Chapter XV: The Close of 1901--Progress in November and December (2)

For reference in the future, when the resources of the Empire are studied, the following return of troops and horses sent out to South Africa between January 1, 1900, and December 31, 1901, may be found interesting:--

+-----------------------+-----------------------------------------------+ | | | | | From Home and India. | | During +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | | | Warrant | N.C.O.'s | | | | Officers. | Officers. | and Men. | Horses | +-----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | 1900. | | | | | |January | 1,099 | 45 | 28,072 | 10,229 | |February | 1,362 | 47 | 32,356 | 5,701 | |March | 1,130 | 63 | 26,539 | 5,501 | |April | 480 | 18 | 11,692 | 4,522 | |May | 321 | 4 | 7,020 | 2,481 | |June | 271 | 7 | 10,092 | 2,649 | |July | 120 | 6 | 2,107 | 1,277 | |August | 93 | 7 | 3,137 | 832 | |September | 128 | 3 | 4,644 | 1,187 | |October | 113 | 4 | 2,337 | 2 | |November | 125 | 18 | 2,331 | 895 | |December | 106 | 9 | 1,080 | 591 | | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | Total for 1900 | 5,348 | 231 | 131,407 | 35,867 | | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | 1901. | | | | | |January | 288 | 12 | 3,333 | 2,471 | |February | 275 | 3 | 5,225 | 1,495 | |March | 782 | 9 | 21,591 | 2,328 | |April | 366 | 12 | 4,498 | 2,724 | |May | 304 | 15 | 3,509 | 2,801 | |June | 287 | 11 | 5,532 | 2,481 | |July | 99 | 3 | 2,055 | 2,314 | |August | 179 | 13 | 3,546 | 1,672 | |September | 197 | 4 | 1,958 | 2,128 | |October | 191 | 13 | 1,466 | 2,401 | |November | 270 | 7 | 5,350 | 2,856 | |December | 619 | 16 | 11,686 | 5,024 | | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | Total for 1901 | 3,857 | 118 | 69,749 | 30,695 | | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | Grand Total | 9,205 | 349 | 201,156 | 66,562 | +-----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+

-----------------+-----------------------------------------+--------- During | Colonial Contingents. | Remounts +----------+----------+----------+--------+ from | Officers.| Warrant | N.C.O.'s | Horses.| Abroad. | | Officers.| and Men.| | -----------------+----------+----------+----------+--------+--------- 1900. | | | | | January | 134 | 2 | 2,080 | 2,145| 840 February | 69 | 3 | 1,313 | 1,384| 2,703 March | 149 | 1 | 2,739 | 3,065| 10,341 April | 45 | | 834 | 880| 7,879 May | 81 | 1 | 1,349 | 1,690| 7,761 June | | | | | 12,551 July | | | | | 3,305 August | | | | | 5,293 September | | | | | 8,680 October | | | | | 2,213 November | | | | | 1,120 December | | | | | 5,272 +----------+----------+----------+--------+--------- Total for 1900 | 478 | 7 | 8,315 | 9,164| 67,958 +----------+----------+----------+--------+--------- 1901. | | | | | January | 17 | | 567 | 580| 4,224 February | 77 | 1 | 1,424 | 1,391| 5,991 March | 162 | 6 | 3,806 | 2,722| 9,022 April | 86 | 3 | 1,672 | 1,951| 4,850 May | 3 | | 2 | | 4,384 June | | | | | 4,742 July | 9 | | 7 | | 9,130 August | 21 | 2 | 324 | | 7,800 September | | | | | 7,550 October | | | | | 10,728 November | | | | | 8,099 December | | | | | 15,463 +----------+----------+----------+--------+--------- Total for 1901 | 375 | 12 | 7,802 | 6,644| 91,983 +----------+----------+----------+--------+--------- Grand Total | 853 | 19 | 16,117 | 15,808| 159,941 -----------------+----------+----------+----------+--------+---------

