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Page 47
Having reached this point to the north of the Transvaal, General
Kitchener's column was in a position to turn south, and, in conjunction
with other columns on his right and left hand, to sweep the bush veldt
and mountains southward towards the railway, near which another force
under the personal command of Sir Bindon Blood, who was in charge of the
entire operations, was drawn up ready to intercept any Boers who might
try to move across the railway from north to south.
At Vergelegen, where the column halted for the night of the 18th, some
of Secoconi's headmen came into camp for an interview. They were much
impressed with what they saw, patted the 5-inch gun with friendly
concern, and having relieved the General of his tobacco-pouch and a box
of cigars, and offering their assistance when not busy with their
neighbours, returned to their kraals.
The mounted troops were sent on ahead the same day to Pokwani town,
where it was supposed the Boers had collected a quantity of cattle. No
trace, however, of either Boers or cattle was found there.
The columns comprising the drive southward were in constant
communication with each other by signalling. Plumer's column was
immediately on Kitchener's right, holding the line of the Oliphant's
River, thus preventing the Boers, who were scattered in small groups in
the bush veldt, from escaping in the direction of Pietersburg, whilst
Park's column was operating on Kitchener's left, thus preventing the
Boers breaking back towards Waterval and the Steenkampsberg mountains.
Gradually Kitchener's column moved southward, driving the Boers off the
high ground and picking them up with their cattle and families in the
low or bush veldt. To do this with greater effect the column was
divided, one portion consisting of the battalion, one gun, the I.L.H.
and Australians under Colonel Davies proceeding in a north-westerly
direction to stop the Boers breaking back into the bush veldt in rear,
whilst General Kitchener with the remainder of the column marched over
the high ground overlooking the bush veldt, and on the direct road to
the south. On the 22nd Davies' column reached Enkeldedoorn, whilst
General Kitchener with the Rifle Brigade occupied Vaal Kop on the
morning of the 23rd. On the first day out the mounted troops of Davies'
force, scouring the bush in their advance, captured 23 prisoners, 8
wagons, 450 head of cattle, and 4000 sheep. They also brought in a
number of families, some of whom had been hiding for months in kloofs
and dongas in great fear of the Kaffirs. One woman with her children was
seen weeping by the side of the track, and on being asked the reason,
she implored that she also might be taken into the railway and not left
behind. She was comforted by an assurance that the column would return
and that she would be taken in.
Stores were now running short, and the biscuit and sugar rations were
reduced to half.
In order to keep connection between the two portions of General
Kitchener's column, two companies were left at Enkeldedoorn under the
command of Captain Bartlett. These also formed a "stop" to prevent the
Boers breaking back, and a post to which prisoners' families and cattle
could be forwarded on their way to join the head-quarters at
Paardeplaats, whither General Kitchener had gone from Vaal Kop.
The Regiment, with the Australian mounted troops, operating through
dense bush proceeded in the direction of the Oliphant's River, capturing
a considerable number of prisoners, cattle, wagons, and families,
amongst the prisoners being Commandant Fourie.
Eight privates of the Regiment, who were escorting an ammunition cart,
and who had lost their way, captured six Boers with all their cattle and
brought them into camp.
When within twelve miles of the Oliphant's River, Davies, hearing that
Commandant Schroeder with a small commando was directly between him and
Plumer's column on the Oliphant's River, split his force into two. The
infantry, comprising five companies of the Regiment, were sent back
under Captain Jacson, with all the prisoners wagons and families to
Enkeldedoorn, while Davies himself, with the Australians and one gun,
started in pursuit of Schroeder. On nearing the Oliphant's River it was
ascertained that Schroeder, with forty-one men and one Maxim gun and
several wagons, had been forced by Davies' mounted troops across the
river into the hands of Plumer, who had them in safe keeping.
Jacson's train of prisoners reached Enkeldedoorn on April 26th, and on
the following day he received orders to proceed at once to
Zuikerboschplaats and to take with him Bartlett's two companies from
Enkeldedoorn. This place was reached at dusk, and shortly afterwards
Davies brought up his Australians to the same camp, his column being
then again united. The northern part of the bush veldt having been swept
clear of Boers, Davies then moved due south and scoured the country
round the Tafel Kop mountain, capturing a number of prisoners and
wagons. Haartebeestfontein was reached late in the evening of the 28th,
some of the companies of the Regiment having marched over hill and dale
through thick scrub more than twenty miles. Four men had lost their way
and were missing.
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