Thursday, 2nd November.—To-day is rather quiet, but the Boers are having target practice at us as soon as we show our heads above the ramparts. Yesterday there was a little shelling, and there has been some to-day too. But very little harm has been done. The Bank is still intact, so is also my room, though the wall just outside of it had a large piece of the 94-pounder shell sent into it!
A very sad event took place last night. Two men, one a war correspondent and the other a lieutenant in Colonel Hore’s regiment, had a little quarrel, and the former was shot dead.
So far we know nothing definite about reinforcements, but trust they are on the way up. It will indeed be a relief when all this business is over for the strain is very great. The three weeks that have elapsed since the line was cut seems like three months.
Up to date I have sent four telegrams and two letters to you, and hope that some of them may have reached you so as to relieve your anxiety. I can just imagine how you felt when the past news reached you. It is indeed the worst part of the business the feeling that you are all very anxious. I am writing this lying down in the trench.
Sunday, 5th November.—Since Thursday, we have been having a rather warm time with Mauser bullets and shells. Every day the Boers entrench a few yards nearer to us, and so every day come nearer to rifle range. On an average they fire daily from 8000 to 10,000 rounds of ammunition, and it is marvellous that not more people are hit.
Last evening the Boers tried to blow up the town by running a big load of dynamite into it on a trolley. Luckily for us the fuse went off too soon, and although all the buildings shook very much, no damage was done.
This morning I managed to get a bath, and also go to church. I hope to get to church again this evening. It grieves me that so few take advantage of the Sunday services.
The only reinforcement we have so far is one of our Vryburg staff, who, being of a warlike nature, rode up from that place on his bicycle and managed to creep in. He, however, could tell us little of what is going on down country.
Rumour has it that we are to be severely attacked to-morrow, but of course no one knows, and we must just await events. Up to date not a shot has been fired from our redoubt, for we have orders to reserve our fire until the enemy come to a close range. This most people assert, they will never do. In the meantime we take advantage of our cover.
Tuesday, 7th November.—Yesterday afternoon and this morning we have been exposed to the heaviest shell fire we have as yet had. Six guns were open in our front, making a direct mark of our fort. But though the house was struck by a number of shells, we were as yet quite safe. I am now sitting during a lull writing behind the house. Expecting an attack, we were up nearly all last night. How wonderful it is that we are all still spared! Of course we still have a lot before us; but we trust to the One who has hitherto so mercifully preserved us.
Wednesday, 8th November.—I am now lying on my back in a very small and narrow shelter, which three of us have made for ourselves, behind the house of our fort. The shell cover of the fort is a large hole, the front of which is covered with bundles of sheet-iron with a foot and a-half of loose earth over it. The whole is supported by iron rails. Some of us, however, think that if a 94-pounder shell were to drop on it a complete collapse would be caused. But where we are now we seem to be safe, though of course one never knows where the shells may strike. Whereas yesterday 140 shells were fired, and more than the half of these right at our fort, to-day up to now—4.50 P.M.—only 49 have been fired. The shelling stopped at about 1I o’clock, just after a message had been sent out to the Boers to the effect that they had fired a big shell into the hospital which killed a native. Still we have no news of help, and this may go on for a long time.
Thursday, 9th November.—Once more in a very cramped position in a rabbit-hole. After writing yesterday a few more shells were sent in just to show us that our friends, the enemy, were not quite done with us. But, with the exception of a few houses being struck, no damage was done. The worst feature of yesterday morning’s shelling was one 94-pounder entering the hospital. It went in at the roof and right through a ward without hurting any one there. But, unfortunately, when it passed through the back wall a large piece struck a poor little kitchen boy and killed him.
It is reckoned that over 1000 shells, all from big guns, have been fired at the to run, and as far as we know only one person has been killed, and about half-a-dozen wounded. Some of the buildings, of course, are beginning to look the worse of the wear, but the effect has not been what one might suppose. For instance, except one or two old shanties, no buildings have been knocked down, and not one has caught fire. One reason for this is undoubtedly the fact that there are a great number of vacant spaces about the town, and while every building is single storey, a great many are also built of galvanised iron.
If we manage to hold the town, and there is every likelihood of our doing so, we will all be heroes, for those that know say that Mafeking is the first English town to be bombarded during this century.
