Chapter I: Front Matter

TRANSCRIBERS' NOTE:

In this plan text version, text in italics in the original is surrounded with _underscores_. Text in bold in the original is surrounded with =equals signs=. Text in an ornate font (awards of the Victoria Cross) is surrounded by #hash marks#.

The following publishers' note was bound into the middle of the book. To simplify reading of that section and allow interested readers to view it easily, it has been moved here.

Corrections are individually listed at the end of the text.

PUBLISHERS' NOTE.

The prolongation of the War far beyond the calculation of those best able to form an opinion on the subject has necessarily affected the plan of Creswicke's "South Africa and Transvaal War," and in consequence the completion of the work in a manner satisfactory to subscribers, and worthy of a book now widely recognised as a great History of the Campaign, has been most carefully considered by both Author and Publishers. They have decided to adhere closely to the plan of the work sketched in the original prospectus; that is to say, Volume VI. will bring to a close the History of the War so far as the annexation of the Transvaal is concerned. All the important and daring movements that culminated in the occupation of Lydenburg and the flight of Kruger are treated in graphic detail. A condensed account is also given of the subsequent Guerilla Warfare down to March 1901.

At the end of the Volume will be found the valuable Appendix matter announced in Prospectus:--

(1.) =Gazetteer.= This gives in alphabetical order all the information that is required as to places in South Africa. =Military terms are also fully explained.=

(2.) =Biographical Record.= No attempt has been made elsewhere to deal biographically in one list with the prominent actors connected with the South African Campaign. This list, which would form in itself a good sized volume crowded with facts, will be of permanent value.

(3.) =Recipients of the Victoria Cross=: giving details regarding those who have earned this honour during the War up to the date of publication.

It is evident, however, that the Guerilla operations, spread over so large an area as they are, would themselves furnish material for an extensive book. In view, therefore, of the importance of this unique development of the campaign, the military interest of the story, and the many heroic deeds which deserve the fullest recognition possible, the Publishers have decided to issue =an additional and strictly supplementary Volume= dealing with Lord Kitchener's regime as Commander-in-Chief and the Guerilla War. This additional volume will be uniform as regards general style, number of illustrations, price, &c., and it is hoped that it will be found possible to include in it some account of the ultimate settlement and the resources of the new Colonies. The Publishers are confident that subscribers will find this a valuable addition to the work.

* * * * *

Readers interested in this work are requested to assist the writer of the narrative by forwarding authentic letters or accounts throwing light on the military operations subsequent to Lord Roberts's departure from South Africa. The names of correspondents will not be made public, and their communications will be returned if desired. All letters should be addressed, LOUIS CRESWICKE, Esq., c/o Messrs T. C. & E. C. Jack, Causewayside, Edinburgh.

Photo by Alf. F. Hosking, Cape Town.]

SOUTH AFRICA
AND THE
TRANSVAAL WAR

BY

LOUIS CRESWICKE

AUTHOR OF "ROXANE," ETC.

WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS

IN SIX VOLUMES

VOL. VI.--FROM THE OCCUPATION OF PRETORIA TO
MR. KRUGER'S DEPARTURE FROM SOUTH AFRICA,
WITH A SUMMARISED ACCOUNT OF THE
GUERILLA WAR TO MARCH 1901

EDINBURGH: T. C. & E. C. JACK
MANCHESTER: KENNETH MACLENNAN, 75 PICCADILLY
1901

Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
At the Ballantyne Press

CONTENTS--VOL. VI

PAGE

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE v

OFFICIAL TABLE OF CASUALTIES IN SOUTH AFRICA viii

CHAPTER I

AT PRETORIA, JUNE 5 TO 10 1

THE BATTLE OF DIAMOND HILL, JUNE 11 TO 12 12

GUARDING THE COMMUNICATIONS 19

CHAPTER II

GENERAL BULLER'S OPERATIONS--ROUTING THE BOERS FROM LAING'S NEK,
MAY 19 TO JUNE 12 27

THE ADVANCE FROM LAING'S NEK TO STANDERTON--JOINING HANDS WITH
LORD ROBERTS'S FORCE, JUNE 13 TO 22 32

CHAPTER III

IN ORANGE RIVER COLONY (EAST), JUNE 37

IN THE WESTERN TRANSVAAL, JUNE TO JULY 9 40

CHAPTER IV

THE BATTLE OF BETHLEHEM--THE SURRENDER OF PRINSLOO 43

AFFAIRS IN AND AROUND PRETORIA--THE CAPTURE OF MIDDELBURG 54

PROTECTING THE KRUGERSDORP-POTCHEFSTROOM RAILROAD 66

CHAPTER V

CHASING DE WET IN THE WESTERN TRANSVAAL 70

PLOTS AND PROCLAMATIONS, AUGUST 81

CHAPTER VI

GENERAL BULLER'S MOVEMENTS--CLEARING THE TRANSVAAL BETWEEN
VOLKSRUST AND BELFAST 88

CHAPTER VII

THE LYDENBURG CAMPAIGN 93

THE ORANGE RIVER COLONY 112

THE WESTERN TRANSVAAL 117

EXIT MR. KRUGER 120

CHAPTER VIII

GUERILLA WARFARE 125