1803
When the Dutch governor arrived, in the early part of 1803, with an armament, to take possession, the Cape Regiment was at head-quarters; it was left in the colony, and nearly every man was retained in the Dutch service.
A few months of respite from war followed the Treaty of Amiens, and, in 1803, the contest was renewed with a violence which, in a few years, shook the basis of every state in Europe. During the first three years of the war, the attention of the British Government was directed to measures rendered necessary by the threatened invasion of England by Buonaparte; but in the latter months of 1805, an armament, consisting of about five thousand men, under the orders of Major-General Sir David Baird[1], proceeded to recapture the settlement of the Cape of Good Hope, with its dependencies, then in possession of the Batavian Government, and commanded by Lieut.-General Janssens.
1806
After surmounting considerable difficulties, a landing was effected at Lospard’s Bay, on the 6th of January, 1806; on the morning of the 8th, the army moved in two brigades towards the road leading to Cape Town, and attacked the enemy’s force, consisting of five thousand men, and twenty-three pieces of cannon, advantageously posted at Blaw Berg, or Blue Mountains: the Dutch stood the fire of the invading army with firmness, and maintained their position obstinately; but the charge of the British troops with bayonets proved irresistible, and the enemy was forced to a precipitate retreat.
A negotiation ensued between the two commanders, which was carried on by Brigadier-General (now Lord) Beresford: and the colony was finally surrendered on the 18th January.
In the articles of capitulation it was stipulated, that the battalion of Hottentot Light Infantry should march to Simon’s Town, with the other Batavian troops, after which they should be allowed to return to their own country, or to engage in the British Service, as they might feel inclined. A number of them tendering their services, they were formed into a corps at Wynberg, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Graham, and stationed at that village; a detachment of about fifty men was sent to Fort Frederick, Algoa Bay.