Sorties
A sortie can be described as something between a skirmish and a battle, carried out by a relatively small group of men. Its purpose was to seek out information regarding the enemy’s military strength or to harass and frustrate them. In addition to the memorable sorties such as Gun Hill and Surprise Hill there were other minor ones such as Long Valley, Caesars Camp, Rifleman’s Ridge, Thornhill, Wagon Hill. Up to the relief of Ladysmith their casualties were listed as 10 killed, 72 wounded, 3 died of wounds and 1 missing.
Long Valley 3rd November 1899
The day before, on the 2nd, a force comprising some cavalry under Major-General French, Natal volunteers under Colonel Royston and one battery of artillery went out across Long Valley to probe the Boer positions. The volunteers and two guns took up a position between Wagon Hill and Middle Hill whilst the rest of the force advanced to the Nek between Middle Hill and End Hill; a squadron of 5h Lancers held the ridge. The remaining four guns and two squadrons 5th Lancers moved ahead a further 2500 metres firing about ten shells into the Boer Laager with the enemy very quickly returned with rifle fire. French, having achieved his objective, withdrew the force, reaching Ladysmith about 10 am and embarked on the last train to leave the town before the Boers blew up the line south.
After General French had left Major-General J Brocklehurst was sent to reconnoitre the Freestate Boers to the west of the town, in essence to draw enemy fire and thus ascertain their strength and calibre of their guns. At 4.30 am on the 3rd of November 1899l Brocklehurst with the 18th & 19th Hussars, 5th Lancers, 21st RFA and four squadrons of Imperial Light Horse (B,C,E & F) advanced along the Colenso road and down Long Valley. E squadron ahead quickly came under fire from a big gun on the forward hill. Captain T Fowler with half of B & F then occupied Middle Hill.
Lieutenant John Pakeman took up a position facing east and the Boer gun whilst a troop under Lieutenant GM Mathais took cover below the summit, both taking steady fire on the riflemen below.
Before midday the Natal Carbineers and Border Mounted Infantry were at the western end of the hill with B Squadron taking most of the fire wounding Trooper McLeod and Lieutenant Arthur Brabant. Sergeant Kirk in rescuing Brabant received slight wounds but regrettably Branbant died about a week later. The action continued from 9.30 am until 4.30 in the afternoon with most of the Boer shells coming from two guns on Umbulwane.
Soon after Brocklehurst started to withdraw the Boers re-occupied Middle Hill believing the British were returning to the town however C & F squadrons ILH galloped along the valley towards the Boer position for about 2000 yards, dismounting in a donga (depression) near Flagstaff Spruit. They immediately came under fire killing Captain Knapp and pinning down the rest of the men. All this time the artillery were shelling the Boers but now, being uncertain as to the advanced position of the ILH, they ceased fire. This encouraged the enemy to increase the intensity of their fire. Major Karrie-Davis with Captain J Orr took a few men to the right in support of Major Doveton whilst at the same time telling Doveton to retire. Simultaneously orders were sent to the artillery to cover this withdrawal. After and extremely difficult period the retirement was achieved.
As the ILH retired from the donga, they were covered by the 5th Dragoon Guards, under Major Heneage and 21st RFA. Support was also given by the 42nd and 53rd RFA that had hurriedly been brought out of Ladysmith.
The Boers had now got the range of the Colenso road, the only way back into town, and put it under heavy shellfire from Umbulwane.
The ILH, E,F & B squadrons returned via a dry stream to the east of the road and C Squadron made a wide detour south-east. In a very short time the Boers had regained their lost ground.
The ambulances that had followed to the rear of the troops now collected the bodies of Captain Knapp, trooper Fred Dearlove, Captain Brabant, and trooper Short (died of wounds 24.1.1900).
Boer casualties were one killed and six wounded.
Caesars Camp 9th November 1899
On November 9th the Boers attacked Caesar’s Camp but were repulsed by the Manchester’s. They attacked the north side but the British defenders did not return fire until they were within four hundred yards then let loose with rifle and artillery fire whilst the Hussars charged and met the ZARPS (SA Railway Police).
On the same day they made an attack on Observation Hill, which was occupied by a small party of 5th Lancers. Two companies were sent from Leicester Post to reinforce them and succeeded in repulsing the attack. They had to cross a wide piece of open country when first going up to reinforce and when they reached the crest of the hill, had to take what cover they could find and stay there the remainder of the day under a very heavy artillery and rifle fire. Casualties were Lieutenant Lethbridge dangerously wounded and died on 11th, Rifleman Keech died of wounds and five rank and file wounded. A splinter from a Long Tom shell broke Rifleman Carter’s arm.
From there on, Observation hill was held on alternate days with the Kings Royal Rifles.
Rifleman’s Ridge 14th November 1899
On the 14th November 1899 Major-General Brocklehurst with the 5th Lancers, 19th Hussars, Imperial Light Horse, Border Mounted Rifles and the 21st and 67th Battery Royal Field Artillery batteries was sent by White to oust the enemy from Rifleman’s Ridge. Vrede and Bethlehem commandos supported by three artillery pieces defended the Ridge. The Imperial Light Horse was left at Star Hill, a short distance to the northeast of the Ridge, whilst the remainder of the force was to make their way to the ridge. In spite of opinions that the attack could have succeeded, Brocklehurst withdrew.
Thornhills farm 5th December 1899
A and G Companies of the Rifle Brigade raid Thornhills farm, to the north of the town, in search of fresh vegetables. Captain Gough was not as fortunate as his ILH counterparts, except for a small though comforting haul of fresh vegetables they drew blank, not a single Boer being found on the premises.
From their position on Wagon Hill the Imperial Light Horse could see Bester’s farm in the valley below and it became obvious that the Boer was visiting it after dark. They could also see the livestock, which was becoming more appetising as the siege progressed. A night raid was planned for the 7th December 1899. Soon after dark an advanced party crept out and surrounded the farm. Daybreak saw the main body of men dash out with all the inducements that included grain sacks and cudgels. They managed to capture turkeys, geese, fowls and pigs and immediately began to herd them back to camp, their retirement being covered by the advanced guard. In addition sugar, coffee beans as well as dresses, carpets, a photo album, fiddle and crockery were taken. The booty was shared amongst all the men.
Besters farm 16 January 1900
The Rifle Brigade, now on Wagon Hill, had spotted some chickens running about Bester’s farm in the valley to the south of the hill and decided to raid the farm for a badly needed change in their diet. They succeeded in bringing in one old hen and several unripe peaches; the remainder of the fowls proving too long in the leg. The peaches, unappetising though they looked, proved a salvation, as there was an unlimited supply and when stewed were really excellent.