Australian Light Horse Studies Centre

Citation: New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 17 July 1900

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 13 June 2010 5:40 PM EADT

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Tuesday, 16 July 2002

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 16 July 1900
Topic: BW - NSW - NSWIB

NSWIB

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen

War Diary, 16 July 1900

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen War Diary, 16 July 1900.

16 July 1900 - Monday

Reveille as usual. Left camp at 7.15 a.m.. Arrived wagons at 9.15 distance 7½ miles. Wagons inspanned on spruit which runs into River Insuzia. Ickirie ¼ mile on.

Squadrons marched in at 10.15 a.m.. Road heavy, country gradually becoming worse for pastoral or agricultural pursuits. Mineral indications extremely good.

Marched out at 2 p.m.. Arrived Beacon Hill 6½ miles out at 4 p.m.. No water or suitable sites for camping, proceeded 1 mile to spruit near kopje. Water ¾ mile away, wood very scarce. Selected camp, squadrons arrived at 6 p.m.. Picketed horses, ground extremely hard. Wagons reported arrival 1 mile short at 8.30 p.m.. Troops fell in, marched to wagons and carried horse rugs and blankets to camp.

Crossed the Insuzia River and passed over poor grazing country to the next camp at Beacon Hills.

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Citation: New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 16 July 1900

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 13 June 2010 5:41 PM EADT

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Monday, 15 July 2002

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 15 July 1900
Topic: BW - NSW - NSWIB

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen

War Diary, 15 July 1900

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen War Diary, 15 July 1900.

15 July 1900 - Sunday

Reveille as usual. Troops marched out at 7.15 and arrived at wagons at 9.30 a.m. distance 5 miles. The cooking by groups is gaining favour amongst the troops. Marched out of camp at 2 p.m. and proceeded 6 miles to night camp on burnt veldt; en route saw natives engaged in securing partridges for food. They extend at about 8 to 10 yards and beat the long grass; securing birds by sticks or dogs. They advanced in perfect time. Fine night. Water 1¼ mile.

The column marched along a burnt veldt and so looked black and barren. Miller observed the local people catching partridges in a novel but efficient manner which impressed him greatly.

Previous: War Diary, 14 July 1900

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Further Reading:

Citation: New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 15 July 1900

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 13 June 2010 5:42 PM EADT

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Sunday, 14 July 2002

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 14 July 1900
Topic: BW - NSW - NSWIB

NSWIB

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen

War Diary, 14 July 1900

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen War Diary, 14 July 1900.

14 July 1900 - Saturday

Left camp at 6.50 a.m. arriving at wagons at 8 a.m. distance 4½ miles. Country undulating, grazing indifferent. Grass fire approached to within 150 yards of camp and at 10.30 a.m.. Troops turned out and stopped it, horses removed to safety.

Squadrons exercised in Manual and Firing at noon. Shortly afterwards the fire assisted by wind again came towards the camp but was quickly kept within bounds.

I left camp at 2 p.m. and rode 4½ miles to the Shangani River which was found to contain excellent running water, a luxury after that which we have been drinking from standing water holes; selected camp about ¼ mile from River in timber. The men are very smart in settling down in camp and are quiet and shows great improvement in discipline, this speaks well, for men who for the past 2 months have had to be content with 1 lb preserved meat per diem in lieu of the 3 unlimited meals of meat which each of them was accustomed to prior to enlistment. Oatmeal porridge is much appreciated. Bacon is excellent rations. Marchioness ration is good, containing meat and vegetables.

Grass fires threaten the camp and the men work hard to contain them. A few hours after containment, winds whipped up the fires again. Camp moved to Shangani River which contained flowing water, a relief from the muddy pool water they had been using along the route.

Previous: War Diary, 13 July 1900

Next: War Diary, 15 July 1900

Further Reading:

Citation: New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 14 July 1900

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 13 June 2010 5:38 PM EADT

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Saturday, 13 July 2002

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 13 July 1900
Topic: BW - NSW - NSWIB

NSWIB

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen

War Diary, 13 July 1900

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen War Diary, 13 July 1900.

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:

Citation: New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 13 July 1900

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 13 June 2010 5:39 PM EADT