+--------------+-------------------------------------+ | | Totals. | | +---------+---------+--------+--------+ | During | |Warrant |N.C.O.'s| | | |Officers.|Officers.|and Men.| Horses.| +--------------+---------+---------+--------+--------+ | 1900. | | | | | |January | 1,233 | 47 | 30,152 | 13,214| |February | 1,431 | 50 | 33,669 | 9,788| |March | 1,279 | 64 | 29,278 | 18,907| |April | 525 | 18 | 12,526 | 13,281| |May | 402 | 5 | 8,369 | 11,932| |June | 271 | 7 | 10,092 | 15,200| |July | 120 | 6 | 2,107 | 4,582| |August | 93 | 7 | 3,137 | 6,125| |September | 128 | 3 | 4,644 | 9,867| |October | 113 | 4 | 2,337 | 2,215| |November | 125 | 18 | 2,331 | 2,015| |December | 106 | 9 | 1,080 | 5,863| | +---------+---------+--------+--------+ |Total for 1900| 5,826 | 238 |139,722 | 112,989| | +---------+---------+--------+--------+ | 1901. | | | | | |January | 305 | 12 | 3,900 | 7,275| |February | 352 | 4 | 6,649 | 8,877| |March | 944 | 15 | 25,397 | 14,072| |April | 452 | 15 | 6,170 | 9,525| |May | 307 | 15 | 3,511 | 7,185| |June | 287 | 11 | 5,532 | 7,223| |July | 108 | 3 | 2,062 | 11,444| |August | 200 | 15 | 3,870 | 9,472| |September | 197 | 4 | 1,958 | 9,678| |October | 191 | 13 | 1,466 | 13,129| |November | 270 | 7 | 5,350 | 10,955| |December | 619 | 16 | 11,686 | 20,487| | +---------+---------+--------+--------+ |Total for 1901| 4,232 | 130 | 77,551 | 129,322| | +---------+---------+--------+--------+ |Grand Total | 10,058 | 368 |217,273 | 242,311| +--------------+---------+---------+--------+--------+

Owing to the efficacy of Lord Kitchener's slow but sure efforts the railway disasters became fewer. In October 1900 the railway was cut thirty-two times, or more than once per day. In November thirty times, in December twenty-one times, in January sixteen, in February (after De Wet's incursion into Cape Colony) thirty, in March eighteen, in April eighteen, in May twelve, in June eight, in July four, in August four, in September two, and in October not at all. Thus it became possible for more than a hundred refugees per week to resume work at Johannesburg.

The supreme authority throughout the Transvaal rested with Lord Kitchener. Civil considerations had of necessity to give way to military exigency. The work of the civil authorities was naturally restricted and subject to limitations from which on the return to normal conditions it would be freed. Nevertheless they acted with foresight, preparing such seeds as would ensure a good harvest in time to come. In a report made to Mr. Chamberlain in December, Lord Milner spoke hopefully of this happy era: "We have come into possession of a magnificent estate, which has been woefully mismanaged. As far as local administration is concerned--I am not speaking of the political development of South Africa as a whole--it requires no extraordinary statesmanship, it simply requires ordinary decent government and reasonable liberality in public finance to ensure not only a great advance in material prosperity, but in all the essentials of civilisation." Lord Milner also expressed the opinion that, terrible as had been the ravages of the war, the great fact remained that the Transvaal possesses an amount of mineral wealth virtually unaffected by the war which will ensure the prosperity of South Africa for the next fifty years, and other resources, both industrial and agricultural, which, properly developed, should make it a rich country, humanly speaking, for ever.

Before constructing the blockhouse lines Lord Kitchener determined that the enemy must be deprived of his guns. His efforts in that direction were speedily rewarded. By June 1901 nearly the whole Boer artillery was captured or had been destroyed by the Boers themselves. General French was responsible for the capture of guns in the Eastern Transvaal, and we know how effectively his work was carried out. General Babington deprived Delarey of nine guns, two were taken by Rawlinson and more by Dartnell and others. In all twenty-seven guns were reported to have been taken during the year; twenty-six of them during the months of February, March, April, and May. They included half-a-dozen pom-poms, seven or eight Maxims, several 15-pounders, Krupp guns of varying calibre, Creusot, Hotchkiss, and quick-firing guns. In addition to these armaments, more than half-a-dozen of our own guns taken from British positions at various times were recovered. Of rifles 7993 were captured, and during the year it was estimated that 8589 vehicles had been taken by the British. In fact the process of the gradual depletion of the enemy's resources had been most effective. The number of prisoners taken was about 27,000. The surrenders prior to Lord Kitchener's proclamation in August had averaged about 500 a month. During the later months the surrenders decreased, while the number of prisoners captured increased. Naturally at the close of the year there was a decline in the number of Boer casualties, for the continued attrition of the Boer resistance necessarily reduced the number of antagonists accounted for.

Photo Charles Knight, London.]

