The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-05-10 00:00:00

TIIE STOURBRIDG-E OBSERVER.

Buller's track, which we followed. Colonel Weatherley met
me coming westward, having tort his way the previous
night, and I directed him to more on towards the sound of
the firing, which was now audtbie on the north-easc face of
the mountain, where we could see the rear of Colonel
Bailer's column near the stmenit. I followed Colonel
Weatherley and commenced the ascent of the mountain imme-
diately behind the Border Horse, leading oar horses. It is im-
possible to describe in adequate terms the difficulty of the
ascent which Colonel Buller and his men had successfully
made, not without loss, however; for horses killed and
wounded helped to keep us on his track, where
the rocks afforded no evideace of his advance. We soon
came under fire from an unseen enemy. Ascending more
rapidly than most of the Border Horse, who had got off the
track, with my Staff and escort, I passed to the front; and,
with half a dozen of the Border Horse, when within a
hundred feet of the summit, came under a well-directed fire
from our front and both flanks, poured in from behind
huge boulders of rocks. Mr. Lloyd fell mortally wounded
at my side, and as Captain Campbell and one of the
secure were carrying him on to a ledge rather lower my
horse was killed, failing on me. I directed Colonel
Weatherly to dislodge one or two Zulus who were
causing us most of the loss; but, as his men did not
advance rapidly, Captain Campbell, Lieutenant Lysons, and
three men of the 90th, jumping over a low wall, ran forward,
and charged into a cave, where Captain Campbell, leading
in the most gallant and determined manner, was shot dead.
Lieutenant Lysous and Private Fowler followed closely on
nie footsteps, and oue of them—for each fired—killed one
Zulu and oisiodged another, who crawled a way by a subter-
ranean passage, re-appearing higher up the mountain. This
time we were assisted he the firer Beale of Colonel Bailer's
men on the sammit. Colonel Weatherley asked for per-
mission to move down the hill to regain Colonel Bulitr's
track, which he had lost, and by which the latter
gained the summit without fanner casualties. At this
time he had lost three dead and had about six or seven
wounded. Mr. Lloyd was now dead, and we brought his
body and that of Captain Campbell about half-way down
the hill, where we buried them, still being under fire, which,
however, did us no damage. I then moved slowly round
under the Ziobani Mountain, to the westward, to see how
Colonel Russell's force had progressed, bringing with the
escort a wounded man of the Border Horse and a herd of
sheep and goats, driven by four of Umtonga's men. We
stopped occasionally to give the wounded men stimulants,
unconscious of the fact that a very large Zulu force was
moving on our left across our front. We were about half
way uuder the centreof the mountain when Umtonga saw
and explained to me by signs that a large Zulu army was
close to us From at adjacent hill I had a good view of
the force ; it was marching in five columns, with
horns and dense chest, the Zulu normal attack
formation. The Ulundi army, being, as I believe,
exh,iusted by its rapid march, did not close on Colonel
Buller, who descended, after Oham's people, the western
point of the mountain; and thus he was enabled, by great
personal exertions and his heroic conduct, to bring away
not only all his men who had lost their horses but also
all his wounded who could make an effort to sit on their
horses. Seeing from the Zit- gain neck, where I had gone
with an escort and some of Oham's men, that although
the Uluedi army did not come into action, yet some
200 or 300 Zulus were pursuing our natives, wno
still maintained posresaion of some hundreds of cattle,
I sent an order to Colonel Russell, who was then
ascending the western end of the range, to move
eastward and cover the movements of our natives to the
camp. This he did, but before he could arrive some of the
natives were killed. We reached camp at 7 p m., and Colonel
Bailer, hearing that some of Captain Barton's party were on
foot, some ten miles distant, at once started in heavy rain,
with led horses, and brought in seven men, as we believe the
sole survivors of tee Border Horse and Captain Barton's
party, who, being cut off when on may track, retreated over
the north end of the Hynteeha revnge. While deploring the
loss we have sustainid. it is my uuty to bring to your notice
the conduct of the lying and dead. In Mr. Lloyd, political
assistant, I lose an (dicer whom I cannot replace. In writing
to Sir Bartle Frere en the 29th, exrealning that the success I
had hitherto obtainad was in a great measure owing to my
subordinates, I pented the following lines :
'I need not trouble you with the names of my military
staff, bat I amanxiceis to bring under your notice the name of
Mr. Lloyd, who hasbeen of the greatest assistance to me.
To personal courage and energy he adds a knowledge of the
Zulus, their language and character, and every attribute of a
humane Eeglish geetleman. Yesterday he showed great
-coursge and devotion?
His Excellency knew Captain the Hon. R. Campbell; he
was an a xcellent S:aff Officer, both in the field and as re-
gards dile° work; and, having shown the most brilliant
courage, lost his efe in performing a most gallant feat.
Though he fell success was gained by the courageous con-
duct of Lieutenant Lysons and Private Fowler, 90th Light
Infantry. Captain Barton, commanding the Frontier Light
Horse, was always most for ward in every fight and was as hu-
mane as he was brave On the 20th of January one of Umsabe's
men, whom Captaie Barton wished to take prisoner instead of
killing him, fired at Capti-in Barton within two yards, the
powder marking his face. When last seen on the 28th he was
carrying on his horse a wounded man. Lieutenant Williams,
58th Regiment, mine out for transport duties. I mini-
stated him as Staff Officer to Wood's Irregulars, and he
evinced on this, as on previous occasions, marked
courage. Mr. het Uys gave on the 28th a flue
example to his men' as be always did, and, remain-
leg behind to ree them safe down the mountain,
was surrounded and assegaied. On the eve of the
engagement I uniertook, in the name of the Imperial
Government, that if Mr. Piet T.Tis fell I would watch over
the interests of his children. I trust that his Excellency the
Lieutenaist-Genensl and the Re ident in Zutuland will
thoroughly support my promise Colonel Buller naturally
says nothing about his own conduct; but I hear from the
men that it was by his grand courage and cool head that
nearly all the dismounted men were saved. Ells services to
this c,olumn are invaluable. I desire to bring to the notice
of his Excellency the General Officer Commanding the names
to those s Dicers Colonel Buller mentions. I append a list
of the killed and wounded as far as I have been able to
obtain the particulars, and I will forward a corrected list
later. "EVELYN WOOD, Colonel.'

