Three British forces, those of French, Rundle, and Ian Hamilton, were despatched to cut it off.

It successfully threaded its way among them and escaped.

It was followed to the northward as far as the town of Winburg, which remained in the British possession.

Lord Roberts had failed in his plan of cutting off De Wet's army, but, at the expense of many marches and skirmishes, the south-east of the State was cleared of the enemy..