In an intercepted letter from Mr. Schalk Burger to Mr. Steyn, dated Tautesberg, March 21, 1901, stating that the condition of the Boers at that time was becoming very serious, the Acting President said:--

"The question is, what must we, what shall we do? May we, can we, continue the struggle further? I pray the Lord day and night to give us wisdom and light hereon, and cause us not to sin against His will, but also not to fall into disbelief. If we are convinced that our last resources are exhausted, our last strength broken, we must bow down and surrender ourselves to the power of the enemy, no matter how bitter this cup may be to us. I can, however, not yet decide upon this latter course. My hope and trust is still that we shall be delivered and saved; the sacrifices of lives, prayers, and misery, are too great not to be crowned with our hopes and expectations, according to our belief. As you will see for yourself, from the correspondence between Lord Kitchener and Commandant-General Botha, there is no mention of terms which meet us in any way, therefore I keep to the decision to surrender unconditionally if this must happen, which I trust God forbid. No, let us keep our nation unsullied, to receive no favour from our enemy, that the gulf which exists through former years and this cruel war remains and still widens. 'Where there is a will there's a way,' and if we are not exiled, we can, by exerting our strength, form committees, and supported by loving gifts from Europe, again build up our country and people, to advance our language and religion, to educate our children, and to keep alive our oppressed national spirit and cause it to come to life again. This is my ideal."

Many months had now elapsed since the penning of that letter, and the condition of the Boers had gone from bad to worse. Their hitherto stubborn resistance was now little more than suicidal lunacy. A rough estimate of their losses for the year, so far as could be judged, is shown in the following table:--

+-----------+---------+----------+------------+-------------+--------+ | 1901. | Killed. | Wounded. | Prisoners. | Surrenders. | Total. | +-----------+---------+----------+------------+-------------+--------+ | January | { Killed and | Prisoners and | } | | February | { wounded, | surrenders, | }2,844 | | March | { 670 | 2,174 | } | | April | { | | } | | May | 153 | 90 | 1,512 | 535 | 2,290 | | June | 223 | 109 | 1,074 | 504 | 1,910 | | July | 147 | 111 | 1,045 | 367 | 1,670 | | August | 202 | 86 | 1,504 | 549 | 2,341 | | September | 170 | 114 | 1,379 | 393 | 2,056 | | October | 425 | 368 | 980 | 197 | 1,970 | | November | 233 | 269 | 1,156 | 93 | 1,751 | | December | 164 | 97 | 1,106 | 121 | 1,488 | +-----------+---------+----------+------------+-------------+--------+ Total | 1,717 | 1,244 | 9,756 | 2,759 | 18,320 | +-----------+---------+----------+------------+-------------+--------+

Lord Milner, in reviewing the situation at the end of the year, commended the marked change which had come to pass:--

"Six months ago the enemy were everywhere, outside the principal towns. It is true they held nothing, but they raided wherever they pleased, and, though mostly in small bodies, which made little or no attempt at resistance when seriously pressed, they almost invariably returned to their old haunts when the pressure was over. It looked as though the process might go on indefinitely. I had every opportunity of watching it, for during the first two months of my residence here it was in full swing in the immediate neighbourhood. There were half-a-dozen Boer strongholds, or rather trysting-places, quite close to Pretoria and Johannesburg, and the country round was quite useless to us for any purpose but that of marching through it, while the enemy seemed to find no difficulty in subsisting there. To-day, on the other hand, a great quadrilateral, bounded roughly as follows: on the east by the Wilge River and a line drawn from its head-waters to Villiersdorp on the Vaal River; on the south, by the Vaal River from Villiersdorp to about Klerksdorp; on the west, by an irregular line drawn from Klerksdorp to the centre of the Magaliesberg Range; and on the north, by that range and the Pretoria-Delagoa Bay Railway, is virtually denied to the enemy. This area is more important, economically, politically, and strategically than all the rest of the Transvaal. It contains not only Pretoria and the whole of the Rand mining area, but one of the most important coalfields and a large extent of the best agricultural land. Similarly, a great improvement is manifest in the southern part of the Orange River Colony--the districts lying south of a line drawn from Ladybrand to Bloemfontein, and thence westward through Boshof to the colonial border. It would not be true to say that this region is entirely clear of the enemy, but great progress has recently been made in clearing it. Strategically this is a very important region owing to its central position, and to the fact that it connects the northern states with the 'friendly and allied' districts of Cape Colony."

