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February 10th 12 years 1 month ago #2250

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1900 - Kimberley siege day 119 (95%). Ladysmith siege day 101 (84%). Mafeking siege day 121 (55%). Buller and his main army return to Chieveley.
1901 - De Wet crosses the Orange at Sand Drift and enters Cape Colony.
1903 - 10-17. Mr Chamberlain visits Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth, Graaff Reinet and Paarl.
1904 - Chinese Labour Ordinance passed by Transvaal Legislative Council.

In Kimberley:

Enemy this morning was discovered to have evacuated his position at Barney Martins.

Shelling with the enemy’s six inch siege gun began at 6 am. I sent out about 30 men (who have volunteered for this really dangerous duty) to snipe at the guns at about 2000 yds from Kampersdam. I fear it will not have much effect, and that they will continue to fire at the town.

The present situation is really too sad with thousands of women and children almost dying of fright, and trying to get some place of comparative safety. All my RE Officers and men are working hard to make some kind of bombproof, but of course it is impossible to provide them for 45000 inhabitants,; then there is the great difficulty of issuing food and getting it distributed. There have been the most wonderful escapes, and I only hope we shall continue to be as lucky as we have been hitherto. The men I sent to snipe at the enemy’s gunners at first had some effect as the enemy fired a few shell at them; a truly terrible position, practically out in the open and pounded down upon by a 6 inch gun. The men deserve much credit. Iot appears truly marvellous that there were no casualties.

During the day the enemy fired 46 shells from the 6 inch gun up to 6 pm and 17 between 8 pm and 11.30 pm.

Poor Labram’s funeral stared from the hospital at 8 pm and seemed the signal for the enemy toopen fire; luckily it was a few minutes late, or otherwise a shell which fell in the middle of the Du Toits Pan Road would have gone into the party. It was a very large funeral. He was most popular in the town, and it is impossible to estimate what his loss means to us all.

I have not received the full casualty list for the day, but as far as I can ascertain 2 men of my Regt and 1 of RA wounded, and a horse killed. It is difficult to understand how there can have been so little loss of life.

In the afternoon I had most disagreeable interview with Mr Rhodes, who against my expressed wish and entreaties had assembled a meeting of the leading inhabitants, or rather brought pressure on the Mayor not to do so. Certainly it was a private meeting, but such meetings are very dangerous under the circumstances in which we are now placed. Mr Rhodes was very angry as I said I could not manage owing the pressure of work to send more than a précis of proceedings to Lord Roberts.

A very disgraceful article appeared in this morning’s DFA about which I had to write most seriously to the editor.

In the evening Mr Rhodes sent me by his Secretary, what I call a most insulting message to Lord Roberts. I sent it back and asked that he would kindly reconsider the wording of it. Later in the evening (I think about 10 pm) I received another message for Lord Roberts. I think it is insulting to General Buller, but still nevertheless I will send it in order to avoid a further row.

Very little movement of waggons etc during the day.

With reference to my former remarks about the meeting, I may add that it was a private one assembled at the Mayor’s house, and that last night the Mayor informed me that he understood it would not take place, ie this means that Mr Rhodes did not insist upon it. I was therefore very surprised when I heard it had been held. If I had known it was being moved in any further, I should have done my best to stop it.

The following message was received on 9th Feb but as I could not decode it properly I asked that it might be repeated this however was not done.

“From Ld Roberts, Md to Kekewich KB 9th Feb. Your 184 and 188 am much concerned to hear of enemy’s activity and damage done by their heavy shells. I do hope you will be able to reassure inhabitants. Many days cannot now elapse before your long looked for relief will I trust be effected.”

Following were received to-day.

“From Lord Roberts Modder R To Kekewich. 9th Feb. You must do your best to keep things going a little longer keep me informed (?) of movements of enemy (?) It is most important I should have early news of change in their position. I will try and communicate with you from some point of Kimberley in four or five days time.”

