The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-04-26 00:00:00

WRECK OF THE CLYDE TRANSPORT.

The transport Clydb has been wrecked on Dyer's
1; all the crew were saved, but the stores were
lost and the ship sunk, The sea was calm. Seven
lifeboats were let down aad ready for use in ten minutes.
The officers and men worked gallantly, and all the
passengers were safely landed. Many of the officers
lost all their baggage sad valuables.

llsland

The Evening Standard of Tuesday (In their fourth edition),
gave the following interesting account of the attack of the
Zulus on Lord Chelmsfonl's force
GINGMLOVO, April 4.
"On the let, at daybreak, we broke up our camp on the
right bank of the Matacocla, and marched seven miles to
this place. Here we formed a Jaeger, and threw up strong
entrenchments round the camp. It is situated on slightly
rising ground, and the tomer at Ekowe Is visible from here.
Soon after we had etacanned, Colonel Pearson flashed some
sign's& to us that a large foice of the enemy was on the march
towards Snyanzana, and tint it would not be safe for us to let
our cattle graze outside theta ager. The night passed without
alarms; but at half-pest fve in the morning large masses
of the enemy were sighted coming down from the north-
east. They crossed the rim Inyanzi, and as they came on
they seemed to cover the Alla all round They formed for
attack in a sort of crescent slape. The 60th Rifles covered the
front of the camp, sheltered oehind entrenchments. To their
right was Brackenbury, of tee Shah, with his (lettings placed
in the corner of the entnnchment. Next to him came
the 57th, under Clarke. At he second corner were two nine.
pounders ; the 91st held therear line. At the next corner
were again some Gatllngs tro companies of the 91st, three
c lmpanies of the 3rd Buffs, and the 99th. Placed near the
le4t rear was the rocket battery under Lieutenant Cane, of the
Shah. The enemy pressed fcrward to the front at great speed,
but were received by a trenendonts fire from the 60th Rifles.
In half an hour the coward rush was checked at
this point, and by 6.3 C the 60th ceased firing, the
enemy being beaten back at this point. Sweeping round
to our right, the enemy then made a determined effort to
force their way in on that side, but were met and checked by
a tremendous fire from the 57th and 91st. Nothing youth
be finer than the manner in which these masses of natives,
with their white shields, their head-dresses of leopard
skin and feathers, and the wild ox tails hanging
from their necks, advance, assegat in hand, against
our entrenchments. A few fired a shot now and
then, but as a rule they advanced at a steady rush,
keeping a sort of dancing step with each other, upon our
line of entrenchments. Notwithstanding the tremendous
musketry fire that they eecountered, they premed forward in
the most gallant manner right up to our entrenchments, and
It looked for some time as if, in spite of the hall of fire from
our breechloaders they would force their way to the entrench-
ments, and bring the matter to a hand-to-hand fight. After
a few minutes, however, the fire proved too much for them,
and they wavered and began to fall back. At 8.40 Barrow's
cavalry sallied from the camp in fsont, and most gallantly
charged the enemy, who, hidden in the bush there, was
keeping up a scattered fire upon the entrenchments.

'At -ten minutes past seven, the flank attack being re-
pulsed, the Native Continent left the laager and fell upon
the rear of the enemy, who were now flying in all directions.
At half•past seven all was over, and one of the fiercest little
fights that has ever been witnessed came to an end.
"Among our casualties—Colonel North, of the 60th Rifles,
badly wounded, but doing well; Lieut. Johnson, of the
99th, killed; Dr. Longield, of the Shah, badly wounded,
but doing well; Captain Hinzman, of the 67th, and Majm.
Barrow, of the 19th Humus, wounded. Five soldiers were
killed and tventy•one wounded, and five sailors were
wounded. , f
" A large umber of the enemy who fell within a range of
600 yards haus been buried. Great numbers were killed by
the Native Ontingent and by the cavalry in pursuit, and
great numbers must have been wounded and escaped. All
the troops, Native as well as European, behaved well. The
attack was very fierce while it lasted, and the dead were
ound lying in masses within thirty yards of our trenches
"The Zult army is supposed to have numbered about
7,000. It vas compoeed of picked men of five of the
favourite regiments of the King, under his brother
Dabulamanz, assisted by several thousand of the licheguialoi
native tribes. The prisoners say that the old men are, for
the most pat with the King at Inhlatyi. The women and
cattle are In laager, at tmhla, Tut, and Ingogo.
"The victory was a most complete one. Barrow's cavalry
pursued theenemy as far as Imyesant. Large numbers threw
away their arms, among which are many Martini-Henry
rifles, no cbubt part of those taken from the 1-24th at
Isandula.

