WITH A CONVOY UNDER FIRE IN THE TRANSVAAL
From Dawn of the Day Magazine No. 290 Feb 1902
By Miss Hetty Bridger

February, 1901

Sunday 10th
I little thought what was in store for me on that bright Sunday morning when I got up, and never for a moment did I think that my visit to Ermelo was at an end. I had been living in Ermelo ever since the war began in October 1899, with my sister and brother-in-law, who was a doctor. We had been shut up in the Transvaal with no chance of getting away, and had been through most exciting and disagreeable times, especially when the food became so scarce and we lived on meat and mealies. At present the British were in possession of Ermelo. General French's force had arrived there on Wednesday and was leaving on the following Monday. (This was the third time the British had been through.) A convoy was leaving for Standerton the next morning at 4 a.m. The convoy was chiefly of Boer women and children and those people the British preferred not to leave behind them, and a few British subjects who wished to go. My brother-in-law thought this would be a good opportunity for me to escape out of Ermelo and get down to Durban, and especially as a friend of his (an Englishman) was going, and was allowed to travel in his spider, in which he promised me a seat, and also kindly said he would do his best to look after me. My brother-in-law himself could not come, as he had a number of British wounded to look after, and my sister would not leave him. The British were not going to leave any garrison behind them, so everyone knew the Boers would be back again, and then pretty hard times were expected.

The Convoy

Monday 11th
At last all my good-byes were said, and at one o'clock Mr C. drove up in his spider to take me to the camp, where the convoy started from, which was about fifteen minutes from my sister's house. I shall never forget my first sight of it. There, standing on the wide expanse of veldt, were what looked like hundreds upon hundreds of ox-wagons (in fact, I learnt afterwards there were about 260). There they stood with oxen ready in-spanned for starting. The wagons (drawn by twelve or sixteen oxen) were very large, and generally had tents over them, a few being half-tented, or without tents at all. Sitting in some of the wagons were numbers of Boer women and children, a rather dirty and rough-looking lot, I thought. The women had very little of their faces showing, except their eyes and noses, as they are so afraid of getting sun-burnt. They wrap up their faces in handkerchiefs until they look like mummies. They also wear thick gloves to keep their hands from getting burnt. On other wagons were piled up household goods of every description. There were several Red Cross wagons, among them, taking some British wounded to Standerton. Riding in and out among the wagons were the conductors. They added a good deal to the babel of voices, as they were first shouting to the blacks in Kaffir, and then to each other in English, and now and then speaking Dutch to the Boer women. Kaffirs were talking and laughing away with each other. I never heard anyone talk and laugh like a Kaffir.

They simply throw back their heads and roar, and as for their tongues, they are never still for a moment. I did not see many of our escort, but I heard they were to join us a little way outside the town. As I saw all these wagons packed so closely together, I wondered however they would get them started.

The Start

At last, about two o'clock, everyone had to be in their places in the wagons. The Kaffirs began to shout and crack their long whips (there are about; three or four Kaffir drivers to each wagon), and we began slowly to move. We had to go in single file through the town, the first wagons being through and started on the hill opposite before the last one had even entered it. We were four miles in length. As I watched the wagons jolting over the stones and ant heaps, sometimes nearly sending the occupants flying out if they were not prepared, I was thankful I was in a spider. We were ages in getting through the town; the wagons were always getting stuck in the sand and sluits, and then they had to wait for each other. All the British that were left were there to wish us God-speed and a safe journey. The majority of the Boer women did not appear much upset; they seemed to take it as a matter of course that they were leaving their homes and country. Just as we passed the mill it was blown up. This was done by order of the British to prevent the Boers grinding any more mealies. The miller was standing by, and; as we passed (I knew the man) he shouted, "Good-bye, and good luck to you"; then, "Look, my poor mill is gone, it will never work again." One could not help feeling sad. I wondered what the people would do when the mealies they had were finished.

At last we began to leave Ermelo behind us and climb the hill that leads towards Standerton. We could see the British force winding its way in the opposite direction, as it was leaving the town for another part of the Transvaal. When we got well outside the town, the wagons came closer together, and we left the road and struck across the veldt, going at a very slow pace. We trekked on until it was quite dark (they never trek at night as they wished to reach a place called Kaffir Spruit that night; the British were encamped there and a part of our escort waiting for us.

