Chapter V

The Boer Rebellion. Accession of Mr. Gladstone to power?—?His letters to the Boer leader and the loyals?—?His refusal to rescind the annexation?—?The Boers encouraged by prominent members of the Radical party?—?The Bezeidenhout incident?—?Despatch of troops to Potchefstroom?—?Mass meeting of the 8th December 1880?—?Appointment of the Triumvirate and declaration of the republic?—?Despatch of Boer proclamation to Sir O. Lanyon?—?His reply?—?Outbreak of hostilities at Potchefstroom ?—?Defence of the court-house by Major Clarke?—?The massacre of the detachment of the 94th under Colonel Anstruther?—?Dr. Ward?—?The Boer rejoicings?—?The Transvaal placed under martial law?—?Abandonment of their homes by the people of Pretoria?—?Sir Owen Lanyon's admirable defence organisation?—?Second proclamation issued by the Boers?—?Its complete falsehood?—?Life at Pretoria during the siege?—?Murders of natives by the Boers?—?Loyal conduct of the native chiefs?—?Difficulty of preventing them from attacking the Boers?—?Occupation of Lang's Nek by the Boers?—?Sir George Colley's departure to Newcastle?—?The condition of that town?—?The attack on Lang's Nek?—?Its desperate nature?—?Effect of victory on the Boers?—?The battle at the Ingogo?—? Our defeat?—?Sufferings of the wounded?—?Major Essex?—?Advance of the Boers into Natal?—?Constant alarms?—?Expected attack on Newcastle?—? Its unorganised and indefensible condition?—?Arrival of the reinforcements and retreat of the Boers to the Nek?—?Despatch of General Wood to bring up more reinforcements?—?Majuba Hill?—?Our disaster, and death of Sir George Colley?—?Cause of our defeat?—?A Boer version of the disaster?—?Sir George Colley's tactics 120-155