The movement ended in the capture of over 2000 Boers, and numbers of guns, waggons, cattle and sheep; and in a great clearing of a country which up till then had been untouched ; and even as it was, it caused such a change in the tone of the Boer commandos that in April, with the prospect of winter before them, they sent Louis Botha to meet Lord Kitchener at Middelburg, and almost agreed to the terms he then offered them.
There was little fighting during this movement, but the column under Colonel Campbell, owing to its isolated position and to its weakness in numbers, saw most of what fighting there was; and some idea of the whole may be gathered from the following diary, which, with all its faults, I reproduce almost as written on the spot from day to day.
Friday, February 1st, 1901.—Lynes having had an accident at the last moment, his place was taken by Legard. Left at 6 a.m. with Legard, Reade and 114 men, as good a lot as one could want. Column consisted of Leicesters 900 strong, two squadrons 18th Hussars, one section 21st Field Battery R.A. under Major Corbyn, one long-range 12-pounder gun, and one pom-pom. Total about 1200 men under Col. W. Pitcairn-Campbell, King's Royal Rifles. A few Boers sniped at us on the way, but were soon shifted with the help of the pom-pom under Capt. Poole, and we camped at Bankfontein, twelve miles south of Middelburg.
Saturday February 2nd.—Lost two horses from horse-sickness. Major Laming, 18th Hussars, in command of mounted troops. Left Bankfontein 6 a.m. Legard with one section to do rear guard, remaining three sections escort to pom-pom and support to 18th Hussars advance guard.
Soon after starting, heavy firing to our left, and twelve Boers retired in front of us. Soon after, twenty Boers on our right also retired in front of us, taking up a position on a high hill to our right front.
Advanced slowly, Boers sniping all the time. This high ridge towards Wolverfontein had to be attacked. The pom-pom and M.I. were halted, while Capt. Pollock's squadron 18th Hussars advanced on foot, and well extended, like good infantry under fire, while shells from our three guns covered their advance, bursting beautifully just in front of the Hussars as they pushed on. They cleared the Boers from this ridge, but another long ridge ran out from this one to our left.
A troop of 18th was scouting this other ridge when it got sniped at, and Major Laming told me to send a section under an officer to reinforce. Reade was the only officer. His orders were to go to the left of i8th and work on from there. We were 2000 yards in rear with the pom-pom. As I launched this section out, I galloped with Reade on one side and Sergt. Burton on the other, explaining what was wanted.
They went on to where the 18th were, and were met by an officer, and dismounted, as far as I could see, among the 18th. The 18th mounted and advanced on horseback. They had only gone a short way when there was a heavy fire and some confusion. The Hussars came back to where Reade's led horses were in rear of his men. At this time it was impossible for us to see what was going onwe came under an accurate fire ourselves, and we could not for the life of us make out which were Boers. The pom-pom was with us, and luckily was not moved forward or fired.
What happened was this: Causton's troop of 18th, owing to some mistake, advanced without giving scouts time to get out, and rode straight into a position strongly held by about thirty Boers. They came back, losing Causton and five men. Reade—who was just behind a slight rise with his men dismounted, his horses left under cover behind the rise—shouted "Advance!" Possibly he might have come off better if he had retired a little and held the rise in the ground behind him, but one cannot say so for certain, and no officer of far greater experience could be blamed for acting as he did, being under a sudden and deadly fire at the time. With twelve men he advanced, got down and fired, and fought gallantly. The fire must have been terrible, for out of his twelve men only five got away, and all were hit or grazed in more places than one. When Reade was hit, he shouted to his men to retire, and Sergt. Burton, also mortally wounded, repeated the order.
Corpl. Thomson and four men fell back fighting, to their horses, which had been steadily held by Corpl. Stokes and his men, also under fire. The moment it was seen that they were in difficulties, Sergt. Allen with his section galloped half-left, and, dismounting under fire, worked right round Reade's left, and at fifty yards shot three Boers, and drove off the rest who were looting the dead and wounded. I had sent two men mounted, to watch Reade's left, and they both had their horses hit. One was itching to be doing something, but being tied to the pom-pom which was also under fire, and it being impossible to make out what was going on, it was a trying moment. According to the "rules of war" these thirty Boers should not have been where they were, for they were completely outflanked by Pollock's squadron. But one might as well try to outflank flies as Boers, who have no base to retire to, and no waggons or encumbrances to watch.
When Sergeant Allen had worked round, we got orders to advance. It was a terrible sight that waited me. Passing two dead troopers of the 18th, then Corporal Oldham whom I had known as a good soldier since he joined my Company in 1895, I came upon Bullock—quite a boy—in great pain, dismounted and gave him a drink, and left a man to look after him. Then about fifty yards further on, just over a slight rise, I came upon Reade, Sergeant Burton, Freeman, Parnham, and one of the 18th—all still alive but badly hit. I couldn't stop till I had made good the ground in front of me, so posting some men to hold the place, came back. I found poor Reade badly hit in both arms and one hand, with Hardy, the doctor to the 18th Hussars, attending to him. Sergeant Burton was lying dead with one arm round Reade; he had evidently been helping him when he was shot through the heart himself. About ten yards to the left was Freeman, a veteran of the Matabele war, with eight wounds and in very great pain. He said, "Oh! Mr. Crum, send me the doctor," and died immediately after. I then went and turned over a body ten yards to Reade's right, and found Parnham (a very good boy, and one who had shot a Boer at Vredefort) with a bullet through his forehead. I knelt over him ; he was too bad to drink.
I told him quietly that he had done gallantly, and a faint smile of pleasure came over his face. I think these were the last words he heard, though he went on breathing for twenty-four hours.
I then went back to Reade with a very heavy heart. He was quite conscious, and seemed a little afraid he had made a mistake, but we told him how splendidly he had done. He was very thirsty, and I gave him tea from a water-bottle; he was wandering a little, and said the tea was not hot enough. Then he said, " Well, anyway, this is better than being at Pan." I turned aside terribly cut up and crying like a child. The Infantry came up, and then the ambulances. When I went back to Reade, Hardy was still attending to him. It was a curious thing that we three should all be together again and under such similar circumstances. Reade who seemed easier now said, u Last time we met, you were hit, and Hardy and I were looking after you." He told me the Boers had taken his carbine and glasses, and one of them had given him a drink, but had refused to bandage his arm which was bleeding, when he, powerless with both, had asked the Boer to help him. One can't blame the Boer, for he was under fire at the time, and very soon had to go as fast as he could. This small party of Boers seem to have fought bravely, to give them their due, though they did use expanding bullets.
Colonel Campbell pushed right on with his infantry, covering an enormous front, and advanced on Roodepoort Farm. There had been about 300 Boers laagered in this neighbourhood. They were under Ghos and Trichard, and were the same lot who had given us so much trouble at Pan and Uitkyk. About 4.30 p.m., I got into camp, after posting Cossack-posts, and securing four sheep for the men on the way. I was tired and sad, but there was consolation in the fact that the men had done well. As for poor Reade, who had been so keen and jolly twenty-four hours before, I felt it terribly. Sergeant Burton, an Indian veteran and reserv1st with two medals, was due to return home by the next ship to his wife and children at Winchester. We also had hit this day Allen, Epps, and three horses.
