On 29 January 1901, Captain H.G. Casson, who was camped on the farm Modderfontein in the area of Westonaria, received a large convoy of supplies. The convoy was accompanied by reinforcements from Marshall’s Horse. The farm was in the Gatsrand range of mountains. Commandant-General J.C. Smuts and a force of approximately 1 000 Boers attacked the convoy as soon as it arrived, and the ‘battle’ lasted for 44 hours. The Boers were eventually driven off when a column, commanded by Brigadier-General G.G. Cunningham arrived from Krugersdorp.
In the book Jan Smuts, Memoirs of the Boer War, edited by S.B. Spies and Gail Nattrass, the skirmish is described as follows: “Subsequently, the first military actions under his command were the engagements at Modderfontein on the Gatsrand, in January 1901. Two successful actions against a large force commanded by General Cunningham resulted in heavy British casualties and the capture of supplies.”
