All over the country small British columns had been operating
during these months--operations which were destined to increase in
scope and energy as the cold weather drew in. The weekly tale of
prisoners and captures, though small for any one column, gave the
aggregate result of a considerable victory. In these scattered and
obscure actions there was much good work which can have no reward
save the knowledge of duty done. Among many successful raids and
skirmishes may be mentioned two by Colonel Park from Lydenburg,
which resulted between them in the capture of nearly 100 of the
enemy, including Abel Erasmus of sinister reputation. Nor would any
summary of these events be complete without a reference to the very
gallant defence of Mahlabatini in Zululand, which was successfully
held by a handful of police and civilians against an irruption of
the Boers. With the advent of winter and of reinforcements the
British operations became very energetic in every part of the
country, and some account of them will now be added.
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