"At daylreak next morning a flying column, composed of
the 91st, th 3 60th, and 57th Regiments, and some Marines,
left the camp, leaving beind ~them the 99th, the Naval
Brigade, aid the Native Contingent to defeud the camp.
The relievisg calumn met Colonel Pearson at 20 minutes
past live, and found the garrison extremely reduced by
sickness. The whole of the garrison returned with
General Chelmsford's force the following night, entirely
evacuating Bkowe, which was evidently unhealthy, and to
which access by any future relieving force would have been
difficult. The arraugements during the march, and at the
camping grounds were excellent, and great credit is due to
Lord Chelmsford and his staff for their excellent manage-
ment.

"Upon the day sitar the battle a flag of truce came in from
the King's brother proposing a surrender. At present it is
not known whether the offer is a sincere one, or was only a
feint, to delay our probable advance upon Ulundi. Lord
Chelmsford replied that the only terms he could grant would
be that all the chiefs and their nen should come in and
surrender themselves as prisoners.
"General Chelmsford and the main body of the force re
turned at once to the Tugela. This place will be stronglY
entrenched and will be held by a regiment.
"At three o'clock this morning, while some of the troops
were encamped in an entrenched position near Inyazne River,
one of the pickets, thinking that he saw the enemy, fired.
Dunn's scouts, who were lying immediately behind him,
taking the alarm, rushed back on the pickets of the 60th,
carrying them with them. The men of the 60th in camp,
taking them for enemies, fired without orders upon them,
wounding five of the 60th pickets and killing one, and wound-
ing ten of Dann's men."
•. • . ;
, s 1
The Special Correspondent of the Daily Telegraph
thus graphically describes the Zulu attack :

"Altar several difficult marches, our troops, who had
already been sighted from Ekowe, camped at Gingiblovo
towards sun-down on the Ist of April. Much rain
was falling about dusk and during the night, and
it had been signalled from the Ekowe church tower
that the Zulus were drawing in upon the General's
position with very large numbers. Lord Chelmsford
had laagered his force, taking every possible pre-
caution against surprise. The faces of the camp were covered
with linas of shelter-trenches: the guns and Gatlings posted
at the angles, and all positions of importance divided
between the 60th Rifles, the 57th and 91st Regiment, and Ina
companies of the 99th and 3rd Buffs. The sailors and marines
also occupied posts of honour.

"Some little while before dr o'clock on the morning of
April 2, large masses of Zulus began to show all over the hill-
tops in our vicinity on the northeastern side of the camp.
The thickets in this direction seemed on a sudden to swarm
with the enemy, who, with their usual tactics, were seen
pouring in a stream of shields and black bodies, right and
left, so as gradually to envelope this quarter of our
laager. As soon as their order of battle was thug
formed, they came down in a most resolute style,
upon the side of the camp defended by the 60th Rifles,.
raising their curt ous war cry and brandishing their
weapons. The lo remost portion of the Rifles were lying
Inside the trenches already mentioned, while their supports
behind them had a second line of shelter, as well as the
laagered waggons, from which to fire, and the Gatlings
were stationed to the right.
"As the enemy drew out of the grass and thorn-bushes
Into a dense semicircle of advancing warriors, the whole
front of our camp broke out into a sheet of tierce flame
which ran from corner to corner without intermission,
In rattling volleys of a frightful close-range mus-
ketry. Nothing, it might be thought, could live
before this terrible and perpetual roll .of the
breech-loader, and yet our gallant though savage foes
crowded their way onward through the hail of death. While
spreading now to the right, now to the left, as if to find
some break in the wall of tire, their central swarms kept
desperately pressing forwards past the falling bodies of their
comrades. Those behind sprang to the front over
the corpses of their fellows, only to sink to the ground
themselves and be succeeded by fresh desperadoes. It was
Impossible for men to perish with more magnificent con-
tempt of death, but they could not quite reach even our
outer trenches. Alter again and again charging up to
within twenty or thirty yards 01 the muzzles of our Martini.
buns—despite the withering tempest of bullets rained
upon them, to say nothing of the Outing fire and the rockets
—these heroic savages gave the game up at last upon this
face of the camp, leaving the front of our defences piled
with dead and wounded.

