[316] See [Appendix 2 (Q)].
[317] According to regimental tradition the information reached Captain White, Royal Irish, the local Intelligence officer, in a curious way. Viljoen had in his service a Kaffir, whose father was employed by us at Lydenburg. The younger Kaffir overheard Viljoen mention in conversation that he meant to return to Pilgrim’s Rest on a certain day; and obtaining leave of absence, passed the news on to his father, who in his turn reported it to the Intelligence department. It seems almost incredible that Viljoen should have been guilty of such an indiscretion as to talk of his intended movements within earshot of a Kaffir: but if the account is accurate, it affords another illustration of the truth of the saying—“What is rumoured in your camp to-day will be known to-morrow by the enemy.”
[318] Afterwards Sergeant-Major, 2nd battalion, Royal Irish regiment.
[319] See [Appendix 2 (Q)].
[320] See [Appendix 2 (Q)]. Captain St Leger’s exploit would have remained unknown had not Corporal Parker written to his own commanding officer to report the matter. Unfortunately the non-commissioned officer’s letter did not reach the War Office until the list of rewards for South Africa was finally closed.
[321] As early as May, 1900, the author ascertained from Boer prisoners that in the commandos it was commonly said that if the burghers were driven out of Pretoria they would break back through the east of the Free State and burst into Cape Colony by the drifts over the Orange river near Aliwal North.
[322] This man’s death was a sad one: he fell down a well, 45 feet deep, at Needspan, and his body was not discovered for several days. An officer writes of him: “he was one of the best soldiers and the cheeriest of men whom I have ever met; and his behaviour both in camp and field was excellent.”
[323] See [Appendix 2 (Q)].
[324] See [Appendix 2 (Q)].
[325] See [Appendix 2 (Q)].