From The 9th To The 25th The
Boers Were Held In Front Of Wepener.
Let us trace the movements of
the other British detachments during that time.
Brabant's force, with Hart's brigade, which had been diverted on
its way to Kimberley, where it was to form part of Hunter's
division, was moving on the south towards Wepener, advancing
through Rouxville, but going slowly for fear of scaring the Boers
away before they were sufficiently compromised. Chermside's 3rd
division approached from the north-west, moving out from the
railway at Bethany, and passing through Reddersberg towards
Dewetsdorp, from which it would directly threaten the Boer line of
retreat. The movement was made with reassuring slowness and
gentleness, as when the curved hand approaches the unconscious fly.
And then suddenly, on April 21st, Lord Roberts let everything go.
Had the action of the agents been as swift and as energetic as the
mind of the planner, De Wet could not have escaped us.
What held Lord Roberts's hand for some few days after he was ready
to strike was the abominable weather. Rain was falling in sheets,
and those who know South African roads, South African mud, and
South African drifts will understand how impossible swift military
movements are under those circumstances. But with the first
clearing of the clouds the hills to the south and east of
Bloemfontein were dotted with our scouts. Rundle with his 8th
division was brought swiftly up from the south, united with
Chermside to the east of Reddersberg, and the whole force,
numbering 13,000 rifles with thirty guns, advanced upon Dewetsdorp,
Rundle, as senior officer, being in command.
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