TOPIC:

1899 - Kimberley siege day 78 (62%). Ladysmith siege day 60 (50%). Mafeking siege day 80 (36%). Plumer reaches Palapye.

In Kimberley:

6 loaded waggons escort of 30 mounted men went from Alexandersfontein to Spyfontein; 2 ambulance waggons passed in the other direction.

As oil candles etc are running short I have decided to issue a proclamation ordering that all lights with certain exceptions are put out at 9.30 pm.

I sent the following messages by search light signal this evening:

“Dec 31st 7 pm No 62 From Int K B To Int M D. Two natives who left Modder River 29th two others who left yesterday arrived here this morning former traveled West of Koodoos Berg latter East of same; all say they saw no Boers but believe them to be in the hills. Micheal will be released and instructed fully concerning mission.

Reported Boers have constructed trip entanglement on large scale iron spikes also driven into ground to hamper cavalry movements; ground scouts no doubt will soon discover if put on guard.”

“From Kekewich, to Genl Methein Dec 31st No 63. Yours of 29th will discontinue trying to send away natives except those required for special jobs and about 200 suffering from Scurvy. Stop. Rhodes opinion that near here only small gardens, grain almost all comes from conquered territory that boys will run away on route there or on arrival. Stop. Think myself some may be employed by Boers for making siege works and entrenchments. Stop. Kindly advise me as to whether it is better under all circumstances to continue try get rid of useless mouths. Stop. When natives caught by Boers near town Boers invariably drive them back, looks as if they did not want them for work.”
“From Kekewich, To General Metheun Dec 31 7 pm No 64. Possibly may be able to raise and equip in a fashion from Town Guard and other sources about 300 additional mounted men. Horses could probably be bought now as private horses have to graze; no forage being available for them. My difficulty is forage, but could arrange forage for 300 additional Military horses till 15th Feb? unless these horses forages now may fall in condition so much as to be of little use subsequently if required. Kindly signal instructions early as possible.”

The following messages were received last night:

“From Metheun, to Kekewich. Following from CSO L of C 31st Dec 194 following telegram arrived from Queen which please communicate to Kekewich. Wire begins. “From Queen to Kekewich Kimberley for communication to Mayor and Council No 557. Dated 30th Dec. Am deeply touched by your kind and New Year’s Greetings. I watch with admiration your determined and gallant defence though I regret the unavoidable loss of lives incurred.”

“From Int M D to Int K B 31st Dec No 57. Your 51 of yesterday my 41 begins your 49 of yesterday noted. The cousin of this agent name Willis NO F H would he or any other good white agent be willing try ascertain number and composition of Boers opposed to us. Very (?) reliable and exact news wanted should be ample name suggested is WILL Harris of D F H.”

Enemy convoys appear sometimes to pass within a mile of Otto’s Kopje. Have arranged for them to be watched most carefully.

At midnight the enemy fired a shell at the Premier Mine Fort which passed a few feet over it. I conclude this was a happy New Year shot.

In Ladysmith:

Most of my day was wasted in an attempt to get leave to visit Intombi. Colonel Exham (P.M.O.) and Major Bateson had asked me to go down and give a fair account of what I saw. General Hunter took my application to the Chief, but Sir George thought it contrary to his original agreement with Joubert, that none but medical and commissariat officers should enter the camp. So Intombi remains unvisited—a vision of my own. In high quarters I gather that, considering the great difficulties of the case, the camp is thought a successful piece of work, very creditable to the officers in charge. Otherwise the day was chiefly remarkable for the unusual amount of firing at the outposts, and the arrival by runner of a Natal newspaper with the news that Lord Roberts was coming out. As it was New Year's eve, we expected a midnight greeting from the Boer guns, and sure enough, between twelve and one, all the smaller guns in turn took one shot into vacancy and then were still.

In Mafeking:

Sports, &c, driving competition, horse-show. I won hack competition.

