The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-29 00:00:00

THE ZULU WAR.

(From Monday's Daily Telegraph.)
FUNCHAL (MADEIRA), March 22.
The following news is brought here by the Nyanza, which
left Cape Town on the sth inst. Telegrams from Pieter-
maritzburg, dated February 4, reported no fresh movement
in Zululand, but a prisoner who had been brought in stated
that an army of the enemy was being massed beyond Ekowe.
Notwithstanding this, it is asserted that a feeling in favour
of peace is spreading in Zululand. All attempts at
relieving Colonel Pearson had been postponed till
the arrival of reinforcements. Some native runners
have lately been employed in carrying despatches between
Ekowe and the river Tugela, and in several instances have
succeeded in running the gauntlet. The latest of these
reports that the roads by which communication was hitherto
held has been broken up by the Zulus. Colonel Glyn's
column is now scattered in many fortided posts; the health
of the detachment at Maritzburg is low.

It is stated that Lieutenant Franklin, of the 224th Regi-
ment, is dead from fever.
Colonel Wood continues active operations, harassing the
enemy, who are infesting the disputed belt of territory
near his position.

It is stated that Oham, Cetewayo'a brother, is nogotiating
with Colonel Wood with a view to submitting to British
authority.
- - - - - •

Disaffection on the part of Mottos', chieftain in Basuto.
land, is rapidly becoming more marked, and it is announced
that five other chiefs have joined him. The House of Mr.
Austen, the magistrate at Quiting, and a number of home-
steads belonging to the loyal natives, have been wrecked by
the insurgent Basutos, large numbers of whom have been
observed on the banks of the river. At present they have
been checked by the vigilance of the British picquets, and
have consequently made no assault on the garrison which is
in front of them. It is anticipated that Colonel Southey will
assume offensive operations against them immediately he
receives adequate supports.

(From Monday's Standard.)
PLETBRMARITZBURG, March 4.
According to the latest news from the border, all is quiet,
and there are no longer any grounds for anxiety as to a raid
by the Zulus.
Colonel Wood continues to harass the enemy, and it is re
ported that Colonel Pearson has sallied out and inflicted con-
siderabla loss upon the Zulu army besieging him.
The Shah, with two hundred available soldiers and marines
and three hundred sailors, has arrived.

There is much sickness among our troops, the delay in the
operations baying had a more injurious effect than active
campaigning would have done. A portion of the Basuto
tribe has risen in insurrection, but it is hoped that it will be
repressed without much difficulty. Secocon's son has been
captured by Major Tyler. He was armed with a Whitworth
rifle.
MADERIA, Saturday.
Reports from lierschell states that the Fingoes there are
not to be trusted. Great destitution prevails in the
liiamond Fields.

It is not considered by the authorities at Natalthat, even
with the addition of te 600 men which the Shah will fur-
nish, the force at the disposal of Lord Chelmsford is strong
enough to attempt the relief of Colonel Pearson. It has,
therefore been determined to await further reinforcements
before attempting a forward movement. The Zulus have
destroyed the road traversed by Pearson in his advance, and
are said to be in great force, and most determined to resist
any force advancing to his relief.
The Conway Castle, with news of the intended despatch of
large reinforcements from England, arrived at Cape Town at
four o'clock in the afternoon of the 4th inst.

Messrs. Donald Currie and Co.'s Colonial Mail
steamer Balmoral Castle, Captain Jones, which left
Cape Town on February 25, St. Helena, 4th inst., and
Madeira, 15th, arrived off Plymouth on Friday in last
week. The length of her passage between Cape Town
and Plymouth (including total stoppages at St. Helena
and Ascension of five hours forty-six minutes) was 23
days three hours. After landing passengers at
Plymouth, she proceeded to London,
,and
arrived at London Docks on Saturday aftimpon.
A number of people were assembled to meet the
vessel, among them being friends of colonists on
board, and soldiers who had acquaintances or relatives
on the ship. The twelve widows of the soldiers
who fell at Isandula, who with their children were on
board, forming the first arrivals of the fifty-six
widows of the 1-24th Regiment who are being sent
home at Government expense, were met by many
friends and comrades of their late husbands. The
women and children were all neatly dressed in
mournin,i, and the greeting in several instances be-
tween them and their friends was very affecting.
They were met by a Government official, who inquired
of each woman as to her intended destination, and
providei her with ample means to complete the jour-
ney. To each of them was also given a stamped enve-
lope, addressed "Captain Gilder, 5, Wilton-terrace,
Kensington, W.," to which place they were instructed
to write if they required advice or pecuniary assist-
ance, which was to be furnished them by the relief
committee lately formed. The women one and all
expressed themselves as deeply grateful for the kind
treatment which they had received on board the Bal-
moral Castle.

A Correspondent, writing from Natal on February 16th,
says :—.` It appears that, including non-combatants, 800 or
900 of our natives must have died at Isandula. It it now
ascertained that 850 Europeans perished. The booty taken
consisted of 128 wagons, with £70,000 worth‘of commissariat
stores, 300,000 rounds of ammunition, 1,200 Martini-Henry
breechloaders, two Armstrong guns, rocket battery, all the
baggage of the general, and all the officers and men of the
headquarters camp, and volunteers and mounted police
attached to it, shout 2,000 oxen, 300 horses, and 50 mules,
with three mule wagons of the general, and his carriage and
eight horses—valued in all at not less than a quarter of a
million of money."