1900 - Diary of the siege of Mafeking by Edward Ross
Monday, 19 March
A dummy railway truck was pushed out some distance along the temporary extension towards the brickfields before daylight this morning, and the Wolf taken out to East York fort. They are going to see if they can reach the big gun, and also to attempt to put a shell into the enemy’s relieving parties.
r.30 p.m. 130 mounted men of the enemy, 3 guns, 1 mule waggon and a spider and 4 horses passed from the north and proceeded to McMullen’s laager, followed later (at 2.30) by 8 waggons coming from, and going to, the same direction. This is the crowd that was seen going away last Saturday week towards the north. But people who know the Boer do not consider they have been much beyond the back of Signal Hill. In the first place, the horses came back prancing and as fresh as daisies, and not as if they had come a journey; in the second place, on their arrival at their big laager hardly anybody turned out to welcome their return, as it would be expected if the men had been north to fight Plumer. The conclusion arrived at in camp is that the whole affair was a ruse, and simply planned to get us out. But B.P. is still awake and is not going to spoil the show at the last moment by being taken in.
We have had the usual four or five 94-pounders during the day, doing next to nothing in the way of damage and not hurting even a dog.
Some of the Town Guard sentries are really very funny when challenging anybody approaching in the night. Probably after about an hour’s marching up and down in the quiet stillness of the night, their faculties get slightly numbed and forgetful. For instance, the other evening a gentleman was endeavouring to do his duty, and had arrived at the time when he began to wish it was time to "relieve guard” when he was suddenly surprised by a footfall not very far away, and on the spur of the moment unthinkingly he shouted, "Halt, who goes there?”, and on receiving the reply, "Friend,” said, "Advance friend, and give the signboard.” These little incidents tend to break the monotony of the night watches, and still more interest is added when you find yourself reported to the Town Commandant in the morning. By the bye some of our post commanders are getting themselves disliked during the siege. I suppose they forget that they have to afterwards live amongst those to whom they are making themselves obnoxious. Residents will know very well whom I am referring to. No names, no pack drill. But this is one of the instances. Mr. C.,so after providing a substitute to do his guard, requested permission to attend Masonic duties, but was refused leave. Mr. C. then went straight to the Colonel, obtained leave without a word, and attended Lodge. In the morning Mr. C. was placed under arrest and taken before the Colonel, but the post commander received such a wigging that he will not attempt any more monkey-tricks that way in future. It could have been nothing else but personal spite.
