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.
Miller received 50,000 lbs of mealies which was stored on a plateau. The battle at Elands River went badly and the supply column was ordered to return to Zeerust with as much supplies as possible. The immense quanities of stores were eventually moved.
4th August 1900 - Saturday cont.
The scale of rations for tomorrow will be -
Buscuit ½ lb, fresh meat if procurable, groceries according to capacity of stock.
I obtained by requisition Mealie say 50,000 lb and stacked them on the edge of the plateau were holding in the shape of hasty breastwork.
7.15 p.m. Received orders to inspan at once, loading as much of the rations on to the wagons as possible and proceed to Zeerust as our Column had failed in its attempt to relieve Colonel Hore at Elands River and was rapidly falling back hard pressed by the enemy.
7.45 p.m. Mules inspanned, wagons retiring across drift arrived at previous camp at 8.30 p.m. halted. Received orders to return to position just vacated and endeavour to bring in or destroy the forage. Some 80,000 lbs left there. Proceeded forthwith found some empty oxen wagons - requisitioned them and secured the whole of the forage - my equipment and sundry stores left by the troops in the hurry of retirement - saw last wagon away - arrived in camp at 4 a.m.. (Column arrived at 9 p.m.)
Previous: War Diary, 4 August 1900, page 1
Next: War Diary, 6 August 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, 4 August 1900, page 2