14 
and wounded. After the engagement, we advanced as far as 
Reitt Valley, where we received from the fleet a supply of 
provisions and water. Next morning we marched on towards 
Cape Town, and had approached within a few miles of it, 
when we were met by a flag of truce demanding a cessation 
of hostilities for forty-eight hours, in order to arrange terms 
of capitulation. Sir David Baird returned for answer that 
they should have six hours only, and that, if the place was not 
surrendered at the expiration of that period, he would enter 
it by storm in the course of the night. This menace had 
the desired effect, and the 59th regiment marched in that 
evening and took possession of the lines. The rest of the 
troops lay on their arms, at the mouth of the Salt River, 
until three o'clock, P. m. next day, at which hour the British 
flag was hoisted on the castle, a royal salute was fired by the 
ships of war, and the Highland brigade marched to Wyn- 
berg. 
4 We thus, without much difficulty, got possession of the 
capital; but Jansen was still unsubdued. After the action 
at Blueberg, he had retired with his whole force to the 
pass of Hottentot's Holland Kloof, where he designed to 
establish himself in such a manner as should cut off the 
communication of Cape Town with the interior. With a 
view to dislodge him from this stronghold, the Highland 
brigade and 59th regiment marched on the 12th to Stetten- 
bock, and were followed, in a few days, by Sir David Baird 
in person. After some preliminary overtures between the 
two Generals, a negociation was set on foot which terminated 
in the formal cession of the whole colony to the British arms. 
* While the transaction was pending, however, and with a 
view to accelerate its progress, the 59th and 72d regiments 
were detached up the country, to occupy a position in rear of 
the Dutch troops. We marched from the encampment at 
Stettenbock about eight o'clock in the evening of the 16th 
January, and arrived early next morning at the Paarl. This 
charming little village consists of a single street, nearly a 
mile in length. The houses are built at some distance 
asunder, neatly white-washed, with an elevated terrace along 
