FOOTNOTES:

FOOTNOTES:[D]Graded as a Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General.

[D]Graded as a Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General.

STAFF OF1stARMY CORPS.Staff Position.Names of Officers Selected.General Officer Commanding Army Corps (General Commanding-in-Chief)General Rt. Hon. Sir R. H. Buller, V.C., G.C.B., K.C.M.G.Military SecretaryColonel Hon. F. W. Stopford, C.B., p.s.c.Aides-de-Camp (4)Captain H. N. Schofield, R.A.Captain C. J. Sackville-West, King's Royal Rifle Corps.Lieutenant A. R. Trotter, 2nd Life Guards.2nd Lieut. C. A. Howard, Shropshire Light Infantry.Chief of the General Staff (Major-General on Staff)Major-General Sir A. Hunter, K.C.B., D.S.O.Aide-de-CampBrevet-Major A. J. Kings, Royal Lancaster Regt.Deputy Adjutant-GeneralColonel A. S. Wynne, C.B.Assistant Adjutant-Generals (2)Colonel H. S. G. Miles, M.V.O., p.s.c.Colonel C. W. H. Douglas, A.D.C.Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals (4)(a) Lieut.-Colonel C. à Court, p.s.c.(a) Major L. E. Kiggell, p.s.c., Royal Warwickshire Regt.(b) Major P. J. Lewis, Army Service Corps.(b) Major A. H. Thomas, Army Service Corps.Commandant, Head-Quarters[E]Colonel R. Pole-Carew, C.B., h.p.Principal Medical OfficerSurgeon-General W. D. Wilson, M.B.Medical OfficersMajor W. G. A. Bedford, M.B., R.A.M.C.Captain M. L. Hughes, R.A.M.C.Provost Marshal[E]Major Hon. J. H. G. Byng, p.s.c., 10th Hussars.Intelligence Duties—Assistant Adjutant-General (1)Major E. A. Altham, p.s.c., Royal Scots.Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals (2)Major H. J. Evans, p.s.c., Liverpool Regiment.Captain Hon. F. Gordon, p.s.c., Gor. Highlanders.Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General for TopographyLieut.-Colonel W. W. C. Verner, p.s.c.Commanding Royal Artillery (Major-General on Staff)Colonel (local Major-Gen.) G. H. Marshall.Staff Officer, Royal ArtilleryMajor H. C. Sclater, R.A.Aide-de-Camp, R.A.Captain A. D. Kirby, R.F.A.Chief Engineer (Major-General on Staff)Colonel (local Major-Gen.) E. Wood, C.B.Staff Officer, Royal EngineersMajor E. H. Bethell, p.s.c., Royal Engineers.Aide-de-Camp, Royal EngineersBrevet-Major R. S. Curtis, Royal Engineers.Military Mounted Police[F]Brevet-Major R. M. Poore, 7th Hussars.Press Censor[F]Major W. D. Jones, p.s.c., Wiltshire Regt.Principal ChaplainRev. E. H. Goodwin, B.A.Director of Signalling[E]Major (local Lieut.-Colonel) E. Rhodes, D.S.O., Royal Berks Regt.Chief Ordnance OfficerColonel R. F. N. Clarke, Army Ord. Department.Principal Veterinary OfficerVeterinary Lieut.-Colonel I. Matthews, Army Veterinary Department.Orderly Veterinary OfficerCorps Troops.Officer Commanding Corps Artillery (Colonel on Staff)Colonel C. M. H. Downing.AdjutantCaptain E. S. E. W. Russell, Royal Field Artillery.Officer Commanding Royal Horse ArtilleryLieut.-Colonel W. L. Davidson, Royal Horse Artillery.Adjutant, R.H.A.Captain G. W. Biddulph, Royal Horse Artillery.Officer Commanding F.A. (I.)Lieut.-Colonel J. S. S. Barker, p.s.c., R.F.A.AdjutantCaptain E. J. Duffus, R.F.A.Officer Commanding Field Artillery (II.)Lieut.-Colonel P. C. E. Newbigging, R.F.A.AdjutantCaptain E. C. Cameron, Royal Field Artillery.Officer Commanding Corps Troops, Royal EngineersLieut.-Colonel C. A. Rochfort-Boyd, R.E.AdjutantLieut. S. D. Barrow, R.E.

STAFF OF1stARMY CORPS.

FOOTNOTES:[E]Graded as Assistant Adjutant-General.[F]Graded as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals.

[E]Graded as Assistant Adjutant-General.

[F]Graded as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals.

1stARMY CORPS—1stDIVISION.Staff Position.Names of Officers Selected.General Officer Commanding (Lieut.-General on Staff)Lieut.-General P. S. Lord Methuen, K.C.V.O., C.B., C.M.G.Aides-de-Camp (2)Major H. Streatfield, Grenadier Guards.Captain J. A. Bell-Smyth, 1st Dragoon Guards.Assistant Adjutant-GeneralColonel R. B. Mainwaring, C.M.G.Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals(a) Brevet Lieut.-Colonel H. P. Northcott, C.B., p.s.c., Leinster Regt.(b) Major R. H. L. Warner, p.s.c., Army Service Corps.Assistant-Provost-Marshall[G]Captain R. J. Ross, 1st Bn. Middlesex Regt.Chaplains (2)Rev. T. F. Falkner, M.A.Rev. E. M. Morgan (R.C.)Principal Medical OfficerColonel E. Townsend, C.B., M.D., R.A.M.C.Medical OfficerMajor C. H. Burtchaell, M.B., R.A.M.C.Divisional Signalling OfficerLieut. Hon. E. D. Loch, D.S.O., 1st Bn. Grenadier Guards.1st Brigade.Major-GeneralMajor-General Sir H. E. Colvile, K.C.M.G., C.B.Aide-de-CampCaptain G. C. Nugent, Grenadier Guards.Brigade-MajorCaptain H. G. Ruggles-Brise, p.s.c., Grenadier Guards.2nd Brigade.Major-GeneralMajor-General H. J. T. Hildyard, C.B., p.s.c.Aide-de-CampLieut. A. Blair, King's Own Scottish Borderers.Brigade-MajorMajor L. Munro, p.s.c., Hampshire Regt.

