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My Reminiscences of the Anglo-Boer WarBen J. Viljoen

My Reminiscences of the Anglo-Boer War

by OpenStories

Original author: Ben J. Viljoen

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"My Reminiscences of the Anglo-Boer War" by Ben J. Viljoen is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book chronicles the experiences of General Ben Viljoen, who served as the Assistant Commandant-General of the Transvaal forces during the Anglo-Boer War. It offers a personal and candid perspective on the conflict, diving into the sentiments and challenges faced by the Boer fighters through various tumultuous episodes. The opening portion serves as a preface as well as a prologue to the events that will unfold. It introduces the author and sets the stage for his recollections, explaining that despite the challenges he faced—including the loss of his initial notes and being captured—it is his goal to be candid and straightforward in detailing his experiences during the war. Viljoen hints at the seriousness of the war's onset, discussing how the political landscape led to the hostilities and the impact of the Jameson Raid. He describes the atmosphere surrounding the declaration of war and reflects on the weight of the decisions made, conveying a deep sense of responsibility and the harsh realities of war that will be explored throughout his memoir.

My Reminiscences of the Anglo-Boer War, by Ben J. Viljoen. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #25049.

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55 Chapters

  1. 1.Preface482 words
  2. 2.Appendix: 5231,147 words
  3. 3.Chapter I: The War Clouds Gather692 words
  4. 4.Chapter II: And the War Storm Breaks870 words
  5. 5.Chapter III: The Invasion of Natal1,547 words
  6. 6.Chapter IV: Defeated at Elandslaagte1,063 words
  7. 7.Chapter V: Pursued by the Lancers2,724 words
  8. 8.Chapter VI: Risking Joubert's Anger1,579 words
  9. 9.Chapter VII: The Boer General's Superstitions661 words
  10. 10.Chapter VIII: The "great Powers" to Intervene986 words
  11. 11.Chapter IX: Colenso and Spion Kop Fights1,695 words
  12. 12.Chapter X: The Battle of Vaalkrantz2,162 words
  13. 13.Chapter XI: The Turn of the Tide1,719 words
  14. 14.Chapter XII: The Great Boer Retreat2,364 words
  15. 15.Chapter XIII: Driven From the Biggarsbergen1,466 words
  16. 16.Chapter XIV: Dispirited and Demoralised1,979 words
  17. 17.Chapter XV: Occupation of Pretoria835 words
  18. 18.Chapter XVI: Battle of Donkerhoek ("diamond Hill")1,752 words
  19. 19.Chapter XVII: I Become a General2,303 words
  20. 20.Chapter XVIII: Our Camp Burned Out930 words
  21. 21.Chapter XIX: Battle of Bergendal (machadodorp)611 words
  22. 22.Chapter XX: Two Thousand British Prisoners Released1,281 words
  23. 23.Chapter XXI: A Government in Flight1,836 words
  24. 24.Chapter XXII: An Ignominious Dispersal1,198 words
  25. 25.Chapter XXIII: A Dreary Trek Through Feverland4,467 words
  26. 26.Chapter XXIV: Pains and Pleasures of Commandeering1,417 words
  27. 27.Chapter XXV: Punishing the Pro-British1,967 words
  28. 28.Chapter XXVI: Battle of Rhenosterkop3,533 words
  1. 29.Chapter XXVII: The Second Christmas at War1,127 words
  2. 30.Chapter XXVIII: Capture of "lady Roberts."2,975 words
  3. 31.Chapter XXIX: A Dismal "happy New Year."800 words
  4. 32.Chapter XXX: General Attack on British Forts2,594 words
  5. 33.Chapter XXXI: A "bluff" and a Battle1,861 words
  6. 34.Chapter XXXII: Execution of a Traitor973 words
  7. 35.Chapter XXXIII: In a Tight Corner1,457 words
  8. 36.Chapter XXXIV: Eluding the British Cordon1,778 words
  9. 37.Chapter XXXV: Boer Government's Narrow Escape3,282 words
  10. 38.Chapter XXXVI: A Government on Horseback712 words
  11. 39.Chapter XXXVII: Blowing Up an Armoured Train1,005 words
  12. 40.Chapter XXXVIII: Trapping Pro-British Boers2,173 words
  13. 41.Chapter XXXIX: Brutal Kaffirs' Murder Trail1,531 words
  14. 42.Chapter XL: Capturing a Freebooter's Lair770 words
  15. 43.Chapter XLI: Ambushing the Hussars739 words
  16. 44.Chapter XLII: I Talk with General Blood547 words
  17. 45.Chapter XLIII: Mrs. Botha's Baby and the "tommy."1,735 words
  18. 46.Chapter XLIV: The Last Christmas of the War1,080 words
  19. 47.Chapter XLV: My Last Days on the Veldt1,175 words
  20. 48.Chapter XLVI: I Am Ambushed and Captured2,124 words
  21. 49.Chapter XLVII: Shipped to St. Helena1,607 words
  22. 50.Chapter XLVIII: Life in Bonaparte's Prison2,272 words
  23. 51.Chapter XLIX: How We Blew Up and Captured Trains1,972 words
  24. 52.Chapter L: How We Fed and Clothed Commandos1,616 words
  25. 53.Chapter LI: Our Friend the Enemy1,525 words
  26. 54.Chapter LII: The Fighting Boer and His Officer1,276 words
  27. 55.Appendix: Some Correspondence between the British and Boer Military Officials3,691 words