Belmont
South Africa

Jan 30th 1900

Joe

Dear brother we are still at Belmont but waiting for orders to move up to Modder river and I think that means more fighting and I hope we come off as lucky as we did the last time but I am afraid we wont all see toronto the work ahead of us will be short sharp and then the backbone of the war is broken and it will be over when you get this you kneed not be a bit anxious about me I am well in good health weather about the same having a little rain today Just in from outpost duty been on for 24 hours it is a snap a little dangerous but all you got to do is to keep hidden. I suppose you are in the shanty full blast & has the mill going it seems queer to have hot weather in Jan & febuary and then hear of so much snow at home the campaign is pretty well advanced the British are using Mortars and large machine guns the naval brigade are doing grand work Lyddite stink pots is the think to knock the devils over one pot killed over 70 at one time that is the way to do business the Boers are getting pretty sick of the business already but the British are going to learn them a lesson & put the fear of the lord in their hearts there is no quarter given Just now our orders are take no notice of the white flag and that Just suites us to a fit I have no fresh news everything is just the same around here and about any other colum I cannot say as we never get any reliable news you will hear it long before we do even the fight we be in ourselves we will know nothing until it is over I will close hoping this finds you all well give my best respects to the boys I close with love to all

Noble