The first was a hard-fought skirmish in which some of Elliot's horsemen were engaged upon June 6th.

His column had trekked during the month of May from Kroonstad to Harrismith, and then turning north found itself upon that date near the hamlet of Reitz.

Major Sladen with 200 Mounted Infantry, when detached from the main body, came upon the track of a Boer convoy and ran it down.

Over a hundred vehicles with forty-five prisoners were the fruits of their enterprise.

Well satisfied with his morning's work, the British leader despatched a party of his men to convey the news to De Lisle, who was behind, while he established himself with his loot and his prisoners in a convenient kraal.