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Page 52
This convoy consisted of all the wagons of the columns of Colonels Park
and Campbell and General Kitchener, which had to be filled up at the
railway line and brought back.
Waterval was reached on the 10th, Rhenoster Hoek on the 11th, Sterkloop
on the 12th, Uitflucht on the 13th, and Wonderfontein on the 14th.
Slight opposition was met with, and three Boers were captured with
wagons containing a quantity of grain.
The convoy having halted and loaded up on the 15th, started on its
return journey on the 16th.
The journey to Wonderfontein had been up the Steelpoort valley, and the
road had been found difficult. It was very much intersected with
water-courses running off the high veldt, and these necessitated
frequent halts to allow of the passage of the wagons in single file, and
the reclosing up of the convoy after crossing.
A different road over the high veldt, thus avoiding the water-courses,
was chosen for the return journey, and it was perhaps fortunate that
this new road was selected, as it was reported afterwards that Ben
Viljoen had taken up a position at the time in the Steelpoort valley to
intercept the return column.
On the 16th the convoy marched to Panplaats; on the 17th to Roedekop
(where some of Viljoen's men were met with and some more of his grain
carts captured), Blinkwater on the 18th, and Diepkloof on the 19th.
After a few days' scouring of the country round Diepkloof and the valley
towards the Oliphants River, the three columns concentrated at
Blinkwater. Here an entrenched camp was formed under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Jacson, consisting of the baggage of the three
columns, the hospitals, and most of the field guns, with a garrison
included amongst which were four companies of the Regiment.
Park's and Campbell's columns marched east into the hills in the
Ohrigstadt direction, Park penetrating almost as far as Pilgrim's Rest,
while General Kitchener's column moved south towards Middleburg. On
September 3rd the force was broken up, Colonel Park's column being left
in the neighbourhood of Blinkwater, whilst General Kitchener's column
marched towards the railway at Wonderfontein, which was reached on
September 5th.
On arrival at Wonderfontein it was found that trekking was for the time
being, finished. Orders were received for the Regiment to entrain for
Machadodorp for the purpose of garrisoning the railway blockhouses.
The General's farewell order to the Regiment on its leaving the column
with which it had been so long associated was as follows:--
"COLUMN ORDER BY MAJOR-GENERAL F.W. KITCHENER
"_Wonderfontein, September 5th, 1901._
"It has been the privilege of the Major-General to include the 1st Devon
Regiment in his command since the relief of Ladysmith, and it is with
great regret that he has now to part with the last fighting unit of the
7th Brigade. The reputation earned by the Regiment at Elandslaagte and
Ladysmith is a matter of history. Since that time this excellent corps
has fought and marched in summer rain and winter frost during many long
months, through the length and breadth of the Eastern Transvaal.
"The face of the country will remain for many years scarred with the
trenches they have dug and the works they have made. They have proved on
all occasions what a sound regimental system worked by thoroughly sound
officers, N.C.O.s, and men can do.
"The Major-General and all in number one column wish the Devons good
luck and a pleasant time in the near future."
On September 6th the Regiment entrained. The General and his staff and
the whole column turned out to give the Regiment a hearty farewell.
Machadodorp was reached at about 2 p.m., and all the posts round the
town were taken over from the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The railway
blockhouses in the neighbourhood of Machadodorp were also taken over.
Colonel Davies was appointed commandant of the station, and Captain
Ravenshaw station staff officer.
During September and October six companies were located on the Lydenburg
road as far as Witklip, holding the following posts:--Helvetia,
Schwartzkop, Schoeman's Kloof, Badfontein, and Witklip. Two companies
remained at Machadodorp with the battalion head-quarters.
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