subject: Investors In Property Newcastle Will Be Interested In The Following [print this page] Investors in property Newcastle will be interested in the following article. The surrounding countryside is full of historic sites, one of the most interesting being the Battlefields of KwaZulu Natal.
Newcastle, in the Midlands of KwaZulu Natal, is set amongst beautiful rolling hills and valleys and is on the Battlefields Route of KwaZulu Natal with sites of major interest to all historians and followers of the Anglo Boer Wars. Just a short distance from Vulintaba, Newcastle, Property Newcastle, and before Volksrust, lay several battlefields, graveyards and memorials to the Anglo Boer War.
Majuba Battlefield. The Battle for Majuba Hill took place on 27th February 1881 during the first Anglo Boer War. This battle was the main battle of the Anglo Boer War and was a resounding victory for the Boers and ultimately signaled the end of the Boer War. A total of 285 British soldiers were wounded, captured and killed during this engagement.
Fort Amiel was constructed in 1876 as a fort and look out post for the British prior to the Zulu Wars. In the first Anglo Boer War it was used as a garrison and in its time has been used as a commissariat depot, transit camp and hospital for wounded soldiers. Today it has been restored and declared as a national monument with military displays from both of the Anglo Boer wars.
ONeils Cottage, built around 1870. Most famously used for negotiations between the British and the Boers after the Battle of Majuba. The cottage was owned during this time by RC ONeill, hence the name and was also used as a makeshift hospital during the battle of Majuba. 3 soldiers are buried in the orchard nearby.
Bothas Pass was captured by General Sir Redvers Buller in June 1900 thereby opening the route for the British to advance into the Orange Free State. The remains of some trenches are still visible.
Mt Prospect is a Military Cemetery where 40 British Officers and Soldiers who died at Majuba Hill, are buried, including Major General Sir George Pomery Colley, British Chief of Staff at that time.
Laings Nek was the scene of another victory for the Boers when in January 1981 the British Troops tried to force their way through Laings Nek en route to Standerton. It is also the very last occasion that British Troops carried their colors into battle. At Laings Nek four Ensigns were shot and killed while carrying their colors in this battle.
Schuinshoogte is the site of another Boer War skirmish with the Boers again emerging victorious over the British. During this battle between mainly infantry and some Calvary 75 lives were lost with another 87 wounded by the end of the day. The remaining British forces managed to get away under the cover of darkness and bad weather, taking with them their guns and horses.
The continuing fascination with the Anglo Boer War and the Battlefields Route ensures that the area remains firmly on the tourist map and as such keeps investors interested in purchasing property Newcastle.
