Tuesday, 2nd January 1900.—I wanted to write a few lines yesterday, but the Boers seemed to be enjoying themselves at our expense: they sent in a goodly number of shells. Unfortunately, two white men and three natives were killed by them. This sort of thing, I can assure you, does not tend to brighten one up; more especially when we have been besieged for eighty days, and it looks as if eighty more were to come. Still I try to keep up my spirits, and can only trust to Him who watches over us all.
Up to now I feel quite well, as far as health is concerned, but when the work commences in real earnest, then doubtless the strain will be felt, and a holiday will be needed.
Thursday, 4th January.—5.30 A.M.—Some people would think this very early to be up and writing, but you, of course, all know how keen I have always been on getting up with the lark in the morning! We turn out soon after four in the morning, have roll call, then coffee, and after that some go to sleep. I generally come to my room and have a wash. Then I return to the fort and read, though occasionally I take a sleep. This morning I feel rather sleepy, because about ten o'clock last night we were disturbed by a shower of rain and had to change our sleeping apartments, and then I had to turn out at 1.30 until 3 o’clock for "sentry go."
Nothing of importance has happened this week, except a very large quantity of "Grietze" shells being unceremoniously fired into the town. There have been, too, a great many casualties, principally amongst the natives. Yesterday they shelled the stadt with a 9-pound Krupp gun, and, while doing this, they put a few shells into the women's laager, and, sad to say, killed a little Dutch girl and wounded Mrs. Gwynne, Mrs. Bennie’s sister, and a little child of the Brown’s— Mr. Brown is Mrs. Cross’ brother. I am thankful, however, that the wounds are not serious in either case.
In the afternoon we were able to witness a duel between our two 7-pound guns, a Nordenfeldt, and our big gun (an old ship’s cannon which has been mounted and fires round balls), and three of the Boer guns. Some of our shots were very good, but, unfortunately, after the first few shots the powder that was used was found not strong enough; it had been bought locally. The Boers tried their best to hit our guns that were in trenches, but did not succeed.
Sunday, 7th January.—One week of the New Year gone, and still no news from home about loved ones.
On Saturday we heard that Ladysmith had been relieved, but with tremendous bloodshed on both sides. How awful to think of so many valuable lives coming so suddenly to a close! We seem, however to be getting on, though slowly. It is fully expected that we will have to remain here in a state of siege for, at least, two months longer. Our food will last for only three months, so that, if relief does not come before then, we will have to surrender. But I take the bright side and trust to the Hand that has so providentially spared us up till now.
The Boers still keep us pretty close, but when there are a couple of hours’ lull, I do a little work.
Saturday, 13th January.—The shelling has been pretty brisk during this week. We have been unable to make out the reason of this. Yesterday morning, before eight o’clock, the big gun put in seventeen shells at one of our outlying forts. Evidently they intended to storm the place, but, at 1800 yards, their pluck seemed to fail them, for when our Maxim began to play at that range, the couple of hundred men who had been boldly advancing, turned tail and cleared!
By the big gun very little damage has been done, but a man was wounded, and has since died from the effects of a 5-pound shell striking him; and on Wednesday, about one o’clock, the Boers poured some volleys in and killed a Dutch woman who was sitting in her house. Our casualties are mounting up; so far over 250 have been killed or wounded since the siege began.
Now it is nine o’clock, and, as it is quiet, I must get to the bank so as to get some work done. I always take advantage of a quiet spell.
Sunday, 14th January.—I have just come off guard —five o’clock. Another week has safely passed—a very heavy one—yet Big Ben has done little damage. Up to date she has fired approximately 65,000 lbs. weight of iron at poor little Mafeking. Of course the total weight of all the big gun shells would be a great deal more, yet we thank God that not much damage has really been done.
The great topic to-day is, what have they done with our bosom friend, for the big gun is not mounted, and we are at a loss to know where she is. She may have been dismounted for repairs, or she may be in want of a change of air, and so has been removed to some other spot, or she may have gone back to the Transvaal. We all, of course, trust that she has said good-bye, though it seems too good to be true. Personally I think she has been moved to another position. Our snipers have every night gradually been entrenching nearer to her (the last trench was only 800 yards off), and when the gunners appear to load her, our men fire volleys. From native spies we have heard that, several gunners have been either killed or wounded.