1stARMY CORPS—1stDIVISION.

FOOTNOTES:[G]Graded as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General.

[G]Graded as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General.

1stARMY CORPS—2ndDIVISION.Staff Position.Names of Officers Selected.General Officer Commanding (Lieut.-General on Staff)Major-General (Local Lieut.-General) Sir C. F. Clery, K.C.B., p.s.c.Aides-de-Camp (2)Major F. E. Cooper, Royal Artillery, p.s.c.Captain L. Parke, Durham Light Infantry.Assistant Adjutant-GeneralMajor and Bt.-Colonel B. M. Hamilton, p.s.c., East Yorkshire Regiment.Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General(a) Captain H. E. Gogarty, p.s.c., Royal Scots Fusiliers.(b) Captain W. G. B. Boyce, Army Service Corps.Assistant Provost-Marshal[H]Major G. F. Ellison, p.s.c., Royal Warwickshire Regt.Chaplains (2)Rev. A. A. L. Gedge, B.A.Rev. J. Robertson (P.).Principal Medical OfficerColonel T. J. Gallwey, M.D., C.B., R.A.M.C.Medical OfficerMajor W. Babtie, M.B., C.M.B., R.A.M.C.Divisional Signalling OfficerLieut. J. S. Cavendish, 1st Life Guards.3rd Brigade.Major-GeneralMaj.-Gen. A. G. Wauchope, C.B., C.M.G.Aide-de-CampCaptain J. G. Rennie, R.H.Brigade-MajorMajor and Bt.-Lieut.-Col. J. S. Ewart, p.s.c., Cameron Highlanders.4th Brigade.Major-GeneralMajor-General Hon. N. G. Lyttelton, C.B.Aide-de-CampCaptain Hon. H. Yarde-Buller, Rifle Brigade.Brigade-MajorCaptain H. H. Wilson, p.s.c., Rifle Brigade.

1stARMY CORPS—2ndDIVISION.

FOOTNOTES:[H]Graded as a Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General.

[H]Graded as a Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General.

1stARMY CORPS—3rdDIVISION.Staff Position.Names of Officers Selected.General Officer Commanding (Lieut.-General on Staff)Major-General (local Lieut.-Gen.) Sir W. F. Gatacre, K.C.B., D.S.O., p.s.c.Aides-de-Camp (2)Lieutenant A. J. M'Neill, 1st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders.Assistant Adjutant-GeneralColonel R. E. Allen, p.s.c.Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals(a) Lieut.-Colonel W. H. H. Waters, M.V.O., p.s.c.(b) Major P. E. F. Hobbs, Army Service Corps.Assistant Provost-Marshal[I]Captain J. R. F. Sladen, p.s.c., East Yorkshire Regt.Chaplains (2)Rev. E. Ryan (R.C.)Rev. R. Armitage, M.A.Principal Medical OfficerLieut.-Colonel J. D. Edge, M.D., R.A.M.C.Medical OfficerMaj. G. E. Twiss, R.A.M.C.Divisional Signalling OfficerCaptain S. Fitz G. Cox, 2nd Bn. Lincolnshire Regt.5th Brigade.Major-GeneralMajor-General A. Fitzroy Hart, C.B., p.s.c.Aide-de-CampCaptain Hon. St L. H. Jervis, King's Royal Rifle Corps.Brigade-MajorMajor C. R. R. MacGrigor, p.s.c., King's Royal Rifle Corps.6th Brigade.Major-GeneralMajor-General G. Barton, C.B., p.s.c.Aide-de-CampBrigade-MajorCaptain J. A. E. MacBean, D.S.O., p.s.c., Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

1stARMY CORPS—3rdDIVISION.

FOOTNOTES:[I]Graded as a Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General.

[I]Graded as a Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General.

STAFF OF CAVALRY DIVISION.Staff Position.Names of Officers Selected.General Officer Commanding (Lieut.-General on Staff)Col. (Lieut.-General) J. D. P. French.Aides-de-Camp (2)Lieutenant J. P. Milbanke, 10th Hussars.Assistant Adjutant-GeneralColonel Hon. G. H. Gough, C.B., p.s.c.Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals(a) Major D. Haig, p.s.c., 7th Hussars.(b) Major G. O. Welch, Army Service Corps.Officer Commanding, Royal Horse ArtilleryLieut.-Colonel F. J. W. Eustace, R.H.A.Adjutant, R.H.A.Capt. A. D'A. King, R.H.A.Chaplain (1)[K]Rev. W. C. HainesPrincipal Medical OfficerLieut.-Colonel W. Donovan, Royal Army Medical Corps.Medical OfficerMajor H. G. Hathaway, Royal Army Med. Corps.Assistant Provost-Marshal[L]Captain P. A. Kenna, V.C., 21st Lancers.Intelligence Department—Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-GeneralCaptain Hon. H. A. Lawrence, p.s.c., 17th Lancers.1st Brigade.Major-GeneralCol. (local Major-General) J. M. Babington.Aide-de-CampLieutenant F. W. Wormald, 7th Hussars.Brigade-MajorCaptain C. J. Briggs, 1st Dragoon Guards.Officer Commanding Mounted Infantry[J]Major and Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel E. A. H. Alderson, p.s.c., Royal West Kent Regt.Adjutant Mounted Infantry[L]Captain H. M'Micking, Royal Scots.2nd Brigade.Major-GeneralColonel (local Major-Gen.) J. P. Brabazon, C.B., A.D.C.Aide-de-CampMajor Hon. C. E. Bingham, 1st Life Guards.Brigade-MajorCaptain Hon. T. W. Brand, 10th Hussars.Officer Commanding Mounted Infantry[J]Captain and Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel R. J. Tudway, 2nd Bn. Essex Regt.Adjutant Mounted Infantry[L]Captain H. L. Ruck-Keene, Oxford. Light Infantry.Coleridge Grove, M.S.2nd October 1899.

