Andries W. J. Pretorius (1798-1853) was perhaps the greatest of the Voortrekker leaders. It was he who took over command of the people after the death of Gert Maritz and led the commando of 470 men and their 64 wagons to the victory of Blood River. Thereafter in 1842, he opposed the British re-occupation of Port Natal and besieged Captain Smith's camp. With the arrival of the two British ships carrying fresh troops, Pretorius was forced to raise the siege and retreat to Pietermaritzburg. Eventually, he left Natal for the Transvaal to continue his efforts for political liberty.