Battle of Majuba Hill
Majuba Hill, Charlestown, Natal
What happened
Boer forces led by Piet Joubert and Nicolaas Smit fought British troops commanded by Major General Sir George Pomeroy Colley. After Britain took over the Transvaal in 1877, the Boer settlers there rose up and fought for their independence. On the night of 26-27 February 1881 Colley occupied the summit of Majuba Hill. He brought no artillery and did not order his men to dig in. The Boers climbed the hill and captured it, and Colley was lost in the fighting.
Why it matters
Result: Boer victory. Leaders: Piet Joubert / Nicolaas Smit against Maj Gen. Sir George Pomeroy Colley. Why it matters: It was the final and decisive battle of the First Boer War. Britain agreed to give the Transvaal back its self-government.
What came next
The Pretoria Convention of August 1881 restored self-rule to the Transvaal under British oversight. Nearly twenty years later, in the Second Boer War, British soldiers used 'Remember Majuba' as a battle cry.
Did you know?
Piet Joubert later noted that the British rifles were sighted for 400-600 yards, while the Boers fired at closer range.
Timeline
- 1877Britain annexes the Transvaal.
- 27 February 1881The Boers defeat the British at Majuba Hill.
- 3 August 1881The Pretoria Convention is signed.