The 2nd Wilts would join Major-General Paget and the West Riding Regiment in patrolling the areas northeast and northwest of Pretoria. After being moved to help block De Wet's attempt to raid the Cape Colony in February 1901, it was assigned to defend the Pretoria-Pietersburg rail line with the 2nd battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment.
The 2nd Wilts would join Major-General Paget and the West Riding Regiment in securing the regions north and west of Pretoria. Following a redeployment to hinder De Wet's invasion of the Cape Colony in February 1901, it was tasked with safeguarding the vital rail line between Pretoria and Pietersburg alongside the 2nd battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment.