File:Reports on military operations in South Africa and China (1901) (14594957948).jpg

Identifier: reportsonmilitar00unit (find matches)
Title: Reports on military operations in South Africa and China
Year: 1901 (1900s)
Authors: United States. Adjutant-General's Office
Subjects: South African War, 1899-1902
Publisher: Washington : G.P.O.
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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t trenches. The British campon the ridge bounding the plain on the west was plainly visi-ble, and we could see mounted patrols and one or two batter-ies moving about. Opposite and some distance from therocks in the plain held by the Heidelbergers was another out-crop held by the British as an advanced post, and we weretold that two guns were posted there. The Boer camps weretucked away behind the hills and the guns skilfully dis-posed among the rocks; the Boers themselves were alsothere and did not show themselves in front. We wonderedhow the Boers managed to drag their field guns on topof these precipitous, rocky hills, and how they would getthem down again in case of a sudden retreat, and we weretold that they attached a, long ox-chain to the gun, and,al ter clearing the largest bowlders out of the way, 200 menwould drag it up the steep slope in no time. All throughthe war I observed that the Boers could get even their heavi-est guns into any kind of position, no matter how high the
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OPERATIONS OF THE BOER ARMY. 189 mountain or how steep and difficult the slope, and would getthem out again before it was too late. Every gun had anintrenchment around it made of rocks and sandbags. BigKopje was prepared for an obstinate defense and shelters forriflemen had been prepared along its crest by heaping upstones into piles about 5 feet long and 3 feet wide and 3 feethigh. In rear of the line and about 1,100 yards from the river,there arose another big kopje used as a signal station; in rearof this hill lay the Winburg commando, with two guns, as asort of reserve. In all there were present about 2,500 Boersand 7 guns. The position was skilfully taken up and flankedany advance along the river, but the left was bare and inviteda turning movement. The inclosed sketch made from mem-ory gives approximately the general situation. There had been rather poor scouting service, and in conse-quence General De Wet had just organized a volunteer scout-ing corps, so as to get better infor

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