In December 1899 another corps, known as the Colonial
Scouts, was raised by the Natal Government; strength five squadrons, commanded
by Colonel F. Addison, MLA. They were during part of 1900 chiefly employed in
Zululand, and on the border of that country and the Transvaal. The corps did
not see much fighting, but their presence in this district was very valuable.
The Scouts provided a bodyguard of about 30 men to General Warren. The corps
was disbanded in April, but the majority of the volunteers joined other
irregular bodies - for example, "G" squadron practically became "F" squadron of
Bethune’s Mounted Infantry under their old company commander Major Menne, who
afterwards raised Menne's Scouts. Steinaecker's Horse was also at first
recruited from men of the Colonial Scouts, in which Steinaecker himself had been
a non-commissioned officer.
