[2] On March 31, a British column under Colonel Cookson, dispatched by General Walter Kitchener to pursue a force of 2,500 Boers under the command of generals Kemp and De La Rey, who were believed to be operating in the western Transvaal, came into contact with an advance party of Boers.

[3] The 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles, who had been guarding the baggage train, spurred forward towards the fight and made a series of determined charges on the Boer positions to relieve pressure on the main force.

Twenty-one Canadians from 3 and 4 Troops, 'E' Squadron, under the command of Lt Bruce Carruthers became cut off from the main force during a charge, but rather than surrender they determined to fight to the last, eventually running out of ammunition and being overrun.

Around 5 pm, the Boers called off the attack and withdrew, having inflicted great damage on the British force and escaping with minor losses.

A telegram to the Minister of Militia of Canada stated: "The regiment and field hospital have undergone [a severe] test, and have acquitted themselves most creditably.