1880 (Aug.-Sep.) three autograph letters from W.H. Surmon at Mohale's Hoek to Col. Griffiths awaiting the attack, which finally came at the end of September, "...The delay in sending us assistance is causing much dissatisfaction amoungst both the Europeans and Natives, who are loosing confidence in us...Every day now adds to the strength of the rebels...it is no good sending a few hundred men now, we want thousands to crush the rebellion at the start." The second letter begins, "My Post rider has just returned and reports that he was turned back about three miles this side of Mafeteng...I now send the post through Gurney's Drift to go via Wepener..." and finally on 19th September, "It is getting very warm here and I fully expect we will be hard at it fighting away in a day or two. Tomorrow is said by many to be the day we are to be attacked by every available man in the district...We are hard at work today strengthening our position and mean to save ourselves and our cattle if we can, but we are so weak that you must not be surprised if we lose at least the latter..." ; a fine account of the feelings a few days before the attack
1880 (Aug.-Sep.) three autograph letters from W.H. Surmon at Mohale's Hoek to Col. Griffiths awaiting the attack, which finally came at the end of September, "...The delay in sending us assistance is causing much dissatisfaction amoungst both the Europeans and Natives, who are loosing confidence in us...Every day now adds to the strength of the rebels...it is no good sending a few hundred men now, we want thousands to crush the rebellion at the start." The second letter begins, "My Post rider has just returned and reports that he was turned back about three miles this side of Mafeteng...I now send the post through Gurney's Drift to go via Wepener..." and finally on 19th September, "It is getting very warm here and I fully expect we will be hard at it fighting away in a day or two. Tomorrow is said by many to be the day we are to be attacked by every available man in the district...We are hard at work today strengthening our position and mean to save ourselves and our cattle if we can, but we are so weak that you must not be surprised if we lose at least the latter..." ; a fine account of the feelings a few days before the attack
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
