"A la guerre, le
premier principe du general en chef, c'est de cacher ce qu'il fait, de voir
s'il a les moyens de surmonter les obstacles et de tout faire poor les
surmonter quand il a resolu." Napoleon
LORD ROBERTS SENDS A
MOUNTED FORCE TO RELIEVE KIMBERLEY: KEKEWICH HANDS OVER HIS COMMAND TO
FRENCH
BOERS DISQUIETED BY
BRITISH MOVEMENTS
The Boer field-guns
opened fire on Kimberley and Beaconsfield at 6 a.m. on 12th February, but it
was an hour later before "Long Tom's" projectiles began to make their
screeching noises over the town. During the day, four houses in Kenilworth,
were set on fire by "Long Tom"; they were completely destroyed; fortunately,
no one was hit. A record in the Frenchman's diary, which has already been
referred to, seems to indicate that information had been sent out to the
Boers that the people in Kimberley had taken refuge in Kenilworth with a
view to avoiding "Long Tom's" attention; in consequence, the six-inch gun
was now trained on Kenilworth, with the result mentioned above. Colonel
Villebois-Mareuil (of the French Army) was at this time acting as military
adviser to General Kolbje, who was in command of the Boer commando investing
Kimberley on the west and north. From the time of the arrival of "Long Tom"
at Kamfersdam, Villebois-Mareuil had been urging the Boers to deliver an
attack against our defences and had worked out a scheme for the purpose, but
it was too daring to be acceptable to the cautious commanders who had been
entrusted by Kruger and Steyn with the responsibility for the capture of the
Diamond Fields. Several foreigners had joined the Boer forces investing
Kimberley, and, no doubt, had been looking forward to the day when they
could fill their pockets with sparkling gems, and some of them were, as we
learnt later, keenly disappointed with the dilatory methods of the Boers; in
their view "ces gens-la font la guerre comme si c'etait un pique-nique," and
they resolved accordingly to seek better luck "sur un autre champ
d'operations." Apparently, the Boers had finally decided that an attack de
vive force should be delivered against our northern defences on 12th
February, but when the time for the delivery of the assault arrived they
were in a highly nervous state owing to the activities of the British
forces. "Long Cecil" and our "snipers" had also inspired in the Boers a most
wholesome respect for the defenders of Kimberley. We had also had some good
luck this day; in the evening a rumour reached the military Headquarters
that Leon, an agent of the famous Creusot firm, who had been employed as a
gun-layer at Kamfersdam, had been shot through the head by our "snipers."
This rumour was later confirmed. Although a bullet had passed right through
Leon's head, he eventually recovered completely. Under the date 12th
February, the following entries occur in the Frenchman's diary previously
referred to:
" Reveilles par
fusillade nourrie; anglais profite journee hier pour rapprocker tranchees de
Camfordam. Tir tres precis, situation dangereuse. . . . Leon blesse a la
tete; balle entree par tempe et eraflee cervelle. . . . Mouvement offensif
general anglais s'accentue. Attaque possible pour ce soir. Attendons
toujours hommes promis par General Kolbje pour attaque Ottoscopie. Mouvement
contremande."
The diarist now left
Kimberley for Pretoria with some of his compatriots; they appear to have
been as badly off in the
matter of rations in the Boer laagers as we were in Kimberley.
"Long Tom" continued
to shell us on 13th February; one of its projectiles hit the brick
chimney-stack of a corrugated-iron building and brought it down. Three men,
a woman and a child were buried under the debris and badly injured. During
this day, much smoke could be seen in the direction of Jacobsdal; many were
our surmises as to what this meant. The general opinion was that a battle
was taking place, but was too distant from Kimberley for the guns to be
heard. It was evident that the Boers were much disquieted; they apparently
expected that the direct telegraph wire between Bloemfontein and their
headquarters at Spytfontein would be cut. Kekewich had established a small
post on Otto's Kopje, which was held by some die-hards, who were familiarly
known as "The Forty Thieves"; the officer commanding this post reported
during the day that the enemy was very busy building a telegraph line across
the veldt westward of Carter's Ridge, in order to connect up the
Intermediate Pumping Station with the Spytfontein position—the Boer
headquarters at the former place were in telegraphic communication with
Pretoria via Fourteen Streams and Potchefstroom. In these circumstances, it
was decided to make an attempt to interrupt the telegraphic communications
north of Kimberley. A native was sent north as soon as it was dark; he was
instructed to cut and remove as great a length as possible of the telegraph
wires on the railway, at some point northward of Dronfield Siding. This task
was successfully accomplished.
