LANDING MULES AT PORT ELIZABETH.
Great numbers of mules, purchased in South America and elsewhere, were conveyed in special vessels to South Africa for transport purposes.
[Nov. 10, 1899.
The main British camp lay to the south of the river and of the red iron bridge which spans its muddy waters. To the north the bridge head was entrenched and held by a small detachment. Away to the north and east and west stretched the monotonous veldt covered with sage-green brushwood, its surface broken here and there by abruptly-rising, stony hills.
Reconnaissance towards Belmont.
The first encounter with the enemy in this quarter took place on November 10. On this day a reconnaissance was carried out to the north-west by a small column under Colonel Gough, 700 strong, composed mostly of mounted men—cavalry and infantry—and having with it one field battery. The column left Orange River on the 9th, and, pushing forward, located a Boer position on a long semicircular ridge, nine miles to the east of Belmont. Attempts were successfully made to compel the enemy to disclose the extent of his position and the strength of his force. For that purpose two squadrons of Lancers threatened the enemy's left, and 200 mounted infantry his right, while the artillery opened fire. The enemy replied but feebly. Then the mounted infantry pushed rapidly forward, hoping to get behind the Boers and cut off their retreat. More troops were signalled for to Orange River, and at once all the men remaining in camp were entrained and sent forward.
THE NUCLEUS OF A GREAT MILITARY DEPOT. ORANGE RIVER CAMP IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE WAR.
Unfortunately, the mounted infantry in their movement failed to make out a small party of Boers, ensconced behind good cover, and came under an unexpected and terrible fire, which in a few moments killed Colonel Keith-Falconer, mortally wounded Lieutenant Wood, and hit two other officers and two privates. The attempt to outflank the Boers had to be immediately abandoned—and it was well that it was abandoned. Colonel Gough supposed he had before him only 700 men and one gun under Commandant Vandermerwe. Much uncertainty prevailed all through the war as to the Boer numbers, but it is probable that the force opposed to him was at least twice and possibly three times as strong as he supposed.