Last night we had two alarms—one at 1 o’clock, and the other at 3. On both occasions the volleys fired by the enemy awoke us, but nothing came of it.
For the last few days I have not been feeling very well, owing doubtless to our having no change of diet from bread and meat. However, I am now feeling better, and hope it will not return.
Saturday, 11th November.—As the enemy was supposed to have been reinforced, the authorities here expected an attack this morning, but so far we have not seen much movement. The big guns have played into all parts of the town, but as far as we know, with little damage. As many as possible remain under cover nearly all day, and so do not run much risk of even a stray shell.
We do look forward to to-morrow (Sunday): a day of rest and quiet it is as a rule. Of course guard is kept up the whole time, but we get some leisure.
Sunday, 12th November.—How we do look forward to Sundays, when all firing ceases! I am very glad, too, that our men do not attempt to attack on Sundays. As far as we can judge, the Boers generally remain quiet on Sundays, but the Germans and those of other nationalities in their force spend the day in digging entrenchments and in shifting guns. Last Sunday, for instance, Baden-Powell noticed that they were taking advantage of the quiet to bring their trenches nearer, and he at once sent out a message to the effect that if Cronje did not move his men he would fire on them, so they were at once removed.
At a general request from the public, we to-day opened the bank for an hour, which has kept me very busy up till now. I have just learned, too, that I have to go on guard, and after that the Colonel is to inspect the whole guard, so I cannot write much. We hear that a small force from Bulawayo is going to try and relieve us, but further than that we have no news of reinforcements. We expect a good deal more shelling to-morrow and the following days. But, though the strain is becoming very great, we hope on, trusting to Him who governs all things.
Tuesday, 14th November. — The enemy was very quiet yesterday, and we are puzzled as to the reason. Of course their ammunition cannot last for ever, but from all accounts they have a very large supply. At any rate they can easily get more from Pretoria. Another theory is that they are looting, but the district is not very rich in cattle, so I hardly credit that. It may be that they have news of some force coming to our relief, and have gone to intercept it.
From a hill about two miles from town we have a fine view of their laager, and don’t we scan it every morning with the hope that that may be reduced by the forces being called to the Transvaal ? But no, it seems to be as large as ever.
The 94 - pounder called “Krietje,” “Big Ben,” "Sarah,” and “Ultimatum” by different people, is on the crest of a hill about the same distance as the laager, but some way to the right. Of course it takes some preparation to load and fire her, and every movement is watched by our look-outs, so we nearly always get warning when she is about to be fired. Strange to say, as I write, the alarm is being given, and so I must to cover.
Wednesday, 15th November.—Last night we had a very heavy storm, and to-day rain is threatening again. This kind of weather seems to damp the ardour of our foes, more especially those in charge of the big guns. However, we do not expose ourselves, for they have a number always on duty for sniping. Bullets strike our house every day, and yesterday one came right through two doors and into the kitchen, where it struck the wall, and rebounding, hit the native boy, giving him a nasty wound in the region of the stomach. This will give you a very good idea of the force of a Mauser bullet fired at about 1500 yards.
Thursday, 16th November.—We had news to-day, brought by an American. He had ridden from the Orange River, and brought one or two copies of the Cape Times—one dated 23rd October, and the other the 26th. From the one we have full accounts of the battle in Natal. The other I have not yet seen, but hope to do so to-day. However, the news we mostly look forward to with, say, a little more than ordinary impatience, is the movement of reinforcements for us. But so far as we can learn, none have yet started, and we have quite made up our mind that we will be shut up here like rabbits until quite the first week in December. Of course we do not know what will happen before that, and can but trust. Our supplies are all right for three months if necessary, but of course fresh meat, &c., will be done away with.
To-day the rifle fire is still brisk, but up to now (12 o’clock) the big guns have not been brought into action. It is hard to say what we would give to see the last of the Boers’ track over the hills along the Transvaal road.
Saturday, 18th November.—Yesterday we had a very warm time in our cover. In the morning five shells fell very near to us, and about 3 P.M. the big gun again started on us, and out of eight shots three struck the redoubt. The first one fell about ten yards from some of our men, and then the captain gave orders for all to leave the redoubt, he himself taking shelter at the back of the house, where some of us were. It was lucky that they all cleared, for the very next shell, striking the sandbags, knocked down about half of the redoubt. The explosion was terrific, and shook the whole house. One stone was thrown clean over the roof, and landed only a few yards from us.
