TOPIC:

1900 - Kimberley siege day 90 (72%). Ladysmith siege day 72 (60%). Mafeking siege day 92 (42%).
1901 - Beyers attacks Kaalfontein and Zuurfontein.

In Kimberley:

Very sorry to see from a Midland News dated 9th Jan received this morning that Karumen has fallen. It appears that the enemy took guns to attack it.

Some loaded waggons were seen during the day proceeding from Spytfontein direction towards Susanna. Upt o date they have always been empty when proceeding in this direction.

The enemy fired during the day at the Premier Fort from Olifantsfontein work; from Alexandersfontein at Davis Heap with a Nordenfelt and from Kampersdam at No 1 Kimberley (searchlight).

A few men were working at each redoubt on Carter’s ridge during the day, not sufficient at any time to waste a ring shell on.

There was a good deal of sniping at the cattle guard during the day and in the evening the vedette between the reservoir and Carter’s farm received a good deal of attention at long range; luckily there were no casualties. In the afternoon there was a large trek of waggons and cattle from the North past half way house Barkly Rd towards the west of Carter’s ridge. It consisted of 51 waggons 200 oxen and some mounted men. Numbers of the cattle could not be estimated. 200 mounted men were seen entering Carter’s farm at bout 7.30 am.

A number of mounted men (estimated at 400) were seen to South of Spitzkof. One if not two rockets were fired in the direction of Dronfield during the night, the first at about 8.15 pm the latter at 1.15 am but there seems to be doubts if this last one was fired at all.

I sent the following messages by searchlight during the evening.

“From Int K B to Int M D Jan12th No 97. Reply to yours Jan 11th I 48. Remainder of my message reports all piers of bridge are intact but rails have been removed from bridge.”

“From Int K B to Int M D Jan 12th 7 pm No 98. Boers appear to be forming very large laager about five miles West of Kimberley. Seems necessary preparations be made to meet situation of enemy making feint against Modder River, whilst they draw off very large for attack on Kimberley. Different class enemy this border but Ladysmith experiment may be repeated in view of untruthful reports which are sure to be circulated amongst Cronje’s commandos.”

“From Kekewich To Metheun. Jan 12th No 99. Your signals from Graspan not seen here. Ridge believed to be Vaal Kop visible from Kimberley Reservoir; its bearing is 245 degrees magnetic. If you cannot signal to us from Vaal Kof still consider it important I should be able to signal to your balloon at intervals during day.”

“From Kekewich, to Director of Supplies. Jan 12th. Have agreed with De Beersto replce stores and forage taken over from them for use of inhabitants civil and military.

In the afternoon w got into Helio communication with the relief column. It is necessary to use a telescope which will be inconvenient; however it is most important getting into communication. I expect a search light message to-night to say at what time we are to begin signaling with helio to-morrow. Kampersdam fired a shell or two during the afternoon, and we did ditto from No 1 Kimberley and from Otto’s Kopje. Enemy is strengthening his numerous works on Carter’s ridge and at the Sanitary pits. At about7 pm I saw 2 large waggons move from the direction of ½ way house Barkly Road to just in rear of the crest, and close to the new works.”

The following were received during the night.

“Jan 12th No I 57. Information here enemy have in position against you 700 and that against us are 9000 in position from railway cottage to Jacobsdal. What your opinion – SPDAL.”

In Ladysmith:

A quiet day again. Hardly a gun was fired. Wild rumours flew—the Boers were trekking north in crowds—they were moving the gun on Bulwan—all lies!

I spent the whole day trying to induce a Kaffir to risk his life for £15. A Kaffir lives on mealie-pap, varied by an occasional cow's head. He drinks nothing but slightly fermented barley-water. Yet he will not risk death for £15! After four false starts, my message remains where it was. The last Kaffir who tried to get through the Boers with it was shot in the thigh by our pickets as he was returning. That does not encourage the rest.

In Mafeking:

A Boer attack on Fort Ayr. They galloped wildly fifty yards in advance of their trenches, about one thousand live hundred yards from Fort Ayr, and indulged in a fantasia, but never came any nearer. Their guns, however, five, twelve, and one hundred pounders, shot very straight and shelled for two hours. Our casualties, one man wounded, since dead.

From the diary of William Watson, Ladysmith, January 1900:

Tolerably quiet. No shells yet. Just a few maxims firing in the distance. — On the 21st of December, it was rumoured here, that the rebels had taken ten big guns from Buller’s army. This was authoritatively denied. Nevertheless it turns out to be true. — Matches sixpence a box, and only to be had as a great favour. Before the war, the price was 6 pence a dozen boxes. — No shells today or yesterday. What can it mean! I think they may have left us for the present, and gone toward Colenso, to reinforce the rebel army that is barring Bul- ler’s advance. General Buller is in possession of what the powers call Tugela Heights. We heard that a month ago. Why cannot the chiefs tell us some interesting news, such as “Queen Anne is dead,” or that the Dutch have taken Holland, or that Lord Methuen has taken Umbrage. During the war between France and Prussia in 1870, a correspondent of one of the London newspapers, wrote that General Von der Tann, who commanded the Bavarians, had taken umbrage. Now the English, not being a well educated people like the Scotch, at once jumped to the conclusion that umbrage must be some French town of importance, whereas the correspondent only meant to say that Von der Tann had got the sulks about something or other.

1900 - From the diary of Trooper A J Crosby, Natal Carbineers

Roused 4, parade at 4.30, offsaddling at 7. In search of Kitty who cleared from the picquet line yesterday afternoon. Turned up on her own accord in the evening minus headstall.

1900 - From the diary of Miss Bella Craw in Ladysmith

Nothing again today. Firing in the distance. Sickness rife. We have sixty patients tonight, and all our orderlies but one are sick. We are always so dreadfully tired at night that I feel unable to write. Mama, I am glad to say, is progressing nicely, only she is very weak. As soon as the line is open again we will get her and Wilfrid away for a change.

A most interesting entry to have actually made, I dare say the enemy had realised the enormity of their task and I particularly like the analogy made with that awful wretched Wagnerian monster that was Baron Von der Tann, or indeed just "Ludwig" which I much prefer, thankfully he did not live too long, to inflict himself further upon the civilised world.

djb wrote: From the diary of William Watson, Ladysmith, January 1900:

Tolerably quiet. No shells yet. Just a few maxims firing in the distance. — On the 21st of December, it was rumoured here, that the rebels had taken ten big guns from Buller’s army. This was authoritatively denied. Nevertheless it turns out to be true. — Matches sixpence a box, and only to be had as a great favour. Before the war, the price was 6 pence a dozen boxes. — No shells today or yesterday. What can it mean! I think they may have left us for the present, and gone toward Colenso, to reinforce the rebel army that is barring Bul- ler’s advance. General Buller is in possession of what the powers call Tugela Heights. We heard that a month ago. Why cannot the chiefs tell us some interesting news, such as “Queen Anne is dead,” or that the Dutch have taken Holland, or that Lord Methuen has taken Umbrage. During the war between France and Prussia in 1870, a correspondent of one of the London newspapers, wrote that General Von der Tann, who commanded the Bavarians, had taken umbrage. Now the English, not being a well educated people like the Scotch, at once jumped to the conclusion that umbrage must be some French town of importance, whereas the correspondent only meant to say that Von der Tann had got the sulks about something or other.

1900 - From the diary of Major George Tatham, Natal Carbineers

Few Long Tom shots - no damage. Helio is clear with Buller's helios visible on Spearman's Hill.