In discussing the Cape rebels he declared that--

"If the enemy now find this region difficult to live in, and impossible to traverse in any considerable numbers, the circumstance is both militarily and politically important, for it means that their dwindling numbers in the late Republics are now deprived of that reinforcement from the south, which has all along been of such immense assistance to them. For even holding, as I do (though competent opinions differ on the subject), that the number of colonial rebels who have actually crossed the border during the past twelve months has not been large, it would be hard to overestimate the moral support which Colonial information, sympathy, and encouragement, and the touch with the outside world maintained by free communication with Cape Colony, has hitherto afforded to the enemy. Such communication is now greatly hampered, and may soon become absolutely impossible."

On the 25th of January a Peace Movement was made by the Dutch Government, in which it was proposed that the British Government should give safe conducts to three Boer delegates in order that they might go from Europe to induce their fighting compatriots to conclude a treaty of peace. Since a treaty is a compact between two Governments, and since one of the Governments--the Boer Government--ceased, with the annexation of the Boer territories, to exist, there was only one reply possible to the British Government, and this reply was given. The following is the text of the document:--

"THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE TO BARON GERICKE.

"FOREIGN OFFICE, _January 29, 1902_.

"SIR,--You were good enough to lay before me on the 25th
instant a communication from the Netherland Government, in
which it was proposed that, with the object of bringing the war
to an end, his Majesty's Government might grant a safe conduct
to the Boer delegates now in Holland for the purpose of
enabling them to confer with the Boer leaders in South Africa.
It is suggested that after the conference the delegates might
return to Europe with power to conclude a Treaty of Peace with
this country, and the Netherland Government intimate that, in
this event, they might at a later stage be instrumental in
placing the Boer Plenipotentiaries in relation with the
Plenipotentiaries who might be appointed by his Majesty's
Government.

"The Netherland Government intimate that if this project
commends itself to his Majesty's Government, they will inquire
of the delegates whether they are prepared to make the
suggested visit to South Africa.

"It may therefore be inferred that the communication which I
received from you was made on the responsibility of the
Netherland Government alone, and without authority from the
Boer delegates or leaders.

"His Majesty's Government have given it their best
consideration, and, whilst they entirely appreciate the motives
of humanity which have led the Netherland Government to make
this proposal, they feel that they must adhere to the decision,
adopted and publicly announced by them some months after the
commencement of hostilities by the Boers, that it is not their
intention to accept the intervention of any foreign Power in
the South African War.

"Should the Boer delegates themselves desire to lay a request
for safe conduct before his Majesty's Government, there is no
reason why they should not do so. But his Majesty's Government
are obviously not in a position to express an opinion on any
such application until they have received it and are aware of
its precise nature, and the grounds on which the request is
made.

"I may, however, point out that it is not at present clear to
his Majesty's Government that the delegates retain any
influence over the representatives of the Boers in South
Africa, or have any voice in their councils. They are stated by
the Netherland Government to have no letters of credence or
instructions later in date than March 1900. His Majesty's
Government had, on the other hand, understood that all powers
of government, including those of negotiation, were now
completely vested in Mr. Steyn for the Boers of the Orange
River Colony, and in Mr. Schalk Burger for those of the
Transvaal.

"If this be so, it is evident that the quickest and most
satisfactory means of arranging a settlement would be by direct
communication between the leaders of the Boer forces in South
Africa and the Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's forces, who
has already been instructed to forward immediately any offers
he may receive for the consideration of his Majesty's
Government.

"In these circumstances his Majesty's Government have decided
that if the Boer leaders should desire to enter into
negotiations for the purpose of bringing the war to an end,
those negotiations must take place, not in Europe, but in South
Africa.

"It should, moreover, be borne in mind that if the Boer
delegates are to occupy time in visiting South Africa, in
consulting with the Boer leaders in the field, and in returning
to Europe for the purpose of making known the results of their
errand, a period of at least three months would elapse, during
which hostilities would be prolonged, and much human suffering,
perhaps needlessly, occasioned.

"I have, &c.,

(Signed) "LANSDOWNE."

Thus the situation remained much the same as before, save that the British more than ever realised the necessity of bringing home to the Boers the fact that the death-blow to their independence had been struck by Kruger's insolent ultimatum of October 1899.

THE LOYALISTS OF THE CAPE COLONY

Regarding this remarkable and long-suffering set of men, it would be possible to write a volume. Space limits us to a few lines. Yet, after all, deeds like theirs are best sung in the finest song of all--the song that has no sound. Some one has asked, What constitutes a State? The answer applies to those, the loyal and true, who have fought and suffered in the cause of home and country.