Sunday, February 3rd.—Remained in camp at Roodepoort. Boers thought that we would move, and made an attack on what they took to be our rear guard; other parties in front and on flanks. About 400 Boers appeared suddenly at 8.30 a.m. about 6000 yards from our camp to the west I saw them first and reported to the Colonel, who opened fire on them from camp with our three guns,
and brought down several before they got out of range. We saddled-up and went down to water. An order came for us to reinforce the Leicester post about two miles north of camp. The Boers had worked round and were threatening this post, taking it to be our rear guard. A Company of the Leicesters, like old soldiers and good ones that they are, had entrenched themselves and held their own well. We advanced at a gallop for about a mile-and-a-half, and, dismounting, advanced on left of the Leicester post, two sections in firing line, one on left flank, and one in support. The guns from camp covered our advance well, pitching shrapnel just in front of us as we pushed on. In spite of this there were a good many bullets about, and we had to creep up, covering each others' advance. The Leicesters had one or two men hit, but we had none. About 11 a.m. the Boers retired, having completely failed in their attempt, and having lost many men. They left look-out posts all round us all the rest of the day.
This small column is surrounded, and the sooner it gets in touch with Alderson's and Smith-Dorien's columns the better, though it is a real good column and in good hands. Poor Reade had his finger off, but was too weak to have his arm off. The sad thing is that, under the circumstances, all the wounded have to be brought along with us, and the jolting of the waggons must kill some of them. We cannot spare an ambulance, as more are sure to be needed to-morrow. The Boers have cut our field telegraph wire, but we can heliograph to Pan, and have sent all details to Reade's people that way.
No signs of other columns. We start to-morrow at 5 a.m., and expect an anxious fifteen miles' march. We buried Lieutenant Causton and four men of the 18th Hussars, and Sergeant Burton and three men of the King's Royal Rifles just outside the farm at Roodepoort Colonel Campbell himself read the service, and we left temporary wooden crosses over the graves. At 6 p.m. the Colonel explained his orders and intentions to us all. He had an anxious job before him, but showed little sign of worry, and filled us with confidence. I sent in this day the name of Private Pedrick for gallantry on February 2nd. On that occasion he advancced with his section under fire, and borrowing a water-bottle and field-dressing from two of the men, crept right on 200 yards beyond his own section to where Private Hughes of the 18th Hussars was lying wounded. He gave the trooper a drink, attended to his wound, and kept the Boers off.
Monday, February 4th.—We had felt anxious about our next advance, fifteen miles from Roodepoort to Bosman's Pan. The 400 Boers who attacked us on Sunday were last seen on our front, other commandos were reported, and we expected to be harassed all the way. However at daybreak, when we advanced, there was hardly a Boer to be seen. I went with two sections on the left flank, and sent Legard with the other two with the pompom. We got to Bosmansfontein without fighting, clearing the country and bringing many Boer ladies and families along with us on their waggons.
A party of Canadians from General Alderson's column joined us here. They gave us the impression that Alderson's column was quite near, and I, for one, was much relieved. In reality these sportsmen were quite on their own, and nowhere near their own column, and we were on the point of fighting a small battle with Chris Botha.
The transport halted at Bosmansfontein till about 1 p.m. It had just moved on, and got over the rise into the valley of Klein Olifants River, when a high-velocity gun from a high ridge, six miles off above Bosman's Pan, opened fire on us. This was quite unexpected. It turned out to be Chris Botha with 600 men. We had struck a new commando, luckily the other had gone off southeast and bothered us no more.
The Colonel went straight at them. The Leicesters in extended lines covered an enormous front, and looked like swarms of ants. A Boer pom-pom opened—another surprise—but the ants went steadily on, at the top of a tremendous fusillade. I thought the losses would be heavy, but we only had four men wounded .here. We were halted on the left flank of the baggage, fully five miles from this battle, so that it was difficult to realise what was going on. Several shells from the high-velocity gun landed among us and the waggons, but never bursting properly did no damage.
I saw a shell burst near one of my men who was sitting on an ant-heap holding his horse; he merely turned his head round and laughed to his nearest neighbour. I did not feel so confident myself, but then I had not been through the siege of Ladysmith. At last the waggons moved on to Bosman's Pan, and we on the left advanced to Morrison's store, which we held against a great many snipers.
When I got into camp, worried and tired after a long day, I went with Colonel Campbell to see how Reade had stood the journey, and to my great grief found that he had died just ten minutes before. I had got so fond of the boy in the short time I had known him, and to see him lying there was a solemn moment, which I shall never forget. The Boers were shelling and pom-pomming the camp and sniping all round it, so it was a question where and how to bury him. I went out about 400 yards from camp, and chose a nice place above Bosnian's Pan where there was luckily no sniping. The men of his own section coming in off picquet rode as escort to the grave, where Colonel Campbell himself read the service, and we all came back very sad over so great a loss. One or two shots fell among our horses as we returned.
Tuesday, February 5th.—Advanced to De Wette Krans, about fourteen miles south on the Ermelo Road, my Company on rear guard, which is difficult work with so few officers. Small parties of Boers rode along just out of range. Legard's first position was at Reade's grave, and his men put stones round it and a temporary cross. It was strange to be fighting over the grave of a brother officer, who two days before had been so keen and happy.
We got touch with General Alderson's column about 9 a.m., and did not meet with any serious opposition. The country was full of good farms, and the men have all had good dinners to-night, chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese. All women and children are being brought along with the column. They tell of twelve Boers wounded in yesterday's fight, and many more on Sunday. We are encamped at Groebelar's Farm, a very decent spot.
There is a large interval between us and Smith-Dorien to our left which I should like to see filled. A Canadian scout starts to-night to go to Smith-Dorien; he says he does not know the road, but intends to catch a burgher and make him show the way.
Wednesday, February 6th.-Left De Wette Krans, being called at 3.30, breakfasts at 4 a.m., left 4.30. On the high ground a mile from camp got into thick mist, and the column halted for an hour till it cleared. We heard Smith-Dorien's guns at Lake Chrissie. My Company got split up and all over the place, and the men seemed to be rather stupid somehow, possibly owing to the early start and big dinners overnight; anyway, they and the whole column seemed " a bit off." It was difficult working over a hundred mounted men without officers.
We moved over some mountainous country and had a bit of sniping. Fifty Boers came up to within 1500 yards of me, all in a heap and without seeing us. I did not fire as I preferred to warn the column first, and as I could not see how many more there might be. We got the guns on to them but they were slow and didn't do any good.
One sniper near Hartebeest Spruit braved the whole column, and rather upset theories as to the deadliness of modern arms. I was sitting talking to Wills of the 18th Hussars, who had a troop dismounted in advance of my Company, when from a ridge about 1000 yards off—" ping-pong! "—and my grey pony shied off as a bullet hit the ground at his feet. Back we all got ignominiously to where my Company was, and from the cover returned the fire at 1800 yards, but with no effect on our sportsman, who kept up his firing with quiet regularity. The pom-pom opened, then the Leicesters of the advance guard, and next two guns and two maxims—all firing at this one Boer, who only occasionally showed his head. When there was a lull in our firing we heard the pick-pock of his mauser, and a bullet close to some one was a signal like a wasp's sting for a renewed fusillade on our part. The climax was reached when the sportsman, standing boldly up, folded his arms and defied us while you could have counted twenty. After a delay of about fifteen minutes a party of the 18th went round one way and we went round the other to try and cut our friend off, but only arrived in time to see him and five others ride off alive and well!
