The Puzey Correspondence
Arthur Puzey joined the Pioneer Column which set out from Bechuanaland to occupy Mashonaland to the north of Lobengula's Kingdom of Matabeleland, and which established a settlement at Fort Salisbury in September 1890. Puzey then spent time travelling and serving with detatchments of the British South Africa Company Police in the eastern parts of Mashonaland. During his time with the Pioneer Column, and whilst in Mashonaland, Arthur maintained an extensive correspondence with his parents in Cape Colony. His letters were invariably written on the inside of an envelope in pencil.
cover 1890 (18 July) entire letter from Arthur Puzey to his father at East London, written in indelible pencil on the inside of an envelope at Umsebetsa River just one week after the column had left Fort Tuli, bearing British Bechuanaland 1887 2d. and tied by "MAFEKING/BECHUANALAND" c.d.s. (5.8) with another strike alongside. The letter mentions the absence of trouble or Matabeles, Selous, and the expectation that they would reach Mount Hampden 280 miles away in 2 months as the road was very difficult. Photo
Details
cover 1890 (18 July) entire letter from Arthur Puzey to his father at East London, written in indelible pencil on the inside of an envelope at Umsebetsa River just one week after the column had left Fort Tuli, bearing British Bechuanaland 1887 2d. and tied by "MAFEKING/BECHUANALAND" c.d.s. (5.8) with another strike alongside. The letter mentions the absence of trouble or Matabeles, Selous, and the expectation that they would reach Mount Hampden 280 miles away in 2 months as the road was very difficult. Photo
Provenance
John Michael, 1976