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Military History – South Africa – Europe – England 19th Century
.Article – Online Historic Information | Military
.Page 233
Sangar
A protective stone-built breastwork or gunpit.
Sannaspos, Battle of,
31 March 1900
The Bloemfontein waterworks were at Sannaspos (Sanna’s Post), nineteen miles (30km) east of the
city. Chief-commandant Christiaan De Wet planned the destruction of the works to encourage the
spread of enteric (typhoid) fever but unexpectedly encountered Brigadier-general R. G. Broadwood’s
force there. He ambushed them with considerable success as they tried to cross Koornspruit, killing
or capturing a third of their number and taking seven guns.
After the fall of Bloemfontein on 13 March 1900, De Wet sent his men home to rest, ordering
them to return on 25 March. He was well aware that some would not, but preferred a smaller number
of willing men to a group containing malcontents. When they reconvened they found the British were
also consolidating, for, aware that they were overextended at Thaba ‘Nchu to the east of Sannaspos,
Broadwood had been ordered to withdraw. To assist, Lord Roberts’s Chief of Scouts, the American
Indian fighter Frederick Russell Burnham, was sent east to seek what information he could about the
Boers and report to Broadwood. Burnham found the enemy near the crossing of the Koornspruit and
saw the British camp beyond, west of the Modder River, but was taken prisoner as, in the dawn, he
attempted to signal the danger.
On the east Vecht-general Piet De Wet drove the British westwards by opening fire on them, and
as the departing British descended into the stream-bed to cross, they were taken prisoner by
Christiaan De Wet’s men. The first of the Royal Horse Artillery batteries, U Battery, lost all but one
of its guns in this way, but Q Battery saw what was happening and Major Edward Phipps-Hornby
brought them into action at once. The British column scattered back to the railway station, Q Battery’s
guns being recovered by hand. The Boers were, however, heavily outnumbered and the British
Mounted Infantry started to flow around their flanks, forcing De Wet to leave the field, but with 428
prisoners, seven guns, 117 wagons and the Chief of Scouts. Burnham escaped that night.
The valour of Q Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, was such that Lord Roberts decided to award
the Victoria Cross. In cases in which a whole unit is involved, the rules state that officers, noncommissioned officers and other ranks should vote for one of their number to be given the award.
Gunner Isaac Lodge and Driver Horace H. Glasock were chosen by the men, and Sergeant C. Parker
by the NCOs, but the two officers present each nominated the other. On the basis of seniority, Major
Phipps-Hornby received the award.
See also:
Bloemfontein; Mostertshoek, Action at.
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