Genl. Christoffel Cornelis Jacobus Badenhorst

Christoffel Cornelius Jacobus Badenhorst (11 August 1871- 29 November 1911).
Born on the farm Biesjesfontein in the district of Boshof, Orange Free State. From 1893 he farmed with Afrikaner cattle but lost almost his entire herd due to Rinderpest in 1896. He started the war as an ordinary burgher of the Boshof commando. Would be promoted to the rank of field-cornet and then, in circa March 1901, to General (Assistant-Head Commandant).

Badenhorst proved himself a very capable leader and managed to put in place the fiollowing measures that might arguably secure him a position as one of the best Boer officers.

a) He took care of and protected several women laagers ( women who fled with their children to escape the British soldiers sent to capture and take them to the concentration camps).

b) He set up a hospital close to the current Hertzogville at the farm Driefontein but also managed to put up smaller medical posts that were run by young Boer women and girls- some as young as 12 years.

c) He also realised that cattle herds should be kept out of reach of the British forces and regarded this as more important than to secure small unimportant victories.

d) Other measures included the running of mobile tanneries on wagons which constantly supplied leather leggings, shoes and clothing.

e) He also succeeded to constantly secure victories which supplied the necessary Lee Metford rifles as well as ammunition.

Source: Arnold van Dyk
Facebook Page Boer War/Anglo - Boer War
28 October 2021