab- 
bages, and the fine, bold, go-ahead-ive-ness which distinguished 
their fellow-citizens. 

We felt they had every reason to be proud of their victories 
over the rebel Matabele, the endurance they had shown imder 
various calamities, and the courageous confidence with which they 
intended to face the future. From our hearts we wish them all 
prosperity. 

At Johannesburg, however, different feelings possessed us. 
Without knowing exactly why, we felt that this population, once 
so favored by fortune, so exultant and energetic, was in a subdued 
and despondent mood, and wore a defeated and cowed air. When 
we timidly inquired as to the cause, we found them laboring under 
a sense of wrong, and disposed to be querulous and recriminatory. 
They blamed both Boers and British ; the whole civilized world 
and all but themselves seemed to have been unwise and unjust. 
They recapitulate without an error of fact the many failures and 
shames of British Colonial policy in the past, gave valid instances 

123 



124 THE CHIEF CITY OF THE TRANSVAAI,. 

of their distrust of tlie present policy, pointed to the breaches of 
the Convention of 1884, and the manifest disregard of them by the 
Colonial Secretary, described at large the conditions under which 
they lived, and demanded to know if the manner in which the 
charter of their liberties was treated was at all compatible with 
what they had a right to expect under the express stipulations of 
the Convention. 

" Why,'' said they, " between Boer arrogance and British indif- 
ference, every condition of that Power of Attorney granted to Paul 
Kruger has been disregarded by the Boer, and neglected by the 
British." They then proceeded to dilate upon Boer oppression, 
Boer corruption, the cant and hypocrisy of President Kruger, the 
bakshish-begging Raad, the bribe-taking Ministry, the specious way 
in which promises were made, and, when their trust was won, the 
heartless way in which these same promises were broken. 

ALMOST UNBEARABLE OPPRESSION. 

From these eloquent themes they proceeded to detail their 
worries from taxation, high wages, extortionate freight charges, 
the exactions levied upon every necessity of their industry, the ex- 
orbitant price for coal, and imposts on food designed expressly to 
pamper the burgher at the expense of the miner. Then in a more 
melancholy tone they discussed the mistakes of their friends — 
Jameson's tactless raid — the povert}^ of the country, the decline of 
business in the city, the exodus of the Australians, and the pros- 
pects of a deficit in the Treasur}^ etc. 

I -^nsli that I could have taken down verbatim all that was said 
to me, for the spokesmen were of undoubted ability, fluent in 
speech and full of facts, not a tithe of which I can remember. As 
I fear I cannot do justice to what was urged with such vehemence 
and detail, you must be content with the broad sense of their re- 
marks only. These men have stories to say which should be said 
to shorthand writers. I have read many books and articles on 
South African politics, but I was never so interested or convinced 
as when these men told their stories straight from the heart. 

I then turned an inquiring attention to the Johannesburg 



THE CHIEF CITY OF THE TRANSVAAI,. 125 

newspapers, and from a heap of them obtained their opinions on 
the gloom prevailing in the " Golden City." There were columns 
of allusions to the general distress, of the unemployed becoming 
numerous, of tradespeople unable to find custom. Clergymen had 
been interviewed, who said that " poverty was rampant," that shop- 
keepers were almost distracted through fear of insolvency, that 
the country's credit was going and almost gone, that Australians 
were leaving in such numbers that sufficient berths on steamers 
could not be found, and that the inaction of the government was 
driving skilled and willing workmen away. 

GREAT BUSINESS DEPRESSION. 

My hotel-keeper, a bright sociable man, was induced to give me 
his own opinions on the depression. He acknowledged that his own 
hotel was doing fairly well, but the other hotels were mostly empty. 
Tradesmen he knew were bitterly lamenting the want of custom, 
buildings in course of erection were stopped because the owners 
did not think themselves justified in proceeding with the structures, 
rents were hard to collect from tenants, the upper stories were 
already empty, reductions had been made on the lower floors, and 
still there were no permanent tenants ; goods stored in bonded ware- 
houses had to be auctioned, as the proprietors had not the means 
to take them away, etc. 

Encountering a gentleman whom I knew in Sydney, Australia, 
and who is now on the Stock Exchange here, I inquired of him 
what he thought of the condition of things. He said: "Mostly 
everything is at a standstill, I think. To-day stocks and real estate 
are a trifle firmer, but I cannot conceive any reason for it. There 
is nothing within my knowledge to justify confidence. Old Kruger 
is relentless and implacable. He will never yield, whatever people 
may say. And unless the reforms are granted, so that the mines 
can be worked at a profit, Johannesburg must decline, and things 
will become as bad for the State as for ourselves. The old man 
positively hates us, and would be glad to see the town abandoned. 

"On the strength of the Industrial Commission report many 
of us bought largely, but when we found that there was a majority 



126 THE CHIEI^ CITY 01^ THE TRANSVAAI.. 

against us, we sold out in such haste that for a while it looked like 
a panic. The majority of the Raad had been bought out by the 
Dynamite Company, and, of course, we were helpless. You people 
at home have no idea of the corruption of our Government. Kruger 
appears not to know that when he calls the Dynamite Company a 
corner-stone of the State, he is giving himself away. We know 
that the Company and its twin brother, the Netherlands Railway 
Company, support the twenty-four members of the Raad, and as 
they, with Kruger, are the State, these companies may well be 
called corner-stones." 

At the club I met a gentleman whose moderate way of express- 
ing himself made me regard him as being inclined to be impartial, and 
when urged to give his views, he said that " undoubtedly there were 
great grievances which every well-wisher of the State would desire 
to see removed. The administration was so corrupt that it was 
dif&cult to get a Boer of&cial to attend to any business, unless his 
palm was oiled beforehand. The officials had got into the habit of 
excusing themselves from doing their duty because they were over- 
whelmed with work, or that they had no time. It is a way they 
have of hinting that unless it is made worth their while, they will 
not put themselves out to do what they are paid to do by the Gov- 
ernment. Many companies understand this so well that they set 
apart a fund from the profits to meet this necessity. 

FLAGRANT POLITICAL CORRUPTION. 

" You know, perhaps, that the Dynamite Concession is one of 
the most corrupt things in the State. One member of the Raad 
gets $1.20 a case, and the Government pocket $2.50 for every case 
of dynamite sold in the Republic. When we know that $12.00 
would be a sufficient price for a case of dynamite, to invoice a case 
at $10.00 higher shows that some people must have grand pickings. 
Were the mines in full operation they would consume about 250,- 
000 cases, and this extortion of $10.00 a case means $2,500,000 
blackmail on the mining industry. 

" Then the railway administration is just as bad. The tariffj 
is abnormally heavy. The first-class fares are greatly in excess, 






THE CHIEF CITY OE THE TRANSVAAI,. 127 

and as for freight cliarges, you can imagine how higli they were 
when it was proved during the drift closure that ox-wagons could 
make the transport as cheaply as the railway." 

" Then you appear to justify Rhodes in his attempt to rectify 
this ? " I said. 

" No, I do not ; but all that he stated before the Parliamentary 
Committee about the abuses is perfectly true. I cannot, however, 
absolve him for attempting to promote a revolution to effect a 
change. But about this corruption at Pretoria. I do not blame 
the Boers so much as I blame the Hollanders and our Jews here. 
They are the real causes of the disorders in the State. The cor- 
ruption was started by the Hollanders, and the Jews have been only 
too willing to resort to bribery, until the share market has become 
demoralized. These fellows unite together to discredit a mine, until 
there is no option but to close it. Many of the mines have been 
closed through their intrigues. Mine is one of them, for instance." 

CUSTOM HOUSE OFFICERS. 

This was my first day's introduction to the moral condition of 
Johannesburg. But to begin at the beginning. On arriving at 
midnight at the frontier of the Transvaal, near the Vaal River, 
the train was stopped in the open veld until daylight, for Boer offi- 
cials require daylight to make their conscientious examination of 
passengers and their luggage. Half an hour after dawn the train 
moved over the Vaal Bridge, and we were soon within the grip of 
the Boer Custom House. I was told later that the officials were 
insolent ; but I saw nothing uncommon, except a methodical pro- 
cedure such as might belong to a people resolved to make a more 
than usually thorough search. 

The officials came in at the rear end of the carriage, locked 
the door behind them, and informed us we were to go out before 
them. The male passengers were ushered into one corrugated-iron 
house, the females, with their respective searchers behind them, 
into another. One burly passenger had diamonds concealed on his 
person, but his clothes were only slightly felt. A small, pale 
clergyman just behind him, however, received marked attention, 



128 THE CHIEF CITY OE THE TRANSVAAL- 

and was obliged to take off Ms boots, and every article of bis bag- 
gage was minutely scrutinized. Probably some of tbe women 
searcbers performed tbeir duties just as tborougbly. My servant 
was asked to pay duty on some of my sbirts, but be refused to pay 
anytbing, on tbe ground tbat tbe sbirts bad been repeatedly worn 
and wasbed. 

Tbe distance to Jobannesburg from tbe frontier was but an 
bour and a balf of ordinary running, but from tbe time we neared 
tbe Vaal River it occupied us eleven bours. A reporter from tbe 
" Star " bad come aboard at tbe frontier station, and from bim we 
learned a few facts regarding Jobannesburg, sucb as tbat tbe Out- 
lander miners intended to starve tbe burgbers out by closing tbe 
mines, tbat tbe Australians were leaving in crowds, and tbougb 
tbere were tbree presidential candidates in tbe field, Kruger was 
sure to be returned for a fourtb term, as General Joubert was known 
to be weak, and Scbalk Burger almost unknown. 

REEF OP GOLD. 

Tbe Transvaal veld was mucb greener and more rolling tban 
tbat of tbe Orange Free State. Jobannesburg came into view 
about 9 A.M. ; but instead of making direct for it tbe train sbeered 
off and came to a bait at Elands fontein, six miles east. It was 
tben we first obtained an intelligent comprebension of tbe term 
" Main Reef," to wbose production of gold tbe existence of Joban- 
nesburg is due. Its total lengtb, I am told, is tbirty-eigbt and a 
balf miles, to be accurate, and along tbis a cbain of mines, well 
equipped and developed, exists, out of wbicb, bowever, only ten 
miles of tbe reef can be profitably worked under tbe present eco- 
nomic circumstances. Tbe working of tbe remaining twenty-eigbt 
miles depends mainly upon tbe removal of tbe burdens, upon low 
wages, abundant labor, cbeap transport, etc. 

To eitber side of Klandsfontein runs a lengtby line of cbimney 
stacks, engine bouses, tall wooden frames, supporting tbe bead- 
gear, stamp mills, witb clusters of sbeds, buts and offices, bills of 
wbite tailinsfs and ore. To tbe westward tbese become more numer- 
ous, and as tbe train moved from Elandsfontein towards Jobannes- 



THE CHIEF CITY OF THE TRANSVAAI,. 129 

burg, it clung to tlie side of a commanding ridge by wbicli we 
obtained a panoramic view of mine after mine, each surrounded by- 
its reservoirs, hills of tailings, lofty stores of ore, iron sheds, mills, 
offices and headgear structures, until finally they occupied an 
entire valley. 

Presently, while we still clung to the ridge, we saw that the 
scattered cottages, with their respective groves, were becoming 
more massed, and looking ahead of them we sav/ the city of Johan- 
nesburg, filling the breadth of a valley, girdled by a thin line of 
tall smoke stacks, and dominated by two parallel lines of hills, the 
crests of which rose perhaps 300 feet or so above the city. The 
scent of eucalyptus groves filled the air, for now the ridge on our 
right was given up to cottages, villas, mansions, each separated by 
firs, eucalyptus, flower gardens and varied shrubberies, the whole 
making a charming sight, and a worthy approach to the capital of 
the mining industry with its golden promises of wealth. 

LIKE A EUROPEAN CITY. 

Reduced to matter-of-fact figures, Johannesburg proper covers 
four square miles ; its roads and streets are 126 miles in length, 
twenty-one miles of which are macadamized, and ten miles have 
tram lines. The city's parks and open spaces occupy eight3''-four 
acres. There have been twenty miles of gas-piping laid, while the 
electric light is supplied by forty-two miles of wire. The water- 
works supply 600,000 gallons of water dail}^ for domestic use, exclu- 
sive of what is required for the mines and street watering. 

The streets of the city generally are about 50 feet wide, while 
the principal business streets average 90 feet in width. Several of 
these are flanked by buildings which would be no discredit to any 
provincial city in England, while the array of shops have their 
windows as artistically dressed with wares as those of Regent Street 
In London, which gave me some idea of the character and good 
taste of the people. 

A photograph of Johannesburg taken in 1888 revealed a thin 
collection of galvanized iron structures, widely scattered over a 
roadless veld, while present photographs show a mature city, com- 

9 



130 THE CHIEF CITY OF THE TRANSVAAL. 

pact, with an aspect of age, well furnislied witli cliurclies, massive 
buildings, parks Avith trees over a hundred feet in height, rich villas 
and artistic mansions. It was scarcely credible that in such a short 
period such a marvellous change had been wrought. The wonder 
was increased when I was driven along the length of Hospital Hill, 
and noted the streets of this suburb, bordered by artistic and costly 
houses, luxuriant shrubberies, flower gardens and stately lines of 
shade trees. 

The marvel was greater still when my conductor told me that 
as late as 1892 this suburb, now so flourishing, was a mere virgin 
grassy veld. " What, all these miles of groves and gardens and 
villas sprung up since 1892 ? " " Yes, so prodigiously rapid is the 
growth of vegetation, trees, climbing plants and shrubs, when daily 
watered, that these shade trees which give the suburb such an 
appearance of age are only a few years old." 

SIGNS OF THRIFT AND PROSPERITY. 

Now these picturesque and comfortable residences of such 
varying architecture, vvhose furniture I could just see through open 
windows and doors, and bespoke great wealth and taste, you must 
bear in mind would adorn Birmingham or Manchester. Imagine 
miles of such houses crowded with fair occupants and troops of 
daintilj^-clad children, their long hair floating in the wind as they 
sported in snowy garments on the lawns and amid the flowers, 
and then my surprise, and something more, as I suddenly came in 
view of a fort which the rude Boers have built to terrorize this com- 
munity. 

The superb ridge, which seemed to me with its beautiful houses 
and gardens a veritable paradise after four thousand miles of travel 
over treeless plains, and which would certainly be an ornament to 
any city on the globe, had in its centre a large and ugly earthwork, 
behind which were monstrous Krupp guns to lay waste this Eden, 
should the humanity of Johannesburg ever be driven b}^ despair to 
strive physically for the rights of freemen. The mere suggestion 
of it is brutish, and a Government which can cooll}^ contemplate 
such a possibilitv. and frighten tim^id wonieii and 3^oung children 



THE CHIEP' CITY OE THE TRANSVAAI,. 131 

witii sucli liorrid prospects, are only fit to be classed witli the 
Herods of the Dark Ages. 

A short drive northward of the suburb placed me in a position 
to view the far-reaching desolate wastes of the primitive veld, and 
to realize more fully what human intellect, skill, energy and capital 
have done on Hospital Hill and in Johannesburg itself Twelve 
years ago there was not a vestige of life — human or vegetable, 
except "the grass — to be seen within the entire range of vision from 
the Hill, and yet the creators of the remarkable transformation we 
had just seen were to be threatened with slaughter and devastation 
if once they plucked up courage to exact the rights which every 
civilized government would long ago have granted to them. 

It were well now, after briefly sho^ving what Johannesburg and 
its population is, that the chief of the State and his rustic burghers, 
in whose hands lie the future of this remarkable city and its indus^ 
try, should be presented to the reader in order that he might realize 
the striking incongruity of first-class mechanical ingenuity, spirited 
enterprise, business sagacity and tireless industry being subject 
to senile madness and boorish insensibility. 

INTELLECT RULES THE WORLD. 

That such a thing should be is most preposterous and contrary 
to all human precedent. For elsewhere, and since the dawn of civi- 
lization. Intellect has always become Master, Captain and King 
over Ignorance, but at Johannesburg it is Asinine Ignorance which 
rules Intellect. Another reversal of human custom is seen in the 
submissiveness of Intellect to Ignorance, and though, being natur- 
all}^ sensitive under the whip and restless under the goad, it remon- 
strates sometimes, its remonstrance is in such a sweet, mild way, 
that the spectator can only smile and wonder. 

Fitting words are wanting to describe my overmastering sur- 
prise at the state of things in the Transvaal ; I am limited by space 
and time, so that I must let my pen race over these pages and trust 
largely to the intelligence of those who read the lines. I have a 
printed cutting before me of a discussion in the First Raad of the 
Boer Republic, during which the President, in the support of his 



132 THE CHIKF CITY OF THK TRANSVAAL. 

views, stands up and says tliat Isaiah had been told by the Lord 
that Israel had been punished because the rulers of that people 
had not hearkened unto the voice of the poor. 

Another speaker of similar intelligence rose up to contend 
that the Lord had enjoined that the rich, not the rulers, should 
help the poor, and Isaiah had not been told that the poor were to 
be helped with other people's money. This construction of Scrip- 
ture raised the President of the State to his feet again, and he reit- 
erated the fact that the Lord had meant the rulers, whereupon 
another Senator interpolated the remark that some people were in 
the habit of shielding themselves behind the Bible with a view to 
saving their own pockets and justifying their actions. 

MONEY SPENT FOR DEFENCES. 

At Standerton the President was questioned as to the prospects 
of assistance being given to poor burghers. His entire reply is 
worth quoting, but I have only room for a small portion of it. Said 
he: " The burghers' distress has been caused by the war (Jameson's 
raid), and the subsequent unrest has not tended to improve matters. 
The burghers have suffered from these circumstances. The coun- 
try has been compelled to spend a lot of money on the building of 
forts, nearly $10,000,000, by which our means have been exhausted. 
In the Zoutpansberg district especially, the condition of things I 
know to be most distressing. White families as well as black are 
dying rapidly. Still I expect you to turn to the Bible in a time of 
adversity like this. Follow the prophet Isaiah's advice, and look 
to the Lord God who has so far befriended you. Why will men 
not follow in the path of the Lord instead of losing money at races 
and by gambling ? " 

I was fortunate enough to have an early morning interview 
with President Kruger. As he was fully dressed in the usual black 
suit and little old-fashioned top hat, and smoking on the verandah 
of his house, the old President must have risen from bed an hour 
earlier at least, and though all the clocks in this region are fully 
thirty minutes behind time, 5 a.m. is a remarkably early hour to 
begin business. Two-armed guards in the uniform of London 



THE CHIEF CITY OF THE TRANSVAAI,. 133 

police Inspectors stood in the street barring the way to the house ; 
but a mere look from the President sufficed to give us admission. 

His " Good-morning " in English slipped from him uncon- 
sciously, and after a shake hands he led the way to a spacious 
saloon, wherein the first thing that attracted my attention was a 
large and coarse oil painting of him. 

It was clear that neither Kruger nor his friends knew any- 
thing of art, for the picture was an exaggerated reproduction of 
every defect in the President's homely features, the low, narrov/, 
unintellectual brow, over-small eyes, and heavy, massive expanse 
of face beneath. The man himself was almost beautiful in com- 
parison with the monster on the canvas, and I really could not help 
pitying him for his innocent admiration of a thing that ought to be 
cast into the fire as an intolerable monstrosity. 

A REPULSIVE BOER. 

But presently the President spoke — a mouthful of strange 
guttural words — in a voice that was like a loud guigle, and as the 
great jaws and cheeks and mouth heaved and opened, I stole a 
glance at the picture, and it did not seem to me then as if the 
painter had libeled the man. At any rate, the explosive dialect so 
expanded the cheeks and widened the mouth that I perceived some 
resemblance to the brutal picture. 

I was told by my introducer, after the interview was over, that 
the President had already read a chapter in the Bible, and that it is 
his custom to do so every morning before appearing in public. I 
then understood the meaning and tone of his last words to me. 
Said he : " What I have said, shall be done." He was alluding to 
the fact that the Dynamite Monopoly and Railway Rates were the 
children of the State, but they should be put into the hands of the 
Attorney-General, and if it were discovered that the terms of the 
concessions were in any way contravened, reparation should be 
made. The manner of his last words reminded me of the Jovic 
way — " and what I will, is fate " — but when I learned how he had 
been engaged, I knew he had been infected with the style of the 
Pentateuch. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Gold and Diamond Mines of South Africa. 

M I HB History of tlie diamond mines may furnish some clew to an 
ejj understanding of the situation, if nothing more. Diamond 
dealers say that the precious gems have increased very much in 
value since the beginning of the war. The mines of Kimberley are 
the greatest diamond producers in the world, furnishing from 
ninety to ninety-five per cent, of all the diamonds sold. Bven 
more could be put on the market, but the mines are controlled by 
the richest trust on earth, which limits the output so as to keep 
up prices. 

Yet the discovery of diamonds in South Africa goes back only 
a few years. One day in 1867 ^^^ children of a Boer farmer, who 
lived on a farm seventeen hours' ride west of Hopetown, on the 
bank of the Orange River, were playing with some stones they had 
found in its bed. An Ostrich hunter named O'Reilly happened to 
pass, and the Boer farmer. Van Niekerk, called his attention to an 
especially brilliant stone that a Griqua boy had found. O'Reilly 
was startled. He scratched on a pane of glass with the stone, and 
immediately decided that he had a diamond in his hand. He 
promised the Boer half of whatever it proved to be worth, and 
wanted to follow up the search at once. 

After many wanderings he went to an English physician in 
Graham's Town, a Dr. Atherstone, who was the first to recognize 
the great value of his "find." He recognized it as a diamond in a 
moment, and estimated its weight at 21 3-16 carats. A little later 
this stone was sold to Sir Philip Wodehouse, then Governor of Cape 
Colony, for $2,500. O'Reilly soon brought another stone from the 
same locality which weighed 8% carats, and it was sold to the 
same person for $i,ooo- One of the most beautiful of South Afri- 
can diamonds later came from Van Niekerk' s -farm on Orange 
River, the so-called " Star of South Africa," weighing 8T)}4 carats, 

134 



GOLD AND DIAMONDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 135 

found by a Kaffir. Tlie brilliant later cut tberefrom came into the 
possession of the Barl of Dudley for $125,000. 

Immediately after the first report of these discoveries the 
Orange River was crowded with white, black and yellow Buropeans, 
Kaffirs and Hottentots, and here and there they succeeded in find- 
ing a few diamonds. Thence the search spread to the bed of the 
River Vaal, and here, on the property of the Berlin Missionary 
Society, at Pniel, camps were pitched, and the work began in 
earnest. 

In 1870, new diamond diggings were discovered, again by 
children playing with stones. This was not on the banks of the 
river, but on the high table land where their existence had not been 
suspected. It was on the farm of Du Toits Pan, between the Vaal 
and the Modder rivers. It was in the mud which had been used to 
build his house that the children saw a shining object, and dug out 
a diamond. In pulling up a plant another child found a diamond 
weighing eighty carats clinging to the roots. 

DIAMONDS OF THE FIRST WATER. 

The richest mine of all, however, was found in July, 1871, on 
the Kolesberg-Kopje. The old mines wxre abandoned, and then 
came De Beers New Rush. The town of Kimberley was later 
founded, in the neighborhood of this mine, being named after the 
British Colonial Secretary at that time. Lord Kimberley, and the 
mine was known as the Kimberley mine. Later some small dig- 
gings were found in the Orange Free State, Kossifontein and 
Jagersfontein, from which some of the diamonds of the first water 
have since been taken. 

The confusion and disorder of the frenzied fortune hunters 
were tremendous, and political confusion followed in the claim of 
'the Orange Free State to Kimberley and the mines around it. 
The British government held that this was British territory, and 
to make its claim good purchased the claim of an old Griqua chief 
to this land. 

The British referred the matter to arbitration, notwithstanding 
the protest of the Orange Free State, making a British officer the 



136 GOI.D AND DIAMONDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 

umpire. He decided in favor of Great Britain, and meanwhile, 
with a huge rush, thousands of miners had come into the country. 
The Free State protested against the decision in vain, for England 
claimed that its power was necessary to preser^'^e order, and the 
Free State was obliged to accept $450,000 for its claim. This inci- 
'dent has not been forgotten by the Free State Boers, and is no 
small incentive to them to aid their brothers of the South African 
Republic. 

Several of the wiser miners began to combine for the formation 
of companies to purchase machinery that they might go to the 
deeper levels where the faijious " blue ground" lay, filled with dia- 
monds. By 1885 many of these companies were at work, and then 
a further combination of their interests took place in the formation 
of the De Beers Consolidated Compan}^, Limited. The moving 
spirits in this combination were the redoubtable Barney Barnato 
and Cecil Rhodes. Under the able financial management of the 
latter, this compan}^ now pa3^s a di^ddend of ten millions annually 
on a nominal capital of twenty millions. 

MINES OF GREAT DEPTH. 

The latest improvements in mining machinerj^ have been of 
course adopted, and the best engineers are engaged in conducting 
the work. The "yellow earth" of the surface in which the early 
prospectors found their wealth has been dug through, and the 
"blue ground" is being worked to unprecedented depths. This 
peculiar formation appears to be practically inexhaustible, for 
soundings have never been able to get beyond it. 

Nowhere else on the earth is this peculiar blue quartz to be 
found, so it has been called kimberlite. It is very hard, but alters 
and softens under moisture and air. The miners have taken advan- 
tage of this, and the large companies haul the blue ground to the 
surface, and spread it out to disintegrate naturallj^ It is spread 
out on floors surrounded by armed guards night and day, and there 
it is first harrowed by two engines some 500 3^ards apart dragging 
the harrows over it. 

There it stays for six months or a year, and is then sent to the 



GOI.D AND DIAMONDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 137 

crusliing works, where it is washed and rolled by machinery until 
every bit of foreign matter has been removed and the diamonds 
alone remain. Some bits that do not pulverize under the harrow 
are called hard blue, are picked out by hand and carefully treated 
separately, for large stones are sometimes in these hard masses 
of rock. 

The work in the mines is done chiefly by Kaf&rs, who wield 
the drills and use the dynamite for the blasting with little incon- 
venience. They are engaged for a specified number of weeks, dur- 
ing which they are kept in a well-guarded compound, fed, and if ill, 
treated by the company. Only at the end of their term of service 
are they paid and permitted to leave, when they return with what 
seems to them untold wealth, to buy a wife and set up housekeep- 
ing in their home, some weeks' journey away. 

All kinds of precautions are taken to prevent them from steal- 
ing diamonds which they find while at work. As each man leaves 
the mine he must strip to the skin and submit to a search of mouth, 
ears and nose. The companies try to prevent stealing by offering 
premiums for the finding of large stones, but, strange to say, all of 
the precautions have not prevented the largest diamonds from 
reaching the market through private persons. 

HOW DIAMONDS ARE FORMED. 

The diggings at Kimberley have done much to explain the 
formation of the diamond itself, for kimberlite is recognized by all 
authorities as being of eruptive origin, and the diamond in it must 
have been formed by the tremendous heat generated at the time of 
the eruption. In fact, the mines look like chimneys, or " pipes," 
as they are called, the blue ground running down toward the center 
of the earth like a huge water-pipe. 

The depth of the mines is very great, a level in the Kimberley 
being 1,520 feet down and in the De Beers, 1,200 feet. Most of the 
mining now is done under ground by galleries running to the cen- 
tral shaft. This prevents many accidents, and is a great economy 
in space and time. 

The sorting of the stones is an art and science in one. Good 



138 GOI.D AND DIAMONDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 

eyes and judgment are necessary. Here are found some witli deep 
tints of brown, pink and yellow, which, are most valuable, being 
classified as fancy stones. Those with slight shades are least valu- 
able, and the pure white rank next. 

The largest diamond ever found in the world was discovered 
here in 1893, and is known as Excelsior. It weighed 971^ carats, 
and was discovered at Jagersfontein. It far surpassed the De Beers, 
found some time before, which weighed only 428^ carats, yet was 
quite a diamond itself. 

South Africa is deeply indebted to the diamond mines. When 
they were first discovered, it was at the almost unknown end of a 
mysterious and unpopular continent. When claims were pegged 
out in Kimberley in 187 1, it was probably as difficult to obtain in- 
formation about the interior of Cape Colony as it is still of the head 
waters of the Niger. Yet by the end of 1872 the value of the im- 
ports and exports of Cape Colony had more than doubled, and the 
population working in the Kimberley mine alone was estimated at 
upwards of ten thousand. 

STRANGE METHOD OF WORKING. 

At first the mines were worked on the open system, roadways 
being left by which the gravel was carted away. Soon these fell 
in, and were replaced by wires stretched from a line of scaffolding 
on the edge of the chasm to some point on the claim below. 

The scene was a strange one. Amidst a cloud of dust, or in a 
slough of mud, white men and black toiled, sweated, and dug at 
the bottom of a huge and ever deepening pit. Some claims had 
been sunk considerably lower than their neighbors, and all lay 
under the threatening shadow of a loose and crumbling wall. From 
the uneven surface, from amidst the crowd, struggling like pigmies 
far down in the bov/els of the earth, rose a never-ending succession 
of buckets full of gravel, traveling slowly along the wires on their 
way to the floors above, where they were sorted by the dry process. 

When a large stone came to hand, or when the partner down 
below could endure the dust no longer, the bucket, instead of re- 
turning empty, was occasionally freighted with a bottle of cham- 



GOLD AND DIAMONDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 139 

pagne, purchased possibly at an extravagant cost in exchange for 
one of the diamonds just unearthed. 

Within the camp, surrounding the sorting floors, hung another 
jostling crowd, largely recruited from the vilest scum of the uni- 
verse, many of whom were ready to sell what was left to them of 
conscience, of honor or of purity, for the gems from below. A 
great proportion of these were illicit diamond buyers, using every' 
means in their power to tempt the v/hite master or the colored ser- 
vant to rob those around them. Prior to the passing of the laws 
against the illicit purchase of diamonds, in 1882-83, crime, disease 
and fever held high revel at Kimberley, walking openly, hand in 
hand- through the filthy by-streets of a dissolute city. 

Meantime the walls surrounding the mine were rapidly falling 
in. By 1882 half the claims were buried, and many of the remain- 
der were scarcely workable. At the bottom, then some 450 feet 
below the surface, water accumulated and could not be removed. 
Scarcely a digger who was not the claimant and defendant in half 
a dozen different suits. Bfforts were made to tunnel through the 
debris and to gain access to the buried claims, but with little 
success. The crumbling reef itself fought against the miners, 
catching fire after rain and smoldering for long periods. 

GREATEST MININQ COMPANY IN THE WORLD. 

Many sold out or abandoned their claims, seeking employment 
on the newly-discovered gold mines at Barberton. At length a few 
far-seeing men, chief amongst whom was Mr. Cecil Rhodes, created 
that great institution, the De Beers Mining Company, which to-day 
controls the diamond market of the world, and spends over $5,000,- 
000 every year in labor alone. 

The deserted pit, garnished by a few rustling wires, still lies 
open to the sky, but mining is continued by means of under- 
ground shafts, carried in some instances to a depth of 1200 feet 
below the surface, and necessitating the employment of more 
capital than any ordinary individual could hope to dispose of. 

Of the diamond mines still worked on the open ;y-stem some 
are owned by the De Beers Company, but a few belong to private 



140 GOLD AND DIAMONDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 

individuals or to syndicates. It is quite possible that diamond- 
iferous areas now unknown may be thrown open to prospectors, as 
there is every reason to believe that the crystal lies hidden in 
many parts of South Africa. 

Though history shows that large fortunes were made in the 
Kimberley mines, and that many most deserving men remained 
v/ealthy after the crash, faulty legislation and want of organization 
allowed far too great a proportion of the gains to fall into the hands 
of the " scum," whilst haste, greed and inexperience, by causing 
men to dig straight down without regard to any other interest than 
their own, were eventually prejudicial to all, and caused a property, 
since proved to be the source of almost fabulous wealth, to be 
inaccessible and absolutely valueless to those who then owned it. 

GEMS FOUND IN MANY PLACES. 

A number of diamonds are annually washed from the neigh- 
borhood of the Vaal River, and mines are worked at and near Kim- 
berley, in Griqualand West. A few stones have been found at 
Klerksdorp in the Transvaal, and discoveries have been reported 
from the neighborhood of the Zambesi, and Delagoa Bay. 

The historical record of the diamond in South Africa is fraught 
with striking incidents, and it has been said many a time and oft 
that the discovery may be ranked as one of the Seven Wonders of 
the World. It certainly has been productive of as astounding and 
magnificent wealth as any discovery of modern times, quite as 
astounding and magnificent as the discovery of gold in California, 
Australia, the South African Republic, or as the discovery of gold 
in any of the gold centres in the known world. In its extension 
of the British Bmpire, in the spread of the Bnglish language, in 
providing homes and elbow room for industrial populations, it is 
unrivaled, and nothing has been so effective in reclaiming native 
races from barbarism and bringing them within the limits and 
influence of civilization. 

Like most discoveries, whether of new countries, new material 
for science or labor to manipulate, the discovery of diamonds owes 
more to accident than to expert explorers. Whatever else may be 



GOIvD AND DIAMONDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 141 

said of tlie slowness and lack of enterprise of tlie Cape it had done 
all in its power for years after it was suspected from the diamondif- 
erous and auriferous indications that gold and precious stones 
existed in South Africa to test the reliability of scientific experts, 
and had expended thousands of pounds of sterling money in the 
employment of geological and mineralogical explorers with no better 
result than getting the most confident reports that by no possibility 
could a particle of gold or a precious stone be found in any part of 
the South African Continent. 

Auriferous indications of most profuse promise had been 
brought by the late Chevalier Forssman, of Potchefstrom, to Cape- 
town and London, taken from his lands in the Transvaal at least 
twenty years before the discovery of diamonds in Griqualand West, 
and a quarter of a century before the establishment of the South 
African gold industry, but neither Colonial nor English capitalists 
could be induced to invest. Capital is apt to be suspicious. 

ACCOUNTS WERE NOT BELIEVED. 

Neither the Cape Colonist nor the people of England would 
believe in the discovery of real diamonds at the Cape for a very 
long time. First it was denied that " the Star," already mentioned, 
was a diamond ; when that could no longer be denied, " Oh, then it 
fell from a star, was dropped by an ostrich, was imported from India 
by owners of land in the Colony to send land up to a fictitious 
value." But by Christmas, 1869, there were 6,000 people located 
at Pniel, and as many on. the other side of the Vaal, digging on 
the river banks, between Hebron and Cawood's Hope. 

At one time dealing in stolen diamonds was carried on in the 
most barefaced manner, and. reprisals in the form of tent burning 
were of nightly occurrence. The Post-office at Kimberley had been 
robbed of a large consignment of diamonds worth thousands of 
dollars, there had been several attempts to waylay the post cart 
and rob the mail bags of the diamonds which they were known to 
contain. In one case the mail bags had been stolen at the post- 
office, and then it became plain that diamonds in transit must be 
better guarded. Fortunately in most cases diamonds stolen were 



142 GOTvD AND DIAMONDS OF vSOUTH AFRICA. 

recovered — or at least tlie cliief part of tliem. Kverytliing about 
the fields grew with astonishing rapidity. 

In 1870 the output of diamonds did not exceed in value a few 
thousand dollars a year. In 1880 the diamond diggings had be- 
come mines with steam machinery in full work ; claimholders had 
amassed fortunes, and the yield of precious stones was estimated to 
exceed twenty million dollars a year at least. The establishment 
"of the De Beers Company by the amalgamation of smaller compa- 
nies brought about a new era in diamond mining, and gave it a per- 
manency it never could otherwise have attained, and has given it a 
world-wide distinction surpassing all other mining operations. 

MAKING SOUTH AFRICA RIOH. 

The diamond industry in its infancy saved the country from 
bankruptcy ; to-day it is making for South Africa an enviable name 
throughout the whole wide world. No industry was ever more 
perfectly organized than that of the De Beers Mining Company. 
All its mining operations are carried out under superintendence 
and management of first-class men. The average number of per- 
sons employed daily in 1899 reached the grand total of 1,729 whites 
and 7,340 blacks ; almost every nationality being represented by 
the employees. Everything is done with admirable precision ; and 
there is a grandeur about the magnitude and boldness of the in- 
dustr3A which should fill the heart of every man connected with it, 
from the directors, the chief manager and his subordinates, with 
pride. 

The great diamond industry of Kimberley, combined by Cecil 
Rhodes into one vast consolidated company representing a market 
value of many million dollars, is managed by an American. He is 
Gardner Williams, and his assistant, Louis I. Seymour, is also an 
American. The selection of Mr. Williams was made by Mr. 
Rhodes. 

The way Williams got to South Africa is an interesting tale. 
It was when the great Transvaal gold find of Witwatersrand was 
first attracting English attention. There were many doubts in the 
beginning among London capitalists of the real value of the ore. 



GOI^D AND DIAMONDS 01^ SOUTH AFRICA. 143 

The Loudon house of Rothschild determined to investigate, and 
directed its American correspondent to engage an American gold- 
mining authority to visit the African workings. 

Mr. Williams, a famous expert of the Western American gold 
fields, w^as engaged for the purpose. He v^ent to the Transvaal, 
traversed the beautiful grazing lands so different from the gold 
country of America, entered a few shafts in the " reefs " of that 
marvellous deposit, unlike any other on earth, examined the black, 
powdery, alluvial soil that the burghers said was ore — and was dis- 
gusted. 

Never in the experience of man had gold been found under 
such conditions, and Mr. Williams v/as unbelieving. He even 
doubted the pannings. He regarded the alleged results as fraud, 
and eventually reported that the whole business was not worth 
getting off one's horse to look at. That same black alluvial plain 
a few years later was turning out $40,000,000 worth of gold per 
annum. But, losing this great chance, Mr. Williams nevertheless 
made a hit at Kimberley, and became the manager of the greatest 
diamond field on earth, which is the source of fabulous wealth. 

DISCOVERY OF GOLD. 

There would not have been any war between the English and 
Boers if gold had not been discovered within the boundaries of the 
Transvaal. The Outlanders, or foreigners, are fighting for rights 
that are accorded to new settlers by all civilized nations, and the 
Boers are fighting for supremacy and the exclusive right to govern 
the countr}^ by the most oppressive and barbarous laws. 

The Transvaal was nothing but a rolling inland tract of mea- 
dow and mountain. It was fit for nothing but farming and ranch- 
ing, with an occasional good shot at big game. The Dutch settlers 
had won it from the savages by blood and suffering, and they held 
it against the English with their lives' forfeit. The English let 
them have it. Why not? It was scarcely worth the quarrel. 
The land did not even possess a seaport. 

It was in 1881 the British left the Boers their barren republic. 
Resources were few, exports fewer, and the treasury was empty. 



144 GOLD AND DIAMONDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 

There was little communication with, the outer world, for there were 
no railroads. It was forty days by ox-cart to Cape Town. 

In 1884 a man named Arnold told a farmer named Geldenhuis 
that there was gold on his land. Geldenhuis did not believe it, 
but repeated the gossip, and sold his farm to two adventurous 
brothers named Struben, who put up a mill and began to work the 
grayish, powdery dirt that has since proved the richest gold ore the 
earth has ever shown. The Boer government proclaimed nine 
farms public gold fields. 

Then the rush began. The Boers, always slow where enter- 
prise wins out, were unbelieving. They could not make up their 
minds to abandon the certainty of cattle-raising for the uncertainty 
of mining, even with rich claims crying for takers. A few settled 
on the Witwatersrand and w^ent to work. Meantime the news of 
the find spread over the borders into English territory. The word 
made a sensation in Cape Town, and a horde of adventurers at 
once set out. The news reached London and started the adventur- 
ous there. Within a year nearly every v/orking claim was under 
the spade, and nearly. all were in English hands. The Boers on 
the spot had made up their minds too late. 

OBTAINED NOWHERE ELSE SO EASILY. 

The workings of the Witwatersrand — White Water Range, 
in English — were thirty miles in length when all were developed. 
The gold was found in a formation seen nowhere else in the world. 
Regular beds, or " reefs," of dry, powdery conglomerate, in thick- 
ness from two to twenty feet, are found throughout this district. 
This black veldt is the ore. Nowhere else on earth is gold mined 
and worked so easily or so cheaply. 

In 1887, midway in the district and on the site of a hamlet 
that had become the centre of the industry, a hustling, bustling 
town was laid out, the city of Johannesburg. It \^'as named after 
the surveyor. Its altitude is 5,600 feet above the sea. In twelve 
years the finest and largest city in South Africa has sprung up on 
the bare mountain side, and the hills have been lined with the huge 
chimneys, the reservoirs, the engine sheds, the rtamping- houses 



GOLD AND DIAMONDS 01^ SOUTH AFRICA. 145 

and the offices of great works tliat employ 60,000 native miners 
and 10,000 Europeans. 

In 1899 the 198 companies had decreased to 137, but those 
paying dividends had increased from twenty-eight to forty-five. 
These forty-five companies paid dividends of $25,448,925 on a capi- 
tal of $101,473,375, or something more than twenty-five per cent. 

" It is a curious anomaly," wrote Major Ricarde-Seaver, in 
1894, " to see, at the end of the nineteenth century, a minority of 
fifteen thousand burghers, all told, ruling a majority of sixty thou- 
sand enlightened, wealthy and prosperous aliens, who, although 
they possess the richest and most valuable portion of the countrj^, 
have no voice in its management. The franchise must be extended 
to all qualifying for citizenship, and when this is done, the Out- 
landers, as a class, will cease to exist. They will become citizens, 
and the control of the State will pass into the hands of the majority, 
or, in other words, the Anglo-Saxon race." 

RHODESIA A LAND OF GOLD. 

Johannesburg is rightly named the " Gold City," for its output 
is constantly increasing. Bulawayo, in Rhodesia, is likely to prove 
a rival to Johannesburg. There are many gold mines there, but 
they are not developed. Before the war started nearly all who went 
to South Africa for gold located at Bulawayo. In 1898 it was a 
small place, but the gold rush has been the means of enlarging the 
city, and it has- increased its population tenfold. From all appear- 
ances Bulawayo will be an excellent place for prospectors after the 
Transvaal war is ended. 

Gold in South Africa is but rarely found in alluvial deposits. 
Although it may be washed from the sand of some of the rivers and 
from certain parts of the sea-shore, and although nuggets of con- 
siderable size have occasionally been unearthed in places so far dis- 
tant from one another as the south of Cape Colony and the valle}' 
of the Zambesi, the individual digger, whose capital consists of a 
spade, a washing-trough, and a couple of tins of bully beef, will 
probably do better by obtaining employment on some mine, than 

in excavating and washing alluvial soil on his own account. 
10 



146 GOLD AND DIAMONDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 

The ricliest alluvial gold-fields known are tliose near Lyden- 
burg, in the Transvaal, where a large amount of the precious metal 
has been recovered ; but the total output at Lydenburg for several 
years sinks into utter insignificance when compared to that now 
yielded annually by the Witwatersrand mines. 

The minine laws of most of the South African communities 
require that the holder of a claim shall not merely pay the license 
dues exacted, but shall do a certain amount of work upon the 
ground within a given time ; in other words, that he shall prove 
the value of his claim. Quite properly this work is made a condi- 
tion of fixity of tenure, and, failing its completion within the period 
fixed, the right of the holder lapses. 

In the above law lies the chance of the prospector. Were the 
holding of a claim dependent entirely upon the payment of the 
necessary monthty license, a wealthy capitalist might retain large 
tracts of land indefinitely, without even disturbing the surface of 
the soil. Arrivals in the country would thus be prevented not only 
from working on their own account, but perhaps from working at all. 

THE LUCKY MAKE FORTUNES. 

As it is, the capitalist relies upon the prospector to carry out 
the law on his behalf, and the prospector turns to the capitalist for 
the wherewithal to develop the riches whose existence his researches 
have disclosed. This mutual dependence has led in many cases to 
an amalgamation of interests. Where a district is found to be au- 
riferous, syndicates or men of means are read}-^ to pay experienced 
miners to peg out reefs for them, in return for a monthl}^ wage and 
for a share in what is eventuall}^ discovered. 

By those who are lucky, large fortunes nia}^ thus be realized ; 
and those who are not personall}^ successful in drawing great prizes 
are at least earning an honorable living at the time, and are free to 
turn to other employments when they wish to do so. 

Those having a little money to fall back upon may perhaps do 
better by exploring on their own account, but in either case the 
chances of prospectors in South Africa are quite equal to those of 
men working in alluvial districts elsewhere. Though the}^ may 



GOIvD AND DIAMONDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 147 

not actually recover tlie gold by their own exertions, the public is 
quite willing to pay them large sums for the liberty of doing so on 
the property which they have pegged out. 

Experience is, of course, an advantage, but it is not indispen- 
sable. In Mashonaland and Matabeleland the existence of reefs is 
nearly always associated with ancient workings, and the neighbor- 
hood of workings themselves is occasionally indicated by the char- 
acter of the vegetation, lemon-trees, for example, being one of the 
most conspicuous signs of the district having once been occupied 
by a colony of miners. 

Besides this, experience gained in other countries is not always 
of service in South Africa. For instance, the gold-bearing con- 
glomerate containing the auriferous deposit of the Witwatersrand 
in the Transvaal was examined by experts at the request of the 
discoverer, and declared valueless. Yet, within a decade, we find 
the group of mines round Johannesburg producing nearly a quarter 
of the total output of the whole world and increasing their yield 
month by month. 



CHAPTER X. 
Cecil J. Rhodes — "the Uncrowned King." 

M I HB rapid marcli of events in Soutli Africa can scarcely be re- 
e ia corded without some mention of the Right Hon. Cecil J. 
Rhodes, who became Premier of Cape Colony in July, 1890, and a 
member of Her Majesty's Privy Council in January, 1895. This 
most astute and fortunate man has played an important part in 
almost all the great political or financial events that have taken 
place in South Africa. As a diplomatist and intermediary, where 
opposing interests require to be reconciled, his ability is unques- 
tionably extremely great. 

Though not a gifted orator, he never fails to command atten- 
tion, and, though exceedingly plain spoken, remains a riddle to 
those most intimate with him. Apparently a believer in National 
Federation, he gives away a small fortune to the Irish Home 
Rulers. Enterprising, or even rash in matters of business, he 
satisfies those connected with him, earns the respect of those who 
feel themselves injured by his actions, enriches himself, and is yet 
regarded by all as an honest, straight-forward man. 

In spite of Solon's advice to call no man happy until he is 
dead, it is safe to say that Mr. Rhodes will certainly be regarded for 
all time as one of the leading statesmen in South Africa. Posterity 
may even give his name an honorable place among those of other 
great adventurers, who, since the days of the Tudors, have helped 
to found or guard the British empire. Mr. Rhodes was succeeded 
as Premier of Cape Colony by Sir John Gordon Sprigg, early in 
January, 1896. 

The first five years of Mr. Rhodes's politics were devoted to a 
seemingly foolish admiration of the Kalahari Desert. To most 
Cape Colonists and Cape Governments, Bechuanaland was a wil- 
derness, and Mr. Rhodes, with his plea for extension thither, was 
a voice crying in the wilderness. The first use which Mr. Kruger 

148 



I 



CECII. J. RHODES— "THE UNCROWNED KING." 149 

made of his guarantee of independence was to send out Ms raiders 
east and west to found a new republic, for tlie Boer holds tliat 
everytHing north, of the Vaal was made over to him forever many 
years ago. 

It is curious to note that the Dutch-conciliation part of the 
Rhodes programme broke down before the one incalculable factor 
— Boer obstinacy. After all his efforts as Deputy Commissioner 
to " square " the Boer raiders, it cost an expedition to keep Bechu- 
analand open. However, thanks to the Imperial Government, not 
the Colonial, the way to the north was kept open, and through it 
Cape Town is linked by rail with Bulawayo. 

SCRAMBLE FOR TERRITORY. 

But meanwhile all sorts of people were sending up and spying 
out the North itself: Germans, Boers, and so forth ; boundaries 
were all uncertain and conflicting territorial rights veiled in the 
mist. With each fresh rumor Mr. Rhodes sat on thorns. What 
Government should he get to take the next step ? Colonial Minis- 
ters stuck short even at Bechuanaland. The Imperial Government 
was not prepared to do any more to define its " sphere of influence " 
until and unless private enterprise was ready to do something to 
develop it. " Can't jk^z^ do something?" was Sir Hercules Robin- 
son's answer to a last urgent appeal from Mr. Rhodes. " I want 
something to quote to the Imperial Government in proof that there 
is real enterprise at work to make the country ours not merely in 
name." 

That conversation was the germ of the great enterprise, begun 
and carried on by Mr. Rhodes, which has linked the southern coast 
of Africa with the vast region north of the Transvaal, where a new 
nation is buckling on the harness for a rapid march forward and a 
brilliant career. 

The plan means the acquirement of territory that has been 
running to waste through all past ages. Bechuanaland, annexed 
by Cape Colony, is an example of empire-extension by protectorate. 
Rhodesia is an example of " empire-extension on joint-stock prin- 
ciples." The former plan is the more correct — and stagnant. The 



150 CECIL J. RHODES— "THE UNCROWNED KING." 

latter makes big mistakes — and progress. Joint-stock imperialism 
is as old as the East India Compan}^; but the Rhodes version of it 
has some new as'oects, both for ^ood and evil. 

When Gordon told him the stor}^ of his refusing a roomful of 
gold offered b}'' the Emperor of China for crushing the Tai-ping 
rebellion, Air. Rhodes deplored the wasted opportunity. He would 
have taken as man}^ roomfuls as he could get. '' One ma}^ have 
big aims, but the bigger the}^ are the more mone\' one needs to 
help them through." Napoleon remarked that " Providence was 
generally on the side of the big battalions." The battalions of the 
Napoleon of finance are substantial dollars. He has to win, like 
his protot^^pe, b}- sudden dashing concentrations of these battalions 
on a divided and hesitating enem}^ 

MAKING AND GIVING AWAY MONEY. 

It is absurd to talk of Air. Rhodes as if he despised money. 
It is eqnall}' absurd to talk as if the extremel}- good bargains which 
lie has struck, when selling his brains to the eager world of share- 
holders and speculators, proved that mone}^ was to him what it is 
to the averaofe millionaire. Air Rhodes husbands his fortune with 
one hand and lavishes it ^^-ith the other, just as Napoleon kept the 
recruiting sergeant bus}^ at one end of the scale while he never 
hesitated to fling a few thousand men to certain death at the other. 

" But what is all this mone}^ wanted for ? Isn't it to ' square ' 
people — an engine of corruption? " That is the qu:;stion commonU^ 
suggested by some impressions of Air. Rhodes which have become 
current, not ^^^thout a grain of fact to each ton of fanc}-. After 
Air. Rhodes conceived his northward schemes and began to press 
them on High Commissioners and Colonial Secretaries, he was con- 
tinually brought up b}^ the hogy of the British taxpayer. The 
British taxpayer is not stingy, but it is impossible to eat territory 
at such a pace as John Bull has done for the last half century M-ith- 
out satiet}^ supervening, and some fastidiousness about the menu. » 
John Bull will pay for annexing a country already proved pfood. and 
what he has once taken he will hold \rith blood and treasure, pro- 
\dded muddling governments do not overdo military disaster. 



CKClTv J. RHODES— "THE UNCROWNED KING." 151 

But w^b.en lie has liad a lot of little wars, wdtli small apparent 
proiit and still less glory, as lie lias had in South Africa, he is chary 
of taking up large new provinces on uncertainties. He does not 
mind declaring, by a stroke of a Foreign Of&ce pen, a " sphere 
of influence ; " but there the matter stops. Something more was 
needed, if the Transvaal borderland was to be secured from Trans- 
vaal emigrations. And after being checked again and again by 
this same miserable dif&culty about money, it is no wonder if a 
man of Mr. Rhodes's belief that "territory is everything,'' or every- 
thing at least for the immediate British future in South Africa, 
should also conclude that money is nearly everything in the acqui- 
sition of territory, and is pretty sure to succeed. 

HOW THE BILLS ARE PAID. 

An English statesman contrasted what he called the miserably 
squalid associations of Bulawayo with the high administrative ideals 
of a rule like Sir Harry Johnston's further north. The statesman 
forgot the instructive fact that for years Mr. Rhodes's company has 
been paying cash down to keep up Sir Harry's excellent adminis- 
tration, while Mr. Rhodes's own pocket has been drawn on for Sir 
Harry's brilliant little raids on the sla\'e traders. It seems scarcely 
fair or consistent in a school of Bnglish thinkers to make a boast 
of retaining and governing certain regions, allow the Treasury to 
draw on the pocket of an ambitious rich man in paying the bill 
therefor, and at the same time twit that man with a sordid pre-occu- 
pation in money-grubbing. 

The system of empire-making on joint-stock principles may 
be analyzed as follows. A Chartered Company goes in and governs 
a country for what it can get out of it. A direct British territorial 
government could only get a deficit. The Chartered Company has 
not got a dividend yet ; but it has got assets which a proper gov- 
ernment could not touch ; that is to say, it has bought the chances 
of a prospective boom. A regular government can take, as Canada 
has shown, a heavy royalty on gold-fields, but a ro3^alty does not 
bring in money until the gold has been actually got out, at which 
stage the problem of running an administration is solved already. 



152 CECII. J. RHODES— "THE UNCROWNED KING." 

But the Britisli Soutli Africa Company, by virtue of Mr, 
Rhodes's patent fifty per cent, clause, can go shares with the pri- 
vate exploiters and speculators out of whatever value the investing 
public of Europe chooses to put on the prospectuses of a country 
still undeveloped. On other gold-fields, the government may take 
toll by royalty, transfer dues, stamps, duties on mining necessa- 
ries, licenses, or, as in the Transvaal, percentages on monopolies 
granted to private persons. Here the idea is to make things easy 
for the prospector till he strikes what he considers a find ; then 
the Company comes in as a sort of ground-landlord and claims half 
of the shares which the vendor gets allotted to himself in floating 
the find into a company. 

Thus in all subsidiary companies the Chartered Company 
holds scrip, which it can either hold as an investment or sell to the 
investing public. Mr. Rhodes laid down the principle that ordi- 
nary revenue got of the settlers must be spent in administration ; 
it is this speculation mining revenue that has to pay the piper — 
to the tune of millions eventually. In short, Mr. Rhodes has in- 
geniously arranged to bleed the British share-gambler in order to 
pay for the neglected duties of the British taxpayer. 

SPEOULATMG IN SHARES. 

In the speculative stage of all gold-fields vast sums are drawn 
from the credulity, as it is often called, or from the avarice and 
recklessness, as it might be called more justly, of the people who 
buy mining shares in the hope of selling them again to other peo- 
ple at a profit. We do not speak of swindles, but simply of the 
inevitable risk in the purchase of geological chances. Generally 
speaking, these sums go into the pockets of private persons. 

To a considerable extent, of course, that is true also of tlie 
exploitation of Rhodesia ; but the peculiarity of the case is that 
when the process is concluded, whatever may be the fate of all the 
various gold companies, and even of the Chartered Company it- 
self, there will have been incidentally added to the empire a prov- 
ince, of more or less value for colonization, fitted up with railways, 
telegraphs, and all the plant of a precocious civilization. 



CKCIIv J. RHODES— "THE UNCROWNED KING." 153 

xn tlie interim Mr. Rliodes takes, and gets Hs friends to take, 
large risks. His own "roomful of gold" is not enougk for liis 
schemes, and nothing is more remarkable than the way in which 
he has been able, throughout his career, to induce financial asso- 
ciates to put their resources also into his hobbies. No doubt one 
part of the secret is their uniform experience that he always does 
his best to see that they come out of it not badly. 

However that may be, his personality seems to have cast a 
spell over the Beits, the Barnatos, and all the other long-headed 
men who were iu close contact with his achievement of amalgama- 
ting the diamond mines ; and so, when his northern scheme most 
needed it in the early days, he was able to count on De Beers for 
a risky loan. Risky it was thought at the time ; yet here again 
he boasts that De Beers has had no cause to repent. One way or 
another, the good British (and Continental) investor has had to 
make it up to De Beers and forestall all losses. 

NOT EAGER TO FURNISH THE MONEY. 

Sometimes the spell fails to work, and the allies disappoint 
him. The Transcontinental telegraph, which is linking the Cape 
to Cairo, was a scheme praised in every English paper. Here, at 
least, they said, was imperialism in which was no guile, because it 
would never pay. Yet when Mr. Rhodes sent out circulars in 
London to the shareholders of all his concerns, who were doing- 
very nicely just then, inviting them to put money, by way of a 
thank-offering, into the guileless and unremunerative telegraph, 
his only answer — so he tells the story — was from one indignant 
shareholder who wrote to ask whether these highly improper cir- 
culars were being sent out at the shareholders' expense. It is just 
this kind of person whom Mr. Rhodes has made lay out large sums 
on the extension of the Empire — by the ingenious mechanism 
above described. 

So, too, the inquiry at Westminster brought out the fact that 
the Chartered Company had had to be tided over several lean 
periods by private advances from Mr. Rhodes and his friend, Mr. 
Beit. When Dr. Jameson telegraphed down that it was necessary 



154 cEciiv J. rhode:s-"the; uncrowned king." 

to smash Lobengiila, and Mr. Rhodes sent the characteristically 
laconic reply, " Read Luke xiv. 31," the result of the calculation 
of ways and means, which the Scripture quoted enjoins, was not 
promising. So little promising, in fact, that this time De Beers 
fliiled Mr. Rhodes. 

He hurried up to the seat of war to find awaiting him a reply 
telegraphed from Kimberle}^ to a telegram of his own proposing a 
loan : " Wish you luck in 3^our war," such was its purport ; ''Sorry 
we cannot see our way clear to the loan 3^ou want." So once again 
Mr. Rhodes had to see the way himself, out of his own pocket. The 
skeptics thought they would score a point when the}'' called for a 
list of Chartered holdings, and it proved that Mr. Rhodes had sold 
a block of his shares ; it was a surprise to those skeptics to learn 
that Mr. Rhodes had only sold Charters to keep the Charter going. 

NAPOLEON OF FINANCE. 

And so the " financial Napoleon " goes on recruiting his bat- 
talions and disposing of them ; driving hard bargains with Consoli- 
dated Goldfields shareholders, and even, on one occasion at least, 
with Chartered shareholders ; throwing the mone}^ back again into 
the Charter at weak points ; recovering loans when the tide turned 
and the Company could repa}^ him ; subscribing heavily to almost 
every one of those subsidiary gold companies from whose vendor- 
shares the Chartered shareholders in turn look to get their profits. 

Of the sins of the British South Africa Company we have 
heard enough since 1895. What of the credit side? It (with the 
allied Railwa}^ Companies) has opened up to the world a province 
as large as any two countries in Europe (Russia excluded) ; has 
organized, and paid for, the crushing of the last native war and the 
last native rebellion in the long series of African wars and rebel- 
lions, giving for the first time in the history of African govern- 
ments, compensation for damage done to the amount of $1,250,000 
in Matabeleland alone ; it has set up an administration Avhich is at 
least not corrupt, with pure and competent courts of justice ; and 
has secured the enthusiastic, the almost intolerant, support of the 
vast mass of the white inhabitants of the country. 



II 




CHAPTER XI. 

Oom Paul Kruger and other Famous Leaders. 

N May 9tli, 1883, a most remarkable man was cliosen presi- 
dent of the South African Republic. That he is a man of 
extraordinary ability is shown from the fact that he has 
retained his hold constantly upon the executive chair of the Trans- 
vaal, and the outbursts of opposition which he has had to encounter 
on several occasions have been overcome and have not served to 
dislodge him. 

President Kruger is a sturdy Boer. A man of strong native 
sense, of iron will, blunt even to roughness, in close touch with 
ordinar}^ people, a man of simple habits yet very shrewd and far- 
seeing, a firm believer in the Bible, which he interprets to suit 
himself, making it frequently endorse his own opinions, he is the 
one great, rugged figure that stands out in the war, even as he has 
been the most conspicuous personage in Transvaal history for 
many years. 

The weight of more than three score years and ten does not 
seem to diminish his energy, cloud his mind, or swerve him from 
his purposes. He only becomes more gross and irritable with age, 
and more firmly bent on having his own ^vay. His people look 
upon him almost as a prophet, and he is careful to give them to 
understand that the Lord is on the side of the South African Re- 
public, and that the fiite of the people will be only what Divine 
Providence either decrees or permits. 

Oom Paul is a person of regular habits, and can be seen any 
day sitting on his " stoep" (verandah), or visiting the Raad in Pre- 
toria, but he is a difficult bird to entrap into an interview. After 
the war broke out he assumed a little more of the pomp that 
doth hedge about a crowned or presidential head. He has an es- 
cort of seven troopers to accompan}^ him to and from the govern- 
ment buildings. They wait at a respectful distance in the middle 

155 



156 OOM PAUIv KRUGER AND OTHER FAMOUS LEADERS. 

of Cliiircli Square, until his Honor, attired in his invariable black 
frock-coat and broad-brimmed top-liat of ancient design, hurries 
back to his beloved '' stoep," in order to puff away at his enonnous 
pipe of Transvaal tobacco, and contemplate the New Dopper Church 
opposite his residence. Here also, since threatening letters and 
rumors of assassination have become more frequent, a guard has 
been stationed, and two sentries of somewhat casual bearing, with 
nntidy cartridge-belts, are posted to warn off any possible intruder. 
The house is certainly an insignificant-looking bungalow foi 
the chief of the State. It is a one-storied building, with wooden- 
trellised verandah running along its whole length, and abuts on 
the roadway without any intei-vening space. The only indications, 
besides the sentries and the flagstaff, that the abode is one out of 
the common, are the two mottled white marble lions presented by 
Barney Bamato to the President. They are small and not partic- 
ularly artistic animals, but they are quite pets with the Kruger 

family. 

GREAT RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL. 

When the writer happened to be in Pretoria, Oom Paul was 
extra busy on account of the quarterly " nachtmaal," the Boer reli- 
gious festival, which fell this year on Palm Sunday and the day or 
two before. On these occasions the big square surrounding the 
church is invaded by Boers who have trekked in from all parts of 
the country, with their long wagons and spans of tw^elve or more 
oxen, till the place resembles a huge farmyard. They outspan at 
the foot of the government buildings, and boil their pots at the 
church door, in exercise of their free rights as burghers. There is 
a similar gathering around the President's church. Long services 
are carried on, and the two buildings are crammed to suffocation. 
In the intervals more secular matters are transacted ^\4th his Honor 
Stephanns Johannes Paulus, who is not averse, by the way, to doing 
a little preaching himself. 

'' I braved the sentries," says a \'isitor, " and was very civilly 
received by the President's grandson, who promised an introduc- 
tion to his grandfather on his return from the Raad. On coming 
back, however, the old gentleman was not in a particularly com 



II 



OOM PAUL KRUGER AND OTHER FAMOUS LEADERS. 157 

municative mood. He sat behind a sort of screen which con- 
cealed the upper part of his face, showing only the familiar ' New- 
gate frill.' He eyed my camera distrustfully, and was evidently 
determined not to be drawn into any definition of the word ' suzer- 
ainty.' He has indeed been somewhat tactlessly handled by inter- 
viewers, and now resents the approach of any newspaper man. A 
well-known Frenchman, for instance, asked him point-blank what 
he would do if the English came and occupied Pretoria. Uncle 
Paul was speechless with rage. 

" In answer to a few questions put through an interpreter, the 
President intimated that he had nothing to say just at that moment, 
and preferred to smoke away undisturbed. He said, however, I 
could photograph his lions and sentries if I liked, but he thought it 
was scarcely worth while to waste time over the house, as it was 
going to be pulled down on the following day and rebuilt in a man- 
ner more consonant with the dignity of the chief of the State. His 
house was eighteen years old, and originally built by a Pole, but 
was now out of keeping with the fine new buildings of the capital. 

A SNAP SHOT AT KRUGER. 

"As to being experimented on himself, he said that if he gave 
permission to one journalist he would have to grant the favor to 
all, and too many fearful caricatures of him had been published. 
His sentries, however, were much readier to face the camera, and 
gave me their names and the numbers of their boxes at the post- 
office, in the hope that I would send them their portraits. It only 
remained to snapshot the President as he retreated within his abode, 
and to take a few more external views of the latter, after which I 
departed, looking round from time to time to see if the guard were 
after all covering me with their rifles for daring to accost the Arch- 
Boer on his own 'stoep.' " 

His worst enemy would not accuse him of lack of courage. It 
is related of him that he was once hunting when he gave chase to 
a huge buffalo. The animal fell into a wallow, and in a second 
Kruger was on top of it, rider, horse and buffalo, rolling together 
in the big puddle. Disentangling himself, Kruger seized the 



158 00 M PAUL KRUGER AND OTHER FxVMOUS LEADERS. 

buffalo b}' the horns and tv^'isted its neck until lie forced its nose 
under water. After a fearful struggle, b}^ sbeer strength, lie drowned 
the animal. 

Kruger once injured his left thumb with a rifle, whereupon he 
coolly took out his knife and amputated the wounded digit. On 
another occasion he had a severe attack of toothache. For three 
or four days and nights he endured the pain without a murmur ; 
then one night, as he could not sleep o\\'ing to the troublesome 
tooth, he got up, hunted for his knife, and with this dug out the 
offending- molar. 

But President Kruger is above all things a ^^ly diplomatist, 
as well shown w^hen a deputation of Outlanders waited upon him 
to hint that he was responsible for the decrease in value of mining 
shares. Oom Paul answered them in a parable about a pet monkey 
he once had. '' Years ago," said the President, '' on a cold day, I 
and the monkey made a fire, in which the animal burned his tail, 
and in revenge bit me. I said to him : ' I made a fire to warm us 
both, but 3^ou burned your tail in it. That was your own fault, and 
I don't see why 3^ou should be angry with me.' " 

SHREWD WAY OF DIVIDING PROPERTY. 

On another occasion he had referred to him a question about 
the di\'ision of certain property between two brothers, who agreed 
to abide by Kruger's decision. He listened patiently to both sides, 
and then delivered his judgment. To the elder brother he said: 
" I decide that you, being the senior, shall di\'ide the property. 
But I also decide that the j^ounger brother shall have his choice of 
the two portions." 

" The Transvaal sun was already high in the heavens when 
at 6 o'clock on an August morning, I called upon President Kru- 
ger," writes a traveler. " I found him sitting on his front porch 
with his feet propped up against one of the Bamato lions. Nearby 
sat Mrs. Kruger placidly knitting a pair of gray woollen socks for 
her husband, and occasionally smiling at the quaint sallies of wit 
which he flung out for the benefit of some country burghers who 
were occup^dng the steps. 



OOM PAUIv KRUGBR AND OTHER FAMOUS LBADKRS. 159 

"As we approached tlie gate, Oom Paul got up and, knocking 
tlie ashes from his pipe on a lion, said something which made his 
hearers explode with laughter and indicated to our party, with a 
wave of the hand, that he would receive us within. 

" While the others were paying their respects to Mrs, Kruger, 
I had time to look over the ' White House,' as it might be called, 
though in color alone is the home of the Transvaal president simi- 
lar to that furnished the head of our nation. It is a little, one- 
story stone affair, covered with white plaster, more humble in ap- 
pearance than the home of the ordinary American farmer. A 
veranda about six feet wide runs along in front, and morning- 
glory vines creep up the posts. 

" The only suggestion of decoration is furnished by two huge 
marble lions, which recline on either side of the steps. So massive 
are they that the house appears, in comparison, even smaller than 
it is. Barney Barnato gave these to Mr. Kruger to remind him of 
the ' Great Trek ' from Cape Colony, in 1836, when the Boer 
pioneers killed 6,000 lions. 

BLACK COFFEE AND PERFECT HEALTH. 

" Oom Paul, like all his countrymen, has been practically 
nourished on black coffee. To it he ascribes his remarkable health, 
for he has never been sick a day in his life. He drinks it poison- 
ously strong, and so hot that, as the Boers say, ' if spat on a dog it 
will take off his hair.' 

" He shook hands with me on being introduced, and immedi- 
ately began to speak to my sponsors with such a rapid flow of lan- 
guage that I can only describe it as a splutter. He used the Taal 
dialect, a deteriorated form of Holland Dutch, spoken by the Boers, 
who also employ many KaflB.r words in their conversation. Oom 
Paul soon had the party laughing heartily over some recent ex- 
perience. One of the gentlemen took occasion to lean over and 
prompt me in a stage whisper with : ' His Honor is in a good humor 
this morning. Ask him anything.'" 

It could easily be guessed that there would be no warm friend- 
ship between President Kruger and Cecil Rhodes. Yet it were 



160 OOM PAUI. KRUGER AND OTHER FAMOUS LEADERS. 

pertinent to ask, A^Hi}^ all tHs intermittent exliibition of spite and 
vain anger from tlie Colossus — for he is colossal in man}' ways — of 
the Transvaal ? Ever since the Jameson episode Mr. Kruger has 
had the game in his own hands, and because his cards have been 
badly played, with a probable disastrous result to himself and 
others, he blackguards the amused on-looker, and figuratively tells 
him " not to look on while he is pla^ang, as his presence only 
irritates." The reason for all this is too apparent, and verges, in 
its unreasonableness, on the keen jealous}^ displa3'ed by foreign 
nations to British supremac3\ 

DESEUT TURNED INTO A GARDEN. 

The Transvaal, with all its potentialities and proved riches, 
is on the doA\mvrard grade, whilst Rhodesia, the scorned, the water- 
less desert, and the land with nothing to show (^as Paul Kruger 
termed it) is progressing out of all understanding. The slump in 
the one is put dovm to Kruger, and the rise in the other is placed 
to the credit of Rhodes. There lies the point in a nutshell. 
Imagine an old-established and flourishing business, in a leading 
thoroughfare, losing its trade to a neighboring newcomer, with 
half the stock to offer, no connection to boast of, and yet cutting 
out its older and more powerful rival by leaps and bounds. The 
proprietor of the older establishment, if a business man, will over- 
haul his whole S3'stem, and work on lines more modem and en- 
lightened, and endeavor to retain the trade, the fruits of past years 
of success. 

Mr. Kruger is not a business man, and therefore cannot reason 
on these lines, but, instead, stands at the narrow door of his empty 
shop and relieves his feelings by berating his brisk rival. The 
ver}' pillars of his stability are deserting him b^^ the exodus of a 
number of his burghers into Rhodesia, and the stream of Dutch 
colonists from the Cape and the Orange Free State being diverted 
into the newer channel. Paul Kruger is like a wealthy proprietor 
who has lined his own pockets, but is doomed to see the edifice he 
has built fall about his ears, to the detriment of his whole staff and 
emplo3^ees. In his rival, Cecil Rhodes, he sees a man whose pockets 




HON. CECIL J. RHODES-" THE UNCROWNED KING" 




COLONEL BADEN-POWELL 
GALLANT DEFENDER OF MAFEKING AGAINST THE BOERS 




JOHANNESBURG GOLD MINE-SHOWING STAMP BATTERY WHERE 
THE ORE IS CRUSHED 




A GROUP OF OFFICERS OF THE 10th ROYAL HUSSARS NOW ON 
DUTY IN SOUTH AFRICA 




A NATIVE DISPATCH CARRIER OVERTAKEN AND SHOT 
BY THE BOERS 




TYPE OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES MOUNTED RIFLES 
WHO VOLUNTEERED FOR SERVICE IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE ENGLISH AND BOERS 




CAPTURED BRITISH OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 18th HUSSARS AT 

PRETORIA, TRANSVAAL 



OOM PAUL KRUGKR AND 0TH:^R FAMOUS tKADERS. l6l 

tave not been overburdened witb riclies made out of bis own ven- 
ture, but wbose work is founded upon strict business principles, and 
wbicb will flourisb for years after be retires from tbe management. 
Tbe enmity and envy engendered by tbis state of affairs bas been 
well reflected lately by tbe epitbets burled upon tbe devoted bead of 
Mr. Rbodes. " Murderer," witb probably a few adjectives, omitted 
in transmission, is tbe selected cboice from tbe pious man's vocabu- 
lary ; but to do Kruger full justice we do not ascribe sucb violent 
language to a deliberate expression of a man wbo is cognizant of 
tbe excellencies of bis neigbbor, and bates bim tbe more for bis vir- 
tues being impressed upon bis notice. 

LAND TEEMING WITH RICHES. 

Paul Kruger is, unfortunately, built rougbly, and bis utter 
blindness to tbe plain patb tbat lies before bim excites pity more 
tban disgust. Tbere is not tbe sligbtest doubt tbat be bas firmly 
persuaded bimself into tbe belief — wbicb is not less convincing be- 
cause it suits bis own pocket — tbat tbe Transvaal's existence de- 
pends upon tbe Dynamite Concession. Imagine a young and prom- 
ising land, teeming witb ricbes, being dependent upon a private 
contract for its existence I Wbat can be tbe fate of a land, wbere 
every wisb of tbe majority of its inbabitants is tbwarted, and all 
opposition to tbe existing autocracy is set down as tbe macbinations 
of its enemies? 

Paul Kruger, witb teetb clencbed and fists doubled, retains 
and yearly increases bis power, as against all comers. Small 
wonder it is tbat tbe sigbt of Rbodes working away patiently at 
an extreme corner of bis dominion, v/itbout active autbority or tbe 
desire for sucb, recommending tbe granting of any wisbes of tbe 
settlers tbat may be rigbt and proper in a free and open country, 
excites bis rival to abuse. Wbere tbe figbt is unequal between tbe 
two powers of Soutb Africa is, tbat Rbodes knows bis Kruger, but 
' Kruger, if be tried, bas not tbe capacity to understand bis Rbodes. 
Tbere can bardly be a doubt tbat eacb force will keep to tbe track 
until tbe last, witb a result tbat is easily foretold. 

Wben tbe war began a niece of President Kruger, far from ber 

11 



162 OOM PAUL KRUGKR AND OTHER FAMOUS IvBADBRS. 

native land, was anxiously scanning every war dispatcli tHat gave 
her information regarding the prowess of tlie sturdy Boers, whose 
successes caused her loyal heart to beat exultantly and her cheek 
to glow with excitement over each fresh burgher victory. 

In 1898, in company with her brother, she came to the United 
States, where he was obliged to look after an interest he had secured 
in one of the rich gold and silver mines of southern Arizona. At 
that time no thought was entertained of war or the devoted pair 
would have remained in the land of their nativity ; one to defend 
his rights, and the other, if need be, to nurse and aid in every way 
possible her valiant kinsmen, friends, and countrymen. 

BOER GIRL IN AMERICA. 

Sannie Kruger's grandfather was a mixture of Boer and Bng- 
lish, this combination being brought about before the great trek 
in the beginning of the century, when the Boers and English 
fraternized, and up to that time had not acquired the deep hatred 
they have for one another at the present day. Her grandmothei 
was a Boer girl and a sister of the present wife of Oom Paul Kru^ 
ger, while her father was a nephew of this clear-headed and re^ 
sourceful pilot of the destiny of the Transvaal Republic. She is, 
therefore, a grandniece of both Kruger and his wife. On her mo- 
ther's side she is also a great niece of General Piet Joubert. Thig 
condition of affairs has been brought about from the fact that the 
Boers intermarry among one another, crossing the relationships 
until they exceed in complicity and intricacy even the famed rela^ 
tionships of the West Virginia and Kentucky mountaineers. 

Unlike most of her countrywomen, Sannie Kruger was educated 
in Hnrope, the greater part of her training being obtained in France 
and Belgium, where she became highly proficient in painting and 
music. President Kruger severely condemns foreign customs and 
a continental training, but the fair slip of a girl he calls his niec^ 
so captivated him that he forgave her this unpardonable offense 
and even overlooked the slight strain of English blood in her na. 
ture, which probably, more than anything else, accounts for her 
love of travel and her determination to accompany her brother in 



OOM PAUIv KRUGBR AND OTHER FAMOUS I.KADERS. 163 

Hs unHeard-of determination to leave his native country and come 
to America and hazard his fortunes in the most progressive of 
Anglo-Saxon countries. 

In speaking of her kinsfolk, Miss Kruger throws much light 
upon what is generally unknown in this country concerning her 
people. The impression that usually obtains concerning the Boers 
is that they are purely an agricultural people, with few desires and 
simple tastes ; and from long contact with the savage tribes whose 
territory they took by force, they have acquired to a greater or less 
extent a certain barbarity and coarseness not possessed by more 
progressive peoples and different tastes. 

VICTIMS OF PREJUDICE. 

She says : " We Boers are plain folk, with few caste and class 
lines, having a strong national feeling, and desiring to be left alone 
to govern ourselves as best we see fit. The impression that pre- 
vails that we are coarse, uneducated and brutal is due to the preju- 
dices scattered broadcast against us by the Outlanders, who are 
desirous of taking by hook or crook our lands and property which 
have, contrary to first impression, proved very valuable, not alone 
in mineral wealth, but as an agricultural community. 

" It is true that ' the doppers,' as we call them, the plain 
farmers, who live on isolated farms and rarely if ever mingle with 
the life of our cities or towns, are more or less uneducated and plain 
in their tastes ; but in the United States on the Western farms and 
in fact scattered all over the country you have settlers who are 
cruder and more primitive in their way of living than our ' hay- 
seeds ' are. A ' dopper ' girl dresses and looks as different from a 
town-bred girl as your country lass does from your city-bred maiden. 
Your farmers' daughters are not duplicates of your daughters of 
wealth and fashion, are they? No more are we like the ' dopper' 
women. 

" The * doppers' all dress in gowns cut after the same pattern, a 
cheap print of bright color made into a short skirt for convenience 
sake, gathered full around the waist, a blouse simply made with a 
low band for a collar, topped off by a sunbonnet. On Sundays and 



164 COM PAUL KRUG:^R AND OtHl^R I^AMOUS tvEADKRS. 

liolida3^s they appear resplendent in their gaudiest, brightest and 
best gowns, with a narrow ribbon of gay color, tied in a 'Dutcby' 
bow — short, stiff loops and long ends somewhat like the fashion in 
vogue in this countr}^ several years ago. 

" We girls of the cities and tow^ns, however, dress as fancy dic- 
tates, and it is no unusual thing to see copies of La Mode, Harper's 
Bazaar and the latest London fashion plates adorning the dressing 
tables of these city belles. xAs a rule, however, on ordinary occa- 
sions we dress very simply owing to the fact that we ride a great 
deal ; and as we ride astride like the men, we cling to short skirts 
rather than trailing gowns. To tell you the truth I do not see how 
American girls accustom themselves to ride in the awkward manner 
they do, and I am glad to see the progressive young ladies in the 
West have adopted our mode of riding. 

READY TO ADOPT FASHIONABLE DRESS. 

" The general impression that Boer wives wear a Mother Hub- 
bard and never appear in anything else is a base libel on the race. 
Perhaps in some of the outlying farms this may be true, but our 
mothers as a rule wear a two-piece garment, the skirt and waist 
being simply made, while their children, as I have before stated, 
lean very strongly toward foreign fashions, and adopt them on all 
possible occasions. 

" It is also generally asserted that a great deal of Zulu blood 
is intermingled with our race. This is another Knglish absurdity. 
We pride ourselves upon our hereditary clannishness, and we treat 
the Zulus and Basutos and Mashoanos simply as servants to do the 
drudgery and other labor which they are willing to perform to par- 
ticipate to a slight degree in the influences of our civilization. We 
carry our relationships almost to an absurdity, for a Boer, even if 
he is only a fiftieth cousin, is a relative, but from our custom of 
intermarrying all Boer families are more or less closely related. 

" Like all Boer girls I am an excellent shot and I fervently 
wish I were back in the Transvaal that I might if need be defend 
our land from the relentless attacks of the English invader. From 
sheer necessity we have all been obliged to learn how to shoot, and 



OOM PAUIv KRUGKR AND OTHER FAMOUS I.EADERS. 165 

one of tlie first prerequisites of our education is to hit a bull's eye 
at long range. 

" Our cunning witli tlie gun has been handed down to us 
through the generations. When treking on the veldt it often fel] 
to the women to keep the prowling lions away from the wagons, and 
in time of war our women stand behind the laager or barricades, as 
the case may be, load the guns, tend the wounded and if needed 
take a hand in the shooting also. 

" We will be defeated in the long run by the English, but we 
will show that we know how to fight. 

" Here I am continually harassed by the thought that I am 
needed by my country, and at times so strong is the inclination to 
return that I am almost persuaded to commence the long voyage 
to the land of my nativity so that I may be able to help, if it is pos- 
sible, repeat to the British the terrible lessons we taught them at 
Rorke's Drift and Majuba Hill." 

PRESIDENT OF ORANGE FREE STATE. 

Another celebrity in South Africa is President Steyn, chief 
executive of the Orange Free State. He spent his earlier years 
with his maternal grandmother at Bloemfontein. This good lady 
was the wife of the famous Boer leader and pioneer, Wessels — a 
man with some sterling qualities, whose memory the Boers hold in 
the highest reverence. Mrs. Wessels was a fit wife for such a hus- 
band — ^brave, determined, patriotic, gentle and loving. 

The natives disputed every step the " trekking " Boers took 
in their country, but they were hardly more dangerous than the 
lions which prowled about in large numbers. Many a time in the 
dead of night Steyn's grandmother, when a young married woman, 
had to fly from impending death in one form or another, one child 
in her arms, another running by her side clinging to her skirts. 
In later years, when the Boers had settled down to cultivate their 
farms and the Wessels were able to look back on the stormy days 
that had passed, a phrase that Steyn and his brothers heard often 
from their grandmother's lips was : " You are free men. See to it 
that you remain free," 



166 OOM PAUI. KRUGKR AND OTHER FAMOUS LKADBRS. 

The marriage of tlie president of tlie Free State is quite a little 
romance in itself He was intended for a legal career, and wlien 
nineteen years of age left SoutH Africa to pursue his studies in 
Burope. On tlie same ship was a sweet, winsome lassie of twelve, 
and the boy and girl became boon companions to the end of the 
voyage. Steyn studied with diligence and success. Sometimes 
he thought of his little traveling companion, and wondered if he 
should ever see her again. 

Six years passed, and Steyn returned to Bloemfontein a full- 
fledged barrister. He had only been home a few days when he 
attended a school function, and one of the first guests he was in- 
troduced to was a beautiful young woman of eighteen, in whom 
he quickly recognized his ship companion of six years before. 
Under similar circumstances young people are apt to call such a 
coincidence " destiny," and Steyn and his sweetheart were no ex- 
ception to the rule. His offer of marriage was accepted, but 
Steyn's financial position did not warrant him in setting up house- 
keeping just then. He had plenty of brains, but few briefs to 
exercise them on. There was nothing for it but to wait and work. 

