There Was
No Use In Reaching Kimberley Unless He Had Completely Defeated The
Investing Force.
With the history of the first relief of Lucknow in
his memory he was on his guard against a repetition of such an
experience.
It was the more necessary that Methuen should strengthen his
position, since with every mile which he advanced the more exposed
did his line of communications become to a raid from Fauresmith and
the southern districts of the Orange Free State. Any serious danger
to the railway behind them would leave the British Army in a very
critical position, and precautions were taken for the protection of
the more vulnerable portions of the line. It was well that this was
so, for on the 8th of December Commandant Prinsloo, of the Orange
Free State, with a thousand horsemen and two light seven-pounder
guns, appeared suddenly at Enslin and vigorously attacked the two
companies of the Northampton Regiment who held the station. At the
same time they destroyed a couple of culverts and tore up three
hundred yards of the permanent way. For some hours the Northamptons
under Captain Godley were closely pressed, but a telegram had been
despatched to Modder Camp, and the 12th Lancers with the ubiquitous
62nd Battery were sent to their assistance. The Boers retired with
their usual mobility, and in ten hours the line was completely
restored.
Reinforcements were now reaching the Modder River force, which made
it more formidable than when it had started. A very essential
addition was that of the 12th Lancers and of G battery of Horse
Artillery, which would increase the mobility of the force and make
it possible for the General to follow up a blow after he had struck
it.
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