At daybreak on the
morning of 14th February, Peakman was sent out with a small mounted force to
the eastward of Kimberley; he soon came into contact with a body of Boers,
who had established themselves at Tollpan. The enemy was driven away from
this position, our only casualty being one officer slightly wounded. Just as
daylight began to appear, some natives arrived at Fraser's headquarters at
Beaconsfield; they reported that the Boers had evacuated Alexandersfontein—about
seven miles south-east of Kimberley. Fraser at once moved forward with a
detachment of the Town Guard under his command and occupied the position
abandoned by the enemy, reporting to Kekewich that he had done so; he also
forwarded a statement containing the story told by the natives. Briefly,
their story was that during the night a Boer despatch-rider had arrived in
Alexandersfontein, his horse covered in foam; he had reported that he had
been present at an engagement on the Riet River between the British Cavalry
and a part of Cronje's commando, which had had to give way; in consequence,
the British: Cavalry had been able to make the passage of the river. This
news created consternation in the enemy's laager at Alexandersfontein, and
the Boers there, who had, as usual, their families with them, began
immediately to pack up their belongings. Within a very short time of the
arrival of the despatch-rider, the commando had trekked away, with its
retinue of women and children; whither they had gone, Fraser's informants
were unable, or maybe unwilling, to say, excusing their ignorance by
explaining that it was still very dark when the Boer column moved off.
There was a plentiful
supply of water at Alexandersfontein, and the locality provided suitable
campgrounds for a fairly large force—at least an infantry division.
Consequently, Kekewich at once reinforced Fraser with some mounted men, two
guns of the Diamond Fields Artillery, a section R.E., and a company of the
Loyal North Lancashire lads; in order that Fraser should be released so as
to carry on his duties as O.C., Beaconsfield, O'Brien was sent from the
Premier Mine Redoubt to take command at Alexandersfontein. Before the change
in the command could be effected, a party of Boers, who had apparently not
been informed that Alexandersfontein had been evacuated by their comrades in
arms, marched into the place; finding British troops in possession, they put
up a fight, during which one Boer was killed and, at the same time, eight
Boers, including two despatch-riders, were taken prisoners. A few
wagon-loads of supplies were also captured and at once moved into Kimberley.
The Boers did not
intend to let the Kimberley troops have undisputed possession of
Alexandersfontein; they turned their guns on Wimbledon Ridge on to the new
arrivals and peppered them with segment shell, and also brought a field-gun
into action in a new position to the eastward of Alexandersfontein. The
infantry, assisted by the R.E., worked away bravely, entrenching themselves
in under the fire of the Boer artillery; they suffered a few minor
casualties. The Boer prisoners were sent up to the military Headquarters,
where they had to undergo a cross-examination; they stated that during the
night their telegraphic communications with Bloemfontein and also to the
north had been suddenly interrupted. This circumstance caused dismay in the
minds of their leaders, who imagined that a British force had under cover of
darkness, got through to the north of Kimberley and cut them off from the
Vaal. "Long Tom" remained, however, in action throughout this day and, at
intervals, endeavoured to get rid of some of his ammunition; but our
"snipers" were very much alive and on the spot. Indeed, the Boer gun-layers
had so hot a time that they shirked their duty to such an extent that "Long
Tom's" effort this day was of the feeblest.