THOUGHT TO BE STEALING A SWEETHEART. 

Steyn traveled a great deal in circuit, and the letters for his 
sweetheart he addressed secretly to a mutual friend, upon whom 
Miss Fraser — for such was the young woman's name — called every 
day for her billets-doux. Bloemfontein even now is no larger than 
a decent-sized English village ; in those days it was so small that 
everybody made a point of knowing everybody else's business. 

Consequently, people were quick to notice the friendship that 
had sprung up between Miss Fraser and Steyn's friend in the bar- 
rister's absence, and the general impression was that this friend 
was trying to steal Steyn's sweetheart from him, thus proving 
himself a traitor to Steyn and unworthy of recognition by any 
honest, fair dealing resident of Bloemfontein! Friends deserted 
the unhappy man ; where once he was met with smiles he saw 
nothing but frowns, but he stuck loyally to his trust despite it all. 

When Steyn returned to Bloemfontein, people received him with 



OOM PAUI. KRUGBR AND OTHER FAMOUS LEADERS. 167 

veiled expressions of commiseration. Steyn could not understand 
it. He hastened to tlie residence of tlie man wlio liad been acting 
as his " postman," and inquired tlie meaning of it all. He roared 
witH laughter when he heard of the conclusion his fellow townsmen 
had jumped to, and how surprised those good but misguided folk 
were when they saw the rising young barrister and " the base 
deceiver " walking arm in arm through the streets may be readily 
imagined. 

At last Bloemfontein learned the truth. They had much to 
ask forgiveness for from the man upon whom they had too quickly 
passed judgment, and he was feted and banqueted for many days 
thereafter. The marriage of Advocate Steyn and Miss Fraser 
rounded off a pretty little romance, but whether the " postman" 
acted as " best man " — if there is such an ofi&ce at a Boer wedding 
— deponent sayeth not. 

In this wise did the man who is figuring so prominently in 
the Transvaal war meet, woo and win a charming bride. 

OTHER CELEBRITIES. 

Doubtless the action of the Orange Free State people in aiding 
the Boers against the British was started by Dr. Frank W. Reitz, 
Premier of the Transvaal, who was formerly President of the 
Orange Free State. He resigned in 1895, because of ill health, and 
visited England, and was cordially received by King Leopold, of 
Belgium, and by the President of France. 

Dr. Reitz comes of German stock, his ancestors having settled 
in Holland two centuries ago. His grandfather went to Africa, 
where Dr. Reitz was born, in 1844. He was graduated from the 
South African College, studied law in England, and was called to 
the bar in 1868. He practiced successfully in Cape Town for six 
years, and was then appointed Chief Justice of the Orange Free 
State. In 1889 he was elected President, and his of&cial service 
was entirely satisfactory. 

The great general and commander-in-chief of the Boer army is 
Pietrus Jacobus Joubert. When the British General Symons was 
killed in one of the first engagements of the war, it was just like 



168 OOM PAUI. KRUGER AND OTHER FAMOUS I^EADERS. 

Joubert to telegrapli condolences to Lady Symons. He is frank- 
ness and honesty personified. He is a man and a soldier of tiie 
type Knglishmen and Americans like. Nothing could be more 
courteous tban his treatment of his English prisoners. from Lady- 
smith. Nothing could be kinder than his care for the wounded 
enemy. 

Here is what a correspondent of a London journal said of him, 
writing from Ladysmith : 

" At daybreak I got back to the station just as Joubert's train 
was steaming away to Sandsspruit. By dint of audacity the station 
master was persuaded to stop it. I boarded the General's own spe- 
cial saloon carriage. Evidently the sheer impudence of the thing 
must have staggered him, for he forgave me and came into my 
compartment. We chatted for hours on the journey to the big Boer 
camps at Sands River, or spruit. 

COMMANDER OF THE BOER ARMY. 

" I noted that the General was generally popular, the Boers 
clustering about the stations to shake hands with him. He would 
descend, when the train stopped long enough, to say a few words 
by way of encouragement. There were some feeble attempts at 
cheering, but 3^our Transvaal burgher has no lungs for that form 
of popular approval. 

" I asked and received permission to snapshot Joubert and his 
more immediate friends. He stepped out of the train and took up 
a position for that purpose. In appearance he bears strong traces 
of his French origin. His quick, dark eyes beam with shrewdness 
and kindness. He has a belief that the future and the present are 
for the Boer, and declares he would cut his throat sooner than give 
way on the points of Transvaal's claims or doubt God's personal 
support of its cause." 

Joubert, with the addition of some polish, is a typical Boer. 
He comes of an old French Huguenot family, long settled in South 
Africa, with a strong infusion of Dutch blood. Like President 
Kruger, he was born of good family. He was a worker and at 
one time was a farmer. But his innate ability soon lifted him into 



OOM PAUI. KRUGER AND OTHER FAMOUS LEADERS. 169 

public life. He became State Attorney to tbe South African Repub- 
lic, and afterward Vice-President. He bas long been ambitious to 
be President, and in 1893 came witbin 881 votes of winning tbis 
honor from the great Kruger himself. Joubert is very popular. 

In the late seventies, during the troubles with England that 
culminated in the war, under the memory of which Bngland has 
smarted ever since, Joubert became a very prominent figure in 
Transvaal affairs. He accompanied Kruger on his memorable visit 
to England, when the demand for the independence of the Republic 
was formulated. This demand was finally refused, and on Decem- 
ber 30, 1880, Kruger, Joubert and Pretorius formed themselves into 
the triumvirate that declared the Republic independent. 

Then came the memorable war, with Laing's Nek, Ingoga Rion 
and Majuba Hill following in rapid and fatal sequence. Joubert 
was the hero of Majuba Hill. He personally led the force that 
dealt England the blow she has neither forgotten nor forgiven. 
Joubert remarked the next day that he always had supposed the 
English flag was red, but now he knew it was white ; he had seen it 
at Majuba Hill. That remark completed his conquest of the Boers. 

REPUTATION FOR FAIRNESS. 

Nothing is written about Joubert that does not comment on his 
fairness. The Boers, in their insatiable ambition to possess out- 
lying lands that England seized before them, raided Bechuanaland 
in 1884. The movement was a popular one. The Boers were 
flushed with victory. They believed the land was more theirs than 
England's, for they had broken the ground before England pos- 
sessed it. But Joubert stopped it. 

" I positively refuse," he declared, " to hold office under a gov- 
ernment that deliberately breaks its covenants, and we have made 
covenants with England." He meant it. He would have resigned 
and gone back to his farm, and the Boers knew it. 

Joubert organized the army of the Transvaal. He divided the 
country into seventeen military departments, and each department 
again and again into smaller divisions, with commanders, field cor- 
nets and lieutenants of various ranks in charge. Every man in 



170 OOM PAUL KRUGBR AND OTHER FAMOUS LEADERS. 

the Transvaal became a trained soldier without leaving His farm. 
Every man had his complete equipment ready at home. Every 
man was pledged to appear at an appointed spot at the summons. 

To mobilize the entire force of the Republic Joubert had to send 
only seventeen telegrams. The word passed down the line, and in 
an incredibly short time hundreds of post riders <;arried the summons 
from farm to farm. Within forty-eight^hours the entire nation would 
be in arms, fully equipped and provisioned for a month, awaiting only 
the command to assemble. In the old days of Majuba Hill the 
army thus assembled was an army of sharpshooters. Then Jou- 
bert's proud boast was true — " Forty bullets per soldier, and a 
man per bullet." But game is almost as scarce in the Transvaal 
now as in New Jersey, and with practice lacking the Boers are not 
the marksmen they were many yea"rs ago. 

ANECDOTE OF KRUGER AND JOUBERT. 

This story is told of Joubert and Kruger in Paris : The Gen- 
eral was asked how he trained the Boers to such splendid marks- 
manship. " We are hereditary marksmen," he said. " We had to 
send our children to school, and the country was full of wild beasts 
and Kaffirs. So every boy had to carry a rifle and know how to 
defend himself. and his sisters. He was expected to prove his skill 
by bringing home bags of game. That's how we teach our boys. 
Isn't that so, Kruger ?" 

The burly President, thus appealed to, puffed his pipe con- 
tentedly for a few moments and then said : " Yes, we make our 
boys understand that the meek inherit the earth." 

Joubert and Kruger, it is well known, are not the warm per- 
sonal friends they once were. Not that there is enmity, or even 
coldness between them, but they have drifted apart. This was un- 
avoidable between two such men, when Joubert grew big enough to 
become a serious rival to the great Boer President. Twice they 
have run against each other for the presidency, but in the last elec- 
tion Kruger, because of his fiercer anti-British attitude, far out- 
stripped his rival. 

Like Kruger, General Joubert has a popular nickname in the 



OOM PAUI. KRUGBR AND OTHER FAMOUS IvBADBRS. 171 

Transvaal, but not one nearly so affectionate as " Oom Paul," thougli 
a compliment to his abilities. He is known far and wide as " Slim 
?iet." But " slim " bas no reference to bis physical being. It is 
Boer for sbrewd, or crafty, and bow " slim " Joubert really is the 
British discovered at Ladysmitb. 

Philadelphia is the birthplace of General Piet Joubert, the com- 
mander-in-chief of the Boer forces. In the narrow three-storied 
brick building at 1 105 Arch street the man who commands the 
Boer army first saw the light. The building has been altered 
somewhat since it was occupied by the Joubert family, but it remains 
practically as it was at the time of Joubert's birth. 

MARRIED AND CAME TO AMERICA. 

Very little is known in Philadelphia of the Joubert family. A 
special deputy of the Custom House and Surveyor of the Port 
accidently learned that the Jouberts were at one time residents of 
the Quaker City. A little search revealed their place of residence, 
and that it was here that Piet Joubert was born. The family was 
in moderate circumstances, and soon after the birth of the boy, who 
has since earned world-wide fame, they removed to some little town 
in the central part of Pennsylvania. Before coming to Philadel- 
phia the Jouberts had lived a short time in Holland. The elder 
Joubert was a Frenchman, but he fell in love with a girl in the 
south of Holland, and soon after their marriage they emigrated to 
America. 

When the great stories of South African wealth reached 
America, Joubert decided to take his family there. He joined a 
colony from Holland, and settled at Fransche Hoek, near Stellen- 
bosch, where other members of his family were living. The Joubert 
name has been prominent in Transvaal affairs for many years, and 
it was but natural that the American-born Joubert would especially 
distinguish himself. He has been a leader in South Africa many 
years. 

General Joubert has visited the land of his birth twice. First 
in 1883, when an agent for a large financial company, and again 
ten years later, when he was the official representative of his 



172 OOM PAUL KRUGER AND OTHER FAMOUS LEADERS. 

coimtr}^ to tlie World's Fair at Chicago. It is not generally known 
tliat Piet Joiibert and Paul Kniger are not friends, but enemies, 
and that the war in the Transvaal has largel}^ been urged on by 
both because each was afraid that an}^ lack of zeal he displa3^ed 
would cause his undoing and the political elevation of the other. 
In fact they are rivals in every field of activity, have little in com- 
mon and much in difference. The}^ are both men of strong per- 
sonalit}^, and bring to bear shrewdness and knowledge quite 
unusual in their fight against each other. Kruger has thus far 
had the advantage of mone}?- and position to aid him. This is the 
explanation of the success of his political aspirations. 

Though Kruger is President of the republic, Joubert's political 
position is hardl}^ less notable. He is Vice-President, commander- 
in-chief of the army, a member of the Executive Council, the Cabi- 
net of the republic, and holds a dozen other offices. He fails only 
of the Presidency, though he has made two attempts to wrest this 
from Krueer. The first time there were those who said that he had 
polled more votes and was defeated b}^ wholesale swindling. The 
second time he was undoubtedl}^ beaten b}' the presence of a third 
candidate in the field, who divided the vote. 

CAN GET THE BEST OF A BARGAIN. 

Joubert is an honest man according to his lights, but they are 
dim. He never has deliberatel}^ swindled any one ; but, being a 
man of business first and a farmer or a generalissimo afterguards, 
he takes the keenest delight in getting the best of a deal, whether 
it be iu mining shares, gold claims, water rights or oxen. It is 
this pride in the conscious sentiment of " smartness" that is such 
a prominent feature throughout the Boer character. 

One of Joubert's foibles is being photographed, Probablj" he 
is the most photographed man in the Transvaal. Owing to this 
harmless little peculiarit}' his features are thoroughl}' well known. 
A broad, straight furrowed brow, from which the whitening hair is 
carefully brushed back, overhangs a pair of powerful, clear and 
honest grey ej^es, which look the stranger straight in the face, and 
are not shift}^ and furtive as are those in the head of the average 



OOM PAUI. KRUG^R AND OTHER FAMOUS I.EADERS. 17S 

Boer. The moutli is cold and hard, with no trace of a smile ; the 
corners droop slightly, and the general expression is not amiable. 
The nose is the striking feature; it inspires respect, for it is built 
on strong, commanding lines, and broadens out at the base into 
powerful but sensitive nostrils. The face as a whole has dignity, 
repose, almost a certain nobility of its own. 

A renowned commander was sent to South Africa from England 
to direct the movements and be responsible for the fortunes of the 
British army. This is General Sir Redvers Buller, who wears the 
Victoria Cross, a badge of valor won on the battlefield. 

A BRILLIANT OFFICER. 

In May, 1858, a young man of whom nothing of any great 
importance was known at the time joined the Sixtieth Rifles as 
ensign, yet there are few Englishmen to whom his name and ex- 
ploits are not familiar. This is because the Rifleman of 1858 is 
now the man in whom the thoughts of every soldier of the empire 
are centered. Sir Redvers' life has been crowded with incidents. 
The first twelve years of his service were spent as a subaltern. He 
saw plenty of fighting in them, for the Chinese war of i860 took 
him to the east, and he was present at the actions of Sinho, Taku 
Forts and the capture of Pekin. 

Ten years later he met Wolseley in Canada, and served under 
him in the Red River expedition. Evidently he impressed the 
commander-in-chief very strongly with his capabilities, for when 
the Ashanti expedition was organized Buller was selected to accom- 
pany him. When the troops returned to England, Sir Redvers 
(then a Major) was given a staff appointment at the War Office. 

In the latter part of 1878 the situation in South Africa de- 
manded his presence in the field, and accordingly Buller took an 
active part in the Kaffir and Zulu wars. For his services in the 
various operations that ensued he was frequently " mentioned in 
dispatches," granted the brevet of lieutenant colouel, thanked in 
general orders, and awarded the proud distinction of the Victoria 
Cross for persiDual heroism in the face of the enemy. 

No precaution was omitted for the successful performance of 



174 OOM PAUIv KRUGER AND OTHER FAMOUS LEADERS. 

tlie threefold task devolving upon Sir Redvers Bnller and Ms com- 
mand, a larger force tHan was commanded by Wellington at Water- 
loo. Buller's task was threefold. He was instructed to disarm tlie 
Boers, to establisli equal rights for white men south of the Zambesi, 
and to arrange for the civil administration of the conquered terri- 
tory when the war was over. No man is more competent than 
Buller to accomplish these ends. His character is complex. 
Brave, determined, stem, with a biting tongue and burning zeal, 
he exacts from others in pithy and monosyllabic sentences instant 
and unquestioning obedience. 

He is head of a county family, a Privy Councillor, and has 
been Under Secretary for Ireland, where he is supposed to have 
contracted sympathy for Home Rule. Although taciturn, brusque, 
and even brutal in speech when on service, there is another side to 
his character. His social characteristics are equally marked. An 
excellent judge of the art of dining, and a perfect host, there is an 
atmosphere of charm and a note of distinction that makes "Buller 
the idol of his friends. He is human, and attracts more strongly 
than he repels; unlike Kitchener, whose cold, hard, calculating 
character left him almost friendless while carving his way to for- 
tune, Buller's so&ial reputation and magnetism have grown with 
his manhood. 




CHAPTER XII. 

Tragic Story of Majuba Hill and Lang's Nek. 

RIGINALLY tliere were four republics in the Transvaal, but 
in i860 tbey were united into one under tbe title of tbe 
" Soutb African Republic," wbicli is now its official desig- 
nation. Tbe South African Republic did not prosper. From the 
first it was impecunious, and within a decade after its establishment 
it was practically insolvent. The discovery, in 1867, of diamonds 
and of gold brought into the country a rush of strangers, whose 
energy and enterprise might have altered the condition of the 
Transvaal, but for the lethargy and obstinate isolation of the Boer 
population. Burgers, the last President before the annexation to 
Great Britain, was a man of vigor and talent, but the stolid Boers 
declined to be welded by him into a nation. In a war upon which 
they entered with Sekukuni, a powerful native chief, the fighting 
was done for them by the warlike native tribe of Amaswazis, who 
were so disgusted with their white allies that they left them. When 
the Boers had to do their own work their hearts failed them and 
they fled ignominiously. Burgers, with tears, strove to rally them, 
but in vain, and he begged them to shoot him rather than disgrace 
him. But they shrugged their shoulders, and more than two-thirds 
of them fled home, leaving him hemmed in and powerless. 

The republic was encircled by native enemies all round the 
Transvaal borders, all waiting fiDr the impending onslaught by 
Cetewayo, the Zulu king, the master of a formidable army which 
lay on the frontier ready to strike, and restrained from immediate 
hostilities against the Boers — who had provoked him by many 
encroachments — only by his fear of the English and the personal 
influence of Sir Theophilus Shepstone, the native secretary of 
Natal. On the northeast the Amaswazis brooded in sullen discon- 
tent ; northward, within and beyond the frontier, anarchy raged ; 
and in the west the Bechuanas were waiting for their opportunity. 

175 



176 STORY 01^ MAJUBA HII.Iv AND I^ANG'S NB^K. 

Financially the republic was hopelessly insolvent. The Boers 
set their faces against taxation. It is a notorious fact that when 
Shepstone annexed the Transvaal there was found in the public 
treasury only twelve shillings and sixpence (about three dollars), 
part of which was base coin. Clearly a crisis was impending which 
threatened to involve South Africa in great peril. The annexation 
was no sudden act. The Blue-books contain remonstrance on re- 
monstrance addressed by British of&cials to the Transvaal authori- 
ties. At length Lord Carnarvon's forbearance was exhausted. 
Shepstone was sent for to England, and received a commission of 
date 5th October, 1876, directing him, should the emergency render 
such a course necessary, to annex the Transvaal to her Majesty's 
dominions and put an end to the controversy. 

THE BOERS REJECTED ALL REFORMS- 

Shepstone, escorted by twenty-five mounted policemen and a 
few of&cials, reached Pretoria in February, 1877. It was an open 
secret that he was empowered to annex the country if he deemed it 
advisable, but he expressed his readiness to refrain from that step 
if certain reforms were carried out. The Boers would have no 
reforms, and on April 12, 1877, Shepstone issued a proclamation 
formally annexing the Transvaal to Great Britain. For some time 
the Boers remained sullenly quiet. A few of them rendered good 
and loyal service with Sir Bvelyn Wood during the Zulu war, but 
the main body stood aloof. Sir Owen Lanyon succeeded Shepstone 
as Administrator of the Transvaal, and from the first was unpopu- 
lar with the Boers. 

At the close of the Zulu war Sir Garnet Wolseley, who held 
the position of High Commissioner for Southeastern Africa, came 
' up into the Transvaal with a considerable strength of regular and 
; irregular troops. During his stay no actual outbreak occurred, but 
there were ominous demonstrations, which would probably have 
come to a head but for the presence of the troops. The Boer dis- 
content was enhanced by the positive intimation from the Colonial 
Secretary that " under no circumstances whatever would the Trans- 
vaal independence be restored to the Boers," and by Sir Garnet's 



STORY OF MAJUBA HILIy AND I^ANG'S NKK. 177 

less prosaic J but equally resolute utterance, tHat " so long as tlie 
sun shone and tlie Vaal river flowed to tlie sea tlie Transvaal would 
remain British, territory." He finally left the Transvaal in March, 
1880, and the troops in that territory were gradually reduced until 
in November of the same year they consisted of but thirteen com- 
panies of infantry, two troops of mounted infantry and four guns, 
distributed in detachments in some half-dozen garrisons scattered 
over the country. 

Throughout the land there was a deceptive peace, which lulled 
Lanyon into a sense of security, and to some extent deceived 
Wolseley. The Boers were playing the waiting game. Mr. Glad- 
stone became Premier in March, 1880. Taking it for granted that 
he would act on the lines of his speeches when in opposition, the 
Boer leaders called on him to rescind the annexation. The answer 
of the Government came in the curt telegram : " Under no circum- 
stances can the Queen's authority in the Transvaal be relinquished.'- 
There was consternation among the Boers ; the British inhabitants, 
trusting implicitly in an assurance so specific, rejoiced greatly and 
bought land without hesitation. In the matter of taxation the 
Boers had always presented a passive resistance against the British 
rule, but Lanyon's officials considered that they might now crush 
this resistance by active measures. A Boer named Bezuidenhuit 
was levied on, and in default of payment, a seizure was made. 
Bezuidenhuit and his friends forcibly recovered the article seized, 
and an attempt to arrest him was thwarted by a gathering of Boers. 

DETERMINED TO FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE. 

At a mass meeting on the 13th of December, 1880, it was de- 
cided that the South African Republic should be restored ; it was 
resolved to fight for independence, and a triumvirate consisting of 
Kruger, Joubert, and Pretorius was appointed to administer the 
government. On the i6th the republic was proclaimed at Heidel- 
berg, which became the headquarters of the new Government. A 
•large body of Boers took possession of that place, another went to 
Potchefstrom, and a third " commando " was detailed to another 

service presently to be described. 
12 



178 STORY OF MAJUBA HII.I, AND I^ANG'S NBK. 

Lanyon was powerless to interfere, and lie and tlie Bnglisli in 
Pretoria had to await events, pending the expected arrival of the 
detachment of the 94th regiment which had been ordered up from 
Lydenburg, whence it was known to have moved on December 5th. 
This ill-fated body was destined never to reach Pretoria. On the 
march Colonel Anstrnther had frequent warnings of danger, to 
which he paid insufficient heed ; there prevailed in the force the 
rooted belief that the Boers did not intend serious mischief. 

It was scarcely to be expected that the men who had pusilla- 

nimously recoiled from before Sekukuni's spear-armed natives 

would venture to assail a body of British regular infantry. But 

long before the end of this miserable war the valor and constancy 

of the Boers, not less than their moderation and humanity, had 

come to be acknowledged and admired. In this, their first conflict 

with the " red soldiers," their unerring marksmanship was the chief 

surprise. 

TAKEN BY SURPRISE. 

The scouting duties of Colonel Anstruther's detachment were 
performed with carelessness ; else, whatever might have been its 
fate, it would not have been taken by surprise. About noon on 
December 20th, the little column, marching at ease, was approach- 
ing Bronkhorst Spruit. The ground traversed by the road was 
sparsely wooded, sloping down from either side. Military precau- 
tions were neglected, and the convoy stretched to an interminable 
length. The band at the head of the column abruptly stopped 
playing when about 150 armed mounted Boers suddenly became 
visible in skirmishing formation on a rise on the left of the road, 
at a distance of a few hundred yards. Colonel Anstruther imme- 
diately galloped back, and ordered the leading wagon to halt and 
the others to close up. 

A Boer advanced midway with a flag of truce, and was met by 
Colonel Anstruther, to whom he handed a letter written in English. 
Its terms were at once quaint and peremptory. " We don't know," 
it ran, " whether we are in a state of war or not, consequently we 
can't allow any movements of troops from your side, and wish you 
to stop where you are. We not being at war with the Queen nor 



STORY OF MAJUBA HII,I, AND IvANG'S NKK. 179 

with tlie people of England, but are only recovering the independ- 
ence of our country, we do not wisli to take to arms, and therefore 
inform you that any movements of troops from your side will be 
I taken by us as a declaration of war." 

The messenger was to take back an answer, which had to be 
given within five minutes. Anstruther read the letter and tersely 
replied : " I go to Pretoria ; do as you like." The messenger de- 
parted, and the colonel, hurrying back towards his men, ordered 
them to skirmish. But it was too late. The Boers had closed in 
upon the rear and flanks of the column and opened fire at point- 
blank range. Their fire was deadly — every shot told ; that of the 
troops was scattered and ineffective. In ten minutes, out of a total 
of 259, there had been killed or wounded 155 of&cers and men. 
Colonel Anstruther, himself riddled with bullets, then ordered the 
" Cease fire," and intimated the surrender of the remains of his 
force. The Boers then closed in, ordered all arms to be laid down, 
and formed a cordon round the scene of the slaughter. 

FRIENDLY ACTS FOLLOW THE FIGHT- 

When the fighting was over, Boers and soldiers became very 
friendly. The Boer commander, Joubert, came forward and shook 
hands with Colonel Anstruther, expressing regret that he should 
be among the wounded. A hospital camp was pitched closed by, 
and leave was given for the retention of the wagons containing 
baggage, provisions, and hospital equipment, tents for the wounded, 
and some uninjured men as hospital nurses ; the remaining un- 
wounded prisoners with the rest of the wagons were removed to 
Heidelberg. Two men were permitted to carry the tidings of the 
disaster to Pretoria, whence without hindrance surgeons, hospital 
orderlies, and ambulances were sent out to Bronkhorst Spruit. 

The Boers showed themselves most obliging, and were ex- 
tremely solicitous for the comfort of the wounded in camp, bringing 
milk, butter, eggs, bread, and fruit gratuitously. The statements 
regarding the Boer losses in the short fight were curiously conflict- 
ing. The Boers af&rmed that they amounted only to two killed 
and five wounded. 



180 STORY OF MAJUBA HILI. AND IDAHO'S NEK. 

Wlien Sir Garnet Wolseley went liome lie had. been succeeded, 
in July, as Higli Commissioner for South-Kastern Africa, by Colonel 
(afterwards Major-General) Sir George Pomeroy CoUey, an officer 
of bigb. character. Tidings of tbe outbreak in tbe Transvaal 
reached him at Pieter Maritzburg on the 21st of December, and 
were in possession of the Colonial Office in London on the follow- 
ing day. Reinforcements from India were promptly ordered to 
Natal, and further instalments of troops were sent out from Kngland 
as early as possible. Considering the weakness of the forces at 
Colley's immediate disposition, he would have been wise to wait 
until he had been reinforced ; but he had a great contempt for the 
Boers, and was eager to distinguish himself before he should be 
superseded by officers of higher rank. He was warned by Colonel 
Bellairs (in military command of the Transvaal) that there were 
" from 6,000 to 7,000 rebels in the field, who, under good leader- 
ship, would exhibit courage, discipline, and organization." 

INADEQUATE RELIEF COLUMN. 

Colley hurried up towards the Transvaal frontier the few com- 
panies of infantry which he had in Natal. The arrival of some 
drafts was .very opportune — a naval brigade was landed and sent up, 
as also a squadron of dragoons and mounted infantry under the 
command of Major Brownlow, and the Natal Mounted Police. 
Colley had early intimated his intention to enter the Transvaal 
about January 20th, 1881, with a column consisting of eight com- 
panies of infantry, four guns, and a mounted squadron — a miserably 
inadequate force. So far from accomplishing this anticipation, he 
was able only to quit Newcastle (a border town of Natal) on Janu- 
ary 24th with about 60 officers and 1,200 men. 

This little force was styled the " relief column," as it was in- 
tended to raise the siege of the Transvaal towns in which were 
scanty British garrisons beleaguered by the Boers. Apart from 
Pretoria, the besieged capital of the Transvaal, there were six of 
those places — Potchefstrom, Rustenburg, Marabastadt, Lydenburg, 
Standerton, and Wakkerstrom, all of which held out gallantly until 
the restoration of peace. 



STORY OF MAJUBA HII,L AND I^ANG'S NKK. 181 

Before advancing from Newcastle, Colley sent an ultimatnm 
to the Boers, ordering them, as insurgents, to disperse. They re- 
plied, declaring that all they wanted was the rescinding of the 
annexation and the restoration of the South African Republic under 
the Protectorate of the Queen. On the 26th the British force en- 
trenched itself on an elevated position at Mount Prospect, about 
twenty miles north of Newcastle, in the mountainous region form- 
ing the northern projection of Natal. The camp was about a mile 
right of the road from Newcastle to Standerton, which crossed the 
ridge known as Lang's Nek — about three and a half miles further 
northward. In the vicinity of Lang's Nek a considerable number 
of Boers were seen. On the morning of the 28th, Colley moved 
out with a strength, all told, of about 1,160 men. 

FORMED IN LINE OF BATTLE. 

The pass over Lang's Nek crosses the ridge about the centre 
of a rough semi-circle, on the west of which is the Majuba moun- 
tain ; on the east is a long spur surmounted by a rocky crest. In 
front of the proper left of this spur, several hundred yards to the 
front, is an isolated conical hill. The ground in the bottom of the 
enclosed basin is low, with a gradual rise towards the face of the 
spur, something in the nature of a glacis. About nine o'clock the 
British force, having moved up along a ridge out of shot, formed 
into position on a rise in the bottom, with the mounted squadron 
and the 58th on the right, the guns in the centre, and the 60th and 
naval brigade on the left, the whole facing toward the spur. 

The action was begun by shelling parts .of the enemy's posi- 
tion, and by pushing forward a company of the 60th and the Naval 
Brigade, with their rockets, which took some effect on the Boer re- 
serves in rear of the Nek. At ten o'clock the 58th advanced to 
the attack of the spur, covered on its right by artillery fire and by 
Brownlow's squadron. The leading troop of mounted men swept 
with fine dash up the isolated hill, and then charged. The hill- 
top was held by a Boer piquet of considerable strength. 

Brownlow shot the Boer leader with his revolver, but his horse 
was shot under him; Lieutenant Lermitte and Sergeant-Major 



182 STORY OF MAJUBA HII,I. AND I^ANG'S NKK. 

Lunny were killed; the supporting troop was checked — tlie lead- 
ing troop, fatigued and broken by the charge, and with its leaders 
all down, could make no head, and the whole squadron gave way. 
It was no proper ground for cavalry, and the horsemen should 
have acted as mounted infantry. Meantime, the 58th had 
begun climbing the steep ascent through the long entangling 
grass, which retarded the men's progress. The Boer piquet from 
the hill, having repulsed Brownlow's squadron, moved down and 
opened fire on the now exposed right flank and rear of the 58th, 
while the Boers on the spur gathered on its brow and maintained 
a deadly fire from behind cover. 

CHARGED THROUGH A HAIL OP FIRE. 

Anxious to get to close quarters out of this purgatory. Colonel 
Deane gave the order to charge. The officers led nobly, and the 
men struggled on through the hail of fire. Colonel Deane's horse 
was shot, but he dashed forward on foot until riddled with bullets 
ten yards in front of the foremost man. Major Poole and Lieu- 
tenants Inman and Elwes were killed in supporting Colonel Deane ; 
Major Hingeston and all the mounted officers of the 58th were 
shot down or dismounted. The stubborn soldiers of that gallant 
regiment — youngsters as they were, most of them — continued to 
hold their ground unflinchingly for some time, notwithstanding 
the bitter fire. 

Lieutenant Baillie, carrying the regimental color, was mortally 
wounded, and when his comrade Hill went to his assistance, the 
brave young officer said Avith his last breath, " Never mind me ; 
save the color ! " Hill, who had been carrying the Queen's color, 
took the other also ; when he went down, Sergeant Budstock took 
both colors, and carried them until the general retirement, which 
soon had to occur. " The 58th," wrote Colley, " having fallen 
back leisurely without haste or confusion, reformed at the foot of 
the slope, and marched back into position in as good order, and 
with as erect and soldierly a bearing, as when it marched out." 

Spite of much British bravery, the combat of Lang's Nek was 
an unquestionable and severe defeat. But many noble deeds were 



STORY OF MAJUBA HILI, AND I^ANG'S NEK. 183 

performed. Lieutenant Hill (already named) bronght wounded 
man after man out of action, and worthily earned tlie Victoria Cross. 
Trooper Doogen saved the life of Major Brownlow; Private God- 
frey and Bandboy Martin remained with Major Hingeston and 
Captain Lovegrove when those of&cers lay wounded, enduring 
heavy fire in doing so. The great brunt of the losses fell on the 
58th. The casualties altogether amounted to 198, of which 173 
belonged to that regiment, which had to bury 75 officers and men 
out of a total strength of 494. Lang's Nek caused the Boers ex- 
ceptionally heavy loss. Their total casualties from beginning to 
end of the war were but loi, of which Lang's Nek accounted for 
41 — 14 killed and 27 wounded. The Boers behaved with humanity. 
The moment that the " Cease fire" sounded they gave permission 
to the English surgeons to attend the wounded lying in front of 
the Boer position, fetched water to them, and assisting in binding 
up their wounds, rendered all possible relief. 

A DISASTROUS REPULSE. 

The folly of the forward position prematurely taken up by 
General Colley with an inadequate force was made apparent by the 
result of the battle of Lang's Nek. The comparative handful of 
men in the Mount Prospect camp could no longer be regarded by 
any stretch of imagination as a " relief column." That repulse 
taught the Boers their ability to arrest the further advance of the 
British force, and enabled them to turn their attention to the in- 
terception of its line of communication. The Boers, in effect, were 
masters of the situation. Their patrols penetrated nearly to Lady- 
smith, and threatened Newcastle from the Drakensberg and Utrecht 
districts. Convoys were cut off, captured, and destroyed ; the mail 
service was arrested, and except for the telegraph service, which 
remained uninterfered with, the Mount Prospect camp was all but 
entirely isolated. An escort of mounted infantry sent out on 
February 7th to attempt to reach Newcastle with mails, was driven 
back to the camp by the fire of the Boers. I 

Colley then determined to make a more formidable effort next 
day to open up communications with Newcastle, and to clear the 



184 STORY OF MAJUBA HII.I. AND IvANG'S NEK. 

Boers from the road. On the morning of the 8th he left camp with 
five companies of the 6oth Rifles nnder Colonel Ashburnham, two 
field and two mountain-gnns nnder Captain Greer, R.A., and a 
small detachment of mounted men nnder Major Brownlow. About 
five miles south of the Mount Prospect position the Newcastle 
road is crossed by the Ingogo river, which runs from west to east 
through a valley. The ground north of the river is broken and 
rugged; from the south bank there is a gentle rise to the foot of a 
flat-topped ridge strewn with rocks and boulders, and irregularly 
cut by rocky depressions. 

The general, leaving the two mountain-guns and a company of 
infantry on a commanding crest north of the river, crossed it with 
the main body, which he formed on the plain beyond, and then 
moved it forward to the foot of the ridge bounding the valley to the 
southward. As the troops were ascending the rise to the ridge the 
Boers showed themselves in considerable strength, and they at once 
galloped forward to dispute the ridge, and to take advantage of the 
cover afforded by the intersecting valleys. Greer brought his two 
guns into action, but the Boers had already taken cover, from which 
they directed a heavy and active fire on the guns and skirmishers. 
Greer was killed early, and the command of the guns devolved on 
Lieutenant Parsons. 

HOT ENGAGEMENT AND MANY CASUALTIES. 

The engagement became heavy and general about noon, when 
the companies of the 6oth were pushed forward against the enemy, 
whose fire from behind cover was very deadly. The guns had to 
be freely exposed, and were in action with case-shot at a range of 
less than 500 yards. The gunners suffered very heavily, and a 
company of the 60th, which most gallantly advanced to cover the 
guns, and met the Boer fire at close range, had many casualties 
from the steady and accurate fire of enemies enjoying almost per- 
fect cover. 

So severe was the fire of the Boers that the guns had soon to 
be withdrawn from their exposed position, and during the rest of 
the affair fired only occasionally. It was apparent that the enemy 



STORY OF MAJUBA HII,I, AND LANG'S NKK. 185 

were being gradually reinforced, and tlie general sent orders to 
camp for three companies of tlie 58tli to move out and occupy the 
ridges north, of the river, and for a part, if practicable, to cross the 
Ingogo in support of the troops already deeply engaged and re- 
duced by severe losses. 

About three o'clock there was a comparative lull, although the 
Boers maintained a very accurate fire, any one on the British side 
being almost certainly struck if at all exposing himself. Later in 
the afternoon the Boers received considerable reinforcements, and 
Lieutenant Parsons, wounded as he was, re-opened with his guns 
for a short time ; but darkness presently set in, and the Boers 
gradually withdrew to their camp. It was Colley's conviction that 
the enemy intended renewing the engagement next morning in 
overwhelming strength, and he acted wisely in deciding to withdraw 
to camp under cover of darkness. It was a gruesome night. Tor- 
rents of rain were falling, and the darkness was intense, except 
when the lightning flashes broke the blackness of the cold and 
dismal night, thus adding to the terrors of the conflict. 

FIELD STREWN WITH WOUNDED. 

The ambulances sent out during the fight had not been able to 
reach the actual scene of action, since the Boers had threatened to 
fire on them if they advanced while the engagement was going on. 
They were not now available in the darkness ; and the wounded, 
whom in many instances it had been impossible to remove from the 
advanced positions, had to be searched for. Those who were found 
were collected and sheltered for the night as well as possible with 
waterproof sheets, blankets, great-coats, etc.; but many lay as they 
had fallen throughout the long, inclement night. The guns were 
horsed, although insufficiently, by collecting all the available ani- 
mals, and by withdrawing the team from the ammunition wagon, 
which had to be abandoned. When all arrangements had been 
completed, the force moved off in silence, formed in hollow square, 
the guns in the centre, the infantry in skirmishing order on the 
four sides. The river, swollen by the rain, was deep and rapid ; 
and some of the first men trying to cross were swept down, but 



186 STORY OF MAJUBA HIIvL AND LANG'S NEK. 

found footliold on a sandbank. Tlie main body crossed in detacli- 
ments with, locked arms. Tke camp was readied about 4 A. m. on 
tke 9tli. Tbe soldiers bad dragged the guns up tbe bill, tbe borses 
being unable to pull tbem up tbe steep and slippery road. Tbe 
58th companies spent tbe nigbt on tbe nortbern ridges, and were 
not witbdrawn until tbe following day. 

Tbe total loss of tbis unfortunate day amounted to 139 officers 
and men. According to tbe statement of tbe Boers, tbe Ingogo 
figbt cost tbem eigbt killed and six wounded. Tbe Boers returned 
to tbe scene of action on tbe morning of tbe Qtb, expecting to re- 
new tbe engagement. Tbey took away two gun limbers and tbe 
ammunition wagon abandoned over nigbt by Colley's people, and 
tben fell back bebind Newcastle to join tbeir main force, reported 
as tbreatening to prevent tbe advance of tbe reinforcements recently 
arrived from India and now burrying to tbe scene of action. 

SEVERE AND COSTLY REVERSE. 

Tbeir disappearance gave opportunity to succor tbe wounded 
and bury tbe dead witbout molestation, and opened tbe road from 
Mount Prospect to Newcastle, to tbe bospital at wbicb latter place 
were promptly sent tbe wounded from tbe Britisb camp. Tbe com- 
munications in rear of Mount Prospect remained open from tbis 
time forward. 

Sir George Colley bad sustained a second reverse, propor- 
tionately more bloody tban bad been tbe first. By tbis time, one 
would imagine, it migbt bave begun to dawn on tbe bome autbori- 
ties tbat Colley, to say tbe least, was not a successful commander. 
His experience, of actual warfare was but slender : be bad served 
only in tbe Cbina war of i860 and in the Asbantee campaign. He 
was comparatively new to Soutb Africa, and was quite unfamiliar 
witb tbe Boer nature. Yet tbe autborities bad assigned to bim as 
second in command an officer senior to bim in army rank, wbo bad 
fougbt witb distinction tbrougb tbe Crimean and Indian Mutiny 
wars, and in tbe Asbantee and Zululand campaigns, in bigb and 
successful commands. 

Brigadier-General Sir Evelyn Wood was tbe only officer in 



STORY OF MAJUBA HII,I, AND I^ANG'S NBK. 187 

tlie latter campaign under whom Boers served and died — served 
with a loyal devotion, died gallantly under his eye. He knew the 
strange, simple, yet stubborn nature of the Boers ; he was ready to 
fight with them, and equally ready to argue them out of a folly. 
Wood and Colley were old and fast friends ; Wood was quite con- 
tent to serve under his junior, and had hurried out to India with a 
number of " special service " ofS.cers. 

He reached Durban on February 12th, four days after the In- 
gogo reverse, Sir G. Colley's account of which was in London on 
the loth, and notwithstanding the unwarrantable optimism of its 
tone, must have been read between the lines in Pall Mall. Then 
would have been the time to avert further futile waste of brave 
soldiers by instructing by telegraph Colley and Wood to exchange 
their relative positions. The arrangement would have been per- 
fectly regular, and Colley was the sort of man who would loyally 
have accepted the secondary position. 

WAITING FOR REINPOROEMENTS. 

Picking up on his rapid journey the Indian column from its 
camp on the Biggarsberg, Wood and it (consisting of the 15th 
Hussars, the 2d battalion 60th Rifles, and the 92d Highlanders) 
reached Newcastle on the 17th. Colley met him there, and it was 
resolved between the two officers that no further advance should 
be attempted until more reinforcements, now on the way up, should 
arrive. They parted on the 21st, Colley moving the Indian column 
up to Mount Prospect without molestation ; Wood returning to 
Pieter Maritzburg to press on the advance of further reinforce- 
ments. 

Sir George Colley's motive in making the fatal advance on the 
Majuba mountain-top, whatever it might have been, died with him. 
His assurance had been given to Wood that no further advance 
should be attempted pending the arrival of further reinforcements. 
He had engaged with the Boer Vice-President in -negotiations 
which promised favorable results. A reconnoissance in force to the 
summit of the mountain could give no more information than a 
mere patrol could easily ascertain — the position of the Boer en- 



188 STORY OP MAJUBA HILI. AND IvANG'S NKK. 

campments and an approximate estimate of the force occupying 
them. A Boer piquet occasionally held the hill-top during the day, 
and Colley resolved to occupy it by making a night march. 

At ten o'clock on the night of February 26th he left the Mount 
Prospect camp with a force of 22 of&cers and 627 men^a smaller 
force than he had employed at Lang's Nek. At the start its com- 
position and order were as follows: — Two companies 58th, the 
Naval Brigade, three companies 92d, followed by some details ; two 
companies of the 60th moved out later to the piquet post close 
to the foot of Inquela hill, with instructions to occupy its summit 
with some detachments. Further on, upon the narrow Nek between 
the Inquela and the Majuba, Captain Robertson's company of the 
92d was dropped as a link, with orders to entrench itself. 

CLIMBING THE STEEP MAJUBA. 

The Nek traversed, the troops, guided by friendly Kaffirs, had 
now to undertake in single file the actual climb up the steep and 
rugged side of the Majuba, whose top is 6,200 feet above sea-level 
and more than 2,000 feet above the positions of the Boer laagers. 
From time to time during the tedious and toilsome ascent, a halt 
was made to enable the men — heavy laden with rations and extra 
cartridges — to regain their breath. As the troops neared the sum-^ 
mit the obstacles increased. The steep grassy slopes were suc- 
ceeded by great boulders and deep dongas, varied by sharp crags 
and treacherous loose stones, over and up which the wearied and 
burdened men had to drag themselves. Near the top the ascent 
had to be accomplished on hands and knees. Between four and 
five in the morning of the 27th the force, much exhausted after 
the heavy toil, and now only about 400 strong, gained the summit. 

Like most of the mountains of South Africa, the Majuba is 
crowned by no peak. Its top is a plateau of saucer -like shape, 
dipping towards the centre, across which is a rocky reef about 
breast high. The circumference of the plateau is about 1,200 
yards. When the summit was reached it was still dark, and the 
troops having got mixed during the scramble up, and being :weary, 
lay down where they stood until dawn. With daylight they were 



STORY OF MAJUBA HII,I, AND IvANG'S NKK. 189 

extended round the edge of tlie plateau, witb. a small reserve in the 
central hollow. No instructions were given to entrencli, and in- 
deed, the troops had no tools for such a purpose ; but the men of 
their own accord attempted to obtain some cover by throwing up 
defences of turf and stones. 

Here and there the soldiers showed on the sky line, and a few 
shots were fired, which for the moment caused great consternation 
in the Boer camps in the lower ground north-west of the Majuba. 
Seeing that the mountain was in British occupation, the expecta- 
tion was natural that an attack would presently be made on their 
positions on the Nek, in which case they would find themselves 
between two fires. Their first idea, it seems, was of flight. The 
oxen were inspanned, and hurried • preparations were made for re- 
treat. But when it became evident that the troops on the summit 
were in no great strength and had neither cannon nor rockets, and 
that their Nek position was unmolested, the courage of the Boers 
revived. Smijt, the fighting general, made a short, stirring speech, 
and at his summons a number of the younger men began to climb 
the mountain side under cover of the stones and scrub. 

SHARP FIRING FROM BOER SKIRMISHERS. 

Joubert, the commanding general, detailed a force of the older 
men in support of the storming party — picked shots who remained 
below watching the edge of the plateau, and firing at every soldier 
who exposed himself. As the morning passed Boer detachments 
attacked and hemmed in the British position on the north, the east, 
and the south-west. The defenders were not in suf&cient strength 
to hold the whole of the edge of the plateau, and detachments had 
to be moved hither and thither to meet and attempt to thwart the 
advances of the Boers. Slowly and steadily the hostile skirmishers 
clambered upwards from cover to cover, while the supports below 
protected their movement with a steady and accurate fire. 

During the hours from dawn to noon our men had not suffered 
very heavily, notwithstanding the Boer marksmanship. The first 
officer to fall was Commander Romilly, of the Naval Brigade, while 
reconnoitring with General CoUey. But the long strain of the 



196 STORY 01^ MAJUBA HII.L AND I^ANG'S NBK. 

Boers' close sliooting began to tell on tlie nerve of tlie Britisli sol- 
diers, and wlien tlie Boers at length reached the crest, and opened 
a deadly fire at short range, the officers had to exert themselves to 
the utmost in the effort to avert disaster. 

The reserves stationed in the central dip of the platean, out of 
reach until then of the enemy's fire, were ordered up in support of 
the fighting line. Their want of promptitude in obeying this order 
did not augur well, and soon after reaching the front they wavered 
and then gave way. The officers did temporarily succeed in rally- 
ing them, but the " bolt" had a bad effect. 

It was struggled against very gallantly by the officers, who, 
sword and revolver in hand, encouraged the soldiers by word and by 
action. A number of men, unable to confront the deadly fire of 
the Boers, had huddled for cover behind the rocky reef crossing the 
plateau, and no entreaty or upbraiding on the part of their officers 
would induce them to face the enemy. What then happened 
one does not care to tell in detail. Everything connected with this 
disastrous enterprise went to naught, as if there had been a curse 
on it. Whatever may have been the object intended, the force em- 
ployed was absurdly inadequate. Instead of being homogeneous, 
it consisted of separate detachments with no link or bond of union 
— a disposition which notoriously has led to more panics than any 
other cause that the annals of regimental history can furnish. 

DRIVEN BACK IN A WILD PANIC. 

Fragments of proud and distinguished regiments fresh from 
victory in another continent shared in the panic of the Majuba, 
seasoned warriors behaving no better than mere recruits. To the 
calm-pulsed philosopher a panic is an academic enigma. No man 
who has seen it — much less shared in it — can ever forget the infec- 
tious madness of panic-stricken soldiers. 

In the sad ending, with a cry of fright and despair, the rem- 
nants of the hapless force turned and fled, regardless of the efforts 
of the officers to stem the rearward rush. Sir George Colley lay 
dead, shot through the head just before the final flight. A surgeon 
and two hospital attendants caring for the wounded at the ban 



STORY OF MAJUBA HII,I, AND I^ANG'S NKK. 191 

daging place in tlie dip of the plateau were sHot down, probably 
inadvertently. The elder Boers promptly stopped the firing in that 
direction. But there was no cessation of the fire directed on the 
fugitives. On them the bullets rained accurately and persistently. 
The Boers, now disdaining cover, stood boldly on the edge of the 
plateau, and, firing down upon the scared troops, picked off the 
men as if shooting game. 

The slaughter would have been yet heavier but for the en- 
trenchment which had been made by the company of the 92nd, left 
overnight on the Nek between the Inquela and the Majuba. Cap- 
tain Robertson was joined at dawn from camp by a company of the 
60th, under Captain Thurlow. I^ater there arrived at the entrench- 
ment on the Nek a troop of the 15th Hussars, under the command 
of Captain Sullivan. After midday the sound of the firing on the 
Majuba rapidly increased, and men were seen running down the 
hill toward the entrenchment, one of whom brought in the tidings 
that the Boers had captured the position, that most of the troops 
were killed or prisoners, and that the general was dead with a bul- 
let through his head, and the rout was complete. 

A MURDEROUS FIRE FROM THE BOERS. 

Wounded men came presently pouring in, and were attended 
by Surgeon-Major Cornish. The entrenchment was manned by 
the two companies, and outposts were thrown out, which were soon 
driven in by large bodies of mounted Boers, under whose fire men 
fell fast. Robertson despatched the rifle company down the ravine 
towards the camp, and a little later followed with the company of 
the 92nd under a murderous fire from the Boers, who had reached 
and occupied the entrenchment. The Highlanders lost heavily in 
the retreat, and Surgeon-Major Cornish was killed. 

The surviving fugitives from Majuba and from the entrench- 
ment finally reached camp under cover of the artillery fire from it, 
which ultimately stopped the pursuit. With the consent of the 
Boer leaders, a temporary hospital was established at a farm-house 
near the foot of the mountain, and throughout the cold and wet 
night the medical staff never ceased to search for and bring in the 



192 STORY CF MAJUBA HItL AND LANG'S NElt. 

wounded. Sir George Colley's body was brought into camp on 
March ist, and buried there with full military honors. The other 
dead of the JMajuba fight rest in a cemeter}^ on the plateau of the 
mountain summit — victims of a strange and almost incredible folly. 
Of the 650 officers and men who were in action on this disas- 
trous da}^ 90 were killed, 133 were wounded, 58 were prisoners, and 
two were missing, the total casualties being 2S3, the great majority 
of which occurred in the 92nd, whose losses were 125 ; in the 5Sth, 
with a loss of 93 ; and in the Naval Brigade, which lost 36 — more 
than half of its strength. 

SIGNING TERMS OF PEACE. 

Sir Evelyn Wood reached Newcastle on March 4th, and 
assumed command. On the 6th he met the Boer leaders, when an 
armistice to last for eight days was agreed upon. The British garri- 
sons in the Transvaal were revictualled for twelve da3^s, pending 
the raising of their siege on the consummation of peace ; and Sir 
Kvelyn Wood acknowledged the right of the Transvaal people to 
complete self-government, subject to the suzerainty of the Queen. 
Terms of peace were signed on IMarch 23d; and next da}' General 
Sir Frederick Roberts, who had been sent out with large reinforce- 
ments to succeed Sir George Colle}', • reached Cape Towm, but 
learning of peace being signed, immediately sailed home. 

The total number of Transvaal Boers capable of carrying 
arms was under 8000 at the beginning of hostilities. The total 
British force in -South Africa, or on the way thither, at the close 
of hostilities consisted of thirteen infantry regiments, five cavalry 
regiments, twenty-two guns, three naval brigades — in all, not far 
short of 20,000 men. This total was exclusive of the British 
earrisons besieeed in the Transvaal duriuQ;' the war. The Boer 
casualties throughout the war, as alread}- mentioned, amounted to 
43 killed and 58 wounded. The British casualties were over 800 
killed and wounded. At Majuba the Boers had one man killed 
and five men wounded. 




CHAPTER XIII. 

Dr. Jameson's Famous Raid in the Transvaal. 

MONG the stirring incidents that have marked the progress 
of events in South Africa was the bold attempt of Dr. 
Jameson and others to overturn the government of the 
Transvaal. Jameson, having received an appeal for help 
from the Outlanders, or foreigners, in Johannesburg, the chief 
town in the Transvaal, crossed the frontier with a force from 
Pitsani Pitlogo, December 29, 1895. Colonel Grey and others 
started from Mafeking with about four hundred men (volunteers) of 
the British South Africa's troops. 

In its issue of the ist of January, 1896, the London Times 
printed a telegram from Cape Town the text of an appeal for help 
addressed to the Administrator of Rhodesia by the Outlanders of 
Johannesburg in the Transvaal, who had been long and fruitlessly 
agitating for equal rights with the Boer inhabitants of that coun- 
try. Appended to the message was a laconic announcement that 
Dr. Jameson, at the head of an armed force and accompanied by 
artillery, had crossed the frontier on the 29th of December and was 
hurrying on by forced marches to the " gold reef city." The news 
fell like a bombshell on the dawning New Year. 

The position of affairs in the Transvaal which had given rise 
to this sensational coup had been long discussed in South Africa, 
but although strong language had been used, the probability of a 
recourse to armed force had not been anticipated by the general 
public. It was known, however, that for some years the intolerable 
grievances of the Outlanders had raised apprehensions in official 
quarters, and Lord Loch stated that, during his tenure of the High 
Commissionership, he found it necessary to make military prepara- 
tions in view of a conflict which then seemed probable. It appears 
also that the Boer Government itself was quite alive to the dangers 
of the situation, and it was this fact, coupled with the conviction 

13 193 



194 DR. JAMESON'S FAMOtlS RAID IN THE TRANS VAAt. 

that a prolongation of tlie statics quo was impossible, which, gave 
rise to the invitation addressed to Dr. Jameson. The situation is, 
indeed, best described in the language of that document. The 
chiefs of the Johannesburg Reform Committee wrote : — 

" The position of matters in this State has become so critical 
that we are assured that, at no distant period, there will be a con- 
flict between the Government and the Outlander population. It 
is scarcely necessary for us to recapitulate what is now matter of 
history ; suffice it to say that the position of thousands of English- 
men and others is rapidly becoming intolerable. Not satisfied with 
making the Outlander population pay virtually the whole of the 
revenue of the country, while denying them representation, the 
policy of the Government has been to encroach upon the liberty of 
the subject, and to undermine the security for property to such an 
extent as to cause a very deep-seated sense of discontent. 

STRONG INDIOTMENT AGAINST THE BOERS. 

" A foreign corporation of Hollanders is to a considerable extent 
controlling our destinies, and, in conjunction with the Boer leaders, 
endeavoring to cast them in a mould which is wholly foreign to 
the genius of the people. Every public act betrays the most positive 
hostility, not only to everything English, but to the neighboring 
States. What we have to consider is, what mil be the condition of 
things here in the event of conflict ? Thousands of unarmed men, 
women and children of our race will be at the mercy of well-armed 
Boers, while property of enormous value will be in the greatest peril. 

"We cannot contemplate the future mthout the gravest appre- 
hensions. All feel that we are justified in taking au}^ steps to pre- 
vent the shedding of blood, and to insure the protection of our 
rights. It is under these circumstances that we feel constrained to 
call upon you to come to our aid should a disturbance arise here. 
The circumstances are so extreme that we cannot but believe that 
you, and the men under you, will not fail to come to the rescue of 
people who will be so situated. We guarantee any expense that may 
reasonably be incurred by j^ou in helping us, and ask you to believe 
that nothing but the sternest necessity has prompted this appeal." 



DR. JAMESON'S I^AMOUS RAID IN THEi TRANSVAAL. 195 

Some mystery still attaches to the date of this letter, and the 
circumstances under which the invitation it contained was to 
become operative. From the correspondence which has been pub- 
lished, it seems, however, that the reason it was acted upon towards 
the end of December, 1895, was not that the contemplated crisis 
had arisen in Johannesburg, but that the preparations for the inva- 
sion were complete, and it was impossible to delay action any 
longer without provoking suspicion. It is, indeed, questionable 
whether suspicion had not already been excited. 

On the side of Dr. Jameson, troops had been concentrated on 
the frontier at Mafeking; while, on the side of the Rand Reform 
Committee, arms had been secretly imported into Johannesburg, 
and stores had been established and stocked at various points along 
the route which the invading force was likely to take. The Trans- 
vaal Government were probably not unaware of th(3 steps which 
had been taken. Subsequent events, indeed, tend to show that 
they were both aware of them, and prepared to counteract them. 

GOOD REASON FOR ASSEMBLING TROOPS. 

So far, however, as the assembly of Jameson's force on the 
Irontier was concerned there was apparently no reason for appre- 
hension. As it afterwards transpired this concentration was per- 
fectly legitimate, and neither the Home Government nor the Junta 
at Pretoria had any reason to question the ostensible legitimacy of 
its designs. The object was to superintend the extension of the 
Vryburg-Mafeking Railway along the western frontier of the 
Transvaal to Gaberones, a hundred miles further north. In a Blue 
Book published in the course of the year appears a letter on the 
subject from the British South Africa Company to the Colonial 
Office, explaining that this scheme rendered the presence of an 
armed force at Mafeking necessary, and asking that the High 
Commissioner might be authorized to concert measures with Mr. 
Rhodes for the supply of " adequate police protection " during the 
progress of the railway works. 

In this way Dr. Jameson found himself at Mafeking at the 
head of a considerable body of Bechuanaland police towards the 



196 DR. JAMESON'S I^AMOUS RAID IN THH I'RANSVAAL. 

end of December, 1895, awaiting the signal to ride to the resfue of 
the Outlanders. The signal, so far as it was other than the letter 
of invitation, did not come, and Dr. Jameson seems to have de- 
cided to act without it. 

Four days after Christmas the men were ordered to muster in 
marching order, and in the afternoon were formed into hollow 
squares and addressed by Dr. Jameson, who also read out the letter 
received from the Johannesburgers. Before Dr. Jameson could ask 
if they were willing to go, the entire force spontaneously sang 
" God Save the Queen " and " Rule Britannia." Jameson then, 
according to one account, added words to the following effect : 
"When you get into Johannesburg, should you wish for more help 
no doubt there are other Bnglish hearts such as the Cape Mounted 
Rifles and the Natal Mounted Police, who would only be too pleased 
to help you in such a cause." This closed Jameson's appeal. 

INVADING FORCE ON THE MARCH. 

Sir John Willoughby stepped forward and said that he was 
pleased to be in command of such a trustworthy and willing force, 
especially in such a matter. A little before sundown on the same 
day the force started for the border. It consisted of Sir John 
Willoughby (in command). Colonel White, thirty officers, and 380 
rank and file, divided into four troops, numbered from A to D, each 
with an inspector and two sub-inspectors, and an artillery troop 
with one inspector and one sub-inspector, all in light marching 
order, carrying only a cavalry cloak or mackintosh strapped to the 
saddle and a towel and small hold-all in the wallets. They rode all 
night, halting only for an interval of an hour about 10 p. m. to fodder 
horses and for about ten minutes every two hours till they arrived 
at Malmani, a small village about forty miles from the border. 

Here they were met by " G " and " K " troops, lately trans- 
ferred from the Bechuanaland Border Police, who started from 
Mafeking 120 strong, including officers. The men of these troops 
did not know where they were going till after they had crossed 
the border, when a copy of the Johannesburgers' letter was read 
to them. The telegraph wires were cut at Malmani, and the force 



DR. JAMKSON'S FAMOUS RAID IN THE TRANSVAAI,. 197 

halted about seven miles beyond that place for breakfast on Monday 
morning, the 30th. 

The news of the invasion caused the profoundest sensation in 
.England, while all over the Continent of Europe, which for months 
past had been given up to a gamble in Transvaal gold mines, the 
raid was denounced as an attempt by Great Britain to grab the 
uew El Dorado. The British Colonial Office seems to have been 
baken completely by surprise. Mr. Chamberlain, Foreign Secre- 
tary, was at Birmingham when the news arrived, but he at once 
took steps to endeavor to stop the expedition. Returning instantly 
to London, he put himself into telegraphic communication with 
Sir Hercules Robinson, the High Commissioner at the Cape, and 
messengers were sent to overtake and recall Jameson. 

REPUDIATED BY THE HOME GOVERNMENT. 

These efforts were unavailing. A proclamation was then 
issued repudiating Dr. Jameson's act, and calling on all British 
subjects to hold aloof from it. On January 2d Mr. Chamberlain 
received the following telegram from Sir Hercules Robinson : 

" Newton telegraphed that his messengers overtook Jameson 
ten miles beyond the other side of the Eland River. Brought back 
verbal messages that despatches had been received and would be 
attended to. Force was saddling up when messengers arrived, and 
at once proceeded eastwards. Jameson has thus received both my 
messages, and has disregarded them. De Wit telegraphs this 
morning that it would have been impossible for him to have gone 
to Jameson, and if it had been possible his mission would have 
proved futile, as fighting commenced at four o'clock yesterday. He 
had been unable to obtain particulars from Joubert (commander of 
the Boers) last night, and he has heard nothing beyond rumor this 
morning." 

Similar efforts to stop the invasion seem to have been made by 
the Chartered Company, by Mr. Rhodes, and by the Reform Com- 
mittee at Johannesburg. Owing, however, to the scantiness of the 
supplies carried by the force and available on its route a return 
seems to have been impossible. Meanwhile the Boers were sum- 



198 DR. JAMESON'S FAMOUS RAID IN THE TRANSVAAl,. 

moned to arms by General Joubert, and preparations were made to 
give tbe invaders a warm reception. In Johannesburg everybody 
seems to have been taken by surprise. The Reform Committee 
were unprepared for a rising. The arms at their disposal were 
comparatively few, and the population generally had not been taken 
into their confidence. 

None the less it became necessary to act. Accordingly the Boer 
authorities were expelled from the town. A provisional government 
was formed under the Transvaal flag, and companies of insurgents 
were organized and armed. At this juncture President Kruger 
astutely employed his diplomacy to prevent the invaders and the 
rebels from acting in unison. Sending for the leaders, of the 
Reform Committee, he promised to consider their grievances, and 
arranged an armistice wdth them. Not knowing where Jameson 
was, and being further exercised in their minds by the Proclama- 
tion of the High Commissioner, the Outlanders remained quiescent, 
and consequently all the military resources of the Republic became 
available for the resistance of the invading force. 

REPULSED BY THE STURDY BOERS. 

On the morning of the New Year Dr. Jameson came in touch 
with the Boers in the neighborhood of Krugersdorp, a mining vil- 
lage within a short ride of Johannesburg, and connected with the 
town by railway. The fighting which followed is thus described 
by a member of the force : 

" We mounted a very steep rocky hill in skirmishing order in 
a terrible thunderstorm, the Boers having entrenched themselves 
on an opposite and strongly fortified hill. We put several shells 
into their fortifications, but were unable to dislodge the Boers. 
The order was then given for the skirmishers to charge, but there 
seems to have been some misunderstanding, as only twenty-five 
men charged, about fifty going round to the left and tr3dng to take 
the Boers in the flank. It was during this movement that we saw 
how strong the Boer position was, for a very heavy fire was imme- 
diately poured on both parties. The attack proving fruitless, the 
r.Qlumn was ordered to make a detoujr to the right, which we sue- 



DR. JAMESON'S FAMOUS RAID IN THE TRANSVAAl,. 199 

ceeded in doing, but we were so itemmed in by tbe Boers tbat it 
was decided to rest for tbe night, hoping for assistance from Johan- 
nesburg in the morning. 

" The camp was formed in a rough hexagonal square, horses 
and ammunition wagons inside, the men lying outside shoulder to 
shoulder, with a Maxim pointing out from each corner. We were 
twice attacked before this was completed, and again at about 9 p.m., 
but repulsed the enemy each time without loss on our side. During 
the night we were told we were to make a rush for Johannesburg 
in the early morning, but we were attacked just before dawn, and 
again on our attempting to form in battle line, losing three men 
killed and four or five wounded. We managed to get away at 
about 5 A.M., and, making a long detour to the right, rode at a fast 
canter towards Johannesburg, followed by the Boers, who con- 
tinually harassed our rear, inflicting all the injury they could. 

THE WHITE FLAG WAS HOISTED. 

" After three hours of this running fighting we were brought to 
a halt at Doornkop, where we perceived a strong force opposed to 
us. We succeeded in taking one bluff, but the second was too 
strongly held, and had, moreover, a splendid natural fortification of 
rocks. We fought on, however, till ten o'clock, when, on receipt 
of a command from the Knglish Government to return to the bor- 
der. Dr. Jameson ordered the white flag to be hoisted. The horses 
were all dead beat and our 7-pounder ammunition had given out, 
but I think we could have gone on fighting for some time if necessary. 

" At first when the flag was hoisted we could not believe that 
it meant our surrender, and thought that it must be only tem- 
porary for the purpose of recovering our wounded ; but after it was 
known, and we were collected by the farmhouse, I constantly heard 
men say that they had not the faintest notion that we were getting 
the worst of it." 

It would be idle to deny that the news of this disaster was 
received with the deepest regret throughout England. The ille- 
gality and rashness of the raid were generally admitted, but the 
oppressive treatment of the Outlanders had won much sympathy 



200 DR. JAMESON'S FAMOUS RAID IN THK TRANSVAAL. 

for their cause. THis sympathy became concentrated on Dr. Jame- 
son and his followers when it became evident that his defeat was 
largely due to the failure of the Johannesburgers to fly to his aid. 
The British Government, however, pursued a strictly correct atti- 
tude. Mr. Chamberlain acted with energy, and, while repudiating 
the proceedings of Dr. Jameson, exerted himself, in consonance 
with the sentiment of the country, to procure a merciful treatment 
for the prisoners. If any disingenuousness was shown in the sub- 
sequent negotiations with President Kruger it was not on the side 
of the British Government. 

The High Commissioner for South Africa, Sir Hercules Rob- 
inson, was sent to Pretoria to discuss the crisis with the Transvaal 
Government and to obtain a solution which should be satisfactory 
to all parties. President Kruger declined to negotiate until Johan- 
nesburg had surrendered, and proceeded to take steps for an assault 
on the town. Sir Hercules Robinson having represented to the 
insurgents that their action was jeopardizing the lives of Dr. Jame- 
son and his followers, they consented to lay down their arms and 
the leading members of the National Reform Committee were 
arrested. The High Commissioner then opened up negotiations 
for the transfer of Dr. Jameson and his force to the British authori- 
ties, and for securing a measure of redress of the legitimate griev- 
ances of the Outlanders. On the latter subject he failed to obtain 
any concession from President Kruger, but the transfer of the raid- 
ers was granted on condition that they should be tried in Bngland 
for their offence, and brought to speedy justice. 

KRUGER SHOWS A MAGNANIMOUS SPIRIT. 

President Kruger's magnanimity in thus sparing the lives of 
the " filibusters," as he called them, was highly extolled both in 
England and South Africa, and the Queen addressed a message to 
him expressing her satisfaction at his decision. It afterwards trans- 
pired, however, that the praises lavished on the Transvaal President 
were not altogether deserved, since Dr. Jameson had not surrendered 
unconditionally at Doornkop, but in pursuance of a written under- 
taking given by the Boer commandant to spare the lives of himself 



DR. JAMESON'S FAMOUS RAID IN THE TRANS VAAI,. 201 

and his followers. This fact had been kept secret from the British 
authorities. 

After the release of Dr. Jameson, Mr. Chamberlain made an 
effort to secure concessions for the Outlanders, and addressed an 
elaborate memorandum to the Boer Government inviting Mr. 
Kruger to England and suggesting a scheme of Home Rule for 
the Rand. At first Mr. Kruger was disposed to accept the invita- 
tion, but when he found that the British Government declined to 
discuss a revision of the clause of the London Convention by which 
the Transvaal was prevented from making treaties with foreign 
governments, he refused the invitation and the negotiations were 
suspended. 

BROUGHT TO TRIAL IN ENGLAND. 

Dr. Jameson and his followers were brought to England, and 
the chief members of the force were tried in London, almost con- 
currently with the trial of the Reform leaders at Pretoria. After a 
preliminary examination at Bow street, they were committed to 
take their trial for various infractions of the Foreign Enlistment 
Act. The trial was at Bar in the Queen's Bench Division, before 
the Lord Chief Justice, Mr. Baron Pollock and Mr. Justice Haw- 
kins. For the defence, various objections were taken to the indict- 
ment on technical grounds, but these were overruled, and ulti- 
mately the prisoners were all found guilty. Dr. Jameson was 
sentenced to fifteen months' imprisonment, Sir John Willoughby 
to ten months. Major Robert White to seven months, and Colonel 
Grey, Colonel Henry White, and Major Coventry to five months. 
In each case the imprisonment was without hard labor, and the 
Home Secretary directed that the prisoners should be treated as 
first-class misdemeanants. Dr. Jameson and Major Coventry were 
afterward released on the ground of ill-health. 

The Rand reformers had a rather more exciting experience. 
After a lengthy preliminary investigation they were all committed 
for trial, and a special tribunal, presided over by a judge imported 
from the Orange Free State, was constituted to try them. The 
proceedings, however, were cut short by a plea of guilty entered 
by all the prisoners, the chiefs, Messrs. Phillips, Farrar, and Ham- 



202 DR. JAMESON'S FAMOUS RAID IN THE TRANSVAAL. 

mond, and Colonel Rhodes admitting tlie cliarge of high treason, 
and tlie others the minor offence of lese majeste. The ringleaders 
were then sentenced to death, and the remaining sixty prisoners to 
two years' imprisonment, a fine of $10,000 each, and banishment 
for three 3^ears. 

The severity of these sentences cansed great indignation in 
England and the colony, and even the Boers themselves petitioned . 
for their mitigation. The Transvaal Executive, however, took 
time to reconsider them, and meanwhile the prisoners were huddled 
together in an insanitar}^ prison totally unfitted for their accom- 
modation. One of them, jMr. Grey, committed suicide during this 
period of suspense. Tow^ards the end of May the decision of the 
Government was made known. All the sentences were commuted 
to a fine, the four leading prisoners being mulcted in $100,000 
each and the rank and file in $10,000. A promise to abstain from 
participation in politics was exacted from all of them. Colonel 
Rhodes alone refused to give the promise, and was consequently 

banished. 

CHIEF CONSPIRATORS ESCAPED. 

By this time the strong feelings which had been evoked by 
the raid, both on the part of those who w^ere inclined to defend it 
and those who most violently denounced it, had subsided, and the 
conviction became prevalent that, while much necessary justice 
had been dispensed, the prime movers in the conspiracy had so far 
escaped. From the beginning considerable suspicion had attached 
to Mr. Rhodes, the Premier of Cape Colony and chairman of the 
Chartered Compan}^ The Chartered Company itself was also 
thought to have been implicated. On the first news of the failure 
of Dr. Jameson's invasion, Mr. Rhodes had tendered his resigna- 
tion of the Colonial Premiership to the High Commissioner, and 
on the return of that official from his mission to Pretoria it was 
accepted. 

Throughout the crisis Mr. Rhodes had preserved a singular 
reticence. When asked what he knew about the invasion, he con- 
tented himself with saying that "Jameson had taken the bit 
between his teeth and bolted," After his resignation he came to 



DR. JAMESON'S FAMOUS RAID IN THE TRANSVAAI.. 203 

England, and had an interview witli Mr. Cliamberlain, but wliat 
occurred between the two statesmen has not transpired. Almost 
immediately afterwards he left again for South Africa, landing at 
Beira, and proceeding by the eastern route to Matabeleland, where 
a native insurrection had broken out. The curiosity of the public 
to know more about the secret springs of the raid was intensified 
by the publication by the Transvaal Government of a number of 
documents and deciphered telegrams by which Mr. Rhodes and 
his colleagues seemed to be compromised. 

Demands for an inquiry were made in both the Home and 
Colonial Parliaments, and the latter appointed a Select Committee. 
This committee published further documents and telegrams, and 
found that Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Beit, another director of the Char- 
tered Company, were privy to Dr. Jameson's proceedings, and that 
the chief officers of the company in Cape Town were active pro- 
moters of the raid. The London Board, however, were not impli- 
cated, and Mr. Rhodes paid all the expenses incurred by the Cape 
officials in connection with Dr. Jameson's invasion. Subsequently 
the British House of Commons resolved on a further inquiry, and 
in August a Select Committee was appointed, not only to investi- 
gate the circumstances of the Jameson raid, but also to inquire 
into the administration of the Chartered Company. 

MANY DISASTE3RS IN SOUTH AFRICA. 

The invasion of the Transvaal was but the beginning of a 
whole series of disasters in South Africa. A few days after the 
battle of Doornkop, while the attitude of the Outlanders was still 
in doubt, a mail train laden with refugees from the insurgent city, 
and bound for Natal, was wrecked en roiUe^ and over thirty of the 
passengers killed. A few weeks later a terrible catastrophe took 
place at Johannesburg itself. Some fifteen tons of dynamite ex- 
ploded in the suburb of Vredendorp, laying waste the whole district 
and involving the loss of many lives. 

The public had scarcely recovered from these shocks when bad 
news was received from Matabeleland. Taking advantage of the 
absence of Dr. Jameson and the Charter Company's police, and 



204 DR. JAMESON'S FAMOUS RAID IN THE TRANS VAAI,. 

encouraged by the news of the disaster whicli had befallen them, a 
portion of the Matabele native police had broken out into revolt, 
and had massacred a number of whites, including Mr. Bently, the 
Native Commissioner. Favored by the discontent which had been 
caused by an outbreak of rinderpest — itself a serious visitation — 
the rebellion rapidly spread, and even the usually timid Mashonas 
took to the war path. Energetic measures were resolved upon by 
the authorities, but owing to the great distance of the chief centres 
of the revolt from the termini of the railways the rapid dispatch 
of assistance to the colonists was dif&cult. 

Mr. Rhodes, arriving in Mashonaland from Beifa, organized a 
force, with which he marched to the relief of Bulawayo and Gwelo, 
then completely invested by the insurgents. He had to fight his way 
through the ill-omened Shangani district, and his progress was con- 
sequently slow. Meanwhile troops were hurried up from the south, 
and Sir Frederick Carrington was appointed to command the forces. 
At the same time Barl Grey succeeded Dr. Jameson as Adminis- 
trator at Bulawayo, and the military forces of the Chartered Com- 
pany were transferred to the control of Sir Richard Martin, who was 
appointed Deputy High Commissioner in Rhodesia. 

STRONG NATURAL DEFENSES. 

In the middle of May Mr. Rhodes succeeded in relieving Gwelo, 
and in effecting a juncture with a column sent out to meet him 
from Bulawayo. A few days later Bulawayo was also relieved, and 
the rebels, who had meanwhile proclaimed Nyamanda, a son of 
Lobeugula, King of the Matabele, concentrated their forces on the 
Matoppo Hills. In these fastnesses they proved safe from all but 
the most reckless attacks, and after several attempts to storm their 
kopjes and caves, in which many lives were lost. General Carring- 
ton resolved to invest the hills with a chain of forts. In August 
Colonel Plumer fought a decisive engagement with the combined 
forces of the chiefs Secombo and Umlugula. This broke the back 
of the rebellion, and overtures for peace were made by the rebel 
commanders. 

It was still, however, very unsafe to enter the Matoppo Hills, 



DR. JAMKSON'S FAMOUS RAID IN THE TRANSVAAI,. 205 

where the negotiations were to take place, and the British com- 
mander hesitated to accept the invitation of the Matabele. Ulti- 
mately Mr. Rhodes volunteered to open negotiations himself, and, 
with three attendants, all unarmed, he gallantly proceeded to the 
meeting-place. Throughout the campaign Mr. Rhodes had distin- 
guished himself by his coolness and activity. Although forced by 
the clamor at home to resign his position as chairman of the Char- 
tered Company, he continued to exercise a predominant influence 
in the colony. His personal prestige and his assurance that what- 
ever occurred he would remain in Rhodesia, and watch the develop- 
ment of the country, alone prevented the settlers from leaving the 
country under the storm of disasters by which they were beset. 

GERMANY LOOKING WITH EAGER EYES. 

Among the natives, too, his name and personality proved more 
powerful than that of any other Bnglishman. His valuable ser- 
vices were fitly crowned by the courage with which he entered the 
rebel stronghold in order to negotiate the terms of peace. Met by 
a large force of rebels in arms, he dictated to them the terms of 
surrender. The chiefs at once made their submission, and a few 
days later their arms were laid down, and peace was proclaimed. 
A scheme of administration by which the natives were to be 
retained was drafted. Having successfully grappled with these 
serious questions, Mr. Rhodes left Bulawayo for a time, to meet 
in London the charges made against him in connection with the 
Jameson raid. He traveled via Cape Town, where he was received 
with immense enthusiasm. 

Ever since the London Convention gave back its independence 
to the Transvaal, the Germans have cast longing eyes in the direc- 
tion of that country. Berlin paid effusive court to Pretoria, and 
one of the chief objects of the establishment of a German colony 
in South-west Africa was to creep towards the western frontier of 
the Transvaal, and thus shut out British expansion northwards. 
This scheme was defeated by the vigilance and public spirit of Mr. 
Rhodes, who, in the nick of time, despatched his pioneers to 
Mashonaland, painted the map red as far as the Zambesi, and estab- 



206 DR. JAMESON'S I^AMOUS RAID IN I'HH 'TRANSVAAL. 

lislied comm-iinications witli Nyassaland, to tlie nortli of tliat river. 
It seems tliat when first President Kruger suspected tHe real 
nature of the Outlander agitation he turned for assistance to 
Berlin. 

England's relations with the Transvaal, which were so se- 
riously disturbed by the Jameson Raid, remained more or less 
strained throughout the year 1897. In March, the Transvaal 
entered into a defensive alliance with the Orange Free State, the 
object being to oppose a strong Dutch front to possible British 
encroachments. A long correspondence took place between the 
Colonial Office and the Transvaal Government in reference to cer- 
tain legislation directed against aliens, and other acts of the South 
African Republic, which were alleged to be contrary to the spirit 
and letter of the London Convention. 

THE SITUATION GROWING WORSE. 

The great expenditure on armaments incurred by the Trans- 
vaal, the complaints of two of the Reform leaders still remaining 
in prison at Pretoria, the publication of the official correspondence 
relating to the Vaal Drifts affair of 1895, when war with the South 
African Republic was threatened, the insulting references to the 
Queen made by a nephew of President Kruger at a public meet- 
ing, the President's persistent refusal to admit that a British suzer- 
ainty was implied by the London Convention, and the exorbitant 
claim put forward by the Republic for compensation for the Jame- 
son Raid, all helped to aggravate the situation. Towards the 
middle of the year, however, a better spirit began to prevail. The 
obnoxious legislation in the Transvaal was withdrawn, and Presi- 
dent Kruger contributed still further to allay the prevailing irrita- 
tion by his graceful conduct in liberating the remaining Reform 
prisoners on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee. 

It is impossible,, however, to pretend that relations of perfect 
amity and mutual confidence were restored. Apart from minor 
sources of irritation, the Transvaal Government was far from sat- 
isfied with the result of the Select Committee appointed by the 
House of Commons to inquire into the origin and circumstances of 



ty-k. jAxMESOM'^ I^AMOUS JlAlD IN YU:^ I^RANSVAAt. 207 

tlie Jameson Raid, and tlie administration of the British South 
Africa Company. It had hoped that the work of this Committee 
would have led the Imperial Government to prosecute Mr. Cecil 
Rhodes for his share in the organization of the Raid, and to with- 
draw the charter of the British South Africa Company. Neither 
of these, steps was taken. 

The Committee, which was an exceptionally strong one, and 
was presided over by Mr. Jackson, held thirty-one sittings between 
February i6th and July 6th. It examined many witnesses, but 
elicited few new facts. Mr. Rhodes, who, on his way from Rho- 
desia to London, was the object of many remarkable demonstra- 
tions of confidence on the part of British Afrikanders, both Dutch 
and English, was examined and cross-examined at length by the 
Committee, and frankly avowed that he had supported and financed 
the Raid. He strongly defended his conduct; and his exposition 
of the difficulties under which the Outlander in the Transvaal 
labored, the maladministration of the Pretoria Junta, and the 
enmity of the Republic towards England excited considerable sym- 
pathy on his behalf, and served to explain the situation. 

MR= CHAMBERLAIN STRONGLY SUSPECTED. 

Much of the evidence adduced before the Committee turned 
upon certain suggestions, by no means obscure, to the effect that 
Mr. Chamberlain had some foreknowledge of the Raid, if he was 
not actually an accessory to it. The non-production of a batch of 
telegrams believed to refer to this matter and for which the Com- 
mittee did not press, gave rise to some adverse comment. The 
whole Committee, however, were unanimous in characterizing the 
suggestions as absolutely unfounded. 

For the rest the Committee in their report severely censured 
Mr. Rhodes for the part he had played in connection with the Raid, 
and placed on record " an absolute and unqualified condemnation 
of the Raid and of the plans which made it possible." With re- 
gard to the alleged maladministration of the Chartered Company 
the Committee confined itself to publishing a report received from 
Sir Richard Martin, Deputy Commissioner for Rhodesia, in which 



208 DR. JAMESON'S FAMOUS RAID IN THE TRANSVAAL. 

various charges were made against tlie Compan^^ These charges 
were subsequently rebutted by the directors in an elaborate de- 
fence. Towards the end of July, Lord Salisbury announced in the 
House of Lords that it was not intended to ^\-ithdraw the Company's 
Charter. 

Immediately after his examination by the Select Committee, 
Mr. Rhodes left London to return to Rhodesia, where he had re- 
solved to devote himself to watching over the progress and devel- 
opment of the colon}^ Arriving in South Africa he was again re- 
ceived ^ath demonstrations of welcome, and it was clear that he 
still had a large following in the countr3^ He proceeded to Bula- 
wayo, and thence to his residence near Umtali. xAlthough from 
this moment little was seen or heard of him, his restless energy 
was made manifest by the spirit and rapidity with which the rail- 
way to Bulawaj^o was pushed forward. This great work, which 
is almost entirely due to him, was happily completed towards the 
end of the 3'ear, and was formally opened by the High Commis- 
sioner amid great rejoicings throughout South xAfrica on Novem- 
ber sth. 

PROJECT FOR GREAT AFRICAN RAILWAY. 

]\Ir. Rhodes, who was recovering from an attack of fever, was 
not present at the festivities, but the most enthusiastic appreciation 
of his labors was testified b}^ all the speakers, not excluding the 
of6.cial representatives of the Imperial Government. In repl}^ to a 
telegram of congratulation from the residents of Bulawayo he de- 
clared that he should not rest satisfied until the railway had been 
further extended to the Zambesi. A further illustration of his in- 
exhaustible energ}^ was afforded during the year by the progress 
made by his trans-continental telegraph scheme, the wires having 
already been carried beyond the Zambesi. 

