Mr W H Ackerman, a former teacher of Hoogehout High School, did the community of Bethal; a special favour, by recording memories of ex-combatants. These memories are derived from his book Opsaal, which served as an important source. #The Jameson-raid With an armed force, attacked Dr Jameson on New Year’s Eve 1895 the Transvaal, but the next day he was forced to surrender. The attack on independence of the Republic was averted in that way, because Jameson together with a group of foreigners in Johannesburg had conspired to overthrow the government of President Paul Kruger. Commandant Piet Erasmus tells of a time in New Year’s Eve of 1895 when he, as a young man, attended a dance at the farm Mooimeisiesfontein. Suddenly, there arrived a commanding man and read out names of the people who were to report at Trichardtsfontein the following day. From there they were to travel to Johannesburg in order to curb the threat of a revolt. #Prelude to the Second Freedom War After the Jameson Raid the relationship between the Boer Republic and Britain worsened. The government of the Z.A.R. prepared for war and began large scale armament. Weapons like Creusotsen Krupp cannons, Longtoms, Mauser rifles, cartridges and so on, were imported from France and Germany. When war clouds were threatening, the Commandant General had ensured that the citizens were equipped for battle. In circulars from the Commandant General received on 2nd and 3rd May by Magistrate’s and *Veldkornet offices; instructions were given that: “laat door elk VC (veldkornet) of Ass. VC onderzoeken of elken burger in bezit is van zijn 50 Gouvts. Patrone.“ Roughly translated means: “let each *VC (veldkornet) or Assistant VC examine if each citizen is in possession of 50 Government’s cartridges…” The army of Transvaal was organised as follows: people of age 16 and 60 were service obligated, and there were a total of about 30 000 men. The Commandant General (Gen. Piet Joubert, was succeeded during the war, by General. L Botha), [who] was the commander-in-chief, and was assisted, by a number of generals. A field general issued orders, out on several commandants, who in turn were in charge of districts. The districts were divided into wards, each with a commanding *veldkornet. In Bethal, Commandant Piet Greyling was assisted by Daniel Breytenbach (Ward 1: South of the watershed) and H S Grobler (Ward 2: North of the watershed). During the war it was Breytenbach and later Grobler who followed Greyling as commandants, in such a way that Piet Erasmus and Koos de Villiers were the new *veldkornets. Commander H S Grobler Commander D J J Breytenbach Commander P J Greyling #translated roughly *See Translator’s Note (page I) 23
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