Chapter VI: Buller's Second Advance (3)

Lord Roberts, recognising all this, with his usual diplomacy and sympathy for those who serve the Queen, decided to form a bodyguard, to accompany him to the front, of Colonials, the troops to be representative of all the corps--volunteers, irregulars, &c. The guard was to consist of Major Laing, an officer well versed and distinguished in Colonial matters, a lieutenant, two sergeants and corporals, and about forty picked troopers taken from the various irregular corps already at the front. The men of the corps were to continue to wear their own uniform, and merely to be distinguished by a badge. Preference in choosing the members of the guard was given to men of Colonial birth, good shots, riders, and scouts, who were well acquainted with all the peculiarities of Colonial life.

To further show his appreciation of the services of the Colonials, Lord Roberts appointed as extra aide-de-camp on his personal staff Colonel Bryon of the Australian Artillery. He also sent telegrams to the Governors of Victoria and New South Wales congratulating them on the spirit of patriotism in Australia, and expressing his appreciation of the useful and workmanlike troops that had been sent to assist in restoring peace, order, and freedom in South Africa.

Photo by Knight, Aldershot.]

At this time the following correspondence between the Presidents of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State and Lord Roberts was published at the Cape. It began with a joint despatch from Presidents Steyn and Kruger dated Bloemfontein, February 3, stating:--

"We learn from many sides that the British troops, contrary to
the recognised usages of war, have been guilty of destruction
by burning and blowing up with dynamite farmhouses and
devastating farms and goods therein, whereby unprotected women
and children have often been deprived of food and shelter. This
happens not only in places where barbarians are encouraged by
British officers, but even in Cape Colony and in this State
(Orange Free State), where white brigands come out from the
theatre of war with the evident intention of carrying on
general devastation without any reason recognised by the custom
of war and without in any way furthering the operations. We
wish earnestly to protest against such practices."

In reply Lord Roberts wrote:--

"I beg to acknowledge your Honours' telegram charging British
troops with the destruction of property contrary to the
recognised usages of war, and with brigandage and devastation.
These charges are made in vague and general terms. No specific
case is mentioned. No evidence is given. I have seen such
charges made before now in the Press, but in no case which has
come under my notice have they been substantiated. Most
stringent instructions have been issued to British troops to
respect private property so far as it is compatible with the
conduct of military operations. All wanton destruction and
injury to peaceful inhabitants are contrary to British practice
and traditions, and will, if necessary, be vigorously repressed
by me.

"I regret that your Honours should have seen fit to repeat the
untrue statement that barbarians have been encouraged by
British officers to commit depredations. In the only case in
which a raid has been perpetrated by native subjects of the
Queen, the act was contrary to the instructions of the British
officer nearest the spot, and entirely disconcerted his
operations. The women and children taken prisoners by the
natives were restored to their home by the agency of the
British officer in question.

"I regret to say it is the Republican forces which in some
cases have been guilty of carrying on war in a manner not in
accordance with civilised usage. I refer especially to the
expulsion of loyal subjects of Her Majesty from their homes in
the invaded districts because they refused to be commandeered
by the invaders. It is barbarous to attempt to force men to
take sides against their sovereign country by threats of
spoliation and expulsion. Men, women, and children had to leave
their homes owing to such compulsion. Many of those who were
formerly in comfortable circumstances are now maintained by
charity.

"That war should inflict hardships and injury on peaceful
inhabitants is inevitable, but it is the desire of Her
Majesty's Government and my intention to conduct this war with
as little injury as possible to peaceful inhabitants and
private property. I hope your Honours will exercise your
authority to ensure that it is conducted in a similar spirit on
your side."

Meanwhile the British Commander was rapidly maturing his plans. Troops were pouring into the Cape and mysteriously departing none knew whither. Great doings were in the air, and secret communications between Lord Roberts and the wily General French--communications which Boer spies endeavoured to intercept--promised that the splendid fastnesses hitherto enjoyed by the enemy would not much longer serve to keep him from the punishment that was his due.

FOOTNOTES:

[5] Colonel (local Major-General) E. R. P. Woodgate, who was in command of the 9th Brigade, joined as Ensign in the 4th Foot on April 7, 1865, and became Brevet-Colonel on June 26, 1897. He commanded a Regimental District from September 1897 to April 1898; was on special service in the Ashanti expedition from September 1873 to March 1874, also on special service in South Africa from June 1878 to November 1879; was Brigade Major in the West Indies from February 1880 to February 1885. He was employed with the West African Regiment from April 9, 1898; with the Abyssinian expedition in 1868; and was present at the capture of Magdala, for which he received a medal. He served in the Ashanti war, 1873-74, and was present at the actions of Essaman, Ainsah, Abrakrampa, and Faysoonah, at the battle of Amoaful and capture of Coomassie. For these services he received a medal with clasp. He also served through the Zulu campaign in 1879, at the action of Kambula and battle of Ulundi, and received a medal with clasp and his brevet of Major; and in 1898 in West Africa, in command of forces in expeditions against Sierra Leone insurgents. He was fifty-four years of age.