Topic: BatzB - Bothaville
Bothaville
South Africa, 6 November 1900
Times Account, 10 November 1900
DEFEAT OF DE WET.
EIGHT GUNS CAPTURED.
The following telegram from Lord Roberts has been received at the War Office :
Johannesburg, Nov. 8, 3 30 p.m.
Colonel Le Gallais surprised the Boer forces on night of 5th inst. three miles south of Bothaville. He was heavily engaged for five hours, the enemy's strength about 1,000. Charles Knox followed Le Gallais with Do Lisle's Mounted Infantry and completely defeated the enemy.
We captured one 12-pounder of "Q" Battery, one 15-pounder 14th Battery, four Krupps guns, one "Pom-Pom," and one Maxim, with all their ammunition and wagons, and 100 prisoners. Twenty-five Boers were left dead on the field and 30 wounded.
Steyn and De Wet were with this force, and left in great haste.
The enemy were pursued for some miles in a south-easterly direction, when they broke up in small parties.
Our casualties were:
Killed: Le Gallais, 8th Hussars; Captain F. Engelbach, of the Buffs; Lieut. W. A. Williams, South Wales Borderers and eight men. Wounded: Seven officers and 26 men.
I deeply regret the death of these three officers, all most promising. Le Gallais, is, indeed, a very serious loss, the most gallant and capable cavalry leader.
The fighting must at one time have been at close quarters. "U" Battery, R.H.A., under Major P. B. Taylor, was in action• at a range of 400 yards.
Amongst the wounded prisoners is De Villiers, Steyn's secretary, and amongst the dead the Boer doctor with Red Cross on his arm, rifle in baud, and bandolier half emptied.
On the 6th a party of Boers attacked a post of mounted troops near Honeynest Kloof and wounded one man.
The Modder River Camp was fired into yesterday and two of our men wounded. The Boers had one killed and 14 wounded.
Lieutenant-Colonels White's and Barker's columns axe doing good service in the south-eastern province of the Orange River Colony breaking up the small parties of Boers who have been trying to excite the burghers in that part of the country to rebellion.
Douglas, on the morning of the 6th, surprised a laager south of the road running from Zeerust to Rustenburg. He captured several prisoners and several wagons.
Boyes, while conveying a convoy from Harrismith to Vrede, was opposed by a small party of Boers on the 6th inst. Two Boers were killed We had one of the Manchester Mounted Infantry wounded.
Smith-Dorrien reports having been engaged with the enemy some miles south of Dalmanuth: on the 6th inst. He drove them to the east of the omati River. Casualties not yet reported.
Further Reading:
Bothaville, South Africa, November 6, 1900
South African (Second Boer) War: 1899-1902 - Overview
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: Bothaville, South Africa, November 6, 1900, Times Account, 10 Nov 1900
