The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-05-24 00:00:00

THE ZULU WAIL

The "Union Company's mail steamship Pretoria,
Captain Larmer, reached Plymouth Sound 3n Wednes-
day mornicg, shortly after five o'clock—five and a half
days out from Madeira. The news from the seat of
war may be thus summarised for the week up to
April 29
The flees to hand from Natal encourages the belief that
the state of suspense which has prevatled for the last fort-
night with respect to Zululand will shortly be relieved by the
resumption of active operations. It is understood that a
plan has been perfected for the invasion of the enemy's
country, and that the troops are now in a position to take a
forward movement. The date of a general advance into
Zululand is variously fixed by several authorities, but the
date commonly named is about the middle of May. Convoy's
of provisions are being sent forward, hut no dutails are al-
lowed to transpire.
The Argus states that all communications between
the froisteer and Natal are under military supervision.
Toe troops are taking with them preserved meat in the
form of sausages, and each man carries three days' pro-
visions, in addition to his kit. The troops in the Zulu-
land field force have been divided as follows :-Ist divi-
sion (Ilejer•General Creaiock) to consist of all the forces on
the lett bank of the Tugela; 2nd division (elajor-General
Newdigate) to consist of all the troops in the Utrecht dis-
trici other than Brigadier-General Wood's force; and a
flying column under Brigadier-General Wood. Ever) thing
promises well for the campaign, awl while our officers and
men are deterintheu and saugume, rumours are in circula-
tion that some of the Zulu chiefs are not disposed to renew
the conflict. The latest news from England has satisfied the
colonists that there wiii be DO attempt to patch up a peace
until Cety way o has paid the full penalty of his treachery.
In the Transvaal a better spirit appears to prevail. The
High Commissioner seems to have eucceedea in eatisfying
the people thas they have every thing to lose and nothing
to gala by resorting to violence, and, without holding out
to them any hope of the restoration of the Republic,
has guided them into more pacific courses than those they
have recently followed. A further memorial to her
Majesty the Qeeen has been adopted, which, together with
the remarks tnereon of Sir Bartle Frere—to which remarks
no exceptions are taken by the people—will be immediately
forwarded to head-quarters. Pending a reply the Beers hay
returned to their terms, and deneenstratunia iu honour ef
the High Commissioner are in pre gross.
The Cepe papers appear to regard the position of affairs
in the Transvaal as satisfactory and not likely to be pro-
ductive of further serious trouble.
Advices from Natal, under date of April 27th, state that
the pre paratlons for the new campaign are actively pro-
gressing. Two detachments of the Dragoons and one of the
Lancers, have reached there, and the remaining de-
tachment of the latter were expected the next day.
Lord Chelmsford and his staff left on the 22nd for
Dundee. The Prince Imperial intended to go with him,
but was detained by indisposition. General Crealock arrived
on the 22nd, but it is not expected that there will be
any offensive movement in his column for about a fortnight.
It is reported that there is much sickness at the Lower
Tugelt, that transport animals are much wanted, and that
difficulty is again felt from the old evil—an inadequate staff.
The matter of the frontier patrols is to be taken into serious
consideration by the military authorities.
It has been decided to remove the camp at Gingihlovo. It
was well situated between two hills with a deep nip between
them, and was very suitable for a laager, but it has had to
be abandoned owing to an objection taken to the watiar and
other sanitary matters. Entrenched positions are to be
taken, one five miies from Fort Penedos and the other on
the Inyenzani, and there will be about 3,000 white men and
2,000 natives to hold them.
Umbeline is reported to have died of wounds in a cave.
It is thought he received them when fired at by Captain
Pryor, who shot Usirayo's son, who was with him. His
death is consthered as of much importance in its bearing
on the present state of affairs, as he has been one of the
most desperate adherents of Cetywayo, and was evi-
dently prepared to show opposition to the last.
According to a correspondent of The TiMBB of petal
with Weod's column, Oham considers that it will take
some time for the new forces to be reorganised, and that
there will probably be one more large fight, which will ter-
minate the war if the Zulus be defeated. lie does not think
that Cetywayo will surrender, but that, unless he were killed
by his own people and the difficulty so solved, the likelihood
was that he would go into exile.