The Battle of Stormberg was the first British defeat of Black Week, in which three successive British forces were defeated by Boer irregulars in the Second Boer War. The Second Boer War, also known as the South African War, was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902. ... December 10 is the 344th day (345th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1899 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Map of European presence in 1652 The Cape Colony was a part of South Africa under British occupation during the 19th century. ... Casus belli is a Latin expression from the international law theory of Jus ad bellum. ... Boer is the Afrikaans (and Dutch) word for farmer which came to denote the descendants of the Afrikaans-speaking migrating farmers of the expanding eastern Cape frontier. ... Sir William Forbes Gatacre (1843-1906) was an English soldier, born near Stirling, and educated at Royal Military College Sandhurst. ... The Second Boer War, also known as the South African War, was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902. ... The Siege of Mafeking was the most famous British action in the second Anglo-Boer War. ... The Siege of Ladysmith was a famous battle in the Boer War, taking place between 2 November 1899 and 28 February 1900. ... Modder River - 28 November 1899 British Victory ~ Was a tiring day again with the heat and especially after forming at 430am and being the 3rd battle in a week. ... Categories: ‪Battle stubs‬ | ‪Boer War battles‬ ... Killed British soldiers lying in trenches The Battle of Spion Kop (Dutch/Afrikaans: Slag van Spioenkop) was fought about 38 km (21 miles) west-south-west of Ladysmith on the hilltop of Spioenkop(1) along the Tugela River, Natal in South Africa. ... Bloody Sunday of February 18, 1900, was a day of high Imperial casualties in the Second Boer War. ... The Battle of Paardeberg was a major battle during the Second Anglo-Boer War. ... The Second Boer War, also known as the South African War, was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902. ...

When the plans for action against the Boer republics were drawn up, it was intended that a division under General William Forbes Gatacre would secure the area known as the Cape Midlands, immediately south of the Orange Free State. In the event, troops had to be diverted to Natal after disasters there, and Gatacre's reduced force arrived late. By the time they were ready to take the field, Boers from the Orange Free State had already seized the important railway junctions of De Aar and Stormberg. Sir William Forbes Gatacre (1843-1906) was an English soldier, born near Stirling, and educated at Royal Military College Sandhurst. ... Capital Bloemfontein Created 1854 Dissolved 1900 Official language Dutch (Afrikaans more common) The Orange Free State (Afrikaans: Oranje Vrystaat) was an independent country in southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century, and later a province in South Africa. ... Natal is a former British colony, and a South African province. ...

Gatacre heard of the loss of Stormberg on December 8 at Graaf Reinet. He determined on an immediate counter attack to recover the place. A force of 1800 was to be taken by train to Molteno, the nearest station to Stormberg still in British hands, and march by night to attack a hill known as the Kissieberg which dominated the Boers' position. December 8 is the 342nd day (343rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

There was no time for recconaissance, and preparations were rushed. Early the next day, the British troops hastily boarded the trains, but then sat for hours under a hot sun while locomotives were found. They were already tired when they reached Molteno, to set off on a night march with fixed bayonets after a hasty meal and very little rest. Gatacre's locally engaged guides were soon lost, and the force wandered about the veld all night.

As dawn broke, the British at last came in sight of the Kissieberg. A small Boer picket with three guns opened fire. Although Gatacre's force had merely to march around the hill to force the Boers to retreat, about half the infantry rushed forward without orders to storm it. They found that the hill was a typical kopje, ringed by a vertical rock face, which they were unable to climb. The British guns came into action, but shelled the British infantry.

The other half of Gatacre's force began to fall back in disorder. Gatacre gave the order to retreat to Molteno. Mounted Boer reinforcements appeared and attacked from both sides. The retreat of the exhausted British infantry was covered by the mounted infantry and the artillery, although two guns were lost. Not until they reached Molteno did Gatacre realise that 600 men had been left behind on the Kissieberg. Hopelessly cut off, they were forced to surrender.

The Free State Boers and local rebels were slow to take advantage of Gatacre's defeat. By the time they did so, British reinforcements had arrived, and the area was secure. Gatacre was blamed by many for the defeat.

Reference

• Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: The Great Boer War, Chapter 10: The Battle of Stormberg

Source

Goodbye Dolly Grey, Rayne Kruger, New English Library, 1964