Following the surrender of Dr. Jameson and his party who 
had invaded the Transvaal, thej^ were handed over to the British 
Government for trial of offenses under the foreign enlistment act, 
and arrived in London in February, 1896. After a preliminary 
examination the of&cers were put on trial before Lord Chief Justice 
Russell. Eminent counsel appeared in their behalf, but they were 



DR. JAMESON'S FAMOUS RAID IN THE TRANSVAAI,. 209 

found guilty. Public opiniou was to some extent divided, just as 
it was when war actually broke out between the Knglish and tbe 
Boers, after all attempts to settle the contention by diplomacy had 
failed. Much excitement was caused throughout Great Britain by 
this trial ; for the time being the public mind was fully occupied 
with it, and doubtless more so from the fact that the wisest states- 
men looked upon it as only the beginning of troubles in the Trans- 
vaal that would result finally in war. 

THE GUILTY RECEIVE SENTENCE. 

An appeal for a new trial was declined by the defendants, and 
sentences were pronounced of imprisonment without hard labor. 
Dr. Jameson, who was the chief conspirator in the attempt to over- 
throw the Transvaal Government, was sentenced to fifteen months' 
imprisonment, but on account of illness was released in the follow- 
ing December. Other officers received various sentences, and some 
of these were cut short by pardons secured under various pretences. 

Meanwhile the Reform Committee of Johannesburg, who were 
in league ^vith Dr. Jameson and his party, were tried and convicted. 
Some of them were sentenced to death and others to imprisonment 
and heavy fines. The Transvaal Government, however, dealt leni- 
ently with the offenders upon representations from the British 
Government, and on the occasion of the Queen's Jubilee in June, 
1897, the chief conspirators were liberated. 

14 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Cause for War Many Years Old. 

^T^HK dispute between Great Britain and tlie Transvaal, or, to 
\2^ use its correct legal designation, the Soutli African Republic, 
is most unfortunate, especially for the latter country. It has 
the area of New York and Pennsylvania put together. It has a 
colored population, still in a state of barbarism, equal to that of 
Alabama. It has a white population of only a little over a quarter 
of a million, and to one-half of this white population, which is 
Bnglish, all political rights are denied by the Dutch colonists. 

To put it differently, if we imagine the white population of 
Rhode Island and the negro population of Alabama, spread out 
over an area about equal to that of Colorado, and the entire politi- 
cal power vested in one-half of the white population, the political 
situation out of which come the causes of the war of the Trans- 
vaal, will be clearly grasped. 

The removal of their political disabilities was the first ostensi- 
ble cause of Great Britain's action. The real underlying cause of 
dispute, however, is the supremacy of the Bnglish-speaking race in 
the colonial conquest of the world. The English Government found 
in the political and civil disabilities of Bnglish-speaking men the 
occasion for dissatisfaction. The cause lay in the final fact that as 
long as Boers in the Orange Free State and the South African 
Republic treated white men of Bnglish birth as they did, the para- 
mount supremacy of Great Britain in South Africa was in peril. 
An irrepressible conflict inevitably existed between the master claim 
of Great Britain and the actual condition of British subjects in the 
Transvaal. After fifty years of ebb and flow war has come to settle 
the fate of South Africa, and with it of the continent itself. 

It was not to be expected that the thousands of foreigners who 
had been drawn to the Transvaal would rest satisfied under a system 
whereby they were heavily taxed without any representation. 

210 



CAUSES FOR WAR MANY YEARS OI.D. 211 

For tliis anomalous condition of affairs no one can be held 
directly responsible. It is tbe result of tbe History of tbe nine- 
teentH century. The beginning of the century found what is now 
Cape Colony inhabited by a population of mixed Dutch and Hugue- 
not ancestry, drawn from the best and most adventurous blood of 
both stocks, who had reduced the docile black population to slavery, 
and were leading a simple agricultural and deeply religious life 
with the virtues and the limitations of the patriarchal era. This 
population, by treaty with Holland at Vienna in 1815, was trans- 
ferred to the sovereignty of Great Britain. It found itself governed 
by an alien administration, its law enacted and administered in 
English, and its property rights over its negro labor suddenly 
altered. 

Under these two grievances, a foreign rule and interference 
with slavery, a large body of Dutch farmers in 1836 crossed the 
Orange River and organized the Orange Free State. In 1854 the 
absolute independence of this State was recognized by Great Britain, 
and there has since been no serious conflict between the two powers. 
In the negotiations which preceded this recognition the position of 
Great Britain was that the Dutch emigrants were subjects of Great 
Britain when they started, that they remained so after reaching 
their own home, and that their independence was not completed 
until it had been recognized and ratified by Great Britain. 

CLAIMED INDEPENDENCE. 

The Dutch farmers themselves claimed that when they crossed 
the Orange River it was the recognized boundary of English ad- 
ministration ; that they entered on territory which owed no Euro- 
pean allegiance, and in which they had the same right which any 
independent body of men would have to organize their own govern- 
ment and create their own institutions. They held that when the 
British Orders in Council of January 30, 1854, " declared the aban- 
donment and renunciation of the dominion and sovereignty of Great 
Britain over the Orange River territory on and after August i," it 
was only the recognition of a condition of affairs which had been 
reached independent of Great Britain. 



212 CAUSKS FOR WAR MANY YEARS OLD. 

THs principle and precedent lias its importance in tlie present 
case because the entire position in tlie Transvaal from the stand- 
point of international law hinges upon the issue whether when 
Great Britain made the Orange River the boundary of its adminis- 
tration, it left this territory free for any colonization or subject to 
its own sovereignty, whenever it chose to again exercise it. 

If the English contention is true, the Dutch trekkers remained 
subjects of Great Britain and found themselves on the soil of Great 
Britain. On the Bore contention, they passed out of the jurisdic- 
tion of Great Britain, renouncing its sovereignty and gained a new 
allegiance. This is an act v^^hich could not be taken by an English 
citizen under English law, and the step as taken by a body of men 
organized for a given purpose, raises exactly the same type of issue 
as was debated in this country at the opening of the Revolution, as 
to the precise character of allegiance which had been transferred 
by Great Britain's colonists in seeking this country. 

CANNOT RENOUNCE ONE'S COUNTRY. 

The general precedents of the international law are that no 
body of men under a civilized sovereignty can divest themselves of 
the sovereignty to which they owe allegiance b}^ occupying new 
territory, because new territory can be taken up only by an existing 
sovereignty, not by a body of men endeavoring to create a new 
sovereignty for this purpose. Such an act by public law is filibus- 
tering. The general current of law is, therefore, against the Boer 
contention, though their case offers differences from all other modem 
colonization, because most colonies have wished to preserve and 
gain the protection of the old sovereignty, while the purpose of the 
Boer emigration was to escape it. 

The first Boer trek which formed the Orange Free State suc- 
ceeded without serious dif&culty in establishing itself in the terri- 
tory which they had sought. The next emigration, of which Presi- 
dent Kruger is one of the last surviving members, passed into a 
territory more thickly settled and better organized under Zulu chiefs. 
The fight was, therefore, bitter, long continued and nearly ended in 
the destruction of the colony. Of the twenty-four members of the 



CAUSES FOR WAR MANY YEARS OED. 213 

Transvaal Raad, in 1897, seventeen men carried bullet wounds won 
in savage warfare, while wresting the Transvaal from its negro 
owners and cultivators. 

In 1852 this same issue occurred with tlie Transvaal which had 
previously occurred with the Orange Free State, Unlike the latter 
this second body of colonists had not as yet succeeded in subduing 
the native tribes by which it was surrounded, and it still led a pre- 
carious existence. It was, however, at a long distance from Cape 
Colony. The British Government had no desire to assume re- 
sponsibilities which would involve the military defense of the terri- 
tory. Instead, therefore, as with the Orange Free State, of first 
claiming sovereignty and later renouncing it, the first action taken 
with the Transvaal was without any special assertion on either side 
in regard to the matter. 

REGARDED AS BRITISH SUBJECTS. 

The Boer farmers undoubtedly looked upon the Transvaal as 
already an independent power. The British ministers as undoubt- 
edly considered its white inhabitants British subjects, who had not 
lost this character by transfer to new territory. The following 
convention, known as the Sand River convention, January 17, 
1852, gave ±he Transvaal its first status. 

The assistant commissioners guarantee in the fullest manner, 
on the part of the British Government, to the emigrant farmers 
beyond the Vaal River, the right to manage their own affairs, and 
to govern themselves, without any interference on the part of her 
Majesty the Queen's Government, and that no encroachment shall 
be made by the said Government on the territory beyond the north 
of the Vaal River, with the further assurance that the warmest 
wish of the British Government is to promote peace, free trade and 
friendly intercourse with the emigrant farmers now inhabiting, or 
who hereafter may inhabit that country, it being understood this 
system of non-interference is binding upon both parties. Her Ma- 
jesty's assistant commissioners hereby disclaim all alliances what- 
ever, and with whomsoever of the colored nations north of the Vaal 
River. 



214 CAUSES FOR WAR MANY YEARS OI.D. 

Under this agreement tlie Dutcli farmers of tlie Transvaal 
continued to carry on their own government. 1858 their govern- 
ment assumed the style and title of the South African Republic. 
Two treaties were made with Portugal in 1869 and 1875, delimiting 
their boundary, in which Great Britain was formally termed suze- 
rain of the Transvaal State, but in this delimitation Great Britain 
took no share in the organization in regard to a boundary which 
was treated in this organization, not as a boundary of Great Bri- 
tain, but of a State under suzerainty, and in other respects inde- 
pendent. 

This definite position might have remained unchanged but for 
the two successive circumstances which modified the internal con- 
dition of the Boers, surrounded by native tribes, maintaining their 
supremacy with dif&culty over a 'native population, cut ofi" from 
civilization, without education, and without an outlet for their pro- 
ducts during twenty years. From 1858 to 1877 the condition of 
the Boers by no means improved. 

PERPETUAL WARS WITH NATIVES. 

There were at one time four separate republics claiming 
rule over the region ; perpetual native wars rendered life and 
travel unsafe, and such English settlers as came in found them- 
selves without protection. Without these latter the Boers would 
probably in the end, as their numbers increased, have maintained 
their supremacy, but the presence and desire of the Bnglish settlers 
added to the imperial political policy of Disraeli's administration, 
together with the internal weakness of the Boers and the failure to 
preserve internal peace, order and protection on an ef&cient level, 
led, in 1877, to a declaration by British commissioners that " the 
South African Republic was from that date British territory," and in 
1879 orders patent were issued organizing the region as a territory. 

A Boer rising followed, and the next step deciding the status 
of the Transvaal was taken after successive Bnglish defeats ending 
at Majuba Hill, in the convention of 1 881, in which Kruger and 
the other representatives of the Transvaal burghers declared " that 
they do hereby agree to all the above conditions, reservations and 



CAUSES FOR WAR MANY YEARS OI.D. 215 

limitations under wHich self-government lias been restored to the 
inhabitants of the Transvaal territory, subject to the suzerainty of 
Her Majesty, her heirs and her successors." 

While the original extension of imperial authority over the 
Transvaal had taken place under Lord Beaconfidd's government, 
this convention was negotiated by Mr. Gladstone's government, in 
which Great Britain reserved the right to move troops through the 
Transvaal to have a resident, to guarantee native liberty and free- 
dom from slavery, and the Transvaal Government agreed to give 
" all persons, other than natives, the usual liberties given to aliens." 
Owing to the different ministries under which these successive steps 
were taken, when this and the following convention came up for 
debate, the members of the Liberal ministry were interested in 
asserting that the retention of suzerainty under one, and the veto 
treaties in the other, gave Great Britain supremacy in South Africa. 

THE POINT OP DISAGREEMENT. 

On the other hand, the Conservative ministry was interested 
in minimizing the control reserved by Great Britain. Lately these 
conditions have been reversed. The Conservative ministry in Boer 
negotiations has been anxious to magnify the rights retained under 
the conventions, and the Liberals who opposed this policy have 
been engaged in minimizing the rights which were reserved under 
their negotiations. 

It is, therefore, possible to quote detached portions from the 
speeches of either at different times and places which will express 
in the most unreserved language either the assertion of the sover- 
eignty of Great Britain over the Transvaal, or the declaration that 
this sovereignty was reduced to a mere shadow by the terms accepted 
by the Liberal ministry in 1881 and 1884. 

In 1884 the entire subject of British relations was re-opened, 
and a new convention was negotiated by Lord Derby, in negotia- 
tions which began with the request of the Transvaal to be relieved 
of the suzerainty which the previous convention recognized, and 
under which the relations of the two countries had been continued 
for nearly thirty years. The conditions of the relations of the two 



216 CAUSES FOR WAR MANY YEARS OI.D. 

couDtries remained unchanged so far as tlie internal affairs of the 
Transvaal were concerned. With reference to the foreign relations 
of the South African Republic, the following article was adopted : 

" Article IV. — The South-African Republic will conclude no 
treaty or engagement with any State or nation other than the 
Orange Free State, nor with any native tribe to the eastward or 
westward of the republic, until the same has been approved by Her 
Majesty the Queen. 

" Such approval shall be considered to have been granted if 
Her Majesty's Government shall not, within six months after 
receiving a copy of such treaty (which shall be delivered to them 
immediately upon its completion), have notified that the conclusion 
of such treaty is in conflict with the interests of Great Britain or 
any of Her Majesty's possessions in South Africa." 

AUTHORITY NEVER GIVEN UP. 

In adopting this article, and the convention of which it was a 
part. Great Britain made no formal renunciation of suzerainty, and 
the Transvaal no formal declaration of independence. Both were 
content to leave unaltered the original issue, which turns upon the 
conflicting interpretation of the relations of the two parties, the 
Bnglish Government claiming that all the rights of the Transvaal 
were the grants of the Crown to its subject, and the Transvaal 
Government that it had possessed independence from the start, but 
had submitted to a limitation upon its free rights with reference to 
treaties, though not with reference to negotiations or agreements 
which did not take the form of formal treaties. 

These opposing views might have gone without question on 
either side, if it had not been for the discovery of gold mines in 
the Transvaal, and the gathering of a large alien population. This 
(population was, at the start, of the usual character of mining popu- 
lations. Alarmed at its rapid increase, and undoubtedly justlj'- 
apprehensive that a small permanent population would be over- 
ridden by a large temporary population, the Legislature of the 
Republic lengthened the period for acquiring citizenship from two 
years to twelve, and imposed limitations which practically made 



CAUSES FOR WAR MANY YKARS OLD. 217 

impossible the acquisition of political rights by those who were not 
natives of the colony and speaking the Dutch language. 

At no time has there been any suggestion from either party to 
the controversy that the negro population should be given even 
civil rights. They remain, to all intents and purposes, serfs, and 
in the Dutch settlements they are not permitted even liberty on 
the sidewalks. Their standing in court is about that of a free 
negro in a Southern court before the war. Within the past ten 
years, however, the character of the population at Johannesburg 
and even in the gold mining region, has wholly changed. 

HOW GOLD MINES ARE WORKED. 

The gold mines are worked by elaborate mechanical processes, 
the mining is on deep levels, the work is rather akin to that of a 
highly skilled and scientific manufacture than the rough labor and 
hazardous adventure of surface gold mining. A population of 
engineers, highly skilled mechanics, surveyors and professional 
men gathered at Johannesburg, grew in number to over 50,000, 
though the right of suffrage in this city, the decision as to all sani- 
tary steps, the conduct of education, the adjustment of taxes and 
the discharge of police duty — all rested in about 500 policemen, 
brickmakers and other persons holding similar positions, who were 
Dutch burghers. 

This situation created the ground upon which Mr. Chamber- 
lain began his remonstrances with the Dutch Government in 1897. 
The Jameson raid led to an important English legal decision, declar- 
ing the Transvaal in British law to be a " friendly State." Mr. 
Chamberlain began his negotiations with the assertion on October 
16, 1897, that Great Britain was the suzerain of the South African 
Republic. This was the first direct assertion of this power since 
the signature of the convention in 1884, and in denying right 
under this basis to interfere the South African Republic made a 
demand for arbitration in order to determine the precise relations 
between the two countries. 

The numerous arguments between the tv/o powers on this issue 
summed themselves up in the declaration by the Transvaal that 



218 CAUSES FOR WAR MANY YEARS OLD. 

tlie object of tlie convention of 1884 was to remove suzerainty, and 
the declaration of Great Britain that, as its renunciation was not 
asserted in terms, it must be assumed that the original sovereignty 
which Great Britain possessed remained, was unfounded. The 
issue thus presented, which involves a long series of negotiations, 
of despatches, of public utterances and of signed instruments, is 
one of those controverted questions upon which no one would will- 
ingly predict the decision of an impartial court, and on which Great . 
Britain has refused arbitration and the Transvaal has sought war. 

AGREED IN ONLY ONE THING. 

All to which both contestants would agree was that the Trans- 
vaal enjoyed independence as to internal relations, and that Great 
Britain possessed powers in regard to the Transvaal by its right of 
veto upon the treaties of this republic, which removed the South 
African Republic from the category of the independent sovereign- 
ties. Beginning with the several States of the American Union, 
which are for foreign purposes completely incorporated in the gov- 
ernment of which they are part, and as to internal affairs " sovereign 
States " of limited powers, passing on to the States of the Germanic 
Confederation, which retain the privilege of foreign relation with- 
out the privilege of foreign action, reaching protected States, whose 
negotiations are from the start in the hands of a suzerain power, 
the Transvaal evidently stands in a position freer than such a 
State, as it has for many years, though under the protest of the 
Bnglish Colonial Of&ce, carried on negotiations at will, but has 
been unable to embody these in treaties without the consent of 
Great Britain. 

Shifting the position which he had originally taken, Mr. Cham- 
berlain began to base English demands upon the assertion : First, 
that the provision of the convention of 1884 guaranteed equal civil 
rights to aliens resident in the Transvaal, and that these rights 
were systematically withheld by the municipal Legislature of the 
Republic; and, second, that this reduced British subjects within 
the Transvaal to a condition in which the British Government would 
have a right to interfere, even if the position of the Transvaal were 



CAUSES FOR WAR MANY YEARS OI,D. 219 

that of a sovereign independent State, uncontrolled by Great 
Britain. 

The legal position of the Transvaal in claiming the right to 
govern its own affairs without English interference is regarded by 
many as a strong one. Its position in equity is less defensible. 
Somewhat less than one-third of the population of the Transvaal 
denied to a much larger white population permanently resident, 
owning property and paying taxes upon it, any vote in the levying 
of taxes and all share in municipal government. 

A rigid press law was in force, public meetings were prohib- 
ited, white men not Boers were denied the privilege of serving on 
juries ; no Roman Catholic or Jew was allowed to hold any office 
whatever, or to be enfranchised ; they might be expelled at any 
time from the Republic without a trial, on the mere order of the 
President, the use of English was prohibited in the only schools 
which their children could attend, paid for by their own taxes ; any 
representation in one branch of the Legislature was denied and the 
courts were made, by special legislation of a dubious constitutional 
validity, subject to the direct order of the Executive. 

ROBBED OP THEIR RIGHTS. 

No English-speaking white population in any part of the 
world, and that in the Transvaal numbers now nearly 80,000, would 
submit to such rule, and it was maintained at Johannesburg only 
by depriving all but Dutch burghers of arms and commanding the 
town with fortifications, whose guns are trained upon its dwellings. 
No such step has been taken in a civilized State since there was a 
Bourbon King at Naples. 

In demanding a revision of this injustice the British Govern- 
ment was undoubtedly within its rights. If a similar American 
State had grown up in Mexico and was similarly treated, the United 
States would undoubtedly act, first by remonstrance, and later by ; 
direct interference. 

This interference was also certain to lead to the subjugation 
of the Transvaal to the English vote. War came, therefore, because 
the Boers preferred war to the law of political supremacy. Political 



220 CAUSES FOR WAR MANY YEARS OLD. 

and civil . riglits tliey would have retained witli a majority British 
vote in the Transvaal. They have preferred war. 

One of our very prominent and influential journals makes the 
following statement concerning the merits of the controversy be- 
tween the Bnglish and Boers : 

"The outbreak of the war in South Africa is from many points 
of view greatly to be deplored. Such a conflict at some time, how- 
ever, between the progressive Anglo-Saxon and the reactionary 
Dutch elements could not be averted. It is only a matter of sur- 
prise to men acquainted with the history of South Africa and with 
the history of colonial movements in other parts of the world that 
this encounter between the races has been so long delayed. 

SETTLED ONLY BY THE SWORD. 

" It was in the nature of an irrepressible conflict between pro- 
gressive and unprogressive peoples, and, although the barbarity of 
a war has been postponed for a longer time than it could have been 
a hundred years ago, through the advance of civilization and the 
spread of humane sentiments, it seemed impossible in the end to 
suggest any method by which an amicable settlement could be 
arrived at. It is true that England may have displayed a rather 
unyielding spirit during the negotiations which preceded the 
present war. But it must be remembered that the Boers have been 
most obstinate on their side, giving nothing in the controversy, 
while the trouble is one of very long standing and diplomacy has 
failed to score anything throughout many years. 

" At the last moment, without any special provocation for the 
act, the Transvaal government issued an ultimatum to England 
making most extraordinary demands and giving her only a few 
hours in which to comply with them. Such a course, by such a 
people, at such a time, as against a power which claimed suzer- 
ainty over them is almost unheard of in the annals of ultimatums, 
especially when the nature of the demands are taken into con- 
sideration. 

" President Kruger, for instance, insisted that Great Britain 
should not land the troops which she then had on the high seas 



CAUSES FOR WAR MANY YEARS OLD. 221 

anywhere in SoutH Africa. No more absurd proposition ever was 
made to any power, large or small, that it should not disembark 
troops if it chose at its own ports. A porcupine that comes at you 
with its quills out in that fashion invites the overwhelming anni- 
hilation it will receive in due season. 

" We are told, of course, that there ought to be some place in 
the world for these Dutch peasants, who settled first in the Cape 
and were pushed farther and farther back by English colonists 
until they at last began the ' great trek ' up to the Orange Valley 
and the Transvaal. That is very likely true. No one wishes to 
deprive them of the place in the world to which their talents and 
capacities entitle them. They are a more or less good type of 
farmer of peasant antecedents. They are, however, simply unable 
or indisposed to keep up with the pace which has been set in South 
Africa. The English colonists have swept up around and into 
these Boer States. Instead of trying to mend their ways and 
admit the English and the Americans — for there are more than a 
few of our own country-people in the Transvaal — to an equality of 
rights and privileges, the Boers have stood out and resisted every 
movement in that direction. 

GREAT SUMS OF MONEY INVESTED. 

" Thousands of Outlanders, who have invested enormous sums 
of money there and made the country what it is, largely contribu- 
insf to the Boer Treasuries in taxes, have been treated with the 
most scant consideration, if not with insult, throughout a long 
period of years. The Dutchmen have maintained a virtual olig- 
archy, and whenever they are invited to reform their policy they 
resent the request as an unwarranted interference with their liberties, 
and have now declared a v^^ar on Great Britain because of her 
insistence that they should do so. 

"This is not a v.'ar of conquest which England is waging 
against a weak and oppressed people, so far as we can see. It 
must be remembered that South Africa is British to the core, and 
is inhabited almost altogether by people of Anglo-Saxon blood. 
Natal, which sticks its prong into the Boer country, and Rhodesia, 



222 CAUSES FOR WAR MANY YEARS OI.D. 

wliicli runs up behind it, are both British, not to speak of the 
millions of dollars' worth of good foreign money and British bone 
and sinew to look after it, that are actually inside the Transvaal. 
In Africa it is the story of the colonization of the North American 
continent over again. 

" Anglo-Saxon ascendency was a result in the natural course 
of things. It was a movement that nobody could resist. There is 
no man in whom Anglo-Saxon blood flows who could be expected 
to live happily under such a political dispensation as President 
Kruger's. It is unfortunate, of course, that some result agreeable 
to all the interests involved could not have been arrived at by arbi- 
tration. But when neither or only one party desires to arbitrate 
that system fails. England being now in the war, will give an 
account of herself that will bring hostilities to an early close. The 
result will be what the Boers might have better conceded long ago, 
and South Africa will be more than ever British, with an ' open 
door ' to the traders of all countries." 




CHAPTER XV. 

The Struggle for Equal Rights in the Transvaal. 

[The following chapter, containing a masterly statement of the controversy between 
the English and the Boers in South Africa, is from the gifted pen of Rev. Dr. Robert "Wilson, 
the well-known and eloquent divine of St. John, New Brunswick. In thus becoming one of 
the contributors to this volume, Dr. Wilson handles the whole subject of the war in a very 
clear and convincing manner, and what is here presented from his trenchant pen will be 
read with eager interest.] 

HBN a country has become, or is likely to become, the 
theatre of important changes, a very natural desire is 
awakened in the public mind to obtain reliable information 
concerning its history, position, resources and institutions, and the 
manners, customs and characteristics of its people. Of this there 
have been some striking illustrations, for the country has been 
flooded with books and magazine articles on Cuba, Porto Rico and 
the Philippine Islands. 

South Africa is at present " the observed of all observers," on 
account of the war between the British and the Boers, and many 
are inquiring into the causes of the quarrel. To furnish the required 
information is the purpose of the following pages, but to do this 
intelligently it is necessary to know something of the early history 
of the country. 

During the wars of Napoleon the First the Government of 
Holland, finding itself unable to prevent its falling into the hands 
of the French, transferred all its rights, title and interest in and 
to its South African possessions to Great Britain, and the cession 
was confirmed by the Treaty of Vienna. Although the flag of 
Holland floated over these regions for about a century and a half, 
not more than ten thousand Europeans, chiefly Dutch, had been 
induced to settle there. Under the new order of things a brighter 
era was inaugurated, representative institutions were introduced, 
the people were accorded larger liberties than had been previously 
enjoyed, and in process of time Cape Colony became self-governing 

223 



224 THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. 

The Britisli Government was specially considerate to tlie 
Diitcli, permitted tlie use of their language in the legislature, in 
the courts and in the public schools, and between Dutch and 
British no distinctions were allowed. And as new colonies were 
established the same liberal course was pursued, and the same 
rights and privileges granted eJike to all. The first real difficulty 
between the races grew out of the abolition of slavery. 

A number of Boers, unwilling to give up their slaves and 
dissatisfied with the compensation offered, retired from Cape 
Colony, taking with them their various belongings, and settled 
in an unoccupied region in what is now known as the province of 
Natal. Like the Mormons who settled at Salt Lake, they sought 
to place themselves beyond the reach of modern civilization, and 
carry out their obsolete ideas without let or hindrance. 

THE BOERS MOVE AGAIN. 

But their cruelty to the natives was such that, in the interests 
of humanit}'', the British authorities had to interfere. A province 
was organized, law courts were established, and the necessary 
measures were adopted for the protection of life and propert3^ 
This was just what the Boers did not desire, and again they 
decided to seek fresh pastures and new fields in which to work 
out their peculiar social and political views. The region chosen 
lay beyond the Vaal and Orange rivers, and the exodus is usuall}'' 
referred to as the great trek. 

Whether the territory in question did or did not belong to 
Great Britain by the terms of the treaty already spoken of, or to 
the native races, is a question not necessary to be discussed here ; 
but, as the Boers did not obtain it by purchase, or by cession from 
one tribe for assistance rendered against another, they were simply 
adventurers and squatters, without the shadow of a claim to the 
lands of v/hich the}^ had thus possessed themselves. 

They organized a government under the name and style of the 
South African Republic, which in 1852 was formally recognized by 
Great Britain in what is known as the Land River Convention, 
subject, however, to certain limitations and restrictions. For a 



THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. 225 

quarter of century it liad a precarious existence, for the people 
were unwilling to bear tlie burdens inseparable from statehood. 
The regular laws and ordinances were disregarded, taxes were 
uncollected, the treasury was exhausted, the public credit was 
gone, and their cruelty to the natives had arrayed against them the 
Kaf&rs and Zulus. Humanly speaking, their extermination seemed 
to be inevitable. 

In their day of danger they sought and secured British pro- 
tection, and by their own act and deed became the subjects of the 
British Queen. They were thus saved from destruction, the en- 
raged native forces were driven back, peace was established, a few 
British troops were stationed in the country for police purposes, 
and the outlook was quite encouraging. 

BRITISH BADLY DEFEATED. 

But Paul Kruger and a few others who had opposed the an- 
nexation began immediately to agitate for repeal. In this he suc- 
ceeded all too well. A provisional government was formed, and in 
December, 1880, the independence of the South African Republic 
was again proclaimed. The Boers rose en masse^ the British troops, 
few and far between, were utterly unprepared to meet the emer- 
gency, and were compelled to succumb to overwhelming numbers. 
Several fierce engagements took place in which they were badly 
beaten. 

The most disastrous of these was one led by Sir George Colley 
at Majuba Hill, ninety-seven officers and men being killed, and 
two hundred wounded or taken prisoners. That humiliating defeat 
has rankled in the hearts of Britons during all the intervening 
years, and the desire of many a soldier has been the opportunity to 
retrieve the loss and to wipe out the disgrace. Certain events can 
never be recalled without arousing in the patriotic heart the deter- 
mination to die if need be to vindicate the national honor, and 
among these may be fairly classed the destruction of the Maine 
and the battle of Majuba Hill. 

Contrary to the advice of the British leaders in South Africa, 
who feared the effect upon the Boer and native mind of a peace 

15 



226 THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. 

concluded in tlie face of defeat, Mr. Gladstone, wlio was then the 
British premier, entered into negotiation with the exultant victors, 
the issue of which was the recognition of the South African Re- 
public as at least a semi-independent power. 

Experience has shown that however good were his intentions 
Mr. Gladstone made a great mistake, for out of this have grown 
all the troubles of the present. This is not the view taken merely 
by his political opponents, but also by many who were his warmest 
supporters. Lord Roseberry, who succeeded Mr. Gladstone in the 
leadership of the Liberal Party, thus expresses himself: 

PO\A/^ER OF GREAT BRITAIN. 

" Mr. Gladstone had an overpowering conviction of the might 
and power of England. He thought that Great Britain could 
afford to do things, owing to that overpowering might and dominion, 
which other nations could not afford to do without a risk of misun- 
derstanding. And for that reason he endeavored, after what was 
undoubtedly a reverse, to treat with the Boers as if no such reverse 
had taken place. 

" I cannot help looking back to it now and remembering how 
completely the fears I felt at that time have been realized in the 
result. So far from the Boers taking the magnanimity as it was 
intended, they regarded it as a proof of weakness on which they 
could encroach. And it was with a deliberate and constant encroach- 
ment on the terms of the settlement that the Boers rewarded the 
sublime magnanimity of Mr. Gladstone." 

But even Mr. Gladstone did not grant the Boers the full status 
of a nation, for the convention between Great Britain and the 
Transvaal in 1881, states in the preamble that " complete self- 
government, subject to the suzerainty of Her Majesty, her heirs, 
and successors, will be accorded to the inhabitants of the Transvaal 
territory." 

This treaty was revised in 1884, and in the revised document 
there is no mention of the phrase, " the suzerainty of Her Majesty," 
but that " suzerainty " was not relinquished is clearly stated in 
Article IV of the Treaty in the words : " The South African Re- 



THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. 227 

public will conclude no treaty or engagement with any state or 
nation, other than the Orange Free State, nor with any native tribe 
to the eastward or westward of the Republic, until the same has 
been approved by Her Majesty the Queen." 

By Article II of the said treaty the Boers were strictly con- 
fined to their own territory, the precise words being : " The govern- 
ment of the South African Republic will strictly adhere to the 
boundaries defined in the first article of this convention, and will 
do its utmost to prevent any of its inhabitants from making any 
encroachments upon lands beyond the said boundaries. The gov- 
ernment of the South African Republic will appoint commissioners, 
whose duty will be strictly to guard against irregularities and all 
trespassing beyond the boundaries. And Her Majesty's Govern- 
ment will, if necessary, appoint commissioners in the native terri- 
tories outside the eastern and western borders of the South African 
Republic to maintain order and prevent encroachments." 

EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL. 

But other things were agreed upon between the governments 
concerned, which may be classed under the general head of equal 
rights to all the white inhabitants of the country, irrespective of 
race or creed, together with the protection of, and justice to, the 
native tribes. Hon. David Mills, the Canadian Minister of Justice, 
in a speech delivered in the Senate during the last session, thus 
summarizes the manner in which the terms of the treaty have been 
disregarded by the Boers: "As long," says Mr. Mills, "as the 
Transvaal Government felt that they were not secure against the 
native population they did not wish to quarrel with the British, but 
when they felt that all danger from the natives was a thing of the 
past they began to impose disabilities upon the Outlanders. 

" They disregarded the state boundaries, drove back the natives 
on the west, made war on those tribes, and undertook to extend 
their authority beyond the boundaries stipulated for in the conven- 
tion. Taxation became oppressive, for every man, woman, and 
child of the Outlander population had to pay an average tax of 
some eighty dollars. 



228 THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. 

" Their government lias been cliaracterized by personal out- 
rages, by pecuniary wrongs, by political disabilities, and by 
insecurity for life, reputation, and property. While the Outlanders 
constitute the majority of the white population and pay nineteen- 
twentieths of the taxes, not one dollar of that money goes towards 
the education of their own children in their own language." 

The disabilities to which the Outlanders have been subjected 
are thus spoken of by a New York journal : 

" The constitution and laws of the Transvaal forbid any 
Catholic to share in the law-making for the country. Kngland 
demands that this discrimination against Catholics cease. 

'' The Transvaal laws forbid any Jew to share the law making 
power. England demands that this discrimination against the 
Jews cease. 

" There are two hundred and sixty thousand whites in the so- 
called Roer Republic, but only sixty thousand are Boers. The 
Boers declare that they are " merely asking the right to live." 
What they really ask is the right of six men to tyrannize over 
twenty, of sixty thousand to rule two hundred thousand, and rule 
them unjustly. The Boer attitude is not a demand for freedom ; it 
is strictly an attitude of denying freedom to others. 

AN AUTOCRAT FOR PRESIDENT. 

" Kruger has been an absolute ruler there for seventeen years. 
All power is in his hands, and that of a council of seven. They 
can and do ignore the laws and orders of even the Upper House of 
Representatives. The land of the Boers is no Republic. It is a 
mediaeval Dutch settlement, as great an anachronism as any in 
existence. This is the question at issue in the Transvaal." 

Equally strong were the words of the Rev. Dr. Edgar, in a 
sermon recently delivered by him in Saint Andrew's Church, 
Montreal : " The history of the Boer in South Africa is to be written 
in blood and tears. He has done nothing for the native races but 
heap upon them insult, cruelty and wrong. 

" Forty years ago. Dr. Livingstone, who had spent many years 
among the Boers and native races, condemned in the very strongest 



THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. 229 

terms the treatment of the natives by their Dutch oppressors. Here 
are some of the charges he makes against them : ' Though they 
were the immigrants, who had seized the country, they treated the 
natives as though they were the aggressors. They compelled them 
to work for them without reward, in consideration of allowing them 
to live in their own country. To supply the lack of field and 
domestic labor they shot down men and women in cold blood and 
stole their children to make slaves of them. While claiming to be 
Christians they treated the colored race as black property, as crea- 
tures of less real value commercially than their own. They justified 
this outrageous injustice, claiming, that being the chosen people of 
God, the heathen were given to them for an inheritance and that 
they were the rod of divine vengeance on the heathen, as were the 
Jews of old.' 

WORDS OF A TRUSTWORTHY HISTORIAN. 

" These are the words of one who knew whereof he spoke, and 
he is a trustworty historian. Forced labor, kidnapping children, 
massacre of inoffensive men and women, absolute denial of the 
rights of human beings — these are the crimes which an eye-witness 
lays at the door of the ancestors of the Boers of the Transvaal. 
The experience of British subjects from the descendants of Living- 
stone's contemporaries within the last twenty years has not been a 
whit lesss oppressive, the changed circumstances being considered. 
Cruelty to the native races and injustice to the whites, go naturally 
hand in hand. If the Boers could do it, neither would have any 
rights, and the future of South Africa would be in the hands of as 
cruel, selfish and superstitious set of despots as modern history 
reveals. Verily the children are filling the measure of their father's 
iniquities." 

Such a condition of things could not possibly be continued in 
this enlightened age, and the problem would have been solved with- 
out the bullet if the ballot had been allowed. But that was a 
weapon the Boer refused the use of to the Outlander, for while 
every Dutch lad of sixteen years of age was a voter, all others had 
to wait for years before they could obtain the rights of citizenship. 



230 THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. 

Owing to the gold discoveries a new order of things had been 
brought about with which the Boers were unable to deal. Men of 
broader minds and more liberal principles would have pursued a 
different course, but they elected to act otherwise. 

They hated the newcomers, were alarmed at their growing 
influence, and undertook the hopeless task of shutting out the 
rising tide of civilization and progress. In the words of the 
London Spectator^ " their administration of the Transvaal was 
arbitrary, narrow-minded, corrupt, and towards the great foreign 
population conspicuously unfair." 

APPEALS WERE DISREGARDED. 

The Outlanders sought redress as redress is usually sought, 
but their appeals were not only unheeded, but the burdens of which 
they complained grev/ heavier and heavier as the years went by. 
Exasperated at the manner in which they were treated, they entered 
into negotiation with their sympathyzers in the adjoining provinces, 
and out of this came the unsuccessful Jameson Raid. 

All that need be said here is that it was not the cause of the 
Outlanders' troubles, but only an incident of it ; but whatever it was 
the British Government repudiated all connection with it. In a 
lengthy despatch from Mr. Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the 
Colonies, under date of February 4, 1896, and addressed to the 
British High Commissioner for South Africa, after going over the 
several causes of discontent and unrest in the Transvaal, he thus 
sums up the situation : 

" The political situation is an anomalous one. The newcomers 
are men who were accustomed to the fullest exercise of political 
rights. In other communities where immigration has played an 
important part in building up the population, it has been the policy 
of the legislature to make liberal provision for admitting all new- 
comers who desire naturalization, after a comparatively brief period 
of probation, to the rights and duties of citizenship — a policy which 
has been fully justified by the event, for experience shows that the 
naturalized alien soon vies with, if he does not outstrip, the natural- 
born citizen in the fervor of his patriotism. 



THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. 231 

" In the Soutli African Republic different counsels Have pre- 
vailed ; for whereas in 1882 an Outlander could obtain full rights 
of citizenship after a residence of five years, he can never hope to 
obtain these rights in full, and their partial enjoyment is only con- 
ceded after a term of probation so prolonged as to amount, for most 
men, to a practical denial of the claim. If he omits to obtain any 
kind of naturalization for himself, his children, though born on the 
soil, remain aliens like himself. 

^'The South African Republic, as regards its external rela- 
tions, is subject to the control of this country, in accordance with 
the provisions of Article IV of the Convention of 1884, and Her 
Majesty's Government intend to maintain them in their integrity. 
As regards the internal affairs of the Republic, I may observe that, 
independently of any rights of intervention in particular matters 
which may arise out of the articles of the convention, Great Britain 
is justified, in the interests of South Africa as a whole, as well as 
of the peace and stability of the South African Republic, in ten- 
dering its friendly counsels as regards the newcomers, who are 
mainly British subjects." 

TRIED TO STOP THE RAID. 

In reference to the Raid, Mr. Chamberlain says : "As soon as 
the Raid became known, every possible effort was made by the 
British authorities to stay Dr. Jameson's advance ; a fast messenger 
was sent to warn him and his ofl&cers of the position in which they 
had placed themselves, and to direct their immediate return, and 
proclamations were issued in which Her Majesty enjoined her sub- 
jects in the South African Republic to abstain from aiding or coun- 
tenancing Dr. Jameson or his force." 

How long the resources of diplomacy would have been em- 
ployed in the effort to secure the redress of the grievances com- 
plained of it is impossible to say, for these were brought to a sudden 
and unexpected termination by President Kruger's ultimatum, 
which made demands that no self-respecting government could even 
discuss. 

These demands were that the questions in dispute should be 



232 THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. 

submitted to arbitration; tbat no more British troops be sent to 
Soutb Africa ; that those on the way thither should not be allowed 
to land ; that during the period of negotiation there should be no 
strengthening of the frontier, and that compliance with these 
demands be consented to within forty-eight hours. In the face of 
such arrogant and unprecedented demands, however averse she was 
to war, Great Britain had to meet the issue. 

That war was not sought by Britain cannot be doubted by any 
one who intelligently considers the whole situation. War deranges 
business, interferes with trade, increases the burdens of the people, 
and carries misery and woe into thousands of homes. Lord Salis- 
bury is a man of peace, and by his firm but genial style of diplomacy 
has more than once averted war where a less judicious but more 
bellicose minister would have failed. 

GREAT PATIENCE AND FORBEARANCE. 

Bven Mr. Chamberlain, who has been called the fighting man 
of the Cabinet, has shown wonderful patience and forbearance 
during the years in which he had to deal with the Boers. And the 
world has no need to be told that Queen Victoria has never con- 
sented to war until peace had been rendered impossible, and this 
has been strikingly shown in the present case. 

In an address delivered. Lord Landsdowne, the Secretary for 
War, speaking in the name and on behalf of the government, thus 
presented the case : 

" We are engaged in a serious enterprise ; we are face to face 
with the terrible realities of war — realities which have been brought 
home to us by important events. The government which would 
face them without the support of the people of this country would 
be indeed an object for pity. We believe that we have that support; 
we have spared no pains to carry the country with us and to con- 
vince it at each step of the necessity of what we were doing. 

" There have been no secrets and no reticences ; we have, indeed, 
been reproached with not being reticent enough. I think the answer 
to that is — that unless we had taken the public into our confidence, 
our people would have failed amid the tangle of these diplomatic 



THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. . 233 

controversies to detect tHe real issues that are at stake. They have 
found out what those issues are. They no longer ask what we are 
fighting about. They know, of course, that we are fighting, in the 
first place, because we have been attacked. But they know, too, 
that we were attacked because the Queen's Government showed its 
determination to protect the Queen's subjects in South Africa, and 
to insist that the future of South Africa should be moulded upon 
the British and not upon the Boer model. 

NOT FIGHTING FOR MERE FORMS. 

"If we keep these broad issues steadily before our minds, all 
disputes about the existence of the suzerainty, or the meaning of 
the word, all the microscopic scrutiny of the wording of documents, 
becomes academical. We are fighting, not about words, but about 
things — about the substance and not the form. It is the substance 
which we mean to retain. It is the substance of which the South 
African Republic has shown its determination to get rid, not only 
by the manner in which it has conducted these negotiations, but 
by the extravagant military preparations which it has been making 
during the last few years. 

" When we are told that we have been wanting in patience or 
in consideration, I am inclined to answer that if we are open to 
reproach it is not for having been wanting in patience, but for 
having tolerated too patiently in the midst of our flourishing and 
contented colonies the hostile preparations of a State which, during 
the last four or five years, has been arming itself to the teeth with 
the newest and most destructive implements of war, and drilling 
its troops with the aid of foreign instructors for the scarcely con- 
cealed purpose of driving us out of South Africa. It is in order 
that we may not lose the substance that we are putting into the 
field in South Africa the largest force which has ever left the shores 
of this island." 

It is because of these broad issues that the people of the 
United States sympathize so generally with Great Britain in the 
present struggle, and why so many of the leading organs of public 
opinion have so warmly espoused her side of the quarrel. This 



234 THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. 

kindly feeling may be attributed in part to affinities of language, 
race, and political institutions, and in part to Britain's firm and 
friendly attitude during the late war witb Spain, but tbe great 
reason is that her cause is felt to be a just one, and that she stands 
for the defence of the oppressed, for the enfranchisement of the 
down-trodden, and for the advancement of libert}^, progress, and 
civilization. 

The following from The New York Independent very forcibly 
voices this feeling : " The present crisis cannot be dissociated from 
the whole history of Boer rule in South Africa. It commenced 
with a brutal treatment of the natives unequalled in the relations 
of civilized and uncivilized peoples. As fast as they found the 
freedom for such treatment abridged, they mthdrew from one place 
to another until they established themselves in the Transvaal. 
Still the same spirit dominated them, and they were in perpetual 
strife. 

" When they found that British rule was closing in around 
them they commenced a series of negotiations with other European 
powers, hoping thus to secure a counteri-nfluence in their behalf 
Then came intrigues among their kinsmen in the Free State and 
Cape Colony, and the assertion that Boer funds supplied the 
treasury of the Africander party is generally credited. 

ABSOLUTE DENIAL OF JUSTICE. 

" During all this time not once has the Transvaal Government 
manifested any desire to do what the rest of the world has consid- 
ered to be justice. It has made promise after promise, then with- 
drawn, then advanced counter-propositions until it seemed impossible 
to know just what the situation was. 

" Sir Alfred Milner has shown a patience, as well as firmness, 
deserving of all praise. He has been well supported, too, by Mr. 
Chamberlain, who has kept in close line with Lord Salisbury. All 
have realized that such a war as would follow would be terrible, 
both in loss of life and in general disaster. They realize also that 
there are things worse than war, and that to permit the development 
of so reactionary a power as the Transvaal has shown itself to be. 



THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. 235 

means permanent injury to the whole of South Africa. Therefore, 
that country must not be a continuous festering spot to the peace 
of the entire continent." 

The reasons which induced President Kruger to precipitate this 
conflict are at least suggested in the foregoing quotation. He must 
have known, he did know, that however brave and determined his 
people were, and however well prepared for war they might be, and 
that whatever successes they might win in the earlier stages of the 
contest, defeat would be inevitable. It seems incredible that he 
should have entered upon so unequal a struggle without assurances 
of outside support, for it would not only mean his own personal 
overthrow, but also the loss of whatever measure of independence 
his people had enjoyed, for war annuls all treaties and abrogates all 
conventions. 

COUNTING ON SYMPATHY OF THE BOERS. 

As there has always been a discontented class among the Dutch 
in South Africa, he probably counted upon their practical sympathy 
and co-operation in the event of trouble. That sympathy they had 
rather effusively exhibited on various occasions, and under circum- 
stances which left no room to doubt as to what they would do if the 
opportunity were afforded. He may have expected something from 
the evident unwillingness of the British people to have recourse to 
extreme measures. 

But if so, he has been disappointed, for seldom, if ever, has the 
nation given a government such united and hearty support as is 
now being given to the government. And that support is not 
confined to the Motherland, for from Australia, from New Zealand, 
from India, and from the Dominion of Canada, thousands of brave 
and brawny men have voluntarily enrolled themselves under the 
common flag, and have thus proclaimed the unity and solidarity of 
the Empire. 

But his great hope undoubtedly was in the intervention of 
some of the European powers, and in view of the somewhat strained 
relations between them and Great Britain the hope was not an 
unreasonable one. Russia's advance toward the Indian frontier has 



236 THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. 

been continuous and steady, and especially since the Crimean War, 
when she was made to understand she could not possess herself of 
Constantinople. That advance has been watched with the keenest 
interest in Great Britain, and it is the all but universal opinion 
that a collision between these two powers must take place at no 
distant day. 

Anything, therefore, that would engage her and require her 
forces elsewhere would afford Russia an opportunity to seize 
Persia, and perhaps establish herself in Afghanistan. But famine 
and lack of funds have rendered this an inopportune time, and help 
is not likely to come from that quarter. 

NURSING HER WRATH. 

France, checkmated in Bgypt, humiliated at Fashoda, and 
denounced by the pulpit and press of Britain for the way in which 
Dreyfus was dealt with, would gladly have assailed her neighbor 
across the channel if she could have secured an ally ; but failing 
in this, and concluding that prudence in such a case was the better 
part of valor, is contenting herself with merely " nursing her wrath 
to keep it warm." 

The press of Holland may be ultra-Boer in feeling, and the 
rabble may shout, " Down with England !" but the government of 
that country realizes that Holland exists as an independent power 
because Britain has bound herself by treaty to see that that inde- 
pendence is maintained. Therefore the Dutch in Burope can 
furnish no substantial aid. The attitude of the German Kmperor 
at the time of the Jameson Raid may have led Mr. Kruger to look 
for something practical from the Fatherland, but the hope has not 
been realized ; the expectation has been but a dream, for Emperor 
William has suddenly developed a strong affection for his august 
grandmother and her people, and has warned his subjects to main- 
tain the strictest neutrality. 

Even republican America, as shown in the preceding pages, 
withholds her sympathy, believing him to be the champion of a 
cause that is bad in itself, and must end in failure. His only ally, 
therefore, is the Orange Free State. 



THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. 237 

Intervention, therefore, is not to be thought of, and the British 
and the Boer will have to fight it out themselves. This is very clearly 
indicated in Lord Salisbury's speech at the Guildhall Banquet on 
November 9th. In words of weighty import — words uttered with the 
calmness of conscious strength, and which suggest much more than 
they say — he thus defines the situation : 

" I have seen it suggested, and it seems to me a wild sugges- 
tion, that the other powers will interfere with this country, and 
in some way or other dictate to those who are concerned in it as to 
what the upshot should be. Don't let any man think it is in that 
fashion the conflict will be concluded. We shall have to carry it 
through ourselves, and the interference of anybody else will have 
no effect upon it. 

INTERVENTION NEED NOT BE FEARED. 

" In the first place, because we would not accept that inter- 
ference, and, in the second place, because we are convinced there is 
no such idea in the mind of any government in the world. Within 
my recollection, there have been five or six great wars, involving 
in their close great territorial modifications ; but, except as provided 
for by treaties, and except in the case of treaties, in none of these 
wars has a third party ventured to interfere between the combatants." 

As to what was to come after the war. Lord Salisbury would 
only say : " What we desire is equal rights for all men of all races, 
and security for our fellow-subjects and our Bmpire." By what 
means this aim is to be worked out he left for events to determine. 

" Whenever we are victorious," said his lordship, " we shall 
consult the vast interests committed to our care. Vast duties lie 
upon us to perform ; and, taking counsel of the uniform traditions 
of colonial government and of the moderation and equal justice to 
all races of men which it has been our uniform practice to observe, 
I do not doubt we shall so arrange that the issue of this conflict 
will confer good government on the area where it rages, and give 
the security, sorely needed, against the recurrence of any such 
dangers and the necessity of any such future exertion for the 
restoration of peace and civilization to that portion of the world." 




0^ 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Gallant Canadian Troops Off for the War. 

^N October 25, 1899, the Governor-General of Canada received 
at Ottawa this cablegram from the Sovereign of England : 
" Her Majesty the Queen desires to thank the people of her 
Dominion of Canada for their striking manifestation of loyalty 
and patriotism in their voluntary offer to send troops to co-operate 
with Her Majesty's imperial forces in maintaining her position and 
the rights of British subjects in South Africa. She wishes the 
troops Godspeed and a safe return." 

This city's contingent for the Transvaal left the same evening 
for Quebec. Ten thousand people assembled at the armory to bid 
them farewell, and escorted them to the station. Dispatches from 
Montreal and Toronto stated that the departure of the local con- 
tingents for Quebec evoked great enthusiasm. Thus Canada 
promptly took up the cause of the mother country. Throughout 
the Dominion there were rousing demonstrations of loyalty, and 
the call for troops to join the imperial army in South Africa met 
with a quick and hearty response. 

An unparalleled scene of enthusiasm attended the departure 
of the Canadian contingent from London for the seat of war. In 
the march from Victoria Park to the Grand Trunk station, the 
departing troops had the appearance of a thin red line, piercing a 
black mass of people, who surged from curb to curb, cheering and 
waving hats and handkerchiefs. It was a roaring, cheering, tumult- 
uous crowd, with here and there touches of sadness in the faces of 
those who were bidding good-bye to near and dear ones. There 
were even some bonnets among the helmets ; mothers and sisters, 
who walked in the ranks, so as to be with their boys and their 
brothers every precious moment of the time. Over all shone a 
brilliant sun, as if shedding a benediction on the departing heroes. 

At the barracks before the contingeut took up the line of march 

238 



GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. 239 

for the station a sword was presented to Major Duncan Stuart. In 
handing the gift to the Major, Alderman Graham said: " On behalf 
of the citizens of London, I take great pleasure in presenting you 
with this sword. May you wear it to the glory of your country 
and your Queen in the cause you are going to defend." Loud 
applause followed. 

Major Stuart made a graceful reply. He was grateful for the 
honor done him. He would do the best he could to deserve it. 
'' The men of B Company will do their part," he said. " Of that I 
am convinced. It only remains with me to do mine, which I will 
endeavor to do." The Major was heartily applauded. 

PRIDE AND HOPE OF THEIR COUNTRY. 

Subsequently B Company was again drawn up on the square 
at Wolseley Barracks and Canon Dann addressed them as follows : 

" We are all proud of you. We have every hope that you 
will do credit to your country. When an enemy thinks to quell 
the stubborn hearts of oak, and to chain with chains and bind with 
bands the sons of Britain, he must be taught by force to learn 
humility — like those men of Succoth, whom Gideon in the days of 
old schooled with briars and the thorns of the wilderness. What 
made your forefathers great soldiers will make you the same. 
Trust in God, and faithfulness to duty. Do your duty earnestly, 
scrupulously, and to the uttermost. The path of duty is the path 
of glory. Never be untrue to yourselves, to your Queen or to your 
God. If you have to fight, fight, knowing that God's eye is upon 
you. Be magnanimous in all your actions. Never strike an 
unnecessary blow. So that when all is over you will have the 
approving voice of your Master, ' Well done, good and faithful 
servants!' We wish you God-speed, a happy voyage, a brilliant 
campaign, and a safe return." 

With touching solemnity. Canon Dann then offered this prayer: 
" O Eternal God, be pleased to receive in Thy Almighty protection 
the persons of these Thy servants, about to proceed to South Africa 
in defense of our Most Gracious Sovereign Lad}^ Queen Victoria, 
and of her dominions. Preserve them from the perils of travel, 



240 GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. 

whether by land or sea. Give to tliem true courage and endurance. 
Protect tliem from the violence of the enemy., And be Thou ever 
their defense and ready helper, that they may return again in safety 
to enjoy the blessings of Thy goodness, with a thankful remem- 
brance of Thy mercies to ever praise and glorify Thy Holy Name, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." 

Mayor Wilson addressed the company, expressing the pride 
the city felt in her brave sons and wishing them, not only a brilliant 
career in South Africa, but a safe return to their home and friends. 

When the volunteers arrived at the station the crowd massed 
on the platform was tremendous. Way was made for the South 
African contingent, who marched into position alongside their 
special train. Then the crowd closed in on the ranks, and people 
in the rear crushed forward for a last word with their friends. 
Several women fainted, but no serious accident occurred. Progress 
along the platform was impossible for several minutes. Sir Wilfrid 
Laurier, premier of Canada, appeared on the platform of one of the 
special cars, and cheer after cheer rent the air. 

ADDRESS FROM THE PREMIER OF CANADA. 

" Members of the South African contingent," he said, " I have 
only one word to say, and it is not even necessary to say that. 
That is, that we look to you to do your duty. You are going to 
South Africa to give the people of that country the same liberty 
which you here enjoy. May you do credit to your country." The 
speech was greeted with loud cheers. 

The train was profusely decorated. The cars were covered 
with gaily-colored bunting, with flags and mottoes. The colors 
were all red, white and blue. The banners extended the whole 
length of the car, and in large letters had printed on them the 
words " From London to South Africa," " B Company, Transvaal 
Contingent," "For the Empire," and "No. i Military District." 
One of each banner was on each side of the car. The train con- 
sisted of a baggage and three passengers cars. The latter were 
the best and most comfortable that are on the road. 

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COLONEL OTTER 

COMMANDER OF THE CANADIAN CONTINGENT 




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HOW THE BLUE JACKETS SHELLED THE BOERS AT LADYSMITH 




BRITISH GARRISON OBEYING ORDER, "STAND TO ARMS, 




BOER PRISONERS ON THE WAY TO PIETERMARlTZy URG, 
CAPITAL OF NATAL 



GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. 241 

out was like the roll of thunder, and completely drowned the 
strains of " God Save the Queen " by the band. Hats were thrown 
in the air, and handkerchiefs were waved on all sides. Kvery 
person was wildly enthusiastic as they shouted a last good-bye to 
the soldier boys. Many of the ladies in the crowd carried small 
Union Jacks, and waved them above their heads. The cheering 
continued until the train had passed from view. 

The decorations in many parts of the city were very elaborate, 
especially in the business portion. Huge Union Jacks hung across 
the streets in many places, and the stores and wholesale houses 
were gaily decorated with flags and bunting. Many private resi- 
dences were also tastily decorated with myriads of miniature flags. 

GREAT POPULAR DEMONSTRATION. 

The Toronto and London companies of the South African 
regiment were given an enthusiastic farewell at the former city, 
October 25th. Tens of thousands thronged the streets to see the 
soldiers depart. They were presented at the armories with purses 
of gold on behalf of the city, and silver match-safes inscribed with 
the motto, " What we have, we'll hold," referring, of course, to the 
Empire. The of&cers were presented with expensive field-glasses. 
A committee of citizens has arranged for life insurance on each, 
and loaded them with all sorts of things and reading matter to 
make the ocean voyage more comfortable. 

The South African contingent paraded the principal streets, 
accompanied by four volunteer corps, each with a brass band. The 
Mayor and aldermen, veteran soldiers, boys' brigades, and thou- 
sands of public school lads carrying wooden guns, followed by the 
students of Toronto University and various city colleges, who sang, 
to the tune of '' Sweet Bye-and-Bye," a refrain, '' There's a Place 
Where the Boers Ought to Go." Half a holiday was given at the 
schools, and most of the city warehouses were closed to let the 
citizens join in giving the soldiers a hearty send-off. 

No such military ardor as that shown at Toronto had been 
manifested since the Fenian raid in 1866. A prominent journal 
commented on the event of the day as follows : 

16 



242 GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. 

" The starting of the Canadian contingent marks an epoch in 
the history of the world. No such a thing is recorded in history as 
that colonists should journey for more than a month and cover 
almost half a circuit of the world in order to fight for the rights of 
their fellow-citizens thousands of miles away. It is a grand 
climax of Imperial unity, and Canada, with other portions of the 
Empire, has come forward to join in the demonstration of it to the 
world." Other journals were filled with similar comments. 

AN OVATION FOR COLONEL OTTER. 

A farewell, in some respects more inspiring and enthusiastic 
than that which the Toronto company carried away with them in 
the afternoon, was the lot of Lieutenant-Colonel Otter, who left for 
the east in the evening. The Colonel arrived at the station shortly 
after nine o'clock. He was accompanied by his staff, and proceeded 
directly to his car, the last coach on the Grand Trunk express. 
Then the Queen's Own Rifles marched into the huge waiting-room 
and down to the tracks, forming in companies along the north wall 
and behind the crowds on the platform. It was hard for them to 
maintain their positions, but maintain them they did, and sang 
while their old Colonel, who almost began his militia life under 
their colors, shook hands with them and returned the farewells of 
the people who pressed about his car. The coach moved slowly 
out, and Colonel Otter climbed on the rear steps, where, while the 
great crowd cheered and the bands played, he stood with bowed 
head until he was lost from view. 

" The men are of magnificent physique," said one of the public 
journals, " and the company is largely composed of business men. 
The case of Private J. F. Ramsey is typical of many. He was a 
Captain of the Highlanders and is a member of the Ramsay-Cowan 
Company, a big manufacturing concern of this city. He was the 
western manager, and was in Utah when the call for volunteers 
came. He travelled home post haste, found there was no opening 
as an of&cer and he promptly enlisted as a private. His father is a 
very wealthy man and a director of U .uperial Bank. Another 
private is a master at Upper Canada College. Several others are 



GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. * 243 

promising business men and officers who threw up their commissions 
to go in as privates." 

In commenting on the departure of the troops one of the news- 
papers said: "During the past week, the various companies that 
will comprise the Canadian contingent to the Transvaal have been 
converging from all parts of the Dominion to the place of rendezvous 
at Quebec, where they will embark in the steamship Sardinian, for 
South Africa. The gallant soldier-boys have received hearty ' send- 
offs ' from their various towns people, the good wishes being in 
many cases coupled with handsome presents and useful articles for 
the men who go forth in defence of the flag. 

"FIGHT AS GOOD CANADIANS." 

" The Montreal company left on schedule time. Before the men 
were marched out of the Drill Hall, Lieut.-Col, Gordon addressed 
them, pointing out the seriousness and responsibility of the step 
they had undertaken. ' Canada is sending you forth,' he said, ' to 
fight the battles of the Empire on a foreign field ! Be a credit to 
your country; uphold her honor and traditions, and not let it be 
said of the Canadian contingent that they shirked their duty in any 
respect. Be men and soldiers. If needs be, fight as good Canadians, 
and bring glory to the flag. Canada will watch you ; Montreal 
will watch you. May you have a safe voyage and may you all 
return. I wish you God-speed from the bottom of my heart.' 

" At the close of his remarks Col. Gordon called for three cheers 
for the men, and these were given with a will, and a tiger was added 
by those present. Cheers for the Queen and Empire followed, the 
audience waxing enthusiastic. 

"When the procession reached Bonaventure station it was 
greeted with a solid mass of humanity, who had gathered to see the 
'boys' off. The company found some difficulty in getting through 
the crowd, and the scenes they passed through were most affecting, 
mothers, sisters, and sweethearts clinging to the loved ones to the 
last, while fathers, brothers, and friends held their hands and 
wished them God-speed. Soon, however, all were aboard the train. 
There were faces at every window, smiling faces, too. The train 



244 GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. 

moved, but very slowl}^ at first. Not a sound of the ringing of a 
bell nor ttie puffing of a locomotive could be heard. There was a 
great buzzing sound, and the noise of many voices. Some of the 
boys leaned out of the car windows, and grasped the hands of friends 
as the}^ passed. There was a waving of handkerchiefs, and ' God 
bless you' from the ladies. As the train increased in speed a mighty 
thrill of enthusiastic loyalty went through the crowd. 

" One b}^ one the carriages rolled past. On the rear platform 
stood a magnificent specimen of a Canadian soldier. His face glowed 
and he took off his cap and waved it to the cheering spectators. On 
a little stick at the rear of the train flapped cheerily a flag ; its color 
was not white. 

" Britain's drum-beat in South Africa had been heard in far-off 
Canada, and Montreal's sons were on the way to the front. A 
number of the western companies passed through Montreal on their 
way to Quebec, and all were given enthusiastic greetings and hearty 
send-offs by a crowd numbering many thousands." 

QUEBEC STIRRED WITH ENTHUSIASM. 

The Canadian contingent left for the seat of war under com- 
mand of Lieut.-Colonel Otter, of Toronto, with Lieut.-Colonel Buchan 
as second in command, and Captain McDougall as adjutant. The 
staff included Lieut.-Colonel Drury, Captain Forrester, Captain 
Macdonnell and others well known in St. John. 

From published reports it would seem that all Quebec turned 
out on the evening of October aSth to honor the gallant sons of 
Canada who were going to take their share in fighting the battles of 
the Empire. The dinner given by the Garrison Club to Colonel 
Otter and his officers was a success, and was attended by all who 
could get seats. The dining room had been tastefulty decorated 
with flags and festoons of flowers. On one side of the coat of arms 
of the Empire was a British shield, and on the other the Dominion 
shield, while the shields of the seven provinces were distributed 
throughout the hall. 

After discussing the menu Lieut.-Colonel White arose and 
announced that the guests had been invited to join in the promenade 



GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. 245 

and smoking concert at the Drill Hall, where the citizens' committee 
was entertaining the brave boys. He then proposed the toast of 
" The Queen." Rarely, if ever, has this toast been received in any 
part of the country with such ehthusiasm as it was on this occasion, 
and every man present sang the National Anthem in a manner that 
would have convinced even the most critical observer that all felt 
the particular solemnity of the moment. 

Lieutenant-Colonel White then proposed the toast of " Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Otter," and the officers of the contingent. It was 
particularly fitting that Quebec, which v/as surrounded b}^ battle- 
fields, where brave men had struggled on both sides, should repre- 
sent the whole of Canada in bidding God-speed to the men who 
were bravely going forth to distant lands to prove the unity of the 
Empire and the loyalty of all Canadians of all races and creeds. 

HONORED IN REPRESENTING CANADA. 

Colonel Otter was unable to speak for five minutes, so enthu- 
siastic and prolonged was the cheering which greeted him. When 
the applause subsided, the commander of the Royal Canadian regi- 
ment expressed the pleasure it gave him to be once more in Quebec, 
as a guest of the Garrison Club, which was known all over Canada 
for its hospitality, especially to military men. He would like to 
assure his hearers on behalf of himself and his of&cers of the pride 
they all felt in the duty which they were doing. They were highly 
honored in having been chosen to represent Canada in aid of the 
Empire. 

He had been struck by the enthusiam displayed from one end 
of the country to the other ; it was reall}- almost more than a man 
could bear. All classes vied with each other to honor, cheer aud 
assist in every possible way the officers and soldiers. These sincere 
actions and expressions touched them very much, and they felt they 
had in every way the sympathy of the whole country. Feeling 
this, while their task may be physically hard, it would be easy in 
every other respect. This universal sympathy would help them to 
give up their homes and endure the hardships of South Africa, if 
thereby the}^ could gain glory for Canada and the Empire. 



246 GALLANT CANADIAN TROXDPS. 

It will be seen that a patriotic spirit animated the Dominion 
from one end to the other. Especially notable was the promptness 
with which the military preparations were despatched. Canada did 
more than send her soldiers away with a cheer that rang from the 
Pacific to the Atlantic, and will forever echo to the nations of the 
world the stern message, " Britain's quarrels are the quarrels of her 
children, and Britain's sons will be defended by their brothers." 
She showed by the despatch with which the contingent was enrolled, . 
and by the promptness with which it was fitted out, that the militia 
department of this young country is an organization to be proud of, 
and that in an emergency it can do good work for the Empire. 

A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT. 

The fact that, without conscription, it was possible to get to- 
gether in the short space of a fortnight a thousand men, represent- 
ing every section of this vast domain, and send them away on their 
long ocean journey, properly equipped and provisioned, was as much 
an eye-opener to the nations of the world as was the enthusiasm of 
the people over the opportunity to show even in this small way their 
devotion to the causes of the Empire and their willingness to make 
its quarrels their own. The object lesson was expected to make an 
impression on the world. The knowledge that from the uttermost 
parts of the earth would come thousands upon thousands of English 
colonists at the call to arms will not soon be forgotten by those who 
in the past have considered that the nation's only arm was her navy, 
and that her people would not voluntarily seek military service. 

Military men of all countries most favorably commented on the 
despatch of the Canadian volunteers, while those in Canada who 
had an intimate acquaintance with the workings of the militia de- 
partment, and who knew the difficulties that had to be met and sur- 
mounted, spoke most enthusiastically, and! one and all praised the 
Minister of Militia, Hon. F. W. Borden, and the officers of his staff, 
particularly the Quartermaster-General, Colonel Foster, for the 
highly creditable manner in which the work was done. The fact 
that the Minister, Hon. Mr. Borden, was himself a militia officer of 
thirty years' standing, and that under his rule many important re- 



GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. 247 

forms had been inaugurated, no doubt helped in a very great meas- 
ure to make possible the wonderful undertaking, which, as has 
already been said, called forth praise even from the regular army 
departments of the old world. 

Canada fitted out its soldiers with everything of the very best, and 
sent them away with quarters that were pronounced far superior to 
those usually provided on a troop ship. When the call for volun- 
teers was made the militia department had not even uniforms for the 
men, but the tailors of Canada were equal to the occasion, and they 
delivered at Quebec before the steamer sailed the splendid uniforms 
that were expected to prove both serviceable and comfortable. The 
Canadian soldiers were uniformed as a rifle regiment, and had a 
khaki serge service uniform, with jackets with four pockets, and 
short breeches. They wore the Oliver equipment, and all their belts 
and straps were of brown leather. In addition to this equipment, 
each man received both summer and winter underclothing and other 
necessaries, so that as regards clothing they were as well provided 
as if fitted out by the best army service in the world. 

SUPERB DRESS PARADE. 

One of the newspapers contained the following account of the 
Canadian contingent : " The Royal Canadian Infantry, looo strong, 
had a magnificent ovation in the ancient city of Quebec while on its 
way to the wharf and upon its embarkation on the steamer " Sardin- 
ian" for the voyage to Cape Town. In the morning the regiment 
gave a dress parade in Dufferin Terrace in the presence of 20,000 
spectators. Addresses were made to them by Lord Minto and Sir 
Wilfrid Laurier, in which the soldiers were highly complimented. 
In the afternoon the regiment boarded the vessel that was to carr}- 
them to Africa amid scenes of the wildest enthusiasm. Quebec 
never witnessed anything near so impressive or enthusiastic as this 
demonstration. 

" The command is made up of eight companies raised in 
different parts of the Dominion in which is represented Manitoba, 
the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New 
Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Montreal, Toronto, Quebec, 



248 GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. 

Ottawa, London and Kingston. The regiment is finely officered 
and the rank an file are men of high intelligence and courage and 
physically in splendid form. We mistake if they do not measure 
up equally with the celebrated crack regiments of the British army 
whom they fight along side of in the battles of the Transvaal. 

" The inhabitants of the Dominion are justly proud of the 
contingent they are sending to Africa and everywhere the infantry- 
men were made to feel the popular heart was with them in this 
expedition. French and English vied with each other in cheering 
them on and bidding them God-speed and safe return to their homes." 

PATRIOTISM OF THE DOMINION. 

It would prove as difficult for one who did not witness the 
leave-taking of the Canadian contingent to realize the depth of 
sentiment, the loyalty and the unity of the Canadian people which 
the farewell brought out as it would be for one who saw and took 
part in the demonstration to ever forget it. To Quebec came the 
picked men of the volunteers from every portion of the Dominion, 
fresh from the plaudits and the decorations of the.ir own friends, 
thinking, perhaps, that the last good-byes had been said, that they 
were among a strange people, that the journey to South Africa had 
commenced in earnest. The contingent had been arriving by com- 
panies for almost a week, but Quebec, anxious to prove that none 
could surpass her in her devotion to the Canadian contingent or 
the cause in which that contingent was to serve, waited until the 
departure of the troops, and then the great wave of enthusiasm 
swept over all restraint, and the greatest popular demonstration 
which the country ever saw resulted. 

The officers and men of the Second Royal Canadian Regiment 
marched through the flag-decked streets of the city under great 
welcoming arches in the midst of a cheering throng, with men and 
women catching their hands as they passed, and wishing them, in 
a language which they could not understand, her Majesty's wish, 
"God-speed and a safe return." They were told by the Mayor of 
the city that they were the united descendants of two races which 
had met in bitter conflict upon the ground on which they stood, 



GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. 249 

and tiiat they were now the representatives of one people whose 
hearts they carried with them. But the last farewell was from 
40,000 people of Quebec, who from the wharves and the hills of the 
city sang the National Anthem as their transport steamed down the 
broad St. Lawrence. 

The Sardinian began her voyage to the Cape at ten minutes 
past four o'clock on Monday afternoon, October 30th, within four- 
teen days after the order for the mobilization of the troops came to 
the Canadian Government. The members of the Cabinet and the 
officers of the Canadian militia, who saw her leave her wharf car- 
rying a regiment of Canadian soldiers fully prepared for the voyage 
and equipped for the battlefield, heard with pleasure the following 
cablegram received by the Governor-General of Canada : 

PRAISE FROM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. 

" London, October 30, 1899. — Her Majesty's Government offer 
hearty congratulations to Canadian Government and military 
authorities for rapid organization and embarkation of contingent. 
Bnthusiasm displayed by people of Dominion a source of much 
gratification here. (Signed), Chamberlain." 

The pleasure of the recognition of Canada's ability to meet an 
emergency was unbounded, but the satisfaction at the completion 
of an almost overwhelming task was to those who made the embark- 
ation of a Canadian contingent possible at such an early date the 
greatest reward. 

The great Allan liner, which sailed under sealed orders, never 
carried such a cargo before. The privates of the contingent swarmed 
everywhere over the boat, and shouted and cheered and sang inter- 
mittently. The people of the city filled every dock on the water- 
front. They were dotted over the palisades ; they lined the great 
walls of the Citadel and from every coign of vantage answered 
cheer and hurrah and sang with the soldiers. 

When the time of the final leave-taking came the soldiers were 
on the upper deck and high in the rigging of the vessel. One of 
Captain Barker's men had climbed to the top of the first mast, and 
hanging there swung his cap to those on shore. Below him was a 



250 GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. 

sea of wliite helmets and dark tunics, and as the first gun from the 
Citadel roared out the vast multitude took up the strain of " God Save 
the Queen," and the cannon of the Citadel marked the time. Then 
the whistles of the river craft drowned all else, and the Sardinian, 
escorted by a fleet of gaily-decorated tugs and pleasure boats, was 
lost to sight. 

The day began with the marshaling of the troops at the Citadel, 
and here they were viewed by thousands of visitors who had traveled 
from their homes to bid their own good-bye. There were many 
presentations by civic deputations. Toronto sent as its representa- 
tives City Treasurer Coady, Messrs. Joseph Thompson, acting Sec- 
retary, Alderman Graham and James Somers, and the grants made 
to the volunteers were handed over, the funds being delivered in 
gold coin, which was duly placed in safe keeping on the Sardinian. 
Mr. Coady made the presentations, and Alderman Graham delivered 
the silver match-safes to those who had failed to receive them in 
Toronto. 

PRESENTS FOR THE SOLDIERS. 

Montreal sent the largest deputation, which included a number 
of students of McGill University, and the members of the contin- 
gent from that city received the warmest reception of the day. The 
Mayor of Montreal and a committee presented field glasses to the 
officers and funds to the men. Sir Mackenzie Bowell was at the 
head of a large party from Belleville, which city was also represented 
by Mayor J. W. Johnson, Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Ponton, Major 
W. W. Pope, Captain Marsh, Captain Stewart, Lieutenant Morden 
and Lieutenant McGinnis. They carried with them $500, being 
the municipal and private subscriptions to the fourteen soldiers who 
joined the contingent from Belleville. 

The crowd of visitors and residents of the city at the Citadel 
was very large, but it was insignificant when compared with the 
tremendous gathering which waited on every side of the Esplanade 
for the appearance of the troops there. The streets leading from 
the Citadel were so congested with people that the regiment had 
difficulty in passing through, and it was some time after the hour 



GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. 251 

announced for tiie commencement of the ceremonies that it made 
its appearance. A temporary stand had been erected on the Esplan- 
ade, and on this were gathered prominent visitors from all parts of 
the Dominion. 

The troops were formed up in review order, and the precision 
shown by each company in taking its position was repeatedly 
cheered. Finally the grand review began, and his Excellency Lord 
Minto and General Hutton inspected the long lines of soldiers. 
They were accompanied by the following staff, and made a brilliant 
military picture : Lieutenant-Colonel Irwin, Lieutenant-Colonel 
Evanturel, Lieutenant-Colonel Sherwood, Hon. A. D. and Captain 
Graham, in waiting. General Hutton appeared particularly im- 
pressed with the splendid physical and soldierly bearing of the men, 
and complimented several of the officers. He said to Captain Bar- 
ker after reviewing that officer's company : " You have a splendid 
company — steady men. When you're away remember that you 
must always call it the ' Toronto Company.' " 

HEARTY FAREWELL FROM THE PREMIER. 

After his Excellency and General Hutton's review, the playing 
of " God Save the Queen " by the regimental bands announced the 
coming of Sir Wilfrid Laurier. The Premier was accompanied by 
Hon. Messrs. Fielding, Borden, Dobell, Fitzpatrick and Sutherland, 
and was met by the staff of officers mentioned, and he, with the 
members of his Cabinet, also made a careful inspection of the differ- 
ent companies, giving a kindly farewell to all those with whom he 
was personally acquainted. 

After the formal review the regiment was formed into three 
sides of a square in close order, and his Excellency, addressing 
Lieutenant-Colonel Otter, his officers and men, said : "I congratu- 
late you upon the splendid appearance of your regiment upon 
parade. Canada may justly be proud of her representative troops." 
But the force which Colonel Otter commands, continued his Excel- 
lency, represented a great deal more than a serviceable regiment 
on parade, and they were standing upon historic ground, under the 
ramparts of the old City of Quebec, surrounded by celebrated 



252 GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. 

battlefields and in an atmosphere full of glorious traditions of two 
nations, who, while respecting each other's manlike qualities, shown 
in many a hard-fought battlefield, had now joined hands in common 
loyalty to their Queen-Bmpress. 

The companies of the regiment had been gathered from British 
Columbia to the Atlantic Coast, from the settlers in the Rocky 
Mountains and in the far west, from Ontario and the Maritime 
Provinces, and from the old French families of Quebec. They 
represented the manhood of the Dominion from west to east, and 
above all represented the spontaneous offer of the people of Canada, 
British-born and French-Canadians, to the mother countr3^ The 
people of Canada had shown that they had no inclination to discuss 
the quibbles of colonial responsibility. They had unmistakably 
asked that their loyal offers be made known, and rejoiced in their 
gracious acceptance. 

PRIVATIONS AND GLORIES OF THE ARMY. 

In so doing, surely they had opened a new chapter in the his- 
tory of our empire. They freely made their military gift to the 
Imperial cause, to share the privations and dangers and glories of 
the Imperial army. They had insisted on giving vent to an expres- 
sion of sentimental Imperial unity, which might perhaps hereafter 
prove more binding than any written Imperial constitution. 

Then, addreesing Colonel Otter again, his Kxcellency said: 
" The embarkation of your force to-day will mark a memorable 
epoch in the history of Canada and the empire. Of the success of 
your force w^e have no doubt. We shall watch your departure with 
very full hearts, and will follow your movements with eager enthu- 
siasm. All Canada will long to see the Maple Leaf well to the 
front, and will give her contingent a glorious welcome when it 
comes home again. And now, as the representative of her Majesty, 
I wish you God-speed and every success." 

His Kxcellency, whose address was repeatedly applauded, 
closed by asking Colonel Otter that his regiment give three cheers 
for the Queen, and in this outburst the thousand of spectators 
joined, the bands playing " Rule Britannia." 



GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. 253 

Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who followed, was received with another 
burst of applause, and the throng so pressed about the stand that 
unfortunately few persons were able to hear all of his address. " In 
wishing you God-speed," he said, " I pray that God may accom- 
pany you, direct you and protect you, on the noble mission which 
you have undertaken. Upon this occasion it is not so much the 
God of battle as the God of justice whom we invoke. It is inspir- 
ing to reflect that the cause for which you men of Canada are going 
to fight is the cause of justice, the cause of humanity, of civil rights 
and religious liberty. 

" This war is not a war of conquest or subjugation. It is not 
to oppress the race whose courage we admire, but it is to put an 
end to the oppression imposed upon subjects of her Majesty in 
South Africa by a tyrannical people. The object is not to rush out 
the Dutch population, but to establish in that land, of which her 
Majesty is suzerain, British sovereign law, to assure to all men of 
that country an equal share of liberty. This is a unique occasion 
in the history of the world ; it is a spectacle which ought to make 
every Canadian feel proud of his country. 

HAPPY ILLUSTRATION OF UNITY. 

" Who could have believed a few years ago that from this city, 
which had been the theatre of a bitter conflict between the two 
proudest races of the world, their descendants, who to-day were 
a happily united people, would go forth to help carry the blessings 
of their own institutions to a far distant land ? Who could have 
believed thirty-two years ago that the scattered Provinces of British 
North America would have reached such a point of development to- 
day that they would be able and willing, and cheerfully willing, to 
cement with their blood the unity of the empire in its most distant 
part? 

" Men of the Canadian contingent," continued the Premier, 
" I have no recommendation or request to make to you, but if I had 
it would simply be to do your duty. More than this we cannot 
ask ; more than this you cannot do. If you do your duty, and I 
know you will, you take your place side by side with the Dublin 



254 GALLANT CANADL\N TROOPS. 

Fusileers, the Gordon Highlanders and the Lancashires, who only 
last week carried the colors of England to the topmost heights of 
Glencoe, Dundee and Elandslaagte. 

" If you do your duty your proud countr3^men will share your 
glory. Should any one of j^ou unfortunateh^ lose his life or limb 
your countr}^ will feel that 3'ou have fully discharged the duty under 
which you place her this day by this sacrifice to Canada's glory, 
the glor}^ of the empire, and above all, to the cause of justice, 
humanity and libert3^" 

ELOQUENT SPEECH OF THE MAYOR. 

The address from the citizens of Quebec was then delivered 
by his Worship Hon. S. N. Parent, Mayor of the city. He said : 
" The citizens of Quebec offer 3'ou the most cordial welcome in this 
old fortress, so often stormed by war and tempest, whose inhabit- 
ants from their earliest years have been accustomed to the music 
of military bands, to the smell of powder and the smoke of battles. 
We are proud of the honor that has been done our cit}^ in its selec- 
tion as the scene of the mobilization of this select rcQ-iment which 
the Canadian people send to the assistance of our mother country. 
It was no vain appeal that was made to our valor and our loj'^alty, 
for along the way from Victoria to Halifax a thousand picked men, 
representing the 3'outh, ph3'sical strength, the discipline and the 
courageous daring of our people, freely volunteered to serve under 
the British flag. 

" The people of various origin and different religious creeds 
that go to make up the population of this countr3' are represented 
in your regiment, and now that we are for the time being assem- 
bled within the walls of the most French city of the new world let 
us claim for the French-Canadian element a large share of the 
warm and spontaneous outburst of sentiments of lo3'alt3^ to England 
which marked 3^our triumphant passage from 3"our homes to Quebec. 

" No matter how diverse ma3^ be our origin and the language 
that we speak, who is there that will dare to affirm that we have 
not all the qualities necessar3^ for the making of a real nation ? 
Who dare sa3^, upon such an occasion as the present, that we are 



GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. 255 

not .;..-,. . >.v. -ely united and loyal towards the Canadian Dominion 
and loynl tc: England, whicli has given us so complete a measure 
of : ;.h.': We French-Canadians have loyally accepted the new 

destiuies that Providence provided for us on the battlefields of 1759. 
Is it possible that anybody can have forgotten 1775 and 1812 ? 

''On the summit of this proud rock of Quebec, rendered 
illustrious oy Jacques Cartier and Champlain, behold, but a few 
steps from this place, the superb monument erected by an English 
Governor to the memory of Wolfe and Montcalm. Why may we 
not make it the emblem and the symbol of our national unity ? 

ROSE, THISTLE AND SHAMROCK. 

