From “A Year from a Reporter’s Note Book,” copyright, 1897, by Harper & Brothers. From “A Year from a Reporter’s Note Book, copyright, 1897, Harper & Brothers.” For this “distinguished gallantry in action,” James R. Church later received the medal of honor. Some of the names and initials on the trees are as follows: J. P. Allen; Lynch; Luke Steed; Happy Mack, Rough Riders; Russell; Ward; E. M. Lewis, C, 9th Cav.; Alex; E. K. T.; J. P. E.; W. N. D.; R. D. R.; I. W. S., 5th U. S.; J. M. B.; J. M. T., C, 9th. A price list during the siege:
SIEGE
of
LADYSMITH,
1899-1900.
I certify that the following are the correct and highest prices realised at my sales by Public Auction during the above Siege,
JOE DYSON,
Auctioneer.
Ladysmith,
February 21st, 1900.
| £ | s. | d. |
14 lbs. Oatmeal | 2 | 19 | 6 |
Condensed Milk, per tin | 0 | 10 | 0 |
1 lb. Beef Fat | 0 | 11 | 0 |
1 lb. Tin Coffee | 0 | 17 | 0 |
2 lb. Tin Tongue | 1 | 6 | 0 |
1 Sucking Pig | 1 | 17 | 0 |
Eggs, per dozen | 2 | 8 | 0 |
Fowls, each | 0 | 18 | 6 |
4 Small Cucumbers | 0 | 15 | 6 |
Green Mealies, each | 0 | 3 | 8 |
Small plate Grapes | 1 | 5 | 0 |
1 Small plate Apples | 0 | 12 | 6 |
1 Plate Tomatoes | 0 | 18 | 0 |
1 Vegetable Marrow | 1 | 8 | 0 |
1 Plate Eschalots | 0 | 11 | 0 |
1 Plate Potatoes | 0 | 19 | 0 |
3 Small bunches Carrots | 0 | 9 | 0 |
1 Glass Jelly | 0 | 18 | 0 |
1 lb. Bottle Jam | 1 | 11 | 0 |
1 lb. Tin Marmalade | 1 | 1 | 0 |
1 dozen Matches | 0 | 13 | 6 |
1 pkt. Cigarettes | 1 | 5 | 0 |
50 Cigars | 9 | 5 | 0 |
¼ lb. Cake “Fair Maid” Tobacco | 2 | 5 | 0 |
½ lb. Cake “Fair Maid” | 3 | 5 | 0 |
1 lb. Sailors Tobacco | 2 | 3 | 0 |
¼ lb. tin “Capstan” Navy Cut Tobacco | 3 | 0 | 0 |
The top of the trunk is made of a single piece of leather with a rim that falls over the mouth of the trunk and protects the contents from rain. The two iron rings by which each box is slung across the padded back of the pack-horse are fastened by rivetted straps to the rear top line of each trunk. On both ends of each trunk near the top and back are two iron sockets. In these fit the staples that hold the poles for the bed. The staples are made of iron in the shape of the numeral 9, the poles passing through the circle of the 9. The bed should be four feet long three feet wide, of heavy canvas, strengthened by leather straps. At both ends are two buckles which connect with straps on the top of each trunk. Along one side of the canvas is a pocket running its length and open at both ends. Through this one of the poles passes and the other through a series of straps that extend on the opposite side. These straps can be shortened or tightened to allow a certain “give” to the canvas, which the ordinary stretcher-bed does not permit. The advantage of this arrangement is in the fact that it can be quickly put together and that it keeps the sleeper clear of the ground and safeguards him from colds and malaria.