In 1877, Shepstone proclaimed British authority over the Transvaal Republic. After a period of passive resistance and several attempts by Paul Kruger and other leaders to have the annexation revoked, a national meeting on 13 December 1880 at Paardekraal resolved to restore the Republic and the Anglo-Transvaal War (Anglo-Boer War 1) broke out. The British army, lead by Sir George Colley, launched a frontal attack on a Transvaal force under Commandant-General Piet Joubert in the Battle of Laing's Nek on the Natal border. The British force could not drive the Boer force from its position, despite heavy fire by cannon and charges by infantry and cavalry. The losses of the battle were heavy, with eighty-three British soldiers dead and 111 wounded, while the Transvaal burghers also suffered casualties.

Sources:

1. Potgieter, D.J. et al. (eds)(1970). Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Cape Town: NASOU, v. 1 p. 381.
2. Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.
3. Pakenham, T. (1991). The Scramble for Africa, Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball.