All was arranged, and Z—— and his expedition marched. I was under no apprehension of its success, and my mind was devoted to the eternal subject of organization of Boers, Hottentots, waggons, etc., when most unexpectedly Colonel Z—— returned to headquarters, and I could observe by his manner victory was not the subject. He of course never acknowledged reverse; said he had not sufficient troops, etc., and that to dislodge the savages, as he always termed them, more must be employed. “But,” I said, “how came you to leave your command?” “Oh, I thought I could best explain matters myself.” “Well,” I said, “come to the Commander-in-Chief.”
His Excellency received him very coldly, being exceedingly offended at his leaving his troops, especially under the circumstances. When Colonel Z—— went, Sir Benjamin D’Urban broke out and said, “G——, he has had a licking, and what the devil made him leave his troops? Smith,” says Sir B., “this check must be immediately repaired, and you must go yourself. Take with you what you deem sufficient, and lose no time.”
I certainly did not, for that afternoon some more infantry were on the march. In the course of the day Jim Cox came to me from Z——, describing how hurt he was that I had to command. I positively laughed at the idea of such a command adding to anything but my labours, and I said, “Willingly will I go to Sir Benjamin D’Urban and tell him Z—— is hurt and in some degree imputes to me the arrangement.” The only time Sir Benjamin D’Urban was ever angry with me was on this occasion. “I have decided on what I consider the service demands, and I little expected any remonstrances from you, Smith.” I said quietly, “It was only to serve another, sir.” “Yes, at the risk of the public service.” Z—— was furious. He was ordered to rejoin his former command.
So soon as I reached the troops on the banks of the river, I reconnoitred the enemy’s position, rendered extraordinarily strong from dense bush, almost impenetrable to any but a creeping Kafir, ravines, mountains, etc. I found it necessary to attack at three points, and disposed of my troops accordingly, giving the command of the right and cavalry division to Colonel Somerset, and the left to Colonel Z——, while I remained with the centre.
The river was up, and prevented me crossing for three days. The heat on its banks was intense. I determined, however, that so soon as the river was practicable, I would attack and that my infantry should penetrate the thickets while the cavalry should intercept the retreat of the enemy and their cattle. The evening before the attack, when I gave Colonel Z—— his orders, he said, “Any further orders?” I said, “None.” He laughed in a very satirical manner. “Ah, ah, catch a Kafir with infantry.” I said, “Yes, Colonel, I intend it, and you shall too.” Our success exceeded my most sanguine expectations.
Such was the extent of the country, that a considerable part of it I had not been able to penetrate. I was resolved, therefore, to make a second attempt, which I was not long about.
The evening previous to a long march for the different columns to gain their ground, I received an application from Colonel Z—— for permission to return to Grahamstown. I was thunderstruck, but of course said, “Go when you like”; and I had to send Major Gregory, an excellent officer, thirty miles to take the command of Z——’s force, which he reached just in time for it to commence its march. On my second attempt I completely scoured the holds and fastnesses of the Kafirs, namely, “the dense and extensive thorny ravines, etc., of the great Fish River bush,” which they had deemed impenetrable, and which in no previous war had they ever been driven from. The Kafirs never again occupied this bush permanently, although a brilliant affair subsequently occurred [9th March] between some Boers under Field Commandant Rademeyer and a large body of them.[98] Thus Kafirs were caught by infantry, and we secured a considerable quantity of cattle, upwards of 5000, for which the savage fights desperately. The nature of this bush service requires the most practised light troops, and the advantage I derived from the service of my old comrade Cox is not to be described.
After this I brought my two battalions of Hottentots into play. The enemy in this bush had about thirty renegade Hottentots, many of them runaway servants who had deserted with their masters’ double-barrelled fowling-pieces. I never had more difficulty to dislodge a few men in my life, and these fellows caused me a loss of some valuable men.
Sir Benjamin D’Urban was highly gratified with my success, and issued a very complimentary General Order to that effect.[99]