STAFF OF CAVALRY DIVISION.

Coleridge Grove, M.S.

2nd October 1899.

FOOTNOTES:[J]Graded as Assistant Adjutant-General.[K]Will act for both Brigades.[L]Graded as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals.

[J]Graded as Assistant Adjutant-General.

[K]Will act for both Brigades.

[L]Graded as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-Generals.

MAP OF THE SEAT OF WAR Illustrating "South Africa and the Transvaal War," by Louis Creswicke.MAP OF THE SEAT OF WARIllustrating "South Africa and the Transvaal War," by Louis Creswicke.

MAP OF THE SEAT OF WAR

Illustrating "South Africa and the Transvaal War," by Louis Creswicke.

"Patience, long sick to death, is dead. Too longHave sloth and doubt and treason bidden us beWhat Cromwell's England was not, when the seaTo him bore witness, given of Blake, how strongShe stood, a commonweal that brooked no wrongFrom foes less vile than men like wolves set free,Whose war is waged where none may fight or flee—With women and with weanlings. Speech and songLack utterance now for loathing. Scarce we hearFoul tongues, that blacken God's dishonoured nameWith prayers turned curses and with praise found shame,Defy the truth whose witness now draws nearTo scourge these dogs, agape with jaws afoam,Down out of life. Strike, England, and strike home."

—Algernon Charles Swinburne.

In the face of the insolent Ultimatum which had been addressed to Great Britain by the South African Republic, the nation closed its ranks and relegated party controversy to a more appropriate season. The British people were temporarily in accord. A wave of indignation surged over the country, and united men of different shades of politics and of varying religious creeds, making them forget their private feuds, and remember only the paramount fact that they were sons of the Empire. There were some, it is true, who remained afar off—a few exceptions to prove the rule of unanimity, beings with souls so dead that never to themselves had said, "This is my own, my native land," and who yet looked upon the Boer as an object of commiseration. But these were, first, men linked either by birth or family ties with the Afrikander cause; second, fractious Irishmen and political obstructionists who posed for notoriety at any price; and, third, eccentrics and originals, whose sense of opposition forbade them from floating at any time with the tide of public opinion. Every one else cried aloud for a chance to uphold Great Britain's prestige, and the WarOffice was so beset with applications from volunteers for the front that it was found almost impossible even to consider them. Nor was the excitement confined to officers alone. Recruiting went on apace, and not only did recruits pour in, but deserters, who had slunk away from regimental duty, now returned and gave themselves up, praying to be allowed to suffer any penalty and then march out to battle as soldiers of the Queen! Two Royal Proclamations having been issued—the one directing the continuance in army service, until discharged or transferred to the reserve, of soldiers whose term of service had expired or was about to expire; the other, ordering the army reserve to be called out on permanent service—some 25,000 men received notice to rejoin the colours. These in large numbers promptly appeared. The New South Wales Lancers, who had been going through a course of cavalry training at Aldershot, at once volunteered their services and started for the Cape amidst scenes of great enthusiasm. Other colonial troops were as eager to join, and the spirit of military rivalry throughout Her Majesty's dominions was both amazing and inspiriting.

Queensland had the honour of opening the ball. Her sympathy with the policy of Great Britain and her loyalty to the mother country was shown in practical form. She intimated, in the event of hostilities, her willingness to send 250 mounted infantry and a machine-gun to the front. New Zealand followed suit; she also offered two companies of mounted rifles fully equipped at the cost of the Colony. These offers were gratefully accepted. Not to be behind-hand, Western Australia and Tasmania made similar offers, and Her Majesty's Government gladly agreed to accept one unit of 125 men from each. The Parliament of Victoria voted the despatch of a contingent of 250 men to South Africa, and the Governments of New South Wales and South Australia actively discussed similar measures. This expression of Colonial public opinion, embodying as it did the independent judgments of so many free juries, uninfluenced by personal or direct interests, had a significance which, besides being politically important, was eminently satisfactory. All Her Majesty's dominions, on which the sun never sets, were at this critical moment holding hands in a wide circle that encompassed the earth, and the picture of the small mother country with all her big children gathered around her in her hour of need was not one that the romance of history can afford to disregard.

