rter-rations remained
the garrison surrendered the fort, on the condition that they should be
allowed to march down to Natal.

Messengers had reached Cronje nine days before with news of the
armistice, but although he was aware of this he continued the siege to
the end, the firing during the last week being heavier than at any time
during the siege,--on two days alone 150 round shot fell on the fort.
The Boers were afterwards obliged to allow that the surrender of the
fort had been obtained by treachery, and to agree to the garrison being
reinstated.

Standerton is the first town of any size on the main road from Natal to
Pretoria, and is situated on the north bank of the Vaal River. On the
outbreak of hostilities two companies of the 94th and one of the 88th
marched from Wackerstroom to this town, and Major Montague of the 94th
Regiment arrived from Natal to take the command. The total strength of
the garrison consisted of about 350 soldiers and seventy civilians. The
Landdrost, J.C. Krogh, remained loyal and assisted in the defence,
three forts were erected on eminences round the town, two outworks and
many breastworks and rifle-pits were dug, houses interfering with the
line of fire were pulled down, and other buildings in suitable positions
were barricaded and loop-holed.

The centre point of defence was a building known as Fort Alice, 800
yards from the town, and a military camp was formed on a height one mile
and a quarter from this point Preparations were made to blow up some of
the buildings, should the Boers carry the town, mines being dug and laid
to the fort A good store of provisions was collected.

On the 29th a scout on a hill signalled a large number of Boers were
approaching Erasmus Farm, three miles distant from Standerton. Captain
Cassell, with sixteen mounted volunteers, went out to reconnoitre. Two
or three scouts were thrown out, and these arrived within 600 yards of
the farm; suddenly a number of Boers made their appearance, and Mr G.B.
Hall, one of the mounted volunteers, gallantly tried to cross their
line to warn his comrades of the coming danger. Galloping in front of
the Boers, his horse was shot under him; taking shelter behind it, he
opened fire on the enemy, and so attracted the attention of his party.
One man could not long resist 300, and Hall was soon killed. The alarm,
however, had been given in time, and the mounted men fell back on the
camp, exchanging shots with the enemy