Page 195 - The Diary of A. H. W. Behrens

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1901
We had a military passport and arrived well. I took all valuable books and money and brought everything to the National Bank for storage. In Bethanie I was received with great jubilation and they let me go away again with great sorrow. I had to return to Pretoria. In the meantime everyone from Kroondal had also arrived there, whose houses had
been horribly destroyed. Berlin missionaries had also been brought to Pretoria. Yordt was left on Eben Ezer. Schepmann and Meyer stayed in Berseba until the end of the war and Meyer looked after Bethanie. August with his family stayed in Pretoria and he started a vegetable trade. Missionaries Müller, Wenhold and Penzhorn, Kahl and others were also prisoners. My cattle, oxen, three horses, carts and wagons were taxed [?] at acceptable prices, I was given cash which I brought to the bank.
When they refused to give me food for the journey for my family I suggested that they should allow me to travel to
my relatives in Natal and to stay there. General Maxwell requested a written report from me on what had happened to me. He sent this report to Lord Kitchener. The answer came, “Give Reverend Behrens and family free railway tickets
to his relatives in Natal, where however they must support themselves until the end of the war.” So, we left for Natal
as soon as everything had been organised. I had brought everything for written work from Bethanie.