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The taking of Bloemfontein
Battle Name : The taking of Bloemfontein
Date(s) : 13 March 1900
Part of : The 2nd Boer War (or Three Years War) ,
Outcome : A victory for British Colonial forces over Boer (Free State) forces
Type of battle : Land
Summary
Strictly speaking, this was not actually a battle. The British marched wearily into Bloemfontein on the 13th, the Boer forces including President Steyn having evacuated the city the previous evening following their failure to prevent Lord Roberts' approach at Driefontein. The Orange Free State was then officially annexed and re-named the Orange River Colony. The British troops then spent several weeks there, and many more soldiers succumbed to disease than had to enemy action during those weeks.
