Article
Majuba 2016 commemoration horse journey and
battle re-enactmant
Majuba theatre of war saw the last of three battles of the 1st ABW, the first battle at Bronkhorstspruit 20 Dec 1880, the second six weeks later at Laingsnek 28th Jan 1881, the third a week later at Schuinshoogte (Ingogo) on 8th Feb 1881, and the last battle on Majuba mountain 27th Feb 1881. The battles at Laingsnek and Schuinshoogte were in close proximity of Majuba in a radius of about 15km. Here a very short version of the runner up events. What were the causes of the first ABW? Quite simply, because Britain, at the height of her Imperial Empire, colonised countries, republics, as she pleased, being the mightiest in the world.
On the 12th April 1877 Sir Theophilus Shepstone marched with his troops onto Church Square and hoisted the Union Jack, not only to the surprise of Pres MW Pretorius and his council but also in direct contravention of the Sandrivier Konvensie of 1852, whereby Britain acknowledged the right of the Boer Republics to manage their own affairs without any interference on the part of the British Government. Thus the annexation of the Transvaal Republic at the very least constituted interference in the Transvaal’s domestic affairs in gross violation of the Sand River Convention. Continuous protests by Boer deputations to London and the Cape fell on deaf, unsympathetic ears. Two incidents during this period created the final powder keg necessary for war: when Pres Pretorius and his Secretary of State, Willem Bok, arrived per appointment to see Sir Garnet Wolseley, British High Commissioner to lead yet another round of serious discussions, they were summarily arrested and thrown into prison.
The second incident happened in Potchefstroom when British authorities put Piet Bezuidenhout’s wagon on public auction to recover taxes he refused to pay to the British. When the auction came about the Saturday morning a hundred irritated Boers arrived and took the wagon back with armed force. This was the last incident before war broke out. On the 8th Dec a few thousand Boers heeded a call to gather on the farm Paardekraal near Krugersdorp where they decided in the presence of Paul Kruger, Piet Joubert and Pretorius, on a plan of action against the British and re-instated their holy Blood River Vow with the Lord. Only one Dutch Reformed minister dared to attend, lead the short service and read the Vow, Ds Van Warmeloo, the others bailing out for fear of British arrest. His daughter was Johanna Brand, who would become a folk hero 19 yrs later during the 2nd ABW. A proclamation stating the re-instatement of the Transvaal Republic was sent to the British authority in Pretoria as a formal declaration of war. Immediately armed Boers besieged the British garrisons at Pretoria, Potchefstroom, Rustenburg, Lydenburg, Wakkerstroom and Standerton. This action cut the towns off from the outside world, lamed British forces and emergency situations followed.
Military action soon followed when Col Anstruther and his 94th Regiment broke out of Lydenburg on a Sunday when the Boers held morning service and marched onto Pretoria. He was warned a few times by rapportryers (messengers on horseback) to halt his force or see action. He refused and
marched on.
He was intercepted at Bronkhorstspruit 50km east of Pretoria by a strong Boer force and the first battle of the first ABW followed. The British force was defeated with 57 dead including Col Anstruther, and a 100 wounded. 2 Boers died and 5 were wounded.Gen Colley, based in Pietermaritzburg received the news with shock and dismay, and started preparing his own advance on the Boers in Pretoria fromNatal. The Boers soon got to hear this and waited for him at a strategic pass on the border of Natal and the Transvaal. This started the Majuba theatre of war with three ensuing battles mentioned. A full pictorial description and essay of these battles was posted by me this time last year.
Thursday 25th of Feb 2016 me and two riders set out from a farm close to Newcastle and followed the trail of Colley to Majuba. It was a pleasurable 48km one day journey which took us through beautiful countryside, off the beaten track.
We followed feint foot paths leading through foothills with deep valleys, seeing impressive high railway bridges and tunnels. This bridge the local folk tell us is the highest railway bridge in Natal at 163m. The bridge trembles quite noticeably when a train passes, and quite scary while you’re standing on the middle span of the bridge next to the handrail with the train thundering past you! The railway here passes through three curving tunnels, the longest one 680m.