No news came last week. We know nothing about -what is being done for our relief. It is said that Colonel Plumer and his men, assisted by a couple of thousand of Khama’s people, are on their way down. But nothing is known for certain, and we have had so many false rumours that we have got to the pitch that we believe nothing.
Tuesday, 16th January.—The big gun turned up yesterday, as I thought, at a new position. It is now as straight as possible in front of our fort, and I expect that before very long our sand-bags will be down. However, if we get the alarm whenever she is going to fire, we will be quite safe. If they should knock the fort down, there are hundreds of natives who must have employment, and who will soon, by night, build it up again. The gun is a little nearer to us, but not being so high up, does not command so much of the town as she did before. However, she commands us, and so when she says, “Down, rascals," down we go. When the shot has safely passed us we obey no more — till the next time! It is pretty certain that the bank will suffer from the new position of the gun. We will therefore not be so keen on working in the office, but we hope to have a “dug-out" in which we can work.
Wednesday, 17th January.—Owing to the position of the big gun now, I must be more careful about writing in my own room; but as just at present everything is quiet, I will write till the alarm bell rings. Nothing whatever has happened since Sunday, and the big gun, notwithstanding her new position, has not done much damage. The shots seem directed chiefly at the railway workshops, where some men are busy making 7-pound shells and cannon balls for our ship's gun. A man was discovered who could make them, and the experiment proved so successful that a regular staff of men were taken to help him from the town-guard. They are also making fuses, and they can, if necessary, manufacture powder. It has also been found that the enemy has been firing 7-pound shells made in the Transvaal; but on comparison our shells are found to be the better.
Mrs. Brown's child that was wounded in the laager died this morning. Poor child, it has suffered great agony for a week. The man Graham who was injured while trying to draw the charge from an unexploded 94-pound shell, has also passed away, after much suffering.
Saturday, 20th January,—It is awkward now to move about, for although the alarm is given that the gun is being loaded, and we are told the direction also, yet sometimes we are kept in suspense for an hour, and then suddenly the gun is let off. Still, not very much damage has been done after all. There have been, however, several narrow escapes. One shell burst yesterday about twenty yards in front of me. Fortunately I took cover, though two or three of us who had been standing together agreed in thinking that the shot was not coming our way.
Sunday, 21st January.—To-day has been very warm, and I have had a busy time going round the town trying to get people to pay in money. Our supply is all paid out, and we cannot make out what has become of it all. This Sunday work goes very much against my principles, but it is absolutely impossible to do anything during the week-days whilst shelling is on, and more especially now since the gun is in such a central position. On Sundays the gun is always quiet.
This morning the town-guard and volunteers paraded in the Market Square at half-past six, and were inspected by the Colonel. Afterwards he said a few words, praising us for the way we had stuck to our duty. He said that we would have to sit tight for some time yet, but in the end our victory would be the greater. A short service followed, conducted by Rev. Mr. Weekes. Then we marched back to our posts.
Monday, 22nd January.—We have had a little rain, and a storm seems to be working up. The gun is a little quiet now, and I have slipped across to do a little writing. Our spirits are becoming more depressed as time goes on, and we hear of our troops not having relieved Kimberley yet. We kept up for a long time, but with the prospect of a couple of more months at least before us we become somewhat disheartened. However, I try to forget the troubles, and still trust to the all-powerful Hand to watch over us.
Thursday, 25th January.—The last few days I have not been able to get much writing done for the big gun has been very liberal in sending her hundredweights of iron into this portion of the town. On Monday morning she put one into our fort. It did not touch the bags however, but passed between two brick pillars through which we pass when we take shelter in the hole. It struck the front door of Major Goold Adam’s office. It knocked, but without waiting for the door to be opened, it forced its way in, and rumour has it that its arrest has already been effected. The arresting force, however, came in for a bad time, which, of course, makes the crime more complicated. At any rate, things look somewhat so in the Major’s office. One of our fellows who pretends not to be afraid of shells was only missed by the whole shell by about six inches! Now he has changed his tune and takes cover.
