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1899 - Baden-Powell makes a night attack on Boer laager outside Mafeking.
1901 - Sir Ian Hamilton appointed Chief of Lord Kitchener's Staff. Maritz attacks Piquetberg. First sitting of Rand Water Supply Commission.

The diary of Colonel Kekewich:

Enemy guns opened early this morning at very long range at Wesselton and Kums House nr Sanatorium. Many shells fell near Kum’s House. Firing stopped at about 11 am. No damage done.

Enemy commenced shelling again at 5 pm from the ridge near Spitzkof – at very long range – probably over 9000 yards. No damage done.

Mr Rhodes has arranged to try and send a quantity of natives (about 2000) out from the Premier Mine to-night, in the direction of Boshop. If they get through the enemy’s outposts we shall hope to get rid of them; however I doubt many of them doing so.

From the diary of William Watson, Ladysmith, November 1899:

The ball is again opened, that is shells are flying about the town. 7 a.m. Took the children to our cave by the river. Some of the shells burst very near the caves. — A hot rifle fire about three miles off. General French, and his army of 10 000 troops from England, said to be close at hand, but we have heard this several times. Much false intelligence is circulated.

1899 - From the diary of Trooper A J Crosby, Natal Carbineers

Roused at 3 o’clock. Stood to arms until 5 o’clock, cleaning up picket lines etc. Detailed for fatigue at Railway Station, where we had to load up 13 wagon loads of mealies, bran and hay. Dismissed at 8.45 tired out. Shells bursting top end of town and near us during the whole time, but no damage done to any of us. A Naval Lieut, was killed and a mule in town.

1899 - From the diary of Miss Bella Craw in Ladysmith

Here we are all in our cave on the river bank, firing going on all around, Long Tom hard at it. Engagements are going on in three different places, at the foot of the Umbulwana across the river, behind the hill opposite us, and out on the Natal Road way. 'We watched the Carbineers pass through the river just now going out, poor fellows, once again, and they are so cheerful bright and keen. As they went along below the hill, shells were exploding all round them. I could not have believed it possible that anyone could do as we. Here we are, some reading, some sleeping, and others sitting about watching where the shells explode, and any minute the Boers may come round the corner, or a shell burst in our midst, but we never seem to think that possible. We only can't help wondering who is falling now. The rifle firing keeps up incessantly. Left our "burrow" at half past five, thought it safe. a few shells after we got home, but we are getting so used to them now we hardly notice them unless we hear the whiz of the shell overhead. As we were leaving our hole, just stepping up on to the road, some of the Staff passed us, amongst them Colonel Hamilton, Lord Alva, Capt. Vallentine and three or four others. They stopped and Captain Vallentine had a chat with us.

He showed us some of the shrapnel bullets he had picked up that were fired at them. Dr. Currie came up and showed us some that he had picked up too, and we compared. Robert Vause and Mr. Varty came in this evening.

1899 - From the diary of Major George Tatham, Natal Carbineers

Shelling from both sides of town commenced at 8 p.m. A few men were sent out but no fighting took place. Native scouts said Boers were holding meeting.

Source: Diary of the siege of Mafeking by Edward Ross

Tuesday, 7 November 1899

Before daylight this morning a squad was arranged of two hundred of the P.R. with two seven-pounders. They went out early this morning and got within range of the enemy’s laager on our south, opened fire on them with the big guns, and are said to have done considerable damage. After placing thirty shells into the Boer laager and driving the enemy into the open, our fellows opened fire within easy range with their Lee Metfords. They then retired back to the camp under a very hot fire from the Boers. They very nearly lost one of the seven-pounders, as the horses got shot and they had to pull it back with a rope. It must have been a considerable surprise to the enemy who had only just the day previous moved their big gun with this escort and two Maxims. The attack must have had some good results as later on three of the enemy’s ambulances could be seen going round picking up their casualties.

These early morning visits very much annoy Mr. Boer as they gave us a very hot bombardment, making good practice on the buildings, but luckily no casualties. During the afternoon shelling with Mauser bullets flying about.

Our casualties in this morning’s fight were five men wounded including one of the Town Volunteers, and four horses shot. Our casualties up to date are twenty-two dead, twenty-eight wounded.