. South Africa and the Transvaal War. ertain, any more than appeared to be theGovernment at home, that the Free Staters would join the Re-publicans ; but to any one acquainted with the subject, the fact thatPresident Steyn had pulled the strings of the Bloemfontein affairwas sufficient evidence of a contemplated alliance. With the FreeState neutral, the aspect of affairs might have been entirely changed,and Dundee, with Lady smith to support it, might have held its it was, these small places were from the first placed in the mostunenviable quandary. General Symons, on the arrival of Sir
. South Africa and the Transvaal War. ertain, any more than appeared to be theGovernment at home, that the Free Staters would join the Re-publicans ; but to any one acquainted with the subject, the fact thatPresident Steyn had pulled the strings of the Bloemfontein affairwas sufficient evidence of a contemplated alliance. With the FreeState neutral, the aspect of affairs might have been entirely changed,and Dundee, with Lady smith to support it, might have held its it was, these small places were from the first placed in the mostunenviable quandary. General Symons, on the arrival of Sir George White in Natal,took command of the forces in Dundee, and began active prepara-tions for the reception of the Dutchmen. The latter, immediately after the declaration of war, took posses-sion of Newcastle, and our patrols soon came in touch with theenemy. In spite of their animated and aggressive movements,however, Sir W. Penn Symons was disinclined to believe that theenemy meant a serious attack upon Dundee, and though fully 8. Map of Northern Natal. Scale 15 Statute Miles to the Inch. The Transvaal War prepared for hostilities, he was somewhat amazed when really-informed of the rapid advance of the united Republicans. But helost no time. He made inquiries, and satisfied himself that he wasin a position of some danger and that he must promptly leap toaction. The chief difficulty of the situation lay in the number ofpasses through which the Boers with their easily mobilised forcescould manage to pour in bodies of men, and the limited number ofBritish troops at General Symonss disposal. From the movementsof the Boers it was obvious that the plan of attack had long beencleverly and carefully arranged. The Free State Boers on the12th of October seized Albertina Station, near the Natal frontier,and took possession of the key, the stationmaster having to makehis way on a trolley to Ladysmith. There, as yet, all was externallypeaceful, as though no enemy were near, but a suppre
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