​CRONJE, PIET ARNOLDUS (c. 1840–  ), Boer general, was born about 1840 in the Transvaal and in 1881 took part in the first Boer War in the rank of commandant. He commandedin the siege of the British garrison at Potchefstroom, though hewas unable to force their surrender until after the conclusion ofthe general armistice. The Boer leader was at this time accusedof withholding knowledge of this armistice from the garrison(seePotchefstroom). He held various official positions in theyears 1881–1899, and commanded the Boer force which compelledthe surrender of the Jameson raiders at Doornkop (Jan. 2,1896). In the war of 1899 Cronje was general commanding inthe western theatre of war, and began the siege of Kimberley.He opposed the advance of the British division under LordMethuen, and fought, though without success, three generalactions at Belmont, Graspan and Modder River. At Magersfontein,early in December 1899, he completely repulsed a generalattack made upon his position, and thereby checked for twomonths the northward advance of the British column. In thecampaign of February 1900, Cronje opposed Lord Roberts’sarmy on the Magersfontein battleground, but he was unableto prevent the relief of Kimberley; retreating westward, hewas surrounded near Paardeberg, and, after a most obstinateresistance, was forced to surrender with the remnant of his army(Feb. 27, 1900). As a prisoner of war Cronje was sent to StHelena, where he remained until released after the conclusionof peace (seeTransvaal:History).