into the Free State, made by the cavalry
brigade, and by Pilcher's troops at Belmont, ascertained that the
enemy was not yet in great strength on the right flank, but that
Jacobsdal was occupied. The Field Intelligence department at Cape Town
had already (3rd January) received information from a trustworthy
source that Cronje had at and near Magersfontein 8,000 to 9,000 men,
and that he was relying on being attacked there. The report stated:
"An advance on Bloemfontein up the right bank of Riet river by
Kaalspruit would draw off the main Boer forces towards Bloemfontein.
President O.F.S. is stated in district to have said that he 'could not
cope with such a movement.' ... Bloemfontein is undefended except by
two forts, the guns of which have been moved to Kimberley."

CHAPTER XXIV.

OPERATIONS ROUND COLESBERG--DECEMBER 16th, 1899, TO FEBRUARY 6th,
1900.[259]

[Footnote 259: See maps Nos. 9 and 16.]

[Sidenote: French's operations during Lord Roberts' voyage.]

[Sidenote: He worries Schoeman out of Rensburg.]

[Sidenote: and pursues him to Colesberg.]

Whilst Lord Roberts was on his voyage to the seat of war, the three
portions of the army which had sustained severe checks were chiefly
employed in recuperating and receiving reinforcements. General French,
on the other hand, was continuing his successful operations. These,
therefore, with the exceptions mentioned in the last chapter, alone
represent the active work in the field in South Africa between the time
of the decision of the Cabinet appointing the new Commander-in-Chief and
his arrival at Cape Town. The task of General French at Arundel was now
as important as the strength of his command seemed inadequate to perform
it. The enemy on his front formed one of four invading columns, three of
which had already been victorious. Schoeman had, therefore, strong
reasons for wishing to emulate the prowess of Cronje at Magersfontein,
of Botha at Colenso, and of the fortunate trio at Stormberg. French had
to deal with an opponent whose confidence must now be presumed to be at
its height. Moreover, reinforcements might reach the Boer leader at any
moment. It had become more than ever necessary to paralyse him before he
could initiate even the semblance of an organised incursion into
territory where disloyalty might largely increase his numbers in a
night. Only by incessant activity could French hope to attain this
object, and fortunately the force und