"Another large body had meanwhile concentrated on the
other flank of our laager, and just as the first attack was
failing a second and most spirit( d attempt to rush our
positions was tried in this new quarter. It the courage of
the enemy was almirable, so was the coolness with which
the men of the Dist and 57th met the swarms of yelling
thousands which closed in towards the trenches. This
last effort was led by a chief of high rank named
Dubalmanzi, who was mounted on a good horse, and
rode in the thick of his regiments close up to the laager. The
onset was for some minutes very formidable, and once in-
side our lines such men might have done anything; but the
never-ceasing rattle of the breechloaders could not be con-
fronted, and on the point of forcing on that hand-to-hand
fight which they wanted the daring barbarians melted away
again, and finally abandoned the attack.
"A ringing British cheer was raised upon this second re-
treat of the enemy, and the word was given for the mounted
troops to dash out. This was done by the cavalry and Bar-
row's mounted infantry, accompanied by some of the
swift-footed Native Contingent, who flew forth from the
shelter of the waggons and pursued the now disheartened
survivors. Once turned and beaten, the Zulu makes no
farther stand, and in the headlong hunt which ensued
almost as many of the foe as had fallen before the musketry
and the fire of the Gatlings were overtaken and despatched
in the !Ash. From the first appearance of Cetewayo s army
upon the hill-tops and amid the hollrws till the last, fierce
blows dealt on the flying savages, the affair did not occupy
two hours. But it was sharp work while it lasted, and
though the British loss in killed was only five, and in killed
and wounded together fifty for all contingents, yet some nine
or ten hundred Zulus lay dead around us as the sun rose
high. Their total loss is estimated at fifteen hundred, with
many more wounded.

Over ten thousand of Cetewayo's best lighting men took
part in these determined assaults. The victory was seen
from Elsowe, and messages of satisfaction signalled by
heliograph. The scene of battle and the road for eight miles
was strewn with Zulus, when next morning, at daybreak,
after a march of thirteen miles, Colonel Pearson and his
garrison were easily reached, and the whole force brought
back into the Gingittlovo camp. Disorderly bodies of the
enemy were seen on the way. The column of relief met
Colonel Pearson at five a.m., and entered Ekowe at eight.
There had been twenty deaths and 100 were found sick.
"Cetewayo is reported to have fled beyond the Black
Umvolosl river.

The Daily News of Wednesday gives the following addi-
tional details respecting Colonel Wood's engagements :
CAPETOWN, April 8.
The action. at Zlobane on the 28th March was a terrible
(Baader. Our men were drawn to the top of the mountain
in the hope of spoil. While resting they were suddenly sur-
prised by 20,000 Zulus, who completely surrounded the
mountain. They had to retreat down a rocky ravine, fight-
leg hand to hand. We lost eleven officers and eighty men
Weatherley's horse was completely cut up. Col. We atherley
and his son were killed, and also Captain Barton. Next day
the Zulus, flushed with their success, made a determined
attack on Colonel Wood's camp. The alarm was given by
a native spy. At eleven in the forenoon dense masses of
the enemy were seen approaching. The action began
at 130 p in. Colonel Buller and the mounted riflemen
were driven back by the enemy, 'who advertised within 800
yards, but were held in check by- Major Hackett, with the
00th. The enemy, well supplied with Martinis, occu-
pied the hill and opened tire at long ranges, obliging our
men to retire to shelter. While bringing them in Major
Hackett was dangerously wounded. The artillery in the
redoubt, under Nicholson, who was mortally wounded, did
good service. The attack was finally repulsed at half-past
tive, and the Zulus were pursued for several miles by Colouei
Buller, who did great exscution. The Zulu loan was very
heavy. Three hundred guns, including many Martini's

- Prison,
thus I at

were picked up close to the camp, Colonel Wood's desb
patch mentions the general bravery of his troops.

The Standard of Wednesday published the following
from their Special Correspondent :--•
PIETER.3IARITzBURG, April S
" e have now details of the engagements betwee
Colonel Wood and the enemy. On the 28th ult. Colonel
Buller, with all the mounted forces, started for the strong
plateau of Nlhlobani, on which Umbellini kept the greater
part of his herds. The opposition was but slight, and it is
supposed that the greater part of the defenders were away.
"The plateau was gained; great herds of cattle were col-
lected; and the homeward march began. When fairly in
the plain the Zahn came up in immense force. This body
of troops is said to have been despatched by Cetywayo to
the assistance of Utabellini.

