th.

The journey to Wonderfontein had been up the Steelpoort valley, and the
road had been found difficult. It was very much intersected with
water-courses running off the high veldt, and these necessitated
frequent halts to allow of the passage of the wagons in single file, and
the reclosing up of the convoy after crossing.

A different road over the high veldt, thus avoiding the water-courses,
was chosen for the return journey, and it was perhaps fortunate that
this new road was selected, as it was reported afterwards that Ben
Viljoen had taken up a position at the time in the Steelpoort valley to
intercept the return column.

On the 16th the convoy marched to Panplaats; on the 17th to Roedekop
(where some of Viljoen's men were met with and some more of his grain
carts captured), Blinkwater on the 18th, and Diepkloof on the 19th.

After a few days' scouring of the country round Diepkloof and the valley
towards the Oliphants River, the three columns concentrated at
Blinkwater. Here an entrenched camp was formed under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Jacson, consisting of the baggage of the three
columns, the hospitals, and most of the field guns, with a garrison
included amongst which were four companies of the Regiment.

Park's and Campbell's columns marched east into the hills in the
Ohrigstadt direction, Park penetrating almost as far as Pilgrim's Rest,
while General Kitchener's column moved south towards Middleburg. On
September 3rd the force was broken up, Colonel Park's column being left
in the neighbourhood of Blinkwater, whilst General Kitchener's column
marched towards the railway at Wonderfontein, which was reached on
September 5th.

On arrival at Wonderfontein it was found that trekking was for the time
being, finished. Orders were received for the Regiment to entrain for
Machadodorp for the purpose of garrisoning the railway blockhouses.

The General's farewell order to the Regiment on its leaving the column
with which it had been so long associated was as follows:--

"COLUMN ORDER BY MAJOR-GENERAL F.W. KITCHENER

"_Wonderfontein, September 5th, 1901._

"It has been the privilege of the Major-General to include the 1st Devon
Regiment in his command since the relief of Ladysmith, and it is with
great regret that he has now to part with the last fighting unit of the
7th Brigade. The reputation earned by the Regiment at Elandslaagte and
Ladysmith is a matter of history. Since that time this excelle