"Men who their duties know
But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain,
Prevent the long-aimed blow
And crush the Tyrant while they rend the chain:
These constitute a State."

And these bulwarks of Great Britain's might were to be found in great strength in South Africa. Other colonies had contributed most generously in men and money, but no other colony had been called on to endure what the Cape Colony had endured, and thus enduring, to act and to pay as this colony had acted and paid. Almost from the commencement of hostilities the Colonial forces--the Cape Mounted Rifles, Cape Police, South Rhodesian Volunteers, and others[10]--had shown their grit and usefulness in the field and covered themselves with imperishable glory. If the burden of their maintenance had fallen hard on the resources of the country, the laurels they had won had clothed the harshness with an evergreen beauty, for the country must be eternally proud of the men who saved Wepener and of those who struggled and helped to save Mafeking. The outlines of Wepener's story have been given, and a little has been said of the Rhodesia Regiment that was raised by Colonel Plumer to protect the border in case of war, and in looking back over their operations it is difficult to say whether by their usefulness or their dash the Colonial "Irregulars" rendered themselves most conspicuous. During the war, of the Rhodesians Colonel Spreckley, Captain Crewe, Captain Butters, and Lieutenant Anderson lost their lives, but the borders of Rhodesia were protected. During the siege of Wepener the Cape Mounted Rifles fought in more engagements than an ordinary General will count in a lifetime--yet they saved the place and came out of it to fight a renewed set of battles!

It must be admitted that all the Colonial troops entered into their work with the same cheeriness and military ardour, though all had not the same chance to win fame. The Tabaksberg engagement on 29th January afforded the Kaffrarian Rifles an opportunity of distinguishing themselves, and the following quotation from a letter from Colonel Crewe (commanding the Colonial Division in the Field) to the Mayor of East London serves to show how they availed themselves of it:--

"I am sure you will be pleased to hear of the gallant conduct of the Kaffrarian Rifles at the recent engagement at Tabaksberg on 29th January last, when the force under my command, some 700 in all, were engaged by the forces of De Wet and Steyn. With odds of 2500 to 700 against us, we were able to successfully maintain our position owing to the extreme bravery of the men I have the honour to command. Where all did well, the Kaffrarian Rifles did especially fine service. To Major Price and Captain Fairweather much of this success is due, and amongst the non-commissioned officers and men it is difficult to pick out names for special mention where all did so well. I am sure East London will be prouder than ever of her gallant sons. Both General C. Knox and Lord Kitchener have expressed their admiration of the behaviour of all ranks on that day."

It seems unfair to make special mention of any single branch of the Colonial Volunteer Service, when all the Cape loyalists behaved in some way like "trumps" or veterans. The permanent forces of the Cape Government were grandly supported almost from the very first by the Cape Garrison Artillery, the Duke of Edinburgh's Own, and the Cape Town Highlanders, and these, when the "call to arms" came, were finally backed up by the Town Guards, the Peninsula Horse, and other irregular forces that had been raised practically at a moment's notice--drawn straight from the hearth and home to throw in their lot with the soldiers in the field. It was thanks to these that the colony was saved, and thanks to the Town Guard that the regular and irregular forces and volunteers were freed to push on to the front. Indeed, at one period of the war, the Cape Town Guard (which enrolled for three months and hung on to the end) were left almost entirely alone for the protection of the towns.

Lord Milner, who was greatly impressed by the conduct of the volunteers, thus expressed himself on the subject: "It is indeed calculated to exercise a most important and, I believe, beneficial influence upon the South African politics of the future. Among the principal causes of the trouble of the past and present was the contempt felt by the Africander countryman, used to riding and shooting, and generally in possession of a good rifle and plenty of cartridges, for other white men less habituated to arms than he was himself. That feeling can hardly survive the experience of the past twelve months, and especially of the last six weeks. The splendid fighting of the despised Johannesburgers, of the Imperial Light Horse, and of the other South African Colonial Corps has become a matter of history, and the present levee _en masse_ of the British people, including the townsmen, of this Colony, is proof positive that when the necessity is really felt they are equal to the best in courage and public spirit. In this respect the events of the past few months, unfortunate as they have been in many ways, have undoubtedly their brighter side. The mutual respect of the two principal white races is the first condition of a healthy political life in the South Africa of the future. It is possible that if the extreme strain of the most recent developments of the war had never been felt throughout Cape Colony the British inhabitants would never have had the opportunity of showing that they were inferior to none in their willingness to bear all the burdens of citizenship, including that of personal service."

