3-070-602 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The War in the Transvaal: the Boers' method of fighting, 1881. 'A repulse, and temporary check, to the British military force in South Africa, with a serious loss of men and officers..., attended the actual advance of General Sir George Pomeroy Colley against the Dutch position on the Transvaal frontier...Our Illustration...shows the peculiar method of fighting used by the Boers of South Africa. They are, to a man, bold and expert horsemen, as well as good marksmen with the rifle; and it is their practice in war, just as in hunting lions or any other fierce wild beasts, to ride up within shooting distance, quickly dismount, fire deliberately at the approaching foe, then at once remount and gallop off, but only far enough to gain time for re-loading - as few of them possess breech-loaders - after which they return to the charge, and deliver a second shot. But in the defence of a position which affords some cover, they will lie down or crouch behind the shelter, and take a most careful aim; still keeping their horses, "knee-haltered" by a thong attached to the reins; close at hand, in readiness to ride away from pursuit...they are unskilled in the...use of artillery, not a single piece of which is known to exist in the Boers' possession'. From "Illustrated London News", 1881.