The Record of a Regiment of the Line by M. Jacson

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Orders were received on the following day from General Kitchener for
Davies' force to rejoin head-quarters at Paardeplaats. An early start
was made at 6 a.m. Lackau, 12-1/2 miles, was reached at 11 a.m., and
here the column halted and the cattle outspanned till 2.30 p.m. The heat
in the bush veldt was excessive, and was very trying to the men and
cattle. At 2.30 p.m. the march was again resumed, and after another ten
miles Paardeplaats was reached at dusk.

It had been a hot and dusty march of 22-1/2 miles, and the men and
cattle were rather "done up." On arrival it was found that the General
had moved on to Goedgedacht.

As soon as it was dark rockets were fired to try and direct the four
missing men into camp, but without success.

On the following day the battalion with the Australians marched down the
steep Zaaiplaats Pass to Buffelsvlei, bivouacking for the night on the
banks of the Buffelsvlei River.

On arrival there it was again found that the General had moved on to
Rooi Plaats, and that the 2nd Rifle Brigade had proceeded by the
Tautesberg road with prisoners and families and cattle to Wonderfontein
on the railway line.

May 1st found the force at Rooi Plaats, and here a halt was made on the
2nd. Two companies under Captain Bartlett were dispatched to Diepkloof
and two companies under Captain Wren to Waterval in order to block the
two roads to the north from the Botha's Berg, and to stop the Boers
breaking back.

On May 3rd the Regiment with the Australian mounted infantry reached
Waterval, and on the following day proceeded to Blinkwater. Two
companies with two guns under Captain Ponsonby, R.A., were left behind
to cover the retirement of some mounted infantry, with orders to rejoin
in the evening.

General Blood, with the whole of his personal command, had left
Blinkwater on the previous day for Middleburg, and on the 5th General
Kitchener received orders to follow him. The column marched that day to
Rooi Kop, twelve miles distant on the Middleburg road, and on the
following day two companies Devon Regiment, two companies Rifle Brigade,
five guns and one howitzer, with the sick, the whole under Captain
Jacson, left for Bankfontein, where they were joined next morning by the
remainder of General Kitchener's column.

At Bankfontein a telegram was received which announced that Major Davies
had been promoted to the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel, Major Curry
granted a D.S.O., and Captain Jacson was to be promoted to the brevet
rank of lieutenant-colonel on attaining the rank of major.

A halt was made at Bankfontein from the 8th till the 11th, when the
force refitted, and on May the 12th the column marched to Rondebosch on
the outskirts of Middleburg.

In the early part of May, 1901, a further drive on a large scale was
organized by head-quarters. This was intended to traverse the whole of
the Eastern Transvaal south of the railway. The columns were to be
extended from Middleburg through Carolina up to the Swazi border on the
east, and then, with a circling movement based on Middleburg, gradually
to sweep the country through Ermelo towards Bethel. Having rounded up
all this country, the drive, extending from Bethel on the south to the
Pretoria-Lorenzo railway on the north, was by a combined movement to the
westward, to push all the Boers remaining in this part of the country
with their cattle on to Johannesburg-Springs and the Pretoria-Standerton
railway lines, which were guarded. The movement was under the direction
of Sir Bindon Blood, and his forces consisted of eight columns.

The battalion found itself again under the command of General Walter
Kitchener, forming part of his column, which was composed of the
following troops:--

1st Devonshire Regiment.
2nd Rifle Brigade.
6th West Australians (450 strong).
2nd I.L.H. (800 strong).
Four guns 53rd Field Battery R.A.
One 5-inch gun.
One naval 12-pounder.

Its position in the drive was on the left or outside edge of the circle
of the operations.

The forces were put in motion on the 13th May, on which day Kitchener,
advancing in the direction of the Swazi border, marched to Zaaiplaats
(12-1/2 miles), and thence without incident through Riet Kuil, reaching
Schoonora on the 15th. In the neighbourhood of Schoonora Commandant
Trichardt, with 170 of his followers, was surprised by the Australian
mounted infantry, who killed one Boer and captured 300 head of cattle. A
considerable number of Boers were reported to be in the neighbourhood.

The drifts over which the column had to pass after leaving Riet Kuil
were bad, and only two companies reached Schoonora that night. The
remainder of the battalion, which was rear-guard to the column,
bivouacked with the baggage three miles out of camp near a branch of the
Klein Oliphants River, and joined up with the column next morning. The
following day Mooiplaats was reached, when a large number of cattle and
some families were taken.

