On May 12, 1870, Governor Delf, leading an army of 30,000, launched an invasion against the Orange Free State, sparking the outbreak of the Great South African War.
As the news spread, the Boer people were plunged into panic, and Viscount Feckney's temporary residence at his estate was soon overflowing with guests.
Transvaal and the Orange Free State were nearly one entity, standing united against the British whenever confronted.
The disparity in strength between the two sides was great, and no one had the confidence to defeat the British. In facing the British, the Boer Republics had always chosen to be accommodating.
But that was before; now, things had changed. Since everyone was about to join Austria, naturally, they would no longer fear the British.
The visitors had two main reasons: first, to declare their stance to Viscount Feckney and openly take a side; second, to hope for Austria's intervention in the war.
