This Day in History: February 8, 1881
Additional Date: February 8, 1881
During the Anglo-Boer War 1- also called Transvaal War of Independence or Anglo-Transvaal War- a Boer force of about 200 (under General Nicolaas Smit) defeated a British force of about 600 (under the leadership of Major-General George Pomeroy Colley) at the Battle of Ingogo Heights, near Schuinshoogte. The fierce battle lasted the whole afternoon amid a heavy thunderstorm. When night fell, Colley withdrew under the protection of darkness. The battle claimed the lives of 8 Boers and nearly 100 British soldiers.
*Note: This battle is either referred to as the Battle of Ingogo or the Battle of Schuinshoogte and the army numbers differ from source to source.