“From Lord Roberts to Kekewich. C 85.Your 192 of yesterday I beg you will represent to the Mayor and Rhodes as strongly as you possibly can disastrous and humiliating effect of surrendering after so prolonged and glorious defence. Many days cannot possibly pass before Kimberley will be relieved as we commence active operations to-morrow. Our future military operations depend in large degree on your maintaining your position a very short time longer and our prestige would suffer severely if Kimberley were to fall into hands of enemy those therefore who counsel surrender now should carefully consider the very serious responsibility they incur from National point of view.”

“From Lord Roberts to Kekewich. Feb 10th C 87. Your telegram of 4 pm yesterday to C of S. Inform me of Rhodes attitude and disposition of affairs after receipt of my telegram C 85 despatched to you this morning.”

From Lord Roberts to Kekewich. Feb 10th. In continuation my No C 87 of to-day. As I understand Kimberley is under martial law you have full power to prohibit by force if necessary any public meeting you consider undesirable under present circumstances and also to arrest any individual no matter what his position may be who may act in manner prejudicial to National interests. I desire you to exercise to the full if necessary your powers as defined above, and you will have my fullest support in so doing. You can assure all who are now apprehensive that we shall strain every nerve to relieve you which will I hope be in a few days time.”

“From Methuen to Kekewich. Feb 9 wish you all good luck. Hope soon shake hands understand message from Lord Roberts C 85 meant to be shown to Rhodes.”

I sent the following messages.

“From Kekewich, to C of S. Feb 10th No 196. Enemy recommenced bombardment with six inch gun 6 am to-day. Nerves of inhabitants much shaken by continuous bombardment last three days. Difficulties being experienced by them fetching daily rations. Necessity for relief becoming urgent. Have not effect. Stop. Mayor Rhodes nine other leading citizens held private meeting to-day before FM;s two messages received. Rhodes Mayor called at my office this afternoon presenting lengthy document for communication by flash to you. Summary of same follows. First answer required whether immediate effort being made relief Kimberley; second duration siege shortness proper food, hardships endured disease prevalent strongly represented. Third consternation destruction of life property caused by enemy’s siege gun pointed out. Fourth their views military situation stated.”

“From Kekewich to C of S. Feb 10th 7 pm No 202. Bombardment continued intermittently to-day. Our only casualties No 5174 Private Thomas Jones I/LNL severely wounded. Enemy’s siege gun fired forty five rounds.”

In Mafeking:

The enemy remained quiet, at least as regards their big gun, yesterday evening, though the now nightly fusillade began about 8 o'clock. This morning they commenced shelling late, and apparently directed their projectiles at the Mill, which works every night, protected by a traverse, at the south-eastern corner of the town. They only fired two projectiles, one of which struck Mr. J. Dall, Town Councillor, and commander of one of the Town Guard posts, full, blowing him to pieces. His wife, poor woman, who was in the women's laager, where the intelligence was abruptly conveyed by a panic stricken Kaffir woman servant, came up semi-distracted, under the escort of the Rev. W. H. Weekes. It was, of course, impossible that she should see him, and the scene was a very painful one for her friends in their endeavours to be of some comfort to her. Musketry and the discharge of field pieces continued all the afternoon, during which we had an exceedingly heavy thunderstorm which flooded some of the uncompleted and advanced trenches, compelling the evacuation of the one within two hundred yards of the Boer main trench, during which operation one of our men was wounded. The others remained there, and sought the best cover from fire they could in its immediate propinquity. Firing continued all round the outposts, at intervals all night and well into the dawn on Sunday morning. Since we have been warned to be ready for four months more siege, the question of food supplies for natives has become very serious. Two of these unfortunate fugitives were shot last night in their endeavours to elude the vigilance of the cordon all round us. It is not the question of meat so much as the question of grain, which is our difficulty.
Dr David Biggins

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February 10th 8 years 1 month ago #45167

