I remained here for a day, for I wished to find out what the English troops (they had remained where we left them by the railway line) were intending to do.
Whilst I was waiting I despatched some corn on a few of my waggons to Mr.Mackenzie's mills near Vredefort, giving orders that it should be ground.
During the afternoon it was reported to me that a strong column of English were marching from Rhenosterriviersbrug to Vredefort, and that they had camped on the farm Klipstapel, some eight miles from my laager.
Shortly after sunrise the following morning a second report was brought to me.

It appeared that the enemy had sent out a force to capture our grain waggons, and had nearly overtaken them.
In an instant we were in our saddles, but we were too late to save our corn.
When the enemy saw us they halted at once; and meanwhile the waggons hurried on, at their utmost speed, to our camp.
The English numbered between five and six hundred men, whilst we were only four hundred.

But although we were the smaller force, I had no intention of allowing our waggons to be captured without a shot, and I ordered my burghers to charge.
It was an open plain; there was no possible cover either for us or for the English.

But we could not consider matters of that sort.
The burghers charged magnificently, and some even got to within two hundred paces of the enemy.

They then dismounted, and, lying flat upon the ground, opened a fierce fire.