Location: South Africa » Kwazulu Natal » Battlefields » ElandslaagteBattle of ElandslaagteWhen the Boers invaded Natal, a force under General Kock occupied the railway station at Elandslaagte on October 19, 1899, thus cutting the link between the main British force at Ladysmith and a detachment at Dundee. Learning that the telegraph had been cut, General Sir George White sent his cavalry commander, Major General John French to recapture the station.
Arriving shortly after dawn on October 21, French found the Boers present in strength, with two field guns. He telegraphed to Ladysmith for reinforcements, which shortly afterwards arrived by train.
While three batteries of British field guns bombarded the Boer position, an infantry battalion advanced frontally in open order, while two more battalions and the dismounted Imperial Light Horse moved around the Boers' left flank, commanded by Colonel Iam Hamilton. The sky had steadily been growing dark with thunderclouds, and as the British made their assault, the storm burst. In the poor visibility and pouring rain, the British infantry had to face a barbed wire farm fence, in which several men were entangled and shot. Nevertheless, they cut the wire or broke it down, and occupied the main part of the Boer position.
Some small parties of Boers were already showing white flags when General Kock led a counterattack, dressed in his top hat and Sunday best. He drove back the British infantry in confusion, but they rallied, inspired by Hamilton (and reportedly, a bugler of the Manchester Regiment and a Pipe-major of the Gordon Highlanders) and charged again. Kock and his companions were killed.
As the remaining Boers mounted their ponies and tried to retreat, two squadrons of British cavalry got among them with lances and sabres, cutting down many. This was almost the only time during the Boer war that a British cavalry charge made contact.
The way was now clear for the British detachment at Dundee to fall back. Unfortunately, Sir George White feared that yet more Boers were about to fall on Ladysmith, and ordered the force at Elandslaagte to fall back there. The British were tired and many officers had been killed. The retreat became a disorderly scramble. The detachment at Dundee was forced to make an exhausting detour before they could reach safety.  
Accommodation in and around Battlefields The Lapha accommodation in Battlefields
Nestled in a lush garden rich in bird life, The Lapha offers upmarket accommodation with controlled access to the property. Conference and office support facilities are available, while the spa bath, summerhouse and games room provide relaxation and ... More
 Penryn B&B accommodation in Battlefields
PENRYN is a gracious old home, situated in central Dundee, close to all amenities and easily accessible. It is a listed building. The house has been tastefully converted into a charming an... More
 Battlefields Country Lodge accommodation in Battlefields
Battlefields Country Lodge boasts 50 en-suite rooms, in three different styles, with DSTV and Tea & Coffee Facilities. We also offer campsites for those who like to “ruff it” . Our Silos are defiantly unique in there design model... More
 Nxala Ranch accommodation in Battlefields
Named for the elusive Mountain Reedbuck that roam the 1600 hectares of mountains and green grassland. Nxala Ranch is your ideal breakaway location for the family or corporate guests on a working farm. The thatch-roofed lodge, situated at the foot of... More
 Isandlwana Lodge accommodation in Battlefields
“A striking and remarkable mount is Isandlwana; not another hill around is there in the least like it.” Bertrand Mitford – Traveller and Author. Isandlwana Lodge offers twelve luxury rooms all en-suite and tastefully decora... More
 Penny Farthing Country House accommodation in Battlefields
Penny Farthing is situated on a 3 000 hectare cattle and game farm in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal battlefields and is in close proximity to Rorke's Drift, Isandlwana and Blood River. The house is built on the original foundations of the col... More
 The Royal Country Inn accommodation in Battlefields
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 Swerwersrus Gastehuis accommodation in Battlefields
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 Chez Nous B&B accommodation in Battlefields
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 Brooklyn B&B accommodation in Battlefields
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Cairngorm Cottage accommodation in Battlefields
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Paddock Wood Cottage accommodation in Battlefields
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 Zulu Wings Game Lodge accommodation in Battlefields
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 Kwa Rie Resort & Caravan Park accommodation in Battlefields
The Kwa-Rie Caravan Park is situated in the heart of the historical town of Dundee. The area boasts the largest concentration of battlefields in South Africa, and has a very special historical value to the Afrikaans, English and Zulu cultures. ... More
 Fugitives' Drift Guest House accommodation in Battlefields
In its original state, the Guest House was the home of Mr Johan Potgieter and his family. "Mr Pot" was immortalised in Gillian Rattray's award winning tome "The Springing of the Year". He was one of the great storytellers of t... More
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