IN SOUTH AFRICA

Before hostilities had actually begun, refugees from Johannesburg began to pour down to Natal and the Cape, and there were daily reports of insults received by the Uitlanders at the handsof the Boers. Ladies were spat upon, and passengers suffered indignities sufficient to make an Englishman's blood boil. Fresh troops began to arrive from India, and Sir George White, in a chorus of farewell shouts, "Remember Majuba," went off from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. This was on the 7th of October 1899. At that time the troops were thus distributed:—

At Pietermaritzburg—1st Battalion Manchester Regiment and Mounted Infantry Company; 2nd Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps.At Estcourt—Detachment Natal Naval Volunteers; Natal Royal Rifles.At Colenso—Durban Light Infantry.At Ladysmith—5th Lancers; Detachment 19th Hussars; Brigade Division, Royal Artillery; 10th Mountain Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery; 23rd Company, Royal Engineers; 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment; 1st Battalion Liverpool Regiment, and Mounted Infantry Company; 26th (two sections) British Field Hospital, and Colonial troops.At Glencoe—18th Hussars; Brigade Division, Royal Artillery; 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, and Mounted Infantry Company; 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, and Mounted Infantry Company; 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and Mounted Infantry Company; 6th Veterinary Field Hospital.There was also one Company 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps at Eshowe, and a detachment of the Umvoti Mounted Rifles at Helpmakaar.

At Pietermaritzburg—1st Battalion Manchester Regiment and Mounted Infantry Company; 2nd Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps.

At Estcourt—Detachment Natal Naval Volunteers; Natal Royal Rifles.

At Colenso—Durban Light Infantry.

At Ladysmith—5th Lancers; Detachment 19th Hussars; Brigade Division, Royal Artillery; 10th Mountain Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery; 23rd Company, Royal Engineers; 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment; 1st Battalion Liverpool Regiment, and Mounted Infantry Company; 26th (two sections) British Field Hospital, and Colonial troops.

At Glencoe—18th Hussars; Brigade Division, Royal Artillery; 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, and Mounted Infantry Company; 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, and Mounted Infantry Company; 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and Mounted Infantry Company; 6th Veterinary Field Hospital.

There was also one Company 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps at Eshowe, and a detachment of the Umvoti Mounted Rifles at Helpmakaar.

Meanwhile, at Pretoria, the Boers, protesting at the notice taken of the "chimerical grievances of the so-called Uitlanders," made energetic efforts to appoint General Viljeon, a rabid anti-Briton,in place of General Joubert as Commander-in-Chief of the Transvaal forces.

The troops under Commandant Cronje, the hero of Potchefstroom, advanced nearer to the border, in the direction of Mafeking, and in the expectation of attack, this town was securely fortified, while all the women and children were advised to leave. The fortification of Kimberley was also commenced. The European exodus from all quarters continued, defenceless men and women alike being subjected to insult and ill-treatment by the Boers. Mr. Kruger's birthday was kept at Pretoria with general rejoicing, and on the following day a telegram was sent by President Kruger to theNew York Worldsaying:—

"Through theWorldI thank the people of the United States most sincerely for their sympathy. Last Monday the Republic gave Great Britain forty-eight hours' notice within which to give the Republic an assurance that the present dispute would be settled by arbitration or other peaceful means, and that the troops would be removed from the borders. This expires at five to-day. The British Agent has been recalled. War is certain. The Republics are determined, if they must belong to Great Britain, that a price will have to be paid which will stagger humanity. They have, however, full faith. The sun of liberty will arise in South Africa as it arose in North America."

From this letter it was patent that Mr. Kruger was either pursuing his policy of bluff, or had made long and elaborate preparations for war with the British. On the same date an announcement was published in the town of Pretoria:—

"Government House,October 11."Her Majesty's Agent at Pretoria was to-day instructed to make the following communication to the Government of the South African Republic: 'The Imperial Government have received with great regret the peremptory demands of the Government of the South African Republic conveyed in the telegram of October 9. You will inform the Government of the South African Republic that the conditions demanded by the Government of the South African Republic are such as Her Majesty's Government deem it impossible to discuss. With the delivery of the above,' the Imperial Government add, 'as the Transvaal Government stated in their Note that a refusal to comply with their demands would be regarded as a formal declaration of war, the British Agent is instructed to ask for his passports.'"

"Government House,October 11.

"Her Majesty's Agent at Pretoria was to-day instructed to make the following communication to the Government of the South African Republic: 'The Imperial Government have received with great regret the peremptory demands of the Government of the South African Republic conveyed in the telegram of October 9. You will inform the Government of the South African Republic that the conditions demanded by the Government of the South African Republic are such as Her Majesty's Government deem it impossible to discuss. With the delivery of the above,' the Imperial Government add, 'as the Transvaal Government stated in their Note that a refusal to comply with their demands would be regarded as a formal declaration of war, the British Agent is instructed to ask for his passports.'"

Of course, this news caused intense excitement, and all who had remained sanguine of peace now gave up hope. At Bloemfontein President Steyn simultaneously issued a Proclamation to the Burghers of the Free State. He said that "the sister Republic is about to be attacked by an unscrupulous enemy, who has long looked for a pretext to annihilate the Afrikanders."

He went on to say that the people of the Orange Free State were bound to the Transvaal by many ties, as well as by formal treaty, and solemnly declared, in the presence of the Almighty, that they are compelled to resist a powerful enemy owing to the injustice done to their kith and kin.

Solemn obligations, continued the Proclamation, have not protected the Transvaal against an annexation conspiracy. When its independence ceases, the existence of the Orange Free State as an independent State will be meaningless. Experience in the past has shown that no reliance can be placed on the solemn promises and obligations of Great Britain when the Administration at the helm is prepared to tread treaties under foot.

After giving a historical sketch of the wrongs which he alleged had been done to the Transvaal, President Steyn said: "The original Conventions have been twisted and turned by Great Britain into a means of exercising tyranny against the Transvaal, which has not returned the injustice done to it in the past. No gratitude has been shown for the indulgence which was granted to British subjects, who, according to law, had forfeited their lives and property. Compliance with the British demands would be equivalent to the loss of our independence, which has been gained by our blood and tears. For many years British troops have been concentrating on the borders of the Transvaal in order to compel it by terrorism to comply withBritish claims. The crafty plans of those with whom love of gold is the motive are now being realised. While acknowledging the honour of thousands of Englishmen who abhor deeds of robbery and violence, the Orange Free State execrates the wrongful deeds of a British statesman."

After expressing confidence that the Almighty would help and aid them, and counselling the Burghers to do nothing unworthy of Christians and Burghers of the Free State, the President concluded with the following words: " Burghers of the Free State, stand up as one man against the oppressor and violator of right."

Meanwhile Sir George White, accompanied by Colonel Ian Hamilton (Assistant Adjutant-General), Colonel Duff (Assistant Military Secretary), Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry Rawlinson, and Captains Brooke and Lyon, aides-de-camp, was proceeding on his journey to Ladysmith. The principal British camps were situated near Glencoe Junction and Ladysmith, and around these some twelve or fifteen thousand Boers were reported to be stationed between Sandspruit, Volksrust, and Wakkerstroom, while on the western side the Natal border was threatened by the Orange Free State's forces, which were posted in the neighbourhood of Van Reenen's Pass.

A Proclamation, signed by Sir Alfred Milner and Mr. Schreiner, was issued in Cape Town, warning British subjects of their duty to the Queen, while at the same time the German Consul-General officially ordered his countrymen to remain neutral. A similar warning was given by the German Consul to Germans in Johannesburg. Preparations were made for the immediate landing of a Naval Brigade from the British battleships in Simon's Bay, and volunteers of all kinds hurried to tender their services for special corps. In Pretoria a further manifesto was issued, calling on Afrikanders to resist the British demands, and accusing Lord Salisbury, Mr. Chamberlain, and Sir Alfred Milner of pursuing a "criminal policy." It also declared that it was perfectly clear that the desire and object of Great Britain was to deprive the Transvaal Republic of its independence on account of the gold-mining industry on the Rand.

The manifesto went on to say that Great Britain had offered two alternatives—a five years' franchise or war. It pointed out that the difference between the two Governments of two years in the matter of the franchise had been considered as a sufficient justification for Her Majesty's Government to endeavour to swallow up the Republics, and it reminded the Afrikanders that God would assuredly defend the right.

The manifesto was signed "Francois Willem Reitz, Secretary of State." It created a profound sensation, and a million copies were printed in Dutch and English.

By this time General Viljoen, in command of the Free Stateartillery, was marching towards Albertina, and a party of Boers was encroaching on the Natal border near Berg. Newcastle was warned that a state of war had begun. It was abandoned by the British, and taken possession of by the Boers, while Mafeking held itself in readiness to withstand the enemy. At Sandspruit the Boers were scattered in various camps over a wide area, and on the Portuguese border the Barberton and Lydenburg commandoes were concentrating. Terrified refugees were still fleeing to the Cape in such large numbers that it was almost impossible to find accommodation for them, and large sums of money were being subscribed both there and in Great Britain for the relief of the unhappy exiles. Mr. Rhodes, as usual, gave munificently in aid of the sufferers, and Sir Alfred Milner exerted himself to save the unhappy victims of British and Boer disagreement from destitution. The treatment that these poor persons received from the Boers in the course of their journey caused intense indignation, and profound sympathy was felt for the homeless ones who thus suddenly had been cast adrift from domestic comfort to complete poverty.

It was now believed that, following the precedent of 1881, an attempt would be made to isolate Mafeking and Kimberley, and carry on irregular sieges at these places. The enemy's forces on the northern frontier of Natal were estimated at some 13,000 men, while at Mafeking and Kimberley they were supposed to number some three thousand each. On the east, the seaport of Lorenzo Marques now sprung into great importance, and the supposed neutralisation of the harbour was effected.

On the 11th of October Mr. Coningham Greene, the British Agent in Pretoria, left that place for Cape Town; and on the 14th General Sir Redvers Buller, as Commander-in-chief of the British forces engaged against the Boer Republics, started from England. The state of war had commenced in earnest. The Boers in hot haste began to issue further Proclamations, and President Steyn continued to call on his Burghers to "stand up as one man against the oppressor and violator of rights." Twenty-four hours later they were over the border, tearing up railway lines and severing telegraph wires, and thus cutting off communication between Mafeking, Vryburg, Rhodesia, and Cape Colony. The investment of Kimberley was imminent, but it was generally believed that the Diamond City was strong enough to hold its own till our troops should come to the rescue. The First Brigade of the Army Service Corps started on the 20th of October from Southampton, the second left on the following day, and the third sailed on Sunday the 22nd. About the same time the Canadian Government decided to contribute 1000 men for service in South Africa, and the New Zealand Contingent sailed for the Cape.

THE OUTBREAK OF WAR—THE DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS WHERE THE BOERS WERE LAAGERED.THE OUTBREAK OF WAR—THE DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS WHERE THE BOERS WERE LAAGERED.

In spite of the energetic movements that were suddenly set onfoot, a few pessimists ventured to declare that we would be bound to reap the results of our previous unpreparedness, and that in consequence of our procrastination and the weakness of the Government in not having taken the initiative and allowed us to mobilise earlier, the Boers would get a good six weeks' start—a loss it would be hard for the best tacticians or the finest fighting men in the world to retrieve. But the mouths of the grumblers were silenced. Every one was convinced that the fate of the nation was perfectly safe in the hands of Sir Redvers Buller and Mr. Thomas Atkins, and, so convinced, thousands upon thousands flocked to see them off, and roared their God-speed with cheery British lungs, albeit with sad and anxious hearts.