RELIEF AT LAST
February 15th now
arrived; it was a momentous day. Lord Roberts' message of the 10th had
indicated that, on this date at latest, Kekewich might expect to receive
heliographic signals from the direction of JacobsdaL It had been borne in on
Kekewich that important developments were taking place, and there was no
mistaking the fact that the Boers had now fairly got the "jumps"; "Long
Tom," however, still tried to impress upon us his importance and was not
ready at present at all events "to hop it." The smaller guns on Wimbledon
Ridge seemed to be encouraged by the boldness of their big brother on the
Kamfersdam heap; it may be the Boer artillerymen thought that it would be
better to make us a free gift of the ammunition at their "dumps" rather than
trouble us to cart it away later. The Boer ordnance therefore treated us to
a little of their music this day, and took a small toll, wounding a few of
the troops, Fraser, who had returned to his headquarters at Beaconsfield,
was keeping an extremely sharp look-out in the direction from which we had
now been expecting to see a Relief Column approach the Diamond Fields; about
3 p.m. he espied a heliograph signal, the origin of which he estimated to be
fifteen miles away, and telephoned up to Kekewich calling his attention to
the same. A few minutes later, an orderly who had ridden in on a "push"
bicycle from Alexandersfontein arrived at our Headquarters in Lennox Street;
he was in a breathless condition, being the bearer of a despatch from
O'Brien, who had given instructions that it should reach the Commandant with
the least possible delay, O'Brien's despatch informed Kekewich that an
immense body of mounted men was advancing on his post, and that, unless he
was very strongly reinforced, he would not be able to hold on to
Alexandersfontein. Poor O'Brien, his confidence in himself and his men was
really most amusing. Where did he think Kekewich was going to raise
reinforcements in sufficient numbers to enable the gallant commander of the
Alexandersfontein position to repel a daring force of the magnitude of that
racing to save Kimberley; the force bearing down on Alexandersfontein was
none other than the Cavalry Division under French.
As the hands of the
clock approached the hour of four in the afternoon, Kekewich received a
helio message from French himself, conveying the information that he was
advancing to the relief of Kimberley and asking whether he was on the right
road. French's message also stated that camp-grounds would be required that
evening with water sufficient for 5,000 men and 10,000 animals. Kekewich
replied to French at once, giving him the information he wanted, and at the
same time indicated that he would proceed to Alexandersfontein to meet him.
Kekewich recognized that, although the relief of Kimberley was now imminent,
the accomplishment of this purpose would not end the war. He felt that there
was still something that he could do with a view to helping the situation
generally, and quickly came to a decision as to the next step which should
be taken by the troops under his command. "Long Tom" had remained in action
almost up to the time of the receipt of French's helio message. Kekewich
therefore thought that it might be possible for him to cut off the retreat
of this piece of Boer ordnance; in any case, it was something worth trying
for, and no serious risk would be incurred by our troops in making such an
attempt, small though their numbers were, as the Boers were now fairly "on
the run."
Accordingly, before
starting off to meet French at Alexandersfontein, Murray was called to our
Headquarters and instructed verbally that he was placed in command of a
mixed force which was to start off as soon as it could be collected
together; his task was to cut off the retreat of "Long Tom" and to take as
many prisoners as possible. The troops at the premier Mine Redoubt and
Alexandersfontein were too far away to be utilized for further operations
that day, but all the mobile troops manning the northern sections of our
defences were withdrawn from their posts, and together with the mounted men,
the guns of the Diamond Fields artillery and the infantry in reserve, placed
under Murray's command. The only troops not placed under Murray were the
mounted men guarding our live-stock, and the members of the Town Guard, who
under the conditions of enlistment, could not be sent to a distance greater
than eight miles from the Market Square. The several commanding officers
affected were instructed at once and the verbal orders given to Murray were
confirmed in writing; the force which came under his command consisted of
four guns of the Diamond Fields artillery, two horsed-maxims, about 400
mounted men and 200 infantry. This force was quickly collected and moved
north at once.
Kekewich now rode off
to Alexandersfontein; on the way there an advanced party of Australians and
a few Lancers were passed on the southern outskirts of Beaconsfield.