We pushed on as far as Klipstapel on the Ermelo-Carolina Road, a high point with a grand view, where I left a picquet and returned to camp. From Klipstapel we saw considerable numbers of Boers in the distance trekking in a north-westerly direction. These were the commandos of Beyers, Botha, and others, who after attacking Smith-Dorien at Lake Chrissie had broken back between his column and ours.
Thursday February 7th.—Moved on at 5 a.m. through Klipstapel and Botha's Rust and got into an easier country. At Mooiplatz Farm we got into touch with General Alderson's mounted troops [12th and 13th M.I.] on our right, and Colonel Henry's [5th Lancers, 3rd M.I., and 2nd I.L.H. (Smith-Dorien's column).] on our left. In the farm we found a dozen badly-wounded Boers, who had been hit in Botha's night-attack on Smith-Dorien at Lake Chrissie. This seems to have been a very bold thing on the part of Louis Botha, who attacked our 4000 men with his 2000, and under cover of the attack got all his waggons through, passing quite close to the camp. Thus it seems to me he has broken through the net which was being drawn to the Swazi Border, and now threatens our rear and the railway with its short-handed garrisons.
We camped at Bothwell on Lake Chrissie, feeling perfectly safe now with a column on each side of us. I think all of us feel that it was an anxious time coming from Middelburg. The Colonel did splendidly; the 18th Hussars, the Leicesters, and the accurate guns of the 21st Battery are thoroughly good, and I think the Canadian scout who came over from Alderson's column was not far wrong when he said our column was "the tidiest little outfit" he had seen, and that " when the Colonel gave the word it moved like clock-work and nothing would stop it."
Friday, February 8th.—Halted at the north end of Lake Chrissie, a mile away from General Smith-Dorien's camp, and about six miles from General Alderson's. Found twenty men for Cossack-posts about two miles and a half from camp; a Boer look-out post just within long range of our posts, but we were content to look at each other. It was very wet and stormy all day, and was very trying for the men. While posting my men I took young Shepherd with me; he was the only one with Reade who got off untouched, and he shot a Boer at ten yards. I told him he had done well, and he said he didn't mind what happened to him now he had got one Boer and done his share. The poor boy's hands were covered with veldt sores, and he could hardly hold his reins. He had no coat, as his was torn, so I left him my oilskin coat Went over to tea with Davidson, who is on Smith-Dorien's staff.
Saturday, February 9th.—Left Bothwell at 4.30. After the very heavy rain the roads were frightful; the waggons got bogged over and over again, and had to be unloaded. The Company did rear guard, which I think the nastiest job of all, particularly when roads are bad and Boers active. To-day only a dozen Boers, and they very gentlemanly. Smith-Dorien's column branched off to our left, and camped seven miles from our new camp at Blauwater. Posted twenty-five men night-picquet; a long and tiring day. We have a 5-inch gun with us now.
Sunday, February 10th.—An easy day from a fighting point of view, but a terrible day for the transport. Their difficulties must be seen to be realised. A long train of waggons, ox and mule, each in its turn getting bogged up to the axles, having to be unloaded and then pulled out with the help of double spans of oxen and mules, and aided by the indefatigable Leicesters, sometimes only to sink again fifty yards further on. Harness and tackle kept breaking, mules became obstinate, and oxen fell out exhausted. So bad was the state of the roads that it was 6.30 p.m. before the last waggon got into Hamilton, only a six or seven mile march. The farms being well-to-do in these parts, we got large quantities of ducks, geese, pigs, and forage. We saw no Boers, but there were evident traces of a hurried trek, dead oxen, sheep, and abandoned waggons being found in large numbers. We burned at least thirty waggons to-day and lots of forage. Smith-Dorien's column heliographed that they had captured thirty Boers with waggons and 4000 cattle. Went over to Hamilton Farm with Sergeant Robbins, who was in despair about his waggons, all the swingle-trees and chains having been broken. By good luck we found everything we required in that line, also spades and a Cape cart. The river was in flood, and we had difficulty in crossing.
Monday, February 11th.—A short march to Bonnie Braes. A most glorious view from all the high ground in these parts; saw a large herd of over 1000 buck. Was sent out with thirty men to reconnoitre to Umplasi River. No Boers, but more traces of their hurried trek; we got thousands of sheep. Waggons got on better to-day.
Tuesday, February 12th.—On rear guard. Waggons, once on high ground, came on well. No Boers for miles around. Camped at Churchill, seven miles. No farms or poultry in these parts; looks a good country for sport. Had to leave thousands of sheep behind. Smith-Dorien reports 100 waggons, 1000 cattle, and 2300 sheep.
Wednesday, February 13th—Short and easy march, crossing the drift over Usutu River at Newstead; camped on south side. We found Cossack posts and two escorts, which returned with lots of poultry, etc. I rode to " West ho," Pocock's Farm, about six miles from Amsterdam. From the hills here there is one of the most glorious views in the world, with the Swaziland and Wakerstroom mountains and miles of beautiful country. Could see no Boers. Pocock's Farm was full of mules, horses, and cattle, which the Boers had for some unknown reason left untouched. A man with a Scotch name and his two sons surrendered to us here; they had fought against us, and remembered seeing me at Dundee.
Thursday, February 14th.—Moved about eight miles in, to Amsterdam; a difficult road through a wonderful country, especially the Glen Aggy Pass, which I hope I may some day see again. No Boers. A few Pathans could have given us great trouble in such a country, but the Boer prefers to live for his country rather than die for it.
Amsterdam is a nice little town, lying under the steep slopes to the north. Streams of clear water run down the sides of the streets, There are hedges of fruit trees and jolly gardens. This was the first entry of British troops, and I do not think the inhabitants had much to complain of. But I fear before the war is over it will not be what it is now. The houses were crowded with Boer families left behind in the stampede. The peaches were at their best, and there were lots of poultry and forage for the first comers. Smith-Dorien's large force with its 300 waggons came in at 5 p.m. The telegraph-line to Piet Retief was in working order, but instead of getting news, as we expected, from General French, we got an unparliamentary reply from a Boer telegraphist.
Friday, February 15th.—Halted at Amsterdam. I visited Stoffel Tosen's Farm. Now Stoffel Tosen was one of those who brought on the war, and his name had been conspicuous in the papers when we were at Maritzburg in 1899, so I had no compunction in taking two of his mules and inspanning them into his Cape cart, which we filled with oat-hay, mealies, apricots, poultry, and other useful things, and drove back to camp.
A deputation of Swazi savages in wonderful get-up, with assegais and shields came to see General Smith-Dorien. They said a great many Boers had come into their country, and their Queen wanted to know what to do with them. I saw the deputation go off singing, chanting, and dancing, with a large present of sheep and oxen. It was a good way of disposing of some of the 4000 odd cattle we had collected.
Davidson, the energetic signalling officer to Smith-Dorien's column, came over to tea and gave us the news. He had been talking to several columns, General French, Colonel Knox, and others, in the direction of Piet Retief. Our picquets came in wet through, but singing and in great spirits, with heavy loads of poultry. Our horses are looking as fit as I ever saw them, the six-pound ration of oats having been supplemented so far by looted forage. No one seems to know what our next move will be.
Saturday, February 16th.—A drizzly wet day; at 12.30 got sudden order to trek with all fit men and horses at 2 p.m., taking three days' rations, and moving as light as possible. A longish march; got into camp at Wolverkop, about ten miles south-east of Amsterdam, where a small detachment of Alderson's column already was. Cold, wet, and uncomfortable arrival in dark, and camping on muddy ground, but we soon settled down like old soldiers, and Faulkner produced a good dinner for Legard and me about 8.30 p.m.