It may be remembered that on the 6th of February 1901 Brigadier-General Brabant was appointed to the command of the force which was then being raised for the defence of the Cape Colony, with Colonel Girouard as his chief staff officer. His headquarters were at East London, where the organisation proceeded, expanding eventually northward and westward, taking in district after district, so as to enable the Imperial military forces ultimately to concentrate in the Orange River and Transvaal Colonies. Colonel H. Cooper, C.M.G., A.D.C., commanded the Cape Town District, and Major Coke took a prominent part in the organisation of the irregular corps. The towns which provided guards were mentioned in a previous volume, but particulars were not then available.

The Stellenbosch Town Guard contained some of the smartest members of the Colonial Defence Force. Like one man they enrolled themselves, only too proud to assist in the national cause. Very soon there were collected over a hundred of them under the following officers: Captain Harry Beyers, Lieutenant H. P. Shepherd, Lieutenant J. L. Scott, Hon. Surgeon-Captain J. W. C. Macpherson.

On the 15th January 1901 the Commandant read the proclamation of Martial Law in the Stellenbosch Court-house. From that date, thirty members of the Town Guard were called out to do permanent duty. At first some difficulty arose as to where the men were to be housed, &c., but eventually the Masonic Building was placed at the disposal of the Permanent Guard. "In this building," wrote a colonial correspondent, "Captain Harry Beyers, the officer in command of the Guard, has his office, where all permits and passes are issued; the Commandant of the District, who, by the way, lives at the Remount Station about five miles out of the town, comes in three times a week to transact any military business. The barrack-room is a fine and large hall where the men have their meals and also sleep. The rifles are all in racks at the further end of the hall; these racks are all numbered, and every man knows his number. The place and its surroundings are kept scrupulously clean, and a sentry, who is always to be seen at the gate, stops any loiterer from entering the parade ground, where every morning at seven o'clock and every afternoon at six o'clock the men are properly drilled by the popular 'Jimmy' Hills, the Colour-Sergeant Major, who is, like his captain, an old hand at the game."

In the beginning of July, when the Commandant of No. 7 Area, Colonel Helme, inspected the Guards, he was surprised to note the efficiency and smartness of the men. In an address to them he complimented the commanding officer for the work done; he also mentioned that the Stellenbosch Town Guard was the best turned out Guard in his area.

A brief description of the Civil Service Company of the Cape Town Guards serves to give a general idea of the nature of these valuable protectors of the city. The Company was under the command of Captain Callcott Stevens, of the Civil Commissioner's Office, Cape Town, who had previously seen active service with the Duke of Edinburgh's Own Volunteer Rifles in the Basuto Campaign of 1880-81. The section commanders of the Company were Lieutenant Frank W. Waldron, A.M.I.C.E., of the Department of the Commissioner for Public Works; Lieutenant William A. Collard, Deputy-Assistant Treasurer, Treasury Department; Lieutenant Arthur A. Beck, of the Colonial Secretary's Department; Lieutenant Bertram E. Shepperson, of the Treasury; and Lieutenant Charles Murray, of the Department of Public Education. The nominal strength of the Company was 142 members. It was raised in one afternoon--immediately the ministerial authority for its enrolment was obtained. A similar degree of rapidity was manifested in many other companies of the Guards at the time of the crisis, and this martial impetuosity reflected immense credit on the manhood of the city--on its patriotism, its disinterestedness, and its pluck.

The Civil Service Company consisted of five sections, and was fully representative of the Departments of the Prime Minister, the Commissioner for Public Works, the Treasury, the Colonial Office, and the Attorney-General, together with all the offices and sub-departments controlled by these ministerial divisions. An excellent spirit was manifested throughout by all ranks; and much laborious work was done in the way of guards mounted over important arsenals, magazines, and valuable stores. The original period of three months for which the Guards enrolled passed only too quickly, but their services were still urgently required, and they continued to be called upon for further periods of service, to which an excellent response was made--thus the military authorities were enabled to release many men of the regular forces for service in the fighting line, where they were much needed.

