Historical records of the 91st Argyllshire ... - waughfamily.ca

9 1ST AEGYLLSHIRE HIGHLANDERS. 169volunteered to try and captureit.Theyswam 1848.the river at midnight, and managed to bringback the boat without disturbing the Boersentinel. With the assistance of the boat thetwo pontoons were attached to ropes and madeto work backwards and forwards, by which meansthe whole force and itsbaggage were carried overin four days.After the troops had crossed, Captain Rawstorneremained on theOrange River, with a party ofmen of the 91st, to guard the drift, and keepopen communication with the colony. On the27th of July the troopsstarted at daylight, andafter a march of twenty miles encamped on theplains near Philippolis at Beulois Hoek. Whilemarching at daybreak on the 28th, swarms ofgrey locusts were encountered, almost obscuringthe sky. Passing Philippolis, a village of theGriqua Kaffirs, the force after a twenty-milemarch encamped for the night, continuing themarch at dawn on the 29th. After proceedingten miles, a halt was made at some deserted farmhousesfor breakfast.These houses were situatedon the slope of a hill overlookingan extensiveplain called the Boemplaats, which extendingsome miles, was terminated by a range of low