From Capetown to Ladysmith An Unfinished Record of the South African War   By: G. W. (George Warrington) Steevens (1869-1900)

AN UNFINISHED RECORD OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR

BY

G.W. STEEVENS

AUTHOR OF 'WITH KITCHENER TO KHARTUM,' 'IN INDIA,' ETC., ETC.

EDITED BY VERNON BLACKBURN

THIRD IMPRESSION

WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, EDINBURGH AND LONDON

MDCCCC

BY THE SAME AUTHOR

WITH KITCHENER TO KHARTUM. With 8 Maps and Plans. Twenty first Edition. Crown 8vo, 6s.

"This book is a masterpiece. Mr Steevens writes an English which is always alive and alert.... The description of the battle of Omdurman reaches, we do not hesitate to say, the high water mark of literature." Spectator.

IN INDIA. With a Map. Third Edition. Crown 8vo, 6s.

"To read this book is a liberal education in one of the most interesting and least known portions of our Empire." St James's Gazette.

THE LAND OF THE DOLLAR. Fourth Edition. Crown 8vo, 6s.

"One of the smartest books of travel which has appeared for a long time past.... Brings the general appearance of Transatlantic urban and rural life so clearly before the mind's eye of the reader, that a perusal of his work almost answers the purpose of a personal inspection. New York has probably never been more lightly and cleverly sketched." Daily Telegraph.

WITH THE CONQUERING TURK. With 4 Maps. Cheaper Edition. Demy 8vo, 6s.

"This is a remarkably bright and vivid book. There is a delicious portrait of the jovial aide de camp, plenty of humorous touches of wayside scenes, servants' tricks, dragoman's English, and vagaries of cuisine." St James's Gazette.

EGYPT IN 1898. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo, 6s.

"Set forth in a style that provides plenty of entertainment.... Bright and readable." Times.

WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, EDINBURGH AND LONDON.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

I. FIRST GLIMPSES OF THE STRUGGLE.

First impressions Denver with a dash of Delhi Government House The Legislative Assembly A wrangling debate A demonstration of the unemployed The menace of coming war 1

II. THE ARMY CORPS HAS NOT LEFT ENGLAND!

A little patch of white tents A dream of distance The desert of the Karroo War at last A campaign without headquarters Waiting for the Army Corps 10

III. A PASTOR'S POINT OF VIEW.

An ideal of Arcady Rebel Burghersdorp Its monuments Dopper theology An interview with one of its professors 19

IV. WILL IT BE CIVIL WAR?

On the border of the Free State An appeal to the Colonial Boers The beginning of warlike rumours A commercial and social boycott The Boer secret service The Basutos and their mother, the Queen Boer brutality to Kaffirs 28

V. LOYAL ALIWAL: A TRAGI COMEDY.

The Cape Police A garrison of six men Merry go rounds and naphtha flares A clamant want of fifty men Where are the troops? "It'll be just the same as it was in '81" 35

VI. THE BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE.

French's reconnaissance An artillery duel Beginning of the attack Ridge after ridge A crowded half hour 43

VII. THE BIVOUAC.

A victorious and helpless mob A break neck hillside Bringing down the wounded A hard worked doctor Boer prisoners Indian bearers An Irish Highlander in trouble 56

VIII. THE HOME COMING FROM DUNDEE.

Superfluous assistance A smiling valley The Border Mounted Rifles A rain storm A thirty two miles' march How the troops came into Ladysmith 66

IX. THE STORY OF NICHOLSON'S NEK.

An attenuated mess A regiment 220 strong A miserable story The white flag Boer kindness Ashamed for England 74

X. THE GUNS AT RIETFONTEIN.

A column on the move The nimble guns Garrison gunners at work The veldt on fire Effective shrapnel The value of the engagement 81