I was the last of the Generals to leave Thaba'Nchu.
I was very anxious to prevent the "granary"[37] of the Orange Free State from falling into the hands of the English; with this object in view, I left behind me at Korannaberg General De Villiers, with Commandants De Villiers, of Ficksburg, Crowther, of Ladybrand, Roux, of Wepener, and Potgieter, of Smithfield, and ordered the General to carry on operations in the south-eastern districts of the Free State.
This valiant General did some fine work, and fought splendidly at Gouveneurskop and Wonderkop, inflicting very serious losses upon the English.

But nevertheless he had to yield to the superior numbers of the enemy, who ultimately gained possession of the "granary" districts.

But he made them pay for it dearly.
General De Villiers followed the English to Senekal and Lindley, and at Biddulphsberg, near the first named village, he again engaged them successfully, killing and wounding many of them.

But a grave misfortune overtook us here, for the General received a dangerous wound on the head.
There was still another most deplorable occurrence.

In some way or other the grass caught fire; and as it was very dry, and a high wind was blowing, the flames ran along the ground to where many of the English wounded were lying.