Approaching O’Neil’s Cottage on the eastern foothills of Majuba. It was on these foothills that Colley’s troops ascended Majuba in the background during the night of 26th Feb 1881.
O’Neil’s Cottage served as field hospital after the battle of Majuba. It also served as office where the Peace Treaty was signed two weeks after the battle. In the foreground the mass grave of the King’s Rifles.
Colley’s troops passed close by here on the evening of the 26th Feb 1881 as they ascended Majuba. It was a concern to Colley and his officers as O’Neil’s dogs started to bark fiercely, and that O’Neil himself will come out and fire warning shots in the dark, alerting the Boers who had verkenners (scouts) in the area keeping a close watch on Colley’s men.
The graveyard of Colley and his officers and some of his men at Prospect Hill, about three km’s north from the N11 road at Ingogo. The white crosses mark the graves of senior officers. It is on private farm property and not indicated by sign boards.
Only a feint spoor leads to it and it ensures this hallowed piece of history soil is kept in good condition. Colley’s base camp was here during the Majuba theatre of war, and it was from here he and his men set off to Majuba on the evening of 26th Feb 1881, 9pm. On the horizon Majuba can be seen 10km away, the left side is the slope up which they ascended the mountain.
Floreat Etona! An 1882 painting by Elizabeth Thompson. The title is the motto of Eton College close to Windsor Castle in England meaning “May Eton Flourish!” The work depicts Lieutenant Robert Elwes of the Grenadier Guards, who was killed at the Battle of Laing’s Nek on 28th January 1881. The British Army was attempting to force its way through a pass in the Drakensberg Mountains called Laing’s Neck, when Elwes joined a hopeless flank cavalry assault into the teeth of a formidable Boer defence, charging up the foothill on horseback.
He reported encouraging another fellow Old Eton Boy, Adjudant Moncke of Col Deane’s 58th foot regiment, who got onto a fallen rider’s horse and donned his blue overcoat: “Come along Moncke, Floreat Etona, we must be in the front rank!” He got shot and killed almost immediately afterwards. Elwes was one of 83 killed at Laing’s Neck, Moncke survived but got shot at the ensuing Schuinshoogte battle.
The painting shows Elwes to the left, shouting encouragement to Moncke on the right, his horse stumbling on the rocky incline of Laing’s Neck (and him being an inexperienced rider belonging to the Queen’s 58th Foot Regiment) toward the viewer and the Boers firing from the top of the foothill. The Queen’s Colour can be seen in the background. Majuba’s defeatist battles, together with defeat at Isandhlawa, were the last time the Queen’s colours were carried into battle. The dishonour associated with the regiment who lost it to the victors were to be buried with the dead.
Colley’s grave on the extreme northern row of graves and facing east. He was buried with full military honours on the 3rd Mar 1881, after lying in state with all his remaining men at Prospect Hill filing by in ranks past their beloved General. On the 14th Mar his wife, Lady Edith Hamilton-Colley visited the fresh grave. It was their wedding anniversary and she mourned her husband’s death bitterly. They had an excellent relationship and marriage
The grave of Col Bonar Millet Deane, Commanding Officer of the Queen’s 58th, shot at the battle of Laingsnek 28th Jan 1881. Colley was buried next to him.
In memory of the Naval Division from HMS ships Boadicea and Dido anchored in the Port of Natal (as it was still known as those years) under the command of Commander Francis Romilly. He, a very senior officer, was the very first man to fall at the battle of Majuba, hit by a Boer marksman.
He stood in the middle of Gen Colley and Col Stewart while surveying the Boer’s progress up the mountain, totally at ease as the enemy was still at least 900m down from the summit. Colley went to rest after this incident, probably from shock after losing his umpteenth senior officer after Laing’s Neck and Schuinshoogte, but also convinced the Boers will not succeed overrunning his well defended position on the mountain top.
It is a pity that it is unknown to this day the names of two Boer marksman: the one who hit Romilly from an incredible distance, and the one who hit Colley between the eyes from where the Boers were still under fire and in direct battle with the Gordon Highlanders on the western summit of Majuba, about 270m away on a koppie known today as Gordon’s Knoll.
