1900 - Kimberley siege day 107 (86%). Ladysmith siege day 89 (74%). Mafeking siege day 109 (50%).
1901 - De Wet marching south is engaged by Knox at Tabaksberg.
1902 - British Government refuses Dutch Government's offer of mediation.
1903 - Mr. Chamberlain at Kimberley (to the 31st).
In Kimberley:
Enemy fired two shells at Beaconsfield at about6 am and we fired one at Intermediate Pumping Station with “Long Cecil.”
Major Fraser reports from Beaconsfield that several wagons and a gun escorted by mounted men moved from Wimbledon to the South during the night. A native who was sent out by him last night has brought in this report.
Some Cape and other news papers of as late a date as 20th arrived this morning, the last paper we received was one of Jan 10th.
One of enemy’s guns at Wimbledon fired 2 shells in the morning and 1 in the afternoon at Beaconsfield.
Supply committee asked me to meet them to-day, and they represented their views on many matters some of which will be referred to in my telegram of this evening. Of course I gave them no date up to which I had reported the supplies would last, but I said re-inforcements were arriving and I think they went away somewhat reassured.
I sent the following messages by helio or searchlight to-day:
“From Int KB to Int MD. Jan 29 No 148. Last evening at dusk movement of wagons and men from Wimbledon ridge towards South observed. Natives returned to Beaconsfield this morning confirm movement state Boers also moved one gun from Wimbledon ridge with wagons. They state escort was large consisting both mounted and dismounted men, but cannot state numbers.”
“From Kekewich to Genl Methuen. Jan 29 No 149. Met leading merchants this afternoon they represented to me shelling last week and absence of news have upset townspeople. People also feel they have been repeatedly squeezed rations in order to prolong defence. My latest reduction breadstuffs ration does not however reduce same below average public have been drawing during period higher scales in force. Attempt made to obtain from me information concerning probable date relief also movements 6th and 7th Divisions as impression prevails relief Kimberley postponed to ensure relief Ladysmith. Informed merchants that for military reasons would be unwise for me to even hint at probable date relief as also to give information re movement of troops. Assured them that no change in policy re relief Kimberley, also no intention to further reduce breadstuffs ration. Trust you will realize not possible to further reduce rations.”
I received the following during the night.
“From Methuen to Kekewich. G 243. your 146. Reinforcements are arriving daily, but I am not I confidence of C in Chief as regards plan of campaign.”
“From Raymond to Int KB. Jan 29 No I 152. If you can please send news daily. Intelligence Cape wants it and often difficult to get it from Staff here as very busy. I will send as fully as you need.”
I forgot to mention in my diary for yesterday that I sent message to Chief Paymaster giving my requirements for pay etc for February.
In Ladysmith:
The only change to-day was the steady passage of Boers westward, to concentrate afresh round Taba Nyama. Their new laager up the Long Valley had disappeared. Large bodies of men had been seen coming up from Colenso. The crisis of the war in Natal is evidently near. Meantime Kaffir deserters brought in a lot of chatter about the recent fighting. On one point they generally agreed—that Kruger himself was with his men. It is very likely. The staunch old prophet and patriot would hardly stay away when the issue involves the existence of his people.
But when the Kaffirs go on to say that Kruger, Joubert, and Steyn stood together on Mount Moriah (Loskop) to witness the battle, the addition may be only picturesque. It would be well if that were the worst fiction credulity swallowed. One of the head nurses from Intombi told me to-day that the Boers had bribed an old herbalist—she thought at Dundee or somewhere—to reveal a terrible poison, into which they dipped their cartridges, and even the bullets inside their shrapnel! To this she attributed the suppuration of several recent wounds. Of the garrison's unhealthy condition she took no account whatever. No, it was poison. She had heard the tale somewhere—from a railway official, she thought—and believed it with the assurance of the Christian verity. Nearly every one is like that, and the wildest story finds disciples.
Rations are again reduced to-day to the following quantities: tinned meat 1/2 lb., or fresh meat 1 lb.; biscuit 1/2 lb., or bread 1 lb.; tea, 1/6 oz.; sugar, 1-1/2 ozs.; salt, 1/2 oz., and pepper 1/36 oz.
It has also been decided to turn all the horses out to grass, except the artillery, three hundred from the cavalry, seventy officers' chargers, and twenty engineers' draught. These few are to be kept fed with rations of 3 lbs. of mealies, 4 lbs. of chaff, 16 lbs. of grass, 1-1/2 ozs. of salt. The artillery horses will get 2 lbs. of oats or bran besides. In the Imperial Light Horse they are killing one of their horses every other day, and eating him.
In Mafeking:
Good news of victories from the south. It seems as if the tide had turned, and as if Old England, slow as usual, was going to forge ahead at last. Her Majesty's message was received with the deepest satisfaction here. It was a month late, but none the less acceptable for being delayed. Colonel Baden-Powell issued an order, in which he referred to the execution of the spy, and warning all persons, women included, who might be found treasonably corresponding with the enemy, that, on conviction, they would be inevitably shot; also that he regretted having to take such strong measures, but that as the enemy chose to fire on the women's laager, he should confine the Dutch prisoners in a gaol constructed in the laager, so that, if the enemy persisted in their brutality, they would kill their own friends. (It was a curious coincidence that on Sunday, after Saturday's performance, there was a feeling of insecurity in the town, and most people were of opinion that in all probability the Boers would violate the Sunday truce; but when the Dutch women were seen walking about, the feeling of confidence was quickly restored.) In the afternoon the gun bequeathed to us by Lord Nelson commenced firing on the Boer laager at Wessel's Springs, near the head of the waterworks—a range of something over three thousand yards. Her round shot bounded about the veldt through, over, short of, the laager, rapidly dispersing a mounted body of Boers in its proximity; for, unlike a shell, when she strikes, you have by no means done with her. The drill is somewhat complicated, but thanks to an edition of Captain Marryatt's works, we have succeeded in resuscitating this long extinct form of exercise.
