Scheepers turned in the direction of Cape Town, but swerved aside at Montagu, and moved northwards towards Touws River.
So far the British had succeeded in driving and injuring, but never in destroying, the Boer bands.

It was a new departure therefore when, upon September 4th, the commando of Lotter was entirely destroyed by the column of Scobell.

This column consisted of some of the Cape Mounted Rifles and of the indefatigable 9th Lancers.

It marked the enemy down in a valley to the west of Cradock and attacked them in the morning, after having secured all the approaches.

The result was a complete success.
The Boers threw themselves into a building and held out valiantly, but their position was impossible, and after enduring considerable punishment they were forced to hoist the white flag.