A Peaceful Night

Towards evening it came on to rain, and I was beginning to feel very tired, hungry, and miserable, and was very glad to hear the sentinel's challenge and see the watch fires. The Boers had not appeared on the scene so far. Then it was hard work to find the wagon I was to sleep in with two other women. It had my mattress and rugs for the night in it, so I was very anxious to find it. Mr C. wrapped me in his big coat, and we went hunting among the wagons to find the one I wanted. It was fearful, so dark, and only now and then we got a little light from one of the wagons, as they all had the buck sails over them to keep the rain out. I kept stumbling over things and having to clutch hold of my companion's arm to keep up. Then we would go peeping under the sails and every now and then come across a sentinel, but at last we had to give it up as a bad job. Mr C. thought it best to find another wagon for me to sleep in, so he introduced me to another lady, who at once said I should sleep that night in her wagon. So I was hoisted up (they are such a way from the ground and have no steps), and I found myself for the first time in an ox-wagon.

It looked very comfortable inside after the wet darkness outside. A mattress was spread on the bottom, with pillows and rugs, and a buck sail was pulled over the opening so no rain could get in. A little lamp was hanging in the centre, so we could see well all over the wagon. Mrs B. was most kind; she made me take off my damp shoes and lie down, while she with a little spirit lamp was making some nice hot tea. I watched her with very longing eyes, and when I saw her beginning to eat some white bread and little cookies I felt quite excited. You see I had not tasted nice white bread for months. Then I had placed before me a mug of beautiful hot tea and some bread and marmalade; it was a feast fit for a king, I thought. I never enjoyed a meal more. Then my kind friend made me lie down again and tucked me in telling me to try and get some sleep, as we would be trekking again by daylight. It was a long time before I could get off; everything was so new and strange and such funny sounds going on all around us. We could hear the soldiers speaking to each other, and one could tell they were keeping a sharp look-out for the Boers, and I wondered if we would be attacked. Mrs B. said they always had to .be prepared for that at night, as the Boers were supposed to be pretty near to us.

Morning on the Veldt

Tuesday 12th

It was very strange waking up on this first morning of our trekking. I could not think at first where I was, but one was soon reminded by the shouting of the soldiers and Kaffirs outside. We were then told we would not be starting until six o'clock. But it was no good to stay shut up the wagon. It was a lovely bright morning, and not hot yet; the mornings on the high veldt are just perfect. So I thought I would get up and go out and see what was happening. I won't say I dressed; I never undressed. You could not do that when trekking in war time. You never knew when you might be called up or ordered out. But I did hope we could get a little water to wash our hands and faces in. When I asked Mrs A. if she could tell where I could find a little, she looked at me and laughed "You can't get water to wash in. We can only get a little to drink. Our only chance of washing is if we stop at some spruit. It does seem fearful but we shall have to put up with it until we reach Standerton." "When are we expected to get there?" I asked. " In about five or six days and some say more, but of course it all depends on the Boers." 'How fearful it seemed not to be able to undress or wash properly for just upon a week! With this I had to be content and go out. I felt very dirty and nasty, as we had ridden through so much dust the day before. I could see now much more of our convoy and what it was like. Our wagons were all formed up as it were in a square. This was in case we were attacked. The spans of oxen were all kept near their different wagons, so as they could be in-spanned at a moment's notice. I also saw many soldiers and two or three cannon; this was our escort. I was told there were about 800 soldiers. Around us and as far as the eye could see was nothing but the bare veldt dotted with ant heaps. One can hardly describe the veldt, it is so vast. It is just like looking at the sea; you can't see the end of it, it seems to go on for ever. I could see our scouts a long way out, and we got word from them that a force of Boers was on in front of us, and would most likely attack us as we advanced. In a short time Mr C. came up and asked me to come and have some breakfast, which I was not sorry to do; the keen air had given me an appetite. I had for my breakfast a good slice of bread and jam, just such a piece as you-would see the village children eating on their way to school, but I tried not to make my face as sticky as those little things, as I remembered I could get no water to wash it. But all good things come to an end, and by the time I had finished my bread and jam it was time to be starting.

The Attack

I was quite nice and comfortable in the spider. I had a cushion to lean against and a tent over my head. I felt travelling like royalty. When we started again I saw what a number of cattle, sheep, and horses we had with us; they were driven by Kaffirs. There must have been thousands of them; some had been collected as we came along. We had not gone very far before the Boers began to give us trouble, by trying to get near to attack the convoy. The order was given to halt, and all the wagons were drawn up close together and the cattle and horses brought in. It was vastly exciting.