Sunday, 19th November.—Another calm and bright Sunday. It is very funny that up to the time the war commenced we did not have a single Sunday which we could call a nice day, the wind blowing high. But every Sunday since then has been fine.
This morning I came early to my room and revelled in my weekly shave, bath, and change. Oh! it is a treat, and we do appreciate the quiet Sundays for this and many other reasons. After breakfast the town commandant came round to the forts and inspected us. Then I went to church, and found a larger congregation than there has been since the siege commenced. The privilege of public worship I enjoyed, but there was very little in the sermon, and what is more, I do not have much respect for the minister. The English Church is the only one where service is held, so I go there. I am very much disappointed in the Wesleyan minister. He has not, to my knowledge, held a single service since the siege began, and in fact the ongoings of all the clergymen are much criticised by many people.
During yesterday and this morning the Boers have moved their laagers, in all some 500 waggons, southwards. It is supposed that they have been sent for to help in opposing our forces, which are said to be moved towards Bloemfontein, en route for Pretoria. However, we do not lose sight of the fact that it may be only a ruse to draw our men out, and our Colonel is very careful. Our fort is beginning to look a bit knocked about, but the wonder is that the house is still standing, and that we are all safe.
Yesterday they did not fire the big gun on us at all. But a strange thing about the Boer tactics is this: in a number of cases they direct their fire on some particular spot, and shell until they get the range exactly, but then they leave that spot and often shift the gun elsewhere. It is really puzzling. The big gun, of course, they cannot easily move often, for it is necessary to build a good solid mound to support her, and besides that, it takes a span of oxen to drag her. It was a very nasty time for us on Friday afternoon when she made a dead set at our fort. Most of our men at the time were down in the hole in front of the redoubt, while four of us were behind the house, in the small trench we had dug for ourselves there.
Our fort has been built up again, but it would require solid masonry, 12 ft. thick, to withstand the full force and explosion of a 94-pounder. The holes and sandbag protections are guaranteed to stop only small pieces.
We are beginning another week, and are anxiously looking forward to see what will happen. The general belief now is, that we will get relieved, not by reinforcements coming in, but by the Boers being summoned to some more important place. As far as the officers can judge, the Boers seem afraid to make a proper rush on the town : it is not their way of doing things.
Yesterday a coloured driver of one of the mule waggons was killed by a piece of a shell. Providence is indeed watching over us, for this is only the second person killed by the shells, though over 1200 have burst in the town.
We are beginning to wonder whether we will not have to spend Christmas after all in the trenches. What a strange Christmas it will be for me, if I am spared, to spend it away from home and loved ones t I do not look forward to it with much pleasure.
Tuesday, 21st November.—Once again I am taking advantage of the silence of the big gun to write a line or two. Our much respected friend said “ Good morning” at about 6 o'clock to-day, but since then has been quiet The men who watch through telescopes every movement, state that after being fired this morning, something seemed to go wrong, for the whole camp went to the mound and were seen examining the gun. They appeared to take the back part away, and have been handling her all morning. We, of course, hope that something serious has gone wrong, and that she may be silenced. We always know when the big gun is going to be fired, however, and the watchers give us timely warning. But the Boers have also one or two quick-firing guns, which use smokeless powder, and whose shells come without any warning.
Yesterday we received news through Bulawayo of the big rush on Ladysmith, and of the severe lesson the Boers seem to have got. But how unfortunate it is about the 800 men who were captured. From Durban, too, news comes by cable of the movement of troops from Cape Town, and of the Third Brigade of the Army Corps, which was to be landed at East London.
Wednesday, 22nd November.—We had “Big Ben” firing again this morning, but though a good deal of damage was done to some buildings, no one was hurt. The Mausers are pretty lively, and we have to lie quiet.
For the last day or two I have felt composed enough to read something solid, and have been perusing “Self-Help,” by Smiles, and find it good reading.
Thursday, 2nd November.—Six weeks to-day since we were cut off: it seems like six years. And still no news of relief. Our friends keep firing on us with the rifles, and for the past few days have contented themselves with sending only a few shells into the town— none early in the morning. we expect despatches from the North to-day, which should also bring cable news from Durban, via Beira.
