Happy New Year, everyone.
...."On Wednesday last week a correspondent at Modder River says: All ranks of the 3rd Grenadier Guards express to their friends their best wishes for 1900. All are well and give good accounts of themselves. The 1st Coldstream send similar wishes to their friends. They are anxious to go forward. The 2nd Coldstreams also forward remembrances to their friends. It is a desperately thirsty country, but they have secured enough liquor in which to drink to all at home. The 1st Scots' Guards send the following greeting to their friends - "Good luck for 1900. Book our tickets for the Paris Exhibition. Congratulations to the new battalion." The 12th Lancers' message is as follows: "A Happy New Year! All well and keen to go on." 9th Lancers: "We drank your health at Christmas. Our stay in this charming watering place is pleasing to the flies and inhabitants. Both bleed us freely. We are living on the best of sand, washed down by chateau Modder. We only regret you are not here to share it."
....On Christmas Day he writes: At midday the whole of the troops were paraded in their respective camps, and gave three ringing cheers for Her Majesty, whose gracious message was received with enthusiasm. The Boers have arranged for the observance of a truce to-day, but the naval detachment is keeping strict watch on their movements. At the slightest sign of aggressive action on their part the naval big gun drops a shell with marvellous accuracy on the exact spot. A white flag is flying over the position. The Garrison is thus enable to enjoy its Christmas festivities without fear of interruptions or alarms."
The Westmorland Gazette, Saturday 6th January 1900
