Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Siege of Rustenburg" in English language version.
In November 1880, in order to strengthen the field column, then sent from Pretoria to Potchefstroom, the garrison had been reduced by one company, and, at the time hostilities commenced, only consisted of a company of sixty-two men of the 2d Battalion 21st Eoyal Scots Fusiliers, with a few men of the Commissariat and Hospital Corps, under the command of Captain Auchinleck, the other officers present being Second Lieutenant Despard and Surgeon Eitchie.
On the 24th December, information reached the officer commanding that a force of 600 Boers had assembled ten miles off.
When hostilities seemed imminent, the fort was further strengthened, sand bags being placed on the parapets, and small mines laid. To give greater scope to the defence, some military huts were also thrown down.