"Our cavalry, being greatly scattered among the herds,
were unable either to unite or to offer any effectual resist-
ance. The Zulus, rushing among the cattle, drove them in
all directions, and thus added greatly to the confusion, so
that the battle was rather a series of isolated fights than a
general engagement.
"Captain Barton's frontier horse and Colonel Weatherley's
troop suffered moat heavily, being completely separated
from the rest of the corps. Altogether our loss is eighty-
six men and twelve officers killed. The officers who fell
were Colonel Weatherley, Captain Hamilton, of the Con-
naught Rangers, Lieutenants Croneys, Weatherley, Poole,
Barmenter, Von Steiten, Piet Uys, and Mr. Llewellyn Lloyd,
and Captains Campbell and Barton, of the Coldstream
Guards. _ . .

-""Alter four hours' fighting the rest of the cavalry extri-
cated themselves, and fell back upon the camp. The Native
Infantry, tor the most part, bolted early in the fight.
"The next day—the 29th—Colonel Wood's camp at Raw
bulaka was attacked early in the afternoon by four Zulu
regiments, under Mayane. Colonels Buller and Russell were
soon engaged with them, on the north side of the camp. The
Zulus were; however, too strong and determined to be
resisted, and Colonel Buller fell back inside the laager. The
enemy came on in great force until within three hundred
yards of the entrenchment, when a heavy fire was opened
upon them by the men of the 13th Regiment. This checked
their advance upon the front.
"Major Hackett, ef the 90th, with two Companies, moved
to the rear of the cattle laager, which the enemy were now
threatening by a flanking movement. The Zulus then made
an sttack round the whole circuit of the camp, their efforts
being mainly directed against the right front and rear.

"A party of the enemy occupied a hill at a short distance
from the camp, and kept up a very galling fire with Martini
rifles. The attack was continued with great fierceness and
resolution until half-past five, when the Zulus, who had
suffered terribly from the fire of our breechloaders, began to
fall back. The retreat, once commenced, was converted
into a rout by our cavalry, under Colonel Buller, which sallied
out and fell upon them.
"The pursuit lasted seven miles, great numbers of the
enemy being killed; they being too exhausted to rally or
offer anreffectual resistance to the cavalry. Three hundred
fire-arms which they had thrown away—including many
Martini-Henrys—were collected. In the fight we lost
about a hundred men killed and wounded, including seven
officers.

"Lieutenant Nicholson, R. A., worked two mule guns with
great effect until mortally wounded, when Major Vaughan,
of the Transport Corps, replaced him in his command. Major
Hackett waa desperately wounded. Lieutenant Bright, of
the 90th, was killed; and Lieutenant Smith, of the 70th,
severely wounded.
"Colonel Wood, in his report, mentions Colonels Gilbert
and Buller Captains Gatewood and Maude, and Lieutenants
Smith aneLyson, as having rendered excellent service. This
is considered to have been one of the bloodiest engagements
that has been ever fought in the Colony.
"It is reported that Cetywayo himself had come from
Ulundi with his troops, and that he witnessed the engage-
ment, which would account for the determination and fury
of the Zulu attacks. Their loss is estimated at three thou-
sand men. _

"Sir Bartle Frere Is reported to be near Pretoria. The
Boers are assuming a very hostile attitude. The driver of
the last Transvaal mail which arrived here states that the
Boera informed him that this would be the last mail from
Pretoria to Natal. The authorities have strong evidence
that the Boers have been negotiating with Mapock, and
have been endeavouring to induce him to join them against
the English.
"The loss of the Zulus in their attack on Clingihlovo is
estimated at twelve hundred; but each day more bodies
are found. Many guns and other articles from Isandula
have been picked up, thrown away by the enemy in their
flight. Many of the enemy, with women and cattle, have
taken refuge in Umgoma Forest, fifteen miles farther up
the coast.

"Daring the siege the garrison of kowe lost four officers,
Coker, Williams, Davidson, and Evelyn, and twenty-six
men. The relief force pushed on as far as trlamanzee Kraal
at Entombe.

"The prevalent opinion is that, in consequence of all these
disasters, Cety way o will be inclined to give In; but many
think that his young men will not as yet be convinced ot the
hopelessness of the struggle.

