In early 1880, British forces in Transvaal decided to build a fort in the city, due to its remoteness from other British South African forts, with it being from Pretoria. Marabastad and the Zoutpansberg district had a population of 300,000–400,000 natives, along with an additional 175,000 in Waterberg. A fort was needed to control the large native population. In February 1880, two detachments of the 94th Regiment, under Captain Campbell, reached Marabastad, the first British forces to reach this part of South Africa. Within three months, the fort had been built. On 29 November 1880, Captain Campbell was ordered to march to Pretoria. He, along with a company of 60 men, left for the city, leaving behind a company of 60 men in Marabastad. Campbell left Captain E.S. Brooks in command, along with Lieutenant F.G.W. Jones and Surgeon Harding, A.M.D.
Following the British defeat at Bronkhorstspruit on 20 December, Lieutenant Jones received commands to prepare for siege. Captain Brooks immediately begun preparations. He expanded his army, recruiting 30 English volunteers. They were joined by 50 South African Natives from the Transvaal Mounted Police, commanded by Captain Thompson and Lieutenant Gleniston, which had marched forty miles south from Wood-Bush. In December, a trench of 25 square yards was dug around the fort. Supplies of food and ammunition were stored and corn seized from the natives.
Siege
In January, the Boers approached Marabastad. They were divided into two laagers - one at Sand Spruit and one and Botha's Farm. On 11 January, Commandant Barend Vorster of the Boers requested Captain Brook to stop taking corn from the city, effectively beginning the siege. On 19 January, a British patrol of 15 Transvaal Mounted Police under Thompson and ten volunteers were sent to scout the Boers at Sand Spruit. They were unexpectedly attacked and defeated by a larger force, leaving one policeman dead and two wounded, along with two volunteers wounded. The Boers also suffered several men injured. They quickly retreated to the fort, with the two policemen being captured prisoner. Following this engagement, Vorster requested Captain Brook to surrender, but also told Brook that he would not attack the British as long as no more scouts took place. Despite this reassurance, Boers slowly patrolled closer to the British fort.