THE OCCUPATION OF DUNDEE

Late in September a force consisting of two battalions of infantry, a regiment of cavalry, and two field-batteries was hurriedly pushed forward to occupy Dundee. Affairs between the British and the Boers were nearing a crisis. It was beginning to be believed that the Dutchmen meant to take the initiative and strike a blow against our supremacy in South Africa, though some at home were still shilly-shallying with sentimental arguments as to the propriety of fighting our "brother Boer" at all. As we now know, it wanted but the smallest move on the part of the British to bring things to a head. Large commandoes were gathered together with a rapidity which would have been marvellous had the Boers not designedly brought about the issue of war, and the frontier of the northern angle of Natal was threatened. Dundee is an important coal-mining centre situated some forty-eight miles north-east of Ladysmith. Why it was chosen as our advance post is hard to decide. Its communications with Ladysmith were open to attack from either flank, and, in the light of after events, we see that the position there of a detached force was highly precarious. General Sir George White in an official despatch thus describes his action in the matter:—

"Since my arrival in the Colony I had been much impressed by the exposed situation of the garrison of Glencoe, and on the evening of October 10 I had an interview on the subject with his Excellency the Governor, at which I laid before him my reasons for considering it expedient, from a military point of view, to withdraw that garrison, and to concentrate all my available troops at Ladysmith. After full discussion his Excellency recorded his opinion that such a step would involve grave political results and possibilities of so serious a nature that I determined to accept the military risk of holding Dundee as the lesser of two evils. I proceeded in person to Ladysmith on October 11, sending on Lieutenant-General Sir William Penn Symons to take command at Glencoe.

"The Boers crossed the frontier both on the north and west on October 12, and next day the Transvaal flag was hoisted at Charlestown. My great inferiority in numbers necessarily confined me strategically to the defensive, but tactically my intention was, and is, to strike vigorously whenever opportunity offers."

Everything at this juncture depended on the rapidity with which our army at home could be mobilised and sent to the Cape, and though we took to ourselves some credit for the energy displayed by all concerned, we were really scarcely up to date in the matter of activity. For instance, in 1859 it took only thirty-seven days for France to collect on the river Po a force of 104,000 men, with 12,000 more in Italy, while in 1866 the Prussian army, numbering 220,000 men, were placed on the frontiers of Saxony and Silesia in a fortnight. But more expeditious still was Germany in 1870. In nine days she was able to mobilise her forces, and in eight more to send to the French frontier an army of 400,000 soldiers and 1200 guns! We had, it is true, to ship off our troops a distance of some 8000 miles, but, without counting this—a natural disadvantage—there were others—many others, the upshot of red-tapism—to be contended with. This Sir George White was beginning to feel, but his sufferings in regard to the initial delay were threefold later on.

To return to Dundee. It was maintained both by the Government and the people of Natal that the valuable coal supply should be protected, and an attempt was therefore made to guard it. The misfortune was that from the first Lieutenant-General Sir W. Penn Symons—who, before the arrival of Sir George White, commanded in Natal—seemed to be ill acquainted with the enormous forces that the Boers could bring to bear against him. It was true that he could not at that time be certain, any more than appeared to be the Government at home, that the Free Staters would join the Republicans; but to any one acquainted with the subject, the fact that President Steyn had pulled the strings of the Bloemfontein affair was sufficient evidence of a contemplated alliance. With the Free State neutral, the aspect of affairs might have been entirely changed, and Dundee, with Ladysmith to support it, might have held its own. As it was, these small places were from the first placed in the most unenviable quandary.

General Symons, on the arrival of Sir George White in Natal, took command of the forces in Dundee, and began active preparations for the reception of the Dutchmen.

Map of Northern Natal. Scale 15 Statute Miles to the Inch.Map of Northern Natal. Scale 15 Statute Miles to the Inch.

The latter, immediately after the declaration of war, took possession of Newcastle, and our patrols soon came in touch with the enemy. In spite of their animated and aggressive movements, however, Sir W. Penn Symons was disinclined to believe that the enemy meant a serious attack upon Dundee, and though fullyprepared for hostilities, he was somewhat amazed when really informed of the rapid advance of the united Republicans. But he lost no time. He made inquiries, and satisfied himself that he was in a position of some danger and that he must promptly leap to action. The chief difficulty of the situation lay in the number of passes through which the Boers with their easily mobilised forces could manage to pour in bodies of men, and the limited number of British troops at General Symons's disposal. From the movements of the Boers it was obvious that the plan of attack had long been cleverly and carefully arranged. The Free State Boers on the 12th of October seized Albertina Station, near the Natal frontier, and took possession of the key, the stationmaster having to make his way on a trolley to Ladysmith. There, as yet, all was externally peaceful, as though no enemy were near, but a suppressed anxiety to be "up and at 'em" prevailed among the troops. Their ardour was in nowise damped by the incessant rain that fell, and converted the surrounding country into a wide morass, nor by the snow that followed, which gave the Drakensberg Mountains an additionally impregnable aspect and rendered them at once picturesque and forbidding.

A steady increase of the commandoes in the neighbourhood of Doornberg continued, and an attack within a few days seemed imminent.

Thereupon a large number of troops left Ladysmith for Acton Homes, where a Boer commando of four miles long was reported to be laagered. But the Boers retreated, and the troops remained some ten miles from Ladysmith, the Dublin Fusiliers alone moving back to Glencoe, whence they had come by train by order of General Symons.

