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Military History – South Africa – Europe – England 19th Century
.Article – Online Historic Information | Military
.Page 324
senting delicious views of cool stretches of water and imaginary cliffs. Sometimes I have slept
in the train at sidings, sometimes at ghastly so-called hotels. A German Lutheran missionary has
shown me much hospitality, and guards have been most kind in admitting me to their vans. I had great
fears as to what I might find in the Camp at Norvals Pont, knowing there was no town to draw upon
for supplies or help of any kind. But I am glad to be able to report that it is far superior to the Camp at
Bloemfontein. The spot chosen is a slope, surrounded by hills, about a mile from the station. From the
Commandant’s tent there is a pretty stretch of the Orange River visible, and, far off, the blue, squaretopped hill which marks Bethulie. The general character of the hills is like this—square and flattopped—table mountains constantly recurring all through the land.
The population of this Camp is about 1,500, and it is well laid out in rows and streets with
numbers, so that you can find your way about. There are only a few marquees, and those are put in a
row on one side to accommodate some of the true refugees. As these people are quite in a minority, it
is wholly absurd to call the Camps by their name, “ Refugee ” ; and even they can hardly be said to
have come quite of their own free will, only they were told their particular town was to be emptied
out, and they would starve if they did not come. The people who were in reality taken as prisoners of
war occupy the centre and great bulk of the Camp, and beyond a broad space on the other side are
pitched the tents of the single men, people who have surrendered, or such like.,
Betwen the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. this part of the camp is prohibited from passing to the
other side, and the soldiery have no tents in the precincts of the camp..
Instead of drinking the waters of the Orange, they use that river only for bathing, and the
Commandant had pipes laid on from a farm, where a spring gives 14,000 gallons per hour, and this
pure water is brought into camp.
Much to my delight, I found that there was much less overcrowding in Norval’s Pont, and that
each tent was supplied with a low wooden bed, a mattress, bench, table, utensils. Consequently, the
whole aspect of the people was different. There was no violent outbreak of sickness, though I
understand that almost all the cases nursed in the hospital had died. This I attribute (and so did the
people) to bad nursing. They have no trained nurse. I hope one may soon be procured.*There is no
minister and they bury their own dead.†
The heat was very great. Even the large, cool, breezy marquee was often 104 deg. Fahrenheit,
and the bell tents, with single canvas, rise to 108 to 110 deg. The doctor said he could not use his
clinical thermometer in them,as it would not go down at all. I get greatly exhausted after sitting in
these tents talking to the people a whole day, especially as there are six or seven in the tent, and
others from outside come and throng round the narrow opening, excluding any possible breath of air.
Sir Alfred Milner is sending round the Education Commissioner to arrange about schools in each
of these camps. In Norval’s Pont‡two large marquees are set apart, and mistresses duly certificated
are available from the camp population.
Now the need of clothing for the children is very great. The Commandant had been so unhappy
about the clothelessness that he had ordered £150 worth and given it out. I undertook to forward
some, and chose some women in the camp to store and distribute it where most needed.
The death rate, though very high, is not so high as in Bloemfontein. Less overcrowding and better
water.
*
One of the Netherlands’ nurses is there now, besides an experienced woman from Capetown in
charge of the Scarlatina Hospital.
†
Mr. Van der Merwe, from Beaufort West, has, since the second week in April, been allowed to
reside.
‡
Under Mr. E. B. Sargant, Education Commissioner, schools for children between certain ages are
now being organized, and in some camps are already doing good work. Accommodation cannot be
obtained for all as yet.
ALIWAL NORTH.
February 12.
It was an awful journey from Norval’s Pont to Aliwal North, but still I did get there at last. Poor
little Aliwal, with only 800 inhabitants, had, within four weeks, to receive and provide for a
population of nearly 2,000, nearly three times its own number. And it does them credit, for it is well
organized, and, as far as that goes, the misery is alleviated. The Commandant could not speak highly
enough of the people—their patience, good conduct, and uncomplainingness under their privations
and losses. His camp can barely be called a prison ; he has no soldiers or sentries, and most of the
people are free to walk into the town, or to receive visits from the people in the town, without passes.
The towns of smithfield, Rouxville, and Zastron are all here, and, so far, only two deaths have taken
place. But the camp has only been forming a month. Everything is beautifully arranged and provided
for. He gives two tents to large families, and offers sail cloth to any who care to put up wooden
framework to make extra rooms. He encourages them to come and state their needs. The rations here
are better. Compressed vegetables were given, and 1lb. of potatoes twice a week, (and potatoes are
6d. per lb., or eight times as dear as in London).
I found there a young woman, a complete cripple from hips downwards, and, therefore, quite
unfit for tent life, but anxious to earn her own living, as she could do so, by sewing, in a town. The
Commandant was perfectly willing she should go if she knew where and
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