Sunday, February 17th.—Could not move next morning owing to rain and mist. Some Boers with guns said to be hiding in kloofs about four miles off in a very difficult country. At about 9 a.m. General Alderson came over to consult with Major Laming. They rode out to look at the country, and I went with them to some high ground two miles off. We sat some time looking at the kloofs and mountains where the Boers were, and they discussed the best way of doing things. A few Boers sniped from a distance, and were answered by some of Alderson's Mounted Infantry escort. Much interested in meeting General Aider-son, who is the chief of my branch—the Mounted Infantry. Very wet all the afternoon, making it beastly for the men with no shelter. Legard and I secured a Boer tent, which kept us fairly dry.
Monday, February 18th.—Another wet misty day made any combined movement impossible. Two Boers, looking very wretched, came in from the kloofs and surrendered with rifles and ponies.
One was sent back with a letter inviting the rest to surrender, and telling them they would be allowed to keep their stock and stay with their families. They were quite astonished at the terms, having expected to be branded with a broad-arrow and deported to fight in China, and in the course of the day over twenty came in. They say more will come. I went out with Corporal Casey to meet one lot, who rode up to us with hands extended, saying* " Shake hands, now we will be friends." I shook hands, saying I hoped war would soon be over and that we should all soon be friends. It cheers one up, all these surrenders, and they all seem so sick of the war. Every burgher and every rifle helps at this stage. I only wish we could get hold of the leaders and it would soon be over. We are running short of rations, biscuits, groceries, and forage, but we have unlimited meat
Tuesday, February 19th.—Wet and misty again, but it cleared up by 8 a.m. and to everyone's satisfaction we got orders to start at 10.15, and, in conjunction with the mounted troops of the other two columns, to round up the Boers in the Swaziland kloofs. Four small columns were to close in from opposite directions. We had to occupy a high kopje four-and-a-half miles from camp, the one from which there had been some sniping. Our Company went at the kopje in good style, cantering straight at it in extended order, a few shots from two R.H.A. guns covering our advance. No shots, no Boers, four casualties from ant-bear holes, but no damage done. From the top there was a grand view of a most mountainous and difficult country, full of ravines, kloofs, and dense jungle, reminding one of the hills in India. It was just as well the Boers had surrendered; we could never have found them all in such a country. We found about a dozen waggons and carts hidden in the kloofs, and the other columns caught a few Boers and a lot of cattle. I should like to spend a few days in peacetime in this wonderful country; it must be full of game.
Wednesday and Thursday, February 20th and 21st.—Miserable wet days, making a move impossible owing to the m1st It is bad enough for Legard and me in our half-waterproof tent, but most uncomfortable for the men in the slush and mud of the lines; however, they are wonderfully cheery. Colonel Campbell and remainder of column joined us, so we are all together again. More Boers surrendered.
Friday, February 22nd.—A thunder-storm and heavy rain at night Really this rain is getting beyond a joke. All the drifts are impassable, and the roads quite impossible for waggons, so here we are stuck. All the columns are stuck in the same way, and Colonel Burn-Murdoch's convoy of supplies for us all is also stuck. We are sending out to collect all available mealies.
About 2 p.m. (raining hard) I was sent with twenty men to bring in some Boers and cattle, marked down by a Kaffir, quite close he said. It turned out a long way and a desperate climb, and we did not get back till 9 p.m. I had two guides and some Kaffirs. We made a long detour to keep out of sight, and left our horses at the top of a hill four miles from camp. Then our troubles began. I had stupidly got gum-boots on ; we went on for about three miles, and down about 1500 feet over rocks and through jungle. Reaching a precipice we looked over and saw one of the Boers with a rifle guarding a herd of cattle. Leaving men at each of the two possible exits from this ravine, the guides, four men, and I stalked down, most of the time in full view of ^the Boer with the cattle. It was a long and difficult descent, about 500 feet, and the Boer ought to have seen or heard us, for what with rocks falling, twigs cracking, and ammunition boots, our attempts at stalking were not good. We only moved when his back was turned, and each of us crouched and kept still at a signal.
Thus we passed within 200 yards of him and he never saw us. Beyond him was the smoke of a laager; we did not know how many Boers there might be and wanted to surprise them before they could use their rifles. About ten yards off we rushed the laager—and found only one Boer in it, an old chap with his mauser by his side and bandoliers on him. The guide made a good deal of noise shouting, " Hands up !" and rushed on to the other Boer with the cattle, who also put his hands up. It would have been better to do the thing quietly, for there might have been others about. However, these were all there were, so we started back with them, two good ponies, rifles and ammunition, and 120 head of fine cattle. It was a grand stalk, as good as any sportsman could wish for.
It was nearly dark when we started to return, and we had a terrible climb over very rough ground before we got back to our ponies. Every minute it got darker. The men very soon got beat, and my gum-boots handicapped me badly. We shared the Boer ponies and carried the extra rifles in turn, the Boers driving their own cattle, and after many long rests, feeling more dead than alive, we got back to our ponies about 8 p.m. pitch-dark. I never felt much more beat, having to lift my legs up with my hands; my right arm, which gets rheumatic in wet weather, was on this occasion quite useless to me. We got into camp after 9, and found the Colonel, who had been a little anxious about us, very pleased to hear of our success. Faulkner had got a good dinner waiting for me and dry clothes. Very tired; slept splendidly.
Saturday, February 23rd.—Very stiff after yesterday; out all morning with the 18th and pom-pom, but saw no Boers.
Sunday, February 24th.—The 18th Hussars surprised a Boer down the kloof, and found six carts and buggies and the Amsterdam Commando flag. Legard got a good four-wheeled spider. Rain seems to be clearing at last. Got a milk-cow and she is doing us well. We are running short of supplies, no forage or groceries after to-day, but so long as we have mealies and sheep and tobacco we are right enough.
Monday, February 25th.—At last we leave our muddy camp at Wolvenkop. Searched kloofs again in the morning, and then moved camp to Shela River, ten miles north of Piet Reteif. Can't cross the drift yet, must wait till the river subsides. Dined with the Colonel.
Tuesday, February 26th.—Shela River still in flood, but going down; some of us swam horses across. The sun shone all day, and gave us all a most welcome chance of getting dry and clean after so much rain and mud. The Leicesters and R. Engineers made a foot-bridge and a wire trolly-ferry. Visits from Shaw, Stirling, and Majendie from General Alderson's camp, which is at Derby, only three miles off. In the afternoon I rode over to tea with Majendie. General Alderson's camp spreads over a lot of ground, detachments being some miles out from the main camp. General Smith-Dorien, on the other hand, had his huge camp all packed close together at Lake Chrissie, and the night-picquets very close to the camp. I prefer our camp, which is a compromise between the two, the picquets digging trenches each night at intervals of one to four hundred yards, and forming a circle round the camp at a distance of about three-quarters of a mile according to the ground.
Wednesday, February 27th.—An early start; after three hours all waggons were got across the drift. My Company rear guard did not leave camp till Smith-Dorien's advance guard arrived, so that I met Colonel Henry, commanding the mounted troops of that column, Colonel King, and some of the 5th Lancers, whom I had not seen since Maritzburg days. About three miles on we passed through Alderson's camp at Derby, and, four miles further, through Colonel Knox's camp (10th Hussars, 12th Lancers, and 14th Hussars).
