At 5 pm on 9 October 1899 the Boers issued a four point ultimatum to Britain with an expiry date of 11 October 1899 at 5 pm. Three of the points related to British troops in, and bound for South Africa.
Britain had been anticipating hostilities in the Transvaal / South African Republic for some time, hence the movement of troops. Ironically the ultimatum was issued a day before President Kruger’s birthday.