"What is going to happen?" was the question asked. "We are expecting an attack," was the hurried answer. Then everyone would be soon looking in one direction, those that had glasses with them using them, our wounded men who were able to stand looking on with great interest. Then there would be a shout of "Hurrah! - here come our men." "There go the Boers, give it to them." I stood up in the spider and watched. I could distinctly see parties of Boers. Now and then you would see one get off his horse and take aim at one of our men. Crack! you would hear the rifle go, but I am thankful to say none of them got hurt that day. The horses seemed quite to enter into the spirit of it all; they always seemed ready and eager to dash forward. Then there would be a whiz, and over our heads would go a British shell in the direction where the Boers were seen. Whiz would go another and another; you could hear the strange whirl they make when cutting through the air and see them burst and the Boers making off as hard as they could go. Then some of our artillery would dash past and get closer to the Boers, then the pom-poms would be heard. 'You can tell a pom-pom anywhere, the firing of it is so quick; then crack would go the rifles again. This lasted for about an hour. I was very excited watching it all; first our men would be after the Boers, then the Boers after them, then when they were well clear of each other whiz would go a shell from the British to where the Boers were supposed to be. The Boers had no big guns with them then, they were running about too much. When the enemy seemed to have been repulsed for a little while (we all knew they would be at us again before long), the order was given to advance, so on we went again.

It was amusing to see the costumes of some of the Boer ladies; great swells in their own way some of them were. One lady had a very elaborate mauve sunshade, which she held up on every possible occasion. I am afraid it would not be good for much at the journey's end. Other women had very old things on - rags, in, fact. Their children also, such; funny little urchins, would occasionally get down from their wagons and take a little run round, but this was not allowed much while moving. But in spite of all they seemed well and happy.

Whenever, as we passed a farm, a stray horse was seen, there would, be a rush to bring the animal in, and the farm garden would be searched: for peaches. All the farms we passed were deserted. There was also a hunt for firewood. I remember seeing one little Boer boy dragging along by a string a beautiful drawer out of some handsome chest. He was going to use it for firewood, I suppose.

About mid-day the enemy seemed as if they were going to leave us in peace for a while. A halt for two hours was called so that we could get dinner. Then a strange scene began, at least, to me. The Boers were allowed as much meat as they liked, but they must see about killing it, and not expect the soldiers to do it. Mealie meal, tea, and sugar were also given out. There was no attempt at arranging any sort of table. They would have their forks and knives and plates; some would use their fingers and would sit down on the veldt, and go at their meal with a will. I expect the poor things were hungry. The Boer women kill their own sheep when no Kaffir is handy. They run after them, catch them, and kill them.

Washing under Difficulties

We halted near a spruit, and now it was possible to wash; so I and my two wagon companions armed ourselves with towels, soap, brushes, etc., and marched off. It was rather an awkward place, as it was down a steep bank, the water did not look very inviting, but still it was water. We had anything but a quiet toilet; every now and then we had to get out of the way of an army of mules that would come rushing to get a drink, and there would be a herd of oxen from the other side making a raid through the stream. Farther down all the guns and ammunition wagons were thundering through. But we managed to finish and make ourselves feel cleaner, and could wait in patience for what the morrow would bring forth.

We soon started to trek again. We traveled pretty quickly, as we wanted to get to a certain place before dark; the Boers would not leave us in peace. Several times we were formed up in fighting line, and the shells and pom poms did their work all around us, I was too excited to feel the least bit afraid. That night an attack was expected, as the enemy had kept near us all the time until quite late, and it was known they could not be far away, so we were formed up in attack order.

Sniping

Wednesday Feb 13th
The night passed, however, without the expected attack coming off. We were awakened early by the sound of firing. The British were shelling a kopje in front, of us to clear the way before we advanced. The Boers must have been near us last night as I was told they had stolen about one hundred sheep from us. We were able to get about a cupful of water to wash in, which was a luxury. We began our trekking again about 7.00 a.m and had a very lively time of it. The Boers started early to worry us. We had not gone far before we formed up in battle array as near to our big guns as we could be, then 'whiz' the shells went, again. It was most interesting watching them burst, throwing up the dust around them and the Boers flying for their lives. Then the pom poms were brought up and they did their deadly work. Several of the enemy were seen to fall from their horses, if hurt or not we could not be quite sure. We also had a good deal of rifle firing. Then the order would be given to advance again. I felt very sorry for the poor cattle and horses that were driven along with us, more and more being added to their number, the bellowing of the cattle and bleating of the sheep were heard all around us. A good many dogs were also following the convoy. Several times horses were brought out and shot. This was by far the kindest thing to do if the poor things were wounded, as if left behind they would only die of starvation on the veldt.

