And with this object in view I sent each Commandant to his own district, believing that by dispersing my own men I should again induce the English to divide their troops into smaller parties.

Commandant Mears, with his fifty men, I ordered to remain with the guns and the artillery, and to guard them by very careful scouting.
In less than a fortnight seven large columns of the enemy were operating in the district between Heilbron and Bethlehem and Harrismith.

These columns burnt all the houses within their reach, and those which had been spared before were now given over to the flames.

And not only were the houses destroyed, but every head of cattle was taken.
Towards the end of January, 1902, still more columns arrived and a "drive" began.
I remained in the neighbourhood until the 2nd of February and stationed Commandant Mears with the guns to the east of the Wilge River.

The English formed a circle round him, but he succeeded in getting the guns away in safety.