This is known as Verkenner Roos’s men, who were the first to breach the western summit , and held this position for at least an hour-and-a-half before Verkenner Malan breached the summit on the northern side (in this group of Boers was a young Christiaan De Wet, who would become a famous Boer General 20 yrs later during the 2nd ABW). By this time Colley was dead and his remaining men beginning to leave their positions as they fell back.
In memory of the 92nd Gordon Highlanders who took the brunt of the first Boers overrunning the summit. Most of the Regiment was posted to SA, fresh from the Ashanti War in Ghana and battle hardened, but got killed on Majuba.
Circling round the southern side of Majuba where Colley posted 140 of his men while ascending Majuba. They were to preserve the supply and communication lines with his base camp, Prospect Hill, as well as to defend the base of the mountain should the Boers decide to ascend the mountain the same route as the British. They watched in awe as their comrades defended the summit in vain, then again as the chaotic, panic ridden troops fell down the steep cliffs, chased by bullets. Majuba to the right, out of view of this picture.
The south western side of Majuba, from where Johanna de Jager spotted the British on the mountain from her kitchen door early the morning of the 27th Feb 1881. She raced off down the road on her mare to alert the Boers on the north western side. This marked the end of our one day horse journey, with Majuba base camp being about 10km away from this point.
Gen Colley was under great pressure to nullify the Boer force at Majuba. Only two years earlier the Zulu Impi’s annihilated a strong British Force at Isandhlwana on the 22nd Jan 1879. Then followed the British defeats at Bronkhorstspruit, Laing’s Nek and Ingogo against the Boers. Queen Victoria personally regretted the lack of British military achievement in Southern Africa in such a short space of time.
These pictures taken during the re-enactment of Isandhlwana earlier this year:
A Zulu force of about 20 000 impi’s attacked part of the main British column numbering 1 800 men during the British’s invasion of Zululand. It was a bloody battle, with the numerically superior Zulu’s virtually annihilating the British by killing over 1 300 of their troops. They employed their famous bull’s horn tactic also used against the Voortrekkers, by sending a smaller force directly in the face of the enemy distracting their main attention, while two very strong flanks will circle onto the enemy from the left and right and attack from the side flanks by surprise.
The Zulu’s themselves lost 2 000 impi’s, but won the battle. It was a particular disgraceful, but tragic loss to the British who had state-of-the-art Martini-Henry rapid firing cartridge rifles, as well as two 7 pounder field guns. The field guns were also overrun, another traditional disgrace, but the Zulu’s did not capture them for lack of knowledge to fire them. They also had a few rifles swopped to them previously by travelling traders, just like at Blood River, but they still lacked the skill to use them effectively.
Lt Gen Chelmsford commanding the British was warned several times by Boer farmers in the area of a Zulu force gathering and spying on his movements, knowing Chelmsford was manoeuvring in search of the Zulu forces and picking for a battle. He splitted off the main British column with a smaller, quicker moving force, venturing to steal the limelight from the main force. His scouts chased Zulu spies into a valley, where they were astonished to see the main force of 20 000 Impi’s waiting to jump into action. Upon being discovered, they did just this, chasing the British scouts hurrying back to Chelmsford’s force in base camp.
The rest is history, a bloody battle followed engaging hand-to-hand, and 11 VC’s were awarded post-humously. Isandhlwana was revenged a week later by the British at Rorke’s Drift, but the dent in British military proud cut deep and sensitive. The shame of losing against what was seen as a barbaric force at the time did not go down well.
Friday the 26th Mar 2016 saw the horse commando now numbering about 20 riders, set off into Volksrust to do a flag parade into town. This is always a joyous occasion as the local folk cheer us on. It also often becomes a race back to Majuba to beat the usually gathering thunder storm, it’s not pleasant and dangerous to be exposed on horseback during lightning. The youth riders (penkoppe) will race full speed ahead on the short 23km ride back, only to be caught by us older folk later who know they must spare their horse’s energy for the last 5km’s going up the very steep foothill to base camp at Majuba!
Most of the Boer flags embroidered here for sewing onto a saddle’s cloth.