At Glencoe we had, as before stated, some 4000 men, but report said that General Viljeon had an enormous force, nearly double ours in number, which was lying at the foot of Botha's Pass, one and a half miles on the Natal side of the Border. Besides this, General Kock had a commando at Newcastle. The invasion of Natal by the Boers in three columns was formally announced by an official statement from the Governor:—

"Pietermaritzburg,October 16.

"Natal was invaded from the Transvaal early on the morning of the 12th inst., an advance being made by the enemy in three columns. On the right a mixed column of Transvaal and Free State Burghers with Hollander Volunteers marched through Botha's Pass. In the centre the main column, under General Joubert's personal command, crossed Lang's Nek and moved forwardviâIngogo. On the left a large commando advanced from WakkerstroomviâMoll's Nek and Wool's Drift. The object of all three columns was Newcastle, which was occupied on the night of the 14th, the central column having slept the previous night at Mount Prospect, General Colley's old camping-place. On Sunday an advance party of 1500 Boers, with artillery, pushed south of Ingagane, but the greater portion of this commando retired later in the day on Newcastle. A Boer force which had been concentrating at De Jager's Drift captured six Natal policemen. A picket of the King's Royal Rifles Mounted Infantry has exchanged a few shots with the enemy. This has hitherto been the only fighting.

"A large force of Free State Boers, estimated at from 11,000 to 13,000, is watching the passes of the Drakensberg from Olivier's Hoek to Collins's Pass. They have pushed a few patrols down the berg, but hitherto the main force has not debouched from the actual passes, which are being intrenched."

As will be seen, the advance of the foe seemed to be converging on Sir George White's position from all directions, and threatening Glencoe from the north, east, and possibly west. Still the troops remained cheerful and looked forward to a brush with the enemy. On the 18th hostilities were begun by the Free State commando moving about ten miles down the Tintwa Pass. They opened fire with their artillery on some small cavalry patrols, but their shooting was distinctly inferior, and no one was injured. They retreated on the advance of the 5th Lancers. Several more commandoes were known to have advanced to join a force stationed at Doornberg, some twelve miles from Dundee, and the enemy's scouts having also been seen some seven miles off Glencoe, an engagement was expected at any moment. An interesting account of this interval of suspense was given by an officer writing on the 16th October from Dundee, interesting and pathetic, too, when, in reading it, we remember that the gallant fellow to whom the writer alluded is alive no longer. He said:—

"Hitherto there has been no fighting at all, but our patrols are in touch with the enemy. I was out on my first patrol the day before yesterday since the declaration of war. My orders were to start at 6a.m., push on about twelve miles along the Newcastle road, and stay out till about 6p.m.I went out to a small hill about four miles from the camp and reconnoitered, and then went on to a place called Hadding Spruit, where I found a few people at the station and the stationmaster. This is at present the terminus of the line, all the rolling stock north of this having been sent south, and all the wires cut and instruments removed by the railway people. There is a large coal-mine here, and the people are in a deadly funk about being blown up. I pushed on to a large kopje, a few miles this side and west of Dannhauser, and climbed to the top, where Ispent an hour or so, as from there one can see as far as Ingagane Nek, four miles this side of Newcastle, the place I sketched. Just as I looked over the top of the hill I saw two men on ponies with guns. They were talking to a Kaffir. I at once put them down as Boers, and thought of firing at them, but decided not to disclose my position and watch them. This was lucky for them, as I caught them later, and found them to be refugees flying from the Boers, who I discovered were in occupation of Ingagane and Newcastle, and had their patrols out nearly to Dannhauser.

"I then went on to Dannhauser, which consists of a railway station, two farms, a store, a couple of coolie stores, a mine, and a few huts. We approached with magazines charged and expected to see a Boer every minute, but found that they were not expected to come down as far as that till next day. I then made my way slowly back by the main road, and reached camp about 5p.m., when I found that the other patrol (six men and an officer is the strength of each) had proceeded to De Jager's Drift and had not returned. A telephonic communication from the police-station at De Jager's Drift said, 'A large force of forty Boers have crossed Buffalo to cut off your patrol. Am trying ...'—and then ended abruptly. It eventually transpired that the Boers rushed the police-station before the message could be completed. Thackwell, who was in command of the patrol, pursued twelve Boers up to the river. Then thirty-four crossed to our side, and twelve lower down, the twelve trying to cut him off behind. However, he retired on to a nek behind, and as they did not come on, he moved off in about half an hour by another road. This was lucky for him, as he saw the twelve men who had crossed by Landsman's Drift disconsolately coming down from a lot of rocks where they had been lying in wait for him on the road he had come by.

"There seems to have been something going on at Kimberley. I wish they would buck up here and do something. I am on picket to-night, which means no sleep and a lot of bother, as the picket is about seven miles from camp at the junction of the Vant's Drift and De Jager's Drift roads, where there is a chance of being plugged at. The picket on the Helmakaar road was shot at the other night.

"One of the armoured trains came up here yesterday—an ugly-looking beast with the engine in the middle, all covered with iron, so that only just the top of the funnel is visible. I do not believe in them. If any one puts a dynamite cartridge under a rail—pop! up goes the armoured train.

"I think this will be a very interesting war, as the railway will play such an important part in the tactics. Thus the other day we sent the Dublin Fusiliers down to Ladysmith to repel anexpected attack at half-an-hour's notice, and brought them back the same night....

"We are under an awfully nice General—one Penn Symons—a real good chap."

