1900 -
....Mr. G. H. Tatchell has just received a letter from Lieut. J. H. Holdsworth, written from Mafeking on 2nd July, 1900, from which the following is an extract:— "Since we left Beira we have had hard work, but really it seems like a tour through South Africa. We stayed 10 days at Beira, transhipping horses and stores, and up to this time have only lost five horses. We were well treated at Beira, which place seems to be built simply of corrugated iron, and a very unhealthy place. We pushed on to Bamboo Creek, and stayed three weeks. This is a regular fever spot, and one of the worst in South Africa. The New South Wales Bushmen lost 65 horses and 105 mules through horse sickness. We then moved on to Umtali, and stayed a few days; then to Marandellas. We then left en route for Maidi with bullock waggons for Buluwayo, and in 24 days did 300 miles, sleeping out at night on the veldt, but were lucky in not having any rain. We passed through a lot of very uninteresting country, and several small towns. Food not very good, but occasionally we shot a buck, and had fresh meat. Buluwayo is a fine town, and I was much surprised at finding such a place in Central Africa. We were made members of the club, and given a banquet or two, although everything was at famine prices. The town is lighted up with electricity. They have a good hospital, and a good many of our officers had to go for a visit, as they had a touch of fever. We have now arrived at the famous Mafeking, and it seems to me really wonderful how on earth Baden-Powell and his men could hold out a week, let alone nine months, as if a determined night attack had been made the Boers should simply have captured everyone. But Baden seems to have been a wonderful man and very much liked by all his men. We are off to Zoerhurst and then Rustenberg, and on to Pretoria. Some time ago I wrote you as to the goods sent by Bendigo ladies to contingents, being used by the Bushmen's Contingent. By a strange coincidence, the parcel you sent to your brother fell to my lot. I kept it as long as I could, but am now wearing the socks and other things and smoking the pipe you sent and the tobacco, but if ever I meet your brother I will square it up with him. I was badly in need of the things, and thought you would prefer me to have them rather than a stranger. As officers we all get on well together, and are kept hard at work. I have lost one stone and a half in weight, but this could be dispensed with, and am very fit now. Nothing will please me more than to have a fight with the Boers, and we will be terribly disappointed if we do not have one soon. I am very pleased to be here. On the whole it very poor country."
Bendigo Advertiser, Saturday 4th August 1900