Kekewich increased his pace and hurried on through Wesselton Village; when
still some one and a half miles from Alexandersfontein, the first formed
body of the relieving troops was met. These troops consisted of Rimmgton's
Scouts, a squadron of the Scots Greys and other units of the Regular Forces;
the gallant Mike (Rimington) and several other senior officers were with
this body. Kekewich now halted and inquired for French's whereabouts; nobody
could enlighten him. Presently, an officer, who had just come up from the
direction of "Susanna,'' a Boer work about four miles south-east of the
Premier Mine Redoubt, informed Kekewich that the commander of the Cavalry
Division was in the neighbourhood of the Boer work just mentioned with a
Horse Artillery Battery which was shelling the Boer laager at Olifansfontein
(about half a mile south of "Susanna"). Kekewich then galloped towards
"Susanna," but on arrival there found that French had left. Porter, who was
commanding the 1st Cavalry Brigade, now came up; he stated that he had no
definite instructions as to his bivouac and inquired for a suitable place.
Kekewich thereupon acted as guide and led Porter and his brigade to
Blankenberg Vlei, to the east of Kimberley railway station.
The Siege of
Kimberley was now definitely at an end; during the four months the Diamond
Fields had been isolated the Boer artillery had fired some 8,500 rounds into
our defended area and we had replied with a little over 2,100 rounds, mostly
from our 7-pdrs. The toll taken from the civil population by the Boer
artillery amounted to nine persons killed and sixteen wounded. The skill
with which Kekewich had employed his small force had kept the Boers at such
a distance from our main defence line that at no time was the whizz of a
Boer rifle bullet heard in any inhabited quarter of the town. The people in
Kimberley and Beaconsfield had throughout these dreary months shown great
fortitude and accepted the trying conditions with exemplary patience. The
local levies and the Regular troops behaved in a most commendable way, and
proved themselves in every way worthy soldiers of a great race.
To Kekewich there
remained but one more thing to do; an officer senior to himself having
arrived in the territories which had been placed under his jurisdiction, he
desired, in accordance with the customs and traditions of the British Army,
to report himself to that officer and take his instructions. There seemed to
be only two places in Kimberley to which the Cavalry Commander could have
repaired with a view to establishing his headquarters in the town, namely,
the Kimberley Club, where our own Headquarter mess was established, and the
Sanatorium Hotel. After leaving Porter at Blankenberg Vlei, Kekewich decided
that, on his way back to the Kimberley Club, he would call in at the
Sanatorium Hotel on the off-chance of meeting French there. As we approached
the building we heard sounds of merriment and many voices in the hall, and a
few minutes later we entered the hotel. Tables were laid in the hall, laden
with all manner of luxuries, champagne was flowing freely, and to us, who
had seen nothing but the meagre rations served daily at the Kimberley Club
for many weeks past, this display of dainties came as a great surprise.
Rhodes, was now entertaining French and his staff, who, we learnt, had been
invited to stay at the hotel as his guests during their halt in Kimberley.
Rhodes was in the hall when Kekewich arrived; the two men had not met since
the stormy interview of the afternoon of 10th February, and Kekewich
naturally wished to avoid any altercation, so he remained by the door by
which he had entered. Fortunately, a staff officer came along and Kekewich
went forward and told him that he wished to see General French. Rhodes
observed this and, rushing forward, attempted to block the stairway,
shouting; "You shan't see French; this is my house, get out of it." Kekewich
took no notice of Rhodes' ill-mannered conduct, but accompanied the staff
officer upstairs. It may here be stated that the Sanatorium Hotel was in no
way a private house, nor was it Rhodes' personal property; it belonged to
the De Beers Company, like most things in Kimberley.
Kekewich went into
the room occupied by French and saw him alone; the interview was extremely
short, and the former at once returned to the Kimberley Club. The
conclusions, if any, the Cavalrv Commander had then come to as to the
conduct of Kekewich during the siege must have been founded alone on
information derived from ex parte statements made by Rhodes. On the ride
back to the Club Kekewich said little, but from that little it was not
difficult to draw the inference that he had met with an icy reception. But
why attempt to penetrate behind the veil?
