An Unsuccessful Siege My object now was to reach Smithfield.

We set out at once and late in the evening I divided my commandos into two parties.

The first, some five hundred men in all, consisted chiefly of Smithfield burghers under Commandant Swanepoel, of Yzervarkfontein, but there were also some Wepener men amongst them.

I gave General Froneman the command over this party, and ordered him to proceed without delay and attack the small English garrison at Smithfield.

With the second party I rode off to join the burghers who were under General J.B.