Chapter 21 - Page 2

around which they had manoeuvred so long. A telegram from Steyn to De
Wet found in the town told the whole story of the retirement: 'As long
as you are able to hold the positions you are in with the men you
have, do so. If not, come here as quickly as circumstances will
allow, as matters here are taking a serious turn.' The whole force
passed over the Orange River unimpeded, and blew up the Norval's Pont
railway bridge behind it. Clements's brigade followed on March 4th,
and succeeded in the course of a week in throwing a pontoon bridge
over the river and crossing into the Orange Free State. Roberts having
in the meanwhile seized Bloemfontein, communication was restored by
railway between the forces, and Clements was despatched to
Philippolis, Fauresmith, and the other towns in the south-west to
receive the submission of the inhabitants and to enforce their
disarmament. In the meantime the Engineers worked furiously at the
restoration of the railway bridge over the Orange River, which was
not, however, accomplished until some weeks later.

During the long period which had elapsed since the repulse at
Stormberg, General Gatacre had held his own at Sterkstroom, under
orders not to attack the enemy, repulsing them easily upon the only
occasion when they ventured to attack him. Now it was his turn also
to profit by the success which Lord Roberts had won. On February 23rd
he re-occupied Molteno, and on the same day sent out a force to
reconnoitre the enemy's position at Stormberg. The incident is
memorable as having been the cause of the death of Captain de
Montmorency,[Footnote: De Montmorency had established a remarkable
influence over his rough followers. To the end of the war they could
not speak of him without tears in their eyes. When I asked Sergeant
Howe why his captain went almost alone up the hill, his answer was,
'Because the captain knew no fear.' Byrne, his soldier servant (an
Omdurman V.C. like his master), galloped madly off next morning with a
saddled horse to bring back his captain alive or dead, and had to be
forcibly seized and restrained by our cavalry.] one of the most
promising of the younger officers of the British army. He had formed
a corps of scouts, consisting originally of four men, but soon
expanding to seventy or eighty. At the head of these men he confirmed
the reputation for desperate valour which he bad won in the Soudan,
and added to it proofs of the enterprise and judgment which go to make
a leader of light cavalry. In the course of the reconnaissance he
ascended a small kopje accompanied by three companions, Colonel
Hoskier, a London Volunteer soldier, Vice, a civilian, and Sergeant
Howe. 'They are right on the top of us,' he cried to his comrades, as
he reached the