The newspaper
correspondents, perhaps naturally went direct to the Sanatorium Hotel to
obtain information concerning the Defence of. Kimberley. Many of them were
quite content when they had heard one side of the story; a few of them,
however, came on afterwards to the Kimberley Club to learn the other side of
the story. Documentary evidence being available, some of the latter decided
that it would be wise on their part not to form any hasty judgment, based
alone on what they had been told at the Sanatorium Hotel, as to Kekewich's
conduct.
THE DAY AFTER THE
RAISING OF THE SIEGE
When Kekewich was
leaving French after his interview, the latter stated that the Cavalry
Division would be operating to the north of Kimberley on the morrow.
Kekewich was invited to accompany French during the operations which were to
take place. One of the De Beers' directors had offered a reward of £1,000 to
the troops should they capture "Long Tom," and apparently the Cavalry
Division was going to make an attempt to win it. Anyhow, an advance to the
north offered some prospect of capturing a valuable war trophy. On the
morning of the 16th, Kekewich went out to Blankenberg Vlei, accompanied by a
staff officer. At 6 a.m., French, arrived at the rendezvous and at once
advanced with, two of his cavalry brigades and his mounted infantry to the
northward. Bringing up their left shoulders, the squadrons rapidly
approached the old Orange Free State frontier, where a halt was called and
the various formations were told off to their several tasks. The C.S.O. of
the Cavalry Division and Kekewich's staff officer had met but a few years
earlier at Camberley; there was a mutual recognition and they accordingly
rode together for a short time. The cavalry and mounted infantry were once
more on the move. In talking over matters, French's C.S.O. expressed the
view that, in his opinion, Kekewich had on the previous day failed to
appreciate the situation correctly. An exchange of views on military matters
is always interesting, and therefore Kekewich's staff officer inquired what
Kekewich should have done and was informed that as soon as the latter had
become aware that the Cavalry Division was approaching Kimberley every
available man in. the town should have been sent north to cut off "Long
Tom." This was comforting, and as a copy of Kekewich's orders to Murray was
in the staff officer's pocket, it was produced and handed to French's C.S.O.
to read. About this time, that is to say, very shortly after the cavalry
formations had started off on their respective missions, a sharp fusillade
and the fire of guns was heard on our left. French now sent off one of his
orderly officers to ascertain what was takfng place; information was quickly
brought back that Kimberley troops were attacking a Boer position at
Dronfield Siding. The Kimberley troops in question were none other than the
reserves and other troops which had been sent forward the previous afternoon
under Murray. Here was further proof that Kekewich's appreciation of the
situation was after all correct. Murray had come into contact with the enemy
about dusk on the previous evening and had remained out all night in order
that touch should not be lost. An attempt had then been made by the
Kimberley troops early on the morning of the 16th to continue the advance,
but they had been held up; Porter was now sent to their support.
When French's cavalry
had joined in the fray, the battlefield extended from Dronfield to
MacFarlane's Farm (some five miles apart). French now took up a position on
the eastern edge of Dronfield Ridge and surveyed the field; we could see the
Boers at MacFarlane's Farm retiring northward. An attack was now launched
from the south and the east against the enemy at MacFarlane's; the Boers
were driven out and were soon in full retreat. French rode on and when we
reached a position some twelve miles north of Kimberley, we could distinctly
see to the southward and westward of us a large scattered army of Boers
making a desperate attempt to escape from the lance and the sword that had
so unexpectedly made their appearance on the Diamond Fields. To the north of
us, there lay an immense laager crowded with wagons; prisoners captured by
the Australians stated that "Long Tom" was in that laager. But the efforts
of the Cavalry Division to carry off this prize proved fruitless. A
scorching sun was beating down on the veldt and no water was available for
either man or beast. The horses were getting exhausted, and many lay down
and died at once. French called off his troops late in the afternoon, and we
started back on our return journey to Kimberley, the last four or five miles
of which was a most distressing experience; we rode literally along a lane
formed by the carcasses of mounts that had left Blankenberg Vlei in the
early morning of this day. So far as the Cavalry Division was concerned,
from the strategical point of view, the 16th was a wasted day.
