Battles of the nineteenth century . p theTransvaalers ; what would have happened to usafter they were conquered ? But surely you, and men like you, knewthe strength of the antagonist you challenged ?Why did you urge these simple people to theirruin ? We had had enough of English methodshere. We knew our independence was threat- And you English, he rejoined, havesti ang ideas of liberty. The ease with which Heiibron had beenoccupied seemed to confirm the view that theFree Staters were sick of the war. Nor did LordRoberts meet with any active opposition as hemoved forward from Kroonstad to the d
Battles of the nineteenth century . p theTransvaalers ; what would have happened to usafter they were conquered ? But surely you, and men like you, knewthe strength of the antagonist you challenged ?Why did you urge these simple people to theirruin ? We had had enough of English methodshere. We knew our independence was threat- And you English, he rejoined, havesti ang ideas of liberty. The ease with which Heiibron had beenoccupied seemed to confirm the view that theFree Staters were sick of the war. Nor did LordRoberts meet with any active opposition as hemoved forward from Kroonstad to the drifts ofthe Vaal. On the day that Ian Hamiltonentered Heiibron, Roberts with the main columnadvanced to Honing Spruit. On the east of theline, from the point where the railway crossesthis spruit, a mass of kopjes extends for milesnorthwards, and it was expected that the Boerswould show fight at this point. They kad ^ ?SJ IS •t ^ < ?V S - 1 V c -V -Ni i >* V fx,. .-1 *?-•! V, ^^ >- 4 x o r >C i. :-i<^ THE BOKR WAR. entrenched the hills, but they abandoned themas soon as Lord Roberts advanced, probably because the\ were anxious about Ian Hamiltonsmovements on their tlank further east. To the west of the line 1^rench had pushedwell to the front and reached the RhenosterRiver near the point where the Honin<r Spruitflows into it. Some miles further east, near theplace where the railway crosses the Rhenoster,the Boers were reported to be holding a stronglyfortified position and ready to dispute LordRobertss further advance. At the Britishheadquarters it was hoped and expected thatthey would make a stand there. If they wouldonly risk a prolonged defence of the river cross-ings there would be some chance of Frenchscavalry from the westward gaining their rear andcutting off their retreat. The ground they occupied might well havetempted them to hazard a general action. Asa position, says Air. Battersby, of the AloritiiigPost, it ofTered a variety of advantages. Firs
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublisherlondo, bookyear1901
