1900 - From the letters writer by Lt Col Park in Ladysmith
Things have been perfectly quiet all the last three days, and the weather has been fine. We were in signalling communication with part of Buller’s force fifteen miles to the south-west yesterday evening, and there is a rumour today of firing having been heard in that direction last night. It is also said that he has laid a temporary railway out that way to the bank of the Tugela to help in getting his army and stores along, and I really think he is on the move. I quite hoped to hear heavy firing out there this morning, but there has been none. Now one knows he is so near the suspense is getting almost unbearable. Every day one wakes up expecting to hear the guns or to get news that he has really made a start, and day after day goes by like the last. No wonder one gets thin! If I were an excitable person, I should be a perfect skeleton. I am thin and slack enough as it is, and only weigh 9st.91b. though I am well enough. I know that directly the suspense is over and the siege raised, I shall get as fit as ever at once. Three solid months today since the last news I had of you, and it is a terribly long time. I have tried hard to be patient, and trust that all is well with you, but it makes such an aching want to know. If only I could get news, I don’t think I should mind being bottled up here a month longer, if necessary. As it is, I feel at the very end of my patience. Lionel James, the Times correspondent, came up to dinner last night, and very kindly brought me the copy of his last two letters to the Times, containing his account of the attack on Caesar’s Camp and Waggon Hill. It is intensely interesting, and so clear and correct. The little bit about us is most vivid writing, and he couldn’t have said it better in any way. If his letter got through, it will be wired home, and be in the Times of 6th or 7th inst, If not, it may not be in for some weeks. Anyway, look out for it, and if possible, get a copy to keep.
I have got a copy of the Field Force Order with the Queen’s message, as a record, and some others for the Mess, regimental records, etc. Fruit is beginning to come ripe here, and we have very good little figs, and rather nasty little grapes daily, and twice we have had some first-class apples, which were a huge joy. After our long spell with no vegetables or green stuff of any sort, they are a great boon. Twiss came out of hospital two days ago, quite fit. The rest are all getting on slowly, though one or two have slight dysentery and fever. There are over two thousand sick and wounded in the hospital camp now, and it is very unhealthy.
I shall be very thankful when they are all safe out of it. Masterson is doing well, and has no bones broken, though he has eleven holes in him, and must have been hit by at least three bullets, one or two of which went through both legs. I suppose as soon as the line is opened the camp will be broken up, and all those who are not likely to be fit for further work this campaign, will be invalided either home or to Durban to get them out of the way.