On May 16th the column moved to Grobellars Recht. Here the Boers were
found in large numbers under Botha. The 5th and 6th West Australians
whilst operating on the right flank of the column were ambushed, losing
one officer and six men killed and thirteen wounded. The Boers were very
truculent and gave considerable trouble, and the force was not in camp
till dark. It was not, however, disturbed during the night.

The column left Grobellars Recht on the 16th with the 5th and 6th West
Australians as rear-guard, supported by the Devonshire Regiment. The
Boers followed up smartly for some hours, but there were no casualties,
and camp was reached at Kromkrans at about 4 p.m. Smutsoog was reached
the next day. On the march Pulteney's column, which was seen in the
distance, mistaking Kitchener's column for a commando of Boers, shelled
them with field guns. Their shooting was accurate, and it was not till
General Kitchener threatened to send a 5-inch shell at them that they
desisted. Fortunately no damage was done. From Smutsoog the column
proceeded to Goedevervachting, a few Boers sniping the column on the
march.

Much inconvenience was experienced from the cold, as it froze hard every
night.

On the 20th the column marched to Florence, passing Bothwell and Lake
Chrissie, and on the following day reached Veltevreden. Here the 2nd
Rifle Brigade and the West Australians left the column. On the march to
Veltevreden a few Boers were seen, and there was some firing at the
rear-guard.

On the following day a short march brought the force to Uitkyk, where a
halt was made on the 23rd.

On the 24th the column on its march to Schapenberg captured 800 cattle
and 4000 sheep, and five Boers surrendered.

A halt was made on the 25th and 26th at Schapenberg. Here 16,000 sheep,
which were being driven along with the column, were slaughtered. These,
daily increasing in number, hampered the movements of the rearguard on
the march to such an extent, that it was found impossible to drive them
on to the railway; they were therefore slaughtered.

Lekkerloop was reached on the 27th, on which day the I.L.H. captured
twenty-two prisoners. A halt was made at Lekkerloop from the 28th to
31st, during which time the I.L.H. under Colonel Mackenzie were busy
capturing prisoners and clearing the country.

On June 1st the column marched to Bushman's Kop, proceeding on the
following day to Vierwonden, crossing the Theespruit _en route_. The
I.L.H. brought six prisoners into camp with them. The main column halted
at Vierwonden from the 3rd till the 8th, whilst Captain Bartlett left
for Hoilake on the 3rd in command of three companies as escort to a
convoy, and on the 4th Captain Wren was ordered with one company and
five guns to Bonnybraes. On the 9th the column marched to Bonnybraes,
Colonel Mackenzie and the I.L.H. bringing in eighteen Boers and about
400 cattle and some families.

A halt was made at Bonnybraes on the 10th. The column was reunited on
the 11th at Fernyhaugh, and on the 12th marched to Busby, the march
being greatly delayed by a bad drift over the Umpolosi River. Ring Kink
was reached on the 13th, and Woodstock on the 14th. Thirty Boer rifles
were found on Woodstock Farm.

The column was then divided. Seven companies of the Regiment under
Lieutenant-Colonel Davies, with the 2nd I.L.H. and the 5th and 6th West
Australians, left Woodstock at 1 a.m., the remainder of the column
proceeding, under General Kitchener's personal command, further south
towards Bank Kop to round up some Boers reported in that neighbourhood.

Davies' mounted troops captured during the day fourteen Boers, some
families, 100 cattle, 1000 sheep, and six wagons. This column marched
twenty-two miles and camped for the night at Blaukrans, where Colonel
Davies rested his men on the 16th.

Colbank was reached on the 17th, when all mounted troops left to join
Kitchener's column at Bank Kop.

The following day the Regiment marched to Kranspan and joined up with
General Kitchener. The column captured that day several families and
twenty-two Boers. On the 19th the whole column marched in the direction
of Ermelo, and camped for the night on a hill overlooking the town. Camp
was reached at nightfall after a very long, dusty, and tiring march, the
rear-guard getting in after dark.

On the 20th the force marched through Ermelo to Driehook. A number of
Boers followed up the rear-guard, and there was a good deal of firing,
but no casualties. The march was resumed on the following day and
Kranspoort was reached. On the 22nd the column marched to Witbank, the
rear-guard being engaged almost the whole march. A halt was made at
Witbank. The West Australians were here again ambushed, losing two men
killed, one officer and two men wounded, and five taken prisoners.

Three hundred Boers were reported on the left flank at nightfall, and
preparations were made to receive a night attack, which, however, did
not come off. On the following day a dense fog delayed the march till 9
a.m., and it was not till late that Vaal Bank was reached. The
rear-guard, consisting of the Devon Regiment and the 6th West
Australians, was engaged the whole day with the Boers, who followed the
column right up to the new camp. That night the whole Regiment was on
outpost duty.

The rear-guard was engaged heavily the following day during the march to
Bankpan.

Campbell's and Babington's columns were on the immediate right. The
Devons halted for the day at Bankpan, when the 5th and 6th West
Australians left to join Campbell's column at Middlekraal, the 18th
Hussars exchanging over to Kitchener's column.

A night march was made on the 26th for the purpose of surrounding a farm
some eight miles distant. This was accomplished by midnight. No Boers
were taken. The column halted till daylight, when the march was again
resumed, and Erstegeluk reached in the afternoon. A number of Boers were
surprised in the neighbouring farms by the mounted troops; and shortly
after camp was formed, a body of Boers attempted to drive in the
outposts and to attack the camp, but without success.

The following day Bethel was reached, and camp was formed close to
Colonel Babington's column. The 18th Hussars, reconnoitring to the
south-east of Bethel, were surprised by a large party of Boers.
Lieutenant Green, Devonshire Regiment, who was in charge of the Colt gun
attached to the 18th Hussars and which was manned by men of the
Devonshire Regiment, behaved very gallantly in bringing his gun at once
into action and engaging the Boers within a range of 500 yards, thus
covering the cavalry and giving them time to rally.

On June 29th the march was resumed, and the column reached Schurvekop,
the rear-guard receiving a good deal of attention from the Boers. Camp
was formed at Middlekraal on the following day. Here Campbell's column
was again met with.

Middlekraal was left on July 1st, and the column marched in the
direction of Springs. A number of Boers were in the vicinity of the
first camp, Witbank, and the camp was sniped during the night. The
following day the column marched to Bakenlaagte, the scene of the
disaster to Benson's column, the rear-guard being followed up by a few
Boers.

After a short march the following day Grootpan was reached, and at 8
p.m. three companies of the Regiment under Captain Bartlett, and the 5th
and 6th West Australians, made a night march to the south, capturing a
picquet of six Boers early next morning. The column, after a
twelve-miles' march, reached Sondagskraal on the 4th at 1 p.m. On
arrival there news was received that a Boer convoy, accompanied by Louis
Botha, was in the neighbourhood of Trichardtsfontein, about fifteen
miles from Sondagskraal.

General Kitchener determined to intercept this convoy, and for this
reason the following force under his personal command, viz. two
squadrons 19th Hussars, 5th and 6th West Australians, and four companies
of the Devonshire Regiment under Captain Jacson, set out the same
evening. The mounted troops of Colville's column co-operated.
Trichardtsfontein was reached an hour before dawn, when the place was
found deserted. A halt was made there for the day, when Colville's
column left.

[Illustration: Dawn--After a Night March, Trichardtsfontein]

At nightfall several Boers were seen on the hills in the vicinity, and
there was every reason to suppose that a night attack was contemplated
by them. Preparations were made accordingly, but the night was passed
quietly.

At dawn the return march was commenced. The Boers attacked the
rear-guard before it left camp and before it was formed up, and engaged
it the whole way back to Sondagskraal, until finally they came under
fire of the 5-inch gun in position in that camp.

During the preceding thirty-one hours the four companies of the Regiment
had marched forty-two miles.

Whilst this enterprise was being undertaken the remainder of the
battalion, with the transport of the column, had remained at
Sondagskraal under Colonel Davies.

On the 7th the force marched to Goedehoop, and proceeding without
incident on the 8th to Brakfontein, on the 9th to Strypan, reached
Springs on the 10th. The last two marches were long and tiring, and what
little strength was left in the oxen was exhausted. The men likewise
required a rest and a refit after their long trek from Lydenburg, which
had extended through Secoconi's country in the Northern Transvaal, down
south to Middleburg, thence east to the Swazi border and over the
Eastern Transvaal, reaching as far south as Bethel, to Springs, near
Johannesburg. Eighty per cent of the men had on arrival at Springs
neither shirts nor socks, and the bitter cold of the high veldt pierced
keenly through the thin Indian khaki drill. The column required
generally doing up before again "taking the floor." It was expected by
all that the infantry at least would be relieved by a fresh battalion.

But it was not to be, for General Walter Kitchener insisted on the
Devons accompanying him, and his column set out again from Springs on
the 14th on a trek to the north, and without much fighting or incident
reached Middleburg on July 22nd. The country through which the column
passed was cleared of everything living, including Kaffirs.

