A Journal of the Siege of Kimberley by a Lady

A 62 page manuscript journal in the form of a letter to her brother, beginning the 21st. Oct. 1899 until 22nd. February 1900. A most interesting, detailed and authoritive account. On November 4th. she reports going to the Volunteer Camp at the Sanatorium where Cecil Rhodes is staying. Tuesday Nov. 7th. - the Boers have fired sixty shells into Kimberley but not one of them has done any mischief. I cannot tell what can be the matter with Boer\'s ammunition. Our men are supposed to be fighting outside de Wesselton. I must explain that Wesselton is the latest dicovered diamond mine. Saturday Nov. 11 - a shell went through the roof of the Graham Bar, & burst in the bar-room smashing the bottles and glasses. Saturday Nov. 26 - accounts of an engagement some 2 miles from the town- Boer prisoners being marched through Kimberley, I did feel so sorry for them they looked just like farm labourers & so dirty & starved. Description of the men returning from the battle and passing through the town. Friday Feb. 10 - we are relieved at last - the General (French) & his men left Colisberg on Sunday, journied by train to Orange River, then marched to Kimberley a distance of 80 miles. At 5.30 yesterday afternoon (Thursday) we saw a tremendous dust in the distance miles away, then 3 scouts of the 6th. Dragoon guards, made their appearance on the Alexandersfontein Rd. - Tuesday Feb. 20th - the streets are full of New South Wales Lancers, Queens Lancers, New Zealanders, the Dragoons & the Scots Greys. The writer gives her address as 20 Curry Street and no doubt research will be able to identify her.