Among the various companies of the Town Guard were many prominent Government officials and business and professional men, whose names are familiar in the colony. It would be impossible to reprint the rolls of all the companies, but a list of names of some of the well-known persons who appeared in the new character of defenders of the Empire is here quoted:--

A. Allen, G. T. Amphlett, Kitchener Andersen, H. J. Andrews, H.
Arderne, Robert Armour, R. H. Atwell, R. J. Austin, R. E. Ball,
F. C. Berrangé, F. L. Bishop, J. J. Bisset, G. Bolus, W. H.
Bond, J. Brydone, W. P. Buchanan, J. C. Carstens, J. D.
Cartwright, M.L.A., J. H. Clark, Wm. Cleghorn, W. F. Colman,
Sydney Cowper, C.M.G., Peter Davidson, A. Dawson, Theo. De
Marillac, R. Dickson, Dennis Edwards, E. J. Edwards, W. A.
Fairbridge, Dr. E. B. Fuller, J. Garlick, C. M. Gibbs, J.
Gillett, C. G. Goodison, C. R. Goodspeed, W. Hanson, W. Hare,
A. T. Hennessy, J. W. Herbert, T. Herbert, Dr. J. Hewat, J. J.
Hill, Norman Hilliard, J. Hodgson, C. F. Hoffman, B. Hogsett,
J. W. Honey, Alf. S. Hosking, J. W. Irwin, W. H. Johnstone,
Howel Jones, Sir H. H. Juta, K.C., J. M. King, J. R. Lancaster,
R. A. Lambart, H. G. Legg, E. B. Lewis, Alex. Lipp, J. E.
Lloyd, W. B. Low, D. A. MacDonald, Walter Marshall, A. H.
Mathew, Rob. M. Maxwell, D. E. McConnell, A. M'Corkindale, D.
McKee, C. S. Meechan, Donald Menzies, Stavros Mitchel, R. H. C.
Montague, E. J. Moore, W. E. Moore, J. Barry Munnik, C. S.
Neave, E. T. M. Notcutt, A. Palmer, D. S. Pargiter, J. Parker,
Dr. T. L. Parry, J. O. Paterson, W. I. Perrott, F. Plant, A.
Plint, R. H. Pritchard, A. Ransome, P. Raphael, A. B. Reid, J.
Richards, H. P. B. Rigby, A. J. Robb, H. D. Robertson, G.
Crosland Robinson, D. D. Ross, Pierce Ryan, J. Sandersen, P. J.
Savage, A. D. Scott, G. Scott, M. W. Searle, K.C., Fred. Wm.
Smith, J. H. Smithers, C. E. Solomon, Will. G. Sprigg, W.
Stableford, James M. Stephen, Calcott M. Stevens, P. Stewart,
F. L. St. Leger, R. Stultaford, D. Tennant, N. P. Thesen, A. W.
Townshend, Geo. Trill, T. Upington, E. H. Von Witt, Joseph
Walker, G. B. Williams, J. Wilson, G. Lavibond Windsor, M.
Woodhead, T. J. Woodhead, J. Wyllie, R. O. Wynne-Roberts, J. A.
Yallop.

Among the number were many men of independent means who were contented to fill any place assigned to them, to take their share of duty as mere privates, and go through the same drudgery of drill as the ordinary raw recruit.

In February 1901 it was computed that 11,000 South African irregulars had been raised during the foregoing three months, and that of these Cape Town itself had contributed 5000, but finally, when, owing to the extension of the area of rebellion and the invasion of the Boers, a large augmentation of the defence force became necessary, further assistance was cheerfully given, the number of District Mounted troops and Town Guards amounting in a short time to over 18,000 men. This number out of a male (white) population of 114,000 speaks for itself.

It is impossible in a few lines to do justice to all the 18,000 members of this remarkable Colonial army, this goodly band of loyalists, English and Dutch, who stood at attention, ready, every man of them, to shed his heart's blood in the defence of his home and the maintenance of the prestige of the Empire. Noble work was done by them in various districts, work sometimes of the quiet and unostentatious kind that looks for and meets with no reward. But for these men various small towns in different parts of the Colony must have fallen into the enemy's hands, and have made stepping-stones to still further conquest: but for them the country might have become chaos--looting and ruin would have spread wider and wider afield--but for them the idea of driving the British into the sea might have been more than an empty boast. _They_ helped to turn the scale at a critical moment--the weight of their unanimous loyalty proved to the Boers the vanity of their dream!