After a march of about twelve miles we got into Piet Retief, which was full of General French's troops, waiting for the arrival of the convoy from Volksrust They had all been very short of rations for a long time. I think we had fared better than most, owing to Colonel Campbell saving his supplies while we were passing through the land of plenty. The sunshine after so much rain, the interest of seeing so many columns and old friends, and of seeing a new place, made it an eventful day; but what made it a worthy commemoration of Paardeberg was the arrival of a wire to General French from Lord Kitchener, saying that he was at Middelburg, awaiting Louis Botha to arrange terms of peace, and that De Wet had been driven out of Cape Colony, losing all his guns.
Thursday, February 28th.—Halted at Piet Retief. Saw Majors Bird and Lowndes of Dublin Fusiliers, who had been wounded at Talana; also Miles Tristram, who dined (if one can use the word) and went to a concert got up by Major Corbyn, 21st R.A. Concert a great success, with a piano on a platform made of waggons. Closed it by singing, for the first time, " God save the King!"
Friday, March 1st.—Moved on twelve miles south-east of Piet Retief to block the Sandbank Drift over the Assegai River. Colonel Allenby's column with Scots Greys on opposite side of the river. Eddie Ussher came over to tea with us, and shared our last ration of tea and last pot of jam. He said his column had been out of such luxuries for days. We seem likely to remain here some time.
Saturday, March 2ttd.—Climbed hill 700 feet above camp, where we had a Company of Leicesters encamped; a grand view for miles, and heliograph communication to Wakkerstroom. Colonel Henry heliographed that he had caught sixty Boers and twenty-four waggons. Heavy thunder-showers came through our tent and made things uncomfortable. Out of tobacco. This is a poor place to stop at, with scarcity of wood and mealies.
Sunday, March 3rd.—Took a patrol about six miles into Swaziland border with guides. A very nice ride over mountain tracks ; no Boers about; only one farm, and that a very poor one, with a lot of Boer women and children who were living on green mealies and sugar cane. Rode back over some very rough ground, lovely streams of pure water, ferns and flowers but no trees; a lot of Swazis with assegais, no clothes, living in scattered kraals with patches of green mealies. Dined with the Colonel.
Monday, March 4th.—Sending some of the worst horses back to the line; we have too many, as so many men have gone sick, most of them from veldt sores. (130 horses to 95 men.)
Tuesday, March 5th.—Moved camp to Krogh's Concession, well in Swaziland. Starting 5 a.m. waggons got in 2 p.m. Rain made roads very bad, and we had to make a drift On rear guard, wet and very cold. This weather is beastly, and gives me rheumatism in my arm. The ration biscuits are very hard ; as only my front teeth are any use to me, and as I have toothache in the only molars left, I am in a bad way. It would be interesting seeing this country if one could see it, but with the m1st one sees nothing.
Wednesday, March 6th.—Reached Umshengi Drift, on Assegai River, about 2.30 p.m. One of the worst roads and wettest days we have had. It is a marvel how these waggons get along at all, up to the axles in mud most of the way.
Thursday, March 7th.—Heavy rain all night, and no sign of it clearing; ready to start at 7; orders came, " No trek "; very glad; this weather is ghastly.
Friday, March 8th.—Rain not quite so bad. Returned Krogh's Concession, took a patrol about six miles east to top of a very high hill where I had seen two mounted men and some loose horses. Caught two wild ponies; extensive view, and all country seemed clear; no roads, only Kaffir tracks over very mountainous country.
Saturday, March 9th.—A welcome interval of sun. Trekked back to Sandbank Drift. Ten Boers and five waggons surrendered, reporting that they had been treacherously attacked by Swazis, who had killed fourteen. This was important news. Though one does not like the Swazis joining in, it is not our fault if the Boers go into Swaziland. The Boers challenged us to fight. Let them fight us or surrender, and not run away into Swaziland. We are on the telegraph-wire again. It does not seem that Botha has made peace. However, with fine weather our spirits are up.
Sunday and Monday, March 10th and 11th.— Two more wet days. Went out with twelve men and guides to try and catch two Boers hiding near Umshenga's. Two Basutos did the scouting for us, and astonished me by the wonderful way they got about on their ponies. One minute we saw them at the top of what looked like an inaccessible mountain, and shortly after caught sight of them again so far away from their last position that it seemed to be some one else. They always went just where one wanted. The Boer and the Natal guide, too, seemed to get over the country much better than we could. They never got off" or rested their horses; they were heavier men and had smaller ponies, and yet they could leave us standing.
We came on a Cape Boy who had lived at his hut since 1883. He told us of some Boers and guns in Swaziland. He said he didn't trust the Swazis, who were more afraid of the Boers than of us, and would not help us; that the Swazis were getting very cheeky, being all armed with assegais, which is forbidden by the Boers; but that they were a cowardly lot, and would confine themselves to stealing cattle.
Returned by Potgieter's Farm, which had evidently been a good house once, with a piano, a four-poster bed, etc. There was a good garden, with figs, oranges, and green mealies, two cats and some ducks. Leaving three men to look-out, I stayed an hour here, turning the horses into the mealies and the men into the fruit. Got home about 4.30, after pleasant enough day in spite of the rain. My oilskin and sou'wester have done good service this trek; I will mention them in despatches. It seems likely we shall stay at Sandbank, blocking the drift, for some time on short rations.
Monday and Tuesday, March 12th and 13th.— Seems to be clearing. A few English papers of February 2nd arrived. We hear Botha has gone to meet Steyn and others to arrange terms. All in great spirits; dined with the Colonel, who gave us an excellent dinner for such hard times.
Wednesday, March 14th.—A glorious fine day. The Swazis have been going for the Boers again, causing many to surrender to us. Eddie Ussher came over again, crossing the Assegai on the trolly-ferry which we had put up. He had just heard of his promotion.
Corbyn pleased us by saying that he had soldiered with a great many cavalry and mounted infantry regiments on both sides of the country— the O.R.C. and Natal—but that he had never seen a lot of men who took better care of their horses than our men did. The horses lately have been in a very bad way, but we now get two pounds of oats a day, and with fine weather and plenty of green mealies they will improve. The want of shoes is serious; except for that we could mount all our men on fit horses.
Thursday, March 15th.—At 7 a.m. the Swazi Chief Umshenga sent in to say that forty Boers had crossed the Assegai River at his drift, where they were off-saddled, with their horses quite done up.
The messengers got to us at 9 a.m. One squadron 18th Hussars, sixty-five of us, the pom-pom, and a company of Leicesters were ordered to start at once, with transport for one night. Unfortunately we waited for the Leicesters and the transport, and did not get off till 10.30 a.m. About 1 p.m. we were within two miles of the kloof where the Boers were, when Kaffirs came and told us they were saddling-up. The 18th Hussars then pushed on, and coming on the tail of the Boers, with the help of the guides and Swazis, chased them for some distance over very rough ground, killing two and catching eight, among them some Staat's Artillery and Swazi police. They also got some ponies and mules.
In the meantime we branched off to the left to try and head them off at the only drift available for them to escape by. After some mistakes we got on to a track leading to the drift, and took up a position—sixty of us and the pom-pom —commanding a point which our guide said the Boers must pass to get away. Presently we saw thirty Boers and ponies about 5000 yards off, evidently going to the drift. After waiting for a bit, it was evident that our guide was wrong; and that the Boers would not pass our way; then we lost sight of them.
