The country in the east of the Colony was
verging now upon the state which Grant described in the Shenandoah
Valley: 'A crow,' said he, 'must carry his own rations when he
flies across it.'
In the middle district General Charles Knox, with the columns of
Pine-Coffin, Thorneycroft, Pilcher, and Henry, were engaged in the
same sort of work with the same sort of results.
The most vigorous operations fell to the lot of General Elliot, who
worked over the northern and north-eastern district, which still
contained a large number of fighting burghers. In May and June
Elliot moved across to Vrede and afterwards down the eastern
frontier of the Colony, joining hands at last with Rundle at
Harrismith. He then worked his way back to Kroonstad through Reitz
and Lindley. It was on this journey that Sladen's Mounted Infantry
had the sharp experience which has been already narrated. Western's
column, working independently, co-operated with Elliot in this
clearing of the north-east. In August there were very large
captures by Broadwood's force, which had attained considerable
mobility, ninety miles being covered by it on one occasion in two
days.
Of General Rundle there is little to be said, as he was kept busy
in exploring the rough country in his own district - the same
district which had been the scene of the operations against
Prinsloo and the Fouriesburg surrender.