Private accounts say that Colonel Weatherley fell gallantly
fighting to the last, cutting down Zulus with his tight hand
while grasping his son, a young lad, with the other. Every
man who fell aaa assegaied by the enemy.
On the following day, 29th, 20,000 of Cetewayo's army
attacked Colorel Wood's camp at Kambula, but receiv-d a,
most complete defeat. Our men fought with great stubborn-
ness and valour, and the bodies of the enemy lay thick in the
intrenchraents. As they retreated Colonel Buller and his
mounted men, in spite of the fatigue and excitement of the
day before, followed them until nightfall, chasing them a
di.tance of sAven miles. Estimate of Zulu losses, killed and
wounded, 5,000 to 7,000.

A. Pietermaritzburg correspondent writes to us (says the
Daily News):—‘ From the Mauritius we have news which
gladdens he heart of every Bogiishmen. On the receipt of
intelligence there of the disaster at Isandhlwana the garrison
almost to a raan clamoured for volunteer service, whilst
4dy Barker immediately initiated a movement for esta-
blishing a Mauritius Aid Society,' and headed the sub-
scription list with a donati in of £5O. It was, indeed,
seriously couteuiplated by this benevolent lady to organise
a staff of female Lurses, but the counsels of the sterner sex
longthis colony."
were allowed—and Very properly too—to prevail. It would
be impossible for men to permit such help to be offered
them on this occasion—in battlefields where neither the red
cross nor age nor sex is spared by the savage enemy. Toe
ties that bind us to the pe,ip.e of the Mauritius have been
strengthened and drawn closer by this substantial sympathy,
day before the kind service rendered
and intewf
nilrlgbnettaen in

Prince Louis Napoleon, on behalf of his fellow passengers
by the Union Company's steamer Danube, presented to
Captain Draper a silver goblet as a souvenir of the voyage,
"in recognition of his kindness and courtesy." The Prince
remarked that they could have wished the voyage had lasted
much longer, LI it had not been for their anxiety to be at the
front.

The following description of the engagement at Ginghi-
lova was written by one present and publi.hed by the Cape
Times :—" Our column bivouacked on Tuesday night at
Gingidlova, which is nine ml es distant from Ekowe. At
day light on the following morning a shot was heard and
the picket was seen retiring into the laager. Two large
bodies of Zulus were visible, and our men, who were
standing at ease with arms piled, were immediately dis-
persed for defence. The infantry were placed two deep in
the trenches. The Naval Brigade, with Gatlings, were
placed at angles with the guns fronting the east and west.
the enemy first made a feinstwoefatdtoawckn
n h
oc,i
the
ourefesirt facedteisof of
la4ger, and then, massing, pt
the Jaeger, which was defended by the 60th Rifi s and
the 67th Regime- nt. The enemy could not stand the w.thering,
steady fire, and being driven back from here they attacked'
the east face of the laager, but here again they were
repulsed. The final attack was then led by Dabulemauzl.
This was also repulsed, and as the enemy fell back the
soldier. gave some hearty, ringing cheers. The enemy now
being completely repulsed, General Lord Chelmsford ordered
out our mounted men, regulars as well as natives, and a
grand pursuit ensued, the swords doing terrific execution.
Daring the attack the howling of the Zulus was diabolical;
but our men were very steady."