Siege of Wakkerstroom (29 December 1880 to 24 March 1881)
Captain H M Saunders arrived from Newcastle on 16 December 1880 and took over once Froom left. He commanded some 120 and a volunteer force of 45.
The military camp was situated about a mile from the town and partially overlooking it. The King's Dragoon Guards were stationed there because, at an elevation of nearly 6,000 feet (1,800m), horse sickness was much less common.
On 18 December a messenger from Standerton arrived with news that the Republic had been proclaimed. Saunders waited for instructions and on 24th guidance arrived from both Major Montague and General Colley. The Landdrost called a meeting in town to ascertain the feeling of the locals. As a result, Saunders was able to add a volunteer force of 45 to his 120 troops.
Captain Saunders received information that the Boers intended to use the Nachmaal festivals to be held at the Dutch church to enter the town in large numbers and, when the opportunity arose, to take the town. However, on the last day of the festival, 26 December, a Boer rider arrived with a message the effect of which was to cause all the Boers to leave the town. Saunders took possession of the church which was a good lookout location and dismantled the nearby court house as he felt it could not be defended. A permanent force was established to protect the town, under Lieutenant Read, and later a telephone connected the fort and town.
The Boers met at Graskop on 28 December to decide their tactics. Their plan was to separate the fort from the town and then to attack and occupy the town but the plan was not enacted.
The pattern at other sieges was repeated here with the Boers content to fire at long range into the fort and town. With ammunition in short supply, only marksmen were able to return fire.
A surprising feature of several of the other sieges and also in Wakkerstroom was the discovery of a gun. Within the town was a 4-pounder howitzer that was mounted on a water cart. Men from the fort made sure the Boers could see them exercising the gun as a deterrent. Unlike elsewhere, it is not reported that the gun had any ammunition.
Black runners ensured regular communication with Newcastle, often weekly. Letters were written in small text, rolled around a wire then inserted into a quill hidden in the runner's hair. So good was he that it was reported that the sentries were never once able to challenge him as he left or entered the town.
The Boers made several raids in attempts to capture livestock. On 30 January 1881 a raiding party from the fort managed to capture 150 horses and cattle as well as other supplies useful to the defenders.
The Boer action to prevent a group of natives from returning to the kraals near the town led to an engagement on 22 February. During the skirmish Private William Bennett suffered a shattered leg and was dismounted. He lay in the grass awaiting help. A Boer who noticed him used a some white cloth to indicate his position and he was later found by the stretcher party and brought in. However, his injuries were severe and he did not last the night. Another man who hid in the grass having been dismounted and wounded was Private Mayes. Private James Osborne, witnessed Mayes' plight and placed himself between Mayes and a group of some 40 Boers. Supported by suppressing fire from their regiment, Osborne dragged Mayes to his horse and rode away to safety. Osborne was awarded the VC for his actions.
On 3 March, news of Majuba Hill and the death of General Colley arrived and on 8 March news of the armistice. Saunders was sceptical about the wagon of supplies which arrived on the 10th and had been unloaded a mile from the fort. He was invited to send a wagon to retrieve the supplies, 8 days of provisions for 140 men. Saunders wanted to wait for orders from Newcastle and told the Boers he had food sufficient for 7 months. On 24 March Lieutenant Gossett, Sherwood Forresters, arrived with tidings of the peace. Asked to dine with the garrison officers, Gossett suggested he bring his own rations as he imagined the garrison to be hard pressed for food. That was not the case. Dinner that evening includes salmon, turkey and curry accompanied by beer, sherry and champagne. It was only ammunition that was scarce in Wakkerstroom.
In addition to William Bennett, the garrison’s only other fatality was Private Owen Byrne. In addition, 4 men were wounded.