Saturday, 25th November.—Here we are, just a month from Christmas, and as far as we can learn, no nearer the end of this horrible siege than we were a month ago.
There is a rumour, too, that the enemy has sent for three more 94-pounders, and with all these large guns playing upon us, some of us are bound to be hit However, one can but trust to the all-powerful Lord to spare our lives, should He think fit.
A week ago I felt very much better spirited, but now am a good deal depressed. Day by day seems to go past, and yet no news of help appearing is brought. Under the circumstances one docs feel down-hearted. The constant lying in trenches, too, begins to tell on one: not, however, that I personally am ill, my health being very good.
Sunday, 26th November.—Sunday, and therefore a quiet day, has come round again. Everybody seems to enjoy the freedom, and the town is thronged with people. The mothers and children come up from the laager, and what a joy it must be to the families to be safely united again. The being huddled together in the laager must be especially hard to the women and children, and no fewer than ten little ones have died there. Dysentery seems to attack them very much, and then when wet weather sets in a great deal of harm is done by the cold and damp. At first, too, they were obliged to remain underground almost night and day. But since the Colonel sent very strong messages to the Boer camp about shelling the laager and hospital they have been much freer, and the only danger now is from pieces of shell and stray bullets.
It really grieves me very much to see how Sunday is made a great day of amusement here. For instance, this afternoon there is a concert on in the Railway Camp, to which crowds have gone, and the programme includes comic songs, &c. There is also a polo match on, in which the officers are taking part. Last Sunday week a cricket match was played. Now all these things go on under very dangerous circumstances,—when death threatens one every day.
This morning I managed to get to church. But how I do long for one of our morning services in St Andrews.
No news seems to have come in to-day, and so we face the coming week in the same position as last week. As each Sunday comes round, we think, well, by next Sunday things will be altered. But no, we are still cut off, and we do not even get regular news from outside. However, I can only repeat that our trust is in our Captain who orders our movements and lives.
Wednesday, 29th November.—The last two days have been very quiet. But I did not come over to my room except for a wash very early in the morning, for one of our 7-pounders has been placed near it, and we expected them to fire at any moment “Big Ben” fires about ten to fifteen shots daily now, and the rifle fire is very much less. Native spies affirm that the Boers have received instructions to leave this for Pretoria, but they refuse to budge. So evidently they prefer to continue their wapinschaw here to meeting Tommy Atkins on the field. We get a little news of the fighting in Natal, but nothing from the south.
It does seem so very long since I last heard from home, therefore my spare time I have been employing in re-reading some of the last letters I received. If only I could go on with some work time would pass much more quickly, but it is not safe to open the strong room, for a strong shell would do a lot of damage. Sometimes, however, of an evening to get some money for the Government to pay the boys who are digging the trenches around the town.
After the siege had fairly begun the Boers commenced digging trenches nearer town each night. Their limit was 1500 yards from our forts. Now, however, we too are digging out every night to meet them, and as each night comes round we expect men to make a rush on their trenches.
I am afraid that in the first part of these letters, when we did some attacking, I did not give a good account of our successes. But it takes some time to get used to shelling, and it was long before I felt at all like entering into details—the shells played so on our nerves. But you will remember that about the second week a squadron under Captain Fitz-Clarence made a night attack on one of the trenches, and got so close as to bayonet the men who called loudly for mercy. From our fort we saw and heard the awful fire that followed; but it was impossible to estimate the enemy's loss. To-day, however, we have it from a reliable native who has managed to come from the Boer lines, that our men killed and wounded forty, and that they lost another sixty who were shot by their own men from a trench some way behind! This shows the utter confusion that they must have got into. Now to my guard.
Thursday, 30th November.—Only one more month to the end of the year, and still no news of relief. Fro7n to-day our bread rations are to be reduced by a quarter of a pound. It is said that food stuff's will last only from three weeks to a month longer. This is caused by our having to feed from 6000 to 7000 natives. As far as tinned beef and even cattle are concerned, there-will be enough to last two or three months yet. And surely the Imperial Government are not to go on with their movements without relieving this place.
The Boers, however, are very quiet still, and are firing from their big guns fewer shots each day. We have now a trench about 1400 yards from “Big Ben" and as the Boers move forward to load her our men fire, and thus have time after time prevented her from being fired.