" Let us leave to each individual amongst us the privilege to 
retain as a sweet souvenir, worthy of a noble heart, the rose, the 
thistle, \\i^ fleur-de-lis or the shamrock, and even the pot of earth 
that the Irish immigrant brings with him from under distant skies, 
and let us be united for the great and holy cause that we have in 
hand, the foundation of a great nation and the development of the 
boundless resources of a rich and immense country. Our best 
wishes accompany you in the long journey, at the end of which 
you v/ill no doubt find glory as well as sufferings, privations, and 
perhaps even heroic sacrifices. 

" When you will be under the burning sun of Africa you may 
be sure that our hearts will follow you everywhere, and that in our 
long winter evenings you will be the principal object of our fireside 
talk and solicitude. Be quite sure, too, that this Canada of ours 
will watch with a maternal care over the loved ones that you leave 
behind you, and who, in parting with you, are making so great and 
so generous a sacrifice. May the God of battles crown your efforts, 
may He preserve you in the midst of danger, and may He bring 
you back safe and sound to the beloved shores of your fatherland." 

Following the delivery of this address, which was also received 
with great enthusiasm, the regiment formed fours and marched past 
the reviewing stand, where each company received hearty cheers. 
The procession was headed b3^ the musicians of the Royal Canadian 
Artillery and by officers of different battalions. 



256 GALLANT CANADIAN TROOPS. 

The regiment marclied through the streets of both the Upper 
and Lower Town, and, although the line of route was lengthy, the 
cheering was continuous and the troops were followed by one of the 
largest crowds Quebec has ever experienced. Great throngs were 
congregated at the wharf, but admission could be gained only by 
ticket, and the companies of the local militia closely guarded all the 
approaches. 

Great promptness was observed in the handling of the troops, 
and when shortly before 3 o'clock his Excellency arrived, the em- 
barkation was almost completed and the Governor-General went 
on board and examined the men's quarters, spending some little 
time on the boat. Just as the lines were about to be cast off Gen- 
eral Hutton summoned the officers of the regiment to the wharf and 
read to them the message from Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, given 
above. He then bade the ofi&cers good-bye, and called for cheers for 
each, concluding with cheers for the Queen. 

At 4.10 o'clock the great liner slowly moved away from her 
dock, and the greatest cheer of the day went up. The Canadian 
contingent had started for the Transvaal. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

First Clash of Arms Between the British and Boers. 

©N October 9, 1899, tlie British Government received the Boer 
ultimatum, demanding that points in dispute be referred to 
arbitration ; that all British troops on the border of the 
Transvaal be instantly withdrawn ; that reinforcements sent to 
South Africa since June ist be removed ; that no more troops be 
landed in South Africa, and that Great Britain answer before 
5 o'clock P.M., October nth. On the same date the Gordon High- 
landers and troops from India were ordered to Ladysmith. 

Great Britain, on the loth, replied that conditions demanded 
by the Transvaal were such as could not be discussed. The British 
agent was instructed to apply for his passport, which meant that 
war was an assured fact, and communication between the two 
governments was at an end. 

The time for acceptance of the ultimatum expired at 5 o'clock,. 
P.M., October nth. Conyngham Greene, the British agent at Pre- 
toria, paid his farewell visits to President Kruger and the Boer 
officials. General Prinsloo was appointed commander-in-chief of the 
Orange Free State forces ; headquarters at Albertina. The Boers 
occupied Laing's Nek and the British hurried troops to the western 
border. 

On October 12th Free State burghers occupied Philipstown, 
Cape Colony, and Orange Free State troops entered Natal through 
Tintwa and Van Reenen's passes. The Natal reserves were called 
out. France was notified by the Transvaal that a state of war 
existed. Transvaal Boers occupied Laing's Nek and Ingogo Heights. 
A Transvaal manifesto was issued, calling on all Afrikanders in 
South Africa to rise against the British. Marshal law was pro- 
claimed at Bloemfontein, capital of Orange Free State. A British 
armored train under command of Captain Nesbitt carrying guns to 
Mafeking was destroyed by Boers at Kraalpan. There were only 
17 257 



258 FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 

three armored trains in the British army in South Africa, and the 
loss, therefore, was serious to the English arm3^ The armored train 
is a prominent feature of the Transvaal war, owing to the position 
of the contestants and the long, unprotected border of the boundary 
line. The destroyed train was a hastily constructed affair, consist- 
ing of a locomotive and two cars. The engine was in the centre of 
the train. 

The box cars and the locomotive were covered by boiler plating 
three-quarters of an inch thick, as firmly riveted as time would 
allow. The train was constructed at Mafeking, where there are 
several railway shops, the town being on the new main line from the 
Cape to Bulawayo. 

A RAPID-FIRING RAILWAY TRAIN. 

The locomotive was the only part of the train that did not 
carry guns, the steel casing being solely to protect the mechanism 
of the engine from the shot of the enemy. The remainder of the 
armor, however, was thickly perforated with port-holes, through 
which guns of varying calibre peeped, the Alaxim, Nordenfelt and 
Gatling being the most serviceable weapons for this kind of work. 
The smaller holes were for the rifles of the marksmen, and usually 
the deadliest in a regiment were selected for the position. It takes 
an expert marksman to shoot with satisfactor}^ results from a quick- 
13^-moving train. As usual, the train was supplied with a powerful 
searchlight, in view of a possible night attack. 

Of course, the boiler tubing can offer no resistance to artillery. 
In fact, rifle shots fired at short range will sometimes penetrate the 
plates, and to meet such a possibility sand-bags were provided, 
as was the case in the Egyptian campaign, when the armored train 
was found of great service. 

But in spite of all protection, the Boers conquered. They had 
their artillery stationed along the hills beside the tracks. It was a 
veritable trap. The track ahead was blocked. The Englishmen 
had failed to accompan}^ their train with the usual cavalry advance 
guard, which experience in this kind of fighting had taught was 
absolutely necessary. Unaware of the true state of affairs, the 



FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 259 

doomed train steamed to the obstruction and became derailed. The 
men sallied forth and worked like beavers to put the wheels back on 
the track and remove the obstruction. Then the Boers opened fire 
with their cannon. 

At the first report the troops flew back into their iron battery. 
They worked their guns for all that was in them, but their force 
was small and the firing necessarily slow. The cannon fire of the 
Boers was rapid and accurate. The thin sheet-iron protection 
against bullet shots was an ideal bursting ground for the larger 
shells. The armored train was soon a total wreck and most of the 
crew dead or badly wounded. In that condition the Englishmen 
surrendered, and the arms, ammunition and big guns so badly 
needed by Colonel Baden-Powell at Mafeking never reached their 
destination, but went into the hands of the enemy. 

AMERICAN ARMORED TRAINS. 

Armored trains, however, do not always fall so easily into the 
hands of the enemy. Armored trains mounting field-pieces and 
machine guns were extensively utilized by the American troops en- 
gaged in the conquest of the Filipinos, and it will be remembered 
that the successful issue of the fight at Columpit was attributed to 
the opportune arrival of just such a flying battery. During the 
Cuban rebellion there were numerous accounts wafted to the United 
States of the use of armored trains by the Spaniards. The question 
now arises, where did this mode of fighting originate ? 

Although it is impossible to obtain any reliable details, it is 
certain that the Franco-Prussian war of 1870 was the first campaign 
witnessing the use of protected trains and locomotives on the field of 
battle. In their sorties from Paris the French troops were frequently 
backed up by the fire of light field-pieces carried in this manner, 
and when the Communists were holding the capital against the 
Versaillese an armored train operated upon the railway in the direc- 
tion of Chateau Brecon, and is said to have achieved its object in 
silencing the batteries which the regular troops were endeavoring to 
establish in that position. 

It is this experience, perhaps, that has given rise to the belief 



260 FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 

tliat the Frencli were the original adapters of the idea for the utiliza- 
tion of permanent lines of railwa}^ for the transport of artiller}^, 
capable of being bronglit into action npon the metals themselves. 
Shortly after the war of iS 70 an Englishman, Mr. Evelyn Liardet, 
took ont a patent for an armored train, which was nullified by the 
discover}^ in the Patent Office of Mr. Anderson's prior scheme. Mr, 
James Anderson, of Edinburgh, in 1847, prepared and patented a 
series of plans, and further submitted a working model of his de- 
fensive rolling stock for the inspection of some distinguished engi- 
neer and artillery officers. 

BLUE-JACKETS THROWING SHELLS. 

As far as the British army is concerned, Captain Fisher's 
armor-clad train, used during the first stages of the campaign 
against iVrabi, was the first and onl}'- active example of its type. 
The train was constructed at Alexandria b}^ a part}^ of blue-jackets, 
and was composed of a locomotive and a number of trucks protected 
b}^ iron rails, iron plates and sand-bags. The engine was placed in 
the middle of the train, while a Nordenfelt machine gun was mounted 
on the leading protected truck, and a 40-pounder on the next. The 
latter, b}^ means of a small crane carried with the train, could be 
quickly mounted and dismounted, one minute sufficing from the 
halting of the train to remount and fire the gun. 

The vehicles behind the engine conve3'ed a detachment of 
skirmishers, while it was found expedient to attach one or two empt}^ 
trucks in front of the working portion carrjdng the guns, so as to 
minimize an}^ danger from the explosion of mines laid under the 
permanent railwa}^ b}^ the enem^^ Unfortunateh^ Captain Fisher 
had but few opportunities of bringing his train into action, but 
during a smart skirmish on the IMahmoudi3^eh Canal it came steam - 
ing up from Gabarrie, and b}" throwing some well-directed shells 
into the ver}^ centre of the enemy compelled him to retire with con- 
siderable loss. 

The main objection raised against the practicability of armored 
trains is the suggestion that the enem}-, with a few men carrying 
small parcels of dynamite, could easily destroy the permanent way. 



FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 261 

Doubtless they could do so, if the defender's cavalry stood idly 
while they advanced for this purpose ; hence it must be a sine qua 
non that armored trains are always accompanied by a strong force of 
cavalry. 

Again, to guard against the compulsory abandonment of the 
guns if the train is derailed. Captain Fisher's precaution of including 
a crane in the equipment should be followed. Machine guns or only 
very light field-pieces, were the only armament of the train which 
the Boers captured. Trucks carrying these should certainly have 
the gun detachments protected by bullet-proof mantlets, but any 
very high plating, with the idea of keeping out shells, has prov.en 
a mistake. 

Continuing the record of the war, we find that on October 13th 
the British occupied a position near Ladysmith. On the same date 
the United States were notified by Great Britain that a state of war 
existed in South Africa. The Boers occupied Spitzkop and New- 
castle. Fighting was begun at Mafeking next day, and the Boers 
destroyed another armored train carrying telegraph operators. The 
train engaged 500 Boers, who lost heavily. General Sir Redvers 
Buller and staff left London for South Africa on the same date. 

SHARP FIGHTING AROUND KIMBERLEY. 

The day following the Boers laid siege to Kimberley, where the 
famous diamond mines are located, and were defeated in an engage- 
ment at Spruitfontein, ten miles south of Kimberley. On the i6th 
a Boer commando with an estimated force of 2000 men and 16 field 
guns arrived at Dannhauser, northeast of Dundee. Orange Free 
State troops cut the telegraph wires and destroyed railroad tracks at 
Norvals Pont. Marshal law was proclaimed at Newcastle, Dundee, 
Klip River, Unsiga and Upper Tugila division of the colony. Gen- 
eral Joubert, commander of the Boer army, arrived at Newcastle, 
Natal, and the Boers opposite Glencoe camp received reinforce- 
ments. 

Three battles in Natal marked the opening of the war — Glen- 
coe, Elandslaagte and Rietfontein. The first, the battle of Glen- 
coe, was fought on October 20th by the advanced British force, uuder 



262 FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 

the late General Sir William Sj^'mons, and tlie other two by the 
larger armj^ of Sir George White from its base at Ladj^smith, the 
permanent camp of the British in Natal. The first shock of the 
Boer invasion at Natal was borne by Sir William Symons at Glen- 
coe, his position on the Glencoe-Dundee line having been attacked 
on October 20th by the Boer columns invading Natal from the north 
by way of Laing's Nek and the drifts, or fords, over the Buffalo River. 
The intention of the Boers was to attack Symons with three 
columns, aggregating about 9000 men. The first, under General 
Erasmus, advanced from the north; the second, under Lucas Me3^er, 
majie a long detour along the Buffalo River, crossed that stream, 
and moved due west upon Glencoe, and the third, having got to the 
south, at Waschbank, was to destroy the railway communication 
and head off Symons in that direction. 

FIRST BATTLE OF THE WAR. 

Whether from defective mobilization, or for other reasons, the 
Boer plan did not succeed, and Sir William Sj^mons was able to 
attack and defeat the second column advancing from the east, under 
Lucas Meyer, without having to engage the other two, having only 
to keep the advance of the northern column in check by detaching 
a batter}' of artillerj^ and one regiment. Thus was won the victory 
of Glencoe, the first battle of the war, which proved to the Boers 
that British troops could fight them in their own way, scale difficult 
heights and drive their defenders do\\Ti the opposite slope. 

It was, as an eye-witness stated, IMajuba with the positions re- 
versed. The moral effect of the battle in which Sj^mons and many 
of his gallant officers and men lost their lives was tremendous. It 
struck, so to speak, at once the keynote of the w^ar, namely, that the 
British defence would be an offensive defence. Not only the Boers, 
but all Europe, were astounded at the result of the brilliant opening 
of the campaign by the great soldier whose remains were buried — for 
a while — in the " enemy's country." 

The following is an account of the engagement by an eye- 
witness who was with the British troops : " The first battle has 
been fought, and |;l^e Boers have sustained a blow >yhich may give 



FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 263 

tlicm serious pause in tlieir advance soutliward. In tHe Britisli 
camp last night it was the general expectation that to-day would 
not pass without some hard fighting. The enemy had been reported 
advancing in force, and this rumor had been confirmed by a squadron 
of Hussars, which had been sent out to reconnoitre. 

" When dawn broke this morning it was discovered that the 
Boers during the night had occupied a strong position on Dundee 
Hill, about three miles east and overlooking the camp and the town. 
They had placed several guns in position. Almost precisely at 6 
o'clock came the boom of their first shot, and within a few minutes 
they had developed a heavy fire. Their practice was, however, 
poor, and their shots did no damage. 

SPLENDID FIRING BY THE ARTILLERY. 

" In the meantime our own guns had taken up the challenge. 
It soon became apparent that whatever might be the issue of the 
fight, our artillery would not be in fault. Our fire was magnificent. 
Within fifteen minutes after our first shot the Boer guns were 
silenced. By this time the enemy could be seen swarming over 
the hill outside of Dundee and making towards the south. Their 
intention evidently was to turn our position. 

"An advance was at once ordered of infantry and cavalry. 
Both moved out, and soon the battle was raging in the valley 
outside of the town. A hot rifle fire was kept up by our men, no 
advantage offered by the nature of the ground being neglected. 
The advancing force was effectually covered by our guns, which 
continued to play upon the enemy's position. The fire of the 
Boers at this point was decidedly weak. It seemed as if their 
ineffective artillery work might have taken the heart out of them. 

" Our men continued steadily to advance in the face of their 
fire, and reached the foot of the hill in fine form. The Boers, 
seeing themselves worsted, fell back and retired toward the east. 
Our losses have been heavy. The final dash up the hill was a 
brilliant affair. The Dublin Fusileers did fine work. Nothing at 
this time can be said of the enemy's losses, but they must have 
Ibeeu very serious," 



264 FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 

It appears that during the night, as already- stated, the Boer 
artiller}' occupied a hill commanding the British camp and began 
dropping shells at da3'break in the direction of the British forces. 

The latter, under General Sir William Penn Sj'mons, promptly 
accepted the challenge, and moved to meet the invaders under cover 
of the British artillery, which appears to have worked with such 
advantage as to quickh* silence the enemy's batteries, enabling the 
iufantrj^ to carr}^ the Boer position ^nth a rush, in which the Dublin 
Fusileers and the King's Ro3'al Rifles specialh' distinguished 
themselves, the Fusileers capturing the first guns of the enem}^ 
taken in the campaign. 

GENERAL SYMONS MORTALLY WOUNDED. 

Fortunately for the British, they were apparenth^ strong enough 
to withstand a Boer force nearly- double their own, as, in 'view of 
the fact that the railway was cut at Elandslaagte, e\4dently in 
anticipation of an early attack, it would have been impossible to 
send reinforcements quickh' from Ladj^smith. General Sj'mons 
was in the thick of the fight. 

A further account of the engagement states that after eight 
hours of continuous fighting Talana Hill vras carried b}" the Dublin 
Fusileers and the King's Rifles, under cover of a well-ser\'ed artil- 
lery fire by the Thirteenth and Sixty-ninth Batteries. The Boers 
who threatened the British rear then retired. 

The War Office in London received the appended despatch 
from Lad3'smitli, filed at 10.45 '^- ^^- o^ ^^^^ ^^y ^^ the battle : 
"The following ad\-ices from Glencoe Camp just at hand: The 
King's Royal Rifles and the Dublin Fusileers are attacking a hill 
occupied by Boer artillery. They are within 300 j^ards of the 
position, and are advancing under cover of our artiller3% at about 
2000 yards range. Scouts report that 9000 Boers are advancing 
on Harting Spruit. The Fifteenth Batter}' and Leicester regiment 
have gone to meet them." 

Sir William S3'mons was wounded through the thigh and 
General Yule assumed command. 

General Sir William Penn S3'mons, Knight Commander of the 




CHARGE OF BOER CAVALRY NEAR LADYSMITH. 



FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 265 

Batli, whose deatH resulted from the wound he received at Glencoe, 
entered the British army in 1863 ^^-^ served against Galekas in 
1877-78, in the Zulu war, the Burmese expedition and several other 
campaigns. He commanded the Second Brigade in the Tochi field 
force, and the First Division of the Tirah expeditionary force in 
1897-98. Sir William was decorated a Knight Commander of the 
Bath for services with the latter. He was the second in command 
under Major-General Sir George Stewart White, commander of the 
British forces in Natal. 

NARROW ESCAPE OF BRITISH TROOPS. 

It appears from authentic accounts of the fight at Glencoe that 
the carbineers and border-mounted riflemen who had been in action 
with the enemy nearly all day, returned in the evening, falling 
back fighting, in the face of some 2000 Boers. They were several 
times almost cut off, but a Maxim gun held the Boers in check. 
Several times the Boers came within 400 yards range, but their 
shooting was bad, and the Maxims rendered signal service in 
stopping their rushes. The Boers had a large wagon train and 
artillery. 

The absence of details regarding the British losses in the 
engagement at Glencoe Camp caused the deepest anxiety in London, 
and the War Of&ce was besieged by relatives and friends of those 
making up the forces that took part in the fight. 

The War Of&ce received another official despatch from Lady- 
smith filed at half-past 3 in the afternoon, from Glencoe : " We 
were attacked this morning at daylight by a Boer force, 
roughly estimated at 4000. They had placed four or five guns in 
position on a hill, 5400 yards east of our camp, and they fired 
plugged shells. Their artillery did no damage. Our infantry 
formed for attack, and we got our guns into position. After the 
position of the enemy had been shelled our infantry advanced to 
the attack, and, after a hard fight, lasting until 1.30 p. m.. an almost 
inaccessible position was taken, the enemy retiring eastward. All 
the Boer guns have been captured. Our cavalry atid artillery are 
still out. Our losses are heavy," 



266 FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 

The Britisli artillery practice in the early part of the day 
decided the battle. The seizure of Dundee Hill by the Boers was 
a surprise, for, although the pickets had been exchanging shots all 
night, it was not until a shell boomed over the town into the camp 
that their presence was discovered. Then the shells came fast. 
The hill was positively alive with the swarming Boers, still the 
British artillery got to work with magnificent energy and precision. 

The batteries from the camp took up positions to the south of 
the town, and after a quarter of an hour's heavy firing silenced the 
guns on the hills. Shells dropped among the Boers with remark- 
able accuracy, doing tremendous execution, for the enemy were 
present in very large numbers and in places considerably exposed. 
By this time the enemy held the whole of the hill behind Smith's 
farm and the Dundeekopje, right away to the south, in which 
direction the British infantry and cavalry moved at once. 

SPLENDID CHARGE OF INFANTRY. 

The fighting raged particularly hot at the valley outside the 
town. Directly the Boer guns ceased firing, General Symons 
ordered the infantry to move on the position. The infantry charge 
was magnificent. The way the King's Royal Rifles and the Dublin 
Fusileers stormed the position was one of the most splendid sights 
ever seen. The firing of the Boers was not so deadly as might 
have been expected from troops occupying such an excellent 
position, but the infantry lost heavily going up the hill, and only 
the consummately brilliant way in which General Symons had 
trained them to fighting of the kind saved them from being 
swept away. 

Indeed, the hill was almost inaccessible to the storming party, 
and any hesitation would have lost the day. The enemy's guns 
were all abandoned, for the Boers had no time to remove them. A 
stream of fugitives poured down the hillside into the valley, where 
the battle went on with no abatement. 

General Symons was wounded early in the action, and the 
command then devolved on General Yule. The enemy as they 
fled were followed by the cavalry, mounted infantry and artillery. 



FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 267 

Tlie direction taken was to the eastward. The British losses were 
very severe, but those of the Boers were much heavier. The final 
rush was made with a triumphant 3^ell, and as the British troops 
charged to close quarters the enemy turned and fled, leaving 
all their impedimenta and guns behind them in their precipitate 
flight. 

While this was going on one battery of artillery, the Eighteenth 
Hussars and the mounted infantry, with a part of the Leicester 
Regiment, got on the enemy's flank, and, as the Boers streamed 
wildly down the hills, making for the main road, they found their 
retreat had been cut off, but they rallied for awhile, and there was 
severe fighting, with considerable loss to each side. Many of the 
enemy surrendered. A rough estimate placed the British loss at 
250 killed or wounded, and that of the Boers at 8co 

DEFEAT WAS DECISIVE. 

The Boers seemed to be nonplussed by the tactics of the 
imperial troops, especially of the well-drilled, swift-moving horse- 
men. The enemy were still, as of old, a mob. They were without 
horses and forage, and man}'' of them relied for food upon what 
they could obtain by looting. Their animals were mostly in a 
wretched condition. 

Some of the particulars of the battle at Glencoe indicated that 
defeat of the Boers was in reality a rout. The victory of the 
Bnglish forces was doubly significant, for in three important 
particulars the South Africans had decidedly the advantage. The 
Boers seem to have outnumbered their foe, they had the best 
position and they caught the Bnglish unawares. With respect to 
courage, the combatants were supposed to be equal, but the English 
forces were seasoned, disciplined troops, while those of the Boers 
were without much military training. It was undoubtedly this 
superior discipline and a greater knowledge on the part of the 
officers of the art of war that gave the victory to the English. 

The evident purpose of General Joubert in making the attack 
on the forces under General Symons was to drive a wedge between 
Ladysmith apd Qlencoe, ^nd divide the two divisions of the English 



268 FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 

army at these points. Had lie succeeded lie would liave completely 
isolated Dundee, and gained, besides, a great advantage, which 
might have operated as an encouragement to an immediate revolt in 
Natal and Cape Colony. 

The victory of the English forces at Glencoe, while seemingly 
decisive, was only won at the cost of many precious lives. As 
nearly as could be ascertained, about one in every twenty men 
engaged was either killed or wounded. This circumstance must 
dispose of any thought that the Boers since their last war with 
England have become less accurate in their shooting. A note- 
worthy feature in connection with the casualities reported was the 
disproportionately large number of of&cers killed or wounded. 

MANY OFFICERS KILLED OR WOUNDED. 

According to the despatches General Symons was mortally 
wounded, two colonels, three captains and five lieutenants were 
killed, two colonels, three majors, six captains and eleven lieuten- 
ants were wounded, while only thirty non-commissioned officers and 
men were killed and 152 were wounded. Thus the first battle in 
the war grimly gave endorsement to the prediction of German offi- 
cers made just before hostilities began that great numbers of valuable 
English officers would be sacrificed because, while leading and com- 
pelling their men to take advantage of shelter, the officers would not 
seek shelter themselves, as they regarded it as unbecoming in a 
British officer to do so. 

Too offset to some extent the seriousness of the defeat of the 
Boers at Glencoe was the fact of their capture of Vryburg, the 
capital of Bechuanaland. In one respect this was almost as great 
a disaster to the English as the defeat in the other instance was to 
the South Africans. The significance of the capture of Vryburg 
was not that it was particularly an important town, but rather 
because it was the headquarters of the Bechuanaland border police, 
a body of men which is, in fact, mounted infantry accustomed to 
rapid movements and of tried courage. That the place was captured 
without serious bloodshed indicates that this force had been with- 
drawn to assist in the defence of Maf eking. 



FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 269 

A leading New England journal commented on tlie outbreak 
of the war in South Africa as follows : 

" The art of war is becoming interesting. It is perfecting it- 
self in certain directions to a point that may yet shock the civilized 
world into its abolition and compel arbitration from a sense of com- 
mon humanity. The Boers are said to have protested against the 
use of an explosive used by the English and known as lyddite. 
These brave and honest fighters seem to be hardly aware of what 
civilized nations are doing in the way of perfecting high explosives. 
They have fancied that their skill with the rifle and their superior 
earnestness and science in a war carried on in their own territory 
would carry them through. ' God will direct our bullets,' exclaims 
good old Oom Kruger. 

DESTRUCTIVE WORK OF SHRAPNEL SHELLS. 

" But let us see what this means in practice. The British took 
with them to South Africa certain rapid-firing guns that fire shrapnel 
shells, each of which scatters 260 bullets over a space of twenty- 
four square yards. These guns will deliver twelve aimed shots per 
minute; that is, 3120 bullets per minute for each gun, rendering a 
space of 288 square yards perfectly fatal to life. A battery of six- 
inch guns would devastate an area of 1728 square yards every 
minute, or an acre every three minutes. 

" Every gun of this type can fire as many bullets per round 
as could 260 soldiers using rifles, firing them as fast and several 
times as far. The eighteen British rapid-firing guns used at Glen- 
coe were therefore equivalent to a reinforcement of 5000 men. Is 
it any wonder, then, that the British artillery is said to have been 
* superb?' 

" But this is not all. Every one of the powers is using high 
explosives. The British use lyddite, the French melinite and the 
Germans a similar explosive. At Santiago our soldiers had to hurl 
their bare breasts against the Spanish entrenchments, for we had 
nothing but an old type of slow-fire weapon, and even that we did 
not use. 

" Since then we have been experimenting with a new explosive 



270 FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 

to be used against tlie Filipinos. It is called ' thorite/ and is tlie 
invention of a Western man. The War Department has ordered 
Lieutenant Parker to go to the Philippines and superintend its 
manufacture. It would seem that we have been obliged to join the 
procession of nations using high explosives, for The Hague Peace 
conference, while it went on record as against dum-dum bullets, did 
not touch the matter of high explosives. 

FEARFUL EXECUTION OF LYDDITE. 

" While lyddite is something similar to gunpowder, its effects 
are far more terrific. It was this awful stuff that the British used in 
the Soudan. When the dervishes charged down on the British lines 
at Omdurman and at the Atbara the lyddite shells mowed down 
entire battalions. It is pretty evident that the ' superb' artillery 
practice of the British at Glencoe was largely the work of lyddite 
shells. At au}^ rate the British propose to use them, and the reports 
of military experts say that they accomplish fearful execution. 
Whether thorite will prove equally destructive upon the Filipinos 
remains to be seen. 

" The Boers will probably protest in vain against the use of 
lyddite, for all the leading nations are using that or something 
similar. When applied to rapid-firing guns its effectiveness is some- 
thing appalling. The nation that does not carry this awful machin- 
ery has onl}^ the jaggedness of its territory and the superior heroism 
and skill of its soldiers and generals on its side. As was shown by 
Kitchener at the gates of Khartoum, the enemy caught in the open 
is mowed down like grass, and no amount of personal valor can 
save it. Lyddite is said to demoralize the nerves of the enemy. The 
Boers, in their manliness, probabl3^ object to it on this ground. 

" Such are the terrific instrumentalities used in modem war- 
fare. In a level country they would count heavily against the 
Boers. But in the Transvaal their effectiveness may be balanced 
by superior alertness and generalship." 

The terrific slaughter effected by the rapid-fire shrapnel guns 
at Glencoe was the marvel of the military world. These guns, 
more than any other arm of the service in the field, were responsible 



FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 271 

for tlie British triumpli. The battle was half won by the deadly 
hail of shrapnel before the infantry had advanced. The terrified 
Boers, who never expected any such form of attack as this, were 
glad enough to get out of their hiding places in the rocks and do 
the best they could with their formidable enemy in open fight. 
Nothing like it has ever before been known in warfare. 

FULL OF RETREATS AND PITFALLS. 

Something — quite enough to excite curiosity — was heard about 
the now famous shrapnel guns when Lord Kitchener used them 
with some effect among the enemy at Omdurman. But the fight- 
ing there was open and there was nothing to do but let the infantry 
go straight ahead. In Boerland it is very different. The country 
is wild and mountainous, full of hidden retreats for the burghers 
and pitfalls for the British. It is something like the conditions our 
own troops had to face while chasing Indians through the Black 
Hills in Dakota. 

A word to the uninitiated about the precise meaning of the 
word shrapnel. It is a shell, so named from its inventor. General 
Shrapnel, and consists of a spherical cone filled with musket balls 
and containing a bursting charge of powder. Extensive experi- 
ments are being made with shrapnel guns in the armies of all the 
powers of Europe. France, Germany and Russia are doing a great 
deal with them, though they are keeping their experiments largely 
to themselves. The Boer war forced England's hand and, in the 
opinion of experts, shows that she is easily in the lead. The work 
of all her field batteries, but more particularly the shrapnel, has 
very much astonished experienced ordnance of&cers at Washington 
and all over the country, and has incidentally uncovered some glar- 
ing defects in our own equipment. 

The latest and most deadly creation of the British gun-maker 
employs a shrapnel projectile weighing about fifteen pounds. This 
projectile consists of steel tubing, filled with about two hundred small 
balls. These balls are of hardened lead and weigh almost one-third 
of an ounce each. Each shell contains a light bursting charge, and, 
so far as results show, may be timed with absolute accuracy. 



272 FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 



S 



In firing the gun a time fuse is fitted into the head of the pro- 
jectile. In the hands of experienced gunners it may be cut so as 
to cause the bursting of a shell as close as one-third of a second 
after firing the gun. Or, on the other hand, the missile may be 
given a flight of twelve seconds before bursting. The gunners aim 
to burst the shrapnel about thirt}^ yards short of the enemy's posi- 
tion. At a range of looo yards all the shrapnel balls will be pro- 
jected within a circle on the ground for about twenty-five feet in 
diameter. The dispersion is greater according to the length of the 
range. 

The ordnance branch of the British army is not niggardly in 
furnishing its gunners ammunition for target practice with its field 
pieces, and particularly with any new piece. The wisdom of this 
generosity is apparent in the accuracy with which a deadly down- 
pour of bullets has been hurled into the hiding places of the Boers 
among their native rocks in Natal. To have driven them from 
their strongholds with infantry without first bringing the shrapnel 
into play would surely have involved a shocking loss of life to the 
British. 

At Glencoe, or rather in the hills of Talana, just back of it, the 
British gunners employed shrapnel with sweeping accuracy at a 
distance of 3500 yards. Scarcely a shot was wasted, and the poor 
Boers, brave as they showed themselves to be in open battle, were 
terrified beyond description. 

COULD NOT ESCAPE THE FIERY BLAST. 

What was this? Had the heavens espoused the British cause 
and opened up a hail of lead that beat them down like so much 
grain ? They had heard of the English rapid-fire guns, and had a 
vague idea of shrapnel, but they were not prepared for such a de- 
vastating fire from above as descended upon them and sought out 
every nook and corner of shelter. In vain they shifted position 
from one part of the pass to another. Those awful shrapnel 
followed them everywhere and pelted them with a merciless rain of 
fire. Bullets that fell from the skies by thousands and swept the 
earth like hail were as mortal as though fired from a rifle. 



FIRST CLASH OF ARMS. 273 

Brave burghers saw their companions fall round them like 
sheep and there was no enemy in sight. They did not know how 
to strike back. Long before the infantry came up the victory was 
won and the hardy Boers, whose valor and determinarion in the face 
of such tremendous odds won world-wide admiration, were compelled 
to bite the dust in defeat. 

English firing shells are loaded with lyddite. Lyddite is one of 
the picric acid compounds known in this country as emensite and in 
France as melinite. It is loaded in the shell like gun-cotton, the 
shell having an explosive fuse at either end, but generally in the 
front or striking end. 

The explosive force of lyddite is tremendous. A small charge 
of it fired against solid stone masonry has wrecked it as if it was so 
much paper, and great holes have been dug in the ground from the 
concussion. In the Soudan campaign lyddite shells were fired from 
5.4-10 inch howitzers into the fanatical Dervishes as they came 
charging down on the British lines. The results were appalling. 
Scores and hundreds of men were literally blown to pieces, scattered 
into fragments, as much as they would have been had they been 
sitting over a barrel of gunpowder when the match was applied. 



18 



CHAPTER XVIIL 

Fierce Fighting in Natal. 

©N tile afternoon of October 2 2d, tlie War Office in London 
received intelligence of another bloody battle. Tlie despatch 
was from the General commanding in Natal, Sir George 
Stewart White, regarding the engagement of the 21st at Blands- 
laagte, between Glencoe and Ladysmith, when the British under 
General French routed the Transvaal forces under General Jan H. 
M. Kock, second in command in the Transvaal army, who was 
himself wounded and captured, and afterward died. 

General White was present in person, but did not assume 
direction of the fight, which was left in the hands of General 
French. Although desultory fighting took place earlier in the 
day, while reinforcements sent out later on ascertaining the enemy's 
strength were arriving from Ladysmith, the real action did not 
begin until 3.30 p. m. At that hour the Boers held a position of 
very exceptional strength, consisting of a rock hill about a mile 
and a half southeast of Blandslaagte Station. 

At 3.30 p. M. the British guns took a position on a ridge 4100 
yards from the Boers, whose guns at once opened fire. This fire 
was generally well directed, but somewhat high. Contrary to pre- 
vious experiences,' their shells burst well. The Imperial Light 
Horse moved towards the left of the enemy's position, and two 
squadrons of the Fifth Lancers toward his right. During the 
artillery duel mounted Boers pushed out from their left and 
engaged the Imperial Light Horse. 

In a few minutes the enemy's guns ceased firing, and the 
British artillery was turned on the mounted Boers who opposed the 
Imperial Light Horse. The latter at once fell back. After the 
artillery preparations the British infantry advanced to the attack, 
supported by guns in the second position. The Devonshires held 

274 



FIERCE FIGHTING IN NATAL. 275 

the enemy in front, while the Manchester Regiment and the Gordon 
Highlanders turned his left flank. 

The Boer guns, although often temporarily silenced, invariably 
opened fire again on the slightest opportunity, and were served 
with great courage. After severe fighting the British infantry 
carried the position. At 6.30 p. m. this was accomplished, the 
enemy standing his ground to the last with courage and tenacity. 
The Fifth Lancers and a squadron of the Fifth Dragoon Guards 
charged three times through the retreating Boers in the dark, doing 
considerable execution. 

CAPTURE OF THE BOER CAMP. 

The Boer camp was captured, with tents, wagons, horses and 
also two guns. The Boer losses were very considerable including 
a number of wounded and unwounded prisoners. Among the 
former was Piet Joubert, nephew of Commanding General Joubert, 
who was prominent in the fight. One goods train, with supplies for 
Glencoe Camp, and nine Bnglish prisoners, were recovered. The 
British loss was heavy. It was roughly computed at 150 killed 
and wounded. 

A despatch from Cape Town, October 22d, 6.30 p. m., said: 
The following additional details from official sources are at hand 
regarding the battle at Elandslaagte : 

" The Boers, although driven from their guns, returned again 
and again, whenever an opportunity offered. The high ground 
near the left of the enemy's position was occupied at the com- 
mencement of the action, the British creeping along the crest and 
making a wide circuit. 

" The infantry attack was directed against the right of the 
' enemy's position, the British coming quickly into contact with the 
Boers, who at that point occupied a strong footing, which they held 
resolutely until a flank attack was made by our troops, who 
advanced with great dash, and, in spite of heavy losses, carried the 
main position with a rush, just as the light was failing. 

" The ground traversed by our troops was rough and stony, 
and the capture of the position was a fine feat of arms. The 



276 FIERCE FIGHTING IN NATAL. 



\ 



cavalry lapped well around and inflicted severe loss on tli 
enemy. 

"It was liiglily important to strike a severe blow, as tlie Orange 
Free State forces are known to be concentrated northwest of Lady- 
smitli in considerable strength. The flank attack was gallantly 
delivered by the Manchester Regiment, the Gordon Highlanders 
and the Imperial Light Horse. The front attack was done with 
splendid spirit by the Devonshire Regiment. The wounded are 
being attended in the principal church at Ladysmith, which has 
been converted into a hospital." 

BRILLIANT VICTORY FOR THE BRITISH. 

The capture of Klandslaagte was a brilliant feat of arms. The 
Boers were strongly entrenched, and fought with their wonted 
bravery. They seized every opportunity of coming into action, 
and ran to serve their guns whenever they could get a chance. 
The British wounded were taken to Ladysmith. Kvery care and 
attention was also given to the Boer wounded, who were despatched 
down the country. Schiel, a former German officer, who was 
leading a section of the Boers in the engagement at Klandslaagte, 
was taken prisoner. 

Further details of the engagement showed the desperate char- 
acter of the battle. Realizing that the first attack on Glencoe was 
part of a general combined attack by three columns, and that the 
situation was still serious so long as the Boers held the railway at 
Klandslaagte, severing connection between Ladysmith and Dundee, 
Sir George Stewart White resolved to give battle, with a view of 
recapturing Klandslaagte. 

On the morning of the 20th all the mounted troops, supported 
by two battalions of infantry and two batteries of artillery, recon- 
noitered some twelve miles along the Newcastle road, an open, roll- 
ing country, very suitable for cavalry operations, although the going 
was heavy after the recent rains. 

After approaching within three miles or so of the break in the 
railway line, the British saw the Boer outposts falling back, appar- 
ently in no great force. Four were captured who had mistaken the 



I 



FIERCE FIGHTING IN NATAL. 277 

Britisli for Boers until too near for them to get away. THen the 
British returned, and, late at night, General White determined to 
advance in force on Blandslaagte at an early hour the following 
morning. 

It was imperative to dislodge the Boers from Blandslaagte, as 
it had been learned that the Orange Free State burghers were 
descending from their positions on the slopes of the Drakenberg, 
from Tintwa a ad other western passes, to co-operate with those 
already posted at Blandslaagte. At an early hour the British 
moved out by road and rail. It was computed that there were about 
1 200 Boers, with big guns and Maxims covering their front, and 
occupying a well-chosen position at the base of a hill, some little 
distance south of Blandslaagte. On both flanks were strong kopjes, 
or hills, on which were three big guns strongly posted and com- 
manding a wide sweep on all sides, leaving an opening for retreat. 

ARMORED TRAIN SHELLED BY BOERS. 

A British armored train, supported by two trainloads of infantry, 
immediately on approaching the enemy's position was shelled by 
the Boers. Artillery was at once brought up and drove the Boers 
from their guns, making a series of brilliant dashes into the valley 
and up the successive heights to get nearer the Boer position. 
Thrice were the Boer batteries on the way silenced by artillery, 
although the Boers fought with great pluck and determination, 
returning each time the guns moved and raining shrapnel and 
Maxim bullets against the British advance. 

At 4 o'clock a tremendous artillery duel was in progress. Two 
Boer guns, splendidly placed, were stubbornly fought for two hours 
and a quarter, while mounted Boers endeavored to come into contact 
with the enemy on the left and on the right. 

Then, at 6.15 p.m., the Devonshire Regiment, half the Gordon 
Highlanders, half the Manchester Regiment and the Imperial Light 
Horse advanced on the position and stormed the enemy's front. A 
bayonet charge was sounded as the roar of artillery on both sides 
suddenly ceased, and the British, the Devonshires leading, made a 
superb dash against the main body of the Boers, undaunted by 



278 FIERCE FIGHTING IN NATAL. 



II 



facing a fearful fire. Twice were tliey checked by the terrible fusil- 
lade. Once the advance quivered for a moment, but then, with 
ringing, roaring cheers, the whole force hurled itself forward like an 
avalanche and swept the kopjes, bayoneting the brokfen enemy in all 
directions. m 

The Boers were overwhelmed and astounded. They paused, 
then retreated, then raised the white flag and surrendered. Two or 
three hundred broke and ran, pursued by the Fifth Lancers, who 
charged through and through them. It was quite dark by this 
time, but the slaugher was great. The Boer loss was heavy. The 
best estimates place it at 400 killed. 

CAPTURE OF FLAGS BY THE DEVONSHIRES. 

One of the captured Boers said that if he had known English 
soldiers could shoot as they did he would never have come. Another 
Boer said he knew he was fighting for a lost cause. A third ex- 
pressed surprise that he had to shoot at men wearing khaki. He 
was terribly dejected. He had been told to shoot at men with red 
coats and white collars, and he saw none. His impression seemed 
to be that the men who fought against him were not Bnglishmen. 

A heavy rain fell immediately after the battle, making a piteous 
scene on the battlefield, where many wounded were lying. 

The Devonshire Regiment captured thirty-eight Boer flags. 
Commandant de Mellion, of Johannesburg, was taken prisoner. A 
bugler boy of the Fifth Lancers, only fourteen years of age, shot 
three boys with his revolver. On returning after the fight he was 
carried shoulder high around the camp. 

Everybody testified to the splendid fighting and stubborn 
bravery of the Boers, but this tribute required some qualification, 
for, while the Gordon Highlanders were bringing in the wounded, 
a sharp fire was opened upon them by some Boer parties in hiding. 
British losses, considering the desperate nature of the engagement, 
were regarded as light. 

Toward the close of the fight the British batteries ceased their 
murderous fire, and the infantry charged up the rocky heights still 
separating them from the enemy, and reached the summit of both 



FIERCE FIGHTING IN NATAL. 279 

peaks of Smith's Hill and of the Nek between without a check 
or halt. It -was gallant work on both sides, and scores of men fell 
within a distance of a couple of hundred yards, but the situation soon 
became too hot for the Boers, who broke and fled for their horses, 
which the}^ had left at the foot of the hills on the northeast. There, 
however, they were received with a fusillade from the Hussars, who 
had captured or stampeded all the horses. 

IN HOT PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY. 

The enemy swen^ed in their line of retreat. Some surrendered 
there and then, others made for Hatting Spruit, while some moved 
towards Landman's Drift. All who fled were closely pursued by 
cavalr}^ and a field batterj'-. When the main fight was drawing to a 
close, part, at least, of the Dannhauser contingent, under Com- 
mandant Erasmus, came upon the ground, as well as a detachment 
from a Free State contingent, which had made a forced march from 
the south. The chief portion of the Free State troops, however, 
remained in a strong position at Biggarsberg. All the Hussar 
squadrons except one returned, and the whereabouts of that one 
was known, so that there was no cause for anxiety. Severe punish- 
ment was inflicted upon the retreating Boers. 

Mr. Bennett Burleigh, the special correspondent of the Lon- 
don Daily Telegraph in Natal, cabled the following account of the 
battle of Elandslaagte : 

" A reconnoissance having failed to draw the Boers out 
from their defences at Elandslaagte, General French advanced 
against them with a small force. The troops were conveyed in 
an armored train to Elandslaagte and reached a position 700 
yards from the station. The Boer main force was posted upon an 
extremely rough and rock}^ range of hills, running at right angles 
to the railway, over a mile further north. This chain of hills, 
which is several hundred feet high above the swelling plain, has a 
conical hill rising from a wide dip in the range. This left two nar- 
row necks on either side of the base of this conical hill, where the 
Boers had their camp wagons and tents. Half way up the necks 
their guns were in position, two of them in the last neck. 



280 FIERCE FIGHTING IN NATAL. 

" General Frencli began the action about half-past 6 o'clock 
in the morning by sending a shell from a y-pounder into the 
station shed, while the mounted volunteers began firing at the 
Boers, who were running to take up their positions. The enemy 
had only just finished their colonial matutinal coffee when they were 
surprised. Nearly all of our prisoners were caught in the vicinity, A 
including the train which was recently captured, and its passengers. 

" The Manchester Regiment in the early attack was at first 
slightly leading. With the characteristic hardihood of British 
infantry, all of them marched straight-backed at the enemy, too m 
often careless about taking cover, despite the rattling and hissing 
and spitting of the Mauser bullets. ' Tommy Atkins ' says in fact, 
' What ! Hide from yokels ? Let 'em shoot.' Discipline has its 
drawbacks as well as its advantages. Our soldiers know they are 
capable of readjusting the mistakes of the past. With a wide 
sweep the Imperial Light Horse drove the Boers from the hills, 
while the dismounted troopers and the Lancers clipped in smartly. 
Upon their left the Boers had their pointed stakes. 

ADVANCE ALL ALONG THE LINE. 

" Meanwhile, under a hot fire, ruled out in long lines, our 
infantry marched along the low and heavy ground toward Blands- 
laagte. About half-past 4 o'clock the Manchester Regiment and 
the Gordon Highlanders swung round at ' left shoulders ' to gain 
the hills, but the Devonshire Regiment held on. The Dragoon 
Guards forged ahead to the extreme left, threatening the railway 
station, clearing that flank and menacing the line of Boer retreat. 
General French, aided by his able chief of staff. Colonel Douglas 
Haig, handled his men beautifully, timing and keeping the whole 
operations well in hand. 

" Our 15-pounders galloped up into a position whence they 
could shell the left of the Boer position, thus greatly assisting this 
infantry. Methodically and steadily the enemy were forced to give 
ground. Bit by bit the Manchester Regiment and the Gordons 
climbed the hill, and and then swinging at ' right shoulders ' up the 
slope, began driving the Boers. As the artillery and infantry drew 



FIERCE FIGHTING IN NATAL. 281 

closer the Boer guns were directed against them. I had even the 
honor of drawing much of their fire with my four-in-hand cape 
coat. 

" General Sir George Stewart White came up by a special train 
and witnessed the operations about an hour, until our success was 
assured, when he returned to Ladysmith. The weather still re- 
mained clear until after 4 o'clock. Nothing could have been 
finer than the advance of our troops. In fact, it might have been a 
glorious Aldershot field day, so stately and deliberate were our 
mevements. 

" The panorama was heightened and colored by the red war 
hue of the gun flashes. Shells tore roaring through the air like an 
express in a tunnel, bursting noisily and spouting flame and lead 
and steel, which hissed like a hot iron dropped into water. The 
places of explosion were marked by clods of earth, with a nimbus 
of white smoke. 

DESTRUCTIVE RIFLES AND ARTILLERY. 

" The enemy bobbed about over the rocks like jacks-in-the-box, 
firing heavily at us, with a fair accuracy for a magazine gun. The 
Mauser rifle is a terrible weapon, although it inflicts clean wounds^ 
but many of the enemy used explosive bullets besides Martinis. 
The Boer shells were mostly percussion, and threw up volcanoes of 
mud and stones. They, however, destroyed the limber field artillery, 
and inflicted damage on our infantry. Our gunners should note 
especially that upon rocky ground percusion shells give better 
results than high bursting shrapnel. 

" Forced back down upon the conical hill and their camp, the 
Boers struggled desperately, and soon found their retreat menaced. 
Their leaders strove to encourage them while reinforcements came 
rushing hot foot from nearby in order to check the retreat by suc- 
cessive rushes, the men cheering. While the Manchesters and 
Gordons bore forward along the crests of the hills their officers 
everywhere were marked for death, but the Tommies made it their 
fight also. Colonel Chisholm, of the Imperial I^ight Horse, courted 
disaster by waving a scarf to give encouragement to his men, who 



282 FIERCE FIGHTING IN NATAL. 

really needed none. He, like others of our splendidly brave fel- 
lows, were killed. f I 

"A driving rain, accompanied by darkness, now set in, but tbe 
battle continued to rage until 6 o'clock in tke evening, by which 
time the Boers were scuttling off in numbers, many of them rising 
and throwing down their arms, while others, bolting, were hunted 
and batted by our shrapnel and Lee-Medford bullets. Somebody 1| 
showed a white flag, and Colonel Hamilton tried to stop the firing, 
but the Boers, ensconced on the conical hill, and caring nothing 
about their comrades, took advantage of the lull to deliver a heavy 
fire. 

" The Gordons and Manchesters, rendered more savage than 
ever by this, redoubled their energies, for the Boers in the hollows 
were delivering a flanking fire. At ten minutes to 6 the Devon- 
shire Regiment, who had crept in upon a face position, each man 
getting to cover behind numerous anthills, whose domes were from 
two to three feet high, rose and ran forward to the assault. Our 
guns ceased their showers of shell, but the Boers resumed firing in 
the growing darkness. 

LOUD CHEERS FOR THE VICTORY. 

" There was pandemonium, lasting about a quarter of an hour, 
above all of which loud British cheers rang. Our three regiments 
raced for the Boers and their guns. The Devonshires, favored by 
their position, got in first in a body, and took them, but the others 
above came down over the rocks. Our victory was secure, but still 
a spattering fire went on till half-past 6 o'clock. 

" Now it only remains to count the gains and the cost. One 
hour more of daylight would have given us the whole force as 
prisoners, but in the thick darkness which now came on the 
unscathed and slightly wounded ran for it. A squadron each of 
Dragoon Guards and Lancers rode at them, and struck them, 
cutting and thrusting, and probably killed sixty in all. The 
enemy's guns, their abundant stores, hundreds of saddles and 
horses, a quantity of personal baggage, many of their war flags 
and much ammunition fell into our hands. 



FIERCE FIGHTING IN NATAL. 283 

" I estimate their strength at just under 2000. Ours was about 
the same, but the Boers position was an almost impregnable one. 
The enemy's killed and wounded numbered some 300. All has 
been done for the whole of the wounded that is possible, and the 
Boers to-day expressed gratitude for their treatment. About forty 
of them were allowed to go into their own hospital, a mile and 
a half to the north, for treatment. Our ' Tommies ' got wonderful 
quantities of loot, from silk hats and frock coats to beaded Kaffir 
loin-cloths. It was a sight to-day to see them loaded with their 
booty. 

"Although we gave the prisoners the best seats around the 
camp-fires, many of the poor wounded had to lie out on the bare 
hillsides, where they spent a terrible night, crying, ' For God's 
sake, give me water!' ' Get a doctor for me, out here!' 'Are the 
British Boers ?' One man fired round after round from his rifle to 
attract attention to his whereabouts, for the field of battle covered 
miles. 

IRON BRIDGE DESTROYED BY THE BOERS. 

" To-day our force returned to Ladysmith, where they received 
a great welcome. The enemy have destroyed the iron bridge at 
Waschbank, so that train service to Dundee cannot be resumed. 
The Gordon Highlanders say that the Blandslaagte action was 
a very severe one, Dargai a fool to it. Our prisoners number 
fully 300. I saw eight dead Gordon Highlanders lying in one 
heap. Boers declare the kilts made the men conspicuous, but 
that the khaki is difficult to locate. The enemy ask where our red 
coats are. 

" Reports which have been obtained from Boer sources say 
that out of one commando only 250 men are left, the hospitals are 
full, and their losses are perhaps 1000. All of our wounded and 
prisoners have been brought to Ladysmith, where there are ample 
hospital accommodations for them. Electric lights have been fitted 
up, also Roentgen ray apparatus. All day long the streets have 
resounded with cheering as our troops return. Bauds of prisoners 
also continue to arrive. " 



284 FIERCE FIGHTING IN NATAL. 

The following description of tlie battle of Elandslaagte is from 
the pen of a war correspondent who witnessed the engagement : 

" The battle was a brilliant, complete success. The Boers 
numbered from 1200 to 2000, and probably had about 100 killed 
and 150 wounded. The fight itself was like a practical illustration 
of handbook tactics, each arm represented doing its proper work to 
perfection. The Gordon Highlanders in their attack advanced in 
magnificent order. They were immediately saluted with a heavy 
fire, which told from the first. 

WOUNDED OFFICER LIGHTS HIS PIPE. 

" Their Major fell with a bullet in his leg, but as he lay where 
he fell he lit a pipe and smoked placidly while the advance con- 
tinued. As man after man dropped, supports were rushed into the 
firing line, our men darting from cover to cover, splendidly led and 
ever advancing. Yet, as ridge after ridge was won, the Highlanders 
still found a new ridge confronting them, and thus they fought their 
bleeding way until the final ridge was neared, with nearly every 
of&cer down. 

" Then rushing every available man into the firing line, Man- 
chesters, Devons and Light Horse all mixed, with bugles chanting 
the advance, bagpipes shrieking and the battle a confused surge, 
our men swept yelling forward, and the position was won. Mean- 
while squadrons of Lancers and Dragoons lapped round the Boer 
left flank, catching the enemy as they retired in disorder, goring 
and stamping them to pieces. And the commando was not." 

General French thanked the troops on the field, especially men- 
tioning Colonel Ian Hamilton's splendid work. The British bivou- 
acked on the captured position on the night of the 21st. Colonel 
Scott-Chisholm, the only British officer killed, was formerly attached 
to the Ninth Lancers. He served with distinction in the Afghan 
war, and organized the Imperial Light Horse, a majority of whom 
were refugees from the borders of the Transvaal. 

The death of General Viljoen was a severe blow to the Boers, 
and the death of General Kock and the capture of General PretO' 
xius hindered the further movements of this column. 



FIERCE FIGHTING IN NATAL. 285 

Furtlier information concerning the battle of Glencoe, an 
account of whicli has already been furnished, was contained in the 
following graphic description of the fight by an eye-witness among 
the English troops : 

" It was after the battle was renewed, following the lull that 
ensued upon the sharp canonading of the British, which silenced 
the guns of the Boers on Smith's Hill, that our casualties began. 
The Indian Hospital Corps of coolies, under Major Donegan, of 
the Eighteenth Hussars, ran out, keeping in the rear of the advanc- 
ing infantry and artillery that had galloped from the second position 
through the town amid the cheers of the citizens. 

SHRAPNEL DID FEARFUL DAMAGE. 

"At this point the Boers became erratic. Our artillery was 
firing on the hill where the Boers were stationed in great numbers, 
but the return fire did little damage. The enemy kept up an inces- 
sant shooting, but our shrapnel began to tell its tale, with the result 
that the Boer fire visibly slackened. From a ceaseless rattle the 
rifle fire dwindled to straggling shots. 

" The artillery in front was shelling the hill, and the King's 
Royal Rifles on the right front were busy with the Maxims, making 
the Boers anxious about their position. Their artillery had been 
silenced by the splendid service of ours. Meanwhile a squadron 
of the Eighteenth Hussars and a mounted company of the Dublin 
Fusileers were creeping around on the enemy's left flank, while 
another squadron of the Hussars and a mounted company of the 
King's Royal Rifles deployed to the right flank, at the cornfields. 

" The artillery continued to play on Smith's Hill, with a range 
of nearly 3000 yards. Under its cover the Dublin Fusileers and 
the King's Royal Rifles pressed forward. It was in the execution 
of this manoeuvre that the casualties to our infantry occurred, several 
men being killed or wounded. 

"The firing now eased ofi" on our side, and only a solitary shot 
was returned now and then. General Symons taking advantage of 
this lull, rode forward with his staff in front of the guns, taking 
cover at the rear of the plantation, near the base of the hill. All 



286 i'lERCfi :t'IGHTING IN NATAL. 

tMs time otir infantry, in extended formation, liad gradually pressed 
forward, watching tlie Boers from the rear of the artillery and 
massing on the extreme left of the hill. 

" I saw three shells in quick succession cut some to pieces and 
and drive others away. The Boer fighting was becoming hot, but 
the First Battalion of the King's Royal Rifles and the Irish 
Fusileers, led respectively by Colonel Gunning and Colonel Carlton, 
continued to mount the hill. Gradually they extended along the 
ridge, and at lo o'clock, after four and a half hours of artillery 
firing to screen them, they managed to reach a wall, running par- 
allel with the ridge, about 600 yards from the summit. 

BEATEN BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN. 

" This position was gained under cover of some magnificent 
shooting by our artillerymen, who placed shells at points where 
the Boers were massed with amazing accuracy, compelling them to 
retire. But not for long. On again the determined enemy would 
come, only to be beaten back again by the excellent shooting of 
the Thirteenth and Sixty-ninth Batteries, under Major Dawkins 
and Major King. 

"At 11.45 ^' ^- ^^^ firing had almost ceased, and our infantry 
were over the wall in a twinkling and rushing toward the plateau 
at the base of the top or secondary ridge. The defence made by 
the Boers was most determined, the enemy again and again pouring 
a long fusillade fire into the British ranks, which was hotly returned 
in well-directed volleys by the slowly advancing Dublin Fusileers 
and King's Royal Rifles. 

"A large body of Boers, driven from Smith's Hill, took refuge 
in a cattle kraal, intending a cross fire. The Thirteenth Battery 
oprned fire, however, and poured in such a hail of bullets as caused 
them speedily to shift the position. 

" Thus far the enemy have displayed undoubted courage, 
perhaps unequaled by the best European troops. They had 
stood up to our scattering artillery fire with the greatest deter- 
mination, and then, on Talana Ridge, standing clearly out on 
the sky line, they still appeared unbeaten and defiant. The 



I 



FIERCE FIGHTING IN NATAL. 287 

battle liad now raged six and a lialf hours, when the Sixty-ninth 
Battery was ordered to limber up and advance. The battery gal- 
loped into a new position in splendid form, and was in action at 
the front in a moment. 

" So effective was the apparent result of this close range firing 
that the Thirteenth Battery was at once ordered up, and after two 
rounds from each battery perfect silence reigned over the enemy's 
front, broken only by the whirring of the Maxims, served by the 
Dublin Fusiliers, who had secured an excellent position to the right. 
During a momentary cessation the Boers had taken up a position 
on a hill to the right of the road leading to Maima colliery, but the 
Thirteenth Battery soon opened fire on them and compelled them to 
retire. 

'' Meanwhile the two infantry battalions continued to climb the 
hill, and at 1.30 p.m., after eight hours of desperate fighting, the 
position was carried, the Boers having precipitately evacuated the 
hill. Thus what had commenced with a battle at Dundee ended in 
a glorious victory for British arms at what must be known as the 
battle of Talana Hill or Glencoe." 

LONG HOURS OF HARD FIGHTING. 

The earliest information regarding the battle conveyed the im- 
pression that the whole affair was over in a couple of hours, the 
British artillery silencing the Boer guns and infantry, and then 
simply charging right over the hill. According to the later advices, 
however, the battle lasted eight hours, and nearly seven hours 
elapsed before the last Boer gun was put out of action. 

The Irish Fusileers and the King's Rifles meanwhile had 
advanced to the assault and were shooting their way up the hill, 
driving the Boers back from shelter to shelter, until the final rush 
of the British carried them to the summit. It was a bright, clear 
morning, which enabled the operations to be followed by the staff 
officers without difficulty. A curious fact was that several times a 
lull occurred in the firing on both sides, the British infantry appar- 
ently taking breathing space in the stiff climb and the Boers hold- 
ing back their fire. 



288 FIERCE FIGHTING IN NAtAL. 

The magnificent practice of the British guns was an immense 
help, and the success of the assault was greatly due thereto. An 
enormous quantity of ammunition was expended. Once the Brit- 
ish bayonets showed on top of a hill the Boers retreated, and v/hen, 
on the other side, they found a British battery and British cavalry 
outflanking them, the retreat became a rout. The British guns 
followed, and, unlimbering, from time to time threw shells among 
the flying foe. 

The latter did not wait to try conclusions with the Hussars and 
mounted infantry, who apparently seldom got near enough to de- 
liver effective volleys. The pursuit was continued until dusk, 
when the Boers were completely demoralized. A heavy rain began 
to fall late in the afternoon, which naturally impeded artillery work. 
It was a striking coincidence that the date of the battle was the sec- 
ond anniversary of a similar feat of British arms in India, when 
the Gordon Highlanders stormed Dargai Heights. 

TERRIBLE SUSPENSE IN LONDON. 

On Sunday, October 2 2d, the vicinity of the War Office, London, 
was crowded all day by anxious enquirers for the latest information. 
The greatest anxiety and suspense existed regarding the losses at 
Blandslaagte, and as to the fate of the Hussars who pursued the 
Boers from Glencoe. Type-written copies of the reports of General 
Sir George Stewart White were posted on bulletin boards or read to 
the crowds amid much enthusiasm, while the additions to the list of 
killed and wounded at Glencoe were received with manifestations 
of personal bereavement. 

The stream of callers at the War Office showed little diminu- 
tion as the evening advanced. Everybody was gratified to read the 
kindly message from the Queen, and disappointed at the absence of 
news from Glencoe, many arguing that communication must be cut 
off, as otherwise there would be at least some further intelligence as 
to the condition of General Symons, who, according to an uncon- 
firmed report, died of his wounds. This report proved afterward 
to be true, as stated in preceding pages. The losses in killed 
and wounded were the subject of pulpit references in all the 



FIERCE FIGHTING IN NATAL. 2^9 

churclies, especially tlie Catholic churches, owing to the disasters 
that befell the Irish Fusileers. 

The message frora the Queen, above referred to, was addressed 
to the Secretary of State for War, the Marquis of Landsdowne, 
and was as follows : " My heart bleeds for these dreadful losses 
again to-day. It is a great success, but, I fear, very dearly bought. 
Would you convey my warmest and heartfelt sympathy with the 
near relatives of the fallen and wounded and my admiration of the 
conduct of those they have lost ?" 

Yet the patriotic spirit shown by the English people every- 
where was most resolute and self-sacrificing. One of the members 
of the Royal Canadian Special Service Regiment, which sailed for 
Cape Town, to strive for the honor of the British Empire, had a 
mother who wrote him as follows : 

"My Dkar Son: I was never more surprised than when I 
received your letter informing me of your intention to be a soldier 
and go to the battlefield at once. No matter, dear boy, how this 
affects me, I will not be guilty of making you feel sad or taking the 
courage out of your heart at this moment — the courage you need so 
much to keep you manly and brave. You are only following in the 
footsteps of your forefathers — they were all British to the core. 
Your great-grandfather, both your grandfathers and your father 
all were true to their king and country. Now, dear boy, you have 

been well brought up ; but I will say, be a good and obedient 

soldier, and respect your commanding officers, no matter who they 
are. We all here will pray for you, and may our dear Lord keep 
you and bring you back safe to us. 

" Good-bye, and may God bless and protect you from danger, 
with loi>?v, Your very affectionate Mother." 



19 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Thunder of Artillery Around Ladysmith. 

OTH the glory and tHe horror of tlie struggle between tlie 
Englisli and Boers was shown in vivid colors by the battle of 
Klandslaagte. Beginning in sunshine at 7 in the morning 
and ending in rain and darkness after a fierce fight of nearly ten 
hours' duration, it was marked by a dogged courage on the one 
hand and such irresistible valor as will make it the wonder of future 
generations. 

In view of the victory of the British in carrying such an 
almost impregnable position, it was perhaps not surprising that re- 
ports found their way from Cape Town to London that President 
Kruger was ready to surrender. 

The slowness of the Boer movements after they entered Natal 
was a surprise to many. Within forty-eight hours after the ulti- 
matum expired the Boer forces had crossed the border. Natal, 
which is a small colony little more than a fourth of the area of the 
State of New York, is in its northern portion shaped like a wedge 
driven in between the Orange Free State on the west and Transvaal 
territory on the east, the eastern boundary being the Buffalo River, 
while the western frontier is the Drakensberg range of mountains. 

Near where the river and the mountains meet on the north, to 
form the point of the wedge, is Charlestown. The railway running 
south, down the middle of the wedge to Ladysmith — distant little 
more than sixty miles as the crow flies — traverses all the important 
points mentioned in the exciting news from the seat of war, and a 
glance at their location made clear the tardiness of the Boer move- 
ment, since, on the second day after the ultimatum, the force under 
command of General Joubert was reported as moving down from 
Charlestown. 

They sent word to Newcastle, about twenty miles south, that 
they would hoist their flag there on the following Saturday ; that 
290 



THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 291 

ttey would pay for anything that they should take, and said they 
wanted opportunity to slaughter cattle. The place was evacuated 
by the British before the Boers reached it. Now it is little more 
than twenty miles further south to Glencoe, near which the Boers 
made their attack, with such disastrous results to themselves, on 
October 20th. A spur from the railway runs east three or four 
miles to Dundee, where the coal mines are, and the permanent 
British camp was located between the two towns. In the hint about 
slaughtering cattle probably lies the secret of the Boer's slowness — 
a defective commissariat. 

DEFICIENT IN ARTILLERY PRACTICE. 

Although well armed and admirable in the speed with which 
they mobilized, it was anticipated that the Boers would be deficient 
in artillery practice and that in an open fight men who had just 
dropped the farmer's utensils would be inferior in evolution to those 
whose life is devoted to scientific warfare. On the other hand, the 
undaunted courage to which the victors in the battles paid unstinted 
tribute, their power of endurance and their skill as sharpshooters 
made them foeman to be feared in the sort of semi-guerilla warfare 
in which their past successes w6re achieved. 

Now, however, they had thousands in the field where in the 
past they had but hundreds, and the handling and feeding of large 
bodies of troops in the camp and on the march presented problems 
with which they had never before been confronted. After the 
defeat it was found they had only one surgeon and a primitive staff 
to cope with hundreds of wounded. 

The campaign appeared to have been well planned to strike a 
telling blow at the British before their tremendous reinforcements 
arrived, and by these preliminary victories to inspire the Dutch 
population of the entire country to rise. While General Joubert 
invaded Natal from the north. Free State troops simultaneously 
entered it through the mountain passes twenty-five miles west of 
Lady smith. The purpose, apparently, was to cut off communica- 
tion between Ladysmith and the garrison, twenty-five miles north of 
it, at Glencoe and Dundee, and when this had been defeated to make 



292 THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 

a simultaneous attack from the nortH and west on Sir George Stew- 
art White at Ladysmith. 

Tlie preliminary attack on Glencoe was planned to be made by 
tbree columns — one from tbe nortb under General Erasmus, one 
from the south under Commandant Viljeon, and the one under 
General Meyer, which took up its position on Smith's hill and 
opened the battle on the morning of the 20th. 

Telegraphic communication between the three commands had 
been lost, and when the fight began the others were far away, and 
General Meyer after a stubborn contest was routed. While his men 
were still flying before the British cavalry a portion of Sir George 
Stewart White's command sallied forth from Ladysmith and won 
the thrilling victory at Blandslaagte. 

MASTERLY RETREAT OF GENERAL YULE. 

After Sir William Symons had been wounded the command of 
the Dundee force devolved upon General Yule. Blandslaagte was 
fought on the day after the battle of Dundee, or Glencoe, and 
then there came a mysterious lull which caused some uneasiness. 
After the defeat of General Meyer's column. General Yule found 
himself threatened by the northern column under Brasmus and 
Joubert, and was unable to hold his own under a largely outnum- 
bering force of the undefeated enemy. Yule received orders to fall 
back, and so, on the night of October 2 2d, he quietly evacuated the 
position, and retired southward by the road which leads by Beith 
through the mountains. 

He had to leave his wounded behind. Sir William Symons 
among them, in the field hospital, and there a few days later the 
gallant general breathed his last. On October 25th Yule accom- 
plished his junction with Sir George White, and the two British 
forces, the main body at Lady smith and the advanced force at 
Dundee, became one force concentrated and ready for battle at 
Ladysmith. 

The retreat of Yule from Dundee to the base at Ladysmith 
will rank high in military annals as a skillful operation carried out 
under great dif&culties. The retiring force abandoned everything 



THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 293 

that could in the least impede its rapid movements, and the weather 
was very rainy. The retirement was effected without loss, the 
enemy having been kept in check by Sir George White's timely 
help from Ladysmith. Knowing that Yule was retiring to\^ards 
him, he sent out a reconnoisance along the Ladysmith-Dundee line, 
and finding the Boers in force near the road prepared to attack them. 
The Boers, as usual, had taken up a strong position on a ridge 
with a kop, or abrupt mountain top, for a keep or main stronghold. 
Under a heavy fire of shrapnel the Boers were shaken, and finally, 
by an advance of infantry, driven from their commanding position 
over the road, and this being the object Sir George White had in 
view, the British column returned to Ladysmith. The way had 
been opened for Yule. In all the three actions the Boer losses must 
have been very heavy, probably twice those of the British. 

HOW "LADYSMITH" OBTAINED ITS NAME. 

As the name " Ladysmith" is prominently connected with 
military operations in Natal, a word may be said of the lady after 
whom the town is named. It was so named in honor of the wife of 
Sir Harry Smith, who was once Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. 
But who was the wife of Sir Harry Smith ? To answer that ques- 
tion it is necessary to go back to the time of the Peninsular war in 
the early part of the century. 

Sir Harry Smith was in that war, and was present at the 
storming of Badajoz, in the spring of 1812. According to a vera- 
cious chronicler, on the day after the assault two handsome Spanish 
ladies, one the wife of a Spanish officer, serving in a distant part of 
Spain, and the other her sister, a girl fourteen years of age, Juana 
Maria de los Delores de Leon, claimed the protection of Smith and 
a brother officer, representing that they had fled to the camp from 
Badajoz, where they had suffered violence from the infuriated 
soldiery, having had their earrings brutally torn from their ears. 
They were conveyed by Smith and his friend to a place of safety. 
Within two years Juana Maria de Leon became the wife of Smith, 
she being then sixteen and her husband twenty-six years of age. 

General Sir Harry Smith (in whose honor the town of Harris- 



294 THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 

smitH is named), died October 12, i860. The handsome Spanish 
girl who became his wife forty-six years previously survived him 
twelve years, and died October 10, 1872. It may be noted as a co- 
incidence that on the twenty-seventh anniversary of her death 
President Kruger sent his ultimatum, and on the thirty-ninth 
anniversary of her husband's death the Boers invaded Natal and 
surrounded Lady smith. 

It will help to a clear understanding of the military situation 
at this period of the war to glance over the field of operations and 
get some idea of the strength of the opposing forces, together with 
the plan of campaign on each side. 

SKETCH OF THE BOER ARMY. 

The ultimatum of the Boers, presented October loth, not having 
been accepted, they at once declared war against Great Britain. As 
one of the things they demanded was the withdrawal from Natal of 
all British troops sent there since the preceding June, it will be seen 
that war had been imminent for some time, and both sides had made 
great preparations. At the beginning of hostilities there were in 
Natal nearly 15,000 troops, under the command of Sir George 
Steward White. Along the Western border there were 2000 troops, 
principally volunteers and Cape Mounted Police, under the com- 
mand of Colonel Baden-Powell. 

The military organization of the Boers is unique. Their per- 
manent army consists of but a few hundred artillerymen. They 
form, however, a nation in arms. Orders had been sent throughout 
their territory for the burghers to turn out, each man to bring to 
the rendezvous his horse, accoutrements, arms and ammunition. 
Kvery able-bodied male, from eighteen to sixty years of age, is 
liable to be called out. 

No accurate information as to the strength of the Boer force at 
this time was available. A moderate estimate is 18,000 in the South 
African Republic and 14,000 in the Orange Free State. To these 
might be added some of the Afrikanders in the adjoining British 
territory. 

These troops assembled at Harrismith, Volksrust, Vryheld and 



THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 295 

Bremersdorp, forming a cordon around the apex of Natal. On the 
morning of October I2tli the Boers crossed the frontier at Botha's 
Pass on the west, Laing's Nek at the apex, and from Wakkers- 
troom on the east, General Joubert being with the central column. 
The Free State forces came from the west — one column through 
Van Reenan's Pass toward Bester's Station, and another through 
Tintwa Pass toward Acton Homes. 

The northern column advanced to Newcastle and occupied it 
on October 14th, the British, previous to the opening of hostilities, 
having withdrawn from the extreme northern part of Natal, and 
having their main position at Lady smith, with a small force at 
Glencoe and Dundee. The object of the Boers seemed to be to keep 
the British forces at Ladysmith and Dundee occupied while parties 
of Boers could slip by to the south, cut the railway and telegraph 
lines, destroy bridges and cut off the British from their base at 
Durban on the coast and their advanced base at Pietermaritzburg. 

SHARP ATTACK BY THE BOERS. 

War being declared, the Boers immediately assumed the offen- 
sive, their northern column attacking the British forces near Glencoe 
on October 19th. The Boers, as we have seen, commenced their 
attack with artillery from a hill about 5000 yards from the British 
camp. The British artillery opened in reply, and, after an artil- 
lery duel, the attack on the hill began, the infantry in front, 
the cavalry on the flanks. After eight hours of stubborn fighting 
the position was taken, the Boers being driven eastward and losing 
their guns. 

The advance of the Boers had cut off communication between 
Ladysmith and Glencoe, and it was a military necessity to dislodge 
the Boers from their position before they were joined by the burgh- 
ers frcssn the Orange Free State. Consequently, Sir George White 
sent a column from Ladysmith along the Newcastle road. The 
enemy was found in a strong position on hilly ground, about a mile 
and a half east of Bland slaagte. After a long and stubborn fight 
the Boer camp was captured, with their transportation, camp equip- 
age and two guns. 



296 THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 

The way was now clear to a junction between tHe main force 
at Lady smith, and the withdrawal of the force near Glencoe was 
considered advisable, as otherwise the British would have had two 
separate bodies of troops, each of which was smaller than the Boer 
force confronting it. While these operations were going on between 
Ladysmith and Dundee, the burghers from the Orange Free State 
were on their way to the theatre of operations, and on October 17th 
they were seen descending from the western passes, and later came 
in contact with the British outposts near Bester's Station and Acton 
Homes. No serious engagement took place there, however, and this 
column of Boers seems to have stopped in its advance. 

As the contingents from the South African Republic and the 
Orange Free State were now within forty miles of each other, it 
was essential that a junction should be effected between the forces 
of General White and General Yule with the least possible delay, 
so that the combined British forces might be in a position to act 
upon either one or the other of the hostile columns before they 
effected a junction. 

THE TWO FORCES UNITE. 

This was not easy, as reconnoissance showed that the Boers 
still held a strong position between Ladysmith and Dundee, and it 
was necessary for General Yule's force to make a detour at once to 
reach the main force at Ladysmith. General White had sent out 
some troops to meet him, and this force joined hands with General 
Yule's command and the junction of the British troops was effected. 

Meanwhile the towns on the southern and western borders had 
been menaced by small armed bodies of Boers, those along the 
Orange River frontier being almost entirely unprotected. Along 
the western border the railroad runs nearly north, parallel to the 
border and but a few miles from it. It passes through Kimberley, 
Vryburg and Mafeking. The forces along this line, as before stated, 
consisted of about 2000 men, principally volunteers and Cape 
mounted police, with a few regulars, under the command of Colonel 
Baden-Powell. 

The Boers opened operations along this line by capturing and 



.J_4JJI_i U,^,lJUii 



.^j-.i^ ■uLitiijjjj i ^.ky ! 




RECONNOISSANCE IN FORCE OF BRITISH CAVALRY. 



THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 297 

destroying an armored train. Vryburg was abandoned by tbe Brit- 
ish and taken possession of by tbe Boers. It bad a very small 
garrison, probably police, and was of small importance in itself, 
except tbat its possession by tbe Boers cut tbe British line to the 
south. 

Kimberley at this time was in a state of siege, and a recon- 
noitering party of about 300 volunteers and mounted police was 
attacked near that place by the Boers. After a hot fight the Boers 
were defeated and their leader killed. Colonel Baden-Powell, with 
the larger part of his force, was in the vicinity of Mafeking, where 
considerable fighting occurred. On October 15th, an attack on this 
place by the Boers was reported, the Boers being repulsed with con- 
siderable loss. 

GREAT BRAVERY ON BOTH SIDES. 

In the fighting so far great bravery and stubbornness were 
shown on both sides. The English would seem to have made a 
great tactical advance since their operations on the same ground in 
1 88 1. They made a very effective use of their artillery, and seemed 
to have, to some extent, overcome their historical tendency to fight 
in solid masses. The necessity of fighting in extended order was 
impressed upon them by no one more emphatically than by Sir 
Redvers Buller. It is a question whether the Boers were individ- 
ually as expert with the rifle as they were twenty years before. 
Their country was more settled, there was much less game and con- 
sequently much less attention to hunting than formerly. The 
natural result would be decreased efficiency as soldiers. 

It was, perhaps, unfortunate for British prestige that the con- 
centration at Ladysmith did not take place at an earlier date. It 
was considered from the outset that it would be impracticable to 
hold such an exposed point as Laing's Nek, as it could be turned so 
easily through the mountain passes to the south, and the force 
occupying it entirely cut off from its base. The withdrawal of the 
troops from Glencoe after the declaration of war, and after they had 
been attacked by the Boers, although they were the victors in the 
attack, could not but detract from their prestige, strengthen the 



298 THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 

morale of the Boers and have a great effect upon the Afrikanders, 
heretofore neutral, who secretly sympathized with the Boers. 

The strategy of the Boers seems to have been good. They 
were prepared to take the field the moment their ultimatum was 
rejected by the British government. Bach contingent was called 
out in its own territory and had Natal for a common objective. If 
they could cut off the British force in Natal, which their great 
numerical superiority in the field (probably nearly three to one) 
would lead them to expect, they would not only achieve a great 
military success, but the moral effect might also be to add to their 
strength by the accession of Afrikanders scattered through all the 
British possessions in South Africa, and they might also hope for 
an uprising in their favor by some of the native tribes. 

SITUATION FAVORABLE TO THE BOERS. 

They enjoyed the great advantage of a central position, the 
border forming roughly the letter " U," and were thus enabled to 
move on interior lines within their own territory. They could move 
against Natal, or, making a feint in that direction, could throw their 
main force against the British possessions on their western border. 
The advantage of the possession of interior lines in the case of the 
Boers, however, was much lessened by the fact that on account 
of the lack of railway facilities in an easterly and westerly direction 
their troops would have to move across the country by marching. 

On October 30th the military situation in South Africa is 
described by a London journal with exceptional sources of informa- 
tion as follows : " For some days, if not, indeed, some weeks, the 
main interest in the military situation will be centred at Lady- 
smith. The Boer forces are gradually working their way round the 
town, entrenching themselves as if they were playing a waiting 
game. This, however, will probably be only a temporary measure. 
It is clear that they have withdrawn men from other points which, 
for the moment, they consider less important, and are concentrating 
for a supreme effort against Ladysmith. 

" This town, which is third in importance in Natal, is situated 
on the Klip river, just to the east of the railway. As the town is 



THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 299 

approaclied from tlie soutli there is a High, rocky ridge of hills, the 
summits of which are clothed with mimosa trees. The town, shel- 
tered by a semi-circle of hills, is of importance, from the fact that 
there are large railway workshops there. The most important posi- 
tion to the northeast of the town is Lombard's Kop, at a distance of 
about five miles. It is in this direction that a strong force moved 
on the 27th. It met a reconnoissance of the enemy. The Boers 
withdrew early next day. 

" News regarding the cutting off of the water supply is some- 
what surprising, and seems to show that the British camp has been 
shifted, and that the Boers are closer to the town than was generally 
supposed, for since Ladysmith was made a military station in 1897 
the troops have been stationed near the water works, about two miles 
from the town. 

QUICK MILITARY OPERATIONS. 

" The Boers, too, are exhibiting a certain amount of daring, 
which argues great confidence. They have managed to snap up a 
patrol of non-commissioned officers, carry off a thousand mules 
and seize the municipal slaughter-houses, with supplies of both 
meat and slaughtered stock. This, with the ease with which they 
have reorganized the German Corps, so severe a sufferer at Klands- 
laagte, and the column commanded by General Meyer, which was 
shattered at Talana Hill, shows that they have great recuperative 
powers, and by no means consider themselves beaten men. 

" Indeed, they have, throughout the campaign, shown great 
fertility of resource and dogged perseverance, with which they 
have managed to transport heavy guns and post them in command- 
ing positions worthy all admiration. 

" It is, of course, practically impossible to forecast what Sir 
George White will do. His chief difficulty will be to induce the 
enemy to attack him on ground of his own choosing. There would 
be no doubt of the result, if this could be brought about. The in- 
dications, however, are that there will be on both sides an indulgence 
in Fabian tactics, but these will be all in favor of the British." 

On the 30th of October a battle raged around Ladysmith a 



300 THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 

large part of tlie day and proved to be a stubborn contest. The 
Britisb advance was made at dawn with the object of sbelling the 
Boers from the position where they had mounted a number of guns. 
On reaching the spot it was found they had evacuated the position. 
The British continued to advance and the movement developed 
into an reconnoissance in force. The enemy were posted on a range 
of hills having a frontage of about sixteen miles. The British 
force was disposed in the following order: On the right, three 
regiments of cavalry, four batteries of the Royal Field Artillery 
and five battalions of infantry ; in the centre, three batteries of the 
Royal Field Artillery, two regiments of cavalry and four infantry 
battalions, and on the left, the Ro3^al Irish Fusileers, the Gloucester- 
shire Regiment and the Tenth Mountain Battery. 

PLAN FAILED OF EXECUTION. 

This force had been detailed to guard the British left flank at 
a late hour. General White's plan of operations was that, as the 
movement developed, the force constituting the centre, which was 
disposed under cover of a hill, about three miles from the town, 
should throw itself upon the enemy, while the left flank was being 
held by the Fusileers and the Gloucesters. The scheme was well 
devised, but failed in execution, owing to the fact that the Boer 
position, which formed the objective, was evacuated. 

The British artillery quickly reduced the volume of the 
enemy's fire, but the attack delivered on the right flank was the 
principal one, and the column was compelled to change. The Boer 
attack had been silenced for a time, and the British infantry 
advanced covered by cavahy. 

The enemy now began to develop a heavy counter-attack, and 
as they were in great numerical superiority. General White gave 
orders for the infantry to be graduall}^ withdrawn. The movement 
was carried out with great steadiness and deliberation, under cover 
of the guns, which did good execution. Some shells were thrown 
into the town from the enemy's fort}^ pounders at a range of over 
6000 yards, but no damage was done. The engagement lasted 
several hours, and resulted in serious losses on both sides. 



THUNDfiR OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 301 

Tlie attack was admirably delivered by the Britisb right, and 
the Boers were fairly driven out of one of their strongholds down 
near Lombard's Kop. It was not possible, however, to push the 
success much further, as below that point lay a long broken ridge, 
affording every kind of natural cover. Of this the enemy took 
the fullest advantage. 

The shells failed to dislodge the Boers, and as the infantry 
moved forward in extended order they came under a heavy and well- 
directed rifle fire, the effect of which was soon apparent. General 
White, who was with the centre, seeing that the troops were some- 
what pressed, sent to their assistance the whole centre column with 
the exception of the Devonshire Regiment. 

TERRIFIC ARTILLERY DUEL. 

The battle had then lasted four hours, during which the artil- 
lery fire on both sides had been almost incessant. The naval 
brigade which landed at Durban arrived on the scene toward the 
end of the fight, and immediately brought their heavy guns into 
play. Their practice was magnificent. At the fourth shot the 
enemy's forty-pounders had been knocked out of action. Through- 
out the engagement the Boers held their ground with courage 
and tenacity, and suffered severely. 

The engagement at Ladysmith, which, despite the rather heavy 
losses, was regarded rather as an extended reconnoisance or skir- 
mish than a battle, made little change in the actual positions. It 
was disappointing to the British public as again revealing tactical 
skill of an unexpectedly high order on the side of the Boers. In 
addition to the possession of a number of heavy guns, the transport 
of which caused wonderment, they showed marvelous ability. Un- 
less commanded by skillful European officers, it was hardly con- 
sidered probable that Boer soldiers would have assumed a feigned 
position, as they evidently did, in front of the right column, with 
the intention of retreating from it to their real line of defence, and 
of inducing the British to attack over a fire-swept zone. 

The special despatches describing the engagement again failed 
to confirm General White's official account that the Boers were 



302 THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 

pushed back several miles. The fighting began with a frontal! 
attack on the main Boer position, which, however, was found evacu- 
ated. The enemy having retired, now made a change of front! 
and developed a heavy attack on Colonel Grimwood's brigade. Toj 
meet this the British artillery, which had been shelling the evacu- 
ated position, also changed front. 

Grimwood's brigade was promptly reinforced, but soon was] 
obliged to fall back rapidly, with consequences which might have 
been serious had not the Fifty-third Field Battery pluckily covered' 
the movement at considerable loss to itself. It is quite certain that 
General White failed to accomplish the object he intended, and the 
day's proceedings were an instructive example of the difficulty of 
operations when the enemy holds an extended position from which 
he is able to make sudden and unexpected developments and 
changes of front. 

SURROUNDED AND FORCED TO SURRENDER. 

Under date of October 30th the following from General White 
was received at the London War Office : "I have to report a disas- 
ter to the column sent by me to take a position on a hill to guard 
the left flank of the troops. In these operations to-day the Royal 
Irish Fusileers, No. 10 Mountain Battery and the Gloucestershire 
Regiment were surrounded on the hills, and after losing heavily 
had to capitulate. The casualities have not yet been ascertained. 

" A man of the Fusileers employed as a hospital orderly came 
in under a flag of truce with a letter from the survivors of the col- 
umn, who asked for assistance to bury the dead. I fear there is no 
doubt of the truth of the report. I formed a plan, in the carrying 
out of which the disaster occurred, and I am alone responsible for 
the plan. There is no blame whatever on the troops, as the posi- 
tion was untenable." 

The next day telegraphed as follows : "I took out from Lady- 
smith a brigade of mounted troops, two brigade divisions of the 
Royal Artillery, the Natal Field Battery and two brigades of infan- 
try, to reconnoitre in force the enemy's main position to the north, 
and, if the opportunity should offer, to capture the hill behind 



THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 303 

FarquBar's Farm, wHicli had, on the previous day, been iield in 
strength by the enemy. In connection with this advance a column, 
consisting of the Tenth Mountain Artillery, four half companies of 
of the Gloucesters and six companies of the Royal Irish Fusileers, 
the whole under Lieutenant-Colonel Carlton and Major Adye, 
Deputy Assisiant Adjutant-General, was despatched, at ii p.m. on 
the 29th, to march by night up Bells-Spruit and seize Nicholson's 
Nek, or some position near Nicholson's Nek, thus turning the 
enemy's right flank. 

ARTILLERY CAUSES HEAVY LOSS. 

" The main advance was successfully carried out, the objective 
of the attack being found evacuated, and an artillery duel between 
our field batteries and the enemy's guns of the position and Max- 
ims is understood to have caused heavy loss to the enemy. The 
reconnoissance forced the enemy to fully disclose his position, and, 
after a strong-counter attack on our right, the infantry brigade and 
cavalry had been repulsed, the troops were slowly withdrawn to 
camp, pickets being left on observation. 

" Late in the engagement the naval contingent, under Captain 
Lambton, of Her Majesty's Ship Powerful, came into action, and 
silenced, with their extremely accurate fire, the enemy's guns of 
position. 

" The circumstances which attended the movements of Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Carlton's column are not yet fully known, but from 
reports received the column appears to have carried out the night 
march unmolested, until within two miles of Nicholson's Nek. At 
this point two boulders rolled from the hill and a few rifle shots 
stampeded the infantry ammunition mules. The stampede spread 
to the battery mules, which broke loose from their leaders, and got 
away with practically the whole of the gun equipment and the 
greater portion of the small-arm ammunition. The reserve was 
similarly lost. 

" The infantry battalions, however, fixed bayonets, and accom- 
panied by the personnel of the artillery, seized a hill on the left of 
of the road, two miles from the Nek, with but little opposition. 



304 THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 

There they remained unmolested till dawn, the time being occupied 
in organizing the defence of the hill and constructing stone sangers 
and walls as cover from fire. 

"At dawn a skirmishing attack on our position was commenced 
by the enemy, but made no way until 9.30 A.M., when strong rein- 
forcements enabled them to rush to the attack with great energy. 
Their fire became very searching, and two companies of the Glou- 
cesters, in an advance position, were ordered to fall back. The 
enemy then pressed to short range, the losses on our side becoming 
very numerous. 

" At 3 p. M. our ammunition was practically exhausted, the 
position was captured and the survivors of the column fell into the 
enemy's hands. The enemy treated our wounded with humanity, 
General Joubert at once despatching a letter me, offering a safe 
conduct to doctors and ambulances to remove the wounded. A 
medical officer and parties to render first aid to the wounded were 
despatched to the scene of action from Ladysmith last night, and the 
ambulances at dawn this morning. 

THE MULES RUN AWAY. 

" The want of success of the column was due to the misfortune 
of the mules stampeding and the consequent loss of the guns and 
small-arm ammunition reserve. The official list of casualties and 
prisoners will be reported shortly. The latter are understood to 
have been sent by rail to Pretoria. The security of Ladysmith is 
in no way affected." 

The battle at Ladysmith was disappointing to the British, as 
the object, which was to roll back the Free Staters, was not achieved. 
Yet the soldiers, individually, showed themselves fully a match for 
the Boers, both in shooting ability and pluck, although they were 
faced by double their own numbers, posted upon rough ground 
which had previously been prepared for defence and to resist a 
cannonade. 

The Boers had been drawing their coils closer around on the 
west, north and east sides of the town, their forces being composed 
of the Free Staters, General Joubert's column and that of General 



THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 305 

Meyer. General White's plan included fighting three simultaneous 
actions. On the night of the 30th, before daybreak, the, British 
troops marched out a distance of several miles from camp, and 
succeeded in securing several points unseen by the enemy, the 
advantage being thus on our side. Considering the nature of the 
subsequent contests, the losses must be regarded as relatively light. 
The Boers began battle at 10 minutes past 5 o'clock in the 
morning by firing their 40-pounder guns from a ridge, situated 
about four miles out, east of the railway, and dropping shells into the 
town. The missiles luckily proved almost harmless. The action 
soon became general, and the British left, centre and right engaged 
the Boer positions. At first the batteries seemed unable to quite 
silence the Boer artillery, which fought with indomitable energy 
and pluck, the British gunners having to contend with the difficulty 
of being on low ground. 

ATTACKED WITH GREAT VIGOR. 

General White's right and centre gained some initial successes, 
but the enemy arrived in great force, and the right and left were 
attacked with tremendous vigor. The left became partially hemmed 
in, and the right was driven in steadily. General retirement began 
at about 11 in the forenoon, and was executed everywhere with 
coolness. 

It was a serious misfortune to the British that the Powerful's 
bluejackets, with their big guns, were not summoned sooner, as the 
result of the engagement might have been different. Their third 
shot with a 12-pounder, fired at i o'clock in the afternoon, silenced 
the Boer 40-pounder. 

Scouting operations which were carried out disclosed the fact 
that several of the Boer's encampments, including that of General 
Lucas Meyer's column, from Dundee, lay behind Lombards and 
Bulwan Kops to the number of 7000 men, with two batteries. 

At daybreak General French, with 4000 men, prepared to 
assault these positions with bayonet and lance, but was recalled. 
The Free Staters and Joubert's forces had joined hands to the south 

of Modners Spruit and west of the railway. Their central position 

20 



306 THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 

was well selected from a tactical point of view, being upon rough 
hills, south of Matawan's Hook. 

The Boers advanced in lines over a wide circuit of more than 
ten miles, extending from west of Acton Homes to east of Bulwan. 
General White detailed Major Adye with a mountain battery of 
y-pounders and part of the Royal Irish Fusileers and the Glouces- 
tershire Regiment to hold the neck of hills north of the old camp, 
thus menacing the Free Staters' line of retreat, and securing Lady- 
smith from a westerly attack. 

General Sir Archibald Hunter, with Colonel Grimwood, two 
batteries of artillery, the Leistershire and Liverpool Regiments and 
the First and Second Battalions of the Rifle Brigade, were sent to 
operate against General Meyer. 

In passing beyond Lombard's and Bulwan Kops, unluckily one 
battery and the Liverpools lost their direction in advancing. They 
retraced their steps, but were not able to render assistance in the 
action until late. 

HURRIED MANCEUVRES OF TROOPS. 

The remaining infantry brigades, Colonel Ian Hamilton's, 
comprising the Gordon Highlanders, the Devonshire Regiment, the 
Manchester Regiment and the Fourth Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, 
and Colonel Howard's, consisting of the First and Second Battal- 
ions of the King's Royal Rifles, the Dublin Fusileers and six field 
batteries, were sent to the centre on the Newcastle roadway. 

Colonel Howard's brigde, being on the right, halted in the 
darkness behind a low kopje to the right of the roadway, about two 
and a half miles out, the guns of Howard's men making a detour 
by the right in order to turn what was thought to be the Boers' left. 
General White sought to thrust forward his centre, while Major 
Adye, on the left, and Colonel Grimwood, on the right, held the 
lopposed commandoes in check. 

Major Adye, going on along Walker's Hook road, found a big 
force of Free Staters. The fighting soon grew desperate. An 
exposed kopje, which was occupied, was at an early hour assailed 
on all sides, and their ammunition mules, with the Kaffir drivers, 



THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 307 

stampeded. This was followed by the disaster reported in General 
White's despatches, which gave a profound shock to the British peo- 
ple, who appeared to be looking for an uninterrupted series of 
successes against the Boers. 

The first shock of consternation over, the British Nation settled 
down to regard the situation in a calmer mood, and to this they 
were helped by the action of the government and all directly con- 
cerned. Fully recognizing and appreciating the disaster the War 
Office, without waiting for the meeting of the Cabinet Council, 
issued orders for the mobilization of three battalions of infantry 
and a mounted battery, which were to be sent to South Africa as 
soon as possible. 

FAULT OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL. 

General White, whose magnanimous assumption of the entire 
responsibility in his first dispatch commanded universal admiration, 
sent a further dispatch, as we have seen, telling the tale in simple 
but somewhat reticent language. This in a measure relieved the 
gloom, and in two respects gave a brighter view of the catastrophe. 
It now seemed that the full battalions were not engaged, thus 
materially reducing the first estimate of the number of British pris- 
oners captured by the Boers. 

Is is also pointed out that the disaster was not altogether the 
consequence of a tactical blunder, but was partly due to the unfore- 
seen misfortune of the stampeding of the mules, which not only 
deprived the colums of their battery guns, but lost to the reserves 
a quantity of arms and ammunition. 

It was known that the British made a brave and stubborn 
resistance to a foe overwhelmingly their numerical superior. When 
their last cartridge was fired capitulation became a necessity. It 
was the almost incredible fact of a British regiment capitulating 
while under fire which outraged public sentiment and made the 
catastrophe a harder one to bear. One day the British public was 
in the depth of despondency; the next the people are comforting 
themselves in the belief that the Gloucesters and the Royal Irish 
Fusileers maintained their regimental traditions by exhibiting 
a courage and tenacity very rarely read of. 



308 THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 

Military experts liere were unable to compreliend why Colonel 
Carlton's command was unable to communicate in sucb a sore 
strait with tbe headquarters of General White, who was well pro- 
vided with cavalry and mounted infantry. There were abundant 
signalers, and it is regarded as inexplicable that arrangements were 
not made for keeping up communication between the detachments 
sent into an intricate and dangerous country and the main body. It 
is generally hoped that the lesson of Boer tactics would not be. 
thrown away, and that the public would not hear of other wild turn- 
ing movements attempted by small forces through such a country. 

SHOCKED BY THE NEWS. 

Yet the first news produced an appalling effect, in part for the 
reason that it was entirely unexpected. " Awful British disaster !" 
yelled the newsboys, and all London stayed its hurrying course and 
read the urchins' proffered wares. It was the hour when shoppers 
crowded Regent and Oxford streets and Piccadilly. Women stopped 
their carriages in midstreet and hailed the hoarse-voiced boys. Out 
of fashionable stores rushed other women, young and gray haired, 
and joined the throng of rich and poor, many of whom had their 
hearts and happiness bound up in those fighting at Ladysmith. 
Many stood stock still in the crowded streets scanning the pages of 
the extras. 

Then there was a rush to the War Of&ce, which by noon was 
surrounded with private carriages and cabs, while many of the 
humbler class of people came on foot, all waiting and watching for 
the names they held dear. 

As the day advanced the throng at the War Of&ce steadily 
grew. Anxious friends practically fought their way to the notice 
board, and most affecting scenes were witnessed. Many a woman 
was heard to gasp, "Thank God, he's alive, at any rate!" as she 
found the name of some beloved one on the list of prisoners. All 
the afternoon the sidewalks were packed with solid masses awaiting 
their turn to enter, and up to a late hour in the evening there was 
a continuous stream of callers. 

At Gloucester, the home of many of those engaged, the wild- 



THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 309 

est excitement prevailed. The special editions of the local news- 
papers were speedily exhausted, and the same thing occurred at 
Bristol and other towns in that county. Coming so soon after the 
engagement at Reitfontein, where the Gloucestershires suffered 
heavily, the news brought the keenest sorrow to households all over 
the county, whose name the regiment bore. 

The disaster caused a feeling akin to consternation, and in 
Gloucestershire and the north of Ireland, where the captured 
regiments were recruited, the blackest gloom prevailed, families 
awaiting with beating hearts the names of the killed and wounded, 
which were fully expected to reach a high figure. Many homes 
were already in mourning in consequence of losses sustained by 
these regiments in previous engagements. 

DISASTROUS BRITISH LOSSES. 

While minor reverses were not wholly unexpected, nothing like 
the staggering blow General Joubert delivered to General White's 
forces was anticipated. The full extent of the disaster was not 
acknowledged, if it was known, at the War Office. The loss in 
effective men must have been appalling to a general who was prac- 
tically surrounded. Two of the finest British regiments and a 
mule battery deducted from the Ladysmith garrison weakened it 
about a fifth of its total strength and altered the whole situation 
very materially in favor of the Boers, who again showed themselves 
stem fighters and military strategists of no mean order. The dis- 
aster cost the British from 1200 to 1500 men and six 7-pound screw 
guns, and as the Boer artillery was already stronger than imagined, 
the capture of these guns was a great help to the Boers. 

It is evident that the patriotism and fortitude of the British 
nation were to be tested in real earnest by these operations in Natal 
against odds. General White had a difficult task set him, and it 
soon became evident the disaster would be taken with the dogged 
coolness which Britons know how to display, and the final result 
would be awaited without apprehension. 

One of the most influential journals of Canada commented as 
follows : " Great Britain is temporarily dismayed by the disaster at 



310 THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 

Ladysmith, and from all parts of tlie empire come expressions of 
deep regret that the survivors of two grand regiments, which have 
participated in many glorious victories in the past, are in the hands 
of the enemy. It is feared that many of the brave soldiers have 
been killed or wounded, and that when the truth is known the loss 
of life will be appalling. 

" BRITON SHOULD NEVER SAY DIE." 

" It would have been a lasting disgrace had the British soldiers 
surrendered to the Boers ; a Briton should never say die, but fight 
until the bitter end. According to a late report from General White 
the regiments lost heavily in the encounter, and when their ammu- 
nition was exhausted * the survivors of the column fell into the 
enemy's hands.' The brave soldiers fought until the last shot 

was gone. 

*' Though the disaster may mean a temporary check, and leave 
Ladysmith in danger, the British will proceed with the campaign, 
more determined than ever to conquer the Boers and place South 
Africa under British rule. Already the War Department is making 
arrano-ements to send forth regiments to take the places of the 
Gloucesters and Irish Fusileers, and there is talk of forming another 
army corps. 

"The fighting qualities of the Boers and the skill of the 
o-enerals as military strategists must not be underestimated, and a 
sufficient force should be sent to Africa to crush the enemy. It 
must be admitted, though regretfully, that the Boers outwitted the 
British and laid a trap which they fell into. General White man- 
fully accepts all responsibility for the disaster, and, while it is cer- 
tain that ' somebody blundered,' we must admire the general, who, 
though it means much to him and dims the glory of his past mili- 
tary record, says, ' I alone am responsible.' There is no quibbling 
or attempt to shift the responsibility. 

" It was feared that the loss of the regiments would weaken 
General White's position and that he would be unable to hold 
Ladysmith, but, according to later dispatches the War Department is 
still in communication with the British camp. The Boers shelled 



THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. Sll 

Ladysmitli, but tlie British silenced their guns, and General White 
is confident that he will be able to hold out. 

" It has been suggested that Canada should send another con- 
tingent to help the mother country. We think that at the present 
time the colonies should stand behind Great Britain and render all 
assistance in their power. In a movement of this kind Canada 
should take the lead, and let Britain see that we are with her, and 
that if another contingent is required it will be sent without delay. 

" The government should certainly volunteer to raise another 
contingent, and let the colonial office decide whether or not they are 
needed. Great Britain, however, seems able to cope with the occa- 
sion, and though the disaster is a great one, many brave soldiers 
being lost, and sorrow brought to many homes, the grand old nation 
will soon recover and bring the Boers to terms. Yet we think the 
oflfer of another contingent should be made. Young Canadians will 
gladly volunteer their services to the mother country." 

ON MANY A HARD-FOUGHT FIELD. 

The Gloucestershire Regiment, the first battalion of which 
capitulated at Ladysmith, was formerly the Twenty-eighth North 
Gloucester. The colors bear the following magnificent list of 
honors: Ramilies, Louisburg, Quebec (1759), Egypt (with the 
sphinx), Maida, Corunna, Talavera, Barossa, Alburhera, Salamanca, 
Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nives, Orthes, Toulouse, Peninsula, 
Waterloo, Punjab, Chilli an wallah, Goojerat, Alma, Inkerman, 
Sebastopol, Delhi. The regiment raised in 1694 has been prac- 
tically in existence ever since. One detachment was on garrison 
duty in Newfoundland in 1868. 

The regiment was reorganized in 1702 and took part in the 
campaigns in the Low Countries, and in Spain from 1704 to 1709. 
In the Vigo expedition of 17 19 the Gloucestershires went to the 
fore. Later in the campaign in Flanders the regiment added greatly 
to its reputation by the gallant bearing in the fearful battle of 
Fontenoy and other bloody fights of that campaign. Coming to 
this side of the water in 1757 it fought at Louisburg, Cape Bretan 
and Quebec. 



312 THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 

The immortal General Wolfe received his death wound while 
marching at the head of this regiment on the Plains of Abraham. 
The regiment afterwards took part in the defense of Quebec against 
the French besiegers. In 1762 the Gloucestershires participated in 
the capture of Martinique and Havana, and later fought through 
the American war of independence, where the desperate valor of 
officers and men in many of the fierce struggles aroused the admir- 
ation even of Britain's enemies. The years of 1778 to 1794 pro- 
vided the regiment with much active service in the West Indies and 
Flanders. In 1798 it was part of the force which captured Minorca, 
and in 1800 formed part of the expedition which demonstrated 
against Cadiz. 

THE FAR-FAMED GLOUCESTERSHIRES. 

Under Sir Ralph Abercromby the regiment fought in Egypt in 
1801, and in 1805-1807 was engaged in the campaign in Holland. 
In 1808 the Gloucestershire Regiment took part in Sir John Moore's 
expedition to Portugal. Throughout Wellington's campaigns in 
Portugal and Spain the regiment fought, adding laurels to its record 
on many a hotly contested field and participating in the crowning 
battles and triumphs of Ouatre Bras and Waterloo. The Crimean 
war furnished the regiment with stirring service, as did also the 
Indian mutiny. 

The Princess Victoria's Royal Irish Fusileers, late Eighty- 
seventh and Eighty-ninth foot regiments, is one of the finest regi- 
ments in the British army. The first battalion, the one which 
capitulated, was raised in 1793, and, strange to say, within two 
years of its organization, had an almost similar experience to that 
which befell it at Ladysmith. In the year 1795, during the cam- 
paign in Flanders against the French, it formed part of the garri- 
son of Bergen-op-Zoom. The Dutch troops of the garrison betrayed 
their trust, threw open the gates and the Irish battalion had no 
other recourse than surrender. In 1796, prisoners having been 
exchanged, the battalion proceeded to the West Indies with the ex- 
pedition under Sir Ralph Abercromby, and the following year took 
part in the Porto Rico campaign. The interval between 1797 and 



THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 313 

i8io was a quiet one, but in the last-named year the battalion was 
present at the capture of Mauritius, and was stationed there until 
1814. 

Its next active service was in India in the Nepaul campaign of 
1816. The Burmese war of 1826 furnished considerable hard cam- 
paigning for the battalion. Throughout the Indian mutiny, 1857- 
1859, the first battalion was to the fore in many a bloody fight. Its 
last active service previous to being ordered to South Africa was in 
the Egyptian war of 1882. The battalion was stationed at Halifax, 
N. S., from 1872 to 1876. 

The second battalion of the regiment, raised in 1804, takes the 
place of the Eighty-ninth foot, a regiment raised in 1804 and dis- 
banded in 18 1 7, after distinguished service in the Egyptian expedi- 
tion, the Peninsula and the American war, 18 12-13. This battalion 
also has a good fighting record, as the following brief summary 
shows: 1818, Mahratta war ; 1824, Burmese war; 1856-57, South 
African; 1857-59, Indian mutiny; 1884, Soudan. 

STANDARDS WREATHED WITH HONORS. 

This battalion was stationed at Quebec, Montreal and Toronto 
for several years from 1841. As stated, the second battalion took 
the place of the old Eighty-ninth foot. The regimental standards 
bear the following honors, which include those gained by the old 
Eighty-ninth foot and the first and second battalions of the regi- 
ment : Egypt (with the sphinx) , Montevideo, Talavera, Barossa, 
Tarifia, Java, Vittoria, Nivelle, Niagara, Orthes, Toulouse, Penin- 
sula, Ava, Sebastopol, Egypt (1882-84), Tel-el- Kebir. 

The Tenth Mountain Battery forms a part of a comparatively 
recently organized branch of the royal artillery. This is a branch 
of the army that has been represented in every battle in the annals 
of the British history since Crecy, where the cannon of the time 
were scorned alike by friend and foe. It is now, however, admittedly 
the finest branch of the service, and one which has frequently 
aroused the admiration and envy of foreign military critics. The 
story of its record in active warfare would fill a bulky volume. 

British enthusiasm over the war was shown in the grand fare- 



314 THUNDER OF ARTILLERY AROUND LADYSMITH. 



1 



well given tlie Guards on their departure from London for South- 
ampton, where they embarked for the Cape. Three battalions, the 
First Scots, the Second Coldstreams and the Third Grenadiers, left. 
The Scots marched to Waterloo Station at 7 o'clock in the morning. 
The fact that the day was raw and foggy did not deter a large crowd 
from assembling at Chelsea Barracks at 6 o'clock, and when the 
detachment wheeled out of the barrack gates the people cheered till 
they were hoarse. fl{ 

Along the whole route a lusty ovation awaited the troops, the 
spectators including the wives and sweethearts of the men. Before 
many yards were covered, ranks were broken and the women 
linked arms with the soldiers, who were carried along in the surg- 
ing, singing crowd to the station, where an immense concourse was 
waiting to give them a tremendous reception. 

Friends grasped the rifles and kits of the troops and insisted 
on carrying them. The men marched to the platform singing, 
while the band played Scotch airs, in which the crowd, that was not 
allowed to go upon the platform, joined. All united in " Auld 
Lang Syne " as the train steamed out of the station. 

The Second Coldstreams marched to Nine Elms Station, amid 
similar enthusiasm and many affecting scenes. The officers allowed 
the women to mix freely with the men on the line of march and 
before they entered the station. 

Crowds assembled also near the Wellington Barracks, from 
which the Grenadier Guards emerged, after an inspection in the 
barrack yard by General Sir Evelyn Wood, who complimented the 
men on their smart appearance in their khaki helmets and red field 
tunics. The march to Waterloo Station was a triumphal progress. 

If possible, their departure evoked more enthusiosm than did 
that of the Scots and Coldstreams. Friends and relatives marched 
with them, and soldiers and spectators joined in songs, which were 
frequently drowned by hurricanes of cheers as the troops passed 
points where the crowds were massed. At times they had difficulty 
to get through, the people seeming to wish to carry them to the sta- 
tion on their shoulders. Cheers shook the building as the trains 
steamed out, the troops responding lustily. 



I 



CHAPTER XX. 

British Victories in the Western Campaign. 

(ARLY in November Cecil Rhodes declared Kimberley was "safe 
as Piccadilly." He referred to one of the famous thorough- 
fares of London, and his statement meant that in his estima- 
tion, the diamond town had no reason to fear it would be captured. 
The defenders were proving their ability to hold the Boers at bay. 

All the information from the great diamond mining centre con- 
firmed the view that the town was safe. It appears that defense 
against a Boer investment of Kimberley in the event of war had, 
even as far back as July, gone beyond mere discussion and was 
then in actual process of preparation. 

With such men as Cecil Rhodes and Gardner Williams, of 
California, manager of the diamond mines, to manage its defense, 
even without the assistance of British troops, the capture of Kim- 
berley would have been a most hazardous and diffcult task. Shortly 
before the war broke out half a battalion of the Royal North 
Lancashire Regiment was sent up to Kimberley from Cape Town 
to serve as a " stiffening " for the local troops, who were stated to 
number at least 2000 and perhaps as many as 3000 men, including 
a cyclist corps. 

The local forces comprised the Kimberley Regiment, a town 
guard under the command of Major Frazer, the Diamond Fields 
Artillery and a corps recruited from employes of the De Beers mine. 
These latter had a Maxim all to themselves, and altogether Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel R. G. Kekewich had about twenty field and machine 
guns at his disposal. 

Colonel Kekewich was considered one of the cleverest officers 
commanding regiments. He served in Bgypt from 1884 to 1890, 
and was very popular there. He was specially promoted as a major 
in the Royal Inniskillin Fusileers, and was given command of the 
Royal North Lancashire Regiment in 1898. He saw service in the 

315 



316 BRITISH VICTORIES. 

Perak and Soudanese expeditions, and was military secretary to 
two commanders-in-cliief in Madras. His experience, therefore, 
was ample. 

Kimberley, whicli was defended by tHe force under Colonel 
Kekewich, is situated on a plateau, and is four miles from the 
Orange Free State and 647 miles from Cape Town. There are no 
natural features around the " City of Diamonds" that would assist 
in its fortification, but mounds of earth thrown up by the miners 
were of service in sheltering the British troops from the Boer forces. 
Electric searchlights, which are part of the mines' equipment, made 
a night surprise by the Boers very difficult. 



SEARCHLIGHTS AND STRONG DEFENSES. 

Kimberley tested the searchlights and found them satisfactory 
It also tested the defenses of the town through the medium of sham 
attacks directed by Major Hore, commanding the Protectorate Regi- 
ment, and felt that it was safe against the Boer besiegers, although 
the Transvaal forces were said to largely outnumber the garrison. 

Boys in Kimberley were infected with the enthusiasm which 
dominated the town, and a cadet corps of lads from fourteen to six- 
teen years old did orderly duty in the invested city, which has a 
population of 10,000 persons. 

Colonel Kekewich erected a new signalling station on the top 
of a conning tower 130 feet above the level of the road, and from 
this the movements of the enemy could be clearly discerned. The 
station had telephone connection with headquarters in the town. 
Tests of the value of this station were made both day and night, 
and added to the confidence inspired by the presence of Cecil Rhodes. 

When the war broke out the little town of Mafeking, in British 
Bechuanaland, was practicall}^ defenseless, but soon the place was 
more or less protected by sandbags and hastily-thrown-up earth- 
works. But Mafeking lies entirely in the open plain, which is as 
flat as a pancake. A few isolated hills and ant-heaps, and here and 
there a clump of bushes under three feet high — these are the only 
things that break the monotony of the landscape. 

The high plain runs right away to the far-distant sky line, and 



I 



BRITISH VICTORIES. 317 

only a few scattered shanties mark tlie line of railway. If tlie 
traveller were adventurous enougH to travel by tlie tlirougli express 
from Cape Town to Bulawayo, away up in far Rhodesia, he would 
find Mafeking practically half-way between the two. This railway, 
by the way, is the main Cape to Cairo route and will one day carry 
the globe trotter right through Africa from end to end. 

IMPORTANT TRADING STATION. 

There is nothing palatial about Mafeking. Normally, it is a 
simple little township of a few hundred souls. Primarily, it is a 
trading station with. the far north, and there are many stores of 
greater or less importance. Grain, forage, tinned goods, saddles, 
rifles, ammunition, and even furniture, can be bought there. In the 
centre of the Main street is the market-place, surrounded by 
galvanized-iron houses and stores, each with its little raised veran- 
dah painted green and white, and many of the more miscellaneous 
shops bearing wild Indian names. For the enterprising Mahom- 
medan trader has found his way throughout South Africa and com- 
petes very keenly and successfully with the white man. 

The main street of Mafeking is a long, wide and straggling 
thoroughfare with native trees, eucalyptus and diminutive oaks at 
intervals. The houses all stand in little plots of ground, and there 
are attempts at cultivation here and there of a few sunflowers or a 
potato patch or a hanging trail of the grenadilla or passion flower 
fruit. There is a church, a club, a prison and Salvation Army bar- 
racks. A good deal of horse buying and selling takes place at 
Mafeking. It is rather a centre market for the surrounding farm- 
ers, which are mostly Boers, who bring in ugly-looking, but very 
useful, nags to the weekly auctions on the market-place. A good 
horse may often be picked up (in times of peace, of course) , for from 
thirty to forty dollars, and though he may be an ugly animal to look 
at, he can do almost anything that is asked of him, and will outlast 
many a handsome-looking animal. 

Colonel Baden-Powell, that veteran South African warrior, was 
placed in command of an irregular, but wholly reliable, force of some 
600 men encamped at Mafeking. This did not include the regulars 



318 BRITISH VICTORIES. 

wliicli were sent to him since the hostilities began. He is an excel- 
lent officer, a good sportsman, an inimitable entertainer and a bit of 
a literary character to boot. m\ 

He went through the Matabele war and gained experience, 
honor and no wounds. In some way he seems to bear a charmed 
life, because he is a reckless sort of fellow and fears no danger. 
He also has a quite remarkable gift of locality, that is to say, he is 
able by some extraordinary instinct to find his way about a totally 
unexplored country and always turn up just where he wants to, or 
thereabouts. He shot big game wherever big game was to be shot, 
and then came home quietly and wrote books about it. He is a 
clever actor and musical entertainer. 

RAILROAD BRIDGE STRONGLY GUARDED. 

The railway bridge near Mafeking was built over the Moloppo 
River, which runs east and west a quarter of a mile from the town, 
and in view of its being easily blown up by the Boers, Baden-Powell 
kept strict watch on it. The railway is the property of the Cape 
Government. It is pretty fairly run. The fares are terribly high, 
but, of course, that is inevitable in a new country. The officials are 
mostly ex-English railway officials, and are uniformly polite — a 
great contrast to the railway servants on the Dutch lines. 

The Boers began a bombardment of Mafeking at twenty min- 
utes of 8 o'clock in the morning of October 23d, at a range of two 
miles and a half, their battery of three Krupp guns throwing 
7-pound, 9-pound and 12-pound explosive shells. At the outset the 
firing was erratic, but ultimately the Boers got the range and sent 
a number of shells into the town. Comparatively little damage 
was done, a convent, which had been converted into a hospital, 
being the chief sufferer. This building was struck thrice. 

Apparently the Boer ammunition was inferior. No casualties 
were sustained by the British, and only one shot was returned. 
This, however, was so well directed as to disable one of the enemy's 
guns. After three hours the Boers sent an envoy to ask the town 
to prepare for surrender. Colonel Baden-Powell replied in the nega- 
tive. The shelling was not resumed. 



BRITISH VICTORIES 319 

Tlie tlirillmg story of tlie siege of Mafeking reached London 
by a circnitious route north, of the Transvaal border. It contained 
many interesting incidents. Colonel Baden-Powell provided subter- 
raneous shelter-places where the troops and civilians could take 
refuge while the shells were bursting. These were very effective in 
preventing casualties. 

The Boers tried to get within rifle range under cover of the 
fire of their guns, but were beaten off after a spirited engagement 
on all sides of the town. Both civilians and soldiers stood up 
splendidly and administered a warning to the Boers against coming 
to close quarters. In consequence of the fight, General Cronje fell 
back on his old tactics, to advance by a succession of trenches. 
This move had been anticipated. The British sent out parties 
incessantly to worry the Boers by night attacks. 

BOERS BAYONETED IN THEIR TRENCHES. 

Colonel Baden-Powell employed clever tactics in sending out 
Captain Fitz Clarence's squadron of the Protectorate Regiment to 
worry the occupants of the trenches, and the little force stole out 
silently in the darkness. Not a shot was fired. The men, with 
bayonets fixed, creeping rather than walking along the ground, 
gradually approached the chief Boer position near the race-course. 

As they closed in there was a shrill screech. It was Fitz 
Clarence's whistle, the signal for the onslaught. A ringing British 
cheer which the listeners back in the camp caught up was the 
response as the party dashed into the trenches. It was a fearful 
struggle. The attacking forces bayoneted the Boers under tarpau- 
lins where they crouched. At least fifty bayonets got in their work. 
For just a moment there was no systematic resistence. Then a 
perfect hailstorm of bullets poured from the trenches to the rear. 

Again Fitz Clarence's whistle sounded. It was "Cease firing ; 
scatter homeward." The forces scattered silently, creeping back 
under the furious fire in the darkness to the appointed rendezvous, 
where a roll-call showed the British losses six killed, one missing 
and eleven wounded. But these came back. The British left no 
wounded man on the field. 



S20 BRITISH VICTORIES. 

Another thrilling episode occurred the next afternoon. A cor- 
poral and six men of the Protectorate Regiment went to get their 
kits, which they had left on the retirement of the troops to the town. 
The position was held by the Boers, but the men opened fire and 
gradually drove too of the enemy pellmell to their entrenchments, 
from which a heavy rifle fire silenced the little party, who crawled 
back to town. 

Baden-Powell's defense scheme was a sound one. All fire was 
reserved till the Boers got within 500 j^ards range during daylight. 
At night he constantly worried them. Life at IMafeking was dreary 
and unprofitable. Everybody was fearing that in the general advance 
on Pretoria from Natal, the garrison would be cooped up there. 
General Cronje sent a flag of truce, giving Maf eking a last chance 
to surrender at the eleventh hour. 

MAFEKING WOULD NOT SURRENDER. 

The battlefield resembled a shambles after the Boers' final 
assault, above described, showing what a desperate struggle had 
gone on. All the men were killed by bullets or shells. A look- 
out tower was shot to pieces. Nearly the whole place was simply 
smashed up by a concentrated fire of seven guns and 1000 rifles. 
The Boers at first held on pluckily, but lost heavily when they 
came within short range, men being shot down at a distance of 300 
yards, and Mafeking still held out, with no thought of surrendering. 

Stirring and important news, on November 24th, from the 
western frontier. Along with the announcement that a strong 
position of the Boers had been carried at the point of the bayonet, 
came the suggestive news of burghers leaving Natal for the capital 
of the Free State, a pretty clear indication that they foresaw the 
plan of campaign. An official telegram from Lord Methuen, in 
command of the column marching northward to the relief of Kim- 
berley, stated that at daybreak on the 23d he took the Boer position 
at Belmont, some fifty-six miles south of Kimberley. 

The infantry behaved with great gallantry, and was well sup- 
ported by the naval brigade. The British losses were considerable, 
while those of the enemy were heavy. The British troops carriec 



BRITISH VICTORIES. 321 

the position at tlie point of the bayonet. The third battalion of the 
Grenadier Guards suffered most severely, one of their officers, 
Lieutenant Fryer, being killed and eight others wounded. The 
British total casualties were 223 in killed, wounded and missing. 
It is evident that the action was of a pretty severe character. 
" Our victory is complete," said Lord Methuen, in giving an 
account of the engagement. 

His official dispatch was as follows : " Attacked the enemy at 
daybreak. He was in strong position. Three ridges were carried 
in succession, the last attack being supported by shrapnel. Infantry 
behaved splendidly, and received support from the naval brigade 
and artillery. The enemy fought with courage and skill. Had I 
attacked later I should have had far heavier losses. Our victory was 
complete. Have taken forty prisoners. Am burying a good num- 
ber of the Boers, but the greater part of the enemy's killed and 
wounded were removed by their comrades. Have captured a large 
number of horses and cows and destroyed a large quantity of 
ammunition." 

BOER GUNS QUICKLY SILENCED. 

From later details of General Methuen' s fight with the Boers 
at Belmont it appears that Boers from Finchams Farm shelled an 
advance body of the British, and the British artillery was pushed 
forward and shelled a hill, which the British subsequently occu- 
pied, capturing two guns. The Boer casualties were thirty men 
killed and wounded. 

The Boer main column left Finchams Farm during the after- 
noon and camped five miles ahead. At daybreak on the 23d the 
Boers fired from the hills, 1000 yards distant, on the British advan-ce 
force. Other troops were then pushed up, and the engagement be- 
came general. The British artillery made an excellent showing 
and silenced the Boer guns. 

Then two battalions of the Grenadier Guards and the North- 
umberland Regiment stormed the heights at the point of the bayo- 
net. Crossing the fire zone amidst a storm of lead, the Guards and 
the Northumberlands pushed up the incline and reached the summit. 



322 BRITISH VICTORIES. 

doing great execution with their bayonets, and capturing the en- 
campment, with guns, equipment, prisoners, cattle and sheep. The 
entire position was carried, the cavalry, consisting of the Ninth 
Lancers and mounted infantry, pursuing the flying Boers. 

General Methuen's force numbered 7000 men and the Boers 
had 5000 men. The latter held an exceedingly strong position on a 
series of hills, extending a dozen miles. They were strongly en- 
trenched, and their cannon were posted advantageously, and were 
excellently served. The battle began at 7 o'clock, and raged for 
several hours. The Boers held their positions with great stubborn- 
ness and splendid courage. The British riflemen forced the attack 
under a raking fire, and carried position after position with superb 
dash, driving the Boers with great slaughter. The engagement was 
really a series of battles, during which the Boers were constantly 
carrying off their dead and wounded. 

PRISONERS AND WOUNDED. ' 

The War Office issued the following advices on the 24th : 
*' General Methuen further reports that the wounded are doing well. 
There are over fifty prisoners, including a German commandant 
and six field cornets. Nineteen of these prisoners are wounded. 
The prisoners say that yesterday's attack was a surprise, and it 
is the only beating they have had. A large amount of correspond- 
ence has been secured." 

It seems that the entire Western Division moved on the Orange 
River and bivouacked at Witteputs. Two companies of mounted 
infantry and a detachment of lancers were sent to hold Thomas 
Farm. Their pickets prevented the Boers from advancing. The 
Boers fired cannon, and the British artillery arrived on the scene 
and silenced the Boers' fire. At two in the morning the Guards 
Brigade moved steadily forward to a hill a few miles east of Belmont 
Station. The Scots and Grenadiers advanced to within fifty yards 
of the base, when the Boers poured in a scathing fire, staggering 
the Guards momentarily. But, quickly recovering, they returned a 
deadly hail into the Boers. The duel was continued for half an 
hour. When the artillery commenced the Boers evacuated their 



BRITISH VICTORIES. 323 

front position, and tlie Scots Guards rushed the hill with the bayo- 
net, amid lusty cheers. 

The Ninth Brigade then moved forward in extended order, and 
the Boers started a terrible cross-fire from the surrounding hills. 
The Coldstreams, supported by the Scots, Grenadiers, Northumber-- 
lands and Northamptons, stormed the second position in the face of 
a constant and effective Boer fire. The Ninth Brigade then ad- 
vanced the artillery, in the meantime maintaining excellent practice. 
The British infantry never wavered, and when a tremendous cheer 
notified them of the charge the Boers fled and succeeded in gaining 
a ridge of hills in the rear, in spite of the Lancers' flanking 
movement. 

HOT PURSUIT BY BRITISH CAVALRY. 

The infantry again gallantly faced the fire, and the naval 
brigade came into action for the first time, at a range of 1800 yards. 
The infantry was well supported by the artillery, and the Boers, 
unable to withstand the death-dealing volleys, retired, and were 
again forced to abandon some minor positions. The British cavalry 
charged the Boers and pursued them for five miles. Possession was 
taken of the Boer encampment, and the Boer stores were destroyed. 

The Boers hoisted a white flag over their second position, 
whereupon Lieutenant Willoughby, of the Coldstream Guards, stood 
up, and was immediately shot down. The Boers twice repeated the 
same tactics. 

The following graphic description of the fight at Belmont is 
from an eye-witness : " General Methuen's superb force attacked a 
commando of 4000 Boers in a position which the British troops 
would hold against almost any force. The Boers, shielded by 
boulders, held the crests of four rocky hills with dauntless courage. 

" The men of the King's Own, Yorkshire Light Infanty, First 
Northumberland Fusileers, the Northamptonshires and a battalion 
each of the Scots Guards, Grenadiers and Coldstreams, threw them- 
selves like so many onrushing billows against the hills, poured up 
and finally flowed over them. Splendid assistance was given by the 
Naval Brigade and the field artillery, although the infantry occupied 



324 BRITISH VICTORIES. 

many of the best positions before their guns could be brought into 
play. 

" Our victory is complete. The enemy were put to flight and 
their fortified encampment destroyed, but only after three hours of 
incessant rifle fire, by which the rocky field of combat was pelted as 
if by hail. The Grenadiers suffered badly, their losses reaching 
nearly half of the total casualties. 

ADVANCING THROUGH A STORM OF BULLETS. 

" The whole force of the fearful fight was borne by the infantry, 
who had to climb upward 500 feet, straight into a terrific stream of 
missiles. The Ninth Lancers pursued with great vigor, but the 
Boers, being well mounted and familiar with the hills, melted before 
them. Possibly, though, the victory would have been more decisive 
had we had more cavalry." 

General Methuen's column continued to encounter opposition 
as it pushed forward with all possible speed to raise the siege of 
Kimberley. On Saturday, November 25th, he moved at 3.30 a.m., 
with the Ninth Brigade, the Mounted Corps, the Naval Brigade and 
two batteries, the Guards following with the baggage. Near Gras 
Pan (about ten miles north of Belmont, on the railway line to Kim- 
berly) 2500 Boers, with six guns and two machine guns, opposed 
him. The action began at 6 a.m. The British batteries fired shrap- 
nel very accurately till the heights seemed clear. 

Then the Naval Brigade and infantry advanced to the assault. 
The fighting was desperate until 10 A.M., when the heights were 
gained. The Boers retreated on the line where the Ninth Lancers 
were placed to intercept them. The artillery took immediate advan- 
tage of the enemy's retirement. 

Early in the action 500 Boers attacked the British rear-guard. 
The brigade met this and also protected the flanks. The Naval 
Brigade acted with conspicuous gallantry and suffered heavily. The 
Boers showed the greatest stubbornness and met with heavy losses. 
More than fifty horses were found dead in one place. One battery 
fired 500 rounds. The British troops worked splendidly, and were 
prepared to overcome any dif&culty. The Naval Brigade, the Royal 



BRITISH VICTORIES. 325 

Marines, tlie Light Infantry and the First Battalion of the North 
Lancashire Regiment especially distinguished themselves. 

Another battle, fierce and bloody, was fought on the Modder 
River by General Methnen on November 28th. The story is told in 
his own brief dispatch, as follows : " Reconnoitered at 5 A. m. 
enemy's position on Modder River and found them strongly en- 
trenched and concealed. No means of outflanking, the river being 
full. Action commenced with artillery, mounted infantry and 
cavalry, at 5.30. Guard on right, Ninth Brigade on left, attacked 
position in widely extended formation at 6.30, and, supported by the 
artillery, found themselves in front of the whole Boer force, 8000 
strong, with two large guns, four Krupps, etc. The Naval Brigade 
rendered great assistance from the railway. 

DESPERATE FIGHTING FOR TEN HOURS. 

"After desperate, hard fighting, which lasted ten hours, our 
men, without water or food, and in the burning sun, made the 
enemy quit his position. General Pole-Carew was successful in 
getting a small party across the river, gallantly assisted by 300 
Sappers. I speak in terms of high praise of the conduct of all who 
were engaged in one of the hardest and most trying fights in the 
annals of the British army. If I can mention one arm particularly, 
it is two batteries of artillery." 

General Methuen's dispatch to the Queen after the battle of 
Modder River, said : " The battle was the bloodiest of the century. 
The British shelled the enemy out of the trenches and then charged. 
The result was terrible." 

General Methuen's advance from the Orange River was a most 
notable achievement. In the course of a week he marched his 
column nearly fifty miles, fought three battles and won three 
victories. The fight at Belmont was fierce enough, with its deplor- 
able loss to the Guards. The engagement at Bnslin or Gras Pan 
had melancholy notoriety for the terrible execution wrought among 
the naval brigade, but the Modder River battle was the hardest 
fought and bloodiest of the three. 

This combat, which was waged under great difficulties by the 



326 BRITISH VICTORIES. 

Britisli troops, and for many hours was carried on with great deter- 
mination against a strongly entrenched enemy, possessed features 
which will make it live in military history. After Saturday's battle 
at Gras Pan General Methuen's force rested on Sunday. It advanced 
fifteen miles northward on Monday, and at night the column found 
itself close to the Modder River and confronted by a Boer army of 
8000 men strongly entrenched. 

Early Tuesday morning the attack began. The Boers were 
posted on the north side of the Modder River, which was running 
at full flood. The British attacked from the south side. As there 
was no opportunity for outflanking the enemy's position owing to 
the high river, they made a frontal attack and forced the Boers to 
quit their position by the superiority of their artillery and rifle fire, 
the retirement being accelerated by the fact that General Pole-Carew, 
late in the engagement, had succeeded in getting across the river 
with a force. No pursuit of the Boers was possible. 

CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE GENERAL. 

That General Methuen expected dogged resistance on his 
northward march is shown by the speech which he made to his 
troops after the battle of Gras Pan. After reading a telegram from 
Sir Alfred Milner, congratulating the troops and sympathizing with 
the w^ounded, General Methuen personally congratulated the troops 
on the work done, and expressed appreciation of the way in which 
they had endured the hardships. 

The work, he said, was the most severe encountered by the 
British Army for many a long day. They had in front of them, 
he added, an enemy to whom they could not afford to give a single 
point. Their tactics had been excellent, and he recognized and 
admired their courage. General Methuen added that when called 
upon to fight for his country he preferred to fight a foe worthy of its 
steel rather than savages, whose sole recommendation was bravery. 

He then expressed the hope that he and his men had gained ^ 
each other's confidence, and would all do their duty to their 
country, as Englishmen should. General Metheun described as 
■ ' dastardly " the conduct of the Boers in firing on ambulance wag- 



BRITISH VICTORIES. 327 

ons, tlie shooting of a British officer by a wounded Boer, and the 
Boers' use of dum-dum bullets. But he refused to believe that 
these acts were characteristic of the Boers. He gave them credit 
until convinced to the contrary, that they, like the British, wished 
to fight fair and square. 

FIERCE BATTLE OF MODDER RIVER. 

Under date of November 30th, one of our American newspapers 
commented as follows : 

" Lord Methuen appears to have won at Modder River the 
most important battle thus far of the war. It plainly outranks 
Glencoe, Blandslaagte and the battles around Lady smith in point of 
numbers engaged and losses sustained on both sides. It certainly 
surpasses them in importance of results. For they were followed 
by retreat and confinement within besieged Lady smith, while this 
opens the way for further advance toward Kimberley, and goes far 
to assure the relief of that city from the state of siege it has long 
endured. 

^' Lord Methuen has certainly made good progress. He is more 
than 600 miles from Cape Town, fifty miles beyond the Orange 
River and about twenty miles from Kimberley. The successive 
points taken by him after crossing the Orange River are Belmont, 
Gras Pan, Honey Nest and Modder River, where there is an 
insignificant village and railroad station at the junction of a small 
stream of the same name with the scarcely larger Riet River. 
Beyond it the stations and villages are closer together — Merton, 
Spytfontein, Wimbledon ; then the considerable town of Beacons- 
field, which is practically a suburb of Kimberley, with 10,000 inhab- 
itants and containing the Du Toit's Pan and Bulfonteiu diamond 
mines ; and then Kimberley itself. 

"It is understood that Beaconsfield is still in British posses- 
sion, standing siege along with Kimberley and defended by the 
same general force. The railroad from Modder River to Beacons- 
field is not in a condition to be used. That does not matter, how- 
ever, as the distance is so short and as there is a good road running 
parallel with the railroad just to the east of it. 



828 . BRITISH VICTORIES. 

*' Wlietlier a clearing of the line to Mafeking, or even to Bula- 
wayo, is the sole mission of this daring and masterful commander 
is, however, an open question. Some reinforcements are on their 
way up to join him. It will not escape notice that he is not only 
nearest of all British commanders to Bloemfontein, but nearest to 
Pretoria, too. And he is on the most direct road thither — we might 
say almost the only practicable road. For an advance across the 
Drakensberg from Natal would be most difficult. One from Coles- 
berg by way of Norval's Pont and Bloemfontein would be easy if 
the railroad were to be utilized. 

LONG AND DIFFICULT MARCH. 

" But the Boers will make sure that the railroad shall not be 
utilized. In that case the march from the Orange River would be 
much longer and more difficult than from the western border. 
There is no good wagon road running directly from the Orange 
River to Bloemfontein, and none from Bloemfontein to Pretoria. 
But from Kimberley there is a fine great highway running parallel 
with the Vaal River and leading right up to Johannesburg and 
Pretoria, and there is another, and not a long one, from Mafeking. 

" Thus Lord Methuen's army was the advance guard of the 
whole movement upon the Boer States, and to him was intrusted 
the coveted task of leading the invasion. He was known to be a 
brave commander, fertile in resources, courageous in the face of the 
enemy, equipped with long experience and heroic fortitude, and 
nothing was felt to be wanting to insure complete success in the 
endeavor to raise the siege of Kimberley." 

A detailed account of the hard fight at Modder River is fur- 
nished by an eye-witness of that terrible battle : 

" The severest engagement our column has yet had, and 
probably the severest of the whole campaign, was fought November 
28th. The battle was waged fiercely for nearly fourteen hours. The 
enemy occupied a strongly entrenched position, their front extend- 
ing five miles along the bank of the stream. They were well 
supplied with artillery, and fought desperately. 

"Our force consisted of the second battalion of the Coldstream 



BRITISH VICTORIES. 329 

Guards, tlie first battalion of the Scots Guards, tlie third battalion 
of the Grenadier Guards, the first battalion of the Northumberland 
Fusileers, the second battalion of the Yorkshire Light Infantry 
(the King's Own), a part of the first battalion of the Loyal North 
Lancashire Regiment, the Ninth Lancers, the mounted infantry, 
three batteries of field artillery and the first battalion of the Argyll 
and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's). 

AN AW^FUL HAIL OF BULLETS. 

" The latter reinforced us from General Wauchope's brigade, 
and arrived just in time for the fight. The battle started at day- 
break, our guns shelling the Boers' left. The enemy replied with 
artillery, Hotchkiss and Maxims, and the artillery duel lasted some 
hours. Then there was a brief lull in the enemy's operations, of 
which the general immediately took advantage. Our infantry ad- 
vanced across the plain towards the river in two brigades. 

" The Guards, on the right, were met by an awful hail of bullets 
from the enemy's sharpshooters, posted close to the river on the 
opposite bank. Ours had no cover whatever, and were simply 
mowed down. It seemed impossible to live through the terrible 
fire, but the brave fellows did not retreat an inch. The Boer fire 
was horribly accurate, and they must have had a large force. 

" The Scots Guards advanced 600 yards before they were fired 
on. Then they had to lie down to escape the deadly fusillade which 
lasted, without intermission, throughout the day. The High- 
landers made several attempts to force a passage of the river, but 
they were exposed to such a murderous enfilading fire that they 
had to retire after they had suffered terribly. Subsequently a party 
of the Guards got over and held their own for hours against a vastly 
superior force. 

"The general opinion of the staff is that there had never been 
such a sustained fire in the annals of the British army as that 
which our troops had to face. Our men fell in dozens while trying 
to rush the bridge. Among the many heroic deeds, one of the 
most conspicuous was that of Lieutenant-Colonel Codrington, of 
the Coldstream Guards ; Captain Sellpein, of the Queensland con- 



330 BRITISH VICTORIES. 

tingent, and a dozen members of the Coldstream Guards, who 
jumped into the river and swam nearly to the other side in the face 
of a steady fire, but who were forced to retire, and, joining hands, 
swam back, two of their number being nearly drowned in the 
retreat. 

" The British guns kept up a heavy fire all day ; and fearful 
havoc was wrought on the Boer positions, the enemy being forced 
to fly from their entrenchments. Night put an end to the terrible 
bloodshed. The infantry brigade was dreadfully cut up." 

THE FIGHT BEFORE REACHING MODDER RIVER. 

Further details of the battle at Gras Pan showed that the British 
arms achieved a brilliant victory. The enemy, strongly entrenched, 
held a range of hills commanding both sides of the railway at Rooi 
Laagte, near Gras Pan. The Lancashires, under Lewis, recon- 
noitered in an armored train. The Boers shelled the train, killing 
Lewis and a private. 

General Methuen then advanced. His column made a detour 
and bivouacked for the night at Swinks Pan, three miles from the 
Boer position. At dawn the advance began, the Guards forming 
the reserve. The column debouched on the plain eastward of the 
Boer hills. The Boer guns opened fire. Two batteries of British 
artillery, posted on each side, shelled the Boers, the aim being good 
on both sides. 

The Boers stuck tenaciously to their positions, firing steadily 
and accurately. The duel, which constantly became hotter, lasted 
three hours. The Boer shells wounded several men of the Naval 
Brigade. Finding it impossible to displace the Boers with artillery. 
General Methuen resolved upon an infantry attack. A brigade of 
infantry, including the Yorkshires, the Northamptons, the North- 
umberlands and the Lancashires, with the naval brigade on the 
right, gallantly stormed the Boer positions, in the face of a wither- 
ing fire, and carried hill after hill, the brigade under Colonel Money 
capturing the main position against a terrific fire, but suffering 
severely. 

Commandant Rossik aided in leading the Boer forces. Many 



BRITISH VICTORIES. 331 

of tiie Boer forces voluntarily surrendered. THe Boers were shelled 
during tiie final retreat, and must Have lost heavily, but they 
succeeded in getting away northward with their six guns. The 
British were badly in need of more cavalry. Among the Boer 
prisoners were Alderman Jeppe and Commandant Rossik, who led 
the Boer force. 

General Methuen, who commanded the British forces, is one of 
the most distinguished captains in the British service, and has had 
extensive experience in the field. He was ordered to Africa at the 
outbreak of hostilities, and raised to the rank of lieutenant-general, 
the intention of the War Ofi&ce being to make him second in com- 
mand to General Sir Redvers Buller. Brave, accomplished, educated 
for the army, and a man of excellent discretion and great ability 
for organization and administration of affairs, he is looked upon as 
one of the best generals in the army. 

DECORATED FOR BRAVERY. 

Ivord Methuen received a medal for bravery at the battle of 
Amoaful, in the Ashantee war of 1873-74. In the Egyptian expedi- 
tion of 1882 he was present at Mahuta and Tel-el-Kebir, was men- 
tioned in the " Gazette," and received a medal with clasp, bronze 
clasp and third-class Osmanieh decorations. He was honorably 
mentioned for his services as commander of the mounted rifles in 
the Bechuanaland expedition of 1884-85. He was military attache 
at Berlin for three years, 1878-81. He entered the army as ensign 
in the Guards in 1864. 

The march of events under General Methuen was swift. To 
him was committed the task of relieving Kimberley and he did not 
linger on the way. On Wednesday, November 2 2d, he had got 
across the Orange River and began his advance towards the 
beleaguered city. On Thursday he attacked the Boers at Belmont 
and defeated them. On Saturday, as we have seen, he fought 
another engagement with them at Gras Pan, ten miles north of 
Belmont, and again defeated them. He continued to advance and 
at Modder River he fought the most serious engagement of the war 
on Tuesday, with brilliant results, 



CHAPTER XXI. 



Curious Sights in the Land of the Boers. 

WHAT a great press agent war is ! A few montlis before the] 
war broke out South Africa was comparatively an unknown 
country, except to the few people whose interests or friends 
were there, but soon the whole outside world had its eyes upon this 
quarter of the globe, and Durban, Ladysmith, Pietermaritzburg, 
Glencoe, Dundee, Colesburg, Kimberley, Colenso, Belmont, Gras 
Pan, Modder River Bridge and Mafeking are household words, and 
have all been studied carefully and located upon the map. This 
same agent brought the West Indies into prominence during our 
war with Spain, and the Philippines have used it most effectively. 

The political situation in the Transvaal, or South African 
Republic, has been greatly strained for over a decade, and the feel- 
ing between the British and Boers has been very hostile for a long 
time. All have met the type of man who is continually looking 
for a fight, and, it seems to an outsider, that this has been the state 
of these two nations for years, and at last the climax was reached 
in the outbreak of hostilities. 

South Africa is a wonderful country, and at the end of the war 
will open up opportunities and present advantages to the young men 
of to-day unequalled by any other. The political atmosphere of the 
country has been written about and discussed so much that we can 
here pass it by, simply comparing it with the atmosphere of Johan- 
nesburg and Cape Town, where dust-storms are frequent, darkening 
and obscuring the air and often suspending business for hours at a 
time. 

A few words about the country, its people and their customs. 
The southern part of Africa has a fertile fringe around its coast, 
growing all the products of our own country, and, on the east coast, 
all the varieties of the tropics. The interior is a barren and desolate 
waste, known as the "Karoo," scarcely producing suf&cient forage 

332 



CURIOUS SIGHTS IN THE LAND OF THE BOERS. 333 

for stock-raising purposes, tlie principal pursuit of tlie Boers. One 
plateau is above another until an altitude of 9000 feet above tbe sea 
is reached at Johannesburg. Very few rivers flow therein, and 
these go out of business in the dry season, and as the great rivers 
of Africa are too far distant to warrant building artificial waterways, 
a system of irrigation is quite out of the question. Why Oom 
Paul's people settled and remained in this part of the country can- 
not be understood, unless we believe the oft-told story that they love 
the veldt (plain) and its loneliness, as it is most unattractive and 
grows exceedingly monotonous to the average man. 

CHARACTER OF THE BOERS. 

The Boers are a sturdy, sluggish and lazy race, but at the 
same time subjecting themselves to hardships of the worst kind. 
Since they have always lived in the open, they are physically per- 
fect, hardened, sacrificing and are marksmen of the best ability. 
These combinations make the type of soldier who fights to win, and, 
owing to their previous victories over the British and this individual 
motto : " We declare before God, who knows the heart, and before 
the world, that the people of the South African Republic have 
never been subjects of Her Majesty, and never will be," the 
British do not find their task an easy one. 

Such are the men, young and old, who left their homes, wives, 
families and sweethearts and went to the front in defense of their 
Republic, with a hope that they would be victorious, but the odds 
against them appeared so great as to cause the universal prediction 
that after the smoke of the heavy firing cleared away the Transvaal 
and the Orange Free State would be painted British red. 

If there can be such things as hermit families they are to be 
found among the Boers. They do not live in settlements, but 
build their houses far back from the regular transport roads, to keep 
their cattle free from passing teams, in order to avoid cattle diseases ; 
and then they like to be out of sight of their neighbor's smoke ; 
twenty miles apart is a preferable distance to build. The Boer home- 
stead is as plain as its owner, usually a low, one-story structure, with 
steep tile roof and a small annex in the rear, which is used as 



334 CURIOUS SIGHTS IN THE LAND OF THE BOERS. 






a kitchen. The door is on a level with the ground, and four win- 
dows afford all the light that is required in the four square rooms in 
the interior. 

A dining-room and three bed-rooms suffice for a family, how- 
ever large. The best of the latter is always ready for the stranger 
who may stop for the night, besides the best food the kitchen holds 
and a goodly supply of fodder for his horses, provided he is un- | 
tainted with British blood. The floors are hardened clay, liberally 
coated with manure, which is used to ward off the pestiferous insects 
that swarm over the plains. Houses are built in a valley, in close 
proximity to a stream, and nearly always devoid of trees. Native 
trees are such a rarity that travellers may go many miles without 
being able to rest in the shade of a single one. 

HOW THEY BEGIN THE DAY. 

The Boer rises with the sun, and after the chores are done the 
family meet at breakfast and an hour is spent in reading the Bible, 
which guides them in everything. When the meal is finished, the 
men start with their flocks, and are gone until the sun sets. This 
life is followed in winter and summer, except in the dry season, 
when the whole family desert the home, and, with "bok-wagen" 
(travelling wagon), become nomads and wander around, allowing 
their flocks to graze, returning to their homes in the winter. 

All are thoroughly religious, and some families have special 
church wagons, with long and roomy bodies for a " katce " or hang- 
ing-bed, in which to travel to their nearest church, a trip which often 
means three days from home, to church and back again. Of all 
that has been written about the Boers, the writers have commented 
upon their uncleanliness, which is quite true, but at times water is 
a scarce article in their country. Many stories are related of the 
seltzer-water baths indulged in by the early pioneers of Johannes- 
burg, costing from $5.00 to $10.00 each. It is related that on one 
occasion a shower-bath was taken in the Gold City at a cost of 

$18.00. 

The Boers have their " city cousins," who are smart, shrewd 
and industrious, being able to cope successfully with the financiers 



CURIOUS SIGHTS IN THE LAND OF THE BOERS. 335 

of the different nations whose representatives have drifted into 
Johannesburg and Pretoria. 

Johannesburg, the Gold City, as it is rightly called, is a Mid- 
way Plaisance in a greater sense than the one to which we were 
introduced at the World's Fair in Chicago. Allow your mind to 
imagine a city of over 100,000, made up of men and women from 
England, Ireland, Wales, France, Scotland, Germany, .America, 
Portugal, Spain, Italy, Norway, Denmark, China, Japan, Russia, 
Austria, Sweden, Turkey, India, Arabia, Australia, New Zealand, 
all the countries of South America, Mexico, British North America, 
Alaska, and, in fact, every country under the sun, all wearing their 
native costumes and head-dress, speaking their own language, 
following their own customs, but all seeking gold and diamonds in 
the mines by hard work, and you have a fair representation of the 
only city in South Africa noted for business and hustling en- 
terprise. Other towns are slow and stagnant. 

MEN FROM EVERYWHERE TRYING THEIR LUCK. 

It is a disappointment that the inhabitants of Mars are not 
there, and if passenger communication were in use between the two 
planets, Martians would surely be found there, " trying their luck." 
If they could reach this fascinating city, to coin a new word, would 
they be " Outskyers," inasmuch as the aliens are Outlanders ? 

All of the other cities except Kimberely are dependent upon 
Johannesburg, which is like a wealthy brother generously support- 
ing all of his brothers and sisters. Cape Colony and Natal furnish 
all the grain, fruits and vegetables, and a duty is imposed on all 
goods imported into the Transvaal through the ports of these 
colonies, and a heavy railroad charge is also incurred. These 
charges are also applicable in the Orange Free State, making double 
customs and railroad charges. 

It is the most expensive city in the world to live in. The main 
portion is thoroughly modern and up-to-date, but once outside of the 
centre, it becomes a typical mining camp, with low corrugated iron 
shanties which are the sleeping quarters of the thousands of Out- 
landers, and all the accessories which go to make up a mining 



336 CURIOUS SIGHTS IN THE LAND OF THE BOERS. 

settlement. Gambling finds plenty of followers. Four lottery- 
companies are established in tbe city and all have quarterly draw- 
ings, when thousands of pounds change hands. The " three-shell " 
game and other devices of the sort are often encountered on the 
street corners. Even the women and children speculate in gold 
shares. 

The . goal which the people who are temporary residents there 
seem to aim for is to accumulate, in any manner, a sufficient 
amount of money to enable them to return to their homes and live 
quietly after their busy life of a few years at this city that was built 
in a day in the centre of South Africa. It is the stopping place of 
the multi-millionaire and the beggar, and, in the constant flow of 
cosmopolitan life, each man makes the biggest show possible. 

HOTEL LIFE AT JOHANNESBURG. 

Hotels are plentiful and expensive. The cheapest $5.00 an( 
the best $10.00 per day. The Goldfields Hotel is strictly aj 
bachelors' hotel and is well patronized. All is built on the ground' 
floor and everything conducted in a " go-as-you-please " manner. In 
the dining-room which is always crowded at noon and in the even- 
ing, it is a common sight to find men in evening dress and sitting 
opposite or next to them will be found others in mining garb of a 
flannel shirt and trousers stuck in boot tops. After the meal is _ 
finished pipes are filled and the scene changes to a smoker, f' 
Seventy-five per cent, of the Outlanders sleep in iron shanties and 
have coffee and rolls served in their rooms in the morning. 
Luncheons and dinners are taken at the different hotels in the 
city. 

Cab fares are five times as high as in New York. Drinks ex- 
pensive and largely consumed. Two theaters and five music halls,] 
prize fights, pony and bicycle races furnish the amusement. English 
repertoire companies cover the circuit in South Africa, and English, 
French, American and German artists are brought out by the music 
hall managements. Barmaids have birthdays every month and a| 
dance is given in celebration. Tickets to dance cost $5.00 each andj 
are sought after by their many friends. 



CURIOUS SIGHTS IN THE LAND OF THE BOERS. 337 

Cape Town is known as tlie " front door " to South Africa. 
Fully one-half of the money seekers who arrive in this country enter 
by this port, although it is not the shortest route to the gold fields, 
which are in the Transvaal and up-country districts. But, after a 
passage of twenty-one days, a change from the deck of the steamer 
to the land is a most agreeable one and the tourists are willing to go 
ashore. The usual plan is for travellers to remain at Cape Town 
two or three days and then take a train for their up-country destin- 
ation- Upon the arrival of a mail stamer Cape Town is crowded 
for several days, until the people get started upon the last lap of 
their journey, and then the place settles down to its normal state. 

The next port to Cape Town is Port Elizabeth, 480 miles dis- 
tant. This is known as the " back door" to South Africa, and it is at 
this port that all of the cargo for the up-country is unloaded from 
the steamers. For this purpose a jetty or pier, has been built into 
Algoa Bay, extending over 300 feet from the land and costing 
thousands of pounds. 

NOVEL WAY OF GETTING ASHORE. 

East London is the port of entry for the Orange Free State. 
When the steamer reaches this place the tourist is introduced to a 
novelty, in the manner of transferring passengers from the steamer 
to the tender which is to convey them ashore. It is called the 
" basket trick." The water in this port is so rough that in unload- 
ing the passengers to the tender there would be great danger of 
loss of life, so an immense wicker-basket is suspended to a derrick 
on the deck of the steamer. Three persons are placed in it at a 
time. The signal is given and the passengers are let out of their 
temporary prison and the basket is returned for another load. This 
method of disembarking passengers is also in use at the port of 
Durban. 

Durban is then reached by the East Coast route, and, once 
installed, you come to find this the only desirable place in which to 
live. The whole colony is garden-like. Stately palms and flowing 
bamboos surround banana groves, cane-fields, pine-apple planta- 
tions, tea and coffee estates. Pretty little farmers' cottages are 



338 CURIOUS SIGHTS IN THE LAND OF THE BOERS. 

dotted throughout the country and open-eyed and humorous natives 
together with solemn and thin-faced coolies lend picturesqueness to 
the scenes. 

Pretoria, the capital of the South African Republic, is thor- 
oughly a Dutch city filled with a young and floating population 
drawn from the Republic, the Orange Free State, Natal and Cape 
Colony. The life there is similar to that found in Washington. 

Kimberley is termed " a slow show," as everything is owned 
and controlled by the DeBeers Mining Syndicate. The Kimberley 
Club is located here and it is the " swellest " club in South Africa. 
Cecil Rhodes, Alfred Beit, J. B. Robinson and other famous South 
Africans hold forth there. The late Barney Barnato spent much 
of his time at this club. 

MOST FAMOUS SOUTH AFRICAN TRIBE. 

Of the natives the most interesting are the Zulus, the " four 
hundred " of the South African tribes. In the the Transvaal all 
natives must wear a tag, bearing a number, which is registered, 
upon their coat sleeve or arm and displayed conspicuously at all 
times. They are not allowed to walk on the pavements or to ride 
in public cabs or tram-cars. At 9 o'clock in the evening, a curfew 
bell is rung and all natives must be in their kraals, and if found 
on the streets after this hour they are liable to arrest and a fine. 

The native police of Natal are the most interesting characters 
a writer could find in his travels in South Africa, and volumes 
could be written about their characteristics and customs. They 
seem to be at every point in the colony and almost numberless in 
the cities. The work they have to perform is to keep the natives 
straight and to act as watchmen at night, and they are not allowed 
to arrest the whites. They take great pride in their uniforms — in 
fact, as much as the police of our country do — and they always look 
neat. They will ogle the nurse girls in the parks and the squares; 
so, naturally, some might say, they make good police. 

The ricksha boys of South Africa are famous the world over. 
They are found in Durban, Pitermaritzburg and Johannesburg. 
There are over 800 rickshas on the streets of Durban, and they 



CURIOUS SIGHTS IN THE LAND OF THE BOERS. 339 

greatly enhance tlie picturesqueness of this semi-tropical city. 
These vehicles are used principally by the business men in going 
from their offices to the different parts of the city. Although 
employed for distances of four, five and six miles, and -with two pas- 
sengers, the boys will keep on a trot the entire distance, which is 
really remarkable when you consider the work. 

On the short drives around town they develop great speed. 
All the boys are Zulus and head-dress is one of their customs. 
Horns, feathers and wings are used in this decoration and even dis- 
carded creations of " Worth " are worn by the more fortunate ones. 
The boots around the ankles are made of reed and contain small 
gravel stones, which rattle while the boy is in motion and make con- 
siderable noise. Very few speak or understand English, and 
passengers must know the streets thoroughly if they wish to reach 
a certain point quickly. 

HOW^ THE RICKSHA IS GUIDED. 

You start the boy in the direction you wish to go, and, if 
necessary to turn any corners, you simply extend your leg and 
touch the boy's back, and he then turns his head and you point 
with your finger to the road you wish him to take ; and when you 
reach your destination, by simply using the Zulu word " ponda," 
which means down, the shafts are lowered and you can easily dis- 
mount. The fares are fixed according to the distance, and ricksha 
stands are located in the different parts of the city. 

It is quite amusing to watch them solicit fares. A guest of the 
Royal Hotel will walk to the gates and hold up his hand, and every 
boy who may be waiting at this particular stand will jump with 
alacrity and pull his ricksha to the entrance of the hotel and solicit 
his patronage in pigeon English, using the expressions : " Me fast 
runner, boss;" " Me go quick, boss;" " Me taka soon, boss," and 
many others. Say twenty are at the stand, only one can be utilized, 
hence nineteen must be disappointed ; but it apparently makes no 
difference, as they laugh and jump and seem to be as pleased as if 
they had been successful in securing the passenger. The boys are 
ver}^ playful and in starting off they curve their necks and neigh 



340 CURIOUS SIGHTS IN THE LAND OF THE BOERS. 

like horses and also imitate locomotives. A ride in a ricksha will 
carry one back to his boyhood days of playing horse with a small 
express wagon and a boy to draw it. 

Throughout South Africa are many Hindoos and they are par- 
ticularly plentiful in Natal. They are brought out from India on 
account of their Empire being over-populated, and are distributed 
among the farmers, under the care of an emigrant agent or inspec- 
tor. They work as slaves for three years and then become free and 
receive the regular wage of a laborer. Quite a few are established 
as traders, importing silks, laces and silverware from India. The 
women decorate themselves to the extreme with silver and gold 
jewelry. This also applies to the poorer classes, as the men have 
coins of the different denominations melted and made into jewelry 
of all kinds for their wives and sweethearts. This was one of their 
modes of saving money until the money basis of India was changed 
from silver to gold. 

CURIOUS DWELLINGS OF THE KAFFIRS. 

Kaffir Kraals, the homes of the different South African tribes, 
are built in settlements. The framework is made of striplings and 
then thatched, making them water-proof. There are no windows or 
doors excepting one small opening as a means of ingress and egress, 
and this is quite low and adults have to crawl in on their hands and 
knees, as the height will not permit them to enter in an upright 
position. A family of twenty will occupy a kraal, which is simply 
one room, there being no partitions. They are devoid of beds and 
the ground is used for this purpose. From all indications the occu- 
pants are as happy as people who reside in castles. 

Hotel life is both interesting and novel. Interesting in the 
cities where modern hostelries are found, copied after the style oi 
the English inns. The Royal Hotel, at Durban, is worthy of spe- 
cial mention. It is built and conducted upon the Oriental plan. 
Hindoo waiters, attired in immaculate white suits with turbans to 
match, move noiselessly around the dining-room with bare feet. 
Wicker furniture and tropical plants grace every nook and corner, 
and with guests in evening dress, which is the custom, make 



I 



CURIOUS SIGHTS IN THE LAND OF THE BOERS. 341 

an exquisite dinner scene. Tiiis hotel ranks favorably with the 
world's best, and is used as officers' headquarters during the war. 
It is one of the best that the collaborator found in his travels. 

Novel are the country parts where the old Dutch customs are 
retained. One of the queer experiences in stopping at an inn, 
which is the post-cart station, is going to bed in a room with five 
men, for the rooms contain as many beds as they will hold, often 
five and six, and never less than two. Five out of the six room- 
mates may be booked for the post-cart, due at midnight. The cart 
arrives and deposits four or five passengers and takes on the five 
who are booked. The incoming passengers take the places of the 
outgoing passengers, and in the morning you arise with five dif- 
ferent men from those you retired with. 

IMMENSE FREIGHT WAGONS. 

Transportation is done by the railways, owned by the different 
governments, travelling wagons, Cape carts, American spiders, 
cabs, automobiles and rickshas. The train service is a most excel- 
lent one when the travelling population is considered. Two 
departures each way between the centres daily. The " bok-wagen," 
or travelling wagon of the Transvaal, is a great sight. All of the 
heavy mining machinery of the Transvaal and Rhodesia was 
transported on these freight wagons. The bodies are twenty feet 
long by seven between the wheels, and are drawn by fourteen, six- 
teen or eighteen trained bullocks " spanned " in pairs. In the 
front of all this snake-like outfit walks the " voor-looper " leading 
the front pair by their " reims," which he has so hitched in a loop 
that he can hold it and walk before them out of horn's reach. 
Then " Hawt-yeh," yells the driver, with a smack of his whip as 
loud as a rifle shot, and the great freighter begins its steady crawl. 

Nature has caused this steady influx of people to South Africa, 
but not 'that part of nature which shows itself above ground, for 

" The rivers of Soutii Africa have no waters, 
The birds no song, the flowers no scent," 

but that which is hidden deep below — shining gold and glittering 
diamonds — is a world-wide attraction. 



342 CURIOUS SIGHTS IN THE LAND OF THE BOERS. 

People grew tired of tlie Midway Plaisance at tlie World's 
Fair, and perhaps the patient Boers have become tired of the one 
that has been holding forth in Johannesburg for fifteen years, and 
they have shouldered their modern guns of the best make, wives 
and mothers have placed " biltong " (a piece of beef dried in the 
sun) and a few biscuit in their pockets, and they have crossed the 
lonely veldt to join forces and crush their annoyers, who, no 
doubt, were v/orse than the noisy " tom-toms " at our Chicago Fair, 
and which we revolted against. 

The Capitol of the Transvaal is a noble pile of buildings, 
stately, imposing and dazzlingly white in the blatant sunshine, 
against the bluest of blue skies. The Volksraad, or Parliament 
building, fronts on Market square, Pretoria, and looks directly into] 
the church which is less imposing — almost humble — in its modest I 
absence of any particular order of architecture, save the practically 
utilitarian. To the right of the government buildings is a great 
square block of four or five stories in height, each with a verandah., 

BUSINESS QUARTER OF PRETORIA. 

This is the Grand Hotel, and stands on the site of what was 
once the comparatively humble dwelling of Mr. Lys, one of the old- 
est and most resolutely honest and reputable Transvaal burghers. 
He is now dead, and his son lives elsewhere. To the left of the 
buildings is a queer wedge-shaped block of offices, behind which is 
the theatre, and in front of which are two or three gnarled old oaks, 
the appointed centre of the weekly auctions which take place on the 
Market square. 

Bvery Saturday, in the piping times of peace, the square is full 
of hucksters, buyers, wagons, carts, horses, oxen and stray stalls, 
where almost anything may be bought, from a rifle to the latest comic 
song. It is a very ordinary thing to see sales advertised in the Pretoria 
papers as taking place " under the oaks." The summit of the Raad- 
zaal or government buildings is surmounted by a bronze female 
figure, which is intended to typify the Spirit of Liberty. Incredu- 
lous Boers, however, always agog to spy out some hidden taunt or 
allusion, insist that it is a statue of Queen Victoria. 



CURIOUS SIGHTS IN THE LAND OF THE BOERS. 343 

There is a great portico, and a flight of steps that give access to 
the inner halL The doors are guarded by artillerymen in jackboots, 
a blue coat, a white helmet, a revolver slung across their shoulder, and 
a carbine in the hand. From the hall a staircase, wide, well-propor- 
tioned, and handsomely appointed, leads up to the first floor, where 
the great Raadzaal, or House of Commons, is situated. 

A fine, large, lofty hall, well decorated in sombre colors, on the 
walls portraits of past presidents of the South African Republic. 
Galleries for the press and the public. A great dais, on which sit 
the chairman of the First Raad, the vice-chairman and Paul Kruger. 
Below them sit the secretaries and clerks, and below them again are 
three concentric horseshoes of desks, each with its own armchair. 
Here the members sit. There are not thirty of them, all told. 
Here and there, between the Raadsleden, or members, are bottles of 
water and glasses, which are much used by intending speakers. 

MOTTO OF THE TRANSVAAL. 

Above the chairman's head is the Transvaal coat-of-arms, sur- 
mounted by the vierkleur, or four-colored national flag — red, white, 
blue and green — below which is the country's motto, " Bendraagt 
maakt magt" (Union makes strength). 

Round about the horseshoe tables sits a medley of more or less 
smooth farmers. Nearly all have fine, striking, picturesque heads ; 
and by a curious freak of reversion to the original type, despite all 
their terrible degeneration for nearly a century, the heads in the 
aggregate distinctly suggest the same type as in Rembrandt's 
"States-General" at the Hague. And no wonder, for the Boer of to- 
day and the burghers of that date are directly related by descent in 
the fourth and fifth generations. 

The speaking is hoarse, gruff, guttural, hesitating, rarely 
fluent, unless one of the leaders and known orators gets up to pour 
forth his views. The president is a poor speaker as to manner, his 
matter on the controversy is often excellent, convincing, full of apt 
similes, and exactly calculated to the mental capacity of his audience. 
Now and then the ever wily Oom Paul simulates anger or disgust, 
talks about resigning, and stalks out of the Council Chamber. But 



344 CURIOUS SIGHTS IN THE LAND OF THE BOERS. 

it is mere bluff, and has occurred too often for even the youngest 
member to be taken in by his periodical cry of " wolf." 

The sittings of the Raad take place in the mornings ; occa- 
sionally, in times of stress, in the afternoons, but never in the 
evenings. Very often a " secret session" takes place. All strangers 
'and the press are excluded, and the debates are said to wax very 
hot and personal. Bach hour an adjournment takes place for 
smoking, and pipes are produced, which are promptly loaded up 
with the curiously dry, but very fascinating, Boer tobacco from 
Magaliesberg. 

The pile of Government buildings is new in appearance. 
Formerly the Raad sat in a tumble-down shanty with a thatched 
roof just across the church square. During the building of the new 
edifice their honors met in the theatre, and it is said that the 
dramatic surroundings were not without their effect upon the 
speeches. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Remarkable Features of the British Campaign. 

WHILB no great advantage liad so far been gained by tbe 
Britisb forces, they were engaged in very active operations, 
the final outcome of which was awaited with great interest. 
It is possible to give a clear statement of the situation at this stage 
of the campaign. 

The renowned General Methuen, noted not only as a success- 
ful strategist, but also as a brave fighter, started with his column 
to relieve the " diamond town " of Kimberley. He had a railroad 
base and open lines behind him. He was expected to push rapidly 
forward to his terminus, sixty miles from Bloemfontein, ready to 
threaten the very centre of the Orange Free State. From Belmont 
on he had now fought ten days. He had with him about 7000 
men, a picked force selected of the best that could be brought 
together, including the Guards Brigade, the Naval Brigade and 
regiments of tried character. He lost in killed and wounded 1002 
men, one-seventh of his total force. 

He successively placed in action each of the brigades of which 
his division was composed. His men fought with unflinching 
gallantry. They were rammed against unshaken infantry under 
cover, occupying strong positions. He made progress, but cap- 
tured few prisoners, except those too seriously wounded to retreat. 
He had not taken a gun or a wagon, neither captured nor broken 
up a single one of the enemy's organizations, and, except among 
the wounded, he captured no officer of rank. Military men know 
only too well the condition in which two weeks of fighting of this 
character leaves any army, however determined. Nothing so takes 
the edge off of an advancing force as a succession of assaults which 
win only empty positions, a bit of trodden ground, a breastwork 
strewn with empty cartridges and desperately wounded men, here 

345 



346 REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 

and there a skulker under cover, and all else withdrawn in good 
order and in position on the hill beyond. 

If, after an opening of this sort, Lord Methuen and his men, 
even with reinforcements, were still able to force their way to 
Kimberley, all agreed that they would display qualities of the 
very highest character as leader and led. At that point they would 
make a junction with a force of 2760 men (of which about one-third 
were regulars in the North Lancashire Regiment) , nine Maxims 
and twelve field-guns. 

The purpose of the British plan of campaign was clear. If 
Lord Methuen reached Kimberley he could threaten Boer communi- 
cations and make a demonstration against the capital of the Orange 
Free State, while two British forces were operating, one for the relief 
of Ladysmith and the other along the lines of railroad which reach 
from De Aar Junction, Naauwpoort and Stormberg. 

THE SITUATION AT LADYSMITH. 

Sir George White, at Ladysmith, when he began operations, 
had four cavalry regiments, ten infantry battalions, six field-bat- 
teries and one mounted battery, with about 1400 local troops, mak- 
ing about 12,000 men. Of these about one-half were shut up in 
Ladysmith, beleaguered by the Boer forces, which could not have 
been much over 8000 to 10,000, though English estimates were 
much greater. When a junction was effected at Ladysmith the 
English force there must have outnumbered the Boer force. 

This was also the case in the approach from the south toward 
Bloemfontein, and it transpired that Lord Methuen's force was to 
his opponents about in the proportion of 7000 to 5000 ; it must, 
however, be remembered that, while Lord Methuen started with 
7000 men from his railroad base, he was more fortunate than most 
men in campaign if, after a month of operations under this dogged 
fighting, he had over 4500 men to put in line for a general action. 
This was the situation : General Methuen moving to Kimberley, 
General Gatacre concentrating on the lines of converging railroad 
toward Bloemfontein and General Clery approaching Ladysmith. 

The campaign had passed out of its first stage. In the ten 



t 



REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 347 

weeks after tlie ultimatum was issued the Boers Had every possible 
advantage whicH their prompt action could give them. The period 
of the offensive was over for them, and from this time on they would 
be occupied in defending the three points just mentioned at which 
they were massed in force. The results which the Boers won dur- 
ing these ten weeks were amply suf&cient to justify their action. 

SIZE OF THE BOERS' ARMY. 

While English estimates of the force opposed to them would 
make in the aggregate a Boer force of from 28,000 to 30,000 in the 
field, the actual population of the Transvaal, the ordinary condi- 
tions of civil life, which has to be continued during war by some- 
body, and the possible military force which can be raised by any 
given population, rendered it impracticable that the Boers should 
have a force of over from 22,000 to 25,000 all told. This was the 
extreme limit. Deducting guards, men needed to watch frontiers, 
which, both to the northwest and the northeast, were threatened by 
savage tribes, and the inevitable attrition of military operations, 
and the Boer force on the fighting line, which extented in an irregu- 
lar oval of nearly 500 miles, was from 16,000 to 18,000 men. 

The figures given in dispatches were much larger, but so dur- 
ing our own war were the uniform estimates of the Confederate 
forces. Like the Confederate forces, the Boers have the advantage 
of a large colored population, which can be used for camp purposes, 
while the English forces, organized like our own, have to reduce 
their military effective in order to provide for cumbrous trains and 
camp work. This force of the Boers, of from 16,000 to 18,000 men, 
had at the opening in October opposed to it about 11,000 regular 
troops, which various volunteer British forces raised to between 
16,000 to 18,000 men. 

Roughly speaking, this English force had about 1200 men in 
Maf eking, 2760 in Kimberley, about 1000 without artillery at De 
Aar Junction, which was made a depot of supplies, and about 6000 
under Sir George White, with a base at Ladysmith. The remainder 
were dispersed along the coast, covering communications and in 
other ways removed from the actual field of hostilities. 



348 REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 

In ten weeks the Boer force took from tHe Britisli about 1500 
prisoners. It inflicted a loss in killed of about 500 and in wounded 
of about 1400, or in all about 3400. The Boer loss in the same 
time it is difficult even to estimate. The English statements of a 
" large Boer loss " after every battle may have been in the main 
correct. Putting together, however, the statements issued from 
Pretoria, the actual number of prisoners reported and the killed 
buried, the Boer loss must have been in the neighborhood of from 
1000 to 1200. 

FAILED IN OFFENSIVE WARFARE. 

Meanwhile, the Knglish force was raised by successive 
arrivals to about 56,000 men. What the Boers accomplished, 
therefore, was to inflict a loss of a little less than ten per cent, 
of the force opposed to them at a cost to their own force of a loss 
of about five per cent. They gained a moral advantage which it 
is impossible to overestimate, as it enabled them to harden, to con- 
solidate and to train their raw levies. Their capture in equipment, 
in horses, in food and in material was also considerable. Their 
failure, and it was a most serious one, was in initiative. Military 
history has established as a principle, which is as incontrovertible 
as a problem in Euclid, that irregular troops cannot be trusted, ex- 
cept when in greatly superior numbers, to make hazardous assaults 
or effective ofiensive operations. 

The very large depot of English ammunition at De Aar Junc- 
tion was for nearly three weeks under guard of a single regiment, 
unprovided with artillery. It was never attacked, much less de- 
stroyed. No one of the three positions invested was even seriously 
assaulted. The one risk at any one of them was of the lack of 
ammuintion, and there was evidently, at Ladysmith, some reason 
for leading the Boers to feel that its fall was possible, or there would 
not have been the constant succession of rumors which emanated 
from Boer sympathizers in Europe. 

The three points of superiority which marked the Boer campaign 
thus far were the great skill with which they, at every stage, in 
carrying on offensive operations, forced a British attack ; the range 



I 



REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 349 

of their artillery, wiiicli exceeds by nearly a mile tlie range of the 
Bnglish arm, as it would also of our own, and their success in 
moving to Lady smith a field-gun intended for seige purposes, of 
great range and power. 

Such a gun offers great technical difficulties in its transporta- 
tion, in providing for its mount, the recoil being too great to be 
taken up by the carriage of an ordinary field-piece, and in the supply 
of its ammunition. But for the 5-inch navy guns thrown into 
Ladysmith by the energy and on the personal responsibility of a 
naval captain, the British position would have been completely com- 
manded by the heavy Boer artillery. The Boer campaign, if it did 
nothing else, demonstrated that a strong artillery service can be 
organized with material which has hitherto been supposed to pre- 
clude an effective use of this weapon. 

COUNTRY AFFORDS STRONG DEFENSIVE POSITIONS. 

The Boer offensive was concentrated about North Natal, deter- 
mined by the presence there of a large English force. The Bnglish 
offensive was determined by the character of the country. South 
Africa consists of a low and very narrow plain of an elevation of 
100 to 500 feet. Above this runs for from 200 to 400 miles inland 
a rainless plateau of from 1500 to 2000 feet high. Where this 
reaches its highest level it comes to the more elevated plateau, 
sloping from mountains of 6000 feet on the east, with some peaks 
still higher, of the two republics to the river valleys which leave it 
on the west, and having an elevation of about 3000 feet. 

This plateau consists, as does so much of our own country on 
each side of the Alleghanies, of a broad expanse of saddle-back 
hills, separated by deep valleys in which run streams that have cut 
precipitous channels. It v/as over such a region that Lord Methuen 
was fighting. It offered ideal possibilities for defense. The streams 
are narrow ditches and the saddle-back, rolling-top hills furnish 
space for manoeuvre, for cover and for dogged defense. 

The Modder River, where General Methuen crossed it, in its 
steep bank, the slope beyond and the level, rolling plateau beyond, 
closely resembles the conditions General Burnside faced at Freder- 



350 REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 

icksburg. Like General Bnrnside, General Metkuen crossed and 
assaulted at a terrible loss. His movements and action were prompt. 
The Englisk reserves turned out with great rapidity. Nothing 
could be finer than the success with which Great Britain succeeded 
in gathering an army and in equipping its infantry regiments. 
Their one deficiency was in officers, and Boer marksmanship greatly 
aided the English difficult}^ at this point. With us our regiments 
grow their own officers in the field. Hnglish officers are and must 
be drawn from a class, and the English service has never yet been 
tried at this point by the rapid attrition of modern warfare. 

DEFICIENCY IN CAVALRY AND ARTILLERY. 

A misplaced economy has left English guns two horses short, 
and the cavalr}^ remounts deficient. The result has been that, while 
the English infantry has gone on in rapid shipments, the cavalry and 
artiller}' have been deferred to the last, and English operations began 
with a most serious deficiency in both arms. The disaster at Lady- 
smith showed what untrained horses and mules may do in battle. It 
is a sad fact that our own militarj^ establishment is sj'stematically 
unhorsed in its artillery and cavalry. It was generally conceded 
that if the English campaign opened with a serious disaster it would 
undoubtedly be because, against the advice of militar}^ experts, a 
few thousand pounds were saved during the preceding twenty years 
in horse flesh. 

The large number of British officers killed in battle in Natal 
brought out strenuous protests from manj- quarters against the 
ancient custom of British officers in refusing to take cover when 
under fire. 

From figures at Glencoe it is apparent that one out of every 
four men killed was an officer, whereas the organization exists upon 
the principle that to every twenty-five men there is one officer. It 
is evident that if the same ratio of mortality were kept up the 
British forces would become seriousl}'- underonicered. Among the 
enlisted men at Glencoe the proportion of killed to wounded w^as 
thirty to 156, while ten officers were killed to twenty-two officers 
wounded. The diffierence in the percentage led to the conclusion 



REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 351 

tliat many of the officers were Mt more tlian once and kept on lead- 
ing their men after the first wound. 

The feeling in the army itself is that, though the regulations 
do not say the officers must not lie down, it is such an old-established 
principle that it would take a brave man to inaugurate a change, 
and the adage of the British soldier, " Follow wherever an officer 
leads," is held still to be intensely true, for, though the officers be- 
lieve the personnel of the army is as good as ever, it has been the 
history of Great Britain that " Tommy Atkins" needs more leading 
than any man in the world ; so the spilling of Great Britain's best 
blood is in this way accounted for. 

HEAVY LOSSES IN BATTLE. 

The proportion of the casualties as a whole caused a thrill of 
horror' and sympathy throughout Great Britain, for the people now 
began to realize what a fight with a civilized enemy means. Old 
soldiers pointed out that at the Alma, one of the bloodiest battles in 
Great Britan's annals, the casualties totaled only six per cent., 
whereas in the Boer engagements they considerably exceeded that 
figure. 

That the war was bound to come in process of time was the 
almost universal opinion of those who noted the trend of events 
and studied the situation. To show the bitter feeling between the 
Bnglish and Boers, we insert here an extract from a letter written 
by Mr. J. H. Aiken, just before the war began. Mr. Aiken returned 
to London, Ontario, and delivered a series of most interesting lec- 
tures on South Africa, where he lived for some years. It will be 
seen, therefore, that he is well qualified to treat the subject on 
which he writes, addressing his letter to a well-known publishing 
house in New York : 

" Gentlemen, — I am just in receipt of your welcome letter. In 
this letter you express the very pretty sentiment as to the terrible- 
ness of war, especially in the closing period of the nineteenth cen- 
tury, which is all very true. But you also say in your letter : ' We 
feel that the world ought not to allow a war in South Africa to 
take place, at the present time.' Really, gentlemen, there has been 



352 REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 

SO mucli agitation here, and tlie feeling is so bitter, and is running 
so high, among both Dutch and English, that to express the above 
sentiment, in either English or Dutch territory here, would be risky 
in the extreme, and almost render one liable to a charge of high 
treason. 

^' As you know, in my business, I am daily meeting with 
classes of people in this city, the capital of Natal. I am meeti. 
with clergymen, lawyers, doctors, merchants — in fact, all classes- 
and I can assure you that, one and all, they are bent upon war, and 
are determined to have it. One of my friends the other day was 
talking about a leading clergyman, and exclaimed, in speaking of 
of the minister: 'Oh, my! but he was bloodthirsty!' Now, this 
clergyman is one of the most devout ' men of the cloth' on this 
sub-continent, and I can assure you he is only voicing the feeling 
of nearly every Britisher in South Africa. 

BOERS' BITTER HATRED OF ENGLAND. 

" On the other side — the Dutch side — the feeling is ever so much 
more bitter and intense. Now, you know, there must be a reason 
for such a state of things. I realize, of course, that the saints are 
not all on one side, nor are the sinners all on the other ; but there 
can be no question that the Dutch of this country determined for 
years to undermine British supremacy, and have been planning and 
scheming to this end for quite as many years. They think that 
they are now in a position to ' boss the show,' and are anxious to try 
their strength, but this is where they are making a great mistake. 

" You will remember my telling you how well I got on with the 
Dutch in Pretoria, and how nicely they treated me, and I can honestly 
say that, individually, I like them very much ; but, taken collec- 
tively, they certainly do not know how to ' run' a modern and pro- 
gressive republic. A few 3^ears ago the Dutch of South Africa — 
the wealthiest of them — were nearly as poor as the proverbial 
' church mouse,' and the republic was practically bankrupt. British 
— or, more properly, Anglo-Saxon — brains, money and enterprise, 
have made the South African Republic what it is to-day financially. 

" To digress, about a year ago I was traveling in Dutch terri- 



REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 353 

tory, and liad occasion to stay over-night at a Dutcli farmhouse. 
There was a large family, about fifteen or sixteen (their families are 
abnormally large, as a rule), and just before the evening meal was 
placed on the table, the whole family went through its ablutions, 
commencing with the old man, then his vrow, and the fourteen or 
so children, all using the same small bowlful of water on the table, » 
and using the same rag of a towel, the hair combing, etc., being all 
attended to at the same time. Now, I do not wish to say anything 
against the old farmer, for he was very kind and hospitable, even 
generous, for though they kept me, my horses and driver, for the 
night, he would not charge a single penny — in fact, he said, speak- 
ing through an interpreter, as he could not speak English : ' Tell the 
gentleman, that though in the Free State the towns are not free, yet 
in the country things were yet free to the stranger ;' but what I 
wish to convey is that such people as the above farrner are the voting 
power — the only voting power — in the republic. 

NO VOICE IN RULING THE COUNTRY. 

" The men of brains, the financiers, the leading bankers, and 
all the other leading classes, who have made the country what it is, 
who have built the great city of Johannesburg, developed the mining 
industry, and made wealthy men of the satellites of the government 
at Pretoria, have no voice in the taxation or the ruling of the 
country, but have been compelled to stand passively by while a 
corrupt government made themselves rich with the ill-gotten 
spoils of ofi&ce. 

" Now, you can see that this sort of thing cannot be permitted 
to continue in this nineteenth century. Trouble is bound to ensue, 
and we are assuredly living in most troubled times here at the 
present moment. Whole volumes could be written upon the trou- 
bles, suffering and anxieties that the poor women and children, to ^ 
say nothing of the husbands and fathers, are passing through at 
the present time. The whole country is completely upset; people 
are fleeing in open trucks, walking or riding, in every direction for 
safety; in a general way business is almost entirely suspended, and 
people are thinking and speaking of nothing but war. 
23 



354 REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 

" Tlie latest report this morning is to tlie effect that the Dutch 
intend marching at once upon Maritzburg. In this connection 
I think I should say that, while we in Africa are not so hardened 
and bloodthirsty as not to realize the true terribleness of war, yet 
we feel that there is no other way out of it, that there will never be 
peace and prosperity in this country until we have a good, big 
fight, and until it is definitely decided who is ' boss.' 

" Then, again, you must bear in mind that we have the native 
element to consider. In Natal there are about ten natives to every 
white person ; and if the British do not thrash the Dutch now 
(after seeing the Bnglish fleeing in thousands from the Transvaal) , 
we could never make these natives believe that the Bnglish are not 
cowards, and afraid to fight, and the result would undoubtedly be — 
at least, such is the opinion of those who are best informed on the 
subject — that within a year or two we would have a native rising, 
which is simply too horrible to think of. I might say that the 
natives, to a man, hate and loathe the Dutch, and are simply scream- 
ing with delight at the prospect of the English being about to ' lick' 
the Dutch." 

SEVERE REPULSE OF GATACRE'S COLUMN. 

General Gatacre's column, which had been moving toward 
Stormberg, in Cape Colony, where it was known there was a formid- 
able force of Boers, met with a serious repulse on December loth. 
The British were misled by guides as to the enemy's position, and 
met with sharper resistance than was expected. General Gatacre 
left Putters Kraal by train for Molteno and then proceeded by forced 
march twelve miles toward Stormberg, his force including the North- 
umberland Fusileers, the Royal Irish Rifles and two batteries of_ 
field artillery, with other troops. 

The British were unmolested by the Boers until the Boer posi- 
tion was reached, when a hot fire was unexpectedly opened upoi 
the advancing column. The engagement began at 4.15 a.m. At 
A.M., after a sharp artillery duel, the British retired and marched 
toward Molteno. General Gatacre found the enemy's position im- 
pregnable. It was impossible for the British infantry to get at the 



|i 



REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 355 

Boers. The movement may be termed a reconnoissance in force. Its 
object was to ascertain the strength of the position of the Boers who 
were strongly entrenched along the Stormberg Range. 

Details of the engagement show that the column arrived safely 
within a couple of miles of its destination, the only incidents of the 
march being an occasional sudden call of " Halt," under the belief 
that the Boers were near. Suddenly a terrific fire opened simulta- 
neously on the British front and right flank. The Royal Irish 
Rifles, which formed the advance, sought shelter behind a neighbor- 
ing hill, and were speedily joined by the remainder of the column. 
It was soon found, however, that this position was also covered by 
Boer guns, which were more powerful than had been supposed. 
The troops, therefore, sought a safer position about half a mile away, 
two batteries in the meantime engaging the Boers and covering the 
troops in their withdrawal. 

RUSHING INTO A TERRIBLE FIRE. 

The action now became general at long range, and a detach- 
ment of mounted infantry moved northward with a view of getting 
on the enemy's right flank. Suddenly a strong commando was 
seen moving from the north and the Royal Irish Rifles and the 
Northumberland Regiment were sent out to meet it. It was soon 
discovered, however, that the Boers had machine guns well placed, 
and the British were compelled to face a terrible fire. 

Finding it impossible to hold the position in the face of an 
enemy apparently superior in positions, numbers and artillery, the 
British retired on Molteno, the Boers following up the retirement 
closely and bringing two big guns to bear on the retiring column. 

Advices received at the War Office in London from Cape Town, 
dated December 9th (before the engagement above described), were 
as follows : 

*'The position of the enemy in Stormberg district last night was 
the following : At Stormberg six encampments ; at Dordrecht, 800 
men; twenty-three miles south of Sterkstroom, 220 men. Major 
Elliott reports that Dalgetty, with a force, has gone toward Dord- 
recht to co-operate with Gatacre. The railway bridge at Modder 



356 REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 

River was completed December 7th. Metiiuen reports that lie made 
a demonstration up the line of the railway at daylight to-day with 
artillery. The enemy did not respond. Methuen is receiving the 
remainder of his reinforcements and supplies. He has established 
detached posts on his lines of communication. Mafeking reports 
all well on November 30th." 

Sir William Forbes Gatacre, commander of the British force 
that operated against Stormberg, won a great reputation in the British 
army in the campaigns in India and the Soudan, where he com- 
manded brigades, and received many war medals for services in the 
lower grades of rank. He is a member of " Distinguished Service 
Order." The private soldiers in the barrack-room bestowed on the 
General the nickname of " Bill Backacher," on account of his capa- 
city for hark work. In the Soudan his brigade was recognized as 
the best marching force in the country, and General Gatacre him- 
self tramped cheerfully through the desert on the way to Khartoum. 

RECEIVED THANKS OF PARLIAMENT. 

From the time he entered the army in the Duke of Cambridge's 
Own Middlesex, he passed a most active military career. Having 
gone through the Staff College, he filled administrative posts at 
Aldershot and Madras, and later on filled the positions in India of 
assistant quartermaster-general on the headquarters staff, and adj u- 
tant-general at Bombay. In the Chetral campaign of 1895, with 
his brigade forming part of the relief force, he conducted the action 
of Marragai, and had fierce fighting in the passages of the Janbatai 
and Lowarai passes. At the end of the 1898 campaign in the Egyp- 
tian Soudan, for his services at the battles of Atbara and Omdurman, 
he received the thanks of Parliament, and was made a Knight 
Commander of the Bath. 

Another desperate engagement between General Methuen's 
column and the Boers occurred north of Modder River, in which the 
British troops met with serious check and suffered great losses. 
Their artiller}'- shelled a very strong position held by the enemy in 
a long, high kopje (hill), from 4 until dusk on Sunday, December 
loth. The Highland Brigade attacked at daybreak, on Monday, 



REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 357 

the soutli end of tlie kopje. The attack was properly timed, but 
failed. 

The Guards were ordered to protect the Highlands' right and 
rear. The cavalry and mounted infantry, with a howitzer artillery 
battery, attacked the enemy on the left, and the Guards on the right, 
supported by field and howitzer artillery. They vigorously shelled 
the position from daybreak. At 1.15 o'clock, General Methuen 
sent the Gordons to support the Highland Brigade. The troops 
held their own in front of the enemy's entrenchments until dusk, 
the position extending, including the kopje, for a distance of six 
miles toward the Modder River. 

GREAT BRAVERY OF BRITISH TROOPS. 

General Methuen held his position and threw up entrench- 
ments. His loss was heavy. Under date of December nth, an 
official report was issued by the Boers, as follows : " A battle at 
Modder River began on the loth with cannon firing, heavy fighting 
proceeding from 3.30 o'clock in the morning until 9.30 o'clock, with 
cannon, Maxim guns and rifles. A balloon has just arisen above 
the British positions, where it remained ten minutes and descended. 
There were heavy rains during the night. 

" At 9 o'clock this morning a further report was received from 
Modder River. A dispatch rider brought word that all the Boer 
positions had been maintained, and that forty-one British prisoners 
had been taken. At 9.30 o'clock it was reported that the heavy 
cannon fire had somewhat abated. The British are constantly using 
their balloon. The fighting was still going on at noon." 

From complete accounts of the engagement it appears that, 
early in the evening, the Guards of the Highland Brigade moved 
from the Modder Camp, marching in the night in a northeasterly 
direction. The objective of the Highlanders was the eastern spur of 
the Boer position, the Guards following the bank of the river, while 
the Yorkshire Light Infantry moved along the riverside. Just be- 
fore daybreak, the Highlanders arrived within 200 yards of the Boer 
entrenchments at the foot of a hill. 

Unsuspecting that the Boers were in the vicinity, the British 



358 REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 

were still marcliing in quarter column, in close order, when they 
met a terrible fire from the flanks and were forced to retire with 
heavy loss. The troops reformed under the shelter of some rising 
ground and gallantly held their position. Later, the Gordons 
arrived. The troops gradually worked their way until within 300 
yards of the Boer positions, displaying the greatest gallantry. In 
the meanwhile, a naval gun at the Modder River, the Howitzer bat- 
teries and the Horse Artillery opened a terrific fire, enfilading the 
trenches and searching every portion of the Boer position. The 
Boer guns were entirely silent. 

In the meanwhile the Boers, on the open ground directly in 
front, moved with the object of making a flank attack. But this was 
frustrated by the Guards and artillery. The Boers recommenced 
shelling in the evening, but no damage was done. The British 
slept on their position. The losses on both sides were very heavy. 

Among the killed on the British side were the Marquis of West- 
minster and General Wauchope. The death of General Wauchope 
was widely deplored. A pathetic circumstance was that his wife 
was among the inquirers at the War Office in London a few minutes 
before the telegram announcing his death was posted. 

A VALIANT GENERAL. 

Wounded in three campaigns-^once very severely — during his 
soldier's life, General Wauchope fell as he wished, leading his own 
regiment, the Black Watch, to the attack. The position he had 
coveted was his. As Brigadier of the Highland Brigade, in which 
the Scotch Highland regiments of the First Army Corps were 
grouped, he was in the line of succession to Sir Colin Campbell, 
Lord Clyde, under whom some of the sternest fighting and most 
brilliant feats of arms were accomplished in the Crimea and the 
Indian mutiny. 

Andrew Gilbert Wauchope, of Niddry Marischal, Midlothian, 
came of a family long settled near the Scottish capital, the "heart" 
of the county. As a magistrate and deputy lieutenant he possessed 
considerable county influence, and for this reason was chosen as the 
conservative candidate to oppose Mr. Gladstone in what was a " for- 



REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 359 

lorn hope" at tHe general election of 1892. Mr. Gladstone held the 
seat by an enormous majority, and it was with no prospect of oust- 
ing the aged statesman in his last electoral contest that Lieutenant- 
Colonel Wauchope came forward. 

But it was one of the significant incidents of that general elec- 
tion that Mr. Gladstone's majority was greatly reduced by the simple 
soldier, who had no political pretensions. His life was passed in 
military service with but brief interruptions, and he devoted himself 
assiduously to maintaining the traditional fame of the Black Watch, 
the second battalion of which, the old Seventy-third, he joined on 
entering the army. 

IN THE FOREFRONT OF BATTLE. 

He married, in 1882, Alethea, daughter of Sir Thomas Hrskine. 
Accompanying his regiment, he fought with it in the Ashanti cam- 
paign of Sir Garnet Wolesley, in 1873-74, and gained a mention in 
the dispatches. At Tel-el-Kebir he was in the front, in 1882, and 
in the Gordon relief campaign two years later was severely wounded. 
He was selected for the command of a brigade in 1898, in Lord 
Kitchener's expedition to Khartoum. 

At the battle of Omdurman, when the advance from the Zariba 
to the city began, his brigade gave timely help to Macdonald's 
Bgyptians. His services in this campaign brought him promotion 
to a Major-General's rank, and he received the thanks of Parlia- 
ment. Like Sir William Penn Symons, he was a typical regimental 
officer of the British army, with prospects of selection to an inde- 
pendent command, and his loss was all the greater blow. 

Detailed accounts of the sortie made from Lady smith by the 
British in an effort to capture the Boer position on Gun Hill, 
showed that all the men taking part in it were on foot. Some wore 
rubber-soled shoes and carried no bayonets. When they had 
silently mounted the rocks, passing the sleeping Boer picket, they 
suddenly heard the challenge, " Who comes there ?" No reply was 
made, and the challenge was repeated. 

Then the Boers cried out several times: "The Redcoat! Shoot!" 
An officer of the Light HorseVolunteers thereupon shouted in Dutch: 



360 REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 

" The Redcoats witli bayonets ! Run !" The British cheered and 
charged. The enemy's fire broke out in front and rear, and the 
British in front thought their comrades were firing on them. Gene- 
ral Hunter ordered "cease fire" to be sounded, and the next minute 
the Boers bolted. Some thirty were surprised asleep. One of the] 
sergeants, amid the confusion, seized General Hunter by the throat, 
crying, " Who the devil are you ?" 

There was a hurried search by the British for the big guns. 
For a moment the horrible thought seized them that there might bej 
no guns at all ; that the enemy, as had often been the case, hac 
somehow got wind of the projected attack and removed their cannoi 
to a safe distance; but at last, to the delight of everybody, the " Lon[_ 
Tom" itself was discovered snugly ensconced behind a parapet oi 
sand-bags thirty-one feet thick. A 4.7-inch howitzer was found ii 
an emplacement hardly less strong, with a Maxim gun between the 
two, posted apparently for the purpose of repelling an assault. 

DESTRUCTION OF BIG GUNS. 

Lieutenant Turner, with two sappers and six artillerymen, at 
once took charge of the " Long Tom," and with crowbars and ham- 
mers smashed the breach and elevating gear. Two charges of gun- 
cotton were then placed in the breech and muzzle and connected 
with fuses. While the Long Tom was thus being provided for, 
similar attention was bestowed on the howitzer by Captain Fowkc 
and other sappers and gunners. The preparations being completed, 
General Hunter ordered the men down the hill. 

The fuses were lit with the burning ends of officers' cigars. 
Everybody fell back with the exception of Captain Fowke, who re- 
mained midway between the two big guns, and after a couple of 
minutes of suspense a loud report showed that the object had been 
accomplished. Captain Fowke hastened to examine the debris. He 
found the 6-inch gun with two gaping holes in the muzzle, which 
was badly bulged, and the breech rifling had been destroyed beyond 
all chance of repair. The howitzer was in even a worse plight, the 
explosion having wrecked the carriage as well as the gun. The 
Maxim was seized and carried off. 



REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 361 

Tlie men returned to camp across tlie plain unmolested. 
Other trophies of the sortie were an Bnglish song book that was 
found in a cave underneath the parapet, where the gunners evidently 
took refuge, and a private letter, in which it was said that the 
burghers were not a bit frightened. 

In the desperate fight at Magersfontein, the Highlanders did 
all that the most gallant troops in the world could do, but it was 
impossible to face the terrible fire of the Boers. The British artil- 
lery again saved the situation, and divided the honors of the day 
with the Scotchmen. The batteries worked for hours under a 
galling rifle fire. The Boers suffered a heavy loss. A single lyd- 
dite shell killed or wounded more than seventy Boers, and two other 
shells burst over two bodies of Boers ensconced behind the range, 
doing fearful damage. The Boers fought throughout with the 
utmost gallantry. Their sharpshooters seldom missed the mark. 

BURSTING SHELL AT A PRAYER MEETING. 

A Boer, faultlessly dressed, with polished top-boots, a shirt 
with silk rufiles, and a segar in his mouth, was seen walking among 
the ant hills, picking off the British. This Boer was quite alone, 
and it was apparent from his frequent use of field-glasses that 
he was singling out of&cers. A lyddite shell, fired on Sunday, fell 
in the middle of an open-air prayer meeting, held to offer supplica- 
tions for the success of the Boer arms. 

All the wounded were full of praise for the treatment they 
received from the medical department on the battlefield. While the 
Guards were advancing on the plain, which the Boers were shelling 
from the adjoining ridges, they encountered and cut up a strong 
Boer picket, posted on a hill for purposes of observation. All the 
members of the picket were either killed, wounded or taken 
prisoners. 

Concerning the engagement at Magersfontein, General Cronje, 
commander of the Boers, reported that there was desultory fighting 
for* several hours, when heavy cannon fire was resumed. The 
Scandinavians stormed a difficult position, but it became untenable 
and they suffered severely. General Cronje was unable to send 



362 REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 

help. The British were in overwhelming force, but their losses 
were very heavy. 

Another official report from Captain Finnhart stated that 
there were no signs of surrender, the burghers fighting with con- 
spicuous bravery and maintaining their positions under heavy 
British fire. The Boer cannon were of very little use. The British 
were greatly assisted by balloons. Twenty-four ambulances worked 
backward and forward between the fighting line and the enemy's 
camp, and were kept busy caring for the wounded. 

FIERCE BATTLE AT TUGELA RIVER. 

On the 15th of December General Buller attempted to force a 
passage of the Tugela River in order to afford relief to Ladysmith, 
and met with a serious reverse. He moved in full strength from 
his camp near Chieveley at 4 o'clock in the morning. There are 
two fordable places in the Tugela River, and it was his intention to 
force a passage through at one of them. They are about two miles 
apart. 

He planned to force one or the other with one brigade, sup- 
ported by a central brigade. General Hart was to attack the left 
ford, General Hildyard the right road, and General Lyttleton was 
to take the centre and to support either. Early in the day Buller 
saw that General Hart would not be able to force a passage and 
directed him to withdraw. He had, however, attacked with great 
gallantry, and his leading battalion, the Connaught Rangers, 
suffered a great deal. Colonel I. G. Brooke was seriously wounded. 
Buller then ordered General Hildyard to advance, which he did, 
and his leading regiment, the East Surrey, occupied Colenso station 
and the houses near the bridge. 

At that moment Buller heard that the whole artillery he had 
sent to support the attack — the Fourteenth and Sixty-sixth Field 
Batteries and six naval 12-pounder quick-firing guns — under Colonel 
Long, had advanced close to the river in Long's desire to be within 
effective range. It proved to be full of the enemy, who suddenly 
opened a galling fire at close range, killing all their horses, and the 
gunners were compelled to stand to their guns. Some of the w^agon 



REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 363 

teams got shelter for the troops in a donga (hollow) and desperate 
efforts were made to bring out the field-guns. The fire, however, 
was too severe, and they only were saved by Captain Schofield and 
some drivers. 

Another most gallant attempt with three teams was made. Of 
the eighteen horses thirteen were killed, and, as several drivers were 
wounded, the commander would not allow another attempt, as it 
seemed that they would be a shell mark, sacrificing life to a gallant 
attempt to force the passage Unsupported by artillery, he directed 
the troops to withdraw, which they did in good order. Throughout 
the day a considerable force of the enemy was pressing on his right 
flank, but was kept back by mounted men under Lord Dundonald 
and part of General Barton's brigade. The day was intensely hot 
and most trying even on troops whose condition was excellent. 

SERIOUS LOSS OF GUNS. 

The British abandoned ten guns and lost by shell-fire one. 
The losses in General Hart's brigade were heavy, although the pro- 
portion of severely wounded was not large. The Fourteenth and 
Sixty-sixth Field Batteries also suffered severe losses. The British 
retired to their camp at Chieveley. 

The Tugela River flows from close to Van Reenen's Pass to 
the Indian Ocean, about forty miles above Durban. It lies north of 
Colenso and immediately south of Ladysmith, and in the winter 
season is a turbulent stream. Both banks at and for miles along 
the front where General Buller attempted to cross in pontoons, as 
the bridge had been destroyed, are steep, and, on the north side 
especially, are backed by a mountainous country. For weeks the 
Boers had been entrenching themselves on the north bank of the 
river, as it was realized that there the advance of the British for the 
relief of Ladysmith could be most stubbornly resisted. 

That the fight was a desperate one it is needless to say. The 
issue at stake was tremendous, and it can readily be understood that 
the British retired only after a succession of plucky efforts to cross 
the river. This was the first engagement in which General Buller 
figured. All England looked forward to him to retrieve British 



364 • REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 

prestige, and that his initial battle proved to be a defeat was a bitter 
disappointment. 

All the British commanders in South Africa — Gatacre, Methuen 
and Buller — had now been discomfited and repulsed. 

On the 15th the British bombarded some of the Boer positions 
at Colenso, but the burghers did not reply. This concealment of 
their positions was in line with Boer tactics. It is only when 
a British cavalry charge is ordered and made that the artillery and 
rifle fire of the Boers disclose where they are. 

General Buller reported to the War Office in London that his 
losses in the engagement with the Boers at the Tugela River, near 
Colenso, December 15th, were 1150 men. The revised list of the 
British casualties in the battle of Magersfontein, on the 12th, showed 
the total to be 963, of which number seventy were officers. In 
these two encounters with the Boers, therefore, the British lost 
21 13 men. The Boers fought generally under cover. 

DEATH OF A BRILLIANT OFFICER. 

Captain Roberts, son of General Lord F. Roberts, was severely 
wounded in the Tugela River fight while leading some men in an 
attempt to rescue the guns. Professor MacCormac, President of the 
Royal College of Surgeons, extracted the bullet, but Captain 
Roberts died from the effects of his wound. The War Office issued 
a list of the casualties in the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) 
Regiment in the battle of Magersfontein. There were forty-one 
killed, 163 wounded and iii missing. 

Mutual arrangements were made by the British and Boer com- 
manders by which the British dead were to be buried on the 14th 
and 15th. The Boers stipulated, however, that only a clergyman 
of the Reformed Church should officiate, and that the British should 
not come within 600 yards of their lines. Mr. Robertson, the 
Presbyterian chaplain of one of the Highland regiments, who had 
previously been of great help, was selected to conduct the burial 
services. He took twenty engineers with him and started for the 
scene of the battle of Magersfontein. The engineers, who acted as 
litter-bears, were blindfolded when they reached the Boer outposts. 



REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 365 

General Cronje, tHe Boer Commandant, sent a message regret- 
ting that lie could not come personally to receive tlie burial party, 
but he said that other affairs engaged his attention at the time. 
He sent Commandant Vermaas, Intelligence Officer Draper and 
Field Cornet Wills to assist Mr. Robertson in locating the dead. 
Afterward Colonial Doctor Grogan joined them and found he knew 
many of the slain. Chaplain Robertson said that what seemed 
like deserted kopjes and ridges swarmed with men as his party 
approached. Commandant Vermaas treated him in the kindest 
manner. He returned twice to see if he could be of any further 
assistance and shook hands with Mr. Robertson on parting. 

MET WITH A TERRIBLE HAIL OF BULLETS. 

Boer prisoners said that if the Highland Brigade had massed 
and stormed the trenches after the first surprise the British loss 
would have been heavier, because the Boers from the kopje on the 
side were ready to enfilade the trenches if they had been captuted. 
The Gordon Highlanders were held in reserve till lo o'clock the 
morning of the fight, when they went forward in wide order toward 
the base of the east kopje. They got within 500 yards of this 
point without any casualties worth mentioning, when they suddenly 
encountered a strong cross-fire. The Boers had allowed them to 
reach the point where they were concealed in the trenches and then 
the burghers infiladed the Highlanders. Karly in the fighting the 
Highland Brigade demolished the Scandinavian contingent of about 
two hundred. 

The Boer Intelligence Officer reported that " great quantities of 
British weapons were on the field at Magersfontein. There were 
any number of Lee-Metford rifles, bandoleers, cases of ammunition 
and bayonets scattered in all directions. Attempts were made to 
count the English losses, but the task was given up as hopeless. 
So great was their loss that the English ambulance corps, large as 
it was, was unable to bury their dead and attend the wounded. After 
attending to our own men we assisted the British with our few 
ambulances. 

" Thirty-one burghers were buried at Bisset's Farm, where our 



366 REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 






wounded are. The losses in horses were very great. The sappers 
must have suffered heavily. The burghers expressed undue rejoic- 
ing at our great victory. Very few of our men were engaged. 
The field is a dreadful sight. It was a great victory and our men 
have new spirit. 

" The ' Black Watch' were moved close to our lines in the 
night for an attack in the morning before sunrise. The Boers shot 
them all except thirty-one, who were taken prisoners. These thirty- 
one men of the ' Black Watch' said they were all who survived. 
Scottish prisoners stated their brigade was about 4000 strong, and 
that they were terribly punished. General Wauchope was killed." 

ENGLAND AROUSED TO THE SITUATION. 

Amid the gloom and grief which overwhelmed England on 
receiving intelligence of General Buller's repulse, the confidence in 
the final triumph of the British arms throughout South Africa re- 
mained unshaken. The determination to win regardless of the cost 
was, however, coupled with another grim resolve, namely, to fix and 
enforce the responsibility for the disasters which brought the darkest 
days Great Britain has known within the memory of living man. 
This purpose was not directed so much against the incompetency of 
the commanders in the field, but against some of the officials who 
plunged the country into a war which it was not prepared to meet. 

The British authorities, both at home and in Cape Colony, con- 
fessed that they were surprised at being obliged to fight both the 
South African Republics instead of one, and also at the strength of 
the Boer armament. The one feature whereof they could fairly 
plead excusable surprise was the size of the rebellion in Cape Colony 
itself. This had now reached appalling proportions. No cable 
information concerning it was allowed to reach London, but there 
was abundant intelligence in the many mail advices received, show- 
ing that Cape Dutch Afrikanders in thousands had been joining 
the Boer standards in the preceding few weeks. 

This was the most serious feature of the situation, and the 
one which most alarmed England. The campaign was practically 
ended in the discomfiture of the British arms. An entirely new 



REMARKABLE ENGLISH CAMPAIGN. 367 

campaign, on a new basis, would liave to be undertaken. All 
military men recognized tbis, altbougb tbe public did not. Not a 
single Britisb column was in condition to act offensively except at 
desperate risks. Tbe new situation of virtual civil war above 
described cbanged everytbing. 

PEOPLE OF CANADA VERY PATRIOTIC. 

Tbe resolute spirit tbat animated tbe motber country was 
Cxbibited in all tbe Britisb Colonies, particularly in Canada. Tbe 
Canadian contingent of troops for service in Soutb Africa landed at 
Cape Town November 30tb, and were given an entbusiastic recep- 
tion. Tbey were greeted witb continuous cbeers, and tbe beartiest 
welcome. Tbey sbowed tbat tbeir long bome training and colonial 
campaigning experience was not lost on tbem, and tbey received 
tbeir reward by being pusbed rapidly to tbe front. 

Tbe disaster of General Buller at Tugela River was everywbere 
discussed in Canada as an imperial calamity, but wbile soreness and 
bumiliation were rife, tbe reverse to Britisb arms served to stir 
anew tbe imperial patriotism of tbe people. Tbis was sbown in tbe 
renewal of tbe offers of service made to tbe government. Tbat 
Canada must send a second contingent was accepted as an inevitable 
outcome of tbe situation, and tbe militia department of Ottawa 
received from officers of tbe city corps alone offers of about 5000 men. 

Tbe ardor of tbe Canadian anilitiamen to enlist for service 
in Soutb Africa was fully evidenced. Tbe officers of tbe Second 
Field Battery, one of tbe smartest artillery corps in Canada, waited 
upon Major-General Hutton, wbo commands tbe Canadian militia, 
and urged acceptance of tbe battery's services, offered at tbe out- 
break of tbe war. Tbey pointed out tbat artillery, next to cavalry, 
for scouting purposes, was tbe arm in wbicb tbe Britisb force 
in Soutb Africa is most deficient. It was also strongly presented 
to tbe government tbat a welcome addition to tbe Britisb forces 
would be a detacbment of 500 of tbe mounted police, wbo are 
excellent borsemen, expert sbots and well drilled in scouting and 
vidette duty. Supplemented by a contingent of field artillery sucb 
a brigade would be of inestimable service. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

Additional Account of the Canadian Contingent. 

THE i6tli chapter of this volume, page 238, contains a graphic 
description of the organization and equipment of the Canadian 
troops who enlisted for the war in Sonth Africa. A full account 
is given of the great public demonstrations with which they 
were greeted in the several towns through which the}'- passed, and 
of their departure from Quebec by the steamship Sardinian. 

The facts to be added in this connection only emphasize the 
feeling of Canadian lo3^alty and the splendid patriotism which 
animated the people everj^where. 

Throughout the lower provinces more men desired to become 
*' the soldiers of the Queen " than could be accepted, and great was 
the disappointment of those who had to remain at home. Offers 
for service came pouring in from Saint John, Fredericton, Wood- 
stock, Saint Stephen, Newcastle, Chatham, Moncton, Sackville, 
and other places in New Brunswick ; from Halifax, Truro, Yar- 
mouth, Pictou, and elsewhere iji Nova Scotia, while such was the 
feeling in little Prince Edward Island that the whole contingent 
might have been obtained there Avithout much difficulty. In Saint 
John, the City of the Loyalists, where many of the leading citi- 
zens are the descendants of that sturdy stock, the New Brunswick- 
ers, numbering nearly one hundred strong, had a magnificent 
send-off. 

The line of march from the parade grounds to the railway 
station, a distance of about one and a half miles, was crowded with 
enthusiastic thousands, who were evidently determined that this 
old cit}^ should not be outdone by any one in its appreciation of the 
readiness of the boys in red and blue to uphold the national honor. 
From windows, roofs and ever}^ point of vantage cheer after cheer 
went up as, with swinging stride and true soldierly mien, they 

swept along. 
868 



THE CANADIAN CONTINGENT. 369 

From one of tlie windows of the Fusiliers' clubroom there 
streamed out an immense British, flag, which called forth the most 
tumultous cheering, while the playing by one of the bands of 
"The Soldiers of the Queen," called forth round after round of 
applause. As the procession swept along Charlotte, down King, 
and up Dock street it seemed as if the entire population was out- ^ 
doors, and, as the familiar strains of " Auld Lang Syne" floated 
out upon the evening air, for the shadows were now beginning to 
gather, the excitement knew no bounds. 

AN IMPOSING PAGEANT. 

The scene at the depot was one to be remembered, but not 
described. The immense building was packed with the represen- 
tatives of all classes, ages, and sexes, while thousands were out- 
side and around, anxious to have a part in the imposing pageant. 
The soldiers were to enter by a side door, and a strong force of 
police were on hand to keep open a narrow path to the cars. But 
when the band struck up the National Anthem, and the cheers 
from without indicated the arrival of the boys, the surging crowds 
came together with a rush, the pathway was closed, and band 
instruments, policemen's batons, ladies' hats, and soldiers' uni- 
forms were one wild medley of confusion. 

Sons of the Sovereign have been royally entertained here, 
regiments of the line have been warmly welcomed, and many a 
scene of wondrous interest has been witnessed here, but never 
before were the people of this city so profoundly moved as on this 
occasion. There was no abatement of the enthusiasm until the 
train had slowly crept out of the station, and, as the crowds slowly 
dispersed, the prayer went up from many a heart that we might 
have the privilege of welcoming the brave lads home again when 
the war is ended. That they would acquit themselves like men 
was not doubted by anyone. 

A similar send-off was given the members of the second con- 
tingent, with the addition of a mass meeting in Mechanics' Insti- 
tute, presided over by Mayor Sears, when, as in the case of the 
first contingent, each man was presented with a five-dollar gold 

24 



370 THE CANADIAN CONTINGENT. 

piece and a package of sundries tliat will be found useful wHen 
in camp or on tlie marcli. 

Nor were the Saint Jolin men tlie only ones to be welcomed 
and cbeered, for wben the men from Woodstock passed tbrougb 
tbe city there was an impromptu gathering at the station which 
was greatly appreciated by the men in question. Similar enthu- 
siasm was manifested in Halifax in connection with the departure 
of the second contingent from that city. On the evening of 
January 19th the greatest crowd that ever gathered under one roof 
in this city was that jat the new armory, the occasion being the 
civic reception to the second contingent. It is estimated that at 
least 10,000 persons were present, and at least 2,000 were turned 
away. The whole proceeding was a grand blaze of patriotic 
enthusiasm, the equal of which was never witnessed in this old 
military city. Speeches were delivered by Mayor Hamilton, Sir 
Malachy Daly, Lieutenant-Governor ; General Lord William Sey- 
mour, Hon. W. S. Fielding, and Hon. Dr. Borden. The scene 
was one of dazzling brilliancy, the decorations being on an elabor- 
ate scale, bright uniforms of military adding to the effect of hun- 
dreds of electric lights. Military bands played patriotic airs, 
and the rendering of patriotic songs evoked tremendous enthu- 
siasm. 

GREAT OUTPOURING OF THE POPULACE. 

The day was dark and dreary, rain fell in torrents, and a thick 
fog hung over all. But despite these discouragements the anxious 
thousands were early on the move to see the departing troops. 
With quick elastic step, with swing and life and jauntiness in every 
stride, the men marched through the centre of the city. The 
streets and sidewalks along the line of march swarm with people. 
Some forty thousand witness the scene. Cheer upon cheer comes 
swelling on the air, faces peer from every window. Men rush along- 
side for the last hand clasp with departing comrades. At last the 
dockyard is reached and the last man is on board. The steamer 
is now ready to start and scores of boats are waiting to escort the 
transport down the harbor. 

A local writer, referring to the departure of the first contin- 



I 



THE CANADIAN CONTINGENT. 371 

gent from Saint Jolin, and his remarks apply equally to all, thus 
voices the public feeling: "From the City of the Loyalists and 
from the province they founded under the aegis of the flag for 
which they sacrificed so much, there went out yesterday a soldier 
band. The flag their fathers planted on these shores in years 
agone is their flag. It beckons them now across the seas, where 
loyalists on another continent are called to arms in its defense. 
We give of our best, and they go to fight if need be in the battles 
of the empire. Our hearts and hopes go with them, and we are 
assured that whether in war or peace the honors and traditions of 
their native land will bravely be upheld. 

" And so they went — the sons of Great Britain and soldiers 
of the Queen. They went, these lads that we have known and 
loved, with a little sinking of the heart, it may be, at the moment 
of severing the ties of home and friendship ; but animated by the 
same stern spirit that has tracked the wilderness and bridged the 
seas, toiling upward through the centuries and outward through 
the regions of the earth, upbuilding that imperial fabric whose 
strength is freedom, and into whose texture time for a thousand 
years has woven the imperishable fibre of a Briton's loyalty. 

ALL HEARTS BEAT AS ONE. 

" And so they went — and some at home will count the cost, 
and some will weep and pray. But over the sea and over the 
veldt, with these lads that go a-soldering, will go the message to 
our kindred that, whether beneath the Southern Cross or beside 
the northern sea, in the hour of need heart answers heart in 
Britain's realms throughout the wide, wide world." 

As already stated in a preceding chapter, the first Canadian 
contingent arrived at Cape Town November 30th. The magnifi- 
cent welcome the troops received is thus described by a correspond- 
ent who was a witness of the inspiring scene : 

"At noon we anchored in the spacious bay; at 6 o'clock we 
drew up alongside the wharf Cheers from the crowds, salutes 
from the steamers which thronged the anchorage, marked our slow 
journey inwards from the outer roadstead. Our voyage, tedious 



372 THE CANADIAN CONTINGENT. 

enongli in its monotonous lengtli, had a beginning and an ending of 
niar\^elous and romantic beautj^ What impressions our departure 
from Quebec produced upon us you already know. Yesterday we 
drew into a harbor set amongst might}^ hills, a ship-thronged sheet 
of water encircled by mighty mountains. The hills have a steep- 
ness of outline, a hard bareness of aspect foreign to our own loved 
land, but the airs which greeted us were the national anthem, 
' Rule Britannia,' and ' Soldiers of the Queen.' Four weeks' voy-. 
age, and we are still in the empire. 

"Table ]\Iountain loomed ahead of us early in the morning, 
and for hours it grew larger in front of us. The day was hazy^ 
and the purple shadow, with its level, clear-cut top, lay like a cloud 
high above the horizon ahead. Larger and larger it grew, and we 
were suddenl}^ aware of a low-lying land to our right and a long 
stretch of coast to our left. 

PICTURESQUE SCENERY AT CAPE TOWN. 

" The land to our right was Robbers' Island, a low-lying patch 
of land, with an evil reputation as a leper settlement. To our left 
was a long line of land, breakers rushing high into the air along 
the shore, dim, precipitous peaks showing ominously in the back- 
ground. But embayed as we were in a wide sweep of coast, the 
onl}^ land for which we had eyes was the mountain cluster right 
ahead. 

" Reared high above us, the flat top of Table Mountain over- 
bore the scene. To the right, a conical peak ; to the left, a rugged 
peak. The size of it all had a strangel}^ minimizing effect. We 
were a strangel}- small entity, running into a to}^ harbor, enringed 
b}^ stage mountains. The long stretches of the shore to the left, 
the low island to our right, fell into insignificance ; we were heading 
for the sheet of water which those towering hills encircled. Strange 
is the dwarfing effect which bulk itself produces. 

" Cape Town seemed a spattering of roofs clinging to the roots 
of the square-topped hill, the basin to which we were heading a 
small enough sheet. But when we landed it was a wear}- walk 
around that basin, and the town extended over many a high-built 



THE CANADIAN CONTINGENT. 373 

street. But still tliat purple mountain overbore us, rising in tlie 
air whenever we raised our heads. Tlie Lion's Head to our right, 
with its outline of a human face upon its front, the conical top of 
Signal Hill to our left, beset us ; we were in a city set about with 
hills. From a score to a score and a half of steamers lay in the 
outer anchorage, ships and steamers lay in close-packed rows along 
the docks ; yet the huge overhanging hills dwarfed all this wide 
expanse of water, these mighty works of man. 

" Amid the cheers of the men the anchor chain rattled out, 
and our four weeks' voyage was over. When we were approach- 
ing, the towering semicircle of hills made the sheet of water which 
was our destination seem of small account ; when we were in it a 
score and a half of big ocean steamers lay scattered over it, and 
there was room for hundreds more. The blue ensign hung over 
nearly every stem ; the harbor was filled with transports. Over 
towards the docks was a thicket of masts and funnels. The docks 
were crowded and we would have to wait. 

THE CANADIAN COLONEL WELCOMED. 

" It was about noon when we anchored ; it was about 6 when 
we docked. We filled in the time by waiting. The sun was 
brilliant, the day cloudless, the harbor surface glassy smooth, and 
yet our ship, no longer ploughing forward, from time to time 
rolled heavily. We flew the yellow flag, which demanded a quar- 
antine officer, and the doctor came and passed us. It was against 
orders for anyone to leave the ship before Colonel Otter, and it 
was well into the afternoon before he set foot upon the soil of 
Africa. A broad side-wheel tug brought aboard Sir Alfred Mil- 
ner's representative, a fresh, pleasant-faced lad of an officer, natty 
in khaki, with the brilliant scarlet collar-patch which denotes a 
staff" officer, and he extended a welcome to Colonel Otter. 

" An army service corps officer in blue and white came 
aboard, and there was a shout from the quarterdeck of ' Duffus ! ' 
Lieutenant Frank Duffus it was, a Halifax man, an old college 
friend of several of our officers. Business with Colonel Otter 
came first, for he was transport officer ; then he fell into the arms 



TiTl itiK CANADIAN CONTINGENT. ^^^^^^H 

of old friends. Anotlier visit from tlie side-wheeler, just as Col- 
onel Otter was about to embark in a skiff ; it was tbe Mayor and 
Harbor Board of tbe cit}^, come to give us a municipal welcome. 
It was a practical welcome, for tbey gave bim a lift to tbe wbarf ; 
Colonel Otter and Major Drummond, witb Sergeant Reading, 
were tbe landing party, wbile Captain Todd was given a passage 
asbore. It was good-b3^e to Captain Todd, and we cbeered bim 
witb all our bearts ; and as tbe men forward saw departing tbe 
of&cer wbo bas been superintending tbeir quarters for tbe past 
tbree weeks it was again ' tbree cbeers for Captain Todd!' 

NOISY GREETINGS IN THE HARBOR. 

"Tben we waited for a wbile longer. Tbe Warwera, wbicb 
bad come in tbe day before witb tbe Australians and New Zea- 
landers, swung near us, and a megapbone man at ber stern 
sbouted bits of tbe montb's news to us, wbile we devoured tbe 
few newspapers wbicb bad drifted asbore. Tben we found 
tbat a notable favor bad been sbown us. Tbe steamer Cbesbire 
bad beaten us in by some bours and was lying near us. Sbe bad 
on board tbe ist Gordon Higblanders, tbe Dargai battalion. 
Word went around tbat we were going into dock at once — abead 
of tbe Higblanders. Up came our ancbor, in we moved^ As we 
came into motion our welcome began. We crossed first tbe bows 
of tbe Cbesbire, and ber wbistle boomed incessantly, wbile ber 
bows and upper works were dense witb kbaki and kilts, as tbe 
Gordons cbeered and cbeered again. Wbistle after wbistle — 
every one of tbe sbips seemed to be saluting us ; wbenever we 
passed near enougb for tbe voice to reacb, cbeers rang out across 
tbe water, and were roared back from our decks. 

" A long dock and a crowd upon it was before us. Tbrougb an 
opening in it we passed, and were in a steamer-crowded basin, 
approacbing a slip, on tbe otber side of wbicb lay a mauve-painted 
Castle liner. Tbe liner's band played us in, and tbe first air we 
beard was 'God Save tbe Queen.' 'Rule Britannia' and 
'Soldiers of tbe Queen' were otber numbers in tbis dockyard 
concert. Tbe crowd on tbe dock cbeered us wildly and sang ' God 




375 



376 THE CANADIAN CONTINGENT. 

Save the Queen.' We clieered back, and showed tliat we knew tke 
song. We drew alongside, and another Canadian stood on tlie 
dock — Captain Kennedy, Royal Engineers, well known to many 
of us. Tken tke gang-plank fell and we were at Cape Town. 

" Last nigkt our men stayed aboard, very few, indeed, leaving 
ber. All nigbt tbe disembarkation of baggage went on, and at 
8 o'clock tbe regiment formed on tbe dock and marcbed away for 
Sea Point, a suburb about four miles out, wbere tbe prisoners and 
wounded are. Tbe Australians, wbo preceded us so closely, are 
at Maitland, anotber suburb. Active service at once ; sucb is our 
fortune." 

Our readers will be interested in an account of tbe departure 
of tbe Manitoba troops for Soutb Africa. Tbey went out witb tbe 
first Canadian contingent and left for Quebec on Tuesday, Oct. 
24. Never since tbe 9otb Battalion went to tbe front in 1885 was 
tbere sucb a demonstration of loyalty as wben tbe brave boys wbo 
volunteered to figbt in Africa for tbe Empire marcbed to tbe 
Canadian Pacific Railway station and entrained for Quebec. 

DENSE MASS OF CHEERING PEOPLE. 

Many of tbe stores and places of business were closed down, 
and tbe route of marcb was lined from beginning to end witb 
citizens, wbile from tbe drill ball to tbe station tbe troops marcbed 
tbrougb a lane of cbeering people, wbo at times waxed so entbu- 
siastic tbat tbe brass bands could bardly be beard. Tbat Winni- 
peg is proud of ber contingent was sbown in several ways, and 
well sbe bad reason to be. Tbe Manitoba men were all of splendid 
pbysique, and as smart in tbeir drill as regulars. 

It was not curiosity nor affectation wbicb drew fortb sucb an 
immense gatbering, but tbe true loyalty and esteem of tbose 
young men wbo eagerly sougbt and accepted tbe opportunity of 
bearing Her Majesty's arms and wearing ber uniform in a strife 
wbicb, tbougb still in tbe same realm, is nevertbeless upon tbe 
opposite side of tbe globe. A rumor was circulated tbat a fire was 
in progress a few blocks from tbe spot, but no one displayed tbe 
faintest interest in tbe report "wbile bistory was making." Tbe 



THE CANADIAN CONTINGENT. 377 

City Hall steps were occupied by a crowd of brightly dressed, pretty- 
faced scbool-girls, while their brothers of the senior classes stood 
shoulder to shoulder, like a miniature army, under the command 
of their drill-instructor, Captain Billman, awaiting the military 
command to take their place upon the flank of their senior Volun- 
teers. Such short notice of the day and hour of departure had 
been given that but scant opportunity was afforded for the display 
of bunting or other ornamentation, but from every flagstaff within 
the range of vision floated the emblem of the Bmpire, and a myriad 
of little flags had been secured by the populace to wave in the face 
of the honored ones. 

The contingent was greeted by enthusiastic crowds at every 
railway station of importance across Canada, cigars, food, drinks, 
etc., being thrust by willing hands into the cars, and even in the 
middle of the night the men were welcomed by bands and bunting. 
Two days afterwards the British Columbia contingent passed 
through Winnipeg, their arrival and departure being the cause of 
nearly as much excitement as the farewell to the Manitoba boys. 
There was little doubt of the loyalty of Canada. 

LIFE ON BOARD A TROOP SHIP. 

The Allans' steamship " Sardinian," chartered by the Domin- 
ion government to convey the Royal Canadian Special Service 
Regiment to Cape Town, was not new to this kind of work, having 
been employed before in trooping during the Egyptian war. She 
was looked upon as a most serviceable boat for this service, as she 
is easily converted into a transport. The Canadian troops were 
fortunate in having so good a troop ship. 

Before troops embark on a troopship, a lot of rules, must be 
observed, for the comfort and welfare of Tommy Atkins. Accord- 
ing to the English War Ofiice regulations, an inspection of the 
fittings and all the arrangements for the accommodation, victual- 
ing, and health of the men, has to be made by a Board, consisting 
of the Assistant Quartermaster-General, an of&cer of the garrison, 
senior medical officer, and a naval officer, and the medical officer 
going in charge of the troops. Another inspection by a like Board 



378 THE CANADIAN CONTINGENT. 

is also made after tlie troops are on the ship, the haggage stowed, 
and ever3"thing ready for sea. 

The object of this inspection is to ascertain whether the 
arrangements for berthing, etc., have been faithfull}^ carried out. 
All the heavy baggage is supposed to be on board the day before 
sailing, and all kinds of lucifer matches are strictly prohibited on 
board ship, and all embarkations take place under the immediate 
superintendency of the general or other of6.cer commanding the 
station. When embarked on board, it is the duty of the colonel and 
the company officers to see that the men are allotted to berths, 
divided up into small messes, and instructed in the proper method 
of rolling up bedding and slinging hammocks ; that their arms, 
ammunition and accoutrements are properly disposed of in the 
places reserved for them ; and sea necessaries when served out are 
marked, the hammocks and canvas bags numbered, and the orders 
relative to smoking and the use of lights on board ship are read 
and explained to every soldier as soon as practicable. 

RECREATION AND FUN. 

After the usual guard has been provided, the troops are divided 
into three watches, one of which is constantly on deck in charge of 
a junior officer, and in fine weather, except those on duty below, 
are also up on deck. The watches generally put in twelve hours, 
going on at 8 A. M. and 8 p. m. All bedding and clothing is 
brought up on deck every morning, weather permitting, and well 
aired. The decks and berths are supposed to be swept, scrubbed, 
and scraped daily ; in fact, great care is taken of the sanitation of 
the ship, and the troops are turned out early, about 5 A. M., for 
a morning sea bath, in canvas baths rigged up on the main deck. 

The officer of the day is supposed to be present on all these 
occasions, and when free watered grog is served out. In every 
transport the doctor, in common with all lAuks, has his daily 
routine work to do. Immediately after breakfast he visits the 
" sick bay," the miniature hospital, goes round his cases, and then 
gives his attention to the new-comers who require his services. A 
foretopman's "black draught" is the common prescription for 



THE CANADIAN CONTINGENT. 379 

"Tommy's" ailments. Two or ttiree times a week lie goes tlie 
"rounds" of tlie ship with the captain, and a rigid scrutiny is 
made in every comer for any dirt or uncleanness, and if they find 
it, it's a bad quarter of an hour for the officers of the mess. The 
doctor has a good deal of work cut out for him, more than most 
people imagine, especially with troops in the tropics. Bvery day 
he must inspect the troops, who parade about lo A. M. (without 
shoes or stockings and trousers rolled to the knee in warm climates). 
The soldiers are supposed to be exercised for a few hours 
daily in drill and shooting at targets, and parade one day in the 
week in marching order, when officers must see that their kit is 
complete and arms and appointments in good order, so that on 
landing they can march at once into action. Smoking is only 
allowed on the upper deck, and then at reasonable hours. All 
lights are out at 8 P. M., when at sea, and all fires in the "galleys " 
at 8.30 p. M., except when required for the sick. 

REGULATIONS ON BOARD. 

While it is most necessary to enforce the strictest discipline, 
for the health and safety of all, the officers are looked upon by the 
Government to do all in their power to provide recreation and 
amusement on a long voyage. Generally after supper, in the 
evening, the officers get the men together near the hatchway aft, 
near the saloon, when an impromptu concert takes place, con- 
sisting of warlike and humorous songs, recitations of a local 
character generally by the regimental poet, jig and hornpipe 
dancing, and a touch of the manly art with the gloves. 

When minstrels' costumes can be extemporized, then the fun 
never wanes a moment. As there is always plenty of vocal and 
histrionic talent in every British regiment, there is no weariness 
in a long voyage in a British troopship. Every one goes on to 
make the time pass pleasant to all around, and with a good band 
and the drums and fifes playing each evening a trip in a troopship 
is one to be remembered. Our gallant soldiers and sailors are 
extremely fond of dancing, but their terpsichorean evolutions are 
not usually of the kind which find favor in crutch and toothpick 



380 THE CANADIAN CONTINGENT. 

society. They are notHiiig if not vigorous, and tlie performer 
wlio can keep Tiis feet moving to tlie twang of tlie fiddle for tlie 
greatest lengtli of time is tlie liero of tlie lionr. As it is a 
physical endurance feat, tlie dancer takes off kis sweater, rolls up 
kis skirt-sleeves and pounds awaj^ upon tke deck until ke is 
batked in perspiration, wkile kis admiring comrades watck every 
step, and applaud kim witk kearty kand-clapping and loud 
ckeering. 

Delinquent soldiers are punisked in several waj^s, but tkose 
wkick cause tke most ckagrin are tke stoppage of grog, and 
facing tke bulwarks during smoking kours and being not allowed 
to smoke. Soldiers may, if tkey like, assist in tke general duties 
of tke skip on deck, but are never to go aloft, and are not to be 
emplo3^ed as stokers or coal trimmers, unless tke}^ volunteer and 
receive extra pay. Witk regular exercise and drill, good food, 
witk a taste of " salt junk" once or twice a week, plenty of books 
to read and games to pla}^ at, and concerts and dancing in tke 
evening, tke Canadian regiment did not find tke vo3^age long or 
dull, and tke men were in first-class fettle on landing at Cape Tomti, 
to advance and tackle witk Kruger and kis Boers. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

Attempts to Raise the Siege of Ladysmith. 

'T'HB Britisli General Wliite and his army, nnmbering accord- 
* ing to tlie most authentic accounts eight or nine thousand 
men, were shut up in the town of Ladysmith, and for many weeks 
had resisted the attempts of the Boers to capture the place. The 
situation gave great anxiety to the War Ofi5.ce in London. It was 
feared that General White would be compelled to surrender his 
command before relief could reach him. 

From the opening of the war down to December 15 the British 
operations consisted of a series of frontal attacks, all of which were 
repulsed with a loss in all of about 8000 men. The last and most 
severe of these disasters at Colenso left General Buller with a loss 
of 1 100 men, eleven guns, and the three most important brigades 
of his command, under General Hildyard, General Hart and Gen- 
eral Barton, shattered and depressed by heavy loss. This had the 
effect upon the morale of the troops of these brigades which is 
always caused by losses that are fruitless in result, and which 
themselves result from a faulty plan on account of insuf&cient 
information prior to the attack as to the position of the enemy. 

After this disaster General Buller addressed himself to the 
task of reorganizing his forces and preparing for another cam- 
paign. Three weeks passed in this work. At the end of that 
time he deemed his transport sufficiently well organized to begin 
a movement intended to dislodge the enemy around Ladysmith. 
General Buller was in command of the strongest force of pure Bn- 
glish troops ever assembled in the field. He had in his army twenty- 
nine battalions of infantry, or, asweshoudsay, regiments divided into 
brigades. These were supported by a cavalry force, consisting of 
the First Royal Dragoons, the Thirteenth Hussars, two squadrons 
of the Fourteenth Hussars, six squadrons of the Imperial Light 

Horse, and three regiments of mounted Colonial Horse. 

381 



382 



THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH. 



The artillery comprised nine batteries of tlie royal artillery, 
or fifty-fonr guns, a howitzer battery, a mountain battery and the 
Natal or Colonial Field Battery, making eighteen guns more, or 
seventy-two in all, of which eleven were afterward lost. There was 
in addition a naval brigade with several 4.7-inch guns and quick-fir- 
ing i2-pounders, which force had, judging from the rank of its com- 
mander, about the same force as an infantry battalion. In all, 
as will be seen, this was a force of all arms of over 30,000 men, 

which had been in service 




together 



m 



the field for 
nearly two months, and 
which had been under the 
immediate command of 
General Sir Redvers Bul- 
ler for nearly two months 
and a half 

His field service had 
been in steady operation, 
and his base was supplied 
by railroad, and he had at 
Durban as complete a sup- 
ply as the British com- 
mand of the seas could 
furnish. A strong naval 
brigade at Durban, and the 
friendly character of the 
English population of Na- 
tal relieved General BuUer from the necessit}^ of detaching any 
considerable portion of his force in order to guard his communica- 
tions or protect his marine base. There was probably no military 
critic in the world who would have hesitated to predict the certain 
success of such a force operating against the Boer intrenchments, 
manned by farmer levies never drilled, disposed around Lad}^- 
smith, which contained the additional British force of from 8000 to 
9000 men. 

In all, the Boer force, which must have been very considerably 



GENERAL GEORGE WHITE, 

WHO COMMANDED THE BRITISH AT LADYSMITH. 



THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH. 383 

reinforced by the inaction of General Methuen and General 
Gatacre, was probably in all from 20,000 to 25,000 men. This 
force, however, had two lines of front to keep, one surrounding 
Ladysmith in a circuit of nearly twenty miles, and the other 
facing a superior force under General Buller. 

General Buller had before him the choice of two routes. He 
could move to the east of Weenen's Ford, and, marching from 
there, strike on the Boer communication by railroad at Elands- 
laagte. This involved leaving his flank unprotected from the 
Boer position on Inhlawe Mountain, and the entrance, after leav- 
ing Weenen's Ford and passing through a comparatively level 
country on defiles beyond, easily defended. It also tended to 
separate his force from the force of General French and General 
Gatacre, about 150 miles away. He was left also with only one 
objective on the Boer line of communications, and his attack could 
only be delivered from the left. 

THE KEY TO THE SITUATION. 

By moving westward up the Tugela river it was possible, 
since the Boer positions were principally north of the Tugela 
river, to push forward on its southern bank over ground whose 
separation from the chief Boer force by a rapid river, fordable at 
two or three places, rendered it feasible to carry a very consider- 
able force sufficiently far to the west to be able, above the j unction 
of the Great and Little Tugela, to have a choice between any one 
of the several passes, the most northern of which was the railroad 
entrance to the Orange Free State. Its possession would force 
the precipitate retreat of the Boer army around Ladysmith. It is 
not surprising that under these conditions General Buller selected 
a western movement. 

On Thursday, January 11, General Buller pushed forward his 
cavalry force under General Lord Dundonald, amounting to about 
4,500 men, of whom about 3,000 were cavalry and about 1,500 
mounted riflemen. This force during the next three or four days 
easily swept away the Boer outposts which were at Springfield, 
and which made no defense, pushed to the river supported by 



384 THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH. 

infantry, crossed at Potgieter's Drift, a ford which, at this season 
when the river was high is crossed by a rope ferry, and established 
itself on both banks of the river. The engineers came up with 
the infantry, built a pontoon bridge, and within a week the British 
troops were established with their depot of supplies at Springfield, 
their artillery massed in field works at Swartz Kop, and their 
infantry disposed on both banks of the river. 

NECESSITY FOR QUICK MOVEMENT. 

This initial movement must have informed the Boers of the 
plan of offensive operations intended by General Buller. The 
one condition on which his success depended was an immediate 
movement, which would carry the infantry in sufficient force and 
with sufficient rapidity to seize some one of the passes west of 
the Boer army. The infantry force was neither small nor ill- 
selected. It consisted of General Woodgate's brigade. General 
Hildyard's and General Hart's, each with four regiments, or 
twelve regiments, in all. This was the advance division under 
Lieutenant General Francis Clery, Lieutenant General Sir Charles 
Warren being in command of the whole movement. This force, 
which was in round numbers about 12,000 men, and which artil- 
lery and cavalry brought up to about 16,000 men, was moved 
forward to the west, following the cavalrj-. The movement of the 
infantry began on January 13. These brigades and their supports 
were moved forward in two divisions along the Frere and Bnners- 
dale roads, the road through Springfield being by this time fully 
occupied mth the supply of General Lyttleton's brigade, Irish 
and Scotch, four battalions, and other troops on the river at Pot- 
gieter's Drift. One week elapsed from the time these troops 
started until they first met the enemy on three days, January 18, 
19 and 20. 

Meanwhile a depot had been established for Bridsh supply at , 
Zunckles, and this appears to have formed a second base, while aj 
pontoon bridge crossed the river at Trichand's Drift. Lord Dun- 
donald, immediately after crossing the river at Potgieter's Drift, | 
pushed forward with commendable rapidity and occupied Actonj 




BOER ARTILLERYMEN SIGHTING A GUN. 



25 



385 



S86 THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH. 

Homes, a place at tlie opening of a valley wliose road leads across 
tlie water-shed to tlie liigli road from Ladysmitli to Van Reenen's 
Pass. General Lj^ttleton's brigade was moved westward in his 
rear and lield tlie Tugela, bnt no infantry force seems to liave 
pushed on to occupy and entrench the ground taken by the 
mounted troops. 

When General Warren, therefore, after a week's march, cov- 
ering some thirty to thirty-five miles, had brought his force of two 
brigades and a half, or ten regiments, which seems subsequently 
to have been reinforced by another brigade, or Barton's, of four 
regiments, all Irish, he found the heights just north of the Tugela 
river, about Spion Kop, fully occupied by the Boers. The Boer 
despatches indicate that this was a new position which had been 
taken as the Bnglish movement developed itself during the pre- 
ceding week. The forces there consisted principally of Orange 
Free State troops. 

HARD TASK FOR BRITISH TROOPS. 

The English turning movement under General Warren had, 
therefore, resulted in establishing two bodies, one a small one, 
heavily supported by artillery posted on Swartz Kop, and the 
other the moving column which was intended to complete the 
flanking operation, which was under General W^arren, and which 
had before it the task of carrying the heights beyond the Tugela. 
The rise in level in some twenty miles from Ladysmith up to 
Acton Homes is nearly looo feet. 

The Upper Tugela at this point flows past broad river terraces, 
beyond which rise the steep bluffs of a former river bank, of which 
Spion Kop is the conspicuous landmark. The British troops had, 
in other words, traveled some thirty miles to find themselves on 
the upper Tugela in a position somewhat more difficult than that 
which existed when, on December 15, they attempted the passage 
of the Lower Tugela. It appears that on Fridaj^, January 19, the 
enemy was first met, on Saturday their grand guards driven in 
and the Tugela river successfully crossed, and that on Sunday a 
position was successfully occupied on the plateau beyond. 



THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH. 387 

An attempt was made Tuesday night to take Spion Kop, and 
during the next three days there succeeded the battle which 
ended with the meeting of the Council of Military Defense in 
London, and the determination to send additional reinforcements 
to South Africa. 

What occurred was simple. The original plan plainl}?- looked 
to cavalry clearing the way, to a force at Swartz Kop to guard the 
exposed flank of Warren's advance, and a steady forward march, 
the flanking force on the river protecting the advance to Bethany, 
and beyond, as General Dundonald could at Acton Homes. In 
the midst of this advance, after having moved to the base of the 
hills which rise to the mountain range. General Warren found 
ridges he could not hope to carry. He swung off to his right to 
look for a weak place. He hoped to find it at Spion Kop, 
delivered a night attack, and was forced to withdraw. Spread out 
as his troops were, a mobile force would tear up Buller as Lee and 
Jackson tore up Hooker at Chancellorsville. 

TROOPS WIDELY SCATTERED. 

The British troops were left, therefore, after three weeks of 
operations, dispersed in three separate masses over a stretch of 
some thirty miles : General Warren, with some twelve to sixteen 
battalions of infantr}^ on the upper Tugela ; General Lyttleton, 
with about six battalions around Swartz Kop, and General Buller 
with the remainder of his force at Chieveley. Lord Dundonald' s 
force lay before Acton Homes, to the north of the Boer position, 
but was apparently unable to move in any direction. The Boer 
force on the hills around Spion Kop, at Blaauw Bank, and in the 
natural bastion around Onderbrock, occupied positions of whose 
assault the British force in front of them were at no point equal. 
Lord Dundonald' s cavalry finally succeeded in crossing to- the 
south side of Tugela river. 

This disastrous close of a turning movement, which in theory 
was admirably conceived, added one more to the numerous exam- 
ples in war in which defeat and failure have come solely because 
the commanding general had not the ability to insure rapid move- 



388 THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH. 

ment. Tlie Britisli forces in Soutli Africa were mo^dng vnth all 
tlie cumbrous equipage of an Anglo-Indian campaign, Eacli 
battalion bad witb it fourteen wagons, of wbicb nine required 
teams capable of mo\T[ng 4000 pounds, in all ; therefore, as a mere 
camp equipage, General Warren bad a train of 400 to 500 wagons, 
added to tbe regiment's wagons, tbe brigade and staff complement. 
Tbe supply of commissar}^ was on the same lavish scale, and 
this expedition, wbicb called for a swift marcb, bad a train, accord- 
ing to one despatch, amounting in all to 3000 wagons. Tbe 
extraordinary bealtb of tbe British troops in South Africa, and 
their remarkable freedom from disease, was no doubt secured by 
furnishing the men ever3' comfort in the field, but this could only 
be done at a sacrifice of mobilit}^ and in war, in the long run, it is 
better to risk fever and disease from men insufficiently provided 
for, than b}' over-provision to insure the delays which in the end 
lead to the abject failure of a campaign. 

RAPID ADVANCES IMPOSSIBLE. 

Clogged with 3000 wagons, with a staff iinequal to its duties 
under it, as one English correspondent declared, ''it has been the 
most frequent occurrence for the same battalion to strike its tents 
and recamp on the same site two and three times in a day." It 
was impossible for General Buller to advance with sufficient rapid- 
ity to seize the points essential to the success of his operation 
before the}' were occupied hy the Boers. 

General Buller s despatch, stating that he had withdrawn his 
forces to the south bank of the Tugela, and the accounts of the 
fighting at Spion Kop on Januarj^ 24, which came through Boer 
sources, showed the British disaster in all its serious aspects. 
Ladysmith's relief was as far removed as when Buller first started 
to White's assistance, and it was thought that it might j-et be 
necessary for the garrison, abandoning the sick and wounded, to 
make a last sortie and tr^- to fight their wa}- through the Boer 
cordons. 

Buller signally failed in his attempt to turn the Boer position 
and with the force at his command could not hope to outflank 



THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH. 389 

them in anotlier direction, as tiie mobility of tlie Boers enabled 
tbem to change front at any moment. 

It was subsequently known that Spion Kop was not, as first 
reported, the key of the Boer position. When the British attacked 
on the night of the 23d, they secured one kop, but in the morning 
they discovered that there were two others commanding the one 
they held. These positions the Boers reinforced, and then began 
their counter attack, the British trying to capture the other kops 
and the Boers defending them, and at the same time trying to 
retake the one they had lost. What had great effect on the result 
was the fact that the hill on the British side was very steep and 
dif&cult to approach, whereas on the Boer side it sloped gently. 
This hampered the British. 

DESPERATE FIGHTING ALL DAY. 

The British appear to have at once entrenched themselves 
strongly, and fighting of the most desperate description continued 
all Wednesday. The battle oscillated along the northern slope, 
now the British and now the Boers attacking. Then came the 
end. The Boers were smashing the British with a heavy shell 
fire and cutting them down with a deadly hail of Mauser bullets, 
while there appeared no indication that the British had been able 
to get any artillery up. 

The Boers captured some British trenches, according to their 
account, and 150 men. According to Buller's report, the British 
held the position until nightfall, when General Woodgate having 
been wounded, the ofScer who succeeded him decided to abandon 
the position. General Buller's despatch to the War Of&ce stated 
that Spion Kop was abandoned on account of lack of water, 
inability to bring artillery there and the heavy Boer fire. His 
whole force withdrew south of the Tugela river, with the evident 
intention of reaching Ladysmith by another route as soon as the 
army could be reorganized. 

Following is the text of General Buller's despatch, which was 
dated Spearman's Camp, Saturday, January 27, 6.10 p. m. : "On 
January 20 Warren drove back the enemy and obtained possession 



390 THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH. 

of tlie soutliern crests of tlie liigli table land extending from the 
line of Acton Homes and Honger's Poort to tlie Western Lady- 
smitli hills. From tlien to January 25 lie remained in close 
contact witli the enemy. 

" The enemy held a strong position on a range of small kop- 
jes, stretching from northwest to southwest, across the plateau 
from Acton Homes, through Spion Kop, to the left bank of the 
Tugela. The actual position held was perfectly tenable, but did 
not lend itself to an advance, as the southern slopes were so steep 
that Warren could not get an effective artillery position, and water 
supply was a dif6.culty. 

" On January 23 I assented to his attacking Spion Kop, a 
large hill ; indeed, a mountain, which was evidently the key of the 
position, but was far more accessible from the north than from the 
south. 

POSITION HELD AGAINST HEAVY ATTACKS. 

"On the night of January 23 he attacked Spion Kop, but 
found it very dif&cult to hold, as its perimeter was too large, and 
water, which he had been led to believe existed, in this extra- 
ordinary dry season was found very deficient. 

"The crests were held all that day against severe attacks and 
heavy shell fire. Our men fought with great gallantry. I would 
especially mention the conduct of the Second Cameronians and 
the Third King's Rifles, who supported the attack on the moun- 
tain from the steepest side, and in each case fought their way to 
the top ; and the Second Lancashire Fusiliers and Second Middle- 
sex, who magnificently maintained the best traditions of the 
British army throughout the trying day of January 24, and 
Thorny croft's mounted infantry, who fought throughout the day 
equally well alongside of them. 

" General Woodgate, who was in command at the summit, 
having been wounded, the of&cer who succeeded him decided on 
the night of January 24 to abandon the position, and did so before 
dawn, January 25. I reached Warren's camp at 5 A. m. on Jan- 
uary 25, and decided that a second attack upon Spion Kop was 



THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH. 391 

useless, and tliat tlie enemy's rigHt was too strong to allow me to 
force it, 

" Accordingly I decided to withdraw tlie force to the south of 
the Tugela. At 6 A. m. we commenced withdrawing the train, 
and by 3 A. M., January 27 (Saturday), Warren's force was concen- 
trated south of the Tugela without the loss of a man or a pound 
of stores. The fact that the force could withdraw from actual touch 
— in some cases the lines were less than a thousand yards apart — 
with the enemy in the manner it did, is, I think, suf&cient evidence 
of the morale of the troops ; and that we were permitted to withdraw 
our cumbrous ox and mule transport across the river, eighty-five 
yards broad, with twenty-foot banks, and a very swift current, 
unmolested, is, I think, proof that the enemy has been taught to 
respect our soldiers' fighting powers." 

STUBBORN DEFENSE OF THE BRITISH. 

The following description of the capture of the Boers' posi- 
tion is from Winston Churchill, the gallant son of Lady Randolph 
Churchill, who took up arms for his country in South Africa : 

" On the morning of January 24th the force under General 
Woodgate marched on Spion Kop, which is the predominating 
feature and centre of the whole Boer position, which is shaped 
I'ike a note of interrogation, the curve before Potgieter's Drift and 
the line before Triegarde Drift, with Spion Kop at the junction 
and angle, commanding and enfilading both. At 3 o'clock Wood- 
gate surprised the Boers holding the trenches, who volleyed with 
their magazine rifles and fled, pursued with great cheering. At 
dawn there was a fierce shelling by the Boers, who were striving 
to regain the vital position. 

