To this, however, it must be replied, even in the ground covered, the injury to the rail, though often attempted was nowhere serious, except where culverts or bridges offered vulnerable points.
Another interesting and far from improbable story was current at the time, that Joubert's retirement was due to peremptory orders from Pretoria, elicited by the progress of Methuen, the operations around Naauwport, and the increase of British force in that central region which French's movements, and those of Gatacre before Stormberg, seemed to indicate.

This report is mentioned by two correspondents then at Estcourt,[23] as based upon despatches captured {p.212} on Boer couriers on November 25, directing Joubert to return at once to Ladysmith, and even to prepare for moving homeward.

An official synopsis of the papers,[24] then given to the press by the military authorities, does not fully establish the truth of the rumour, but it does give fair ground to infer that such an influence was exerted upon the counsels of Pretoria by the operations in Cape Colony; notably by the battle of Belmont, November 24, and the consequent demoralisation among the Free State burghers.
[Footnote 23: Burleigh, "Natal Campaign," p.

128, 129.

Atkins, "Relief of Ladysmith," p.