We were sniped at all the way, and traveled very slowly on account of the Boers being so troublesome. We expected to meet another convoy tomorrow which would bring some more provisions, as our food supply was rather short. We halted this night at a place called "Uitkejk" which means 'Look Out'. It is a place fifteen miles from Standerton. There was another small British camp here. An Englishman was shot the day before by the Boers while riding with dispatches from Standerton to the camp. They had just buried the poor fellow before we arrived; it made one feel very sad, it also showed that our enemies were very near.

Kruger money and English stamps

Thursday 14th
This was our fourth day of trekking and we were not in Standerton yet. A shell went off early this morning, but we thought nothing of that by this time. Then we heard we not going to trek that day, but stay where were. The Colonel would not advance as the convoy they expected had not arrived. There were all sorts of rumours going about. There was one that the convoy had been captured, another that we were surrounded by 4,000 Boers, none of them very pleasant to hear.

The Tommies were great on trying to Kruger money. One old Boer woman said at the beginning of the war she was going to collect English stamps. When asked why, she said: "Oh there won't be an England left after this war, so they won't want any stamps." I think she must have changed her mind by now. Our scouts were a long way out and our artillery in front and behind us, all on the look out. The Boers were evidently near us, as they could be seen and firing going on all the time. It turned out to be a fearfully hot day. One did not know where to go to get any shade. There are no trees on the veldt. Some of the soldiers had got a little water and were washing some clothes. I think this must have struck the Boers as strange. I thought I would like to go for a little walk so another woman and I started on a little stroll. We had not got far before a soldier advanced and said "The Provost Marshal's orders were that no one was to walk about so far" after that I subsided. I was struck with the fondness of soldiers for animals. While I was in their tent they brought me a dear little fat puppy they called "Picaninny." We had fine games together. There was also a little kitten; she used to sit on the gun carriages sometimes, quite a military kitty. But what amused me most were the hens that travelled with the convoy. When trekking these were put into a cage, but when we halted for any time they were let loose.

A Night Attack

It was hoped in the afternoon we would be allowed to move, but no such luck. The orders were to remain where we were for that night, which turned out to be one of the most exciting we had had. It was about nine o'clock and quite dark. We were getting ready for bed. Our wagon stood near the top of the square. We heard a rifle go off; it sounded just near to our wagon. "Whatever is that?" we said and listened. We had not long to wait. In a moment there seemed to be a volley over the wagon. Then we knew the Boers were attacking the camp, were quite close up to it. Oh it was exciting! There was a cry "All lights out and out had to go our candle and we sat there in the darkness, firing going on all around and over us. We were told to get under the wagons for safety but it was hard work to find one's way out from under the buck sail in pitch darkness. I got stuck and could not get down until someone came to my rescue and lifted me to the ground. It was most strange lying there under the wagon and hearing volley after volley being fired. The Boers attacked on all sides. On the whole the women were very quiet. Some were very frightened and no wonder; it was rather startling. We had to try and keep quiet so as not to give the Boers no clue to our whereabouts more than we could help. It was a cowardly thing to attack the convoy like that knowing it consisted chiefly of their own women and children and wounded men. It did not last very long. The Boers were driven off, and it was thought safe for us to return to our wagons.

Standerton

Friday 15th
When we awoke on this Friday, our last day of trekking, it was a misty cold morning. We started to trek about 5.30 a.m. We would soon be in touch with the guns from Standerton, then it was thought our faithful friends would leave us. They were still sniping away at us. One our men got wounded in the leg. A poor Tommy was carried by on a stretcher, taken to one of the Red Cross wagons; poor fellows, their pluck and endurance were just splendid. I admire the Tommy. Some bullets went over an officer's head just behind where we were. The Boers were getting as close as they dared for the last assault. Later on I got into the spider again and we trekked slowly until one o'clock, when we had a halt of an hour and a half to partake of breakfast and dinner in one. We were soon off and Standerton came in sight. I think everyone was glad. I am sure the soldiers were. It was an anxious job guarding such a large convoy and especially now when the Boers are getting desperate for food and clothing.

Standerton looked a regular little South African town, dotted down on the veldt. There are some hills round about it, and on some of these are placed the British guns, and these reach a long way across the veldt to protect convoys and their troops when entering the town.

