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Refugee engines at Viljoen's Drift

At the time the British troops were closing in on Bloemfontein, the Boers shifted all rolling stock further north. Before the troops arrives at Viljoen's Drift, these engines were sent across the border to the Transvaal. It will be seen that all the connecting rods gave been removed.

Taaibosch Spruit Bridge, from the north bank

A more complete wreck was made of this bridge, than of any other throughout the State. It is about five miles from the Transvaal border. On the opposite bank can be seen the Rail Head or construction train which meant the line was repaired up to that point.




Taaibosch Spruit Bridge, from the south bank

A large quantity of dynamite must have been used to destroy this bridge for great pieces of steel were torn from the body of the structure and were to be seen afterwards as much as 150 yards away. The explosion was heard many miles off.

Another blown-up tank, Viljoen's Drift

Close by this tank was a large stone building, quarters for the men employed at the station. After the explosion, every window was found to be shattered in it. The Orange Free State flag surmounts the ruin.

Wrecked railway tank, Taaibosch Spruit

The damage done to the railway all through the Free State was immense. Every bridge and almost every tank and culvert was destroyed, in a wain effort to check the British advance to Pretoria.

Transvaal Boers retiring across the Vaal River

A Boer commando is here seen crossing to the Transvaal at Viljoen's Drift. There was some friction at the time between the burghers of the two states, the Transvaalers considering that the southern state had given up too soon, while the Free Staters claimed that they and their country had borne the brunt of the fighting.

Railway bridge, Vaal River

The railways in the Transvaal were left intact, so that this bridge, blown up on the morning of May 26th 1900, was the last to suffer. It is a very curious break, the masonry not being damaged at all. The British troops entered the Transvaal near this point the same day.