Battle of Vegkop

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Battle of Vegkop
Part of the Great Trek
Date 16 October 1836 Location present Heilbron, Free State, South Africa Result Voortrekker victory, but loss of Voortrekker livestock
Belligerents
Voortrekkers	Matabele
Commanders and leaders
Andries Potgieter	King Mzilikazi
Strength
35 mounted infantry	about 5,000 infantry
Casualties and losses
2 dead	184 dead

The Battle of Vegkop, alternatively spelt as Vechtkop, took place on 16 October 1836 near the present day town of Heilbron, Free State, South Africa. After an impi of about 600 Matebele murdered 15 to 17 Afrikaner voortrekkers on the Vaal River, abducting three children, King Mzilikazi (c. 1790 – 9 September 1868; also known as Mzilikazi, Oemsiligasi or Moselekatse; Afrikaans: Silkaats) ordered another attack. The voortrekkers, under the command of Andries Potgieter, repulsed them, but at the cost of abandoning their livestock.