Three days' halt was allowed the column at Middleburg, and on the 25th a
start was again made for the north. It was now composed as under:--

Four guns 81st Field Battery R.A., under Major Simpson.
One pompom.
19th Hussars.
5th and 6th West Australians.
Half company Scottish Horse.
Half company Mounted Infantry.
Seven companies Devonshire Regiment.

Two companies under Captain Bartlett had left on the 24th July to
garrison Elands River station, on the Pretoria-Lorenzo railway.

The seven companies with General Kitchener marched out 723 strong.

Two other columns were operating with General Kitchener, one under
Colonel Park and the other under Colonel Campbell. The whole were under
the supreme command of General Walter Kitchener.

On the first day out the 19th Hussars captured a pompom and about sixty
prisoners of Ben Viljoen's and Muller's commandos after a very gallant
little action in which five men of the 19th Hussars especially
distinguished themselves. A great number of cattle and many wagons were
also taken, and the Boers lost about twelve killed and twenty wounded.

General Walter Kitchener's column encamped at Rooi Kraal for a few days
before moving to a camp at Diep Kloof, from which place convoys were
sent to the railway for stores for the three columns.

The first of these convoys under Lieutenant-Colonel Jacson left on
August 1st, marched to Middleburg, by Blinkwater and Elandslaagte, and
reached Middleburg in three days; halted one day there to load up, and
returned via Elandslaagte and Noitgedacht to Diepkloof in three more
days, receiving on their return the congratulations of General Kitchener
on their performance.

On the 10th another convoy, again under Lieutenant-Colonel Jacson, with
an escort composed of men of the Devons and Leicesters and some Scottish
mounted infantry and two field guns, started for Wonderfontein.

This convoy consisted of all the wagons of the columns of Colonels Park
and Campbell and General Kitchener, which had to be filled up at the
railway line and brought back.

Waterval was reached on the 10th, Rhenoster Hoek on the 11th, Sterkloop
on the 12th, Uitflucht on the 13th, and Wonderfontein on the 14th.
Slight opposition was met with, and three Boers were captured with
wagons containing a quantity of grain.

The convoy having halted and loaded up on the 15th, started on its
return journey on the 16th.

The journey to Wonderfontein had been up the Steelpoort valley, and the
road had been found difficult. It was very much intersected with
water-courses running off the high veldt, and these necessitated
frequent halts to allow of the passage of the wagons in single file, and
the reclosing up of the convoy after crossing.

A different road over the high veldt, thus avoiding the water-courses,
was chosen for the return journey, and it was perhaps fortunate that
this new road was selected, as it was reported afterwards that Ben
Viljoen had taken up a position at the time in the Steelpoort valley to
intercept the return column.

On the 16th the convoy marched to Panplaats; on the 17th to Roedekop
(where some of Viljoen's men were met with and some more of his grain
carts captured), Blinkwater on the 18th, and Diepkloof on the 19th.

After a few days' scouring of the country round Diepkloof and the valley
towards the Oliphants River, the three columns concentrated at
Blinkwater. Here an entrenched camp was formed under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Jacson, consisting of the baggage of the three
columns, the hospitals, and most of the field guns, with a garrison
included amongst which were four companies of the Regiment.

Park's and Campbell's columns marched east into the hills in the
Ohrigstadt direction, Park penetrating almost as far as Pilgrim's Rest,
while General Kitchener's column moved south towards Middleburg. On
September 3rd the force was broken up, Colonel Park's column being left
in the neighbourhood of Blinkwater, whilst General Kitchener's column
marched towards the railway at Wonderfontein, which was reached on
September 5th.

On arrival at Wonderfontein it was found that trekking was for the time
being, finished. Orders were received for the Regiment to entrain for
Machadodorp for the purpose of garrisoning the railway blockhouses.

The General's farewell order to the Regiment on its leaving the column
with which it had been so long associated was as follows:--

"COLUMN ORDER BY MAJOR-GENERAL F.W. KITCHENER

"_Wonderfontein, September 5th, 1901._

"It has been the privilege of the Major-General to include the 1st Devon
Regiment in his command since the relief of Ladysmith, and it is with
great regret that he has now to part with the last fighting unit of the
7th Brigade. The reputation earned by the Regiment at Elandslaagte and
Ladysmith is a matter of history. Since that time this excellent corps
has fought and marched in summer rain and winter frost during many long
months, through the length and breadth of the Eastern Transvaal.

"The face of the country will remain for many years scarred with the
trenches they have dug and the works they have made. They have proved on
all occasions what a sound regimental system worked by thoroughly sound
officers, N.C.O.s, and men can do.

"The Major-General and all in number one column wish the Devons good
luck and a pleasant time in the near future."

