Letter of Johannes Barnard "Jan" Malherbe, Pretoria, 5 October 1899, to his sister, the night before he left for the front
correspondence · 'n oorspronklike rekord · geraadpleeg 2026-08-16
- Soort
- correspondence
- Bewaarplek
- Family papers, held by Frans Oosthuizen
- Verwysing
- Typed transcript on one leaf, headed "Pta. 5.10.99", opening "My dear Sus Mimm" and signed "Jan". A later hand has added a note in blue ink at the foot.
- Geraadpleeg
- 2026-08-16
Die sitasie soos dit gegee is
TRANSCRIBED IN FULL, 16 Aug 2026, from the leaf as supplied. Written six days before the war began and the evening before he rode out; he was dead in fifteen weeks. || "Pta. 5.10.99. My dear Sus Mimm, I feel aardig to write to father and mother. I have to say that Boeti and myself go to the front tomorrow (we have been putting our affairs in order all the evening) and they will feel it so very much. B. brought over his family on Saturday; we have laid in a stock of provisions for about 6 months; and the two wives must try to get along together. Henni left on Saturday and Piet was to have left today - we shall all join together at Volksrust. There is a chance still of war being averted, but it is not likely. || As burgers of the land and father's sons we shall try our best to do our duty, though as fathers of families we shall not be reckless. || I don't think the war will last 6 months, because the Colony will soon be involved, and the European Powers are bound to intervene. If they don't, we shall at any rate give a good account of ourselves and we stand a better chance of winning than of losing. By the end of the week Transvaal and Freestate will have 30,000 men on the Natal border and then it will not take us long to sweep Natal clean. || As soon as the Schreiner ministry has been dismissed the Southern Freestate and Western Transvaal will move into the Colony, take Kimberley and then move south. We know that it will be a tough job, but our cause is just, and we are very confident that Providence will be on our side. The Lord has ere now fought for us and He will not withhold his hand now. Of course it will be no picnic for us who have been used to home comforts, but we are wellmounted, well armed, and have otherwise made as good provision as possible under the circumstances. || Tell father and mother and also you all, not to fret too much about us - whether at home or in the field, we are in the Lords hands, and we trust in him to do what is best. || My wife keeps up bravely and only seldom breaks down, while my two little children are innocently jolly; it will be a terrible wrench to part from them all, but they too are left in the good God's hands, who will care for them. || My wife is looking through my old papers, and has just handed me a card you once sent me with the text "The Lord shall guide thee continually" Isa. 58:11., and I accept it now as a special message. || I have made provision that in case I don't come back your 50 pounds will be handed to you. Further I enclose a money order for 5 pounds for you sussies to buy a remembrancer in case I fall. Thanks so very much to you all for what you did for me in my youth - mother especially for seeing that we were well schooled. For all the pain I caused her I grieve, and crave forgiveness. In case I don't come back I know you all will be kind to my wife and little ones. We had the youngest christened Julie on Sunday; I wished to give mother's name, but the wife is superstitious because one has died with the name - mother will not take it amiss. (Cash the order as soon as you get it) || I have written to Loni in case she "brand fas" at Vredefort to come over here, and Henni has sent her the money. Of course I have not much money but my salary will continue, and Henni has generously provided that if my wife has need, she can draw on his account. || Goodbye my sweet sisters all and father & mother don't weep about us now - we are quite sanguine of seeing you all again, and at no distant date. Lovingly, Jan." || THE NOTE AT THE FOOT, in blue ink in a later hand, is the whole answer to that last sentence: "In mammie se verjaarsdagboekie is die volgende datums gemerk: Jan. 24, 1900. Jan killed at Tugela. Feb. 27, 1900. Boetie killed." || A BIRTHDAY BOOK IS WHERE THE FAMILY KEPT ITS DEAD. Both dates match the register exactly: PER-001551 died 24 January 1900 and PER-001552 on 27 February 1900.
Woordeliks gehou. Hierdie projek weerspreek gepubliseerde genealogieë en stel 'n familie se eie mondelinge oorlewering reg, so elke bewering moet nagegaan kan word deur iemand wat nie in die vertrek was nie.
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Mense
- Johannes Barnard Malherbe 27 Maart 1862 – 24 Januarie 1900