Boar War Letters

Assignment Two

Boar War Letters

Gloria Adams

HIST 306

Dr. Anand

September 14, 2018

November 1899 – Kimberley

Dear Family,

I know this letter will be awhile getting to you because we have been cut off from the outside for several weeks.  

For days we have heard about the Boer’s movements and we now know they have begun the war near Mafeking.  Colonel Baden-Powell knew the war would begin soon so he ordered all the women and children to leave for their safety.  They took the train to Vryburg, which was far as they could go because the Boers were trying to rip the tracks up.  When the train left Vryburg, they could only get to Kraaipan when the Boers attacked and took prisoners.  We don’t know where are taking them or how they are being treated.  The train attacked proved that the war is coming to Kimberley and now we have to get ready for them.  The Colonel ordered more guards and military personnel, barricades to fight from, and make sure we had enough fire power to fight them off or at least to slow them down.  

A couple of nights ago, we were caught off guard when we found out the Boers had ripped the rails up south of Kimberley and north at Riverton Road.  This also cut off our water supply.  We are guessing they are doing this so we will be an easier target and to take over.  The towns people and soldiers were set on water ration.  Martial law was also enforced for the safety of everyone.  

Cecil Rhodes turned up to see how everything was going.  The towns people were not very happy to see him because they blamed him for the troubles with the Boers. They also thought he had or will bring the Boers on them and they wanted him gone.  So, he got together a regiment of men and took off to the mountains.  I have to say he was not what I had expected.  He was a very demanding person and sure of himself.  Being that powerful I guess he would have to be.

Take care and I will soon,

Me

October 1900 – Kimberley

Dear Family,

I have a lot to talk about and I don’t know if I have enough time to write it all down.  We are going out on a scrimmage, which will be about six miles out of Kimberley.  So, I will write more when I get back.  

I am back and it was not great.  We met the Boers not too far from Kimberley and the regiment was peppered pretty hard.  We had a few casualties, but that bad.  The Boers on the other hand got it pretty bad from us.  They ran and the Colonel had to send a platoon out in an armored train to clear them out.  There were some still alive and they surrendered to us.