This corps, about 300 strong, was raised in the eastern portion of Cape
Colony in December 1899 by Colonel Nesbitt, "a veteran South African campaigner".
As in the case of many other Colonial bodies, the strength varied greatly in the
course of the campaign, being at one time about 5 squadrons, but probably not
much more than a squadron was in the field when peace came.
Part of the corps accompanied Lord Roberts in the great fighting march from
Modder River to Bloemfontein, being in the 2nd Brigade of Mounted Infantry, at
first under Ridley, afterwards under Le Gallais, and they were generally
attached to the VIIth Division under General Tucker. On arriving at
Bloemfontein the strength of the corps was officially stated at 8 officers, 119
men, and 136 horses. Very few corps were so well supplied with horses, a
fact which tends to prove the good mastership of the South African Colonials.
Nesbitt's Horse were with Le Gallais and Tucker in the stiffly contested battle
at Karee Siding on 29th March, Le Gallais' men taking a very important share in
the work. The Boers were driven from their position, and the road towards
Brandfort was opened.
When Lord Roberts moved north from Bloemfontein, Nesbitt's Horse were with
the City Imperial Volunteers Mounted Infantry and Lumsden's Horse in the mounted
infantry corps which did the scouting work on the front and flanks of the
central divisions of the army, being more particularly attached to Tucker's
VIIth Division. During the whole advance from Bloemfontein to Pretoria
they had work which was hard, continuous, and most responsible, and several
times had sharp fighting, as at the Vet River on 3rd May, when they suffered
some casualties. After Johannesburg was reached the mounted infantry of
the VIIth Division were split up: neither that Division nor Nesbitt's Horse were
present at the battle of Diamond Hill.
When Lord Roberts was advancing to Bloemfontein disaffection broke out to the
west of the De Aar line. Among other troops employed on the Lower Orange
and about Prieska was one squadron of Nesbitt's Horse which did much hard patrol
work. They operated during part of March and April 1900 under Lord
Kitchener and General Settle, and were present with Colonel Adye in a sharp
fight in the Kheis district, Griqualand West, on 28th May 1900, when Lieutenant
Venables and 1 man were wounded. The total British losses in Adye's action
were about 7 killed and 20 wounded, and that of the enemy was heavier, 20 of
them being taken prisoners. This squadron of Nesbitt's remained in the
Prieska district for over one year.
After Pretoria was occupied, the detachment which had accompanied Lord
Roberts northwards was taken south of the Vaal in consequence of De Wet having
attacked the railway, and they afterwards did duty in the Orange River Colony
and in Cape Colony. In his despatch of 15th November 1900, Lord Roberts
mentioned that when the enemy moved south in force in October, Philippolis in
the south of the Orange River Colony, was attacked almost daily between 18th and
24th October. The Magistrate with 11 police and 18 British residents
skilfully entrenched a kopje having a water-supply, and held out till relieved
on the 24th. The enemy at first numbered about 100, but other commandos
coming up, their force was increased to 600. On hearing of the investment
of the place, the commandant at Colesberg sent on the 20th October Lieutenant
Hannah and 34 of Nesbitt's Horse to relieve or assist the garrison — surely a
dangerously small force for the object. Lieutenant Hannah approached
Philippolis on the 21st and posted pickets. These were heavily attacked
early on the 22nd and were practically annihilated, but he and 6 men succeeded
in joining the garrison. The party of Nesbitt's Horse lost 9 men killed
and 12 wounded.
During the second phase of the war Nesbitt's Horse was employed in Cape
Colony. They were frequently engaged, and took part in many pursuits.
On 14th December a small post near Colesberg, garrisoned by 14 of the corps, was
attacked. Lieutenant Kelyl and several men were severely wounded.
Lieutenant Hannah was severely wounded on 12th May, and on 9th August Captain
Noel Nesbitt was severely wounded at Maraisburg. For a great part of 1901
a portion of the corps was in the western district doing column work under
Colonel Capper and Major Jeudwine, and their fine scouting often prevented loss.
Another portion worked in the central district of the colony. The corps
remained in the field to the very end, and when Commandant Malau was defeated in
Central Cape Colony three days before peace was declared, he himself being
wounded and captured, the successful British force was composed of the
Jansenville district mounted troops, Nesbitt's Horse, and some other local
troops, Lovat's Scouts helping indirectly.
The Mentions gained by the corps were:
Lord Roberts' Despatch: 31st March 1900 — Major W L Currie.
Lord Roberts' Final Despatch: Lieutenant Colonel E A Nesbitt, Major Currie,
Captain C W Nesbitt, Troopers F Hill, Hiscock and L F
Brown. Colonel Nesbitt was awarded the CB and Major Currie the CMG.
Lord Kitchener's Despatch: 8th December 1901 — Lieutenant S A Callaghan,
by coolness and good dispositions repulsed enemy's attack at Ganna Hoek, Cape
Colony, 21st September. Trooper R Nel, in same action by coolness and
courage under close fire rendered most valuable service; wounded in three places
but continued to fight.
Lieutenant Harvey was on 25th October 1900, at Pretoria, presented by Lord
Roberts with the Royal Humane Society award for gallantry in saving a man from
drowning.
