It is clear that the disaster to Major Gough's force
was the first move in General Botha's invasion of Natal, which he has been planning for some time, and which began on Sep- tember 15th as an answer to the proclamation. As to the military effect of the invasion we have no misgivings. If General Botha goes at all deep into Natal and leaves the wilder mountainous districts he is very likely to get caught. In fact, if we have any luck we ought to be able to get him and his thousand men on this their forlorn hope. Meantime the authorities are, of course, quite right to call out all the auxiliary forces in Natal and to reinforce the Regular troops. If, however, our temporary weakness in Natal were to tempt General Botha to try to raid up to Pietermaritzburg it might be a blessing in disguise. He would never return from such an enterprise. We fear, however, that he will never attempt to put the Tugela between himself and his line of retreat.
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