The flag parade through town is always received very well by the public. And even in today’s political turmoil, no negative reaction was noted!
The commando that rode into town, posing for a quick photo on the way back.
Sat morn 27th Feb 2016 saw us Boer Commando posing for another historic photo with Majuba in the backdrop. Shortly hereafter, we would perform a mock battle with the redcoats for the crowd
Getting ready for the flag parade on the morn of the 27th Feb 2016. It must’ve felt exactly the same those days preparing to depart going on commando searching for battle! Johanna De Jager comes charging into the Boer camp warning of the British on the mountain!
The British actors (Dundee Diehards) waiting for the action to begin. And soon the battle was on! It remains awesome for the actors of both sides knowing they’re only getting fired on by blank rounds, but if it was for real it would be a completely different story! Martini-Henry’s, the correct historic rifles to use during a re-enactment of the 1st ABW, number very few today, and is a sought-after collector’s rifle.
Regrettably, I’m still the only actor with the correct rifle. The black powder Martini lets off with a thunderous loud bang, bellowing much more smoke and being quite louder than the later nitro powders. And loaded correctly, with an experienced rifleman, it’s quite accurate. The Boers of course used the Wesley Richards of London, a Martini actioned rifle using the same bore and ammunition than the Enfield versions, and bought quite legitimately by the ZAR prior to the 1st ABW. They called it the “Bobbejaanboud”, due to the shape of the reloading lever and butt. Hunting with it frequently too, they were well familiarised by the time of Majuba.
The Zulu’s themselves lost 2 000 impi’s, but won the battle. It was a particular disgraceful, but tragic loss to the British who had state-of-the-art Martini-Henry rapid firing cartridge rifles, as well as two 7 pounder field guns. The field guns were also overrun, another traditional disgrace, but the Zulu’s did not capture them for lack of knowledge to fire them. They also had a few rifles swopped to them previously by travelling traders, just like at Blood River, but they still lacked the skill to use them effectively.
Lt Gen Chelmsford commanding the British was warned several times by Boer farmers in the area of a Zulu force gathering and spying on his movements, knowing Chelmsford was manoeuvring in search of the Zulu forces and picking for a battle. He splitted off the main British column with a smaller, quicker moving force, venturing to steal the limelight from the main force. His scouts chased Zulu spies into a valley, where they were astonished to see the main force of 20 000 Impi’s waiting to jump into action. Upon being discovered, they did just this, chasing the British scouts hurrying back to Chelmsford’s force in base camp.
The rest is history, a bloody battle followed engaging hand-to-hand, and 11 VC’s were awarded post-humously. Isandhlwana was revenged a week later by the British at Rorke’s Drift, but the dent in British military proud cut deep and sensitive. The shame of losing against what was seen as a barbaric force at the time did not go down well.
Friday the 26th Mar 2016 saw the horse commando now numbering about 20 riders, set off into Volksrust to do a flag parade into town. This is always a joyous occasion as the local folk cheer us on. It also often becomes a race back to Majuba to beat the usually gathering thunder storm, it’s not pleasant and dangerous to be exposed on horseback during lightning. The youth riders (penkoppe) will race full speed ahead on the short 23km ride back, only to be caught by us older folk later who know they must spare their horse’s energy for the last 5km’s going up the very steep foothill to base camp at Majuba!
Most of the Boer flags embroidered here for sewing onto a saddle’s cloth.
Acting in mock battles can be tiring and sore, especially if you are designated to “fall” after taking a bullet. And Majuba’s rocky terrain hasn’t changed in the mean time! Lending a helping hand after the battle! True to Boer tradition, a thanksgiving prayer was given to the Lord immediately after a victorious battle. A Penkop shares his handshake with the British after battle Majuba 2016, against the Majuba backdrop, with Gordon’s Knoll and Hamilton Koppie being quite visible, and whose ghosts looked down upon us – those men died in bravery, honour and in hard battle, RIP!
Battle re-enactments can be as tiring as the real thing, without the danger of getting killed! My final photograph of the Battle of Majuba commemoration 2016, looking forward to a well earned rest after three day’s Majuba activities!