Chapter 33

THE NORTHERN OPERATIONS FROM JANUARY TO APRIL, 1901

Three consecutive chapters have now given some account of the campaign
of De Wet, of the operations in the Transvaal up to the end of the
year 1900, and of the invasion of Cape Colony up to April 1901. The
present chapter will deal with the events in the Transvaal from the
beginning of the new century. The military operations in that
country, though extending over a very large area, may be roughly
divided into two categories: the attacks by the Boers upon British
posts, and the aggressive sweeping movements of British columns.
Under the first heading come the attacks on Belfast, on Zuurfontein,
on Kaalfontein, on Zeerust, on Modderfontein, and on Lichtenburg,
besides many minor affairs. The latter comprises the operations of
Babington and of Cunningham to the west and south-west of Pretoria,
those of Methuen still further to the south-west, and the large
movement of French in the south-east. In no direction did the British
forces in the field meet with much active resistance. So long as they
moved the gnats did not settle; it was only when quiet that they
buzzed about and occasionally stung.

The early days of January 1901 were not fortunate for the British
arms, as the check in which Kitchener's Bodyguard was so roughly
handled, near Lindley, was closely followed by a brisk action at
Naauwpoort or Zandfontein, near the Magaliesberg, in which De la Rey
left his mark upon the Imperial Light Horse. The Boer commandos,
having been driven into the mountains by French and Clements in the
latter part of December, were still on the look-out to strike a blow
at any British force which might expose itself. Several mounted
columns had been formed to scour the country, one under Kekewich, one
under Gordon, and one under Babington. The two latter, meeting in a
mist upon the morning of January 5th, actually turned their rifles
upon each other, but fortunately without any casualties resulting. A
more deadly rencontre was, however, awaiting them.

A force of Boers were observed, as the mist cleared, making for a
ridge which would command the road along which the convoy and guns
were moving. Two squadrons (B and C) of the Light Horse were
instantly detached to seize the point. They do not appear to have
realised that they were in the immediate presence of the enemy, and
they imagined that the ground over which they were passing had been
already reconnoitred by a troop of the 14th Hussars. It is true that
four scouts were thrown forward, but as both squadrons were cantering
there was no time for these to get ahead. Presently C squadron, which
was behind, was ordered to close up upon the left of B squadron, and
the 150 horsemen in one long line swept over a