Roberts, Field-Marshal,
Commanding-in-Chief, South Africa.
Chief of Staff (Circular Memorandum).
Cape Town, 5th February, 1900.
The following notes by Field-Marshal Commander-in-Chief are communicated for the guidance of all concerned.
By Order,
Kitchener of Khartoum,
Chief of Staff.
NOTES FOR GUIDANCE IN SOUTH AFRICAN WARFARE.
CAVALRY.
1. On reconnaissances or patrols not likely to be prolonged beyond one day, the cavalry soldier's equipment should be lightened as much as possible, nothing being taken that can possibly be dispensed with.
2. It has been brought to my notice that our cavalry move too slowly when on reconnaissance duty, and that unnecessarily long halts are made, the result being that the enemy, although starting after the cavalry, are able to get ahead of it. I could understand this if the country were close and difficult, but between the Modder and the Orange rivers its general features are such as to admit of small parties of cavalry accompanied by field guns being employed with impunity.