File:Battles of the nineteenth century (1901) (14802130343).jpg

Identifier: battlesofninetee06forb (find matches)
Title: Battles of the nineteenth century
Year: 1901 (1900s)
Authors: Forbes, Archibald, 1838-1900 Atteridge, A. Hilliard (Andrew Hilliard)
Subjects: Battles Military history, Modern
Publisher: London New York : Cassell and Company
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

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ilway at Rosmead junction south of Naauwpoort. From Sterkstroom to Stormberg the railway is going gradually up through wild, hilly country, and at Stormberg junction it curves round the great peak of Rooi Kop (the Red Head), a mountain with boulder-strewn slopes, broken here and there by sheer precipices. From Molteno there is a road to Stormberg, and another road branching off northwest to Steynsburg. On the Rooi Kop the Berkshire regiments had dug trenches and built up stone breastworks, to enable the hill to beheld as a natural fortress protecting the junction. All these had been abandoned when the order was given to retire to Queenstown in November, and they were now held by the Boer commandoes under Van Grobler and Olivier. The Boers had been raiding and recruiting throughout the district, and their presence at Stormberg was a standing danger to the north-eastern districts of the colony. Gatacre realised that he was not strong enough to make a regular attack on the Boer position. But it was
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94 THE BOER WAR. important to clear the junction of the enemy, and reopen communication with French through Rosmead. He resolved, therefore, to attempt a night surprise of the Stormberg position. His plans were communicated to at least some of the correspondents at his headquarters. The date fixed for the enterprise was at first Saturday, December 9th, and on the 7th the Times correspondent at Putterskraal camp wrote in his diary :— The move forward is at last at hand. A strong column will leave here by rail tomorrow evening, and, having detrained north of Molteno, march on to the Boer laager at Stormberg, which it is proposed to rush with the bayonet at 3.30 a.m. on Saturday. Only one field battery is to proceed with the troops, and this, having selected horses, is to be also conveyed by rail. The distance is about twenty-five miles, and would be far too much for horses only just off the ship, and General Gatacre has wisely decided against overtaxing their strength by such a march. Everyone is

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