London to Ladysmith via Pretoria | Page 8

Sir Alfred Milner. The notice-boards of the railway stations are
freely placarded with the full text in English and Dutch, beginning with
'Whereas a state of war exists between the Government of her Majesty
and the Governments of the South African Republic and of the Orange

Free State ...' continuing to enjoin good and loyal behaviour on all,
detailing the pains and penalties for disobedience, and ending with
'God save the Queen.' Both races have recorded their opinions on their
respective versions: the British by underlining the penalties, the Dutch
by crossing out the first word of 'God Save the Queen.' It is signed 'A.
Milner,' and below, in bitter irony, 'W.P. Schreiner.'
Beyond Matjesfontein every bridge, and even every culvert, is watched
by a Kaffir with a flag, so that the train runs no risk of coming on
unexpected demolitions. On the road to De Aar we passed the second
half of the Brigade Division of Artillery, which sailed so long ago from
the Mersey in the notorious transports 'Zibengla' and 'Zayathla.' The
gunners were hurrying to the front in three long trains, each taking half
a battery complete with guns, horses, and men. All were light-hearted
and confident, as soldiers going off to the wars always are, and in this
case their, satisfaction at being on land after five weeks of
uncomfortable voyage in antiquated ships was easily to be understood.
But this is no time for reproaches.
At Beaufort West grave news awaited the mail, and we learned of the
capitulation of twelve hundred soldiers near Ladysmith. It is generally
believed that this will precipitate a rising of the Dutch throughout this
part of the colony and an invasion by the commandos now gathered
along the Orange River. The Dutch farmers talk loudly and confidently
of 'our victories,' meaning those of the Boers, and the racial feeling runs
high. But the British colonists have an implicit faith--marvellous when
the past is remembered--in the resolve of the Imperial Government and
of the nation never to abandon them again.
At De Aar the stage of our journey which may be said to have been
uncertain began. Armoured trains patrol the line; small parties of armed
police guard the bridges; infantry and artillery detachments occupy the
towns. De Aar, Colesberg, and Stormberg are garrisoned as strongly as
the present limited means allow, and all the forces, regulars and
volunteers alike, are full of enthusiasm. But, on the other hand, the
reports of Boer movements seem to indicate that a hostile advance is
imminent. The Colesberg bridge across the Orange River has been

seized by the enemy, the line between Bethulie and Colesberg has just
been cut, and each train from De Aar to Stormberg is expected to be the
last to pass unassailed. We, however, slept peacefully through the night,
and, passing Colesberg safely, arrived at Stormberg, beyond which all
is again secure.
Stormberg Junction stands at the southern end of a wide expanse of
rolling grass country, and though the numerous rocky hills, or kopjes as
they are called, which rise inconveniently on all sides, make its defence
by a small force difficult, a large force occupying an extended position
would be secure. Here we found the confirmation of many rumours.
The news of a Boer advance on Burghersdorp, twenty-five miles away,
is, it seems, well founded, and when our train arrived the evacuation of
Stormberg by its garrison, of a half-battalion of the Berkshire Regiment,
350 men of the Naval Brigade, a company of mounted infantry, and a
few guns, was busily proceeding.
The sailors were already in their train, and only prevented from starting
by the want of an engine. The infantry and artillery were to start in a
few hours. It is rather an unsatisfactory business, though the arrival of
more powerful forces will soon restore the situation. Stormberg is itself
an important railway junction. For more than a week the troops have
been working night and day to put it in a state of defence. Little
redoubts have been built on the kopjes, entrenchments have been dug,
and the few houses near the station are already strongly fortified. I was
shown one of these by the young officer in charge. The approaches
were, cleared of everything except wire fences and entanglements; the
massive walls were loopholed, the windows barricaded with sandbags,
and the rooms inside broken one into the other for convenience in
moving about.
Its garrison of twenty-five men and its youthful commander surveyed
the work with pride. They had laid in stores of all kinds for ten days,
and none doubted that Fort Chabrol, as they called it, would stand a
gallant siege. Then suddenly had come the message to evacuate and
retreat. So it was with the others. The train with the naval detachment