The road down to the drift was through a nasty country, steep mountains on each side, and once in this defile one had to take considerable risks. We pushed on about a mile-and-a-half down. Again our guide said we must get an easy shot from where we were at any Boers crossing the drift, and that they must come our way ; so again we waited. Still no Boers. Then one of my men, who had climbed up 600 feet above us, shouted down to us, " They are crossing the drift," but it was getting late, so we did not follow them up. I went on with four men another mile-and-a-half to a kopje, which we climbed, and found to be only 1000 yards from the drift. If only we had known the country, this was the place we should have made for. It was a great disappointment—thirty Boers, each with two ponies, and only missed by a few minutes. They had come down a regular precipice to keep out of sight of us, and had just got away. If we had been quicker in the morning, or if we had only been a bit bolder in going right down to the drift! This was certainly a case for pushing ; but pushing and thrusting when Boers are about has often proved fatal, and men who thrust at the right time are few and far between. We had a long way to get back in the dark; our horses, after living so much on green mealies, were done up, and we only got back to Potgieter's Farm, where we camped, at 10 p.m. We lost three of our horses.
Saturday, March 17th.—Changed places with the other squadron of the 18th Hussars, and returned to Sandbank Drift. One company of Leicesters and the 18th Hussars remained at Potgieter's to watch the Umshenga Drift General French wired to say, "Very pleased with the 18th and K.R.R. M.L, who must have done well." A convoy under Colonel Bullock (now known as " No-surrender Bullock") is expected shortly. Horses must have oats and shoes if they are to do this hard work.
Sunday, March 18th.—Got up early to post picquets ; a lovely fine morning—too good to last, as it proved later. Legard and I went down to the drift to see the Boers who had surrendered cross it. There were fifty waggons and more families and a lot of cattle.
The drift was about four feet deep in places, and a very strong current. It was a wonderful sight to see how the Boers managed what would have seemed to us impossible. Sixteen oxen all carried off their legs. A Boer, naked and barefooted, swimming or standing on the stony bottom, tugging at the leading span of oxen, while others, standing well up to their middles in the river, yelled, shouted and flogged the oxen. Sometimes a lot of oxen seemed hopelessly mixed up, but the Boers saw at once what was wrong, and put them right in a very short time. At times the waggons looked as if they must go over, but someone always did the right thing at the critical moment and saved mishap. The Boer women and children sat with all their belongings in the waggons, and showed no signs of anxiety. Occasionally a chair, table, chicken or other article was washed down the stream in the flood, but the Kaffirs were on them at once, and swimming like powerful fish, brought them back to the owners, who received them stolidly, without a' thank-you 1 or a look of satisfaction.
As soon as each waggon was across it was outspanned, and the "vrou" lit a fire and had something waiting for her man. Once or twice one of the lighter carts did upset, and was overturned and carried, horses and all, down the stream ; but the occupants jumped out and swam, and with the help of others the conveyance was dragged ashore, upside-down or sideways, no matter. On the opposite bank the cart was righted, the owner jumped in and drove on, thinking it a grand joke. Now we see how De Wet can give us the slip at a drift.
The river kept rising. After two hours a waggon got badly stuck; some loose cattle and horses, driven across higher up the stream, were carried into the waggon and its team. There was the greatest confusion, which was put right with difficulty, and at last operations had to be suspended. A storm was coming. Legard and I had just got back to camp when it burst. Our tent collapsed on the top of us with the first gust, and we were deluged with rain and hail. The worst storm I have ever seen while it lasted. Thunder, lightning and sharp-edged hailstones bigger than racquet balls. One gave me a stunning whack on the head as I was crouching under the dibris of the tent. I put my hands up to save my head, when I got a most painful rap over the knuckles. It was ''real beastly," and yet while we just crouched under the thin canvas, wet through, we roared with laughter at each other. When it got a bit better we crawled out, and with the help of servants got the tent up again. Everything, blankets, clothes, boots, all soaked, and no chance of drying them. The horses were grazing, knee-haltered, and so luckily could not stampede far, except one or two loose ones, which were caught again four or five miles off. We spent a wet and uncomfortable night.
Monday and Tuesday, March 19th and 20th.— These two days wet and cold, and no chance of drying our things.
Wednesday, March 21st—To-day it cleared up. Went into Piet Retief with twenty-five men as escort to fifty surrendered Boer waggons and twelve prisoners—350 persons, counting women and children. Arrived at 1 p.m.; handed over the Boers, and lunched with some of the General's staff. The General came in later, not overpleased at having 350 Boers to feed when he was short of rations.
A convoy arrived from Volksrust bringing oats, which will be the saving of our horses, also Sergt.-Major Rowat, who is as useful as an officer to me. I was very glad to get him back, and he brought with him a Mauser pistol, a camera, and a large tin of biscuits, all very acceptable.
Very disappointing news of the Peace Conference, saying Botha declines terms. However, now we know where we are, and I trust we shall go for the Boers properly. It is time now, I think, to clear every farm, and remove every family and all stock, and to give no terms. Dined with General Smith-Dorien, who was very good to me.
Friday, March 23rd.—A long day's reconnoitring. Crossed the Assegai River twice, sending Macnamara, our best swimmer, to see how deep it was.
Saturday and Sunday, March 24th and 25th.— Couldn't sleep, owing to flies, which are very bad in this camp, a plague of blue-bottles and other pests. Went about eight miles, and got two waggon-loads of green mealies for the horses. Sent twenty-four men and two sergeants as escorts to convoys. Found eighteen men for two patrols besides eighteen on Cossack-posts and the night-picquets, so the Government is getting its money's worth out of us.
Monday, March 26th.—Received a sackful of letters and parcels, first for a long time, and very welcome ; among other things a splendid telescope, breeches, leggings, socks, and three bottles of port wine.
Wednesday, March 28th.—Started at 5.30 a.m. with one man to take an important despatch from General French to Colonel Allenby. My orders were to catch up Major Anley, who, with the 3rd M.I., was on his way to join Colonel Allenby in the Pongola country. It turned out a long ride, and if I had known it was to be so far I should have taken two horses, as the risk of coming on a party of Boers, with one's horse done up, was very great. As it was however the horses, though pretty well done up when we got in, were none the worse after a rest, which did them great credit considering the short rations.
Starting at 5.30 a.m. after a good breakfast, and crossing the Assegai River, we reached the camp of the Lancashire Fusiliers at Mahamba at 7,30 a.m., pushed on another seven miles (making seventeen altogether) and halted; watered, fed, and off-saddled for twenty minutes, hiding ourselves in a donga. The road, which turns east into Swaziland for four miles from Mahamba, then runs due south to the Pongola River. It was a splendid road, good enough for a bicycle, and ran through a fairly open country, with a few farms. These had been completely wrecked by the Swazis. About twelve miles further on we caught up Major Anley's convoy, just as he was inspanning to move another five miles. I gave him the letters, and got a receipt for them. Got a cup of coffee from my old Natal friends, the Dublin Fusiliers, and after a halt of half-an-hour we started slowly back, hoping to reach Mahamba camp that night.
It was 1.30 when we started on the return journey, walking and leading most of the way. At 3.30 we reached a farm eight miles off, where I hid the horses in the trees, grazing and off-saddling. Under weigh again at 4.30, horses going much better for the rest, and in the cool of the evening we were able to trot a bit. Reached Mahamba at 8.30 p.m.; very glad to get in, as also, no doubt, were the horses. Saw no Boers all day, though the Kaffirs said there were some about. The distance travelled was fifty miles in fifteen hours. I was not over-tired, but the horses on such short rations could not have done much more. Was very glad of the hospitality of the Lancashire Fusiliers, who looked after us well.
