TOPIC:

1900 - Smith-Dorrien in action at Komati River.

Kekewich's diary:

Everything quiet this morning, except that the natives sent out from the Premier Mine were seen in great numbers moving on foot from the Premier Mine direction past Kennilworth. I fear most of them will be stopped and robbed and sent back. They started too late.

During the day about 1000 natives returned, having been driven back by the Boers.

I arranged for a meeting of the most influential citizens as to regulation and control of the food supplies – and appointed a new supply committee. Am issuing proclamation as to all fire arms which were under my 1st proclamation registered to be handed in. I think this is the safest course – under all the circumstances.

I issued notices on the 7th saying that all Africanders could if they wish it, leave the town in accordance with Mr Wessal’s suggestion. There does not appear to be much desire on their parts to do so. Possibly by tomorrow they will make up their minds.

Nevinson's diary from Ladysmith

Fairly quiet day. The great event was the appearance of a new "Long Tom" on the Bulwan. He is to be called "Puffing Billy," from the vast quantity of smoke he pours out. Nothing else of great importance happened. Major Grant, of the Intelligence, was slightly wounded while sketching on the Manchesters' ridge. Coolies wandered about the streets all day with tin boxes or Asiatic bundles on their heads. Joubert had sent them in as a present from Dundee. They were refugees from that unhappy town, and after a visit to Pretoria, they are now dumped down here to help devour our rations. Some Europeans have come, too—guards, signalmen and shopkeepers—who report immense reinforcements coming up for the Boers. Is there not something a little mediæval in sending a crowd of hungry non-combatants into an invested town?

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

The row has started again. The first two shots of the day, have just been fired. — 6 p.m. Today’s fighting has been very similar to yesterday’s and the day before. — We still occupy our cave in the day, and return home to sleep. — Mr Brockbank, who made the shelters, has been very careful, attentive, and energetic. Had it not been for his help, I and my family could not have moved, for my son-in-law has been a cripple for seven years, and cannot walk a step. — The military powers have taken possession of all the food in the shops. We are now supplied with daily rations.

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

Saddled up 3.15. Filed off to stables at 5, cleaning up lines, going to our retreat across the river after breakfast. Several shells fell on the bank and Show Ground, our old camp. Shelling continued up to 5.30. On guard again, mightily sick of it.

1899 - From the diary of Miss Bella Craw in Ladysmith

Another day wasted. Shelling began at about 7 – we had breakfast, then Uncle Bill, Bert and I went up to Sparks Bros, for some provisions. A man called to tell us they had leave from the Military to open for an hour or two for the supply of the civilians. While we were there a shell burst at the Convent, fired from the Umbulwana. That is the third or fourth in that unfortunate place. We had two or three very near our hiding place, today, but they were slow, few and far between. We were returning indifferently. There was a lot of musketry firing as well, but only two squadrons of the I.L.H. were out. Like yesterday though, no loss of life. We heard, of only one wounded up to four o'clock. we hear the Boers have mounted guns all round us. Some say 30 and mean a big attack tomorrow. We watched, with powerful glasses, them loading their big gun on the Umbulwana. It is fortified by a big stone wall, but we could see quite plainly the figures moving about, and when the puff of smoke came out we had time to run to our den before we heard the whiz, and then the explosion. Dr. Rouillard timed one. It took 32 seconds from the time we saw the flash and smoke until the explosion. Everyone predicts a very big day tomorrow.

Source: Diary of the siege of Mafeking by Edward Ross

Wednesday 8th November 1899

The enemy’s German gunners opened fire very early this morning and continued bombarding till about 7 a.m., afterwards sending three or four heavy ones from Creetje so as to prevent us from getting our breakfast.

In consequence of the enemy again firing on our hospital, this time killing a native boy, the Colonel sent out a letter under cover of a white flag to Cronje, expostulating with him and stating that such items would possibly be used against him later on, and retribution would be severe.

A shell burst over the officers’ redoubt this afternoon injuring a coolie on the other side of the road.

We had a very nice rainfall this afternoon pleasantly clearing the atmosphere.