Towards Colesberg the enemy began operations on November 1, crossing the bridge and advancing to the southward. Naauwpoort had been evacuated, and they had the whole of the country between that place and the Orange River at their mercy. They blew up the road bridge across the river north of Colesberg and a railway bridge on the Colesberg and Norvals Pont line, which looked rather as though they were afraid of a British advance than as if they meant a serious invasion. At last, on the 15th, they seized Colesberg.
British re-occupy Naauwpoort. Arrival of General French.
The growing aggressiveness of the Boers compelled the despatch of a British force to watch them and protect the immense depots of stores at De Aar. On November 19 Naauwpoort was re-occupied, and three days later General French with 3,000 men (amongst whom were the 2nd Berkshires, 6th Dragoons, New Zealanders, and New South Wales Lancers) followed in support to Hanover Road, between De Aar and Naauwpoort. Next day he proceeded through Naauwpoort with an armoured train and a couple of hundred men, and found the Boers near Arundel. This was the high-water mark of their advance in the central field of war.
BRITONS FROM THE ANTIPODES: NEW ZEALANDERS WITH GENERAL FRENCH'S DIVISION.
The British and the Boers interchanged shots, but the casualties were insignificant. General French pushed north towards Arundel on the 25th, and repaired the railway line, which had been broken in one or two places. On December 6 he advanced and seized Tweedale, a station south of Arundel; on the 7th occupied Arundel, and next day pushed forward with the greater part of his force towards Rensburg. The enemy opened a heavy fire upon the British mounted infantry and cavalry, including the New Zealanders and New South Wales Lancers, but no casualties occurred. With Arundel in the hands of General French, and a cavalry brigade watching the enemy, all danger to De Aar vanished. But the force was too weak to do more than keep the enemy in check until reinforcements should arrive.
ORANGE RIVER BRIDGE.