Your Oath to the British Crown is Your Freedom

 It was generally believed by the Boer prisoners-of-war that once the war ended they would be transported immediately back to their homes or that they would be free to go whither they pleased. It was impossible to let five thousand men, even if the majority were not absolutely destitute, loose on the Island. South Africa was barred to all who were not prepared to accept the conditions created by the success of British army, and only those who were prepared to recognise British sovereignty were to be allowed back there. This naturally raised some difficulty

One month after the peace terms were signed, the following general decisions regarding the disposal of the prisoners-of-war were duly announced:

Burghers of the late South African Republic and the late Orange Free State were permitted to proceed to South Africa immediately at their own expense, or to await repatriation as soon as arrangements could be made for their transport.

Foreign prisoners-of-war, except those able to produce evidence that they were nationalized Burghers, were not allowed to return to South Africa. They were permitted instead to leave at once at their own expense if they wished to do so, or await repatriation by the Consuls of their respective Governments.

All releases were subject to a declaration of allegiance to the "British Crown", and in the case of those leaving at their own expense, proof of possessing means of subsistence.

It was also made known that "all rebels will be forwarded to South Africa under the charge of the Captains of the transports by which they are sent, and will be handed over on arrival to the Cape or Natal authorities respectively appointed to receive them ".

The "Urugas" Boers, who had earlier signified willingness to take the oath of allegiance, were the first to leave. A suspected outbreak of chicken-pox in the camp gave rise to many fears among the inmates that it might delay their departure. Eight of them had been segregated by Dr. Learobruggen, and they had prompted a hefty son of tha veldt to give it as his opinion that "the doctors know no more about chicken-pox than does the man in the moon!"

"This sickness which they speak of as chicken-pox," be added '" ie a sort of prickly heat, and I don't think that any fuss need be made about it''. Happily the outbreak was brought under control and did not interfere with the arrangements for the embarkation.