deduced from the defensive tactics of a mounted
force, such as the Boers put into the field, during this period, is
that, possessing greater mobility, they were able to hold up, during
short intervals, Cavalry whose capacity for mounted action was
practically destroyed by the 'want of condition' of their horses.

Acting strategically as they did at Colesberg, in the relief of
Kimberley, and in the operations leading up to Paardeberg, results
were obtained which affected the whole subsequent conduct of the War.
From then onwards, with the Cavalry acting tactically on the enemy's
flank, the Boer Army withdrew practically on Pretoria, and no decisive
tactical result was obtained.

If that was the object which the Superior Command had in view, the
Cavalry carried out that purpose with remarkable distinction.

It is, however, conceivable that their strategical employment in rear
of the Boer Army might have produced a situation compelling the Boers
to fight a pitched battle or to surrender.

If the Cavalry failed to achieve more, it was not from any want of
opportunity which the theatre of War presented, but because their true
role was rarely assigned to them.

That the Boers were able at a later period to develop a vigorous
scheme of action was largely owing to our conception of a plan of
campaign which made the occupation of small capitals rather than the
destruction of the enemy's Army the strategic objective.

Had the Boers understood the Art of War and taken advantage of the
openings which their superior mobility gave them, or had they been
possessed of a body of Cavalry capable of mounted action, say at
Magersfontein, they might repeatedly have wrought confusion in our
ranks.

Although the Boer War was of an exceptional nature, and of a character
unlikely to be met with again, it furnishes some useful object-lessons
which exemplify the importance of preparedness in peace for the sudden
outbreak of War, so that the Army may take the field in such force and
so disposed as to compel decisive action on the part of the enemy in
the first stages of the War, and be in a position to inflict a
crushing defeat rather than a series of light blows, which latter tend
to disperse rather than destroy the enemy's forces.

The War further shows how highly mobile forces, such as those of the
Boers, can withdraw from a combat to avoid defeat, and by scattering
to elude pursuit, and then, by reassembling where least expected, can