1900 - Diary of the siege of Mafeking by Edward Ross
Tuesday, 20 March
Boers are giving their big gun a bit of a rest, only firing 4 shells today, one of which burst just in front of us, at the market-house, and another at the back of our yard; we are right in a line of their fire, which makes it a bit uncomfortable for us at times.
Dixon’s poor old horse Tranby, which has worked for the firm for over 20 years, was shot right through the foot this afternoon, just above the hoof.
At Dixon’s fort in Molopo road a man named Coulson was shot by a Mauser bullet, right through the chin, and at the back close to the shoulder. The slightest thing seems to glance these bullets off and make them travel in most unaccountable directions.
On going through McArthur’s stuff this morning we found five tins of lard and 26 tins of Transvaal jam. Ryan has kindly permitted us to retain them, so shall realise same on behalf of McArthur.
I saw B,P, this afternoon and requested his permission to allow me to retain the negative of a leaf from his sketch-book. His reply was, "Certainly with pleasure.” Whilst talking to him, a telephone message was handed him by Capt. Wilson from Cannon Kopje. He read it out. “Party of Boer horsemen proceeding from enemy’s laager towards Jackal Tree, followed by a tent-waggon.” He turned to Captain Wilson saying, "Tell C.K. they are 'lawyers’, it is a cape cart following.” It seems he had just been on the roof and spotted the same tiring, and although C.K. was a mile nearer the objects, his excellent glasses enabled him to see better than they with their telescopes.
Very heavy showers of rain this afternoon and welcome it was, filling all our tanks again with good wholesome water.
Notice was put up at Dixon’s by the staff this morning, giving us news of another possible capture of a large party (14 000) of the enemy somewhere near Bloemfontein. If this turns out true, we estimate the Boers will have already lost nearly 30 000 men all told, which must be quite a third of their army.
They are indeed fighting far better than anybody ever expected, and have been no mean adversary for even so great a nation as the British Empire. They also tell us that Plumer had a bit of a brush with the enemy at Lobatsi, and drove him off.