Friday, March 29th.—Left at 6 a.m.; got back to Sandbank at 8.3 a.m., both ponies going well.
Saturday, March 30th.—The rainy season seems about over. Sent Legard and thirty men to Piet Retief; they are part of a reinforcement being sent to meet the convoy from Volksrust.
Sunday, March 31st.—At about 12.30 a.m. I was wakened out of a very good sleep by Colonel Campbell himself, who told me six waggons and fifty Boers were crossing the drift five miles up the Assegai River. I was to go out as strong as I could, and if possible head them off. We could only raise forty men, Legard being away and our night-picquets engaged. In half-an-hour we were all ready. Luckily there was a moon to help us to saddle-up by. The Boers were bound to bring their waggons along a road which joined the Sandbank-Piet Retief road at a point five miles from Piet Retief, seven miles from Sandbank. The Colonel gave me a free hand to do what I thought best He sent fifty infantry in support of us, and telephoned to the 18th Hussars at Potgeiters to send some men from that camp. We cantered the * first four miles, with the Basuto scouts well in front of us. The guide wanted to canter all the way, but I did the rest dismounted, with a few of my men out, preferring caution at night with Boers about. When we got to the junction of the roads we left our horses with a small guard, lined the road the Boers were to come by with twenty rifles in a good place a mile further on, and waited anxiously.
Soon daylight came; no Boers ; so we mounted, and leaving word for the Leicesters and 18th Hussars, I pushed on down the road to the drift they were expected by. The Basuto scout came on a Boer track, and went off like a hound on the scent. We followed him right to the- drift six miles on, where we came on the Boers, over twenty of them, with seven waggons, 450 cattle, fifteen rifles and ammunition, and good trek oxen, six ponies and three mules. They put up a white flag and surrendered when they saw us coming. It was a good haul, because many of them were Natal rebels. They had mealies on their waggons, so we were able to give our horses a good feed; also they had a good supply of matches, which we were very glad of.
The Boers didn't want to move, saying it was Sunday; but I told them they must inspan in an hour, and that they would be just in time for the -afternoon service at Piet Retief. On the way back we met Colonel Henry, who had come out with a big force and a pom-pom. He was very pleased to hear of the haul. We came straight back, getting in at 1.30 p.m. after twenty hours on empty stomachs. The Colonel and General Smith-Dorien expressed their satisfaction at our success.
April 1st to 6th.—Escorting convoys to Colonel Allenby's column. A pontoon section R.E. came and bridged the Assegai River at Sandbank, putting the bridge up to the admiration of us all, and the astonishment of the Swazis, in under two hours.
Easter Sunday, April 7th.—The Colonel read the service, and after it the latest Reuter telegrams from home—"Twenty-two guns taken since our trek began," "Twenty-four clasps to be given for the South-African medal," "Doyly Carte dead," and one or two other items, showing we were in touch with the outer world. We are tormented by flies here, and long to start anywhere. Lost two more horses from horse-sickness.
Monday and Tuesday, April 8th and 9th.—More convoy work. Swarms of flies, and no news ; shall all be glad to move.
Wednesday, April 10th.—At last we leave Sandbank, and, though we don't know where we may go or what is going to happen, the feeling of having one's nose turned towards the line is very satisfactory. The column moved to Piet Retief, where we found a large convoy arriving from Volksrust, miles of waggons making clouds of dust, and with them Legard and his party, who had done very well. Got letters from home, 17th to 23rd February, also some very welcome parcels, especially the soap, which we were out of.
Thursday and Friday, April 11th and 12th.— Resting and recouping horses at Piet Retief. The horses are now given fourteen pounds of oats, which is too much. Got all horses re-shod, Farrier-Sergeant Kennedy working very hard. Much speculation as to future plans.
Saturday, April 13th.—Heard we were to trek back to Middelburg, starting next day. Colonel Allenby's column to join ours, the two under Colonel Campbell, which will make us a strong force. The sudden increase of rations has knocked a good many horses up, though we have not given them the whole of it, and have given it in many small feeds. Horses are all very poor. We can only mount sixty men, but that is above the average.
Sunday, April 14th.—Started at 5.30 a.m. from Piet Retief, all of us in great spirits at the prospect of getting back to Middelburg. Colonel Campbell's force with Colonel Allenby's is about 3000 strong, made up as follows:
Scots Greys, 6th Carabineers, 18th Hussars, 100 K.R.R. M.I.—about 600 mounted men and 300 dismounted under Colonel Allenby, Inniskilling Dragoons.
1st Leicesters and Lancashire Fusiliers—about 1600.
One 5-inch gun, two 15-pounders 21st F.B.R.A.
two 12-pounders O Battery R.H.A., one 12-pounder naval gun, one 12-pounder Armstrong
gun, one howitzer, two pom-poms—under Major H. Corbyn, R.A.
R.E. telegraph and pontoon sections.
Total, about 3000.
Marched to Idalia, twelve miles north-west of Piet Retief. Greys had one man killed. One has less to do in these large columns, and I think at this stage of the war, when the Boers never make a stand, small columns supporting each other, and always well entrenched at night, would do more good. Every man would then do a share of fighting each day, and the country would be better cleared.
A lot of horses have fever, due to the increase in the ration of oats from two pounds to fourteen pounds a day, this in spite of the fact that we have fed ours five times a day, and not given them the whole. Waggon-loads of oats had to be left and destroyed at Piet Retief, as we had not transport for them.
Monday, April 15th.—A short march but a long day, camped a mile beyond the Shela River, which gave great difficulty to the transport.
Tuesday, April 16th.—Advance guard with the 18th Hussars, who are now commanded by Major Marling, V.C. (an old 6oth officer). A long march, over roads difficult for the transport, ending in a very difficult drift over the Compies River. The Royal Engineers helped with a bridge. The best place for the officer commanding a column on such occasions is at the drift itself, and here Colonel Campbell spent most of the day, and with the help of the Leicester regiment, who were in their best form, all but a few waggons were got over. Our horses are much better now, and we can mount just over seventy men. A little sniping, very few Boers, and an open country.
To-morrow we begin climbing up to the high veldt; expect to come on more Boers, and to find it much colder. I think this column is too big; divide it into three and more damage will be done to the Boers.
Wednesday, April 17 th.—A short march round the Spitzkop, a great mountain standing by itself, from which it is possible to signal to Wakkerstroom and Paardekop on the Natal railway line. Camped at Witbank, five miles from our last camp on the Compies River, partly to give General Smith-Dorien's column time to come up level with us, and partly to signal to the line. On rear guard with my Company. Saw from fifty to a hundred Boers eight miles off, moving along the high ground to the left of our convoy, which is three miles long. I expect these will try to delay us to-morrow.
Thursday, April 18th.—They did try—about 500—with a gun and a pom-pom (the Carolina pom-pom). The road up to the high veldt, which we had to follow, gave the Boers great advantages, if they really meant to fight But it also had its advantages for us, for it led along up a spur, a sort of buttress to the high veldt, which gave us a series of good positions, easy enough for us to take, so long as the Boers did not occupy the ground to our right front. This they did not do, probably owing to the presence of Smith-Dorien's column at some distance to our right Thus, though our road was commanded from the front and from both sides, we were able to advance up the right side of our ridge, and escape untouched a good deal of pom-pom fire from the Boers. The Scots Greys were advance guard with our Company in support. About three miles from camp they came under fire. Our guns soon cleared the way, and we were soon in possession of the first position, about three miles up our spur. Then more guns came up—the two long range 12-pounder naval guns, Corbyn's two 15-pounders, the two R.H.A. guns, and two pom-poms, all going against the two Boer guns, which were on a height above us to our left front. Gradually we worked on up our spur, the Greys getting a footing on the top about 11 a.m. The Boer pompom, though it must often have had a hot time of it, kept dodging about from place to place, moving whenever we had located it, and letting any target we presented have a belt of its one-pound shells.