" A stubborn defense was made by the British troops, in spite 
of severe loss. At 10 o'clock they received strong reinforcements 
from the corps of troops below, including the Imperial Light 
Infantry. The position was completely secured, but was heavily 
shelled continually, the British artillery replying furiously. The 
Boer guns were difiicult to locate. At noon the Boers made sev- 
f^xil attempts to retake the position, bringing men from the extreme 



892 THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH. 

right aud sliOM'iug that tliey regarded it of the utmost importance. 
All attempts to retake the position have been so far repulsed." 

The position was, however, recaptured b}^ the Boers, and the 
sacrifice of life on the part of the gallant Woodgate and his arni}'^ 
was fruitless. Some Vryheid burghers from the outposts on the 
highest hills of the Spion Kop group rushed into the laager, say- 
ing that the kop was lost, and that the English had taken it. 
Reinforcements were ordered up, but nothing could be done for 
some time, the hill being enveloped in thick mist. At dawTi the 
Heidelberg and Carolina contingents, supplemented from other 
commandoes, began the ascent of the hill. Three spurs, precipi- 
tous projections, faced the Boer positions. Up these the advance 
was made. The horses were left under the first terrace of rocks. 

FIELD SWEPT BY SHRAPNEL. 

Scaling the steep hill the Boers found that the English had 
improved the opportunity aud entrenched heavily. Between the 
lines of trenches was an open veldt, which had to be rushed under 
a heavy fire, not only from rifles, but of lyddite and shrapnel from 
field guns. Three forces ascended the three spurs co-ordinately 
under cover of fire from the Free State Krupps, a Creusot and a 
big Maxim. The English tried to rush the Boers ^^^th the baj'o- 
net, but their infantrj^ went doA\'n before the Boer rifle fire as before 
a sc^'the. 

The Boer investing party advanced step by step until 2 o'clock 
in the afternoon, when a white flag went up and 150 men in the 
front trenches surrendered, being sent as prisoners to the head 
laager. The Boer advance continued on the two kopjes east of 
Spion Kop. ]\Iany Boers were shot, but so numerous were the 
burghers that the gaps filled automaticall}'. Toward tA\41ight 
they reached the summit of the second kopje, but did. not get 
further. 

The British IMaxims belched flame, but a wall of fire from the 
IMausers held the English back. Their center, under this pres- 
sure, gxadually gave way and broke, abandoning the position. 
The prisoners captured b}' the Boers spoke highly of the bravery 



THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH. 398 

of the burghers, who, despising cover, stood against the sky-line 
edges of the summit to shoot the Dublin Fusiliers, sheltered in 
the trenches. Firing continued for some time, and then the 
Fusiliers and Light Horse, serving as infantry, threw up their 
arms and rushed out of the trenches. 

Thus General Buller's flank movement to reach Ladysmith 
came to naught. Repulsed in his first attempt to cross the 
Tugela by a frontal attack at Colenso, he was now compelled to 
give up his attempt to pass around the left of the Boer line. His 
new repulse was equally disastrous in casualties and certainly 
more damaging to British hopes. 

GENERAL BULLER'S PLANS MADE KNOWN. 

After Sir George White had succeeded in beating off the 
determined attack of the Boers at Caesar's Camp the development 
of Buller's new plans became inevitable. His preparations had 
been deliberate, but nothing was allowed to become known as to 
his real intentions until a despatch from the General himself 
announced that he had seized Potgieter's Drift, on the upper 
Tugela, and was getting his force across. Four or five days fol- 
lowed, in the course of which General Lyttleton placed his brigade 
on the north side of Potgieter's Drift ready to attack a Boer posi- 
tion at Brakfontein commanding a road to Dewdrop, while General 
Warren was preparing to throw his division against the extreme 
right of the long line of Boers. 

Warren had crossed at Trichard's Drift, some five or six 
miles to the west of Potgieter's. He had met with more opposi- 
tion, but his cavalry under Lord Dundonald were able apparently 
to reconnoitre for a considerable distance in the direction of Acton 
Homes, working round on Warren's far left. 

So deliberate was this whole movement of Buller's army, as 
if the General were intent on throwing away no chances or taking 
any risks, that the Boer generals had ample time to concentrate 
any number of their troops at any point they wished. General 
Joubert was at the front, with Generals Botha and Cronje. 
Warren found himself at once confronted with an opposing army 



394 THE SIEGE OF L.\DYSMITH. 

thro\\Ti right across liis patli. A long ridge ran fonr miles to tlie 
northwest of Tricliard's Drift, ascending from the river. The 
ridge runs into spnrs of the mountains, making the boundary of 
Natal and the Orange Free State. 

On the right of Warren as he advanced lay the mountain of 
Spion Kop, facing the river, with precipitous sides, but more 
accessible from the north by a series of summits leading to its 
real head. The country on either side swarms ^rith hills favor- 
able for guerilla warfare, and the Boer intrenchments extended 
along to Brakfontin and eastward to Colenso and the Tugela. 
Eight Boer camps were located by the British along this line of 
defense. 

The main position of the Boers, however, which was the scene 
of the fighting, la}'- to the west of Spion Kop, and it is clear that 
General Warren was unable to get sufficiently to his left to make 
a reall}' flanking movement. There was nothing for it but 
to force his way through the barrier. So, ha\dng got up his 
artillery, he sent forward, under cover of his long range fire, the 
brigades of Generals Hart and Clery. 

BOERS CONTEST EVERY FOOT OF GROUND. 

On Saturday, the 20th inst., an action began at six in the 
morning and continued till the evening. Ridge after ridge was 
captured, but the advance was slow, the Boers stubbornly con- 
testing every foot of ground. Hart's troops wheeling round on 
the left along the rocky spur on to the semi-circular position of 
the Boers came under a heav}- fire from three directions, but the 
British bivouacked on the ground they had won, though this was 
^rithin the fire distance of the Boer lines. The loss so far had not 
been heavy, but only three miles' progress had been made, and in 
front was an open glacis. 

In a despatch from Frere Camp, dated Januar}' 26th, the 
writer savs : '"I have just ridden here, ha\-ing left General 
Buller s forces in the new positions south of the Tugela, to which 
they retired in consequence of the reverses at Spion Kop. 

" The fighting, before and after the occupation of the moun- 



THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH. 395 

tain, was of a desperate character. Spion Kop is a precipitous 
mountain, overtopping tlie whole line of kopjes along tlie upper 
Tugela. On tlie eastern side the mountain faces Mount Alice and 
Potgieter's Drift, standing at right angles to the Boer central posi- 
tion and Lyttleton's advanced position. 

" The nek was strongly held by the Boers, who also occupied 
a heavy spur, parallel with the kop, where the enemy was con- 
cealed in no fewer than thirty-five rifle pits, and was thus enabled 
to bring to bear upon our men a damaging cross fire, the only pos- 
sible point for a British attack being the southern side, with virtu- 
ally sheer precipices on the left and right. 

APPALLING FIRE FROM UNSEEN ENEMY. 

" A narrow footpath, admitting men in single file only to the 
summit, opens into a perfectly flat table land, probably of three 
hundred square yards area, upon which the Boers had hastily 
commenced to make a transverse trench. Our men were able to 
occupy the further end of this table land, where the ridge descended 
to another flat, which was again succeeded by a round, stony emi- 
nence, held by the Boerw^ in great strength. 

"The ridge held by our men was faced by a number of strong 
little kopjes at all angles, whence the Boers sent a concentrated 
fire from their rifles, supported by a Maxim-Nordenfeldt and a big 
long range gun. With the rifles, the machine gun and the big 
gun, the summit was converted into a perfect hell. The shells 
exploded continually in our ranks, and the rifle fire from an abso- 
lutely unseen enemy was perfectly appalling. 

" Reinforcements were hurried up by General Warren. They 
had to cross a stretch of flat ground, which was literally torn up 
by the flying lead of the enemy. The unfinished trench on the 
summit gave very questionable shelter, as the enemy's machine 
guns were so accurately ranged upon the place that often sixteen 
shells fell in the trench in a single minute. Mortal men could 
not permanently hold such a position. Our gallant fellows held 
it tenaciously for twenty-four hours and then, taking advantage 
of the dark night, abandoned it to the enemy. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

Thrilling Stories of the Battles in South Africa. 

BY far the most interesting account of tHe condition of affairs in 
Pretoria, tlie capital of the Transvaal, was brought by a 
refugee named D. Storran, who reached Cape Town on December 
15th, after being detained in Johannesburg and confined with the 
British military prisoners at the race-course on suspicion of being 
a spy. In telling his story, Mr. Storran said : 

" I left Pretoria on November 12. On that date there were at 
least 1,400 British prisoners of the rank and file and fifty-two 
o£B.cers. Some were prisoners from Dundee, many from Lady- 
smith, after the Nicholson's Nek affair ; fifteen from Mafeking 
(the armored train) and some from Crocodile river. We learned 
in Pretoria that these latter were part of one of Colonel Plummer's 
patrol of twenty-five men, which was surprised and cut off, several 
being killed and wounded. They had tethered their horses for 
the night, and were surprised, but held their own for three hours. 
The prisoners numbered eight. 

''One of the Mafeking party was a telegraphist, named Little, 
who was captured after eluding the Boers for many days. They 
tried to induce him to help them blow up the railway bridges, but 
he refused at all costs. 

"The of&cers are accommodated in the school house and are 
allowed all reasonable liberty, including the obtaining of food 
from the hotels. The men live in lean-to sheds, hitherto used for 
the horses, but clean and fairly comfortable ; the men have as 
good food as if they were with their fellows in the field ; in fact, 
they are fed upon the provisions which were taken at Dundee 
after it was evacuated. There were two months' supplies there. 
The men are pretty cheerful. I have heard of one or two cases of 
sciirvy in the camp. When it rains there is some dif&culty with 
the sheds, but the rainy season does not set in until the new year. 

396 



BATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 897 

"The Britisli wounded are in a separate building, whicli is 
being used as a hospital, and wben we were tbere tbey were being 
attended by an Knglisb doctor — one of the prisoners — and a 
number of men of tbe Red Cross Society as nurses. Tbere were 
no female nurses available. 

" President Kruger, wbo is looking extremely well in bealtli, 
is preparing for eventualities. Tbe race-course is being prepared 
as a laager to be used in case of a siege. At present tbe fort guns 
are trained upon it in case tbe prisoners should try to escape, and 
a searcbliglit plays upon it at night. There is a Maxim mounted 
at the gate. 

BOERS CONCEAL THEIR LOSSES. 

" I could only estimate the Boer losses approximately ; I 
should place them at about a thousand, of whom probably half 
were killed. The first official reports after Blandslaagte estimated 
the killed and wounded at 400. Afterward the numbers were 
reduced. It is practically impossible to get at Boer casualties, 
because care is taken to conceal them, and the wounded, instead 
of being treated at hospitals, are taken to the nearest farms. 
Most of the men lost at Blandslaagte were Hollanders, Germans 
and Irish. They are despised by the Boers and, therefore, are 
always put well in front. 

" From the President downward the Boers are fighting, and 
they boast that they have won all along the line, pointing to their 
annexations and the beleaguered towns and the prisoners as proof 
positive. The burghers who are left are enrolling in crowds and 
men are being given burgher rights with this object. There are 
many Bnglish names. The flag of the South African Republic is 
already to be had in Pretoria. It is the Vierkleur, with an orange 
stripe running across it in the shape of a cross. I have seen these 
flags. President Steyn has ordered some, but I think they were 
stopped at Port Blizabeth. 

" I may say that the Boers have a most complete plan of cam- 
paign and an admirable intelligence department. The whole 
thing has been worked out for months before the war broke out. 



398 



BATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



I cannot estimate tlie Boer forces in tlie field. I believe tliere are 
about 43,000 altogether, 35,000 of wbom are Transvaalers, tbe 
remainder Free Staters. Tbeir reserves only number 3,000 or 
4,000, at tbe outside." 

From Boer sources came interesting stories of tbe figbting 
around Ladysmitb. It seems tbat tbe remnants of German and 
Hollander corps returned to Jobannesburg to reorganize, and indi- 
vidual members gave de- 
tails as to tbe circum- 
stances wbicb led to so 
disastrous a result among 
tbe Boers at Blandslaagte. 
Tbey said tbat tbe Ger- 
mans, under Captain 
Sbeil ; tbe Hollanders, 
under Commandant Lom- 
baard, and tbe Jobannes- 
burg burgbers, led by 
Commandant Ben Viljeon, 
were told off to bold a cer- 
tain kopje and remain in- 
active until furtber orders. 
As a matter of fact tbe}^ 
seem to bave located tbem- 
selves on a kopj e consider- 
ably nearer tbe Britisb 
lines, and to bave attracted 
tbe attention of tbe troops by firing on tbem. As a result tbey 
gradually became surrounded by tbe Britisb and were raked by 
sbot and sbell. 

Reinforcements could not well be sent to tbeir aid, as tbey 
were too far witbin tbe Britisb lines, and tbe detacbment of a 
commando to tbeir assistance would bave interfered witb tbe gen- 
eral plan designed by tbe commandant — General Joubert. Con- 
spicuous individual courage was displayed by Dr. Coster, Captain 
Sbeil, Count Von Zeppelin, Lieutenant von Boreas and otbers, 




CAPTAIN SHEIL, 

THE GERMAN ARTILLERIST CAPTURED BY THE 
BRITISH AT ELANDSLAAGTE. 



BATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



399 



but most of tliem Had to pay tlie penalty of tlieir recklessness. 
Count Von Zeppelin rode straight for tlie British lines, armed with 
revolver and riding whip, and was at once shot dead. It is extra- 
ordinary that any of the corps escaped. They had to run the 
gauntlet of the British line, and were pursued by the lancers. 

General Joubert addressed the men before they left for Johan- 
nesburg, and assured them that the disaster would have been 
averted had they obeyed orders. He stated that he had been 
against the formation of separate German, Hollander and Scandi- 
navian corps from the beginning, and held that it would have been 
better to have distributed the 
men among the commandos, so 
that they could have become 
initiated in Boer methods of 
warfare. He impressed on the 
men that the object of the war 
was not the seeking of indi- 
vidual honor, nor the making of 
individual names for themselves, 
but the defense of the independ- 
ence of the country. 

An eye-witness furnished 
the following picturesque ac- 
count of the battle of Magers- 
fontein : 

" Our troops extended over 
many miles of country. Bvery 
move had to be made in full view of the enemy upon a level plane 
where a collie dog could not have moved unperceived by those 
foemen hidden so securely behind impregnable ramparts. During 
the whole of Sunday our gunners played havoc with the enemy ; 
the shooting of the Naval Brigade being of such a nature that 
even thus early in the fight the big gun of the bluejackets, with its 
42-pound Lyddite shell, struck terror into the hearts of the enemy. 
But the Boers were not idle. Whenever our infantry, in manoeu- 
vering, came within range of their rifles, our ranks began to thin 




GENERAL R J. JOUBERT, 

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE BOER FORCES. 



400 BATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 

out, and tlie blood of our gallant fellows dyed tlie sun-baked veldt 

in ricliest crimson. 

" During tbe nigbt tbat followed it was considered expedient 

tbat tlie Highland Brigade, about 4000 strong, under General 

Waucliope, should get close enough to the lines of the foe to make 

it possible to charge the heights. At midnight the gallant but 

ill-fated General moved cautiously through the darkness toward 

the kopje where the Boers were most strongly intrenched. They 

were led by a guide, who was supposed to know every inch of the 

countr}^, out into the darkness of an African night. The brigade 

marched in line of quarter-column, each man stepping cautiously 

and slowly, for they knew that any sound meant death. Kvery 

order was given in a hoarse whisper, and in whispers it Avas passed 

along the ranks from man to man ; nothing was heard as they 

moved toward the gloomy, steel-fronted heights but the brushing 

of their feet in the veldt grass and the deep-drawn breaths of the 

marching men. 

STARTLING RIFLE SHOT. 

"So, onward, until 3 o'clock in the morning of Monday. Then 
out of the darkness a rifle rang, sharp and clear, a herald of dis- 
aster — a soldier had tripped in the dark over the hidden wires laid 
down b}^ the enem}-. In a second, in the twinkling of an eye, the 
searcnlights of the Boers fell broad and clear as the noonday sun 
on the ranks of the doomed Highlanders, though it left the enemy 
concealed in the shadows of the frowning mass of hills behind 
them. 

"For one brief moment the Scots seemed paralyzed b}^ the sud- 
denness of their discovery, for the}^ knew that they were huddled 
together like sheep within fifty yards of the trenches of the foe. 
Then, clear above the confusion, rolled the voice of the General : 
'Stead}^, men; stead}^!' And, like an echo to the veterans, out 
came the crash of nearly a thousand rifles not fifty paces from 
them. The Highlanders reeled before the shock like trees before 
the tempest. Their best, their bravest, fell in that wild hail of 
lead. General Wauchope was down, riddled with bullets ; yet 
gasping, dying, bleeding from every vein, the Highland chieftain 



BATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 401 

raised himself on Ms hands and knees and cheered his men forward. 
Men and of&cers fell in heaps together. 

"The Black Watch (Royal 42d Highlanders) charged, and 
the Gordons and the Seaforths, with a yell that stirred the British 
camp below, rushed onward — onward to death or disaster. The 
accursed wires caught them round the legs until they floundered 
like trapped wolves, and all the time the rifles of the foe sang the 
song of death in their ears. Then they fell back, broken and 
beaten, leaving nearly thirteen hundred dead and wounded just 
where the broad breast of the grassy veldt melts into the embrace 
of the rugged African hills, and an hour later the dawning came 
of the dreariest day that Scotland has known for a generation 
past. 

THE FLOWER OF SCOTTISH CHIVALRY CUT DOWN. 

"Of her officers, the flower of her chivalry, the pride of her 
breeding, but few remained to tell the tale, a sad tale truly, but 
one untainted with dishonor or smirched with disgrace, for up 
those heights under similar circumstances even a brigade of devils 
could scarce have hoped to pass. All that mortal men could do 
the Scots did ; they tried, they failed, they fell, and there is noth- 
ing left us now but to mourn for them, and avenge them, and I 
am no prophet if the day is distant when the Highland bayonet 
will retrieve this sad disaster. 

" All that fateful day our wounded men lay close to the Boer 
lines under a blazing sun ; over their heads the shots of friends 
and foes passed, without ceasing. Many a gallant deed was done 
by comrades helping comrades ; men who were shot through the 
body lay without water, enduring all the agony of thirst engen- 
dered by their wounds and the blistering heat of the day ; to 
them crawled Scots with shattered limbs, sharing the last drop of 
water in their bottles, and taking messages to be delivered to 
mourning women in the cottage homes of far-off Scotland. 

" Many a last farewell was whispered by pain-drawn lips in 
between the ringing of the rifles ; many a rough soldier with 
tenderest care closed the eyes of a brother in arms amidst the 

26 



402 BATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 

tempest and the stir of battle, and above it all, Cronje, tbe Boer 
General, must bave smiled grimlj^, for well be knew tbat where 
tbe Highland Brigade had failed, all the world might falter. All 
day long the battle raged ; scarcely could we see the foe — all that 
met our eyes was the rocky heights that spoke with tongues of 
flame whenever our troops drew near. We could not reach their 
lines ; it was murder, grim and ghastly, to send the infantry for- 
ward to fight a foe they could not see and could not reach. 

SUPERB CHARGE OF BRITISH GUARDS. 

" Once our Guards made a brilliant dash at the trenches, and, 
like a torrent, their resistless valor bore all before them, and for 
a brief few moments they got within hitting distance of the foe. 
Well did they avenge the slaughter of the Scots ; the bayonets, 
like tongues of flame, passed above or below the rifle's guard, and 
swept through brisket and breastbone. Out of their trenches the 
Guardsmen tossed the Boers as men in Knglish harvest fields toss 
the hay when the reapers' scj^thes have whitened the cornfields ; 
and the human streams were plentiful where the British Guards- 
men stood. Then they fell back, for the fire from the heights above 
them fell thick as the spume of the surf on an Australian rock- 
ribbed coast. But the Guards had proved to the Boer that, man 
to man, the Briton was his master. 

" In vain all that da}^ Methuen tried by ever}^ rule he knew to 
draw the enemy; vainly the Ivancers rode recklessly to induce 
those human rock limpets to come out and cut them off". Cronje 
knew the mettle of our men, and an ironic laugh played round 
his iron mouth, and still he stayed in his native fastness ; but 
death sat ever at his elbow, for our gunners dropped the Lyddite 
shells and the howling shrapnel all along his lines, until the 
trenches ran blood, and many of his guns were silenced. In the 
valley behind his outer line of hills his dead la}^ piled in hundreds, 
and the slope of the hill was a charnel house where the wounded 
all writhed amid the masses of the dead ; a ghastly tribute to 
British gunnery. 

"For hours I stood \\athin speaking distance of the great 



BATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 403 

naval gun as it spoke to the enemy, and sucIl a sight as their 
shooting the world has possibly never witnessed. Not a shell was 
wasted ; cool as if on the decks of a pleasure yacht our tars moved 
through the fight, obeying orders with smiling alacrity. When- 
ever the signal came from the balloon above us that the enemy 
were moving behind their lines, the sailors sent a message from 
England into their midst, and the name of the messenger was 
destruction, and when, at 1.30 p. m., of Tuesday, we drew off to 
Modder river to recuperate, we left a host of dead and wounded of 
grim old Cronje's men as a token that the lion of England had 
bared his teeth in earnest." 

After tracing the terrible loss suffered by the Highland 
Brigade at Magersfontein, the same writer thus depicts the burial 
of General Wauchope : 

OBSEQUIES OF THE GALLANT GENERAL. 

''Three hundred yards to the rear of the little township of 
Modder river, just as the sun was sinking in a blaze of African 
splendor, on the evening of Tuesday, the 12th of December, a 
long, shallow grave lay exposed in the breast of the veldt. To 
the westward the broad river, fringed with trees, ran murmur- 
ingly; to the eastward the heights, still held by the enemy, 
scowled menacingly ; north and south the veldt undulated peace- 
fully. 

"A few paces to the northward of that grave fifty dead High- 
landers lay dressed as they had fallen on the field of battle. They 
had followed their chief to the field, and they were to follow him 
to the grave. How grim and stern those men looked as they lay 
face upward to the sky, with great hands clenched in the last 
death agony, and brows still knitted with the stern lust of the 
strife in which they had fallen. 

''The plaids dear to every Highland clan were represented 
there, and, as I looked, out of the distance came the sound of the 
pipes; it was the General coming to join his men. There, right 
under the eyes of the enemy, moved, with slow and solemn tread, 
all that remained of the Highland Brigade. 



404 BATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 

"In front of tlieni walked tlie cliaplain witli bared liead, dressed 
in Ms robes of ofB.ce; tben came tbe pipers, witb tbeir pipes, 
sixteen in all, and bebind tbem, witb arms reversed, moved tbe 
Higblanders, dressed in all tbe regalia of tbeir regiments, and in 
tbe midst tbe dead General, borne by fonr of bis comrades. 

"Out swelled tbe pipes to tbe strains of 'Tbe Flowers of 
tbe Forest,' now ringing proud and bigb until tbe soldiers' beads 
went back in baugbty defiance, and eyes flasbed tbrougb tears 
like sunligbt on steel ; now singing to a moaning wail like a 
woman mourning ber first born, until tbe proud beads dropped for- 
ward till tbey rested on beaving cbests, and tears rolled down tbe 
wan and scarred faces, and tbe cboking sobs broke tbrougb tbe 
solemn rbytbm of tbe marcb of deatb. 

FACES FRO\VNING WITH VENGEANCE. 

"Rigbt up to tbe grave tbey marcbed, tben broke away in 
companies, until tbe General lay in tbe sballow grave witb a 
Scottisb square of armed men around bim. Only tbe dead man's 
son and a small remnant of bis of&cers stood witb tbe cbaplain 
and tbe pipers, wbile tbe solemn services of tbe cburcb were 
spoken. 

" Tben once again tbe pipes pealed out, and ' Locbaber No 
More ' cut tbrougb tbe stillness like a cry of pain, until one could 
almost bear tbe widow in ber Higbland bome moaning for tbe 
soldier sbe would welcome back no more. Tben, as if toucbed by 
tbe magic of one tbougbt, tbe soldiers turned tbeir tear-damp 
eyes from tbe still form in tbe sballow grave toward tbe beigbts, 
wbere Cronje, tbe 'Lion of Africa,' and bis soldiers stood. 

"Tben every cbeek fiusbed crimson, and tbe strong jaws set 
like steel, and tbe veins on tbe bands tbat clasped tbe rifle bandies 
swelled almost to bursting witb tbe fervor of tbe grip, and tbat 
look from tbose silent, armed men spoke more eloquently tban 
ever spoke tbe tongues of orators. 

"For on eacb frowning face tbe spirit of vengeance sat, and 
eacb sparkling eye asked silently for blood. God belp tbe Boers 
wben next tbe Higbland pibrocb sounds. God rest tbe Boers' 



H 
> 

< 
> 

> 




405 



406 BATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 

souls when tlie HigWand bayonets charge, for neither death, nor 
hell, nor things above, nor things below will hold the Scots back 
from their blood feud. 

"At the head of the grave, at the point nearest the enemy, 
the General was laid to sleep, his of&cers grouped around him, 
while in line behind him his soldiers were laid in a double row, 
wrapped in their blankets. No shots were fired over the dead men 
resting* so peacefully. Onl}'' the salute was given, and then the 
men marched campward as the darkness of an African night rolled 
over the far-stretching breadth of the veldt." 

Writing of the battle of Magersfontein a sergeant of the Sea- 
forth Highlanders said : 

"The Black Watch in front made an attempt to charge the 
position, but we had to retire and simply run for it, the enemy 
blazing at us all the Avay 'and dropping our fellows like skittles 
from their splendid positions. There was nothing to do but to lay 
down and pretend to be dead, and this I did about half-past 5 
A. M., till, I suppose, 6 p. M., the sun pouring down on me all the 
time, and not a drink of water all day, and dare not stir hand or 
foot, expecting ever}^ instant to be my last. 

IN A STORM OF BULLETS. 

" I could hear nothing but the cries, moans and prayers of 
the wounded all round me, but dared not so much as look 
up to see who they were. Shot and shell were going over me all 
day from the enemy ^nd our side, and plent}^ of them striking 
within a. yard of me — I mean bullets, not shell — and yet the}^ 
never hit me. 

" I believe some of the fellows lost their senses and walked 
right up to the enemy's place, singing till they dropped dead. 
One 3'oungster U'ing close to me said he would make a dart for it 
about 3 P. M, I tried my best to persuade him not to, but he 
would go. A couple of seconds after I could hear them pitting at 
him, and then his groans for about a minute, and then he was 
quiet. 

" About this time the sun began to get fearfully hot and I 



BATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 407 

began to feel it in tHe legs, wliicli are now very painful and 
swollen; besides, I was parched with tbirst. Most of the wounded 
round me had ceased groaning by this time. As it began to get 
dark I managed to wriggle my body through the shrub further 
back, and, after I had been at it some time, on looking up found 
myself right in front of another intrenchment of the enemy. 
They sent a few rounds at me, but they struck just in front and 
ricochetted over my head. After a bit, it getting darker, I got 
up and walked back, and there was nothing but dead Highlanders 
all over the place." 

A Bulgarian ex-of&cer who joined the Boer army relates some 
of his experiences in the following letter. It is dated Farmer's 
Kopje, Natal, December 2, 1899, and is in these terms : 

" Look at the heading of my letter — Natal. Can you imagine 
that I should write you from South Africa, whereas you thought 
me to be in Chicago ? I am now in the intrenchments of the Boer 
army before Ladysmith. 

OFF FOR THE WAR. 

^' As soon as war was declared, I made up my mind to go as 
a volunteer, and at New York presented myself to the Dutch 
committee there, who paid my traveling expenses, and I embarked 
on the ' Sidonia Fitwe,' bound for Madeira. On November 4 we 
landed at Lourenzo Marques, on the 6th I was in Pretoria, and on 
the 7th already here. 

"I had a company of no soldiers intrusted to me, and as a 
pioneer of&cer my task is very important. Bearded, stalwart, 
hardy fellows are these Boers. I speak English, and that with 
the Boers is the universal language. Good people, but how 
terribly they hate the English. We never hated the Turks so 
much. All of them are good shots, good horsemen and zealous 
Christians. Those of them who have finished their tasks of 
digging sit down to rest with their Bibles in their hands ; they 
know no other book. They believe in God and their rights. 

"Our tactics here and everywhere along the fighting line are 
'keep in your trenches;' we get ourselves intrenched and wait for 



408 BATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 

tlie enemy. Tlie Bnglisli make their attacks in tlie open, think- 
ing that the Boers are like the Soudanese. We fire volleys at 
them and make havoc in their ranks. Hundreds are left on the 
battlefield and the others retire. As we are all well mounted, we 
do our movements quickly. The hardest things we have to en- 
dure are the terrible heat, which keeps us in our shirt sleeves all 
day, and the Siberian cold of the night, the heavy downpours of 
rain, and the dust storms." 

A correspondent of Renter's Telegram Company, writing 
from Cape Town under date of December 20, said : 

SLOW OXEN AND MULES. 

"It has been expected, certainly hoped, that the Boers may 
be compelled to assume the offensive, not from any desire to come 
into the open — quite the opposite is the case — but because it may 
become absolutely necessary for them to bring the war to an 
early conclusion, if they can. Not only do the Boers find it dif5. 
cult to keep up their supplies of food, but also of ammunition. 
Their transport arrangements are of a primitive kind. The ox 
wagon, even the mule wagon, is a very slow and cumbrous means 
of moving heavy goods, such as projectiles and food stuffs, from 
one point to another, with long distances between the base of sup- 
plies and the army in the field. 

" Again, the extent to which ammunition of all sorts has been 
used must have made serious inroads even upon the heavy stocks 
accumulated in the Transvaal and Free State capitals within the 
last two years. A failure in the food supply or the supply of 
ammunition is fatal to any army, and there are some signs that 
supplies are falling somewhat short, and that this fact is having a 
demoralizing effect." 

Writing home to his wife in Nottingham, from Sterkstroom, 
a color sergeant in the Second Battalion, Fifth Northumberland 
Fusiliers, said : 

" I have been through my baptism of fire, and, my God! what 
a baptism it was ! On our arrival at Molteno we were given half 
an hour's rest, and then ordered on our night march, bayonets 



BATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 409 

fixed, no talking, no smoking — nothing bnt the tramp, tramp of 
feet; over kills, through rivers, nullahs, kopjes, laagers, and on, 
on, we marched through the long, weary night. 

"At last day broke on as bright and sunny a morning as 
ever broke on God's earth. Our General's idea was to give the 
Boers a surprise and carry them at the point of the bayonet, but 
we were disappointed. We were betrayed by some villain or 
other and were led into as nice a trap as ever mortal was led into, 
a veritable slaughter-house. As we commenced to march between 
two large hills to begin operations, both of them became a blaze 
of shot and shell, and how I am alive to tell the tale is a wonder. 
We found it impossible to get at them. They were so strongly 
intrenched that we had to retire, and, horror of horrors, to do this 
we had to run the gauntlet of a terrible fire. 

HAIR-BREADTH ESCAPES. 

'* I hadn't gone a hundred yards when my ankle gave out, and 
I could only hop. Then I offered up a hearty prayer to God to 
look after you and the children, and was about to give up when a 
bullet tore my trousers. That gave me a fresh lease of life, and 
off I went again. Awhile after the bullets flew around so that I 
gave myself up entirely, but still the bullets would not hit me. 
We managed to get clear at last, and marched fifteen miles to 
Molteno. I forgot to mention that a cavalryman lent me his 
mount, and it ran wild with me, and I again had a narrow escape 
from death. But it was not to be. I must have had ninety lives, 
to say the least, that day." 

One of the war correspondents shut up in Ladysmith sent 
interesting particulars of the cheery manner in which the people 
in the besieged town spent Christmas Day. The children had an 
especially good time. Two hundred of the little folk were enter- 
tained at a feast, at which they had abundance of the customary 
dainties and even luxuries. The feast was under the chief control 
of Colonel Dartnell and Major Karri-Davies, who gleefully dis- 
tributed the good things with their own hands. 

There were four Christmas trees, named respectively Britain, 



410 BATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 

Natal, Canada and Australia. Sir George Wliite and General 
Hunter were among tlie numerous company tliat witnessed the 
festive proceedings. 

One of the men of the Second Cornwalls, writing under date 
of December 20 to his father and mother at Plymouth, said : 

"After we disembarked at Cape Town, on November 29, we 
went about five hundred miles up country to De Aar. Ten days 
ago we left there for the Orange River Camp, and now we are 
waiting hourly and anxiously for orders to proceed to the front. 
Two companies of ours have gone to Modder river to join Lord 
Methuen's column. 

" We have sent several trainloads of Boers as prisoners to 
Cape Town, and now we have got fifty more here to send on. I 
went to Cape Town with a party of twenty-eight Boers. They 
seem a decent lot of men, and, in fact, could not do too much for 
the six of us who were forming their escort. Why, they must 
have spent quite £\'Z ($60) on us. But they seemed very glad to 
be taken prisoners and thoroughly sick of the war. 

A BOY SOLDIER. 

" Among the prisoners we have one boy — a Boer boy. The 
poor little fellow is not more than twelve years of age, and has 
been fighting. He has had both legs broken and shot through. 
It is very pathetic ; but what a pity it is to see the poor little chap 
suffering ! You bet he is being well attended to by us. His 
father was killed in the same engagement and he has a brother 
still fighting." 

Further details of the fierce battle of Spion Kop, near Lady- 
smith, revealed the fierceness of the Boer attack and the terrific 
havoc wrought by the enemy's shells. When the Boers were first 
seen they were 1000 yards away. They then descended into a 
hollow. When next it was possible to see them they were only 
seventy yards off, and the British foremost line sought shelter 
behind the rocks. 

. iVt this stage the first Boer shell burst, and the order was 
given for one regiment to retire to the edge of the kopje, where 



BATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 411 

tliere was more cover. Tlie order was misconstrued by some of 
tlie foremost trendies, wiio fell back. Tbe Boers seized tbis oppor- 
tunity and rusbed tbe trencbes, capturing a few men. Tbis mis- 
take was soon observed ; a bayonet cbarge followed and tbe Boers 
fled. 

Two of tbeir Maxim-Nordenfeldts commenced to drop sbells 
among tbe Britisb, doing terrible damage. Tbe Boer riflemen, 
noticing tbe bavoc wrougbt, attempted to creep close up on two 
occasions, only to be driven back witb loss. As tbey retreated, 
tbey appealed to tbe Britisb to surrender. Tbe response was a 
volley. 

Tbe formation of tbe billtop is like a table, a mile long and 
a quarter of a mile broad. Tbe sborter side alone was available 
for rifle fire. Tbe firing party wbicb responded to tbe Boer 
attack was necessarily small. Tbe remainder of tbe Britisb force 
was scattered about, seeking sbelter. 

THREE ATTACKS REPULSED. 

After Britisb reinforcements bad reacbed tbe top of Mount 
Tabanyama, at ii A. M., tbe crest of tbe bill was covered witb 
troops lying down and closely packed togetber. Until dark tbese 
troops were under a terrific sbell fire from Boer guns on tbree 
sides. A destructive rifle fire also was poured in from tbe trencbes 
still beld by tbe Boers on tbe furtber part of tbe crest. Tbe 
Britisb replied witb rifles only, as it was impossible to drag guns 
to tbe summit in time. Tbree times • tbe Britisb cbarged tbe 
Boers' trencbes, but were met witb a fierce fire from rifles as well 
as from Maxim-Nordenfeldts. Tbe Britisb line of cbarge was 
broken before tbe men got witbin stabbing distance, and bayonets, 
accordingly, were useless. 

Tbe day was exceedingly bot, and tbe scanty supply of water 
on tbe bill was barely sufB.cient for tbe wounded. It was not 
possible until noon to take to tbe rear any of tbose wbo bad been 
wounded. Tben tbey bad to be carried down tbe steep spur, up 
wbicb tbe troops bad been compelled to crawl on bands and knees. 

At 2 o'clock in tbe afternoon tbe Boers cbarged part of tbe 



412 BATTLES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 

Britisli trendies lield by two battalions, and nearly succeeded in 
carrying tbem, leaping the slimly defended breastworks. But 
Britisb supports were liurried up, and the defenders tbus strength- 
ened drove the Boers back with the bayonet. 

The fight was fiercely contested until after dark, when the 
British received orders to retire. All the wounded in the field 
hospitals and the supply column recrossed the Tugela river at 
Trichard's Drift, the movement being completed in an orderly 
manner, without any attempt at molestation on the part of the 
Boers. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 
Scenes and Incidents of the Great Struggle. 

AN account tliat furnislied an adequate explanation of General 
BuLler's repulse at tlie Tugela River on December i5tli was 
given by an- eye-witness of tbat bloody encounter who was on tbe 
ground. It appears that tbe battle orders, drawn up by General 
Clery, provided for tbe effective support of tbe artillery by Hart's, 
.Barton's and Dundonald's brigades. These orders were not carried 
out as it was expected they would be. General Hart missed bis 
way, Lord Dundonald failed to support, and General Barton got 
part of bis forces in an untenable position. 

Colonel Long, witb tbe artillery, outpaced tbe escort of tbe 
guns, and tbey were lost. Briefly, tbat seems to be tbe story of 
tbe Tugela River. But, tbrougb grapbic columns, tbere con- 
tinually recurs tbe discovery of unexpected entrencbments and 
awful fusillades from bidden Boers and gallantry sucb as bas 
seldom marked Britisb battlefields. 

After describing bow tbe Britisb force began tbeir advance 
at daylight and how the Boers left them absolutely unmolested, 
the writer says : " At 6.25 tbere suddenly burst an awful crash 
of Boer musketry upon the batteries and advancing infantry. 
The rattle of the Mausers swelled and was maintained as one con- 
tinuous roar. From the buildings and lines of trenches south of 
the river and from the river bank itself the Boers fired at British 
gunners and footmen, and from the trenches on the northern side 
of the Tugela River and from Fort Wylie and elsewhere they 
sent out a hurricane of leaden hail, and the bullets venomously 
rained upon the ground in all directions, raising puffs of dust and 
tearing through the air with shrill sounds. 

" Few have ever seen so heavy and so deadly a fusillade, but 
neither the British gunners nor the infantry hesitated or winced. 
Cannon were wheeled into position, although many of the horses 

413 



414 SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 

and men were sliot down ere tiie manoenvre was completed, and 
the indomitable soldiers walked erect and straight onward. Not 
even Rome in tier palmiest days ever possessed more devoted sons. 
"As the gladiators marched proud and beaming to meet 
death, so the British soldiers, doomed to die, sainted, and then with 
alacrity stepped forward to do their duty — ' glory or the grave.' 
Anglo-Saxon soldiers always advance that way. I asked an 
American who had seen warfare at home, in Cuba and Manila, if 
his own countrj^men generally did this, and he answered : ' Yes. 
It is marvelous, but wasteful.' 

MARCHING UP TO THE RIFLE PITS. 

" Closer and closer walked the soldiers to the Boer trenches 
until within 400 yards of the nearest rifle pits. Then, lying 
down, they returned the fire, but there was little or nothing to 
aim at. By 7.15 the Irish Brigade had driven the Boers to the 
north bank of the Tugela. They found that the enemy had 
planted the ground with barbed wire entanglements. Even in 
the bed of the river wire was laid down. Into the water went the 
Dublin Inniskillins, Borderers and Connaughts, but it was found 
at the ford that the Boers had cunningly dammed the river, and 
there was ten feet of water where ordinarily it is but knee deep. 
They strove to find the crossings, and many a fine fellow, with 
his weight of ammunition and accoutrements, was drowned. 

"It was a desperate and serious situation. The attack upon 
the right was making no progress, and the men were disheartened. 
But there were furious and angry Irishmen who had resolved to 
get across somehow. By dint of scrambling from rock to rock 
and swimming, a number won the other side. Yet, most of them 
found that they had but passed across a winding spruit. The 
Tagela still lay in front, and all the while the murderous fire of 
cannon and Mauser crashed, and comrades fell weltering in their 
blood. 

" In the meanwhile Colonel Long had lost his guns, and 
Generals Buller and Clery, with their staffs and escorts, had 
ridden to the scene. The spouting hail of lead and iron snapped 



SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 4l5 

and spluttered, and tiie dust puffed more tlian ever. Lord 
Robert's son, witli Captains Sclio£eld and Congrove, volunteered 
to ride out and endeavor to save tlie two field batteries in the open 
Readily otber volunteers were found. Corporals from the lines- 
men and drivers of tbe ammunition wagons, taking spare teams, 
galloped out, and men and borses again began falling on every 
side. 

" Young Robert's borse was blown up witb a sbell. Congrove 
was bit witb a bullet, and bis clotbes were cut by otber missiles. 
Scbofield alone escaped untoucbed. Across tbat valley of deatb 
quickly tbe surviving animals were rounded up and tbe guns 
were booked and dragged away. Again and again tbat day 
attempts were made to baul off tbe remaining guns, but tbe Boer 
fire was incessant and withering. At 4 tbe battle was over. 
General Buller abandoned tbe guns and retreated." 

COLESBURG AGAIN IN BRITISH HANDS. 

At tbe beginning of tbe New Year tbe cbief interest of tbe 
war situation did not lie either at Natal or the Modder River, 
where things remained practically unchanged, but in the north of 
Cape Colony, vvhere General French had been doing good work 
for the British by constantly harassing the Boers and finding 
out their strong positions, then working round the flank and ever 
and anon threatening their line of communication. General 
French advanced, retired, manoeuvred and fought until by suc- 
cessive steps he drove the Boers eastward, and Colesburg was once 
more in British bands. 

General French's successful action was not the only piece of 
news from this region. Farther towards the east, and near Dord- 
recht, lately occupied by the British, there was some fighting and 
abundant promise of more. Captain Montmorency, with a recon- 
noitering party, fell in with a body of Boers, estimated at 1500, 
eight miles to the north of Dordrecht, on December 30th. For six 
hours he managed to keep the Boers in check, until the arrival of 
reinforcements with two guns m.ade him retire. 

General French's success again emphasized the absolute 



416 SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 

necessity of a strong force of irregular cavalry and mounted infan- 
try if tlie Britisli were to be able successfully to cope witb the 
Boers. General Frencb was fortunate enougb to command a force 
as mobile or more mobile tban tbe Boers, and Having this advan- 
tage and being a born cavalry leader, be was tbe one Britisli Gen- 
eral wbo did not receive a check. He beat tbe Boers at tbeir own 
game, outflanking tbem continually. 

His success was immensely significant, showing what was 
possible when the British could move as quickly as the Boers 
This was the first occasion during the war in which the Boers were 
dislodged by a turning movement. General French was operating 
in a country which was fairl}^ favorable to the action of cavalry, 
and his force was mainly composed of mounted men. If the other 
British columns had been as well provided with mounted men less 
would have been heard of frontal attacks. 

GENERAL FRENCH'S BRILLIANT STRATEGY. 

Following are the details of the recapture of Colesburg, 
Cape Colony, which had fallen into the hands of the Boers. The 
account is by an army ofi&cer who was on the ground : " By a 
brilliant strategical movement General French drove the Boers 
out of Colesburg, to which they had fallen back. We had occupied 
Rensburg siding in strength, and had come into touch with the 
enemy, who fired on our skirmishers from what appeared to be an 
intrenched position. We had, however, only one man slightly 
wounded, but the proximity of the Boers made all eager to advance. 

" A force of cavalry and infantry, with ten guns, the whole 
under the personal command of General French himself, occupied 
some hills three miles from Colesburg, where the Boers lay in 
strength, confident because of the natural aid afforded them by the 
hills around. The enemy's position extended for six miles round 
the entire village, 

" Promptly at daybreak our artillery opened the battle. The 
Boers, though taken a little by surprise, replied vigorously with 
their guns. The duel went on for two hours without cessation. 
Our gunners showed marvelous accuracy, and it soon told. 




27 



417 



4l§ SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 

" First tiie enemy's Hotclikiss collapsed, and then tlie Boers' 
big gun was silenced, botli earl}^ in tlie action, but tlie otber pieces 
of artillery beld out until tbey gradually fell back. Tbe Hotcli- 
kiss was abandoned, and we captured it, but tbe otber guns were 
removed to tbe nortb as our cavalry closed in. As tbe guns were 
witbdrawn tbey sbelled our cavalry, but caused no damage. Our 
advancing guns speedily silenced tbem. Tbe Boers appear to be 
retreating nortb, but we are harassing them, and our shells are 
doing much damage. 

" Colesburg is now in our hands. The few loyalists who 
remain there are jubilant. We have captured many of the enemy's 
wagons and a considerable quantit}^ of stores. Our losses are quite 
slight, but the Boers must have suffered heavily." 

Kxtended accounts of the fighting in Cape Colony and Natal 
show its desperate character. The following description of Gen- 
eral Gatacre's repulse at Stormberg is by an eyewitness who was 
with the British army : 

SHARP FIRE AT SHORT RANGE. 

" When General Gatacre ordered the advance it was hailed 
with satisfaction by his men, and they were at work by 4 o'clock 
next morning making preparations. The actual march occupied 
seven hours, and it is therefore little to be wondered at that the 
men were wholly incapable of making a supreme effort when at 
last the}^ were surprised by receiving fire at short range while 
marching in fours in fancied security. 

" On receiving the enemj'-'s fire the companies at hand rushed 
at once against the kopjes from which it proceeded, and, advancing 
from boulder to boiilder, swiftly commenced to ascend. Indeed, it 
is the fact that a considerable number actually reached within a 
few yards of a lower line of defences, which could not, however, be 
mounted without ladders. But at this juncture our owti artillery, 
failing to observe the ascent of the infantry, opened fire upon the 
enemy, and several shells falling short dealt destruction among 
the assailants of the position. 

''A partial retirement instantly ensued, and, having been 



SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 



419 



brouglit to a standstill, tLe attack gradually melted away until, 
convinced that tlie case was hopeless, the General ordered the 
' retire ' to be sounded. (Had the order been promptly obeyed the 
troops might not improbably have been withdrawn without very 
serious loss, and a fresh attempt might even yet have been success- 
fully prosecuted.) But it was not to be. Many men were loath to 
retire, because they were anxious to go on, while not a few were 
so utterly exhausted that they simply preferred to stay where 
they were, at all hazards, than 
to undertake the ordeal of a 
rapid retirement over the open 
ground at the foot of the hills. 
Eventually over 500 wounded 
men were taken prisoners. 

"So far as I can under- 
stand the matter, the causes to 
which this most lamentable 
failure must be attributed are 
as follows : 

" The map of the ground 
was utterly misleading and 
worse than useless. 

" So far as I am aware, no 
one among the responsible au- 
thorities had taken any com- 
pass bearings, and conse- 
quently no one knew where he was being taken in the dark- 
ness. 

"The Berkshire Regiment, by whom the redoubts now occu- 
pied by the Boeis at Stormberg had been built, and to whom 
every inch of the ground was familiar, were left at Queenstown 
instead of being employed to recapture the works which they had 
so unwillingly evacuated about a month previously. 

"Over 500 men, afterwards made prisoners, had fallen into a 
trap, from which they failed to extricate themselves. Conse- 
quently, when the rest of the force had been rallied upon a 




GENERAL W. F. GATACRE. 

DIVISION COMMANDER OF 
BRITISH FORCES IN CAPE COLONY. 



420 SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 

defensive position in tlie rear, tlie General liad not forces sufficient 
to warrant a fresh, attempt npon some selected point of attack. 

"In any case, the men, who had been by this time on the 
move for over 24 hours on the stretch, who had just completed 
seven hours' marching through the night, and who had actually 
been under arms for upwards of sixteen hours, were so dead beat 
that severe hill fighting was bej^ond their powers. During the 
actual retirement from the hills men were falling asleep in the 
open ground, under fire, after or before using their rifles. No 
sooner did they halt to fire than the}^ fell forward sound asleep. 
An officer told me that he awoke several such men by kicking 
them soundly, and thus insisted upon their continuing their 
retreat to a place of safety. 

A RETREAT OF TEN MILES. 

" The guns were at first in the same trap as the infantry, 
and were compelled to retreat some distance over very difficult 
ground before they could come into action upon, even then, a poor 
position, v/ith most inferior command. During this movement a 
gun was lost in consequence of being stuck fast, and the struggling 
horses were shot dov\^n by the enemy." 

Describing the retreat from Stormberg to Molteno, another 
army officer at Sterkstroom writes : 

"Then we had the bumiliating experience of being chased 
back all those weary ten miles to Molteno, retreating as fast as 
we could in small groups, sometimes crouching against the right 
side of the road — the Boers being on our left flank — sometimes 
making our way into the cornfields, or along the interminable 
veldt, or, now and again, falling prone on the ground as a shell 
came hissing overhead, waiting with breathless suspense until we 
heard its dull thud as it struck the ground ; then, with an excla- 
mation of thankfulness, as we found the uncanny thing did not 
burst, up and off again, ravenously hungr}^ and utterly fatigued 
as we were, harassed and hurried by the Boers, wh-o accompanied 
us for a distance of eight miles with the attentions of their artillery. 

"At last, when the majority of our force, which had left 



SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 421 

the niglit before so full of promise and so brimful of eager- 
ness, bad straggled into Molteno, about ii o'clock, and wben 
we all generally found our feet again, we formed up and 
got into line for tbe roll call. Wben name after name 
was called, wben silence — dead silence — was tbe only answer, 
wben 366 men of tbe sturdy Nortbumberlands were missing, and 
wben some 294 of our gallant Irisb comrades failed to give 
response, tben tbe grim reality of tbe disaster came bome to us, 
and we silently tbanked God tbat we were safe, and tbougbt very 
sadly of tbe comrades, dead, wounded and missing, left bebind in 
tbe terrible trap at Stormberg from wbicb we bad just escaped." 

GENERAL BULLER SPARES HIS MEN. 

A correspondent of one of tbe prominent London journals 
adds some interesting details to tbe account of tbe battle of 
Colenso. "General BuUer," be declared, "is a stern figbter, an 
indomitable man, of more tban bulldog pertinacity. Once 
launcbed into a figbt, it is gall and wormwood to bim to let go. 
I bave seen bim often in battle and recognized bis many admir- 
able qualities as soldier and leader. How great, tben, bis courage 
must be — courage wbicb subjugated bis own temperament — wben 
seeing (at Colenso) tbat as tbings bad sbaped tbemselves tbe con- 
test must drive from bad to worse, be, witb bold resolution, decided 
to stop tbe action. Men were being sacrificed, more would fall, 
and tbe Boer position could not be taken before nigbtfall." 

Dealing once more witb Colonel Long's daring but unfor- 
tunate artillery movements at tbat battle, tbis writer said : " Tbe 
Boer guns began a little later tbrowing sbrapnel, and tbe macbine 
gun fired solid sbot at tbem. But tbe gunners never flincbed or 
winced, buckling to tbeir work like men wbo grip a beavy load. 
Nay, more, some of tbem in derision began to 'field' as at cricket 
witb tbe badly aimed, spent sbot of tbe macbine cannon. Run- 
ning aside, tbey would make a catcb, and call, 'How's tbat, 
umpire ? ' Boisterous and bigb, indeed, leaped tbe gunners' 
spirits. 

"But tbeir guns were all tbe wbile served accurately and botlj, 



422 SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 

and the ridge of Fort Wylie rang and hissed witli tlie rusli, burst 
and splutter of shrapnel, mightily unsteadying and thinning the 
Boers' fire from there. Captains Goldie and Schrieber fell, struck 
dead. Within a quarter of an hour Colonel Long, their chief, was 
knocked over, shot through the arm and body, a bullet passing 
through his liver and kidneys. He was carried aside 200 yards 
into a shallow ravine where lay several of the Devons and others. 
There, wounded as he was, Colonel Long sent for help to over- 
come the enemy's rifle fire. But it did not come, for there was a 
difficulty about quickly finding either General Buller or General 
Clery. 

" Colonel Hunt next fell, shot through both legs, and he also 
was carried to the ravine. As the men were being shot down very 
rapidly — for the Boer fire was by that time increasing — Colonel 
Hunt advised that it would be better to abandon the guns, but 
Long's characteristic reply was, 'Abandon be hanged. We never 
abandon guns.' Subsequently Colonel Hunt called attention to 
the fact that it was no use firing. There was scarcely any men 
left, and next to no ammunition. After that an order was given 
to abandon the guns, which, for over an hour, had fought in the 
face of the fiercest fusillade a battery ever endured. 

GUNNERS WHO FELL AT THEIR POSTS. 

"Yet, even then, all was not over, for four men persisted in 
serving two guns and remaining beside their cannon. One of 
either pair carried the shell, the others laid and fired their beloved 
15-pounders. But two men were left. They continued the unequal 
battle. They exhausted the ordinary ammunition, and finally 
drew upon and fired the emergency rounds of case, their last shot. 
Then they stood at 'attention' beside the gun and an instant later 
fell pierced through and through by Boer bullets. These, I say, 
by the light of all my experience in war — these gunners of ours 
are men who deserve monuments over their graves and even Vic- 
toria crosses in their coffins." 

For many weeks Ladysmith resisted the siege of the Boers, 
General White and his intrepid garrison standing by their 





L •-i»l.^< ■ Li ^ 



\».:\i 






V ;^' 




r-.' 


MwwiWiWUii-iiiifffif-i^fiii-h 




'' IV'i'l Jill I ' ' 
" ,|ll I.' 



423 



424 SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 

defenses witla unflincliing firmness. Tiie assault of tlie Boers 
upon tlie town, on January 6tli, was of a most determined 
character. They had evidently gathered and massed their best 
strength for an attack which had been carefully planned, and 
which they confidently expected to result in the overthrow of the 
British defenses and the capture of the beleagured town. 

The first main assault was made in the middle of the night, 
upon two positions to the southwest of the town, known as Csesar's 
Camp and Wagon Hill, from which, if the Boers had been able 
to seize and hold them, they could have poured a deadly fire into 
Lady smith. Caesar's Camp, held by the first battalion of the 
Manchesters, was the first object of the enemy's attack. Making 
their way under cover of darkness through the thorn brush which 
filled the ravine at the foot of the kopje, the Heidelberg commando 
of the Boers succeeded in evading the British pickets and reaching 
the foot of the slope. 

RUSHING TROOPS INTO ACTION. 

Before the extent of the danger had been realized by the 
British, the outlying defenses had been rushed and their defenders 
slain. Two companies of the Gordon Highlanders went to the 
assistance of the Manchesters, and as soon as the force of the 
attack was realized other troops were brought into action. 
Lieutenant Col. Dick Cunyngham, who was leading the Gordons 
out of the camp, fell mortally wounded by a stray bullet while 
still close to the town. At daybreak artillery was brought to bear 
effectively upon the enemy. The Boers fought with most 
desperate courage, being evidently determined to take the camp 
or to die in the attempt. But their impetuous bravery was out- 
matched by the disciplined courage of the defenders, and the 
Boers were finally driven back with heavy loss. Meanwhile a 
still more exciting conflict had been in progress in the direction 
of Wagon Hill. 

At 2 o'clock a storming party of the enemy crept slowly and 
cautiously along a ravine in the valley which divided the British 
posts from the Boer camp, killing the pickets with a few well- 



SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 425 

aimed sliots, and then, gradually reaching the crest of the heights, 
where they encountered a body of the British Light Horse, which 
they forced to retire, and continued to advance until they reached 
an emplacement where they encountered a working party of the 
Gordon Highlanders and the 6oth Rifles, who made a brave 
defense but were overpowered by numbers. Here it was that 
Lieutenant McNaughton and thirty Gordons were captured, 
though not until every man of them was wounded. The British 
artillery was now brought into play, and prevented the storming 
party from being reinforced from the Boer camp. 

But the enemy succeeded in making good the foothold they 
had secured, and held their ground with the utmost determination 
against the efforts of the British to dislodge them. At length a 
charge of the Gordons, under Major Walnutt, drove them back, 
but they returned to the attack, and though repulsed were able 
still to maintain a murderous fire. 

DARING CHARGE THROUGH A GALLING FIRE. 

The final blow was struck when three companies of the 
Devonshires, led by Captain Lafone and Lieutenants Field and 
Masterson, made a brilliant charge across the open ground, under 
a terrific fire, and fairly hurled the enemy down the hill at the 
point of the bayonet. In this charge Captain Lafone and Lieu- 
tenant Field were killed, and Lieutenant Masterson received no 
fewer than ten wounds. The result of the battle was thoroughly 
disheartening to the Boers, who had been confident of their ability 
to capture the town. 

According to the of&cial report, the battle raged for seven- 
teen hours. It began at 2.45 Saturday morning, January 6th, 
and did not end till 7.30 in the evening. Some British entrench- 
ments on Wagon Hill were taken three times by the Boers, and 
as often regained by the defenders. One point of the British 
position, which General White did not specify, was occupied by 
the Boers during the whole day, but at nightfall, under cover of a 
heavy rain-storm, the Devonshire Regiment succeeded in turning 
them out at the point of the bayonet. 



426 SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 



Tlie cliief Boer attack was directed at Caesar's Camp and 
Wagon Hill, and defended by tlie Mancliester Regiment and tlie 
Gordon Highlanders. Coming np from tlie south, perhaps by 
Fouries Spruit, the Boers assaulted three times with the greatest 
obstinacy and vigor, sometimes obtaining a foothold and again 
falling back before the British bayonet charge. Meanwhile the 
battle, as commando after commando came up from Colenso to 
reinforce the fighting lines, gradually spread itself over the whole 
circle of entrenchments, including the great Boer forts at Isim- 
bulwhana and Lombard's Kop. The result, as already stated 
was that Ladysmith held out gallantly and its defenders beat 
back the stubborn enemy. 

DRESSED IN A PECULIAR COLOR. 

The British War Of&ce did all in its power to provide for the 
safety and success of the defenders of the empire. Clothing was 
furnished of a peculiar color — a color resembling the vegetation in 
South Africa — in order to present as little distinction as possible 
between the men and their surroundings. This color was called 
khaki. In the British portions of South Africa it finally became 
actually monotonous. Kven the horses were dyed the popular hue 
by means of a mixture of permanganate of potash and water, so 
that Boer sharpshooters should be puzzled to distinguish between 
the ghostly steed and the veldt on which he stood. Barrels of 
paint were used in taking the shine off swords, scabbards, lances, 
accoutrements and buttons. A touch of paint on a button might 
mean the saving of a wearer's life, for that little piece of polished 
metal had the power to attract a Mauser bullet. In this adoption 
of neutral color the British showed commendable caution. 

It is safe to say that had the forces fighting the Boers been 
made up of an equal number of colonists, well-mounted and able to 
shoot straight, as were the men comprising the gallant little band 
at Mafeking, the war would have been ended in the defeat of the 
Boers. Ordinary tactics are of little account when giddy heights 
have to be scaled in the face of a sleet of bullets. Gallant " Tommy 
Atkins " does his best, but he is not seen at his best in this kind 






SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 427 

of figliting. Tlie Boers are foemen wortliy of "Tommy's" steel, 
but unfortunately for Tommy tke steel liad few opportunities to 
get in its fine work. Here are tlie personal accounts of some of 
tlie men themselves, giving a graphic andlife-likeaccount of mod- 
ern figliting that no descriptive writing of a historian, however 
talented his pen, can equal. 

Speaking of the terrific fighting with General Methuen's 
column, an officer of the Guards says : "We had no cover except 
little scrub brushes, about six inches high, and the ground sloped 
gently down to the Boers from about two thousand yards. I don't 
suppose troops have ever been in a more damnable position. I sat 
up occasionally to see how things were going, but only for a 
moment, as it was always the signal for a perfect storm of bullets. 
My ammunition bearer had his head blown to bits by a one-pound 
shell from a 37-millimetre Maxim, a most infernal gun. I hap- 
pened to be in the line of it just before dark, and they pumped six 
rounds at me. The first four pitched in a line about twenty, ten 
and fifteen, and the fourth four yards in front of me, and threw 
dirt all over me, and the next two just pitched behind me. 

HE HAD ENOUGH FIGHTING. 

"I didn't like it a bit. It was the worst day I have ever 
spent in my life. Twelve hours under a constant and heavy fire 
of Maxims, 12-pounders, and other quick-firing guns and rifles, a 
hot sun, no cover, no water, and no food, is more than enough for 
yours truly. The guns yesterday fought magnificently, and I 
believe fired more rounds per gun than have ever been fired in a 
battle before. We had a much-needed wash this morning. I 
washed shirt and drawers, besides myself." 

Describing the storming of the Boer entrenchments at Belmont 
and Modder River, a corporal of the Coldstream Guards said : "In 
our fight at Belmont we charged a hill three times with the bay- 
onet. It was almost impregnable. The Boers lost a number of 
killed and wounded, and we captured all their stores and camp. 
We burned the camp and took about one hundred prisoners. They 
are afraid of the bayonet. As soon as they saw us they flew fol 



428 SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 

their lives ; some dropped on tlieir knees and cried for merr^y. 
Yon slionld have seen ns go at tliem with a real British cheer. We 
lost a lot of men ; the fight lasted fonr and a half honrs. 

" Onr next fight was at Gras Pan ; it was all long-^Jv^tance 
firing — abont i,ooo yards — nntil the Naval Brigade came up mth 
their gnns, and then we advanced nnder cover, and we. cleared 
them ont and killed a lot of them and got two of their chief 
ofiicers prisoners. The Naval Brigade loss was fift}^ killed and 
wonnded. Yon cannot tell the real nnmber of Boers ki [led. As 
soon as any one of them falls the}^ pick him np and gallop off to 
their hospital with him. 

HARD STRUGGLE AND HEAVY LOSSES. 

" Our next fight was at IModder River — one of the greatest 
fights in British histor3\ We attacked the Boers, abont 2,000 
strong, in trenches. The}^ had six guns with them. We were 
under fire thirteen hours and had no food for nearly forty-eight 
hours. It was a stubborn fight ; it hung on a thread for a long 
time. The river was full of dead horses and men. There was a 
heav}' loss on our side. We had our colonel killed, poor fellow. 
We had to wade through the river up to the waist. It was dark 
when we got them our of their trenches. How we did batter them ! 
They are not half so good shots as they are made out to be." 

Here is an interesting item from the camps of General Gatacre 
that did not find its ^vay out of South Africa by cable : " We have 
a lot of Boer prisoners in camp here, and over the hill in front of 
us a number of Boer Avomen are searching for their husbands. 
The}^ say they are told that their losses are small, and that ours 
are great ; but the}^ cannot find their husbands and believe they 
are killed. The women think that the Boer commanders are con- 
cealing their losses, and I think this is about the truth of the 
matter. The Boer prisoners are a ragged lot, but the}^ look like 
men who can do a good da3''s work. 

" Prisoners are continually arriving here in small batches, 
prizes taken during the little skirmishes in which it is give and 
take, with honors about even. One batch, nine in number, arrived 



SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 429 

yesterday by tlie transport " Servia" from Frere Camp. Tlie men 

were of the baclc-veldt type, wearing slovenly clothes and slouch 

hats adorned with the usual crape. One of them had an enormous 

Red Cross badge sewn on his hat, and this caused much laughter 

among the small crowd who witnessed the landing — although it 

must be said there were some ugly murmurs about 'the Red Cross 

men with rifles.' The prisoners were marched under armed escort 

to the Breakwater Convict Station." 

In the latter part of December, England called Sir Horatio 

Kitchener and Lord Frederick Sleigh Roberts to her aid in the 

Transvaal. Bach in his own fashion is a remarkable man. Bach 

has seen more fighting, more bloodshed, more facings of death in 

combat than ever Sir Garnet Joseph Wolseley dared to dream of 

It is something more than opportunity which makes a man. The 

mother's milk which sustained him in infancy must have had 

certain potential qualities for him to be genuinely great in after 

life. 

CAME FROM A STURDY STOCK. 

Kitchener and Roberts both came from old English stock, 
with a fair mixture of Irish. Kitchener was born in Ireland, 
while Roberts was born in India of English parents. They call 
the Sirdar "the man of certainties." In India Roberts is called 
" Bobs Bahadur," that is, " Bobs," the hero or champion. Kitch- 
ener is more than six feet in height, a strapping big fellow, with 
phenomenal endurance and a will power that knows no master. 

Roberts is small, wiry, nervously energetic, more of a diplo- 
mat than the other, but none the less a fighter. This was the 
second time he had been supreme in command in South Africa. 
When General George Colley was killed at Majuba Hill in 1882 
Roberts was ordered out to succeed him, but saw no fighting, as 
peace came quickly. He was now to be commander in chief of all 
the English forces in South Africa, and Kitchener was to be his 
chief of staff. What each has accomplished in the past for Eng- 
land falls little short of the marvelous. 

Roberts was 67 years old when he was ordered to South 
Africa ; Kitchener was 48, and his glory rests on his exploits in 



4S0 SCENES ANID INCIDENTS. 

tlie Soudan. I^^ield Marshal Roberts won His fame at Candaliar 
in India. 

General Roberts, in tbe event of tbe deatb. of Sir Garnet 
Wolseley, is in direct line to become tbe bead of tbe Knglisb 
army. He is popular witb tbe rank and file of tbe empire — tbe 
people wbo pay tbe taxes and furnisb tbe figbting private. Tbere 
was a time in 1878 wben tbe Afgban uprising appeared to tbreaten 
as seriously tbe integrity of tbe Britisb Empire as tbe Transvaal 
war does now. Roberts was in India, and in tbe campaign against 
tbe Afgbanistans performed a series of feats wbicb sbowed bim to 
be one of tbe ablest commanders and most brilliant soldiers in tbe 
service of bis country. He commanded tbe column sent to 
operate tbrougb tbe Kuram Valley, and, surmounting tbe dangers 
and dif&culties of tbe Peiwar Pass, gained a decisive victory at 
Cbarasiab and entered Cabul. 

ROBERTS' PHENOMENAL MARCH. 

At tbe end of July, 1880, anotber Britisb column under Gen- 
eral Burrows, wbicb was attacking Ayoob Kabn, was defeated 
and literally cut to pieces at Maiwand. Burrows barely managed 
to save a small remnant of bis force, wbo fougbt tbeir way to 
Candabar, wbere tbey joined tbe garrison under command of 
General Primrose. Ayoob Kabn prepared to attack tbe city, and 
if be bad done so on tbe instant probably would bave taken it 
and caused England greater loss tban sbe bad experienced since 
tbe Indian mutiny. 

General Roberts, wbo was several bundred miles away, was 
apprised of tbe danger at Candabar and gatbered a force of 9,000 
picked men. Tbese be marcbed witb almost incredible rapidity 
across tbe trackless region between Cabul and Candabar and 
descended upon Ayoob Kabn before tbe latter was aware of bis 
nresence. Tbe Afgbans received a defeat from wbicb tbey bave 
not recovered to tbis day and England a respite from rebellions for 
many a montb. Roberts fougbt bis Afgban battles witb weak- 
ened forces. 

In order to strengtben a column sent tbrougb tbe Kbyber 



SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 



4^1 



Pass many companies were detached from His command, and what 
lie accomplisHed was witii less men than any other commander 
in Afghanistan had at that time. It is indicative of the conrage 
of the man that before he moved his forces he represented to the 
authorities that he considered the number of troops at his disposal 
inadequate to the task they were expected to perform. He did 
not receive the re-enforce- 
ments desired. 

One must knoAV the 
mountain fierceness of the 
Peiwar Pass to appreciate 
what General Roberts con- 
fronted when with his 
handful of men he arrived 
there to attack the enemy. 
The pass is a rugged, 
forest-clad elevation rising 
2,000 feet above Kuram 
Valley and forming a tre- 
mendous obstacle to ad- 
vance into the enemy's 
country beyond. The 
summit was occupied by 
an Afghan force consist- 
ing of eight regiments, or 
fully 9,000 men and eigh- 
teen guns. The entire 
force commanded by Roberts consisted of 5,325 men, of whom only 
1,345 were British. The remainder consisted of more or less unre- 
liable native troops. 

Roberts made no hasty attack upon this high mountain crest. 
He halted his men, and two days were spent in examining the 
mountain front. As a result of this Roberts found a path three 
miles north of the enemy by which he could reach their rear, and 
he resolved to deliver his attack by this route. He marched from 
his camp during the night and reached the poin- of attack at day- 




FIELD MARSHAL LORD ROBERTS. 

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE BRITISH FORCES IN 
SOUTH AFRICA. 



432 SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 

break. Mucli anxiety was felt during tlie marcli by the fact tbat 
some of tbe native troops were Patbans, two of wbom, wben tbe 
position was neared, fired sbots as a warning to tbeir Afgban 
kinsmen, Tbe warning came too late. 

Tbe Afgban posts, tbougb not surprised, were stormed, and 
tbe main force retreated in confusion. Tbe Britisb loss was about 
loo killed and wounded. Tbe coolness wbicb Roberts displayed 
in making tbis attack, tbe well considered nature of bis plans, 
gave evidence tbat be possessed tbe higbest kind of generalsbip, 
and if Wolseley did not recognize tbis, England did. 

GREW TO BE A HERO. 

He is tbe man wbo lived forty-one years in India as an Kng- 
lisb soldier, rising from tbe position of subaltern to tbat of com- 
mander in cbief of all tbe Bnglisb forces tbere. He was 20 
wben be landed at Madras. His fatber for years was commander 
of tbe Labore division. In tbe Indian mutiny of 1857 be was con- 
spicuous by being found wberever tbere was beavy figbting. His 
gallantry was always conspicuous. He bas seemed to lead a 
cbarmed life. Friends and comrades bave been killed by bis side, 
but be bas always escaped. 

He won tbe Victoria Cross bj^ recapturing from several Sepoys 
a Britisb flag. In 1892 be was elevated to tbe peerage, and in tbe 
following year resigned bis Indian command and returned to Eng- 
land. He was tben placed in cbarge of tbe forces in Ireland. Tbe 
privates of tbe Bnglisb army call bim "Little Bobs." 

Wben future generations come to read tbe bistory of modern 
H'gypt and tbe story of tbe Soudan, no name will figure in it more 
prominently tban tbat of Kitcbener, tbe tbird Sirdar of tbe Kgypt- 
ian army. His fatber was a colonel in tbe Britisb army, and tbe 
son cbose soldiering for bis profession. He was educated at Wool- 
wicb and entered tbe Royal Engineers as a lieutenant in 1871. 
Ivove of adventure caused bim to leave tbe army in 1874 to join in 
tbe survey of Western Palestine, under Major Condor, but after tbe 
attack on tbe party at Safed, be returned to London. Tbe roving 
life of surveying and exploring suited Kitcbener' s nature admira- 



SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 



433 



bly, and he went on to tlie Holy Land on surveying expeditions 
three times, on the last occasion as sole commander of the expedi- 
tion for the survey of Galilee. 

In 1888 he defeated Osman Digna at the siege of Suakin. He 
commanded only native Sudanese battalions, but his faith in them 
was unbounded. He led them within 200 yards of formidable 
breastworks without firing a shot, but when he did give the word 
to go they poured a wither- 
ing hail of lead in the 
Arabs' position and then 
carried the trenches with a 
rush that would have done ^ 

credit to the Guards, com- ^^ .,^1^ ^ 

pleting with their bayonets 
the destruction of the 
enemy. 

Kitchener fought again 
at Gamaizah, at the battle of 
Toski and at Dongola. He % 
has been twice shot at by 
Bedouins, nearly murdered 
in Palestine, narrowly es- 
caped being hanged as a 
spy, besides the ordinary 
risks in a dozen different 
battles. 

At Omdurman, in his 
eagerness to get where he could see the progress of the fight, 
he came a trifle too near the lines of fire of his own men, 
and a bullet cut through the sleeve of his coat. The scene 
after the battle, which he won, is described by eyewitnesses 
as frightful. The dead of the Dervishes lay around in thickly 
piled masses. The Martini bullets and the quick-firing guns had 
cut them down in such heaps that the ground was white with the 
flowing robes where it was not dyed with blood. No quarter 




GENERAL LORD KITCHENER, 

CHIEF OF FIELD MARSHAL ROBERTS* STAFF. 



was given. 

28 



A wounded Dervish is more dangerous than one 



484 SCENES AND INCIDENTS. 

not wounded, especially if lie is wounded to tlie deatli and 
knows it. 

This victory of Kitchener left him the controlling power of 
the region that comprises the bases of the Niger, Lake Tchad and 
the branch of the Nile that is called Bahr-el-Ghazal. His sphere 
of influence covered an area of 950,000 square miles, with a popu- 
lation of over 10,000,000. The highest praise paid Kitchener is 
that he never neglects the condition of his men ; but when they 
fight they must fight as men never fought before. It is said 
that men serving under him are better cared for than if they 
were the pampered pets of a wealthy household ; but that when 
they go into battle he compels them to take chances from which 
less daring commanders would shrink. An English authority, 
Avriting of him, said: "The military genius of Kitchener is simply 
beyond criticism." 

The same apparently may be said of General Roberts. It is 
to- be distinctly remembered, though, that neither man has ever 
been pitted against white men in his fighting career. Wolseley 
was in the Crimea, but Lord Roberts has made his reputation 
fighting Sepoys and Afghanistans, while Kitchener's battlefield 
record rests upon the slain bodies of howling Dervishes. Pitted 
against the talents of these two were the mountain walls of a 
country as rugged as India, the science of German artillerymen, 
the skill of Frenchmen in the trenches, the tactic alability of 
American of&cers, and the unyielding obstinacy of Boer generals. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

The British End the Siege of Kimberley. 

T^HB London War Office received intelligence on February 15, 
^ 1900, wliicli indicated tliat the long series of disasters suf- 
fered by tbe Britisb bad ended and tbe tide of battle bad turned. 
Tbe news produced general rejoicing tbrougbout Great Britain 
and tbe Colonies. 

It was known tbat Lord Roberts upon bis arrival in Soutb 
Africa at once formed bis plan of campaign. Tbis included opera- 
tions in connection witb General Metbuen's army and tbe relief 
of Kimberley at tbe earliest possible moment. Tbere was intense 
suspense in view of tbe preparations made for a Britisb advance. 
General Cronje, in command of tbe Boers investing Kimberley, 
was prepared to dispute every incb of ground and oppose a stub- 
born resistance to bis enemy, sucb as bad bitberto been successful 
everywhere in repelling tbe Britisb advance. 

On February i5tb it was learned tbat Lord Roberts bad begun 
the attack on tbe Boer army between tbe Modder river and Kim- 
berley by initiating a flanking movement, which up to that date 
had proved successful. The drifts referred to in Roberts' official 
messages are marked on but few maps. They are all to tbe east 
of the point where tbe British camp was located on the Modder 
and within tbe Free State territory. 

For tbe information of tbe reader it should be stated that a 
"drift" is, in tbe Boer language, a ford. In making these fords 
the Boers showed great ingenuity. Usually in the widest and 
shallowest part of a river, they are made by spreading bed stones 
right across tbe stream to tbe width of about thirty feet. Thus the 
water running over tbe drift may be about two and one-half feet 
deep, while on each side it may be much deeper. So much, by 
way of explanation, and we will now return to the history. 

The first move made by tbe mounted infantry brigade, under 

435 



436 END OF THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY, 

Colonel Hannay, was to Ramdam on February i2tli. On tlie 
same day General Frencli took Dekil's Drift, clearing tlie way for 
the Sixth and Seventh Divisions. On Tuesday, the 13th, French 
forced a passage of the Riet at Klipt Drift, occupying the hills to 
the north, while General Gordon seized Rondeval Drift and another 
between it and Klipt. In the meantime, the Sixth Division, which 
was supposed to be in the neighborhood of Colesburg, appeared on 
the north bank of the Riet, at the Waterval Drift, moving to the 
support of the cavalry. 

Ramdam is ten miles almost due south of Jacobsdal. With 
two divisions and the cavalry division threatening the Boer left on 
the position stretching from Spytfontein by Magersfontein to 
Jacobsdal, Roberts forced Cronje to decide whether to retire or 
stay. If he elected to go, Kimberley would be relieved ; if he 
chose to stay, he would have to entrench in the rear, or his works 
would be carried. If the rear was entrenched he would be held 
while Kimberley was relieved. 

IMPORTANT DESPATCH FROM LORD ROBERTS. 

General Methuen, with the First Division, was left to hold the 
entrenchments on the Modder, but Roberts had three infantry 
divisions, the Sixth, Seventh and Ninth, some ten batteries and 
6,000 or 7,000 mounted men ; altogether, the force mustered 
about 37,000. 

The War Of&ce in London received a message from Lord 
Roberts, giving details of his brilliant strategy which resulted in 
relieving Kimberley. It was as follows : 

"Dekil's Drift, Feb. 14, 8.10 A. M. — General French left this 
point at 11.30 yesterday morning with three brigades of cavalry, 
horse artillery and mounted infantry, including several colonial 
contingents, in order to seize a crossing of the Modder, distant 
about twenty-five miles. He reports, by despatch, dated 5.35 p.m., 
that he has forced a passage at Clip Drift, and occupied the hills 
north of the river, capturing three of the enemy's laagers, with 
their supplies, while General Gordon, of the Fifteenth Hussars, 
with his brigade, who had made a feint at Rondeval Drift, four 







^_jvj_'it^''y 



437 



438 END OF THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY. 

miles west, lias seized it and a second drift between that and Clip 
Drift, together with two more laagers. 

" General French's performance is brilliant, considering the 
excessive heat and a blinding dust storm which raged during the 
latter part of the day. 

" Owing to the rapidity of his movements, General French 
met but slight opposition, and his losses were small. Lieutenant 
Johnson, of the Inniskillig Dragoons, is the only officer reported 
severely wounded. 

" Monday, Feb. 12, the cavalry division under General French 

seized the crossing of the Reit river at Dekil's Drift, on the east 

bank of which the Sixth and Seventh Divisions are encamped. 

The casualties were two troopers killed, and Captain Majendie, of 

the rifle brigade, wounded. He has since died. One trooper was 

wounded. 

ATTACK RESULTING IN CASUALTIES. 

"The General commanding at Rensburg reports that on 
Monday, February 12th, he was attacked in force by the Boers. 
Lieutenant Coningham, of the Worcester Regiment, was wounded, 
and has since died. There were other casualties. The Sixth 
Division was last night on the north bank of the Reit, at Water- 
val Drift, and is moving to support the cavalry. The Seventh 
Division is here, and will go on this afternoon. Four officers and 
fifty-three men had to be sent last evening in ox wagons to the 
railway prostrated by heat and exhaustion." 

The following despatch was received at the War Office in 
London from General Roberts, under date of Reit River, Febru- 
ary 13th : 

" Colonel Hannay, in command of a brigade of mounted 
infantry, marching from Orange River to Remah, had a slight 
engagement February nth (Sunday) with the Boers holding the 
hills and threatening his right flank. With a detached part of 
his force Colonel Hannay detained the enemy while he pushed 
his baggage and main body through to Remah. The object of 
the march was successfully carried out. Four men were killed, 
twenty-two wounded, and thirteen are missing." 



END OF THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY. 439 

On tHe i3tli tHe column continued its marcli to Klip and 
Rondaval Drifts on tlie Modder river, wliere again a short engage- 
ment ensued, General FrencH shelling tlie Boers vigorously and 
forcing a passage. Tlie Boers precipitately retired, leaving five 
laagers, or depots of supplies, in tlie liands of the British, besides 
a great quantity of cattle and 2000 sheep. The rapidity of Gen- 
eral French's march and the overwhelming nature of his force 
enabled him, in spite of the difficulties of water transportation, to 
thoroughly accomplish his object. 

An announcement that thrilled the British people everywhere 
came to London February i6th, being contained in a telegram 
from Jacobsdal, near Kimberley, and stating that on the evening 
of that day General French, with a force of artillery, cavalry and 
mounted infantry, reached Kimberley, and that the siege of the 
"diamond city" was practically raised. This was the most 
important success that had attended the British arms up to this 
time. General French's report from Jacobsdal under date of Feb- 
ruary 1 6th was as follows : 

CAPTURE OF AMMUNITION AND SUPPLIES. 

" I have completely dispersed the enemy from the southern 
side of Kimberley, from Alexanders fontein to Oliphantsfontein, 
and am now going to occupy their ground. Have captured the 
enemy's laager and store depot supplies and supplies of ammuni- 
tion. Casualties, about twenty of all ranks wounded. 

"Kimberley cheerful and well. 

"I have good reason to believe the Magersfontein trenches 
have been abandoned, and that the Boers are endeavoring to 
escape. General French is scouring the country north of Kim- 
berley. One of General Kelly-Kenny's brigades of infantry is 
in pursuit of a large Boer convoy moving towards Bloemfon- 
tein. 

" Much gratified on arrival here to find admirable hospital 
arrangements, made by the German ambulance corps under Drs. 
Kaettner and Hildebrand, who, with their staffs, have shown the 
greatest kindness to our wounded, as they have to the Boer 



440 END OF THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY. 

wounded. Some of our wounded liave been liere since December. 
Some were brougbt in yesterday." 

Tbe following despatch, from General Roberts fills tbe gaps 
in tbe earlier despatcbes : 

" Modder River, February i6. — Tbe Sixth. Division left 
Waterfall Drift early on tbe morning of tbe i5tb, and marcbed 
bere, going on tbe same evening to Rondeval Drift, to bold tbe 
crossing of tbe Modder river and leave General Frencb free to 
act. Sbortly after arriving bere tbe mounted infantry visited 
Jacobsdal and found it full of women and children, witb four of 
our wounded men, doing well. 

CAVALRY PRESSING ON. 

" On tbe way back tbe mounted infantry were attacked and 
nine men were wounded. Colonel Henry and Major Hatcbell 
and ten men were missing. Botb officers were subsequently found 
at Jacobsdal, slightly wounded. Tbe cavalry division is moving 
in a northerly direction, and has apparently already reduced tbe 
pressure on Kimberley, as Kekewich signals the enemy has 
abandoned Alexanders fontein, and that be has occupied it. 

