fence of this point
was intrusted to six companies of the Pretoria Rifles, under Major Le
Mesurier. The camp was distant about a third of a mile from the jail
and convent, and the approaches were commanded by three little forts
erected on eminences around.

Several skirmishes took place in the last fortnight in December, but the
first sharp engagement occurred on the 6th of January. Colonel Gildea
took out a force of twenty officers, 450 men, a gun, and fifteen waggons
to bring in some forage and attack a Boer position at Pienness River,
about twelve miles off. Norris's Horse scouted in front, and the
Pretoria Pioneers were detached to cut off the retreat of the Boers.
The Boers were easily turned out of their position. Their defence was
feeble; but several English were killed, owing to the Boers
treacherously hoisting a flag of truce, upon which the English
skirmishers, who were creeping forward, stood up, thinking that the
Boers surrendered; they then fired, and several of our men were killed
or wounded. The Boers being largely reinforced came forward to the
attack, but were smartly repulsed. Our loss was four men killed and one
officer (Captain Sampson); fourteen men were wounded. On the 15th
another force started to attack a Boer laager, but found the enemy in
such strength that they retired without serious fighting.

On the 12th of February an ineffective attempt was made to take the Red
Horse Kraal, seven miles from Pretoria, on the road towards Rustenberg.
The force consisted of twenty-two officers and 533 men. The carabineers
under Captain Sanctuary advanced and attacked a large stone building,
1000 yards from the kraal. They were received by a very heavy fire from
the Boers, who advanced in such strength that Colonel Gildea thought it
prudent to fall back. This movement, covered by the horse, was
effected, the infantry taking no part in the fight. Captain Sanctuary
and eight men were killed; Colonel Gildea and eight others severely
wounded. No further sortie was made during the continuance of the war,
but the Boers did not venture to attack the British position.

The town of Potchefstroom stood in the district most thickly inhabited
by the Boers. On the 14th of December, when it was reported that a
large number of Boers were approaching, Colonel Winsloe, who commanded,
sent Captain Falls with twenty men of the 21st Fusiliers, twenty-six men
of a corps commanded by Commandant Raaff, and sixteen ci