A British column led by Lord Methuen surprise and defeat a small composite force of burghers and foreign volunteers led by the Comte de Villebois-Mareuil.

Tweefontein, near Boshof, Orange Free State (South Africa) (South Africa)

De Villebois-Mareuil, with about 75 foreign volunteers and 11 burghers, is surprised by Methuen at Tweefontein, near Boshof. Although Methuen has 750 men and 4 field-guns, De Villebois-Mareuil absolutely refuses to retreat. The burghers see the hopelessness of the situation and fight their way out, leaving De Villebois-Mareuil and the foreign volunteers to make a gallant but pointless last stand. De Villebois-Mareuil is killed and the surviving volunteers surrender just as the thunderstorm that could have covered their retreat breaks loose.

Reference: 'The Anglo-Boer War: a chronology' by P.G. Cloete.

[Entry provided by Chris Smith of the Heilbron Commando - see Links]

Boer Republican forces + foreign volunteers

Number engaged :

86

Casualties :

69 (80.23%)

British Colonial forces

Number engaged :

750

Casualties :

13 (1.73%)