Reports on military operations in South Africa and China (1901) (14594936059)

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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retreat was now necessary, and was effected during the nightwithout disorder. The commandos kept well together onthe march. One commando was stationed north of Smaldeel,which prevented single individuals from proceeding north-ward, and as I had preceded our party which had trouble withsome spare horses, I was held there until our guide came upand identified me to the satisfaction of the field cornel. Therewas no flight. The Boer is somewhat phlegmatic; when he isin a position that meets his tactical requirements, he staysthere and fights as long as he has ammunition; when his posi-tion develops any weakness, he quits it before lie is compro-mised, and reireats quietly, sings, jokes, and whistles, andrides until lie finds another position where he can again con-fronl 1 he enemy. Wo left Smaldeel about 8 p. m., crossed tothe easl side of the railroad about G miles north of Smaldeeland camped al 1 a. m. about 1 mile south of WelgelegenStation. M was a bitter cold night, and at G a. m, we
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OPERATIONS OF THE BOER ARMY. 217 resumed the march, to Zand River, reaching Virginia Stationat 10 a. m. At Virginia Station I left the French attache and proceededby rail to Kroonstad to look after our transportation andbaggage, which the departure of the other attaches for Pre-toria had left in sole charge of unreliable Kaffir servants.Here I found the Government making strenuous efforts tostem the further advance of the British troops; some slightreenforcements and a battery were dispatched to the ZandRiver, all burghers were commandeered to go to the front atonce, and trenches were being dug on a range of hills calledBoshrand, 3 miles south of the city. All sorts of rumors wereflying through the air, and burghers physically worn out andtired of war were coming to the rear in a constant stream andwould not be stopped, and though generally things were quiteorderly, there was much horse stealing. Having heard fromthe French attache that the Boer forces had united on ZandRiver and were