Some views of the time.................
"a
large wave of indignation swept over the nation on the receipt of an ultimatum
from Smuts, this ultimatum also had the effect of increasing imperialist and
patriotic feelings amongst the population." Louis Creswicke
.......the first shots exchanged I knew before many days I would get the summons
to go and help swell the ranks that fought for the English honour and that
before long I would have to leave all I held most dear to heart and soul.
Alas, for the circumstance that compels the call of duty the soldier must
obey the question, not the cause but cheerfully goes to uphold the honour of his
island birth. Private Jackson Diaries, Green Howards
“Dear Teddy, I came over here meaning to join the Boers, who I was told were Republicans fighting Monarchists; but when I got here I found the Boers talked Dutch, while the Britishers talked English, so I joined the latter” (From a letter written by an American, fresh from the Cuban War, to President Roosevelt, explaining his choice of sides. As cited in Eversley pxxiii)