TOPIC:

1899 - Kimberley siege day 68 (54%). Ladysmith siege day 50 (42%). Mafeking siege day 70 (32%). Warren leaves Cape Town for Natal.
1900 - Meeting of the Burgher Peace Committee in Pretoria.

In Kimberley:

Went carefully over the Beaconsfield defences this morning with a view to additional defence arrangements being carried out.

Firing was heard during the day in the direction of Modder River.

There was a good deal of activity during the day on the part of the enemy on both the North and south of the town. The movement of waggons and men on the South was generally from Syyfontein to Jacob Scotz’s farm and Susanna, but many waggons were passing backwards and forwards.

The following message was sent to-night by search light:

“From Intelligence, Kimberley; To Intelligence, Modder River. Dec 21 7 pm No 37. Kindly acknowledge receipt road sketches Kimberley to Jacobsdal as they reach you and let me know what number of copies you would like. Can we help you in matter of maps. Have any natives sent out from here last night reached Modder River yet. Have you any news of Capt Mac Farlane Black Watch reported missing battles of Magersfontein relative enquiring here.”

I received the following by search light:

“From CSO. To Kekewich. 20th Dec 1729 the rates of pay for Town Guard will be those laid down for Colonial forces.”

I am so glad of this. I have not received direct sanction until now to my application asking that all ranks should be paid at Colonial rates. Up till now they have been receiving 5/- a day and about 10d ration allowance.

In Ladysmith:

"Puffing Billy," of Bulwan, distinguished himself this morning by sending one shot into Colonel Ward's house and the next into the general's just beyond. In Colonel Ward's was a live Christmas turkey, over which a sentry is posted day and night. At first the rumour spread that the bird was mortally wounded; its thigh fractured, its liver penetrated. But about midday public alarm was allayed by the news that the invaluable creature could be seen strutting about and stiffening its feathers as usual. It had not even suffered from shock. The second shot went through Sir Henry Rawlinson's office, which he had just left, and shattered the Headquarters' larder, depriving the Staff of butter for the rest of the siege. It has made a model ruin for future sightseers. Unhappily the general was ill in bed with slight fever, and had to be carried to another house up the hill in a dhoolie. This may have encouraged the Boers to think they had killed him.

It was again a bad day for the heliograph, and the Boers have purposely kindled a veldt fire across the line of light. But I think I got through my thirty words of Christmas greeting to the Chronicle. I tried in vain all day for a Kaffir runner, but in the late afternoon I rode away over the plain, past the racecourse, and through the thorns at the foot of Cæsar's Camp, till I almost came in touch with the enemy's piquets at Intombi. I saw a flock of long-billed waders, like small whimbrel, a great variety of beautiful little doves, and many of that queer bird the natives call Sakonboota, whose tail grows so long in the breeding season that his little wings can hardly lift it above the ground, and he flutters about in the breeze like a badly made kite. Riding back at sunset over the flat I felt like Montaigne when he desired to wear away his life in the saddle. The difference is that in the end I may have to eat my own horse. The shells from four guns kept singing their evening hymn above my head as I cantered along.

In Mafeking:

Quiet day.

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

Situation same as yesterday. — When the military powers condescend to tell us anything, it is so vague and unsatisfactory, without any dates, and assuming that we are fully acquainted with all the antecedent circumstances, (which they take good care we know nothing about) that it is more likely to mislead than enlighten us. I wonder if these military clerks ever went to school. — It seems to me, the General mistrusts the townsfolk, which he need not do for they are all loyal. Of course I don’t vouch for the host of refugees, and we, on the other hand, are not over well pleased with the General, who has starved us for two months. Yesterday, we had a plate of dried beans, boiled and a little pepper and salt. This was our dinner. Of course there was no butter or gravy. However, we had a glass of clean water, and this is seldom to be had. We don’t go in for luxuries. A plate of porridge with sugar, or a cup of black coffee, with a slice of dry bread, are all we can get. The military commanders, care for their own men alone, and as long as these are well fed, the townsfolk may go to blazes for all they care. — The people who take refuge in the excavations on the river’s banks, are called troglodyte conchologists. Troglodytes were the pre-historic people who lived in caves. Conchologists are collectors of shells, though not exactly such shells as the rebels have sent us lately. — As soon as a shell bursts in the town, there is a rush from all sides to secure the pieces. They are not pretty things, being simply lumps of jagged iron 2l/2 inches thick, and weighing from half a pound to 6 pounds each. — Rumour says the rebels have taken ten of our guns at Colenso. I don’t believe it, although I have by no means unbounded faith in our chiefs.

