At the end of January the united forces of Bethune and of De Lisle advanced upon Calvinia.

The difficulties lay rather in the impassable country than in the resistance of an enemy who was determined to refuse battle.

On February 6th, after a fine march, De Lisle and his men took possession of Calvinia, which had been abandoned by the Boers.

It is painful to add that during the month that they had held the town they appear to have behaved with great harshness, especially to the kaffirs.

The flogging and shooting of a coloured man named Esan forms one more incident in the dark story of the Boer and his relations to the native.
The British were now sweeping north on a very extended front.
Colenbrander had occupied Van Rhyns Dorp, to the east of Calvinia, while Bethune's force was operating to the west of it.