1899 - Diary of the siege of Mafeking by Edward Ross
Sunday, 21 January
A very heavy discharge or explosion was heard coming from the enemy’s camp very early this morning, also rifle volleys. One can only conjecture the cause.
At 6.30 a.m. the Volunteers, Railway Division and Town Guard assembled on the Market Square and were inspected by Colonel Baden-Powell, who, addressing them said he had great pleasure in again addressing the Town Guard after the term of 100 days’ siege. He knew very well we should do our duty, but we had carried it out far beyond his expectations. We had been under arms a longer time than he or anyone else had expected, and had gone through a good deal of arduous work, being on duty on hot days and cold wet miserable nights without complaint. The only thing to do was to continue to sit tight and shoot straight and at the termination Mafeking would score a great victory, in fact more than a great victory. It was no doubt true that the British troops were moving slowly but they were moving surely. They had been waiting for their reinforcements, which were now all arriving, and that he hoped soon to hear good news.
After Colonel Vyvyan intimating that those who had any antipathy against the English church service could fall out, the Rev. Weekes proceeded to give us a short military service, at the close of which the square sang "God save the Queen”.
Today the usual Sunday entertainment consisted of an Agricultural and Produce Show, with a prize for the best siege baby. The prize for the latter was carried off by the B.S.A.P., Mrs. Sgt. Brady being the lucky mother. It is almost a pity that longer notice of this sort of competition had not been given, say about March last year, when I have no doubt many would have endeavoured to secure the prize. The Show was no doubt very successful and reflects credit on those who must have worked hard for it.
Vegetables, fruit, sewing work, reminiscences of the siege in the shape of inkpots and other little knick-knacks made from shells, bullets, etc., fired into Mafeking, bulls, cows, oxen, sheep, goats, horses, mules, donkeys, ducks, fowls, etc., although of course in very small quantities, all joined to make a very good show for a three months’ beleaguered town, under shellfire all tire time. If the enemy had seen it, their mouths would have watered.
English parson again had a full house for service this evening and his discourse was taken from the part of the Bible which appropriately tells us that, "We war not against principalities or powers, but the powers of evil are arrayed against us,” or words to that effect. May those evil powers be soon consigned to perdition.
Our autocrat, B.P., today published a decree, prohibiting all and anyone from selling food-stuffs of any description. All such will be taken over by the military authorities and issued as rations -when found necessary. This does not look very healthy. They seem to consider that with the exception of bread-stuffs, we have plenty to last us out for another three months and surely it cannot last longer than that.
Our native boy Oliphant leaves tonight for the north. He takes all our messages together with despatches for the Colonel. If he gets through to Mochudi all right he has got a pass from there for the train and so will go right through to Bulawayo. We all hope and pray that he will get through safely and return with some news. Sent all our messages through Raymer, Bulawayo, who I am sure will see them forwarded all right. Wrapped up all our stuff in waterproof covering and pushed it into a small brass tube with instructions to the boy to throw it away if captured. Staff exceedingly kind in the matter and rendered all possible assistance.
Spent a very nice musical evening at Whales’s house, the siege was almost forgotten with the music, songs, whisky, tea, etc., etc.
Tom did my sentry-go for me last night, or rather this morning, as I was down on the roster for 3.30 to 5.30 a.m. By this little arrangement, I was enabled to keep a previously arranged appointment.
What a glorious day Sunday is to us!