Bethulie 1896-1907, met spesifieke verwysing na die Anglo-Boereoorlog

This study, entitled Bethulie 1896-1907, with specific reference to the Anglo-Boer War, aims to investigate, reconstruct, and evaluate the impact and consequences of the Anglo-Boer War on a Free State town and district, in this case Bethulie. Due to the fact that the study focuses on a particular geographical area and community, the study contains a very strong genealogical and social history foundation. Research on Bethulie during the Anglo-Boer War is often dominated by information about the Bethulie concentration camp, specifically because of the inhumane conditions that prevailed in the camp and the resulting high death rate. For the purposes of this study, however, the focus is more on Bethulie as a strategic town and the impact that the AngloBoer War had on the inhabitants, their families and their living conditions, as well as on the Bethulie district. Bethulie was considered a strategic town in the sense that the main railway line from East London to Bloemfontein crossed the railway bridge over the Orange River near the town. In order to understand the impact of the war on the community, the date of departure was decided on as 1896 (the Jameson Raid). The first chapter provides an overview of the Bethulie district, which includes topography, geology, climate, infrastructure, residents and economic prosperity. The study further focuses on the process of the war, with specific reference to the role of the Bethulie commando, as well as the British invasion of the Southern Free State, the scorched-earth policy and the eventual origin of the Bethulie concentration camp. These aspects are presented in more detail as follows: The Bethulie commando: Emphasis is placed on the strength of this commando; preparations and call-up for military service; invasion of the Northeast Cape Colony; the various battles that this military unit took part in; with most of this commando being taken prisoner of war in the Brandwater Basin in July 1900; guerrilla actions in the district; and the peace agreement on 31 May 1902. British involvement: British involvement at Bethulie begins with an exploration by Major E.A. Altham of the Bethulie environment before the war, which was published in a later British intelligence report; Major-General William Gatacre and the battle at Stormberg in December 1899 with, inter alia, the Bethulie commando; the British advance to Bethulie and Bethulie 1896-1907, met spesifieke verwysing na die Anglo-Boereoorlog the battle in March 1900 at the Bethulie bridges; skirmishes in the Bethulie district; the erection of the Bethulie–Springfontein blockhouse line; the operations of the Bethulie Town Guard; and the British administration in the district. The Bethulie concentration camp: The origins; housing; rations; medical care; British officials; medical staff; illnesses; deaths; spiritual care of those who lived in the camp by the church; education; the camp orphanage; as well as hands-uppers and joiners, receive attention. The penultimate chapter focuses on the rebuilding of the town and its community after the devastating war and includes aspects such as resettlement of the inhabitants on their farms; post-war compensation; the Kransdraai labour colony; various other social challenges; as well as the prominent role of the church in building a post-war Bethulie community. The chapter concludes with the first election in 1907, after self-government was granted to the Orange River Colony in 1906. The final chapter is an overall evaluation.