In mid-July 1900, General de Wet made plans for the Boers to break out of the Brandwater Basin, in the Free State, near the town of Clarens. He had divided his men into three divisions, with orders of how, when and to where each division should proceed. De Wet, with the Free State Government of the time, left first.
However, there was confusion in the ranks with regard who was in command now that de Wet had departed. This confusion led to Commandant Prinsloo, who believed he was in command, surrendering to the British, who during the month of July had been closing in on the Boers.
Over 4 000 men were captured, together with a number of guns. Fifteen hundred Boers managed to escape, together with eight guns.
