1899 - Diary of the siege of Mafeking by Edward Ross
Tuesday, 23 January
7a.m. Bells going denoting the Boers are about to commence their usual morning bombardment, but as a rule they stop for a little while about breakfast-time and we have that in peace.
They have removed their 12-pounder to a new position at Game Tree and are now shelling the town from there also. This is not very nice as nearly all the entrances to our dugouts face that way.
The enemy can be seen forming up a new laager north-east from the town, out from the hospital, and large bodies of them have trekked round from Jackal Tree to this new position.
A white flag came in yesterday bringing a letter from Snyman, saying that if our men were again seen working in the trenches on Sunday mornings he would fire on us. B.P. replied saying that last Sunday he was very much interested in watching them repair their own trenches. Nobody in town knew anything about our men working on Sunday. It is also stated that Snyman sent word to B.P. saying he had armed his kaffirs on purpose to defend themselves against the looting of our natives. But it is commonly known in town that Snyman has armed the whole of the rebel Baralongs numbering about 3 000 men and that he will use them for attacking the town if the slightest opportunity rises. They would be pushed in front as a buttress for the Boers to make some more of their half-hearted attacks, and will be far harder to drive off than double the number of Boers.
I don’t for one moment like to appear pessimistical but I am afraid our real troubles are only just about to begin, and that serious developments will be seen within the next fortnight.
Cash for paying labour is now running scarce and the Chief Paymaster has been compelled to issue coupons, face value of 1/-, 2/and 3/ redeemable by the Imperial authorities.
The licenced victuallers of the town had a meeting and interviewed B.P. as to their premises being put on rations and their stocks commandeered. B.P. told them he thought a lot of unnecessary food-stuff was being used up by them, especially at their Sunday dinner business, but after they pointed out that a wrong impression had been formed B.P. gave them permission to continue as usual, for the time being at any rate.
Captain and Lady Sarah Wilson have both been very seedy and have removed from their dugout to the convent, considering this safer since Lady Sarah’s hole was struck, and a little dirt knocked off.