Two natives in the stadt were killed yesterday by Big Ben, but since the gun has been moved the casualties have not been very heavy.
From Monday the storekeepers have all been debarred from selling any food-stuffs without an order from the D.A.A.G.B., Captain Ryan, A.S.C. to wit. However, our food, which consists principally of bully beef and bread, is still plentiful, and, up to now, with a change to tinned sausages, sardines, &c., with jam for the bread, all of which we could purchase. Most of us, therefore, have not done badly. I had a tip that the sale of provisions was to be stopped, and laid in a small stock. Up to two weeks ago Mr. Bolus, of De Hock & Bolus, Solicitors, and I had a joint sort of mess, but he has changed forts and has got in with a mess where Lamplough is. They want me to join too, so I am trying to change. So far, however, I have not been able to manage it. I will have to get a substitute to change with me. This is a somewhat difficult matter.
Every morning about nine o'clock I slip down to the bank between shots and stay till lunch-time. In the afternoon I am generally doing duty, but if not I go to see Bolus and Lamplough, and the last few days we have been playing dominoes.
Mr. Martin, one of the leading men here, has a very nice shell-proof shelter in his garden; and to it we resort occasionally.
I do not think I have ever given you a description of “Grietze,” so if she will remain quiet for a few more minutes, I will try and give you an idea of her. As far as I know she is a French gun and fires a solid shell which weighs nearly 100 lbs. She also fires a shrapnel shell of 64 lbs. weight. It is a tremendously long gun; must be quite 16 ft. long, and, being so cumbersome that it needs a span of sixteen oxen to-move it, is intended more for a fort than to be drawn about the country. Before placing the gun in a position, it takes the Boers some days to make a solid embankment to mount it on. Several times she has cracked the embankment, and so, while they were repairing it, we have had a quiet time. Every movement is watched through very good telescopes by three men appointed by the staff. They are now stationed in the back verandah from which you can get a grand view. Whenever they see the Boers loading the gun, they ring an alarm bell, and every one gets under cover to wait for the next bell which lets us know at which part of the town she is sighted on. The rabbits then take cover, and await the crash, the signal of which is given by the same men (one of whom is on duty at a time), who run for their own hole ringing a big hand bell. As a rule, you have about five seconds from the time you see the smoke till the shell strikes the ground. The Boers, however, evidently hear our bells now, for they very often load, elevate the gun, and when our bell rings depress it again and leave it. Then when they think we are off our guard, creep up and gradually elevate and fire. Still they very seldom catch us napping, more particularly now, when nearly all the forts facing the gun have good glasses and loud-sounding signal.
Yesterday we had news from the north, but not much good. Evidently the Boers’ downward march has been checked, so we hope that very soon our troops will begin in earnest their forward march. General French seems to be the only one who is going forward. Lord Roberts wired his congratulations on our defence, and hoped we could hold out a few more weeks, when the whole situation would be changed.
Sunday, 28th January.—This morning we were kept very busy paying out the troops and receiving money. All our money has been paid out, and now we have to open for an hour on Sunday mornings to get cash in. This means the whole morning being taken up.
I miss very much not being able to get to church. However, there is no question as to the necessity of work, for it would be risking our lives to do banking business on week-days. Yesterday the enemy showed just once more how brutish they are. They deliberately sent some consecutive shells from the big gun into the women' laager. The Colonel has had to complain time after time about this, and every time it was a mistake! Again to-day he sent out a white flag with a message to the General of the enemy.
A runner from the north came in to-day, but the news does not show that we are making much headway. It gave particulars of the attack on Ladysmith. When are they going to relieve that town? and when are we going to get out of this? The Boers seem to be surpassing all expectations in the obstinate way they are fighting. Our friends here do not seem to possess anything like the pluck they show elsewhere. They do make a show at advancing time after time, but when our Maxims fire a few shots at about 2000 yards off they go helter-skelter.
I keep very well, and try to keep my spirits up. It is very hard though.
Monday, 29th January.—Everything is much the same. Our snipers shot a Dutch sniper this morning. He had been a source of great annoyance to everyone, and had very nearly killed some people. They found out his position, and a good shot this morning told. The Red Cross flag came, and they took him off on a stretcher.