On the 18th of October the Carabineers were in touch with the enemy in the neighbourhood of Bester's Farm a great part of the day, and Lieutenant Galway, son of the Chief-Justice of Natal, who remained to watch his troops off the kopje, was reported missing. The Carabineers were compelled to retire owing to being completely outnumbered by the Boer force, and had they not done so they would have run the risk of being cut off from their supports. There were some hair-breadth escapes, and Major Taunton, who was riding at the head of his squadron, came through a vigorous hail of bullets quite uninjured.

Major Rethman, in command of 300 Natal Mounted Rifles, also actively engaged the enemy near Acton Homes, but was also compelled to retire for fear of being cut off. Being quite conversant with Boer tactics, he refused to be drawn by the pretence of retreat made by the Dutchmen, knowing that concealed forces of the enemy in great numbers were waiting to entrap him. Major Rethman, believing in the old saw that brevity is the soul of wit, reported his loss as "one hat."

The Dutchmen now advanced. An armoured train, sent by Sir George White to bring in wounded from Bester's Farm, returned discomfited, as the rails over the bridge four miles off Ladysmith had been tampered with. It was found that a farm, which had been deserted earlier in the day, was now in the occupation of the Boers, but these, though established on the south side of the line, made no effort to attack the train and allowed it to return unmolested. Rumours of fighting were in the air, and skirmishes between advance parties of British troops and Boers were the order of the day. A report reached the Glencoe camp that the Boers had been seen some seven miles off, whereupon Major Laming with a squadron of the 18th Hussars rode out to reconnoitre. Lieutenant Cape, the advanced officer's patrol, discovered a strong advance party of the enemy, who delivered a heavy fire, but fortunately without result. This most probably was due to the swift and clever manœuvring of the Hussars.

The Carabineers and Border Mounted Rifles, who were in action nearly the whole of the 18th of October, returned to camp at three in the morning of the 19th. They were quite worn out and famished, having been for twenty-four hours without food, and three days and two nights in the saddle. Considering the excitement and fatigue, they were in excellent spirits. Their experience was a novel one, for on this occasion the Boers, who usually prefer to skulkunder cover, made incipient rushes at certain points. They gave way, however, before the pressing attentions of the Maxims, and fled helter-skelter to cover again; but their departure was on the principle of "those who fight and run away live to fight another day." They reserved themselves for a more decisive effort.

At midday on the 19th a mixed train running from Ladysmith to Dundee was captured by the enemy about a mile off Elandslaagte Station, which stands about fifteen miles from Ladysmith, and is the first station from thence on the line. A war correspondent was taken prisoner, four Carabineers were wounded, and some horses and cattle seized. Telegraphic communication in the north was cut off, and four trucks of stores in the Elandslaagte Station were captured.

THE BATTLE OF GLENCOE

On the night of the 19th, Sir W. Penn Symons discovered that he was surrounded by the enemy. Three of their columns were converging on his position—one from the north-west under General Erasmus by the Dannhauser-Hattingspruit road; one from Utrecht and Vryheid by Landsman's Drift from the east, under Commandant Lucas Meyer; and a third under General Viljoen from Waschbank on the south, this latter being the force which cut through the Ladysmith-Dundee railway.

The Boer plan was to deliver simultaneously different attacks from all sides of the Glencoe camp. The column under Erasmus was to open the attack from the north-west, and falling back, was to draw Symons in pursuit away from his camp. Then Viljoen and Meyer were to close on the pursuers from either flank and annihilate them.

Fortunately this skilfully-devised programme was not fulfilled. For this reason: The force under Lucas Meyer was the first to arrive, and its leader, impatient to secure the glories of war, decided on an independent course of action. Before the other columns could put in an appearance he opened the attack. On the hills round Glencoe the Boers had posted cannon, and from thence at daybreak on the 20th of October Meyer's gunners began to fire plugged shells into the camp. A flash—a puff of smoke—a whizz and a crash! Hostilities had begun! By 5p.m.all General Symons's troops were under arms. It was evident that the enemy were in force, and that their guns were some half-a-dozen in number. Their range was 5000 yards, but, fortunately, their shots, though well directed, flew screaming overhead and buried themselves in the soft earth, doing no damage whatever. A few tents fell, a few marquees were torn up. That was all. Our artillery soon came intoaction, at first at too long a range, but afterwards—from a position south of Dundee—with greater success. They then replied to the enemy's challenge with considerable warmth and excellent effect; and, since our batteries numbered some three to one, by 11.30 o'clock the enemy's Krupps were silenced. In the meantime the infantry, the 1st King's Royal Rifles and the 2nd Dublin Fusiliers, formed for attack opposite the enemy's position, which was situated some two miles off at the top of an almost impregnable hill. Huge boulders margined the sides of it, and half-way up an encircling wall added to the impassability of the position. But the word impossible is not to be found in the dictionary of a soldier, and General Symons gave an order. The hill was to be taken. The bugles rang out; the infantry fixed bayonets. Then was enacted another, only a grander, Majuba, but now with the position of the contending forces inverted. Doubtless the memory of that historic defeat inspired our men, for they evidently decided that what the Boer had done, the Briton also could do, and, spurred by their officers, who showed an absolute disregard of the possibilities of danger, went ahead and carried the crest in magnificent style. No such brilliant achievement of British infantry has been recorded since Albuera. But this, as we shall see, was not accomplished in a moment. It involved tremendous exposure in crossing an open plain intersected with nullahs under a terrific fire, followed by a long spell of dogged climbing, finally on hand and knees, over more than a mile of broken, sometimes almost perpendicular, ground, and in the midst of an incessant and furious fusilade.

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