Following the attacks on the railway line at Roodewal on 7 June 1900, General de Wet launched another attack on the railway line in the Kroonstad district to disrupt the British supply line.
On 22 June he again split his force into three and attacked positions on the rail line, effecting considerable damage. Katbosch was a farm where British Captain Radcliffe had camped with a force of 200 men.
Commandant Olivier attacked this position with the battle lasting most of the morning. At the same time a train carrying released British prisoners from Pretoria was attacked at Honingspruit with Boer Commandant Froneman doing considerable damage to the rail line at America Siding, about 15 km north of Kroonstad.
