History of the War in South Africa 1899-1902 v. 1 (of 4) Compiled by Direction of His Majesty's Government

The Naval Brigade 31 279 6 2 12 -- -- Natal Army Staff 34 137 123 -- -- -- -- Mounted troops 126 2,561 2,700 -- -- -- 2 Royal Artillery 39 1,074 869 -- -- 30 -- Royal Engineers...

The war in South Africa which began on October 9th, 1899, ended so far happily on the 31st May, 1902, that, chiefly in consequence of the tactful management of the negotiations...

The first stage in the realisation of Lord Roberts' plan of campaign must necessarily be the transfer to the neighbourhood of Lord Methuen's camp of the army with which it was h...

In the cool of the early morning of December 15th, 1899, while it was yet dark,[227] the British troops were set in motion. The day was to prove intensely hot, a sign, at this p...

(1) To acquire and keep the command of the sea. (2) To undertake, by full use of our great mercantile marine, all sea transport. (3) To carry out the instructions of Government...

On the very day of Yule's junction with Coxhead[124], Erasmus was in touch with A. P. Cronje, next day with Lukas Meyer, who, still feeling the blow of Talana, had moved timidly...

The situation with which he was confronted will be more easily realised if a brief summary be here given of the facts as they now presented themselves at each of the several wid...

Whilst Lord Roberts was on his voyage to the seat of war, the three portions of the army which had sustained severe checks were chiefly employed in recuperating and receiving re...

The last four chapters have dealt with subjects affecting the whole course of the war, the theatre of operations, the two opposed armies, and the British navy. The present one,...

[Footnote 167: As a point of historical accuracy it should be noticed that, for the battle of the 28th November, the "Modder River" is a misnomer. The fighting, as will be seen...

Sir Redvers Buller reached Durban on 25th November. He was greeted by the good news that the invaders were falling back from Mooi river, that Lord Methuen had driven the Boers f...

It has been convenient to carry the statement of the measures adopted for preparation at home in certain matters beyond the actual date of the declaration of war. It is now nece...

President Steyn early in November ordered an invasion of the north-eastern portion of Cape Colony. In doing so he acted against the advice of a Krijgsraad held at Bethulie to di...

Any force of irregulars which offers a prolonged resistance, not unmarked by tactical successes, to a regular army of superior strength is apt to be regarded as a phenomenon. Ye...

The preliminary movements for the attack on Magersfontein Hill, the orders for which are given at the end of the last chapter, were duly executed. Major-General Wauchope's briga...

At 5, on the morning of October 21st, the troops again stood to arms. There was no sign of life upon Talana; the cavalry scouted out unmolested on that side. The mounted patrols...

During the time (Oct. 12th-Oct. 26th, 1899) occupied by the episode of the Dundee detachment, including the action of Rietfontein fought to assist it in retreat, much had happen...

Reports of the concentration of large commandos of Transvaal and Free State burghers on the Natal border had been telegraphed home by the High Commissioner and the Governor of N...

Eleven miles north of Belmont station the road and railway leading to Kimberley enter a network of kopjes, which dominate the line until the plain through which the Modder river...

Throughout the operations in Natal during the opening phase of the war, Sir G. White had held that a mobile force, concentrated north of the Tugela, afforded better protection t...

After three reverses at Stormberg, Magersfontein and Colenso, it was clear to all that forces far larger than had been estimated would be now required for the war. Much had alre...

When the challenge to war, recorded in the first chapter, startled the British people, it met with an immediate response alike in the home islands, and in the Colonies, in India...

The Modder River battle (November 28th, Chap. XV.) had placed the 1st division within twenty miles of Kimberley. Signals were made to that town by a Naval searchlight fitted "wi...

Lord Methuen's dispositions for attack were necessarily determined by the ground which the Boers had taken up to oppose his advance. Some two miles to the south-east of Belmont...

A Boer force seized the passage of the Orange river at Norval's Pont on the 1st November.[186] It consisted of the Philippolis and Edenburg commandos, with a detachment from the...

Every army necessarily grows up according to the traditions of its past history. Those of the Continent having only to cross a frontier, marked by Royal, Imperial or Republican...

I wish you to march from the Orange river to the Modder river, communicate with Kimberley, and to hold the line De Aar, Modder river, so that we shall be able to bring up stores...

I.--Preparation for War 1 II.--The Outbreak of the War 35 III.--The Theatre of War 54 IV.--The Boer Army 68 V.--The British Army 87 VI.--The Navy in the Boer War 96 VII.--Talana...

Divisional Staff 7 14 7 -- -- Mounted Troops (includes detachment Cape Police) 17 436 453 -- 2 Royal Artillery 19 466 514 12 -- Royal Engineers 7 200 63 -- -- Infantry 50 1,710...

Arms. Officers. Warrant, Horses Guns N.C.O.s (Riding and and men. Draught). 4·7-in. 12-pr. 15-pr. Machine. Naval. 2·5-in. Cavalry (includes Imperial Light Horse 160 2,946 3,121...

The Naval Brigade 18 294 10 1 4 -- -- -- -- 1st Division Staff 10 53 44 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1st Cavalry Brigade 77 1,627 1,686 -- -- -- -- 6 4 Royal Artillery 29 918 931 -- -- 4 1...

The Naval Brigade 18 384 10 4 -- -- 1st Division Staff 12 55 46 -- -- -- Mounted troops 48 920 999 -- -- 3 Royal Artillery 19 546 514 -- 12 -- Royal Engineers 13 333 71 -- -- --...

On the 10th of November Lord Methuen, with his staff, left Cape Town for Orange River station, where he arrived two days later. The orders which he had received from Sir Redvers...

The decision of His Majesty's late Government, mentioned on the first page of this history, was not finally given till November, 1905. It was, therefore, not till December 12th,...

The Naval Brigade 16 238 10 4 -- -- 1st Division Staff 12 55 46 -- -- -- Mounted troops 47 866 895 -- -- 3 Royal Artillery 23 656 704 -- 16 -- Royal Engineers 13 333 71 -- -- --...