7 MARCH 1902 - TWEEBOSCH / DE KLIPDRIFT

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On 7 March De la Rey ambushed Methuen’s column at Tweebosch on the Little Harts River. The British force numbered 1250, including nearly 1000 mounted men and four guns.

 

Methuen’s force was largely made up of green troops; these panicked and fled or surrendered. Only the British regulars in the column fought stubbornly in the combat which lasted from dawn until 9:30 am. 

 

The British lost 200 killed and wounded, plus 600 men and all four guns captured. After being wounded twice and suffering a broken leg when his horse fell on him, Methuen was captured.

 

He was the only general taken prisoner by the Boers during the war. De la Rey sent the wounded Methuen to a British hospital in his own carriage under a flag of truce, despite demands from his own troops to execute him.

 

Upon hearing news of the disaster, a badly shaken Kitchener retired to his bedroom for two days and refused to eat.