157

CHAPTER IX.

ELANDSLAAGTE.*

Early

days

in

Ladysmith, Oct. nth to 19th.

During the time (Oct. i2th-0ct. 26th, 189g) occupied by the episode of the Dundee detachment, including the action of Rietfontein fought to assist it in retreat, much had happened elsewhere.

Sir G. White arrived in Ladysmith on the nth October. On the 12th telegraphic communication by Harrismith entirely ceased, and the mail train from that town failed to arrive.

Early on the 12th a telegram from a post of observation of Natal Carbineers at Acton Homes gave information that a strong column of Boers, with four miles of train, was on the march through Tintwa Pass, the head of it being already across the border ; furthermore, that there seemed to be an advance guard concealed in Van Reenen’s Pass. Sir G. White prepared to strike instantly; but a British detachment which reached Dewdrop next day saw the Boer vanguard, halted in the mouth of Tintwa Pass, and as previously described (p. 123) returned to Ladysmith. A cavalry reconnaissance! in the same direction on the 16th found that the commandos had not stirred and, Oct. 16th though Olivier’s Hoek, Bezuidenhout’s, Tintwa and Van Reenen’s Passes were all occupied,! the country east of them was as clear of the enemy as heretofore. There appeared an unaccountable

* See maps Nos. 3 and 6.

f 5th Lancers, 19th Hussars, M.I., ist King’s (Liverpool) regiment.

Î On the 15th the Intelligence estimate of the Free State forces in theDrakens- berg was as follows :—Olivier’s Hoek, 3,000 ; Tintwa, 1,000 ; Van Reenen’s, 1,200, with 15 guns; Nelson’s Kop, 3,500, with detachments in the passes to the north. Total, 11,000 men.