Nongqai Vol 17 No 8 – Cape District Mounted Troops in the Anglo Boer War

Abstract This article recounts the operations of the Bedford District Mounted Troops (DMT) in the Cape Colony during the Anglo-Boer War. Composed mainly of local farmers, these units supported British forces by observing Boer movements rather than engaging directly, fearing reprisals against their farms. The narrative follows General Pieter Kritzinger’s 1901 incursion through the Cape Midlands, detailing skirmishes near Buffelskloof and Cameron’s Glen, the deaths of Captain John Rennie and Trooper W.D. Ross, and the subsequent pursuit by Gorringe’s Flying Column. The account captures the tension between loyalty, survival, and local heritage in a turbulent frontier.

Extract:

“The local DMT although willing to serve were not willing to entirely engage the commandos as it was a known fact and threat that should they so engage their farm houses would be burnt down and pillaged.” “Capt Rennie and Trooper WD Ross were killed (14 March 1901) and the DMT surrendered. They were stripped of their clothing, arms and horses.”

Keywords

Bedford District Mounted Troops, Cape Colony, Anglo-Boer War, Pieter Kritzinger, Gorringe’s Flying Column, Buffelskloof, Cameron’s Glen, John Rennie, W.D. Ross, local farmers, British support, Boer commandos, Cape Midlands, 1901, Baviaans River Valley, Cradock district, colonial heritage

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WES-KAAP TAK HELIOGRAAF – 39 – HELIOGRAPH APR – JUN 2026 WESTERN CAPE BRANCH

CAPE COLONY DISTRICT MOUNTED TROOPS IN THE ANGLO BOER WAR

No. 1: Bedford DMT

by Ian Pringle.

These squads were made up of local farmers who were called up within the Cape Colony as a means of support for the British regiments in warding off the Boer Commando forces set to invade the colony. There was scarcely a district that did not raise its own squad. This article concentrates on the area surrounding Bedford, a district with a strong 1820 Heritage that exists to this day.

The local DMT although willing to serve were not willing to entirely engage the commandos as it was a known fact and threat that should they so engage their farm houses would be burnt down and pillaged. That was not an option and the DMT were thus content to follow at a distance, to observe and report and to await the arrival of British forces which were based in Grahamstown – the likes of Gorringe’s Flying Column that made use of rail to rapidly move to areas of Boer activity.

General Pieter Kritzinger and his Commando moved through this Cape Midlands area in March 1901. They passed from Graaff-Reinet through Pearston, skirted the lower half of the Somerset District, crossed the main railway line at Sheldon (attacked station on 9 March 1901) and entered the lower Adelaide district before crossing the road between Adelaide and Bedford which are only 24 km apart.

Ahead of them lay the fertile Cowie Valley, the heights spanning the Baviaans and Mancazana Valleys and beyond that Spring Valley some 60 km distant and lying south of Tarkastad. These were all well settled farm lands where the present owners could still recall their parents speaking English with strong Scottish accents.

By this time Boer activity had become known and the local DMT were called up under the command of Capt. John Rennie. A note which reached Alec Pringle of Eildon by way of a runner informed him that he should provide his own horse and rifle and have the ability to speak Afrikaans (Dutch). All three requirements presented no problem! At this time all horses in the district were commandeered and no less than 5000 were kept on ‘Brakfontein’ – near Bedford and belonging to the well-known Van Niekerk family. Boer forces were on the constant look out for fresh mounts.

The DMT then as with usual practise followed Kritzinger keeping a safe distance. On the farm ‘Buffelskloof’ the DMT halted and observed the Commando at a distance of about 2km moving off and into the Baviaans River Valley but failed to observe a section of the Commando which had approached them from the East – that from the neighbouring Mancazana Valley. A shoot out took place, Capt Rennie and Trooper WD Ross were killed (14 March 1901) and the DMT surrendered. They were stripped of their clothing, arms and horses.

The Commando fled but down into the Baviaans and at Cameron’s Glen they were met by Gorringe’s Column. Cameron’s Glen was the local shop, mail agency and staging post and later a bus halt. Firing took place at long range. Capt. Ansley and two of his men were killed and it was reported that the Boers had also suffered losses. That said, their graves have never been found.

Kritzinger then did not waste time and further up this valley took a rough path out and over into the Cradock district by way of what is known as Paling’s Kloof. On the way they passed over ‘Cheviot Fells’ which belonged to the De Beer family and ate up the wedding cake baked for Mrs. De Beer’s daughter. Mrs. De Beer never forgave the Boers for the loss of this cake!

Capt. Rennie was buried on the family farm called ‘Craig Rennie’ in the Baviaans and Trooper Ross on ‘Cavers’ – an old Ross family farm found in the Cowie valley.

These recollections are from Eddie Webster who was the ‘Buffelskloof’ farm manager from 1900 and who had the foresight to hide 30 farm horses in the bushman caves to escape Boer detection. He died in 1964.

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Casualties in action against Kritzinger’s force:

Source: The South African War Casualty Roll

Comment

Kritzinger’s force at this time numbered more than 200 men.