" Frencb has advanced as far as Abonsdam with slight loss, 
and is pushing on tbe posts, bis rear being held by mounted 
infantry. Clements, having been pressed by tbe Boers, has retired 
to Arundel to cover Naaupoort." 

(The termination " fontein," which ends so many names of 
towns, villages, etc., means a spring. Water being scarce, the 
places where springs abound are given names accordingly.) 

Tbe road between Modder River and Jacobsdal was now open 
and was available for sending reinforcements and supplies. When 
the Boers evacuated Jacobsdal they were obliged to pass over a 
ridge, where they afforded a splendid mark for the British guns, 
which showered shrapnel upon the retreating enemy. 

The convoy which was attacked at Riet River had been coun- 
termanded, but tbe order did not arrive in time, and the skirmish 
was a very warm one, although tbe Boers did little material dam- 
age. As General Frencb, with the strengthened division, pushed 






END OF THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY. 441 

forward toward Kimberley, lie found the beleaguering Boers 
deserting tlieir position at Alexanders fontein, thus allowing a 
portion of the Kimberley garrison to occupy and entrench the 
place. 

Jacobsdal was now in possession of the British. A small 
cavalry patrol entered the place and found it full of wounded, 
including several British from Rensburg. The place was only 
occupied by a small force, which fell back before the patrol, after 
a series of small skirmishes. A battery of artillery shelled the 
environs and drove out the last of the Boers. 

General French's division seized three drifts on the Modder 
river. At the third drift the Boers were fairly strongly entrenched. 
General French bombarded them and drove them off. He then 
moved rapidly in the direction of Kimberley. The Boers left 
Alexandersfontein, and the British at once occupied it. 

The hardships and rapid marching appeared to agree with the 
whole British army, who were in splendid spirits under the lead- 
ership of General Roberts. 

GENERAL CRONJE IN RETREAT. 

On February i6th General Kelly-Kenny's brigade captured 
seventy-eight wagons laden with stores, two wagons of Mauser 
rifles, eight boxes of shells, ten barrels of explosives and a large 
quantity of stores, all belonging to Cronje's laager, which was 
still being shelled by British artillery. 

General Cronje, with ten thousand men, was in full retreat 
toward Bloemfontein. General Kelly-Kenny fought a rear guard 
action and harassed the retreat. The Boers left Spytfontein, 
going in a northwesterly direction. They captured a large con- 
voy as a result of the fighting at Riet River. The British casual- 
ties were comparatively slight, in view of the tremendous bom- 
bardment. Less than thirty men were wounded and but one 
killed. 

Lord Roberts' combinations for the movements of the corps 
dovetailed with precision, although obstacles that had not been 
foreseen had to be overcome. The execution of his design began 



442 END OF THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY. 

at 3 A. M. on Sunday, the nth.. General French rode into Kim- 
berley Thursday afternoon, just when he was due according to 
Field Marshal Roberts' time table, having, in four and a half 
days, marched ninety miles with artillery and having fought two 
engagements. 

The relief of Kimberley was accomplished with the loss of 
only fifty men. Twenty thousand infantry made splendid 
marches under a sub-tropical sun and through a dust storm to 
hold the positions which General French took. Lord Kitchener 
was with General Tucker's division. In consequence of his 
transport arrangements, the four divisions moving over the sandy 
veldt were fed and watered. It is hardly possible to appreciate 
adequately the mathematical precision with which every part 
of the transport department worked, marching through the day, 
toiling almost sleeplessly throughout the night, victualling the 
army and evolving every hour results from seeming chaos. 

A WEARISOME MARCH. 

Everybody did what was expected of him cheerfully, though 
enduring frightful fatigues. Few slept more than three hours. 
The battalions, hour after hour, toiled through the heavy sand 
uncomplainingly, and when now and then a man fell out of the 
ranks exhausted, he would rejoin his company later after he had 
rested. Some fifty or sixty were overcome by the heat and had 
to be sent to the rear in the backward defile of empty wagons. 
The rapidity of Lord Roberts' movements away from his base 
solved one of the problems, perhaps the chief problem, of the war. 
He and Lord Kitchener created a mobile force, able to move in 
exterior lines and to outflank the Boers, themselves so wonder- 
fully mobile and quick in movements. 

Further details of the Boer retreat show that Cronje's army 
fought a good rear guard action, and occupied successive kopjes 
(hills), in order to allow the moving of the convoy, which, how- 
ever, went at a very slow pace, the animals apparently being 
exhausted. 

General French's magnificent march was the subject of admi- 



END OF THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY. 



443 



ration, especially in view of tlie dust storms and thunder storms 
tliat all experienced. The work of shelling the Boers proceeded 
vigorously. Owing to the style of the action, the Boers were 
bound to show in the open field, whenever they were obliged to 
leave the kopjes or hills where they could get behind rocks and 
other natural defenses. 

Enthusiastic demonstrations followed the announcement at 
Cape Town of the relief 
of Kimberley. Govern- 
ment House was sur- 
rounded by great crowds, 
and the Governor of Cape 
Colony, Sir Alfred Mil- 
ner, received an ovation. 
The house which Lord 
Roberts occupied on his 
arrival at Cape Town 
was similarly feted, there 
were parades through the 
city, cheering for "Bobs" 
(Lord Roberts), flag fly- 
ing, and hostile demon- 
strations outside the 
newspaper o£B.ces sympa- 
thetic to the Boers and 
before the residences of 
Ministers supposed to be 
in sympathy with the 
burghers. The relief of Kimberly was similarley celebrated in 
other towns of Cape Colony. 

The War Office in London was highly pleased at the receipt 
of cabled congratulations on the relief of Kimberley from the 
Mayor of Toronto, Canada, in behalf of the corporation and 
citizens of that city. 

The siege of Kimberley was begun really when the war in 
South Africa opened in October, 1899. At that time General 




MAJOR ALBRECHT, 

IN COMMAND OF BOER ARTILLERY. 



444 END OF THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEV, 

Cronje, tiie commander of tlie Boer forces under General Joubert, 
arranged a line of entrencliments around Kimberley in the form 
of a complete circle, and all tlie efforts of General Frencli to 
break tbrougb were unavailing. It is understood tbat 5,000 
were locked up in Kimberley, and various reports came out of 
tke suffering in consequence of the scarcity of food. Tbe siege 
was in force 123 days. 

The inspiring motive which prompted the Boers to make 
such a desperate effort to get into Kimberley was the hope of 
capturing Cecil Rhodes. President Kruger of&cially said the 
Transvaal Republic regarded Rhodes as being responsible for all 
the trouble in South Africa. The movement to relieve Kimberley 
began on Monday, February 12th, when General French swooped 
down on Dekil's Drift, and having crossed, moved his forces twenty 
miles in a little over six hours, capturing three Boer laagers at 
Klip Drift, on the Modder river. The march was accomplished 
during a severe sand storm and while the heat was terrific. 

HARDSHIPS OF THE SIEGE. 

Among the twenty thousand people cooped up in Kimberley 
throughout its siege of 123 days were two or three who could 
recall their personal experiences of the siege of Paris. Beside 
the terrible privations endured in the hard winter of 1870-71, the 
hardships of the Kimberley besieged sink into insignificance. 
Yet there were some strange vicissitudes in the prolongation of 
the investment. Nobody would have hazarded a prediction that 
the town would have lain almost helpless under the shells of the 
Boer guns for seven or eight weeks with a British army immov- 
able only twenty-five miles away. Such was the case, however, 
for Kimberley, after Lord Methuen withdrew from the fatal rifle 
trenches of Magersfontein to intrench himself at Modder river, 
was condemned to a monotonous period of waiting. 

The garrision was not strong enough to make a divertise- 
ment, while the Boer besieging force contented itself with the 
expectation of being able to starve the place into submission. 
Methuen' s intrenchment at Modder river, however, had the 



£ND of the siege of KIMBERLEY. 445 

important effect of preventing General Cronje from weakening 
his line to exert pressure on tlie town. As time went on tlie 
confidence expressed at the beginning of tlie war, that Kimberley 
conld defy the Boers . for any length of time, was seen to be 
completely justified. 

The investment began in October, when Kimberley was 
isolated, the Boers cutting the Bulawayo Railway north and south. 
The garrison had been organized by Colonel Kekewich, aided by 
Captain O'Mara and Lieutenant Maclnnes, both of the Royal 
Kngineers. Major Scott-Turner was a fourth of&cer, responsible 
for the defence in the early days. He lost his life in a sortie from 
the town. Under these officers were placed four companies of the 
Loyal North Lancashire regiment, a battery of Royal Garrison 
artillery, under Major Chamier, and a detachment of Royal 
Engineers. Some troops of Cape police, the Kimberley Light 
Horse and the town guard were welded into a compact force, 
which showed itself eager in keeping the Boers at a distance from 
the town. The garrison thus consisted of about seven hundred 
imperial troops, and with the colonial and other forces reached a 
total of about twenty-seven hundred. A detachment of the Royal 
Army Medical Corps, with ambulances, was also included in the 
garrison and gave effective service. 

A RENO\VNED COMMANDER. 

Lieutenant Colonel R. G. Kekewich, the Colonel of the Lan- 
cashire regiment and commandant of the town, gained a reputa- 
tion on the staff in Egypt from 1884 to 1890, and has been 
military secretary to two commanders in chief of Madras. A few 
days before the formal declaration of war by the Republics, 
Colonel Kekewich held a review of his garrison. The brave show 
put heart into the inhabitants. The town was well supplied with 
cattle and provisions, and elaborate defences had been constructed, 
with earthworks made out of the rubbish heaps of the mines, sixty 
feet high, and with miles of barbed wire. 

For the Boers, Kimberley was a prize worth almost an}? cost. 
There were the diamond mines to begin with, and the loot to be 



446 



END OF THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY. 



obtained in tlie most important town of Upper Cape Colony. 
From a military point of view its capture would be the prevention 
of its being utilized as a base for any Britisb army operating 
against tbe Orange Free State. More piquant interest, However, 
was given to tbe siege by tbe fact tbat almost tbe last arrival in 
tbe town before its isolation, in October, was tbat of Mr. Cecil 
Rbodes, in company witb Mr. and Mrs. Rocbfort Maguire. 

Mr. Rbodes bad determined to cast in bis lot witb tbe town 

so closely identified witb bis 
fortunes. Rumor was busy 
witb tales of tbe fate in store 
for one regarded by tbe Boers 
as tbeir arcb enemy, sbould 
be fall into tbeir bands. It 
was said tbat President Kru- 
ger bad set a price on Mr. 
Rbodes' bead witb a reward 
of a large grant of land to tbe 
fortunate captor. To avoid 
sucb a fate Mr. Rbodes, so 
tbe story went, bad provided 
bimself witb a balloon as a 
means of escape at tbe last 
moment. Wbatever basis of 
trutb lay in tbese picturesque 
details, Mr. Rhodes set bim- 
self to aid tbe defence witb cbaracteristic energy. He raised 
and equipped a corps of Kimberley ligbt borse. 

Tbe wbite employes of tbe De Beers Company were specially 
armed and drilled for tbe defence of tbe mines. Tbe machinery 
was utilized for tbe manufacturing of shells, and a great cannon 
was actually cast. It was named " Long Cecil," and the first shot 
was fired by its namesake. The Boers made special rejoicing 
when its career was cut short by its bursting. The thousands of 
Kaf&rs in the compound were given work, and a "Siege Avenue" 
and other public improvements were executed under the direct 




GENERAL LORD METHUEN. 



£Nt) OF THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY. 447 

petsonai supervision of tlie former Premier of Cape Colony and 
founder of Rhodesia, Cecil Rhodes. 

During the first few weeks sharp fighting took place between 
the garrison and the investing Boers. The reconnoissances and 
sorties were successful in preventing the enemy approaching the 
town too closely, though they were found to be somewhat expen- 
sive luxuries. But they served to dissipate the apprehensions 
that the place might be rushed before the arrival of the relief 
column. They were renewed as Lord Methuen approached the 
Modder River, twent3'^-five miles south of Kimberley, and on the 
days of the battles of Belmont, Gras Pan and the Modder severe 
losses were inflicted by the garrison on the besiegers. On 
November 23, simultaneously with the defeat of the Boers by 
Lord Methuen, the Kimberley garrison captured a laager, but 
lost a gallant leader in Major Scott-Turner of the Black Watch. 

CHRISTMAS BANQUETS IN KIMBERLEY. 

Hopes now ran high in the town, as Colonel Kekewich was 
in constant communication with the advancing army by means of 
the electric flashlight. The battle of Magersfontein, early in 
December, with its unwelcome check and the withdrawal of Lord 
Methuen to an intrenched position at the Modder River, dispersed 
these expectations, though Colonel Kekewich was soon informed 
of the reasons for the enforced delay. Lord Methuen' s settled 
position served to occupy the attention of General Cronje, and no 
deliberate attack was made on Kimberley. The shell fire, though 
occasionally heavy, did little damage. At Christmas the priva- 
tions were not extreme, though typhoid and scurvy were on the 
increase. 

Mr. Rhodes again came to the rescue with the distribution 
among the various camps of plum puddings, cooked at his resi- 
dence, the Sanatorium. At the end of the year the Mayor and 
Council dispatched a message to the Queen, sending New Year's 
greetings and assuring Her Majesty that the trouble they had 
passed through and were still enduring only tended to love and 
loyalty toward her throne and person. An answer reached the 



448 END OF THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY. 

town in wliicli Queen Victoria said sTie watclied witli admiration 
the determined and gallant defence of tlie inhabitants, tliongli slie 
regretted the unavoidable loss of life incurred. 

There were still six weeks of tedium to be passed before any 
indications were made that the British were to assume the offen- 
sive, with Kimberley again as the immediate objective. Karly in 
the siege the military authorities had put an embargo on all the 
stores. No storekeeper was allowed to take advantage of the siege, 
and the community was thus enabled to live at normal prices, so 
far as the absolute necessaries of life were concerned, though 
famine prices ruled in the case of fowls, vegetables and fruit. A 
statement that the garrison had been reduced to a diet of horse 
flesh probably required qualification. Large herds of cattle are 
known to have been grazing in the outskirts of the town. 

THE HIGHLAND BRIGADE IN ACTION. 

At length there must have been a stir in the air foretelling 
the end. On February 8th General Hector Macdonald, with the 
Highland Brigade, made his reconnoissance to Koodocs Drift, a 
movement which it is clear was merely a feint to draw the Boers 
to the westward while the way was left open for French to cut 
through between Cronje's intrenchments at Modder River and 
Jacobsdal on the eastward. On Lord Roberts' arrival at the 
Modder everything was in train for the execution of the neat 
piece of strategy which completely circumvented the Boers. 
General French, once in motion, swept his squadrons onward, 
and, brushing aside the parties of Boers who attempted to bar his 
progress, rode into Kimberley from the southeast on February i6th. 

The forces investing Kimberley were under command of the 
famous Boer General, Cronje, some account of whom may fitly be 
given in this connection. 

With Field Marshal Lord Roberts' advance into the Orange 
Free State, General P. A. Cronje became the most important of 
the Dutch commanders, for he was the supreme chief of the 
whole Boer force engaged in the siege of Mafeking and Kim- 
berley, and in the other operations in the Orange River region — 



END OF THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY. 449 

tlie force tiiat tlie Britisli invaders had to encounter. Cronje is 
described as a typical Boer, but, at tbe same time, if all tbat lias 
been said of liim be true, lie is of a different type from Kruger 
and Joubert. These two men, uncoutb in appearance thougli 
they are, may be described as gentlemen. 

Cronje, on the other hand, has the appearance, and, if what 
is said of him by his Knglish detractors be even in a measure 
true, the habits and manners of a savage. He is a heavy, thick- 
set man of stolid countenance, with bushy eyebrows, a stern, set 
mouth, scarcely concealed by a grizzled moustache, and dark, 
thick beard streaked with gray. As he appeared on one historic 
occasion — the capture of the Jameson raiders in January, 1896 — 
he was thus described by an Bnglishman who was present, and 
must be taken as prej udiced : 

THE GENERAL'S GROTESQUE APPEARANCE. 

" At the head of the advancing horde rode a burly figure in a 
dirty slouch hat, stooping in his saddle, unclean and unkempt, 
everything about him betokening neglect ; the wretched-looking, 
ungroomed horse, the antiquated saddlery, the rusty steel trap- 
pings. Yet one could see that his was the master mind directing the 
hordes which were gradually enveloping the unfortunate body of 
men lying at their mercy. In arrogant, truculent tones he dicta- 
ted the terms of surrender." 

The animus of this description is manifest, but it is equally 
manifest that there is some substantial foundation for the personal 
description of the hero of Dornkop. Before the surrender an inci- 
dent occurred which revealed the fatalistic creed to which Cronje 
pins his fate. When the bullets were whistling rather too loudly 
around the spot where the Dutch commander was seated, a Field 
Cornet suggested that he retire to a more sheltered place. " No," 
said Cronje; "I'm in the hands of God, and if I have to be shot 
I shall be hit just as soon in one place as in another." 

His creed is as merciless as it is fatalistic, and the man is 
utterly relentless, even if not unscrupulous, as his enemies have 
charged, in all his dealings with the foes of his country and his 

29 



4S5 END Of -THE SIEGE OE ICIMBERLEY. 

race. He is as brave as lie is burly, aud as a tactician in gnerilla 
warfare is not surpassed even by bis old mentor, " Slim Piet" 
Joubert, bimself. 

Cronje lives on a farm near Potcbefstroom, a town just beyond 
tbe Vaal River, about sixty miles soutbwestof Jobannesburg. He 
is fairly worsbipped by bis neigbbors, wbo tell wonderful stories 
of tbe courage and resource wbicb be displayed in tbe old days, 
wben tbe Boers were trekking nortb, figbting tbeir way tbrougb 
swarms of bostile savages and defending tbe camp against tbeir 
fierce onslaughts. Cronje bas been a soldier from bis youtb. He 
began bis military career in tbe ranks, and worked bis way up to 
tbe second place in tbe Boer army solely by bis merits as a figbter 
and tactician. 

CHARGED WITH BRUTAL MURDER. 

He was already a Field Cornet at Laing's Nek in 1881, and 
was second in command to Joubert in tbe notable affair of Majuba 
Hill. His cbief distinction in tbe Boer war of independence was 
gained, bowever, in tbe siege and capture of Potcbefstroom, tbe 
town near wbicb bis bomestead is situated, as already stated. Tbe 
place was defended by a small Britisb garrison under Colonel 
Winslow. Cronje led tbe Boer forces to tbe attack, and, according 
to fairly reliable accounts, resorted to devices wbicb bave justly 
given bim an unsavory reputation. It is said tbat be ordered 
several non-combatant Britisbers to be arrested, and afterwards 
bad tbem sbot as spies on wbolly insufficient evidence. 

He is also accused of baving, in tbe Potcbefstroom campaign, 
caused prisoners of war to be placed in tbe forefront of tbe besieg- 
ing force, and compelled to work tbere in trencbes, wbere tbey 
were exposed to tbe fire of tbeir friends, it is said, witb fatal effect. 
He is also accused of baving refused Colonel Winslow' s request to 
allow one or two ladies, wbo were in poor bealtb and bad suffered 
greatly during tbe attack, to pass tbrougb tbe Boer lines in searcb 
of food and medical attendance, and one of tbem is said to bave 
died in consequence. 

It will be recalled, bowever, tbat during tbe earlier stages of 



END OF THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY. 



451 



tlie siege of Kimberley, Cronje allowed two Bnglisli women to 
enter tlie Boer lines to attend their husbands, wlio liad been 
wounded and made prisoners. It was at the close of the siege of 
Potchefstroom that the Dutch commander's conduct was most 
reprehensible. He deliberately withheld from the beleaguered gar- 
rison the news that an armistice had been arranged between the 
British and Boer forces, and threw fresh energy into his assaults 
upon the place, compelling Colonel Winslow finally to surrender. 
Cronje' s behavior in this re- 
spect was bitterly denounced, 
and the Transvaal govern- 
ment, at the demand of Sir 
Kvelyn Wood, permitted a 
British regiment to march up 
from Natal, on the conclusion 
of peace, and re-occupy Pot- 
chefstroom as a formal ac- 
knowlegment of this repre- 
hensible action. 

As time passed, Cronje 
rose in rank, and when the 
Jameson raid occurred, in the 
closing days of 1895, he was 
placed in the responsible posi- 
tion of commander of the Boer 
force which was sent to head 
it off. This he did most effect- 
ually, and again earned the detestation of the British by his relent- 
less dealings with filibusters. Cronje rounded up Dr. Jameson and 
his followers in the little village of Dornkop. He had no artillery, 
but his whole force was armed with rifles, and was made up of first- 
class marksmen. By their commander's orders the Boers picked off 
the British artillerists, thereby rendering their guns useless, and 
bringing the raid to a premature close. 

Dr. Jameson surrendered on condition that, if the raiders paid 
the expenses of their suppression and gave up their arms, their 




GENERAL W. P. SYMONS, 

KILLED AT THE BATTLE OF DUNDEE. 



452 END OF THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY. 

lives would be spared. To tliese terms Cronje subscribed in 
writing, but it is charged against bim tbat be afterwards repu- 
diated them on the plea that his promise held good only until the 
filibusters were handed over to Commandant-General Joubert. On 
the ground of this action, also, Cronje has been accused of treach- 
ery only less heinous than that which marked his conduct at the 
capture of Potchefstroom. 

As a reward for his masterly management of the Jameson 
affair Cronje was appointed to succeed General Joubert as Super- 
intendent of Native Affairs. Immediately upon the declaration of 
war, in October, 1899, he was made second in command of the 
united forces of the two Dutch republics, and was assigned to the 
district on the western border of the Transvaal and Orange Free 
State. It was by the forces under his command that the little 
British garrisons in Mafeking and Kimberley were shut in. 

But General Cronje' s operations were not confined to the 
investment and occasional bombardment of these two British towns. 
When General Lord Methuen started to the relief of Kimberley, 
in November, he encountered Cronje' s force at Gras Pan on the 
25th of that month. The resulting encounter was practically an 
undecisive battle. Three days later there was another and more 
desperate encounter on the Modder River, which Lord Methuen, 
in his despatch to the Queen, described as the " bloodiest battle of 
the century." This encounter brought Methuen' s advance to a 
halt, and two weeks later — on December 12 — Cronje defeated Lord 
Methuen in the decisive battle of Magersfontein, in which the 
Highland Brigade was almost annihilated, and its commander. 
General Wauchope, killed. In the two months and more which 
" followed, the British advance to the relief of the beleaguered garri- 
son was not only kept at a standstill, but time and time again por- 
tions of the relieving force were defeated in set encounters. 



f^ 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 
Surrender of General Cronje and His Entire Force. 

GENBRAIv CRONJB, the stubborn Boer commander, con- 
tinued bis frantic efforts to escape from Lord Roberts and 
retreat toward Bloemfontein, tbe capital of tbe Orange Free State. 
His retreat began wben it was apparent that General French was 
master of tbe situation and it was no longer possible for the Boers 
to threaten Kimberley with capture. 

Although the rapid march of General French's division was 
marked by a number of conflicts, his actual entry into Kimberley 
was unopposed. When the British were still eight miles off the 
Signaling Corps intercepted a heliograph message from the belea- 
guered garrison to Modder river, saying: "The Boers are shell- 
ing the town." 

The advancing column replied: "This is General French 
coming to the relief of Kimberley." 

The garrison was incredulous and thought the message was a 
Boer ruse, and flashed the query: " What regiment are you?" 

The reply satisfied the defenders of Kimberley that the 
anxiously awaited succor was at hand, and a few hours later Gen- 
eral French, at the head of a column, made a triumphant entry 
into the place, the people surrounding the troops and interming- 
ling with them, cheering wildly, grasping the soldiers' hands, 
waving flags, hats and handkerchiefs, and exhibiting in a hundred 
ways the intensity of their joy. The inhabitants had been on 
short rations for some time, eating horse flesh and living in bur- 
rows under heaps of mine refuse. Diminishing rations were served 
out daily, at ii o'clock, in the market square, under the shell fire 
of the enemy, whose guns opened on the square whenever the 
inhabitants assembled. No horse food was left. 

Throughout the siege Cecil Rhodes provided the natives with 

work and food, and thus kept them quiet. The miles of convoy 

453 



454 SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 

bearing provisions for tlie relief column and tlie town, slowly wind- 
ing its way across tlie plain in the direction of Kimberley, was tlie 
gladdest siglit wliicli greeted the eyes of the besieged for four 
months. General French's march was so rapid and the heat so 
intense that many of his horses died of exhaustion. / 

At the crossing of the Modder river the Boers bolted, leaving 
their tents, guns, oxen, wagons and large quantities of ammunition 
in the hands of the British. Moving northwards, the Boers again 
attempted to stem the advance, but General French turned their 
flank and reached his goal with insignificant losses — seven men 
killed and thirty-five wounded during three days from Wednesday 
February 14, to Friday, February 16. After a night's rest at 
Kimberley General French's column pursued the Boers to Bront- 
veld, surrounded the hillocks on which they were posted and 
shelled them till nightfall, when the Boers fled, leaving many 
dead. 

General Cronje left a gun, his tents, food and clothes at 
Magersfontein. 

An of&cer who was on the ground thus describes General 
Cronje' s retreat with the Boers at Magersfontein, on learning of* 
General French's success : 

HURRYING TO ESCAPE. 

" On Thursday at midnight, headed by General Cronje, 5,000 
Boers, with their heavy guns and ox wagons, evacuated the 
Magersfontein lines. At dawn on Friday the retreating Boer 
army was seen from the British naval gun station on Klip Drift 
Kopje trekking eastward across the British front, at a distance of 
5,000 yards. Our guns opened upon them, and a force of mounted 
infantry, crossing the river, made a dashing charge in the attempt 
to cut off the head of the enemy's column. But in half an hour 
their whole force had gained shelter under a line of hillocks. 

" Meanwhile two of our batteries had come up. Our infantry 
crossed the drift, and for three hours were engaged with the enemy 
while our batteries shelled his position. The mounted infantry 
kept hard at work. Unable to stand our galling fire, the enemy 







m 



456 SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 

retired, disputing every incli of tlie way, and took up a second 
position on tlie hills to the eastward. It was a magnificent spec- 
tacle to see the Boer army thus at bay. Their rear guard, 2,000 
strong, fought us, while the main bod}^ trekked (moved) farther 
east, and then brought their guns into action, while the rear guard 
retired. 

" The action lasted through the day. Our infantry fought 
splendidly, but the enemy held his ground under the continued 
bombardment. Later on the Boer commander ventured on a bold 
stroke. Leaving 2,000 of his men under cover he withdrew the 
rest from his main position and headed for Klip Kraal Drift, six 
miles to the east. The movement was soon discovered. Our 
mounted infantry came back across the drift and marched along 
the south bank to endeavor to head off the enemy. When they 
reached the neighborhood of Klip Kraal Drift night had fallen, 
and half the Boers were already across to the south side. Our 
mounted infantry harassed their movements. 

DESPERATE FIGHT BY REAR GUARD. 

"Meanwhile the Boer rear guard, having covered the crossing 
of the main body, retired slowly and successfully passed the drift. 
The rear guard fought desperately, and as it fell back to the river 
it was harassed on the flank and rear by the British. Having 
thus passed the Modder under cover of darkness, the Boers 
trekked throughout the night in the direction of Bloemfontein. 
General Kelly-Kenny, with the Sixth Division, pursued them at 
daylight, General McDonald, with the Highlanders, following 
him. McDonald reached Klip Kraal Drift by forced marches 
Sunday. General Kelly-Kenny, moving from Klip Kraal Drift, 
endeavored to outflank the enemy, and to cut them off" from 
Bloemfontein, so as to drive them back into General McDonald's 
hands." 

Under date of February 2 2d, it was reported that a great 
battle was raging along the line of the Modder river, between 
Paardeberg and Koodoosrand, and had been for four days. The 
genius of Roberts was pitted against the strategy of Cronje. No 



SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 457 

official accounts of tlie engagement were received in London, 
except an incomplete list of casualties among the officers, whicli 
was exceedingly lieavy, and indicated fierce fighting. Despatches 
from Cape Town stated that the Boers had been surrounded, and 
their discomfiture was assured ; but the official messages pub- 
lished from Pretoria, the Boer capital, stated that Cronje was 
holding his own, and had repulsed all the British attacks so far, 
inflicting heavy loss while suffering only slightly himself. In 
the absence of definite news from Roberts and Kitchener, and the 
correspondents with them, the result of the fighting was enveloped 
in doubt. 

GENERAL CRONJE'S UNEXPECTED STRENGTH. 

From the scattering despatches from both British and Boer 
sources, it appeared that Roberts' plan worked excellently so far 
as his troops were concerned, but that Cronje, who had been rein- 
forced from Natal and Northern Cape Colony, was also to put up 
a much stronger resistance than was expected. When the Boers 
marched east from Kimberley towards Bloemfontein, Kitchener 
and Kelly-Kenny started to head them off, and succeeded in doing 
so by reaching Paardeberg first. Cronje then turned toward 
Koodoosrand Drift. It appears that McDonald forestalled him 
there, but the appearance of De Wet with a force of burghers, 
probably on the Highland Brigade's flank, gave the Boers a 
chance. 

The fighting, which seems to have begun at Koodoosrand, 
just north of the Modder and due south of Boshof, was transferred 
to the south by the Klip Kraal Drift. Cronje held his own with 
an inferior force. It was confidently stated that he had not more 
than 8000 men with him from Magersfontein, but was reinforced 
from Spytfontein and also from Colesberg. It was conceded that 
no reinforcements could make long headway against the three 
British divisions of infantry and one of cavalry. But he made 
the British pay severely for getting him in this trap. 

One of the costliest actions of the war occurred at Paardeberg 
Drift Sunday, February i8th. General Kelly-Kenny, in his pur- 



458 SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 

suit of General Cronje, cauglit His rear guard at Klip Drift, and 
followed tlie burghers to tlie Boers' laager at Koodoosrand. Tlie 
drift action began at daybreak, the mounted infantry driving tlie 
Boer rear guard up tbe river towards tlie main body, wbile another 
body of mounted infantry manoeuvred on the right front and flank 
of the Boers. The British main body advanced to outflank the 
Boers on the north bank of the river. General Kelly-Kenny hav- 
ing seized two drifts, found the Boers strongly enclosed, and 
ordered an attack, with the Highland Brigade on the left and 
General Knox's Brigade on the centre and right, while General 
Smith-Dorien' s brigade crossed the river and advanced along the 
north bank. On both the north and south banks the ground is 
level, and the advance across this was deadly, and the British 
losses were heavy. 

HEAVY LOSSES OF THE BOERS. 

The battle was an exact duplicate of the Modder river. The 
soldiers were under fire all day long, and all the fighting had no 
definite result, as the Boers were well barricaded. The British 
guns shelled them vigorously, and the Boers confessed to a loss 
of over 800 men. General Cronje' s magnificent night march from 
Magersfontein now appeared likely to end in disaster. The main 
body of the Boers was enclosed in a terrible death trap. They 
were hiding in the bed of the Modder, commanded by the British 
artillery, and enclosed on the east and west by the British infan- 
try. 

Sunday witnessed a gallant stand on the part of the retreat- 
ing foe. Tired, harassed, they still maintained a bold front. It 
is somewhat dif&cult to explain the Sunday action, in which all 
the British force was engaged, and in which General Cronje, under 
dif&cult conditions, managed to hold his own. On Saturday night 
the British mounted infantry came into touch with Cronje' s rear , 
guard, driving them back on the main body. On Sunday morn- 
ing the action was renewed, but the Boers, who had entrenched 
the river bed during the night, prevented a further advance of the 
mounted infantry in this direction, 



SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 459 

Meanwiiile tlie Higliland Brigade, consisting of tlie Seaforths, 
the Black Watch and tlie Argylls, advanced from tlie soutH bank, 
and tlie Essex, Welsh and Yorkshires formed a long line on the 
left, which rested on the river, the extreme right being the Welsh. 
The whole line was ordered to envelop the Boers, who lined both 
banks of the river. The firing soon became heavy. The Boers, 
holding a splendid position, covered the left of the Highland 
Brigade, which advanced partly up the river bed and partly in the 
open, while the rest of the brigade, with the other regiments, 
swung round the front of the Highland Brigade on the level, cov- 
erless ground, exposed to a terrible fire, which obliged the men to 
lie upon the ground, as they did for the remainder of the day, suf- 
fering from hunger and thirst. 

CANADIANS IN THE THICK OF THE FIGHT. 

This began at half-past 7 in the morning. Through the 
dreadful heat and a terrible thunderstorm the British hung to 
the position, answering the Boer fire and shooting steadily. In 
the meantime the rest of the infantry completed the enveloping 
movement, the Welsh regiment having succeeded in seizing the 
Drift, thus closing in the Boers, who had fought throughout with 
splendid courage. General Cronje's laager, full of carts, ammuni- 
tion and stores, could be plainly seen near the north bank. 

General Smith-Dorrien collected a large body of men, includ- 
ing the Canadians, and crossed the river by Paardeberg Drift, 
advancing toward the laager, which was being vigorously shelled. 
This force make a gallant attempt to charge into the laager, but 
failed. Before seizing the western drifts the Boers occupied a 
hillock on the south bank, running down the river. Therefore 
their force was cut in two. The Boers hold the hill. 

Toward evening the battery on the south side opened, co-op- 
erating with the battery on the north side. A wonderful sight 
followed. The shells fell with amazing precision along the river 
bed, opposite the laager, which was shelled thoroughly, damaging 
everything it contained. One shell set on fire a small ammunition 
wagon, which burned nearly all day. Many other wagons were 



460 SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 

set on fire, and the glare was visible at a considerable distance far 
into tbe nigbt. 

Tbe infantry also maintained a terrible fire, wbicb was 
answered vigorously. Tbe scene toward nigbtfall was terribly 
picturesque, witb tbe blazing wagons, tbe roaring artillery and tbe 
crackling rifle fire. 

Tbe terrific sbelling was resumed Monday, February i9tb, 
wben, at 8 o'clock A. m.. General Cronje asked an armistice of 
twenty-four bours, wbicb was refused. Later be sent a mes- 
senger to say tbat be would surrender. Tbe Britisb General 
sent a reply, telling bim to come into camp. Cronje refused, say- 
ing tbere bad been a misunderstanding, and tbat be would figbt 
to tbe deatb. Tbe bombardment was tben reopened, and Britisb 
lyddite sbells set fire to tbe Boer wagons. Tbe Britisb contin- 
ued sbelling tbe laager tbrougb tbe nigbt, and in tbe morning 
resumed witb Maxims and rifles, principally from tbe nortb side. 

A POPULAR BRITISH GENERAL. 

On Sunday tbere was mucb waste of life in attacking. Dur- 
ing Monday nigbt seven Boers made an attempt to break tbrougb 
tbe Britisb lines, but tbey were captured and tbeir leader was 
killed. Four were carrying letters. Otber prisoners said tbat 
General Cronje marcbed from Magersfontein, a distance of tbirty- 
tbree miles, witbout baiting men or teams. Had be succeeded in 
escaping it would bave been one of tbe flnest performances in tbe 
annals of war. Tbe Canadians made a gallant cbarge at tbe 
laager, but were driven back witb loss. General MacDonald and 
General Knox were sligbtly wounded. 

Tbe wounding of MacDonald produced a painful sensation 
tbrougbout Great Britain. Hector MacDonald to tbe multitude is 
tbe man of tbe war. Tbe public surrounds bim witb a balo of 
beroism. It considers bim lion bearted and invincible, and, 
above all, one of its own; for MacDonald is a self-made man. 
Tbe populace talk of bim proudly as baving been a draper's 
assistant. People tell one anotber bow, wben be occupied a 
minor position in an Inverness establisbment, be was fired witb 



SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 461 

tte entliusiasm of martial ardor, liow lie learned his drills there 
from a retired corporal, and liow gradually lie worked himself to 
perfection in all matters relating to drill tactics and manoeuvres. 
Then he started out and enlisted in the ranks. So when the 
placards, especially of half penny papers, in all the large English 
towns came out with flaring type that "Fighting Mac" had been 
seriously wounded, the "man in the street" was very much dis- 
tressed. When the Boers wounded "Fighting Mac" they hurt 
the British public keenly, for they disabled the people's man. 

CRONJE'S STUBBORN RESISTANCE. 

The War Of&ce in London received from Lord Roberts the 
following message, dated Paardeberg, Wednesday, February 21*. 
"Yesterday afternoon I was satisfied, by a careful reconnoissance 
in force of the enemy's position, that I could not assault it without 
very heavy loss, which I was most anxious to avoid. Accordingly, 
I decided to bombard him with artillery, and turn my attention to 
the enemy's reinforcements. The result was most satisfactory. 
The Boers were driven off in all directions, losing a good many 
killed and wounded, and about fifty prisoners, who say they 
arrived from Ladysmith two days before by railroad. They also 
say it was our artillery fire which caused them to abandon the 
kopje they were occupying." 

The following graphic account of the terrific conflict on Mod- 
der River is from the pen of an eye-witness, who was within the 
lines of the British army. It is dated Tuesday, February 20th : 

"This was the third day of General Cronje's imprisonment 
and grim resistance. Barly this morning the infantry engaged 
the enemy in the bed of the river, driving him back a short dis- 
tance. The morning sun disclosed the Boers toiling li^e ants on 
entrenchments around their laager. A few shells were fired to pre- 
vent them from continuing the work, but most of the day was 
quiet. General French's artillery was heard off" to the east, pre- 
sumably engaging the Boers' reinforcements. 

"Every opportunity was given the Boers to surrender, but 
when towards afternoon there was no sign of any such intention, 



462 SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 

Lord Roberts determined to crusli General Cronje's resistance. 
On the sontli bank of the river, at a range of about 2000 yards, 
tbree field batteries and two naval 12-pounders were positioned. 
On tbe nortb bank, enfilading tbe whole river, one howitzer, three 
field batteries and three naval guns were placed. 

"Then followed the most wonderful scene it was ever my lot 
to witness. Once before, in Thessaly, I had seen no guns in 
action, but never such a number of powerful guns concentrating 
their fire upon a spot about a mile square. The exploding lyddite 
shells raised great clouds of green smoke, completely filling the 
bed of the river. 

DREADFUL EXECUTION BY ARTILLERY. 

"The shrapnel burst on the edge of each bank, except for a 
short space, where the proximity of the British infantry made it 
dangerous. Our shells searched every bush and every ravine of 
the river bed. The enfilading guns must have done terrible exe- 
cution. The roar was deafening, yet with a spirit of desperate 
madness, now and again, the Boers would attempt to capture the 
naval guns, which were firing at a range of 1000 yards. The 
long line of three batteries belched forth death, while on each side 
lay two battalions of infantry, whose Maxims sounded petty 
beside the roaring big guns. What loss the Boers suffered is not 
yet known. I am writing in the middle of a sleeping camp. Not 
a sound disturbs the heavy slumber of tired soldiers. Down the 
river bed not a fire is seen ; not a cry heard. 

"There is something tragic in the stern resistance which 
General Cronje is hopelessly offering. It is impossible not to 
admire his pluck, but all condemn the wickedness of uselessly 
sacrificing the lives of his brave followers. Monday morning 
broke finding the Boers in the same place, they having during 
the night constructed entrenchments around the laager, which 
was still threatened by General Smith-Dorien. The infantry 
rested after the terrible hard day's fighting on Sunday. 

"The mounted infantry and a battery of horse artillery 
started to observe the enemy, who was holding a hillock ; but 




463 



464 SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 

while riding around tiie southern side of the hill they received a 
heavy fusillade and were obliged to move further out. They sus- 
tained no casualty, another proof of the bad Boer marksmanship. 
Pushing on, the detachment found that the hill extended a con- 
siderable distance west, sloping gradually to the plain. They 
seized a good defensive position, which was garrisoned. They 
continued the movement and completely turned the Boers, whose 
left was held strongly by a farmhouse, which was vigorously 
shelled. The detachment returned to camp at nightfall, leaving 
a garrison on the ridge. Meanwhile a desultory bombardment of 
the Boer position was kept up, and a good deal of rifle fire concen- 
trated where the Essex was attempting to rush up the river. 

"About midday the cry that General French had arrived was 
passed down the ranks, but his division operated out of sight of 
our force. When Lord Roberts arrived, he addressed several 
regiments and was vigorously cheered. 

CRONJE ASKS FOR AN ARMISTICE. 

"Early in the day. General Cronje asked for a twenty-four 
hours' armistice, in order to bury his dead. Lord Kitchener 
refused, and a little later came another messenger with word to 
the effect that if the British were inhuman enough to refuse an 
armistice for the purpose of burying the dead. General Cronje 
saw no other course but to surrender. Upon receipt of this mes- 
sage. Lord Kitchener proceeded to the Boer laager, in order to 
arrange the capitulation, but he was met by a messenger, who 
announced that General Cronje said that the whole thing was a 
mistake; that General Cronje had not the slightest intention of 
surrendering, but would fight until he died. 

"General Kitchener returned and ordered a bombardment of 
the Boer position. Three field batteries and a howitzer battery 
took position directly in front of the laager and began a terribly 
accurate fire, the howitzers using lyddite shells freely. The 
Boers were seen retiring from the trenches to the river bed, in 
order to seek cover, but no cover could protect them from such 
accurate and deadly fire. The howitzers especially dropped 1yd- 



SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 465 

dite sliells witTi marvelous precision into tlie very bed of the river, 
and the trendies were soon filled witH terrible fumes and green 
smoke, but again the enemy beld on. 

"Again during tbe nigbt deserters arrived. Tbey were 
terribly frigbtened and sbaken by tbeir awful experience. Tbey 
reported that tbey bad water in abundance, but were only able to 
draw scant}?- supplies from tbeir laager during tbe nigbt." 

At Magersfontein tbe Boers demonstrated tbe fact tbat given 
a level battlefield, field glasses, modern magazine rifles and quick- 
firing small guns, and tbe wbole Britisb army itself could not 
dislodge tbe 65,000 men of tbe two Boer republics by a frontal 
attack on tbose grass-edged trencbes. Not 50,000 Britisb could 
beat 15,000 Boers, except at sucb a sacrifice of life as no com- 
mander would require or could be pardoned for occasioning. 

DANGERS OF ATTACKING THE FRONT. 

For a frontal attack tbe old military manuals declared tbat 
tbe attacking force must be tbree times tbat of tbe defending 
force, but at tbe present time, witb tbe new weapons, ten men 
must attack one. One of tbe most formidable new conditions of 
war is one tbat we bave never, or next to never, kno^vn before, for 
tbere were men in tbe Britisb army wbo bad never seen a Boer in 
battle. 

Tbe Britisb tbrew tbemselves upon tbe ground and fired for 
bours at a time at tbe noise or flame at tbe trencbes of tbe enemy, 
wbom tbey could not see. At Modder river tbere were wbole 
battalions tbat did not know at tbe end of tbe day wbetber tbe 
enemy was nortb or soutb of tbe river. 

A Buropean army figbting under European rules is a clumsy 
weapon against tbe Boer, wbo opposes witb weapons wbicb render 
one man as good as ten, and all ten invisible. We remember tbe 
old saying tbat an army moves upon its belly, and we parapbrase 
it to make it read "a modem army must figbt upon its belly." If 
tbe Britisb got in a trencb tbat could not be turned, all tbe world 
could advance and be slaughtered, but not all tbe world could oust 
tbe Britisb from tbat trencb. 

30 



466 SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 

Tlie essential qualities of tlie army of twenty years ago are 
no longer the supreme necessities for success. The man behind 
the gun stands more supreme than ever. Dig a trench and line 
it with good shots, supported by modern artillery, and no enemy 
can advance in the face of them. They may be outflanked or 
starved, but, while their ammunition holds out, none can oust 
them, for they can fill the whole plain over a radius of at least 
four thousand yards with such a withering blast of shrapnel and 
rifle bullets that no troops can stand in the open before it. 

But the fighting east of Kimberley turned in favor of the 
British and their success electrified Great Britain and the Colonies. 
The War Office in London received the following despatch from 
Lord Roberts : 

AN UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER. 

"PaardEberg, Feb. 27, 7.45 A. M. — General Cronje and all 
his force capitulated unconditionally at daylight and is now a 
prisoner in my camp. The strength of his force will be communi- 
cated later. I hope that Her Majesty's Government will consider 
this event satisfactory, occurring, as it does, on the anniversary 
ofMajuba." 

In the War Office lobbies, when a clerk posted the news of the 
surrender, quite a crowd was waiting, and the tidings were hailed 
with enthusiasm, and in an incredibly short space of time the 
news had spread to all parts of London. At the Mansion House 
the news posted was read with great excitement by the crowds of 
business men hurrying to their offices, and cries of " Bravo, Rob- 
erts !" and "Majuba!" were heard. 

The Lord Mayor of London said that while the surrender of 
General Cronje had been a foregone conclusion, the news was 
received with a great sense of relief, and the result of the capitu- 
lation, he thought, would be the rapid conclusion of hostilities. 
At the Stock Exchange there was much excitement and cheering, 
but this quickly subsided when the house opened. 

Late despatches from Paardeberg, dated previous to the time 
of Roberts's despatch announcing Cronje' s surrender, indicated 



SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 467 

that the Boer army whicli, entrenclied in tlie river bed, liad held 
50,000 Britisli soldiers at bay for ten days, bad been so decimated by 
tbe rain of British shells, Maxim gun fire and rifle balls that only 
about half of them remained alive and unwounded when the white 
flag was hoisted over their earthworks. 

With a force placed by English correspondents at 8000 to 
9000 men, Cronje began his last stand. About 4000 men, it was 
estimated, surrendered to the British. Even then, it seems likely 
that surrender was brought about by the exhaustion of the Boer 
ammunition. Otherwise, the Federal forces probably would have 
fought it out until none was alive to fight. This idea is based upon 
Cronje' s defiant reply to Kitchener's demand for surrender and on 
the indomitable courage and tenacity exhibited by the Boers all 
through the war. 

BOER COMMANDER REPULSED AT MAFEKING. 

The first repulse which Cronje met with in the war was at 
Mafeking, where Colonel Baden-Powell from the first set him at 
defiance. In the middle of October Cronje assaulted the town in 
force, but was driven off at all points. Neither his summons to 
the garrison nor the shells which he threw into the town had the 
effect he desired. He was joined by his son, fresh from the cap- 
ture of Vryburg, and the younger Cronje, impatient at his father's 
want of success, persuaded him to let him lead an assault on Mafe- 
king. In this attack his son lost his life. It is one of the melan- 
choly coincidences of the war that the two generals confronting 
each other at Paardeberg should have met with the same bereave- 
ment by the fortune of war. 

Though, like other Boer commanders, Cronje failed in his 
attempt upon a fortified position, Modder river, Magersfontein, 
and particularly the masterly retreat from the Modder to his last 
position, where he fought a desperate rear guard battle, redound to 
his credit as a military leader of a high order. He failed to cap- 
ture Kimberley, but his defeat of the British at Magersfontein 
condemned the most famous regiments of the British army to 
several weeks of inglorious inactivity. 



468 SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 

At tlie beginning of tlie war lie was intrusted witli tlie main 
command of tlie Boer forces on tlie western border, and made 
Mafeking bis first point of assault. Wben tbe Britisb relief 
column of Lord Metbuen began its marcb to Kimberley be moved 
soutb personally to oppose bis progress, and, after Magersfontein, 
remained at Modder river until forced by Lord Roberts to beat 
a retreat into tbe Orange Free State. 

Tben near Paardeberg be began one of tbe bopeless and won- 
derful defenses in military bistory. Hemmed in by General 
Frencb on tbe nortb and east, by Kelly-Kenny and Kitcbener and 
Roberts and Metbuen on tbe otber sides, be took bis position in 
tbe dry river bed near tbat point, dug entrencbments, and endured 
tbe united continuous fire of tbe Britisb beavy artillery and more 
tban 40,000 riflemen ; be beld out till overwbelmed, and surren- 
dered only wben annibilation stared bis sturdy warriors in tbe 
face. 

GRAPHIC ACCOUNT OF FIGHTING BY ROBERTS. 

Later in tbe day on February aytb tbe War Office in London 
received tbe following despatcb from Lord Roberts : 

" From information furnisbed daily to me by tbe intelligence 
department it became apparent tbat General Cronje's force was 
becoming more depressed, and tbat tbe discontent of tbe troops and 
tbe discord among tbe leaders were rapidly increasing. Tbis feel- 
ing was doubtless accentuated by tbe disappointment caused wben 
tbe Boer reinforcements wbicb tried to relieve General Cronje were 
defeated by our troops on February I3tb. I resolved, tberefore, to 
bring pressure to bear on tbe enemy. 

" Bacb nigbt tbe trencbes were pusbed forward toward tbe 
enemy's laager so as to gradually contract bis position, and at tbe 
same time I bombarded it beavily witb artillery, wbicb was yester- 
day materially aided by tbe arrival of four six-incb bowitzers wbicb 
I bad ordered up from De Aar. In carrying out tbese measures a 
captive balloon gave great assistance by keeping us informed of 
tbe disposition and movements of tbe enemy. 

"At 3 A. M. to-day a most dasbing advance was made by tbe 



SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 469 

Canadian regiment and some engineers, supported by tlie First 
Gordon Highlanders and Second Siiropsliires, resulting in our 
gaining a point some six hundred yards nearer to the enemy 
and within about eighty yards of his trenches, where our men 
entrenched themselves and maintained their positions till morning, 
a gallant deed worthy of our Colonial comrades, and which, I am 
glad to say, was attended by comparatively slight loss. 

" This apparently clinched matters, for, at daylight a letter 
signed by General Cronje, in which he stated he surrendered uncon- 
ditionally, was brought to our outposts under a flag of truce. In 
my reply I told General Cronje he must present himself at my 
camp, and that his force must come out of their laager after laying 
down their arms. 

GENERAL CRONJE'S REQUEST GRANTED. 

"By 7 A. M. I received General Cronje and despatched a tele- 
gram to you announcing the fact. In the course of conversation 
he asked for kind treatment at our hands, and also that his wife, 
grandson, private secretary, adjutant and servants might accom- 
pany him wherever he might be sent. I reassured him, and told 
him his request would be complied with. I informed him that a 
general officer would be sent with him to Cape Town, to insure his 
being treated with proper respect on the way. 

"He will start this afternoon under charge of Major General 
Prettyman, who will hand him over to the general commanding 
at Cape Town. The prisoners, who number about 3,000, will be 
formed into commandos under our own of&cers. They will also 
leave here to-day, reaching the Modder river to-morrow, when 
they will be railed to Cape Town in detachments." 

The above despatch was read in both the House of I^ords and 
the House of Commons to-day. The reference to the Canadians 
evoked immense and prolonged cheering. The gallantry and 
heroism that had been expected from the Canadian troops were 
shown to splendid advantage at a critical moment, and a large 
share of the glory of the victory must be awarded to the hardy 
sons of Canada who went to South Africa to defend the empire. 



470 SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 

The news of General Cronje's surrender was received with 
unbounded satisfaction at Windsor. The Queen immediately 
telegraphed her congratulations to Lord Roberts and the troops. 

It would be difficult even with the most eloquently inspired 
pen to convey adequately or give sufficient realism to the feeling 
that prevailed in London over the news that Cronje and his forces 
had capitulated. The first symptom was that shown by one who 
has thrown off a great nightmare. A vast sigh of relief, as if the 
sufferer had been suddenly released from great pain, ran from 
one end of the capital to the other. Those not in London during 
the progress of the war can little realize the strain which had 
been upon all Englishmen despite their calm exterior. 

PUBLIC ANXIETY RELIEVED. 

At a quarter past lo o'clock the news first reached the clubs. 
For a week Cronje had been lying low, like a partridge in the 
stubble. An intolerable stench arose, owing to the number of 
dead carcasses of oxen and horses and decomposing bodies of men, 
and the British troops surrounding the Boers had suffered more 
from that than from anything else. 

Up to the very last moment there lurked a fear of the out- 
come, based upon the realization of the great wiliness of the Boer 
leader and a dread that he might escape in some extraordinary 
!nanner. Thus, while the news of the surrender was expected by 
many, it came as a surprise to all. It was the news of the war, 
and was immediately accepted with a full appreciation of its great 
importance. "Good, old Bobs!" "Bravo, Bobs!" were the gen- 
eral expressions. The service clubs were very soon crowded with 
members, who turned away from the news boards, their faces filled 
with delight. 

The first thing most of the clubmen seemed instinctively to 
do was to sit down and write telegrams to relatives and friends 
out of town. Club pages were kept on the run to the telegraph 
offices. At a telegraph office in St. James street there was a 
scene remarkable to look upon. Girls whose duty it was to take 
in telegrams were simply overwhelmed, and the aid of all the 



SURRENDER OF GENERAL CRONJE. 471 

otHer assistants was called in. Tlie office itself was crowded witli 
people, forming a line like tliat seen outside a theatre wlien a 
popular piece is being played. The scene also reminded one of 
that at the Bpsom telegraph office j ust after the Derby winner is 
known. This rush lasted for a couple of hours. 

Meanwhile a great roar of excited newsboys had risen outside. 
Runners and bicyclists raced one another to get ahead, but all 
were yelling, yelling, yelling, and bore placards in big type 
telling of Cronje's fall. At the War Office the attendance beat 
all previous records. All felt like cheering, but decorum and the 
big policemen forbade such indulgence in sentiment. Ladies 
came by the scores. Many an eye was dimmed with tell-tale tears 
of joy. 

It was not so quiet in the business part of the city. There 
great occasions are usually celebrated by vocal accompaniments. 
So it was in this case. At the side of Mansion. House, where the 
telegrams were posted up, a crowd cheered and sang scraps of 
"God Save the Queen." In the Stock Exchange there was a 
large attendance of members, who sang the national anthem. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

Brave Garrison at Ladysmith Saved by General 
Buller's Army. 

A FTBR four montlis of fighting with Boers, and with disease 
^'*- and starvation toward the last, General White's brave gar- 
rison at Ladysmith greeted the vanguard of their rescuers on 
February 28th. London and the British Empire generally went 
wild with joy upon the receipt of the news. For four months 
Ladysmith had been besieged and General White's garrison, 
together with the populace, was reduced to terrible straits. The 
welcome intelligence of relief was conveyed to the War Office in 
London by the following despatch from General BuUer: 

"Lyttleton's Headquarters, March i — 9.05 morning. — Gen- 
eral Dundonald, with the Natal Carbineers and a composite regi- 
ment, entered Ladysmith last night. The country between me 
and Ladysmith is reported clear of the enemy. I am moving on 
Nelthorpe." 

Later General Buller cabled from Nelthorpe: 

"I have just returned from Ladysmith. Except a small 
guard north of Surprise Hill the whole of the enemy lately besieg- 
ing the town have retired in hot haste, and to the south of the 
town the country is quite clear of them. The garrison were on 
half a pound of meal per man a day and were supplementing the 
meat ration by horses and mules. The men will want a little 
nursing before being fit for the field." 

In this connection the following despatch from the war corre- 
spondent, Richard Harding Davis, is of interest as showing the 
difficulties encountered by the British army : 

"The attack of the Inniskilling Fusiliers on Friday night, 

February 23d, on Railway Hill and the stand made throughout 

the night was one of the most gallant and stubborn effiDrts yet 

made toward the relief of Ladysmith. For several days the battle 

472 



GARRISON AT LADYSMITH RELIEVED. 473 

was continiious, by niglit as well as by day, and this was one of 
its supreme moments. Tbe Inniskillings joined tbis column witb 
twenty-four officers. Tbey bad five remaining. Tbat tells tbe 
story. 

"No map, no penned account, can give a correct idea of tbe 
difficulties of tbese bills and ridges, wbicb succeed eacb otber like 
wavds in a beavy sea. One gives way only to anotber. Bacb can 
be enfiladed, and until one is taken it is impossible, even witb tbe 
keenest scouting, to know wbat fortunes lie beyond it. Tbe mili- 
tary problem cbanges as tbe column advances, eacb kopje refusing 
to give up its secret until tbe troops bave toucbed its crest. 

IN MUD AND SLUSH. 

"To add to tbe difficulty, tbe tropical rainy season bas set in. 
For twelve bours tbe uniforms of tbe men clung to tbem like wet 
seaweed, mud caugbt tbem under foot, mist closed down and sbut 
out tbe position of tbe enemy. Tbis discomfort was borne by all 
alike. Buller and bis staff are virtually living tbe life of tbe 
private. Tbere bas not been even a tent to cover tbe commanding 
generals. Tbey eat from tbeir knees witb tbeir sboulders against 
a rock. Tbey sleep wbere tbey can, and tbeir field work is carried 
on under a transport wagon." 

One of tbe tbousands wbo were besieged in Ladysmitb and 
suffered all tbe borrors of war, kept a diary of tbe principal events 
tbat transpired during tbe siege, from wbicb it will be seen tbat 
tbe courage and endurance of tbe garrison and populace were a 
matcb for tbe stubborn and persistent warfare of tbe Boers : 

"Relief came to Ladysmitb in tbe nick of time. Anotber 
few days, perbaps, and sickness migbt bave accomplisbed wbat 
neitber sbort rations nor Boer sbells could avail. Fevers of all 
kinds bave wrougbt more devastation tban tbe engines of war. 

"Witb singular craftiness, tbe Boers used tbe river towards ac- 
complisbing tbeir ends. First we were warned tbat it was to be 
dammed and Ladysmitb' s garrison drowned out. Tben, wben our 
guns prevailed against tbis engineering, we found tbat tbey 
sougbt, virtually, to poison our only adequate supply of water. 



474 GARRISON AT LADYSMITH RELIEVED. 

All tlie impurities of tHe Boer encampment were drained into tlie 
Klip river, with, immediate effect. There is little wonder that 
Lady smith went mad with j oy wlien Buller's advance galloped in 

tlie town. 

" This summary of our sufferings — a diary of daily doings in 
tlie beleaguered town — will sliow what we have been through. It 
is an incomplete record, written as chance dictated, but it does 
tell the story. 

" October 29 — The enemy has closed in. We are besieged. 
With a good glass one can easily make out the Boers gathering on 
every bill witbin range of tbe town. They bave mounted two big 
guns at Tinta Ingoni — only 4500 3^ards from the British lines. 
We are all virtually under martial rule, and khaki is the prevailing 
style. The outposts were driven in by the enemy, and reported 
that the Boers were dragging the two guns to emplacements 
on the hill. We are all waiting now for the first crasb tbat will 
tell us they are in action. After that — what ? 

MEN STANDING AT THE GUNS. 

"A pitcbed battle is imminent. All our men are at tbe guns. 
From what we have heard we know the Boers are congregating at 
Elandslaagte. Within Ladysmitb we are all on our nerves. Sus- 
picion seems pointing a finger in every direction, and many 
important civilians bave been warned to leave. There is no fooling 
now. Later news tells us tbat Joubert's army corps, advancing in 
two columns, has effected a junction nearby, and that his force is 
in full communication with the Free Staters. 

" October 30 — A scouting party having reported the Boers in 
force on tbe Helpmakaar road, an advance was made by our forces 
this moniing. It was General White's object to shell the Boer 
position, but on arriving at the point where tbe Boers were believed 
to be intrenched, we found it evacuated. On attempting to advance, 
there was a strong flanking movement on our right, and artillery 
was brought up in a hurry. 

"The column charged, and the engagement became general. 
A brief view of tbe situation showed that our forces were beavily 














475 



476 GARRISON AT LADYSMITH RELIEVED. 

outflanked, a ratlier disquieting discovery. General Wliite ordered 
a withdrawal, and the British retired on Ladysrrith. Six officers 
killed, nine wounded, fifty-four non-commissioned officers and men 
killed, and 250 wounded. Our first interview with the Boers dis- 
plays the fact that they are fighters. One of our big guns got the 
range of a field battery on a nearby hill, and with a glass 
we could see the Boers flying into the air as each of our shells 
burst. 

"October 31 — Fuller reports of yesterday's fight show that 
Lieutenant Colonel Carleton's column, sent out to turn the Boer 
flank, has been captured. Consternation is visible everywhere in 
Ladysmith. Military activity prevails everywhere. Soldiers and 
officers are on every side. There is hardly a moment when the 
sound of firing does not beat upon the air. If the Boers really be- 
gin to shell the town we are in for a hot time. 

BOERS FIRE FROM HIDING PLACES. 

"November 3 — We are in the midst of war. Yesterday's 
battle showed the Boer strength. The rocks we had persistently 
shelled crackled and hammered from end to end with rapid fire. 
The Boers had hidden behind the ridge, and now crept back again. 
Perhaps no infantry could have taken that position only from the 
front. I watched the volunteers advance upon it in extended lines 
across a long, green slope studded with ant hills. I could see the 
puffs of dust where the bullets fell thick around their feet. It 
was an impossible task. Some got behind a cactus hedge, some 
lay down and fired, some hid behind ant hills or little banks. 

"Suddenly that moment came when all is over but the run- 
ning. The men began shifting uneasily about. A few turned 
around, then more. At first they walked and kept some sort of 
line, then some one began to run. Soon they were all running, 
isolated or in groups of two or three. And all the time those 
puffs of dust pursue their feet. Sometimes there was no puff or 
dust, and then a man would spring in the air or spin around, or 
just lurch forward, with arms outspread, a mere yellowish heap, 
hardly to be distinguished from an ant hilL 



GARRISON AT LADYSMITH RELIEVED. 477 

"I could see many a poor fellow wandering hitlier and tMtlier, 
as though lost, as is common in all retreats. A man would walk 
sideways, then run back a little, look around, fall. Another came 
by. The first evidently called out, and the other gave him a hand. 
Both stumbled on together, the puffs of dust splashing around 
them. Then down they fell and were quiet. A complacent cor- 
respondent told me afterward, with the condescending smile of 
higher light, that only seven men were hit. I only know that be- 
fore evening twenty-five of the Light Horse alone were brought in 
wounded, not counting the dead, and not counting the other 
mounted troops, all of whom suffered. 

"It was all over by a quarter past 2 o'clock. The Dragoon 
Guards, who had been trying to cover the retreat, galloped back, 
one or two horses galloping riderless. Under the Red Cross flag 
the Dhoodies then began to go out to pick up the results. For 
one hour or so that work lasted, the dead and dying being found 
among the ant hills where they fell. Then we all trailed back, 
the enemy shelling our line of retreat. 

COMPLETELY HEMMED IN. 

"November 9 — Dawn discovered to us to-day that the Boers 
had moved in their works. We are more tightly beleaguered than 
ever before. It looks like a fight to the death. As soon as the 
light showed, the Boers made an attack in force. We repulsed 
them at every point. They have a complete line about the town, 
and it is dif&cult to get either in or out without falling into their 
hands. Food is plentiful, cheerfulness is supreme, and we eagerly 
await Buller's coming. We have had no explanation or apology 
from the Boers for their shelling of the convent. Fortunately it 
has not been resumed, and the damage done by the two shells 
that struck it has been repaired. The wounded in the convent 
are progressing favorably. To-day's demonstration was against 
the western defenses. 

"November 14 — There was another big skirmish to-day, 
thirteen guns being out with the forces. We routed the burghers 
on a small kopje, and could have held the position. Shortly after- 



478 GARRISON AT LADYSMITH RELIEVED. 

ward the Boers opened on ns witii a big gun, so all tlie troops 
hunted cover. The sensation of being bombarded is still new 
enough to give one quivers. One can tell by the shriek of a shell 
where it comes from, and from what sort of a gun. We usually 
dodge. 

"November 17 — Hurrah! the relief column has arrived at 
Estcourt. We can note already a different method in the 
manners of the Boers. Joubert, we hear, has gone south. 
The Boers are doing their little best to scare us out of our sleep. 
They have begun plumping shells into the town at midnight. 
But no harm done. The daily battering is only desultory. 

SHELLS FELL THICK AND FAST. 

"November 25 — Heaven knows how many shells the Boers 
have fired into Ladysmith. The result from the casualties, how- 
ever, are meagre. All told the number is eighty-three killed and 
wounded, including civilians. Eleven men, however, were 
wounded yesterday in the Gloucester battalion. Bicycling has 
almost come to a standstill. It used to be the regular thing to ride 
out to the front, but the shells and artillery have spoiled the 
roads. 

" November 28 — Artillery practice still seems to be the thing. 
Otherwise everything is quiet. A gun on Middle Hill keeps on 
banging away. It is only 2000 yards off, but never hits anything 
but the landscape. We are too bored to fire back, as long as it 
doesn't get wicked. The Gordons continue to play football, to the 
great scandal of the town, many shells falling into the game. 
Poor Stark, the naturalist, seems to have been most unfortunate. 
A warning cry told a shell was coming, but Stark was out looking 
for his cat. The shell tore off both his legs just as he caught his 
pet. " Mind my cat," he cried, and the next instant was dead. 

" November 30 — We have been attacked again. The whole 
Boer force turned out at 7 A. m. and began a terrific bombardment. 
At the same time there was an attack in force from the north. 
They stayed outside the dead line, however, and we never got a 
chance at them inside 900 yards. Our los.s was nothing to speak 



GARRISON AT LADYSMITH RELIEVED. 479 

of, but tlie way the Boer ambulances have been trundling about we 
must have accounted for some of the beggars. Lombard's Kop 
lias a new gun. We bave discovered tbat ' Long Tom ' Has been 
wrecked by one of our naval shells Tbey have retaliated by 
wrecking our streets. The pavement is full of boles, and it's worth 
one's leg to walk around. 

" December 2 — Three big Creusot guns are being brought to 
bear on us from neighboring hills. There is one big gun 4000 
yards awa}^, three six^inch rifles at a greater distance, four 4.7-inch 
howitzers at the edge of their works, and two batteries of big field 
guns at their left. The shops are beginning to close up. Trade 
is dull, and provisions not plentiful. The authorities have grabbed 
all provisions for the common good, and the last tin of milk on 
record brought seventy-five cents. Bggs are a dollar and a half 
a dozen, meat is rather shy, and a quart of champagne is worth a 
share of Rands. 

MACHINE GUN CAPTURED. 

*' December 8 — General Hunter and a hundred men have just 
covered themselves with glory and Lombard's Kop with wreckage. 
They destroyed a six-inch Creusot, a 4.7-inch howitzer and a 
i2-pounder, and captured a machine gun. Our casualties were 
one man killed and Major Henderson wounded. 

"December 11 — Whiskey is $5 a bottle. Last night Colonel 
Metcalfe and 500 of the Second Rifle Brigade sortied to capture a 
Boer howitzer on a hill. They reached the crest without being 
discovered, drove off the enemy, and then destroyed the howitzer 
with gun-cotton. When returning Metcalfe found his retirement 
barred by the Boers, but he forced his way through, using the 
bayonet freely. 

" December 16 — Buller tried to cross the Tugela yesterday and 
was defeated. It is a sad day in Ladysmith. 

" December 25 — This is a slim Christmas here. Very few 
were fortunate enough to get turkeys or geese, and they were pop- 
ular persons. Most of us had to be content with stringy beef and 
worse goat's flesh. On Saturday the town turned out to the pro- 



480 GARRISON AT LADYSMITH RELIEVED. 

vision auction. Potatoes brouglit twenty-five cents eacli, eggs 
were a shilling, carrots seven pence, ducks a lialf guinea and cig- 
arettes sixpence a pack. Whiskey sold at $35 a bottle. Three of 
the Boer shells that fell into the square were opened and found 
filled with plum pudding. More guns are being mounted by the 
Boers. Cricket, foot-ball and dodging shells were the principal 
Yuletide amusements. General White had a narrow escape from 
a shell that hit the house where he was lying ill. 

GUNS ALL BANGING. 

"January 6 — The enemy tried to capture Caesar's camp 
and Wagon Hill to-day, and got defeated. There was an awful 
banging. Nearly every gun and almost all the troops were en- 
gaged. Major Bowen and Lieutenant Tod were killed in a heroic 
charge of the Gordons. Lord Ava was mortally wounded, and 
Colonel Dick Cunningham is also reported to be dying — if not 
already dead. The Boer loss was heavy. We eagerly await Bul- 
ler, and are hard pressed. 

"January 17 — We have heard Buller's guns, and are wild 
with joy. We can see his shells bursting occasionally. 

"January 21 — General Buller's advance from the west is 
plainly visible. We can see nearly every one of his shells 
bursting. 

"January 28 — It is almost a certainty here that BuUer has 
again been repulsed, but we can still hear his guns, and hope 
runs high. 

" February i — Twenty deaths from disease to-day. Food is 
getting scarce and fever plenty. 

" February 3 — Another attack. Beat them off as usual. 

"February 4 — We can hear Buller's guns again. 

"February 6 — Saw one of Buller's shells burst an ammuni-^ 
tion wagon. The Boers are beginning to get out. We have heard 
of Buller's two reverses at the Tugela, but we have still not lost 
heart. Although sickness is increasing in camp, we are de- 
termined to hold out to the last man. 

February 15 — The Boers are trying to dam the Klip river. 



GARRISON AT LADYSMITH RELIEVED. 481 

Our guns are now being moved to sliell tlieir engineering works. 
The siege is relaxing and the garrison is growing hopeful. Horse 
and mule meat appears on every menu, and we are growing tired 
of eating man's best friend. Dr. Jameson is very ill with enteric 
fever. 

" February i8 — A heliograph says that Buller is again ad- 
vancing. We can hear his cannonading, and the message tells us 
that he is making way. Relief is confidently expected this week. 
One hundred and thirty Boer wagons were seen treking northward 
this afternoon. 

"February 19 — We can see Buller' s troops. They are occupy- 
ing the crest of Monte Cristo, and are a fine sight. 

WELCOME RELIEF IN SIGHT. 

"February 21 — We fear that Buller has again withdrawn. 
There is no news, and communication by heliograph is almost im- 
possible. 

" February 26 — Relief is in sight. Buller' s men can be seen 
plainly. His advance is only six miles away. There is heavy 
cannonading at the southward. Our naval guns are co-operating 
with Buller' s advance. 

"February 28 — General Dundonald galloped into Lady smith 
this evening. We are relieved at last. The town has gone mad 
with joy." 

The foregoing graphic account of what went on at Ladysmith 
during the siege conveys a distinct impression of the dangers by 
which the town was beset, and also of the resolute courage and 
cheerfulness of those whose lives were in constant danger. No 
wonder there was great rejoicing when Buller' s army arrived and 
the pangs of starvation were subdued. 

Early on the morning of March ist, the Queen received with 
feelings of joy and thankfulness the happy news of the relief of 
Ladysmith, accomplished by the troops under the command of 
Sir Redvers Buller. Her Majesty telegraphed her congratula- 
tions to him and to Sir George White. 

The following was the text of Her Majesty's despatch to 

31 



482 GARRISON AT LADYSMITH RELIEVED. 

General Buller : — "I thank God for the news you have tele- 
graphed me, and I congratulate you and all under you with all 
my heart." 

The despatch to Sir George White read thus : — " I thank 
God that you and all those with you are safe after your long, try- 
ing siege, borne with such heroism. I congratulate you and all 
under you from the bottom of my heart. I trust you are all not 
very much exhausted." 

Sir George White sent the following reply : — " Your Majesty's 
most gracious message has been received by me with the deepest 
gratitude and with enthusiasm by the troops. Any hardships and 
privations are a hundred times compensated for by the sympathy 
and appreciation of our Queen ; and your Majesty's message will 
will do more to restore both of&cers and men than anything else." 

The Queen received the following despatch from General 
Buller: "The troops much appreciate Your Majesty's kind tele- 
gram. Your Majesty cannot know how much your sympathy has 
helped to inspire them." 

LORD ROBERTS TO VICTORIA. 

Telegraphing from Osfontein, thanking the Lord Mayor of 
Liverpool for his congratulations. Lord Roberts said : 

"I trust Her Majesty's soldiers in this country will gain such 
further success as will speedily restore the freedom and prosperity 
of South Africa." 

Lady White, wife of Sir George Stewart White, commander 
of the garrison which for four months was penned up in Lady- 
smith, in reply to messages of congratulations, said: "All the 
world is in sympathy with me to-day, and I am in sympathy with 
all the world. I am delighted at the joyful news of the relief and 
am happy at the intelligence that my husband is well and safe at 
last. As a wife I can say no more. What happy wife could say 
less?" 

Colonel Rhodes, the brother of Cecil Rhodes, describing the 
entry into Ladysmith of Lord Dundonald and three hundred men 
of the Imperial Light Horse and Natal Carbineers, said : 



GARRISON AT LADYSMITH RELIEVEU 



483 



"It is impossible to depict the enthtisiasm of tlie beleaguered 
garrison. Cheer upon cheer ran from post to post, and staff 
officers, civilians and soldiers flocked to greet them. At the ford 
of the Klip River women with children in their arms tearfully 
pressed forward to grasp the hands of the gallant band. Sisters 
and brothers, friends and relatives met again. It was the most 
moving scene I have ever witnessed. The contrast between the 
robust troopers of a dozen battles and the pale, emaciated 




ARMORED TRAIN USED BY THE BRITISH IN SOUTH AFRICA. 

defenders of Ladysmith was great. The hour for which we had so 
patiently waited had come at last. 

" General White and his staff met the troops in the centre of 
the town. He was cheered with heartfelt enthusiasm. He addressed 
the civilians, and thanked them and the garrison for their mag- 
nificent support through trials which we alone can realize. We 
could possibly have hung on for six weeks longer, but sickness 
and the paucitj^ of our ammunition would have limited the number 
of assaults we would have been able to resist. 



484 GARRISON AT LADYSMITH RELIEVED. 

"We originally started tlie siege with. 12,000 troops, 2,000 
civilians and 4,000 natives. Between casualties and sickness 8,000 
soldiers passed througli the hospital. It is impossible to over 
emphasize the privations of the sick. Since the middle of January 
a man once down was practically lost. The reduced rations of the 
soldiers just suf&ced for their subsistence. Daily thirt}^ old horses 
and mules were slaughtered and converted into soup and sausages. 
From January 15 to now (March 2d) there have been over two 
hundred deaths from disease alone. The last fortnight saw the 
majority of the field batteries unhorsed and the guns permanently 
posted in our defences. The cavalry and drivers were converted 
into infantry and sent to the trenches. A line of defences had 
been constructed with a view of possible final contingency, if the 
waterworks should be carried b}^ the investment." 

LONDON WILD WITH JOY. 

When the news of the relief of Ladysmith became generally 
known London literally went mad with joy, and throughout Bng- 
land the scenes witnessed had no parallel in the memories of this 
generation. The pent up jubilation at the relief of Kimberley 
and the defeat of Cronje could no longer be controlled, and with 
the crowning triumph the national trait of self-restraint was 
thrown to the winds. The Lord Mayor of London immediately 
telegraphed his congratulations to Generals White and Buller. 
When the Queen received the news at Windsor the bells on the 
curfew tower of the castle were rung in honor of the event. 

This storm of jubilation centred around the Mansion House 
in London, and by noon thousands of persons blocked the many 
approaches to that grim building. It was a dense, black mass, 
composed chiefly of business men, the majority of them carrying 
little union jacks. Never before was there such a sale of flags as 
on that day. Through this cheering throng there was only one 
avenue open to traffic, and this was utilized b}^ the 'busses going 
from east to west. All traffic in other directions was stalled for 
hours. 

The only way to get past the Mansion House was by mount- 



GARRISON AT LADYSMITH RELIEVED. 485 

ing the 'busses, wliicli soon began to resemble cbariots in a tri- 
umpbal pageant. Stockbrokers, bankers, clerks and workingmen 
clambered on top, and as the 'busses lumbered past tbe Historic 
building, stood up, waving flags, bats and bandkercbiefs, and call- 
ing for cheers for Buller and Roberts. A migbty sbout answered 
tbem from tbe crowds tbrougb wbicb tbey were passing. 

Tbe procession became continuous, yet tbe crowd never tired 
of cbeering every time tbe name of White, Buller or Roberts was 
mentioned, and off came bats and up went tbe little flags. Grave • 
old financiers waved and yelled as frantically and as often as tbe 
urcbins wbo bad clambered tbe Mansion House steps, by reason of 
tbe news tbat England's honor had been saved. The strain that 
for ii8 days had kept the nation in terrible anxiety was removed. 
The Lord Mayor showed himself at a window, out of which hung 
a huge City Imperial Volunteer flag, and the crowd yelled itself 
hoarse. Staid magnates grabbed flaring posters from newsboys 
and brandished " Ladysmith Relieved" to the roaring throng. 
All thought of business was forgotten. 

BROKERS SING NATIONAL ANTHEM. 

Nothing could be done on the Stock Kxchange except sing 
*' God Save the Queen " and cheer. Business closed at i o'clock. 
No one wanted to trade on such a day as this. The stores put up 
their shutters and gave their employees a holiday. Great ensigns 
floated in the sunlight from hundreds of buildings and little union 
jacks lit up the murky city windows. 

The Lord Mayor telegraphed Lady Buller as follows : 
"My sincerest congratulations on yonr gallant husband's achieve- 
ment." 

He also ordered a holiday for the city schools. Later, he an- 
swered the demands of the crowd, that increased as the day wore 
on, by a speech, in which he said: " This news makes our hearts 
leap with joy. We are now satisfied that our sacrifice of blood 
and treasure is not in vain." 

The reports which came through from Ladysmith showed that 
the relief was effected not a day too soon. With ammunition 



MAR 29 1900 

486 GARRISON AT LADYSMITH RELIEVED. 

and stores at tlieir lowest ebb, witb troops worn and exbausted by 
disease and from want of nonrisbing food, bad tbe Boers made 
anotber attempt to storm tbe garrison in balf as determined a 
manner as tbat at tbe beginning of January, tbere is little question 
tbat tbe fall of Ladysmitb would bave resulted. Fortunately for 
Wbite's force, Joubert did not know tbat and kept at a respectful 
distance. One of tbe most patbetic incidents of tbe Boers' burried 
fligbt was tbat many cbildren were found in tbe trencbes lost, if 
Hot forgotten by tbeir parents. 

CHURCHILL'S TELEGRAM. 

Mr. Winston Cburcbill, wbo accompanied tbe Ladysmitb re- 
lief column, telegrapbing bis experience said: 

" During tbe afternoon of February 28 tbe cavalry brigade 
pressed forward under Colonel Burn-Murdocb toward Bulwana 
Hill, and under Lord Dundonald in tbe direction of Ladysmitb. 
Tbe Boers fired on botb witb artillery from Bulwana. About 
4 o'clock Major Gougb's regiment, wbicb was in tbe advance, 
found tbe ridges surrounding and concealing Ladysmitb appar- 
ently unoccupied. He reported tbe fact to Lord Dundonald, wbo 
determined to ride tbrougb tbe gap witb tbe Ligbt Horse and 
Carbineers. 

" Tbe rest of tbe brigade was sent back to General Buller's 
picket line. It was evening wben we started to enter tbe town. 
About an bour of dayligbt remained. We galloped on swiftly, in 
spite of tbe rougb ground, up and down bill, tbrougb scrub and 
rocks, and dongas, until we could see tbe Britisb guns flasbing 
from Wagon Hill; but on we went faster, until suddenly tbere 
came a cballenge from tbe scrub, 'Wbo goes tbere ? ' 'Tbe Lady- 
smitb relieving army, ' we replied, and tben tbe tattered and al- 
most bootless men crowded around, cbeering very feebly. Kven 
in tbe gloom we could see bow tbin and pale tbey looked ; but bow 
glad tbey were ! " 

Tbe once dasbing Britisb cavalry brigade practically ceased 
to exist. At tbe beginning of tbe year tbe Britisb bad 5,500 
borses and 4,500 mules. Before tbe end of January tbey could 



GARRISON AT LADYSMITH RELIEVED. 487 

only feed i,ioo horses, tlie others liad either been converted into 
joints, soups and sausages, or had been left to forage for them- 
selves. These poor, emaciated animals — mere phantoms of horses 
— were among the most painful sights of the siege. 

'^ Had the besieged possessed an unlimited amount of heavy 
guns and ammunition, they might have made the position more 
bearable, although not a shot was fired except in dire necessity. 
There were on February ist only forty rounds left for each naval 
gun, while the supply for the field artillery would have been ex- 
hausted in a couple of minor engagements. Fortunately, the 
Boers were ignorant of the true state of affairs. Had they known 
the real weakness of the town they might have displayed greater 
daring. The British were victorious solely because of masterly 
inactivity. 

TONS OF DEADLY EXPLOSIVES. 

The bombardment was heavy, but on the whole ineffective. 
It is estimated that during the investment about 12,000 shells 
were thrown into the town, an average of three tons of explosives 
daily. Yet comparatively few were killed and wounded. The 
largest losses were from disease. 

Further accounts of the relief of Ladysmith state that at 
noon on Tuesday, February 27th, the firing of General Buller's 
army seemed to recede, instead of approach, and the garri- 
son was consequently depressed. Everybody was startled 
to hear the garrison's 4.7-gun firing. It had not been 
used much of late, owing to the diminishing ammunition. On 
hurrying out it was found that the Boers were trying to remove the 
big gun on Bulwana by the erection of a derrick. This proved 
that something extraordinary was happening. The other garrison 
guns then directed their fire on Bulwana, and the Boers were 
compelled to abandon the attempt with the derrick. 

Later on they placed the gun on a wagon, which capsized in a 
donga (ravine). During the afternoon, whenever the Boers were 
seen approaching, the British resumed the shelling on Bulwana. 
About four o'clock a terrific thunder storm broke over the town, 



488 GARRISON AT LADYSMITH RELIEVED. ^"Z.^.. 



' I 4. 



just after a message liad been Heliograplied from Wagon Hill tliat 
tlie Boers were in full retreat. Officers said they believed tbey 
could descry British cavalry, but most people supposed that the 
wish was father to the thought. As soon as the storm ceased the 
British guns re-opened on Bulwana, gradually concentrating the fire 
on the left, and driving the Boers before them, with the object of 
preventing the enemy from hampering any British approach. 

An hour later a party of British horsemen could be seen 
crossing the flat below Bulwana at a distance of some miles. It 
is impossible to describe the excitement and enthusiasm among 
the troops that followed. Most of the town's people had been 
driven into the houses by the storm and did not learn the good 
rews until later. The storm began again at seven o'clock in the 
evening and continued until two o'clock the next morning. It 
seriously hampered the retreating Boers. The British gunners 
kept a sharp watch to prevent any further attempt to remove the 
Bulwana gun. The British naval gun was fired at intervals through 
the night and in the morning a force was sent out to look after the 
gun and to occupy Bulwana. 



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