In these later events French was rewarded by the conspicuous as well as important part he played.
Reaching Cape Town immediately after the investment of Ladysmith, French was sent up country by Sir Redvers Buller with orders to seize Naauwport, then recently evacuated, and whenever possible to push on and gain Colesberg.

Naauwport was reoccupied November 19, and thenceforth activity was incessant.

Advancing, retiring, gaining, losing, on front, flank, or rear, of the enemy, whatever else found place, repose did not.

The report is a record of unrestingness, which communicated itself to the enemy as uneasiness.

On the 16th of December Arundel, midway from Naauwport to Colesberg, was occupied as headquarters, and from that time, as before, "every opportunity was taken to worry the enemy and to harass his flanks and rear until December {p.175} 29, when he finally evacuated his position in my front and retired on Colesberg.