The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-08 00:00:00

AFTER THE DISASTER.

--
The Cape Times latest telegram, dated Maritzburg,
February 9, evening, is as 'ollows :—Fresh uneasiness was
caused on Saturday afternom by a report from Mr. Fynney,
border agent, that a Zulu army was gathering on the lower
Tugela, and had only been prevented crossing by the height of
the river, which has risen oving to heavy rains. This morning
(Sunday) a practical contradiction has been given to the report,
much seems to have been founded on the fact that native spies
had seen watch-tires. The river is still in flood, and there
seems a likelihood of nose rain. Everything is perfectly
quiet about the border, although reports have been received
that armies had left the King's kraal to attack Wood and
Glyn. Cetewayo, it is said, has given orders that entrenched
positions are not to le attacked in future owing to the
severe losses sustained at Rorke's Drift. This is viewed
by some as serving to make more probable an attempted
invasion of Natal. Very satisfactory accounts have been
received from Pearson, who has at least two months pro-
visions, dating from 4111 February. He has with him 1.660
Europeans and 12) natives, together with about 90 mules
and the same number of horses. His Etock of ammunition
Is also amply sufficient. No credence ought therefore to be
given to attempts made to represent his position as critical.
My information on this point is gathered from the actual
returns made by the commissariat officers at Inshowe,
which was received at tead-quarters last.

The following is the only telegram conveying the news of
the finding ot the bodies of Lieuts. Melville and Coghill
"Colonial Secretary's Office, Cape Town, February 10.—
Tugela still very high, but falling, The bodies of both
Melville and Coghill have been found about 300 yards this
bide of the Buffalo, along with the Queen's colours of the
241 h, which they lost their lives in trying to save, Both have
been buried."

The Cape Standard says that despatches have been re-
ceived from Colonel Wood giving details of his operations
between the 201 h and 23rd January. His movements appear
to have been a series of cavalty reconnaissances conducted
whit great success. The Dutch farmers, with his force led by
Mr. Peter, were doing splendid service as guides. Buller
mentions a habit of the Zulus engaged against him of drop-
ping down as if dead after firing or being fired at. A Zulu
regiment, some 4,000 strong, was seen drilling in the dis-
tance, forming a circle, a triangle, and a square with a pant-
two. Woods movements seem to be thoroughly well
organised, and he pays a high tribute to the services of the
Dutch volunteers. Three companies of the 4th Regiment,
which were going on to join the rest of the regiment, remain
here for the present. More regiments have come in. As to
the Zulus being disheartened by losses, it is difficult to know
how far to trust them.

A letter to the Natal Mercury says :—Lieutenant Melvill
was found shot in the river, with the colours tied round
him Most of the volunteers were with the advancing
column, bat ot those at the camp I hear Captain Bradstreet,
Quartermaster Ilithcock, Swain, and M'Alister were kiiled.
Tne last that was seen of Bradstreet was in a crowd of
Kaffirs, fighting vigorously with his sword, his ammunition
all expended."

The Cape Argus, in on account of the defence of Rorke's
Drift, says :—" rhe cheers which burst forth from our men
as the General cantered up and said, Thank you all very
much for your very gallant defence,' were pleasant to hear.
A gallant defence It indeed had been. Eighty men, ten of
whom were s,ck in hospital, had beaten off and thoroughly
detente.' some 3,000 Zahn flushed with their late Victory.
Tuey had hardly lud halt an hour's warning during
which to make what preparations were pc,ssible for de-
feuding an extremely weak position. Fortunately there
were plenty of sacks of meshes, drc., to be had, and tem-
porary fortifications were rapidly constructed with them.
From 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. the Zulus came on again and again,
with undoubted pluck. They succeeded in taking the hos-
pital and burning it, though in doing so they lost ten times
the numuer they killed, and they cuarged up to the very
walls, and attempted to unscrew the bayonets which met
them. Greater bravery than that displayed on either side
could not have been; but the little body of English soldiers
behind their frail rampart knew they were fighting to hold a
most important post, and never hesitated for an instant,
wheteas the Zulus, who no doubt thought they could easily
cut up a handful of men like those opposed to them after their
recent achievements were beginning to find out their mistake.
The engagement, however, conthau.d the whole live-long
night; the Zulus once and again attempted t take the place
by storm. At last, fairly discouraged, they retreated just as
dawn was breaking. Our loss, as may be imagined, was severe.
Out of 80 men one-fourth had faden-13 killed and nine
wounded, of whom some have since died; but it our loss
was severe, that of the enemy must have been something
enormous, They had come on again and again in broad
daylight, and by the light of the burning house, up to the
very muzzles of the guns, and their dead Was heaped up in
scores all round the barricade. Within 300 yards of the
spot our burying parties counted 351 bodies, while on the
road they had taken in their retreat the dead and wounded
lay thick. That in this engagement the enemy lost 500
killed and 200 or 300 Wounded is, I think, a very moderate
estimate, and the lesson taught them by the gallant com-
pany of the 24th is One they will not soon forget"

The wife of Captain Roberts, who was killed at Isandala,
was passenger by the Warwick Castle.
Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead are it is said, to receive
the Victoria Cross, in recognition of their gallantry in the
defence of Rorke's Drift.
The Wesleyan Missionary Society have supplied the
Government, at its request, with information on the
ethnology, physical features, and climate of Natal and
Zululand, prepared by the Rev. Mr. Roberts, one of the
missionaries of the society, who spent some time in these
countries.
• - •• • •

A survivor of the massacre at Isandul i, writes home in a
private letter received by the last mail :—" I saw our chief,
Chcfsu postihv
lli aDtoeurth'hefegarladv: fall stabbed by an assagai. No man
behaved
and died as a hero." more nobly than he did. He stuck to
The Union Steamship Company's Royal mail steamer
Danube, with the Prince Imperial and troops for Natal,
reached Madeira at five o'clock on Wednesday morning, and
proceeded at eight am for Natal.