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Page 42
Towards the latter end of January a flying column was organized by
General Walter Kitchener. The objective of this column was the high
hills south of Lydenburg towards Witpoort and Belfast. It was under the
personal command of the General, and was composed of the following
troops:--
1 squadron 19th Hussars.
1 battery R.F.A.
1 naval 12-pounder.
1 pompom.
1 company Manchester Mounted Infantry.
3 companies Devons under Captain Travers.
The column set out at 1 a.m. in the direction of Elandskloof. It was a
bright night, although a thick white mist hung everywhere. The 19th
Hussars, who knew the difficult country, conducted the advance. After
marching for two hours the column found itself in the hills. A halt was
made whilst the three companies of the Regiment extended and occupied
the high ground which barred the advance, to drive off any Boers who
might be in possession. This manoeuvre was executed without opposition.
It was learnt, however, that a Boer picquet had been on the top, and had
galloped off on the approach of the infantry. Daylight found the column
in possession of Elandskloof, which was reached after a difficult climb
by steep and circuitous paths. Shortly after daylight several Boers were
observed to be driving their cattle into kloofs above the Badfontein
valley for safety. An advance was made shortly afterwards towards
Schwartz Kopjes, which place was reached without much opposition towards
dark. At Schwartz Kopjes camp was formed for the night, the infantry
entrenching themselves in the kopjes round the camp, with one company
posted in a farmhouse about 400 yards west of the main camp.
On the following day General Kitchener ordered the mounted troops and
guns to make a reconnaissance towards Dulstroom. Whilst the rest of the
force remained in camp, the baggage under escort was sent towards
Belfast. The reconnoitring force fared badly, for after advancing a few
miles Boers in large numbers were seen collecting on the high hills due
west, and approaching at a rapid pace. The reconnoitring force was
shortly afterwards heavily engaged, and compelled to retire on to the
camp.
The infantry were now ordered to retire as rapidly as possible to a
ridge in rear, distant about 2000 to 2500 yards. The cavalry retired
hard pressed on to Schwartz Kopjes, which they held until the infantry
had completed their movement, when the cavalry again retired back to the
neighbourhood of the infantry. Schwartz kopjes were immediately occupied
by the Boers, who collected there in large numbers and endeavoured to
get round the flanks of the column.
Followed hotly by the Boers, the column made a rapid retirement, units
covering each other until camp was reached. It was only then that the
Boers drew off. There was no further engagement that day or during the
night, and the column completed its advance next day to Belfast, where
it arrived about midday and camped to the south side of the railway.
The distribution of the garrison, carried out at the commencement of
February, continued more or less the same till the time the Regiment
left Lydenburg. Three companies were north of Lydenburg, and were
stationed at the Mission House, Mission Camp Fort, and Bridge Hill. One
company was at Strathcona Hill, south of the town, two companies under
the command of Major Davies were at Witklip, whilst the three companies
which had proceeded with General Kitchener to Belfast were quartered on
their return in Lydenburg.
During this time Colonel Park was commanding the Lydenburg district with
Captain Ravenshaw as Brigade Major.
On February 5th the Boers attacked all the Lydenburg posts. The attacks
were not heavily pressed. There were no casualties on the side of the
defenders, whilst the Boers lost, as far as could be ascertained, two
killed and seven wounded.
On February 16th two Boers surrendered at Mission Camp. These stated
that their friends in the laagers were badly off for meat and had hardly
any horses left, most of them having died of horse-sickness.
Early in March, 1901, Colonel Park decided on raiding Piet Schwartz's
laager, which was stationed on the ridge to the north of and overlooking
Kruger's Post. His force consisted of three companies Devons under
Captain Jacson, three companies Rifle Brigade, three companies Royal
Irish, one squadron 19th Hussars, three companies mounted infantry,
three guns 53rd Battery, one howitzer, and one pompom, and by the 12th
his arrangements were complete. The infantry were to make a night march
and to attack at dawn, whilst the mounted troops and guns were to be at
Kruger's Post just after dawn to assist.
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