1899 - From the diary of Miss Bella Craw in Ladysmith

A great many shells sent in today. Since ail those men and horses were killed, two men have been set to watch the Umbulwana Gun, and whenever it fires, to blow the bugle, and this gives everyone 21 seconds to get under cover. Big trenches have been dug for them (the men). The General’s House has had a shell in it today, breaking three bottles of whiskey, another in the yard, and one in Colonel Ward's close by, and one in the road in front of the General's, so they have got that range. We will very soon realize now what a siege really means, as they have commandeered our cows for the hospitals. They must have milk for the fever patients. We have managed until now and have a little fresh butter, and with fresh milk for the tea we were doing admirably. But now, the little meat there is is so thin and bad we can hardly eat it, and they (the doctors) are actually talking of making beef-tea from horse flesh, and that's what everyone will have to eat unless we are relieved soon.

Things are almost famine prices. £5 was given for a bottle of whiskey a few days ago, and £3. Potatoes are selling at 3d. each, 2/- a packet of matches, 2/- a lb. for tapioca, 4/- for jam and condensed milk, sugar 6d. per lb., eggs 10/- doz.

Poor Mrs. Hayden came round this evening and said she was tired of herself and life in general. She has sixteen to provide for, mostly War Correspondents. She finds it very difficult to get varied and appetising dishes 'to sit before these kings.

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

Relieved from guard 1.45 a.m. Roused at 4. Mounted parade which was dismissed after roll call. Stables, Breakfasted, horsegrazing 8 to 1. Shell struck Gen. Sir G. White’s house, completely wrecking back portion. The house is situated immediately behind the one we first lived in after marriage.

Oh dear, I'm very much afraid that even Miss Craw, after all she had endured, would very soon be shocked at the inflated prices the new year would bring forth for even very basic consumables, a certain amount of racketeering was "going on" by certain individuals, I dare say, if one was able to fast forward some four decades, or so, they would be referred to as little more than spivs.
Hard times for all those who had to endure, thank God, George White had some bloody good officers of Field Rank to see him through those awful days!

djb wrote: 1899 - From the diary of Miss Bella Craw in Ladysmith

A great many shells sent in today. Since ail those men and horses were killed, two men have been set to watch the Umbulwana Gun, and whenever it fires, to blow the bugle, and this gives everyone 21 seconds to get under cover. Big trenches have been dug for them (the men). The General’s House has had a shell in it today, breaking three bottles of whiskey, another in the yard, and one in Colonel Ward's close by, and one in the road in front of the General's, so they have got that range. We will very soon realize now what a siege really means, as they have commandeered our cows for the hospitals. They must have milk for the fever patients. We have managed until now and have a little fresh butter, and with fresh milk for the tea we were doing admirably. But now, the little meat there is is so thin and bad we can hardly eat it, and they (the doctors) are actually talking of making beef-tea from horse flesh, and that's what everyone will have to eat unless we are relieved soon.

Things are almost famine prices. £5 was given for a bottle of whiskey a few days ago, and £3. Potatoes are selling at 3d. each, 2/- a packet of matches, 2/- a lb. for tapioca, 4/- for jam and condensed milk, sugar 6d. per lb., eggs 10/- doz.

Poor Mrs. Hayden came round this evening and said she was tired of herself and life in general. She has sixteen to provide for, mostly War Correspondents. She finds it very difficult to get varied and appetising dishes 'to sit before these kings.

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

Shelling this day mostly directed upon Brigade Office. 4.7 replied feebly. Two shells struck building in which Gen. White lived and which he used as Brigade Office. The shells this day seemed to be directed especially on this point and were well aimed. The General was persuaded to shift up to Christopher's house on the top of the hill, and General Hunter removed his office to Francis' house, through the poort beyond the ridge. Heard heavy artillery fire at Colenso and towards Monte Christo.