Louis Botha Biography and Timeline

Birth of Louis Botha

Louis Botha is born near Greytown in Natal.

Louis Botha Born

The future Boer general and South African prime minister is born.

Birth of Louis Botha

Birth of Louis Botha, Natal

Volksraad Election

Is elected to the Transvaal Volksraad for Vryheid.

Role range: 1897-1899

Vryheid Representation

Begins a prominent political career before the South African War.

Role range: 1897-1899

Boer War Service Begins

Enters active campaigning despite having opposed the war.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1899-1902

Vryheid Commando Service

Joins the Vryheid commando when war begins.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1899-1902

Battle of Colenso

British defeats during Black Week expose early military failure.

Role range: 1899-1902

Siege of Ladysmith

Takes part in operations around the siege and relief of Ladysmith.

Role range: 1899-1902

Battle of Colenso

Commands Boer forces contributing to the victory at Colenso.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1899-1902

Battle of Colenso

Defeats Buller's army at Colenso.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1899-1902

British Advance Repulsed

Helps defeat Buller's attempt to relieve Ladysmith.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1899-1902

Commander of Transvaal Army

Appointed Commander of the Transvaal Army

Role range: 1899-1902

Battle of Spion Kop

Helps defeat British forces at Spion Kop.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1899-1902

Battle of Spion Kop

Helps organize Boer resistance during the battle of Spion Kop.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1899-1902

Upper Tugela Defence

Contributes to another British failure on the Upper Tugela.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1899-1902

Battle of Vaal Krantz

Botha's Boer forces oppose Buller's renewed attempt to cross the Tugela and establish a bridgehead at Vaal Krantz.

Role range: 1899-1902

Command of Transvaal Forces

Assumes leadership of the Transvaal forces after Piet Joubert's death.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1900-1902

Commandant-General Leadership

Becomes the principal Transvaal commander during the remaining war.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1900-1902

Battle of Diamond Hill

Botha commands the Boer defence at Diamond Hill and withdraws after two days of fighting.

Role range: 1899-1902

Battle of Bergendal

The Boer Army is defeated

Role range: 1899-1902

Battle of Bergendal

Is defeated as the British advance through the Transvaal.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1899-1902

Capture of Transvaal

Roberts formally proclaims the annexation of the Transvaal

Role range: 1899-1902

Guerrilla Campaign

Adopts mobile guerrilla tactics after British occupation of major towns.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1900-1902

Mobile Boer Resistance

Maintains armed resistance despite formal British annexation.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1900-1902

Battle of Chrissiesmeer

Botha launches a night attack on Smith-Dorrien's force at Chrissiesmeer but cannot hold the British camp.

Role range: 1899-1902

Middelburg Peace Talks

Meets Kitchener to discuss possible peace.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1899-1902

Meeting with Kitchener

Rejects terms that do not satisfy the Boer leadership.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1900-1902

Middelburg Peace Talks

Meets Lord Kitchener to discuss possible peace terms.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1900-1902

Battle of Bakenlaagte

Botha defeats a British force

Role range: 1899-1902

Battle of Bakenlaagte

Defeats a British column at Bakenlaagte.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1899-1902

Battle of Bakenlaagte

Defeats a British force at Bakenlaagte.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1900-1902

British Column Defeated

Achieves a major late-war tactical success in eastern Transvaal.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1900-1902

Vereeniging Peace Conference

The Treaty of Vereeniging ends the Second Boer War.

Role range: 1899-1902

Boer Peace Deliberations

Supports negotiations ending prolonged resistance to British forces.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1900-1902

Vereeniging Peace Conference

Participates in the Boer peace conference at Vereeniging.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1900-1902

Capture of Orange Free State

British forces occupy the Orange Free State and rename it the Orange River Colony.

Role range: 1899-1902

Pretoria Peace Talks

British troops enter Pretoria during Roberts's advance.

Role range: 1899-1902

Treaty of Vereeniging

The Treaty of Vereeniging ends the Second Boer War.

Role range: 1899-1902

Second Boer War Ends

Accepts peace while seeking future self-government for Afrikaners.

Role range: 1899-1902 – 1900-1902