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

New Year’s Eve. Sunday. Probably we shall have a quiet day. — Standard bank, struck by a shell, a few days since. — Some Boers caught carrying off cattle belonging to their neighbours: tried by court martial, and sentenced to five years hard labour. Wellington had a shorter and more effectual way of dealing with thieves. Prisoners of war were enough for him. — A lot of Mauser rifles, taken in one of the late skirmishes, brought into town. They may be good guns, but they are very ugly, clumsy, illfinished tools. — Rumour says that the late Dr. Hyde’s house, three miles from here, has been blown up by our engineers while full of Boers. I doubt it.

“Right to devoted Caledon,
The storm of war rolls slowly on.”

And a precious slow roll it is, as far as Buller is concerned. — The defenders of an untenable position, that is a house, fortress or other stronghold, are not entitled to quarter, according to the laws of war. It is to be hoped our troops will remember this, when they storm the Bulwan battery. — Maizena, which formerly cost 4 pence a packet, now costs 2/6 a packet. Truly we have much for which to thank that old sinner Gladstone, who has caused this war. — The people who remained in the town, are now supplied with a scanty ration of bread and beef. The latter is by no means what it ought to be, for the cattle are so thin they can hardly crawl, but it is just a case of Hobson’s choice. The corporation supplies the rations. There is not a blade of grass for the cattle to eat, for miles round Ladysmith, and if the herds go too far a field, they are captured by the rebels. — Our fowls are being stolen very rapidly. The town is full of petty thieves.

1899 - From the diary of Miss Bella Craw in Ladysmith

Another long and hard day.. I have been busy cooking all day, "Cookie" is ill. He is too funny, that boy. The doctor told him he would have to go to bed. He came and told me I must come and see him often in his Ward and always bring something in my pocket for him to eat. Poor Mama is not very well. She has knocked up. I think too little sleep, and she is anxious, a too anxious nurse. How I did long to go down to afternoon tea today. Capt. Adams passed when I was on the verandah and asked me to come down, and didn't I long to.

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

Parade at 4 o’clock followed by Church Parade at 6.45. Grazing Horses. Warned for piquet half past five to parade at 6. After rushing dinner down was told I need not go. Went to Church in evening, turning in at 9. - So endeth 1899 with all good and best wishes to those that are dear to me left behind.

What a simply wonderful entry to have made, clearly Crosby's thoughts at the end of this particular day all those years ago, are actually not so dissimilar to my own today, which, interestingly will end in the same way, notwithstanding, I will certainly raise a glass to the memory of the gallant Trooper Crosby and the Carbineers when I return.

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

Parade at 4 o’clock followed by Church Parade at 6.45. Grazing Horses. Warned for piquet half past five to parade at 6. After rushing dinner down was told I need not go. Went to Church in evening, turning in at 9. - So endeth 1899 with all good and best wishes to those that are dear to me left behind.

Good gracious, shelling, inflation and thievery, a terrible combination!

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

New Year’s Eve. Sunday. Probably we shall have a quiet day. — Standard bank, struck by a shell, a few days since. — Some Boers caught carrying off cattle belonging to their neighbours: tried by court martial, and sentenced to five years hard labour. Wellington had a shorter and more effectual way of dealing with thieves. Prisoners of war were enough for him. — A lot of Mauser rifles, taken in one of the late skirmishes, brought into town. They may be good guns, but they are very ugly, clumsy, illfinished tools. — Rumour says that the late Dr. Hyde’s house, three miles from here, has been blown up by our engineers while full of Boers. I doubt it.

“Right to devoted Caledon,
The storm of war rolls slowly on.”

And a precious slow roll it is, as far as Buller is concerned. — The defenders of an untenable position, that is a house, fortress or other stronghold, are not entitled to quarter, according to the laws of war. It is to be hoped our troops will remember this, when they storm the Bulwan battery. — Maizena, which formerly cost 4 pence a packet, now costs 2/6 a packet. Truly we have much for which to thank that old sinner Gladstone, who has caused this war. — The people who remained in the town, are now supplied with a scanty ration of bread and beef. The latter is by no means what it ought to be, for the cattle are so thin they can hardly crawl, but it is just a case of Hobson’s choice. The corporation supplies the rations. There is not a blade of grass for the cattle to eat, for miles round Ladysmith, and if the herds go too far a field, they are captured by the rebels. — Our fowls are being stolen very rapidly. The town is full of petty thieves.