dc.description.abstract | Wednesday, l5th December, 1880.- Was this morning at the North end of Potchefstroom. Was informed about 11 o' clock a.m. that a large body of mounted and armed men were approaching the town by the Heidelberg and Pretoria roads. At 1 o'clock p.m. saw twelve mounted men pass in a body, two of whom were armed with rifles. Went to the Willow Bank Mill, and saw a large body of mounted men coming along the Heidelberg road; these formed as they came in sight an extended semi-circular line, and halted about half-a-mile from the bridge over. Mooi River Eight of them then advanced to the bridge, and dismounting on the town side of the river, took possession of the bridge; the main body then moved forward in double file, and on reaching the bridge increased their pace, and proceeded townwards at a hand gallop. As they thus passed the mill, I observed that every man was armed with a rifle; the number, which I carefully counted, was 570, exclusive of a few black servants, who were unarmed. | en_US |