The Battlefields of KwaZulu Natal
Transvaal War of Independence 1880 to 81

 

 

 

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Note: It is illegal to remove any artefacts from Battlefields without written authority from
the Provincial Heritage Authority, Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali
34
 THE BATTLE OF LANG’S (LAING’S) NEK – 28th January 1881
(Laing’s Nek is the name that has come down through history)
The British forces intent on relieving the British garrisons besieged in the Transvaal tried to break through the Burghers’ defensive line running from the edge of Majuba Mountain across the road at Laing’s Nek and over the adjacent hillside but were repulsed with heavy losses to the 58th Regiment who tried to storm the hill to the east of the Pass. The monument to the 58th Regiment and the mass graves are at the far end of the hill to the east of the road. The site is accessible via 4x4 track over the hill or a 20min walk from the N11.
This is private land and the use of a guide is recommended to enhance experience of site.
35
 THE BATTLE OF SCHUINSHOOGTE (INGOGO) – 8th February 1881
Having repulsed the British forces at Laing’s Nek the Transvaal Burghers then started to harass the British lines of communication between Newcastle and their camp at Mt. Prospect. Expecting a re-supply convoy from Newcastle on the 8th February Gen. Colley decided to take a show of force along the road to meet the wagons and escort them back to camp. However he was confronted by a Burgher force on the hills at Schuinshoogte and a fierce fire fight ensued with the British only being able to withdraw after nightfall in a thunderstorm.
The site is some 11km from the N11 on the “old road”. There are directions signs to the Battlefield from the N11 at the Ingogo junction and the R34. The site straddles the road and there are styles over the fences. Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site.
36

FORT MISTAKE - MKUPE PASS on the N11
British signalling post built during the war. On east side of N11 overlooking the Mkupe Pass between Newcastle and Ladysmith. Original known as Fort One Tree Hill it eventually became known as Fort Mistake but no one really knows why though numerous stories abound. Mkupe Pass is the scene of the last battle of the The Transvaal War of Independence when a group of Free State Burghers unsuccessfully attacked the British garrison here shortly after the Battle of Majuba. To visit the fort one must leave your car at the old filling station on the N11 and hike up hill.

37
 THE BATTLE OF MAJUBA – Sunday 27th February 1881
On the night of Saturday 26th February the British Gen. Sir George Pomeroy Colley occupied the top of Majuba with some 400 men. In the early hours of Sunday 27th when the Burghers realised the British had occupied the mountain which dominated their positions blocking the Laing’s (Lang) Nek Pass and the road into the Transvaal they decided they would have to remove them. Taking advantage of the considerably amount of dead ground afforded by the mountain they advanced on the British position and shortly after 12h00 stormed the top of the mountain forcing the British off. The British suffered some 256 killed, including the British General, wounded and captured while the Burghers lost 5 men wounded, one fatal and one killed. This battle brought an end to the Transvaal War of Independence (1st Boer War)
The site is accessed from the N11 along the Kwaggasnek Road and is approximately 5km from the N11 south of Charlestown. Tel: 017 735 1962. The site is open from 08h00 to 18h00 Mon to Sat. Entrance fee payable, Museum, Youth Lodge, picnic and caravan area and toilets available.
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site.
38
 O’NEILL’S COTTAGE
During the Transvaal War of Independence 1880-81 the cottage, home of Eugene O'Neill, which lay in “no mans land” between the British and Burgher forces became a makeshift hospital for British after their defeat at Majuba and there are graves on the site. The peace treaty ending the war was negotiated here and over a period of some 21 days in March 1881 it had seated in its parlour Paul Kruger, President Brand, Marthinus Pretorius, Commandant Gen. Piet Joubert, Gen. Sir Evelyn Wood, Col. R. Buller, Major Clarke and Capt Roberts as well as several others. The entrance to the cottage is directly off the N11.
72
 FORT AMIEL MUSEUM - Newcastle
The fort is located in Amiel Park in Newcastle and was constructed in 1877 by men of the 80th Staffordshire Volunteers to protect the town and to provide support for Shepstone’s expedition to annex the Transvaal in April 1877. It served through the Anglo Zulu War and as a support base for Gen. Sir George Pomeroy-Colley’s advance to relieve the British garrisons invested in the Transvaal in 1881. The Fort has now been restored and serves as a museum. Open Monday to Friday 08h30 to 16h00 and from 10h00 to 12h00 on Saturdays. www.amajubaexperience.co.za
  MOUNT PROSPECT CEMETERY
This is the site of the British camp and Military Cemetery during the Transvaal War of Independence 1880-81 and was occupied by the British from January 24th to the end of March 1881. Many of the British soldiers who died in the actions around here, including Gen Sir George Pomeroy Colley, are buried here. The cemetery is on private land and permission has to be obtained from the farmer to access the site.
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site.