the battle Hostile_encounter of magersfontein ( ) was fought Hostile_encounter on 11 december 1899 , at magersfontein near kimberley , south africa , on the borders of the cape colony and the independent republic of the orange free state .

british forces under lieutenant general lord methuen were advancing Self_motion north along the railway line from the cape in order to relieve the siege Besieging of kimberley , but their path was blocked Hindering at magersfontein by a boer force that was entrenched in the surrounding hills .