In the neighbourhood of Bloemfontein, Reddersburg, and Dewetsdorp, and at every other place where it was possible, his troops had made prisoners of burghers who had remained quietly on their farms.
The same course of action had been pursued by the column which fell into our hands at Mostertshoek--I myself had liberated David Strauss and four other citizens whom I had found there.

While peacefully occupied on their farms they had been taken prisoners by the English column, which was then on its way from Dewetsdorp to Reddersburg.
This disregard of his proclamations did not increase the respect which the burghers felt for Lord Roberts.

They felt that the word of the English was not to be trusted, and, fearing for their own safety, they returned to their commandos.

I sent President Steyn a telegram, informing him that our burghers were rejoining, and adding that Lord Roberts was the best recruiting sergeant I had ever had! General Froneman and the men whom he had collected soon found work to do.

The enemy was expecting a reinforcement from Aliwal North, and I sent the General, with six hundred troops, to oppose it.