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

Still fighting a long way off. This is the sixth day’s battle. — Some soldiers came begging for bread. This is not creditable to a great power like England. Soldiers begging bread it is disgraceful, some of our convalescents, just out of hospital, and who ought to be well fed, say they can not get enough to eat. If they have money, they try to increase their rations, by buying food from the townsfolk, but we are as badly off ourselves, in short we are all starving on a heap. Such as will eat horse flesh, can have it. We do not, so we have nothing but black tea, and a small allowance of bread, generally ship’s biscuits, sometimes mouldy. The soldiers have stolen nearly all my fruit, but I can make allowances now I know how badly they are fed, and how horribly this war has been mismanaged. Very little shooting today. Whether the rebels have retreated, or Buller been routed, is an open question Buller has no easy job. Every man in the republics, has been pressed into their army, so there are probably 100,000 men opposed to our troops. Sunset, a few shells from Bulwan. — Buller is to relieve us tomorrow.
Dr David Biggins

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February 10th 7 years 1 month ago #51900

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

Slept till 8 o’clock, when I was called for breakfast. Same fare as yesterday. Feeling stronger, thanks to a restful night. The few eatables and luxuries left are advancing in price: Eggs 3/9 a piece, 4 lb. potatoes 1 pounds Is, small unripe pumpkins 4/- to 8/-, green mealies 1/- a cob, 1 lb. bar tobacco 1 pound Is, 1 lb. jam 15/- to 21/-, 6 stocks American plug tobacco (3/4 lb.) fetched 1 pound Is a packet. Old Gold cigarettes, usually sold at 3d. changed hands at 13/6d.
Dr David Biggins

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February 10th 7 years 1 month ago #51901

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1900 - From the diary of Miss Bella Craw in Ladysmith

Another day gone. No firing in the distance. A few shells in the town. Everyone seems to think we will not be relieved for some time yet. No news.

The very fact of our rations being cut down again makes us think we are to be here for some time yet.

All our invalids doing well. This evening just before I left Hospital Dr. Buntine came to ask Nurse Bradbury if she would go up to Dr. Currie for a few hours as he was very bad.
Dr David Biggins

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February 10th 7 years 1 month ago #51908

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Imperial troops, actually begging, in itself, does indeed, beggar belief, the stealing, I can understand, but, it does go an awful long way to show, just how appalling the level of privations had come down to during the siege, regarding the final sentence, I would think Mr Watson would be rather disappointed, perhaps, not for the first time.
Dark days indeed!


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

Still fighting a long way off. This is the sixth day’s battle. — Some soldiers came begging for bread. This is not creditable to a great power like England. Soldiers begging bread it is disgraceful, some of our convalescents, just out of hospital, and who ought to be well fed, say they can not get enough to eat. If they have money, they try to increase their rations, by buying food from the townsfolk, but we are as badly off ourselves, in short we are all starving on a heap. Such as will eat horse flesh, can have it. We do not, so we have nothing but black tea, and a small allowance of bread, generally ship’s biscuits, sometimes mouldy. The soldiers have stolen nearly all my fruit, but I can make allowances now I know how badly they are fed, and how horribly this war has been mismanaged. Very little shooting today. Whether the rebels have retreated, or Buller been routed, is an open question Buller has no easy job. Every man in the republics, has been pressed into their army, so there are probably 100,000 men opposed to our troops. Sunset, a few shells from Bulwan. — Buller is to relieve us tomorrow.

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February 10th 7 years 1 month ago #51909

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Thirteen shillings and six pence for a smoke, I suspect todays Secretary of State for Health might actually approve, notwithstanding, I dare say Thomas Atkins certainly did not.

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

Slept till 8 o’clock, when I was called for breakfast. Same fare as yesterday. Feeling stronger, thanks to a restful night. The few eatables and luxuries left are advancing in price: Eggs 3/9 a piece, 4 lb. potatoes 1 pounds Is, small unripe pumpkins 4/- to 8/-, green mealies 1/- a cob, 1 lb. bar tobacco 1 pound Is, 1 lb. jam 15/- to 21/-, 6 stocks American plug tobacco (3/4 lb.) fetched 1 pound Is a packet. Old Gold cigarettes, usually sold at 3d. changed hands at 13/6d.

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