Topic: BW - NSW - NSWIB
NSWIB
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen
This is an extract from the War Diary written by Major David Miller, Adjutant of the New South Wales Imperial Bushmen who arrived in the Mozambique port of Biera and then moved to Rhodesia as part of the journey for deployment in South Africa to see action in the Boer War.
13 July 1900 - Friday
I moved out of camp at 7 a.m., very frosty morning. Caught up to Colonel at 8.15 camped close to wagons four miles from our night camp. Accompanied by Captain Brown, with Adam the Kaffir driver went out after buck; but saw only two small ones, 3 peacocks, 2 quails and 1 hare.
Squadrons marched out at 3.15 to camp 5 miles in timber, 1 mile from store. Country getting much poorer, road very heavy, sand all the way from Gwelo. Day hot.
At midday there was a partial stampede amongst the horses which was stopped by the dismounted men circling the leaders. It was apparent that the knee haltering had been done clumsily, and that no horse should have more than 24" inches at the most of halter allowed from the knees to the headstall.
Snakes very plentiful in night camp, 5 of a venomous nature killed by "E" Squadron and 2 by "D". Generally about 5 to 6 feet in length. Rallying post introduced.
Miller visited the Colonel Mackay and then went out hunting deer. In the meantime at camp, the horses stampeded. It was stopped when the men rounded up the leaders.The cause was due to poor knee haltering. At night, snakes were a grave problem.
Previous: War Diary, 12 July 1900
Next: War Diary, 14 July 1900
Further Reading:
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 13 July 1900
