1899 - Diary of the siege of Mafeking by Edward Ross
Saturday, 16 December
As we thought, a very hot fusillade was poured into us commencing at about 3.15 a.m. and a little later on when it was properly light the enemy’s big guns fired, 12-pounder and a one-pounder Maxim all going together, which with the addition of rifle volleys made things hum, and their hail came round us like a swarm of locusts. Our seven-pounders and Maxims endeavoured to reply, but the enemy being well out of sight we did not do them much damage.
Two Volunteers were had up before the Commandant today charged with a very serious crime, of sleeping on sentry duty. Their characters otherwise being excellent they were let off with a fine of £3 or a month. Quinlan, the station master, was also brought up today before the temporary court, but could have got out on bail if he could have found two securities each of £200, but as yet this has not been forthcoming. De Kock spoke up very well and strongly to the bench in defence of the prisoner, but could not get any better terms.
At about lunch-time today our little seven-pounder was run well out, and opened fire on the Boers’ fort; it fired about 12 shells and then retired. This was only just done to worry the enemy a bit, and show them we were still alive.
Yesterday a poor fellow named Cook who was a convalescent at the hospital after a very severe dose of fever was taking a little exercise up and down the hospital verandah when one of the Boer snipers’ bullets struck him in the chest. He was carried into the hospital and died this afternoon. What rough luck, just after pulling through a severe attack of enteric.
3 a.m. Sunday morning. Total eclipse of the moon.
