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 tlie 

 ships of war, and the Highland brigade marched to Wyn- 

 berg. 



" 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 Paail. 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 



