Campaign Pictures of the War in South Africa (1899-1900) - Letters from the Front by A. G. Hales
page 105 of 207 (50%)
page 105 of 207 (50%)
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be a general attack next morning. On Tuesday evening General French
advanced right on to the Boer rear, and some smart fighting took place, the enemy suffering considerably, though our losses were small. At dawn on Wednesday we moved forward rapidly, and in a few hours' time our infantry were standing in the trenches and upon the hills that the Boers had occupied the day before. Our mounted men rode at a gallop through the gullies, but nothing was to be seen of the foe except a few newly dug graves. The Boers had vanished like a dream, taking all their guns with them. Louis Botha, the commander-in-chief, had come in person to them, and the retreat was carried out under his eyes. We followed to Dewetsdorp, and from there on to Thaba Nchu (pronounced Tabancha). On Friday night the enemy exchanged a few shots with us from the heights beyond, but no harm was done on either side. The Third Division, to which I had attached myself, under General Chermside, has been ordered towards Bloemfontein. French is in command, and, judging by his past performances, I fully expect we shall have some busy times, though French may go away and leave the Eighth Division under General Rundle. WITH RUNDLE IN THE FREE STATE. ORANGE FREE STATE. Since the Boers bolted from Constantia Farm we have done but little beyond |
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