We began to enter Standerton in the evening. We went in a long line, single file, all the inhabitants turning out to look at us. Everywhere you turned you saw nothing but tents; some of these were the military camp, others the hospital and refugee camps. Every man you saw seemed to be a soldier. It looked a very war-like little town. As we passed by the people all standing staring at us, I felt like being in a wild beast show. I don't think we looked much better. I know my face was in a fearful state from the sun, and we must have looked a very dirty, untidy lot. As we passed the jail, we had to halt and were asked what we were. We answered British subjects, and were allowed to pass on. We went over a bridge and then on to the refugee camp, a strange looking place, it was on a sort of common just outside the town; there were numbers of wagons and all sorts and conditions of people. Mr C. found some friends in camp, so we went and had tea with them. They had plenty to eat as the baker and grocer came to the camp for orders everyday. We felt rather like prisoners as sentinels were posted about us. It was quite dark before all the wagons were brought in and places found for them.

In Camp

Saturday, 16th
We were awakened ever so early by the shouting of the Kaffirs and the jolting of our wagons; it was fearful. Every minute I thought we should be over. It was like a great earthquake going on. They were moving our wagon up to the camp, and first they had to get it out of the drift we had stuck in. We finally reached our position in safety. Mr. C. arrived at 8.30 and we drove off. Before we crossed the bridge a sentinel asked us for our passes, which we gave, and then were allowed to proceed. Mr C. found some friends in Standerton, and they most kindly said we were to go and stay in their house, and not go back to the camp. Our boxes were to be sent up. This was joyful news. We did some shopping. I bought some shoes; my own were quite worn out. We also sent some telegrams off to our friends in Durban. They all had to be censored before they were sent off. The shops were not very grand, but I was able to buy some things I very much wanted. In the afternoon our boxes came from the camp and Mr C. came to say we would not be off that day but by the mail train next day (Sunday). I was glad to have one day of rest before we on our travels again.

After Two Years

Sunday 17th
I got up on Sunday morning, feeling very fresh and jolly and ready for anything. We got our passes in the morning and drove to the station about three o'clock. Two other of our convoy friends also got off by the same train. There were a good many people on the platform, chiefly khakies and poor refugees like ourselves that were off to Durban. Most of the people had to wait longer for their passes. At 3.30 the train arrived, and we were off. It seemed quite strange to see a train again after being shut up for just two years. I wondered if we should be attacked. The Boers were always trying to wreck trains. All the way along the line we kept on passing small camps with a few soldiers to guard the line. They seemed very close together. The train did not travel very quickly. Going through the Transvaal the scenery was not so interesting, but of course as we came near Ladysmith and Colenso it became intensely so. We travelled up until about eight o'clock, and then we stopped and had time to get out and have dinner. Then we were off again and travelled until twelve o'clock, when we stopped for the rest of the night, just outside Newcastle.

Monday 18th
It seemed I had only been in bed a little while, when it was time to be up again. It turned out to be a lovely day, and we were soon off on our journey through Natal. We expected to arrive in Durban about nine o'clock that night. It is a wonderful journey from the Transvaal to Natal. You seem to be climbing down from those high mountains and such splendid views you get. You see Majuba and brave Colley's grave, and that takes you back to the '81 war. We passed so many little cemeteries quite near the line, with their white crosses dotted here and there. It made me feel very sad to think of those brave fellows lying there who had given their lives so willingly at their country's call. We passed near Ladysmith and Colenso, and could see what a terrible place the latter was for our men to storm. I saw Lieutenant Roberts's grave near there. We also passed many refugee camps along the way, and at other places were numbers of horses sent to have a long rest. As we neared Maritzburg, the capital of Natal, we felt like getting into the civilized world again. At Maritzburg Station two of Mr C.'s boys met him. They were at school there and had not seen their father for a: long time. They met us looking very spick and span. One of the first remarks they made was "Father, I think you want a new hat" then another "Your hair wants cutting". How I did laugh, if this was the way our friends and relations were going to greet us after going through fire and water, one might say, to reach them. After we left Maritzburg it came on to rain. By this time I was getting very tired of the long journey. It would take us about four and a half hours before we reached Durban. This part of the journey tired me more than trekking, partly, I suppose, because there was not the excitement to keep me up. Then we began to be nearing Durban. We could see the lights of the town in the distance. I began to feel a wee bit anxious, wondering if my wire had arrived, because if not, and there was no one to meet me - it would be awkward, as I did not know my brother's address. But my fears were soon put to an end. As we rushed into the station one of the first persons I saw was my brother waiting for me. How we did talk on our drive up to his house I had so much to tell and so many questions to ask. He thought I looked well after all my adventures.

That night when I retired to rest my heart felt full of thankfulness to our Almighty Father for all His care and protection to me on my dangerous journey, and I fell asleep entrusting to His care those dear ones I had left behind me still in the land of war.

Transcribed by Judy Ramsey