1900 - Diary of the siege of Mafeking by Edward Ross
Wednesday, 11 April
Very warm morning altogether; Big Ben opened on us at 6 a.m. and continued firing until he had thrown at us about sixty of his immense projectiles. Near all, however, [were] sent right over the town, their destination being our southern outposts, outside the native stadt. The big gun was assisted by the enemy’s 15-pounder from Jackal’s Tree, and a 9-pounder Maxim also chipping in, nearly the whole bombardment being directed on the same above-mentioned defences. Towards the finish of this severe shelling the enemy made a demonstration about 150 strong, as if to attack that quarter. Abrams’s boys (natives), who were defending, waited quietly until the Boers came within range and letting them then have two or three volleys, bowling over four or five of the enemy. The Boers must have imagined their shells had killed all that part of our garrison, and did not quite expect to be received in this manner. They halted, and as our boys kept up their fusillade, they turned right about face and retreated precipately. A few more volleys into them hit three or four more, making at least 8 or 9 casualties on their side, whilst ours was one, a troop man slightly hit, and one native ditto, and one native woman, tire latter hit rather badly by [a] piece of shell. The boys behaved very well, only being about 20 strong, and the Colonel commanding has mentioned them in general orders this evening.
Towards evening Big Ben again opened fire, this time directing on the town, and during the shelling the look-out reported the enemy were taking down and removing all the tents at the big gun. This looks as if another move is to be made.
It is reported a large number of Boers arrived at their main laager yesterday, apparently from the south. Everybody is wondering and conjecturing what is going to happen next.
The enemy’s gunner at Big Ben is supposed to have been shot on Monday afternoon by Cook of the Volunteers, from an advanced sniping trench. Poor gunners, they are our mark, and do seem to have a warm time of it.
Runners in from the north this morning report having met Smitheman on the road going out so now we know he is safe through.
The Colonel today was a witness from his look-out of a very plucky bit of native work. A boy was in charge of some horses grazing a little distance out beyond Cannon Kopje, when suddenly the enemy ran out their quick-firing 9-pounder and 1-pound Maxim and blazed away at the herd and his charges. The boy, under a very heavy shellfire, rounded up the horses and even turned back and headed off one horse that was apparently frightened and attempted to break away. During the whole time the shells and pieces [were] falling round him like hailstones but he did not seem to mind very much and eventually brought in the whole lot with the exception of one horse that had been badly hit with a shell, and which afterwards died (Armstrong’s pony). The Colonel, I believe, rewarded the boy with a five pound note.
Orders tonight tell us that we may expect a reduction of bread rations from 8 to 6oz. per man per diem. We are supposed to get "Sowens” (bitter porridge made from oats) in lieu of the 2ozs.
Meat is running scarce, no more oxen, only a few cows left. No milk to be bought or sold under penalty of severe punishment, all to be reserved for the hospital. The shoe is beginning to pinch, and still no news from the south. Plumer has retired on Lobatsi, so no help from there.
Tonight ends 6 months’ siege. Tom and I had a drink, 6/worth. Two whiskies.
