The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-06-14 00:00:00

THE ZULU WAR,
The following despatch from the Cape has been received
at the War Office :

"CAPE TOWN, May 20.

"Lord Chelmsford telegraphs that a reconnaissance 1
by General Crealock's Division and the naval authori-
ties gives the hope that stores may be landed at the
mouth of the Ulalasi. This will be of great assistance.
Lanyon hopes to bring down 500 mounted Burghers
for the defence of the Transvaal frontier under
Pretorius. A. reconnoissance ought to decide the best
line for the advance, for Newdigate and Wood's
advance should commence in ten days. General
Clifford, Maritzburg, adds :—Lord Chelmsford requires
two months' supplies with the force advancing, and
one month's at advance deptit, Conference-hill. No
date can be fixed for the completion ; want of transport
drivers is the cause of the delay. The move of the
Dragoons to Standerton is postponed.
"Lord Chelmsford telegraphs from Utrecht this
day, and the following intelligence has been received
from General Crealock under date May 17 :—The
King's messenger was interviewed at eight this morn-
ing, Umdvanche being the chief messenger's name.
He had delivered a summons to Dabulemanzi soon
after Ginghilova ;he went to his kraal. While there
the second messenger came with the King's orders to
go to Fort Chelmsford to see Dunn and give the
message I telegraphed yesterday. He was requested,
if possible, to intercede with Dunn, saying the King
was wrong—he had been deceived. He knew now
he was no match for the white man. We had
killed his young warriors in whom he had trusted.
A private conversation was afterwards held.
The second messenger said Cetewayo had sent
a message to a chief about here that Zulus
were not to fire on white men. The chief asked
to see the elephant tusk, the sign of being in earnest.
Dunn states he believed they had the tusk. Sigsig-
wells, a chief, would not permit this message to be
published. More chiefs, it is believed, would give
themselves (up?) but for fear and jealousy of others.
My reply to Cetewayo :—` If I return, your second
messenger, Umdwdwandwne, remains with me. I have
heard your words, and have sent them to the great
white chief; but I am sure he will say what I say—
viz., that I could not understand the King's words, as
he has not :zent me one of his headmen who were pre-
sent at the ultimatum meeting at Tugela, and none of
the words now said by his head messengers referred in
any way to his words spoken in the ultimatum.' I
would send the King the great white chiefs answer.
"All the great chiefs were still in council with
Cetewayo. The three points discussed were—giving
up their firearms, giving up the prisoners demanded,
and collections of cattle to pay the fine demanded.
Dunn sent messages to all chiefs that if they wished
things settled they must come in at once, trusting
English clemency, and they would not be badly dealt
with, but if they stay with the king when I advance
all would be destroyed. My messengers went from
Umaguenda, and two from Clarke had been with the
King. Dann thinks this is the result. The King
hears we are going to cut off his retreat to Limbombo.
Dunn told the messenger we were going ;ouch further,
even to the Swazi country. He thinks the King
means business. I have ordered redoubled precautions
and vigilance everywhere."
"Colonel Reilly, R.A., has broken his wrist in a
fall from his horse. Remains at Newcastle as com-
mandant there."

The Times, of Monday, published the following from
their Correspondent :
FORT PEARSON, LOWER TUGELA, May 20.
For some time past rumours have been current that dis-
sensions among the Zulus promised t effect what our arms
lrave hitherto failed in doing. On the 15th inst. Umdwanlibf
and two others—a man and a boy—presented themselves rS
Fort Chelmsford as envoys from Cetewayo and asking fix
peace. Ihey intimated that their King was surprised that ve
should crown him king in the morning and wish to kit
him in the afternoon. He was the white man's eel
and wished for peace. Further information was obtained
from this man as to the King's army being dispersed ant
unwilling toldght again General Crealock, on receipt 3f
this intelligence, at once despatched John Dunn to see tie
emissaries, and although his interview has not been male
public, I am enabled to inform you that further lightingto
any extent may be considered at an end. Although Ir.
Dunn does not believe that Cetewayo will agree to tie
only terms we can impose—namely, unconditioral
surrender—it is probable that mature consideratbn
will show the folly of further resistance. Cetewwo
they say, is quite aware of all our reinforcement+,
and did not suppose it possible that we could pia*
so many men in the field. A private message from a
number of chiefs was also sent to Mr. Dunn, to the effet
that they were sorry they had not taken his advice, meanbg
that he advised submission before the war commencei.
Cetewayo will probably wish to resign his pretensions to tie
disputed territory, supposing this to be sufficient oats-
faction."

The special Correspondent of the Daily News under date
Maritzburg, May 19, ssys :—"The numerous rumours whi:h
have been flying about for the last few days, reporting
Cetewayo's willingness to surrender, have not, up to tall
date, been officially confirmed. On reliable authority Tam
informed such overtures have not been made. John
Dunn has gone into Zululand, but his mission is aot
known. Dabulamanzi, who was reported dead some dap
ago, is atiil living, and has gone up to the King's kraal al
response to a command of his Royal brother, it is said, t)
confer on the terms to be propozed in making overtures for
peace, but this is unofficial. Dabulamanzi's secession would
be a grave blow to the Zulus. Re is their ablest general, and
is the best shot, not only in Zululand but in South Africa."

The Correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says :—" On
May 16 I reached Rorke's Drift on my return from Isandula,
Colonel Black haying made a reconnaissance of the surround-
ing country, thereby assuring himself that the rumours of
any Imps being in the neighbourhood were unfounded.
The battle-field was in much the same state as it had been lei t
by the Zulus, only the wagons remaining intact. The high
grass now ennowalm nar.t nt th boditii. only those that have
not been stripped retaining human form. Nothing valuable
was found. Major Smith's remains were discovered near the
river. The expedition returned by the path taken by the
fugitives, tracing it from the scene of the fighting across a
stream and up the Natal hills to within five miles of Rorke's
Drift by the skeletons of the slain. Some Zulus fired at us
when we were checked by the watercourse, and again when
crossing the river, but we suffered no casualties."