British supremacy has been well maintained. The period of warfare is nearing an end, and all are thankful that a policy of generosity will be extended to the Boers. But there is an old proverb which advises us to "be just before we are generous," and it is hoped that in the coming by-and-by the great debt that the Empire owes her Cape loyalists may not only be ever remembered but adequately rewarded.

THE SOLDIERS' CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

The work done by the Soldiers' Christian Association in South Africa has been so incessant and far-reaching that it deserves special recognition. In no previous war has so much interest and sympathy been manifested in its multifarious operations, and it is difficult to define exactly how far the ramifications of this commendable undertaking extended. Innumerable War Funds, Comforts' Committees, Soldiers' Work Committees, Soldiers' Home Committees, and various bodies of a similar nature were organised and set to work with the best results, whilst officers and men were united in their praise and gratitude for the splendid efforts which were made in order to ameliorate their lot in the field, in camp, and in hospital.

The Soldiers' Christian Association--the Military Department of the Young Men's Christian Association--was one of the first organisations in the field, and on the 9th of November 1899 the following notice appeared in "Orders":--

LINES OF COMMUNICATIONS.

_Notice._

Permission has been given to the Soldiers' Christian
Association to send out tents and writing materials for the
troops.

Facilities are to be accorded to the Association to put up
tents at fixed stations as far as military requirement will
permit.

THE CASTLE, CAPE TOWN,
_November 9, 1899_.

About the middle of December 1899 a fully-equipped and specially-qualified band of eight workers was sent to South Africa from the head office in London, Mr. A. H. Wheeler (who has since died) being in charge, and during the campaign thirty workers were employed on the staff of the Association, many of these signing on in South Africa.

From "War Impressions" by Mortimer Menpes, by arrangement with Messrs A. & C. Black.]

As far as was possible and practicable, workers were attached to the main columns, having with them large green canvas marquees, each capable of seating 250 men. In the daytime the marquees were utilised for reading, correspondence, and recreative purposes, and in the evening gospel meetings were conducted by the representatives of the Association, many of the soldiers taking an active part in the proceedings. Reading matter and stationery, and goods of that nature, were at all times freely supplied to the troops, it being an object of the Association to grant everything to the men free of cost. In addition to the eight marquees in the country, there were also four wood and iron buildings, with a seating capacity for 300 men. These were placed at fixed camps along the lines of communication. The building at the Woodstock Hospital Camp proved of immense benefit to the multitudes of invalided troops at that large and well-known military depot.

During the campaign several thousands of pounds sterling were contributed towards the work, whilst the Soldiers' Christian Association was directly represented at the following camps:--Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Orange River, Enslin, Kimberley, Dronfield, Sterkstroom, Dordrecht, Arundel, Boshof, Hoopstad, Bloemfontein, Kroonstad, Pretoria, Eerste Fabriken, Estcourt, Frere, Dewdrop, Ladysmith, Elandslaagte, Ingagane, and Newcastle, where active operations were carried on by the staff of thirty workers. The main base of operations was Cape Town, whence supplies to the numerous representatives were despatched all over South Africa by the officials at headquarters, supplies being sent from the London office at Exeter Hall at regular intervals to the Cape Town depot, and thus throughout the many months of the Association's work in the field every camp where the work has been conducted was kept fully supplied with goods for the troops. Gratifying expressions of appreciation were received from several of the Generals and many of the officers regarding the good work of the Association, while the men were at all times profoundly grateful for all the pains expended for their comfort and welfare by Mr. W. Gordon Sprigg and his devoted colleagues.

Before leaving South Africa for England, the Commander-in-Chief, Field-Marshal Earl Roberts, sent the following letter to Mr. Will Gordon Sprigg, F.R.G.S., General Secretary of the Cape Town Young Men's Christian Association, and Honorary Secretary in South Africa of the Soldiers' Christian Association, expressive of his lordship's interest in, and appreciation of, the work:--

"CAPE TOWN, _11th December 1900_.

"I am desired by Field-Marshal Lord Roberts to assure you of
his lordship's high appreciation of the good work done by the
Soldiers' Christian Association in South Africa. Lord Roberts
has watched your work with much interest, and feels sure that
the success which has attended your efforts in the past will
continue in the future.

"His lordship wishes me to ask you to tender to all the members
of your staff and co-workers his best thanks for their
excellent services, and, in leaving South Africa to-day, he
wishes you all good-bye and God-speed.

(Signed) "W. V. COWAN, _Lieut.-Colonel,
Military Secretary._"

FOOTNOTES:

[10] See vol. iii. p. 161.