On September 6th the Regiment entrained. The General and his staff and
the whole column turned out to give the Regiment a hearty farewell.
Machadodorp was reached at about 2 p.m., and all the posts round the
town were taken over from the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The railway
blockhouses in the neighbourhood of Machadodorp were also taken over.
Colonel Davies was appointed commandant of the station, and Captain
Ravenshaw station staff officer.

During September and October six companies were located on the Lydenburg
road as far as Witklip, holding the following posts:--Helvetia,
Schwartzkop, Schoeman's Kloof, Badfontein, and Witklip. Two companies
remained at Machadodorp with the battalion head-quarters.

In October, one company under Captain Holland and Lieutenant Willis,
whilst acting as escort to a party erecting blockhouses in the
Badfontein valley, was attacked by Ben Viljoen and about three hundred
Boers. The Boers galloped down from the hills on to the extended
company. The men behaved with great gallantry, and finally, after a
sharp and mixed-up fight, drove off the Boers. One man of the company
fell into their hands and was stripped and left. Lieutenant Willis, for
gallantry on this occasion, was rewarded with the D.S.O., and
Lance-Corporal Cummings was promoted corporal by the Commander-in-Chief
for gallantry in the field.

During the first week of November, orders were received for the 1st
Battalion to proceed to Standerton _en route_ to India. The 2nd
Battalion had been quartered there for a considerable time, and a
transfer of men was effected from one battalion to the other. The two
battalions spent Christmas together.

[Illustration: Devons En Route to Durban]

On January 1st (1902) the 1st Battalion entrained at daylight for
Durban.

The battalion met with a great reception at Maritzburg, where a halt was
made for nine hours. Here each man was presented by the ladies of that
place with a pipe, half a pound of tobacco, and a pockethandkerchief.

The battalion sailed from South Africa for India, with the following
officers and 922 rank and file:--

Bt. Lieutenant-Colonel T.A.H. Davies, D.S.O.
Bt. Lieutenant-Colonel M.G. Jacson.
Captain E.C. Wren.
" T.C.B. Holland.
" G.H.I. Graham.
Lieutenant T.B. Harries.
" G.I. Watts.
" D.H. Blunt.
" H.R. Gunning.
" S.T. Hailey.
" H.W.F. Twiss.
" E.S.C. Willis.
" W.E. Scafe.
" G.F.A. Kane.
2nd Lieutenant C. Edward-Collins.
" " M.D. Young.
" " C.W. Hext.
" " A.M. Mills.
" " R.C. Wrey.
Brevet-Major and Adjutant H.S.L. Ravenshaw.

Of the above, it may be noted that the following left India with the
battalion in 1899:--

Bt. Lieut.-Colonel M.G. Jacson.
Captain E.C. Wren.
" G.H.I. Graham.
Lieutenant T.B. Harries.
" G.I. Watts.
" D.H. Blunt.
" H.R. Gunning.
" S.T. Hayley.
" H.W.F. Twiss.
Bt-Major and Adjutant H.S.L. Ravenshaw.

The following officers of the battalion remained behind in South
Africa:--

Colonel C.W. Park, A.D.C., commanding a column.
Captain and Bt.-Major E.M. Morris, South African Constabulary.
Captain Bartlett, D.A.A.G. for Intelligence.
" Vyvyan, Provost Marshal, Barberton.
" Travers, South African Constabulary.

Lieutenant-General Lyttleton met the battalion at Howick on its way to
Durban, and wished them "farewell."

The following telegram was received at Durban from Lord Kitchener,
commanding the forces in South Africa:--

"To O.C. 1st Devon Regiment,
Durban.
"From Lord Kitchener,
Johannesburg.

"Please express to officers and men of the Regiment under your command
my high appreciation of their services in South Africa during the war,
which has already enhanced the great reputation of the Regiment. In
bidding you good-bye, I associate myself with all your comrades
remaining in the country in hearty wishes for your future good luck."

It should be added to the records of the battalion, which throughout two
years and three months had fought and marched incessantly in South
Africa, that it had never once experienced the slightest trace of an
"unfortunate incident," and had during that time lost only three
prisoners of war, two of whom lost their way in the dark at Geluk and
marched into enemy's lines, the third having been taken during the
company fight in the Badfontein valley against 300 of Ben Viljoen's men.
The miles traversed by the battalion in the long continuous treks during
the war are summarized as under. The miles are measured off the map
simply from place to place and from camp to camp, and they do not
include the distances marched in fighting, flanking, or other movements,
or in convoy work and expeditions in the Lydenburg district, which, if
included, would probably double the distance marched.

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