The road itself was too exposed for our long line of baggage to come on by, so the Boers had to be cleared right away before the convoy could advance. To do this, the Colonel sent the Leicesters half left, covered by the guns, down our spur and then up, straight at the high ridge the Boer guns were on. The mounted troops in the meantime, getting up on to the high veldt, turned to their left, and making a wide sweep, drove in the Boer left. Our Company got to a high rise in the veldt, where we very soon found ourselves dismounted and extended, every man shooting for all he was worth at about two hundred Boers retiring.
The Boers had to retire over very boggy ground in the open, about 1000 yards from Os. It must have been an anxious time for some of them. We could see them riding hard, arms, elbows and legs going, but making little progress over the swampy ground, while occasionally a Boer or a horse was knocked over. We alone fired 1600 rounds, and the pom-pom and the Greys, who joined us soon afterwards, fired a good deal too. We had already come a long way out of our course, so we hove to, and came back to where the column was camped six miles off. This fighting took place near the farm of the well-known Commandant Tobias Smuts, where on the side of the hill that sportsman has planted a huge "T" in eucalyptus trees. This " T " forms a landmark for many miles around. Let us hope that some day Tobias may return to finish writing his name on his property, for his name is written in the history of his country as a good specimen of the Boer fighting-general, and one who has "played the game."
We camped at Weltervreden, arriving just as it was getting dark, at 5.15 p.m. The Boers seemed to retire towards Ermelo. We are on the high veldt, which means that we are in an open undulating country, and a very cold one. The ground is very boggy in places, and we must look out that we don't get bogged under fire, like our Boer friends to-day.
Friday, April 18th.—Only moved five miles, owing to boggy ground, camping at Roodevaal near the Vaal River. Smith-Dorien's column close to us.
Saturday, April 20th.—On rear guard; only a few Boers, and they contented themselves with sniping at what must have been 4000 yards. The advance guard came on 400 Boers, who retired towards Ermelo. Camped at Kranspan, a ten-miles march.
Sunday, April 21st.—Left about 6.30 a.m. Was on the left flank of the convoy, which trailed out for over three miles. I found my seventy men not one too many. A few snipers gave us some trouble, but Legard, who is quite the " old soldier" now, kept them at a respectful distance. We passed quite close to Ermelo, but I did not enter the town. The rear of our column was shelled from the heights on the south side of the town. We camped three miles north-east of Ermelo.
In the afternoon 150 Boers tried to rush Tafel Kop, an isolated hill overlooking Ermelo, but they were kept off by the rear guard. About 4.30 I got orders to picquet this Tafel Kop with my whole Company for the night. Colonel Allenby had just heard that there were a lot of Boers about, and had sent reinforcements there. When I got to the top I found it was a large hill, and that to hold it properly I needed nearer three companies than my fifty men. I got there just as it was getting dark, short of tools and time to entrench; very hard ground, and two Boer laagers as near me as was our own camp. The more I looked at it the less I liked it. We dug two circular trenches as best we could, and tying our horses to some trees in the centre, got every man available for defence. If the Boers had meant to have the hill, fifty men could not have prevented them. However, no Boers came, and at dawn when we crept forward to the edges of the hill, I was relieved to find there was no immediate intention of attacking us. A few snipers kept us busy from daylight, but it was not till about 7 a.m. that the Boers began to show in any numbers. About fifty with a pom-pom were working round our right, while about ten snipers bothered us on our left. We could see many Boers in the town of Ermelo.
In daylight, as long as we were on our hill, though rather scattered, we were right enough, but I got uneasy about being cut off in our retirement. The column had started, and it was late when I succeeded in getting orders to retire from the officer commanding the rear guard. We had a three-mile gallop, sections covering each other, and one or two awkward accidents in the shape of falls and broken girths, but we succeeded without loss in retiring through the Boers to the Greys, who were very soon themselves hard pressed. These might have got into serious difficulties but for Major Corbyn's magnificent shooting with the 21st Battery.
We covered the retirement of the Greys, and I got a chance of trying my new Mauser pistol at 250 yards. It got jammed when I needed it most, but this was owing to my inexperience. All this time the Boer gun and pom-pom were making good shots at our guns, but luckily did no damage. The Boers kept pushing on with great boldness, about iooo of them. In the end Major Corbyn gave them such a dose of shrapnell that they left us alone, and we got into camp unmolested for the last five miles, at 3.30 p.m., near Klipstapel. The advance guard had hustled the Boers in their front well. On the whole we have given as good as we got to-day I expect. Our horses have been saddled-up for thirty-two hours; if they are half as tired as I am, they will sleep well to-night.
Tuesday, April 23rd.—On rear guard again; only a few Boers, and they not very enterprising. The Lancashire Fusiliers got behind, and we helped them on with our horses. The men had never been on a horse before, and thought it a good joke, but it would not have been so amusing if it had happened the day before. Six snipers rode along with us away to our left; otherwise the country, which we could see for miles, seemed to be deserted. Camped at Boshman's Kop, at the head of the Klein Olifants River and Vaal Water.
Wednesday, April 24th.—Marched to Vaalbank, ten miles down the Klein Olifants River. A Sergeant-Major of the Royal Engineers was shot dead when out foraging at a farm. An easy day for our horses. The Boers are reported to intend attacking our camp at night, but we have the usual circle of trenches round it, and I do not expect they will. We have thirty of our men on night-picquet.
Thursday, April 25th.—A long march to Pul-len's Hope. The Royal Engineers put two bridges across the Klein Olifants River. We passed near Reade's grave. I sent my camera to Legard on the left flank, who took two photographs of it. Faulkner came later with the main body and his Cape cart, and was able to plant three small trees which he got from Morrison's Store; he also put a fence round the grave. Legard had a bit of trouble with some snipers to his left. At Pullen's Hope we saw about 150 Boers on the move, but did not go after them. I visited a farm with women and children, and while talking to them got shot at
Friday, April 26th.—Marched to Eikeboom, only twelve miles from Middelburg. We were rear guard again with the 18th Hussars, who had two horses hit All very glad at the prospect of getting back to the line.
Saturday, April 27th.— We reached Middelburg about noon, and were met by our band, also by Rudolf Jelf, whom I had not seen since Talana, and many others of the battalion. The troops gave the Colonel a tremendous ovation as they passed him, for there never was a more popular officer. I heard I had been promoted Captain after nine years' service. The Colonel had been promoted and made A.D.C. to the King.
Farewell Order by Colonel Campbell to his Column.
"After concluding a long and pleasant trek, Lieut-Colonel Campbell feels that he cannot sufficiently thank the Staff, 18th Hussars, R.A., M.I., and 1st Leicesters for the ready, willing, and excellent manner in which they have severally carried out their duties whilst under his command. He specially mentions Major Laming, 18th Hussars, and the mounted troops, who were always ready to turn out for anything at any moment, and their scouting was admirable. Lieut-Colonel Campbell hopes that some day all these units may again be under his command, and wishes them all good luck."