"A great meeting has been held at Darban, and a resolution
passed thanking the Home Government for the promptness
of the assistance rendered, and expressing confidence in Sir
Bartle Frere and his policy." •

OFFICIAL DESPATCH.
The following despatch was sent to the papers from the
War Office

ST. VnicExT, April 22.
"From Col. Bellaire, D.A.G., Durban, to Secretary of
State for War, London.

"Intelligence of important victories gained by Lord
Chelmsford and Colonel Wood having reachedine I have taken
It upon myself to arrange for the next mail to leave Cape
Town one day earlier, and to call specially at St. Vincent,
enabling me to receive the news earlier than via Madeira.
Colonel Wood's despatches state that on the 29th the
Mhlobanl successfully attacked. Some thousand cattle
taken by mounted corps and natives; but Zulus, 20,000
strong, coming up, we suffvred considerable losses, and
cattle were retaken. Weatherley's corps cut off and all
killed, with the exception of Captain Denison and a
few men also of the Frontier Horse under Captain Barton,
Coldstream Guards, only seven escaping. Eleven officers
and eighty men are returned killed, including Captains
Campbell and Barton, of Coldstream Guards ; Dents.
Williams, 58th ; Colonel Weatherley, Captain Price
Hamilton, Lieutenants Von Steiten, Croneys, Pool,
Weatherley, and Messrs. Plet ifys and Lloyd, of Colonial
Corps. Colonel Wood's horse was killed under him.

"On the 29th, the Zulu assay, which had come from Ulumdl,
attacked Kambulaka camp. Action commenced ISOp m. ;
lasted four hours; enemy driven oft and pursued by
mounted troops seven miles. Their loss very heavy,
500 bodies lying . close into camp; 300 firearms, in-
cluding several Martini - Henry rifles, picked up.
Enemy advanced close up, some even penetrating into
cattle la.ager. Our casualties 80 killed, (7) wounded.
litutenants Nicholson, RA., and Bright, 90th, killed;
M3jor Hackett and Lieutenant Smith, 70th, dangerously
wounded; Captain Gardener, 14th Hussars, and Cox and
Perim, 13th Foot, slightly wounded. Natives neatly all
deserted. Unymana, Ring's Minister, chief commander, did
not come under fire. Relieving column under Lord Chelmsford
laagered near the Ginghulova on afternoon of Ist of April.
Very heavy rain throughout evening and night. Zulus hovering
about during evening. At six a.m. on the 2nd, Zulus attack
leaser, each side in succession. Enemy advanced in most
courageous manner, but did not get within 20 yards of
shelter trench. At 7.30 a in. the attack was repulsed, and
the enemy retired precipitately, followed for some miles by
the Mounted Infantry Volunteers and Natives under Barron
and Barton and the Nettleton Battalion of the Native
contingent of sabres of the Mounted Infantry, who did great
execution. The fight was witnessed from Ekowe, and Pearson
flashed signals, congratulating General on success.
Casualties; Lieutenant Johnson, Privates Smith and
Lawrence, 99th; Private It. Marshall, 91st; Private J. Pratt,
60th Rifles; killed. Colonel Northey, 60th BJfles, and Dr. Long.
field, of her Majesty's ship Tenedos, dangerously wounded.
Major Barrow of the 19th Hussars, and Captain !linkman, 57th,
slightly wounded. Twenty-one soldiers and sailors wounded;
one native killed, and ten wounded. There were 471 bodies
of Zulus lying within one thousand yards of the Jaeger. The
long grass and bushes helped in approach and retreat. Total
loss must have been double. Portions of eleven regiments are
known to have taken part—viz, Ugyoxarnoski, Umamsityn,
.Unanbouandi, Zulwanst, Nokenki, Roonenoo, and others.
Asoners state that 195 companies were engaged, which,
At sixty men each, would give eleven thousand. Dabute-
matzo mounted led the final attack. The Samopo was
in chief command. Lord Chelmsford intends to abandon
Ekowe, both roads being so difficult of approach. He
will establish a permanent post on the coast road. Girighe-
lova Laager will be reduced to permit being held by a
garrison. The General goes to Ekowe to-morrow with three
regiments and carts. Prisoners state that messengers arrived
yesterday with news of Wood's victory on 29th."
"MESSAGES 'FROM HOME!"

The Natal Mercury publishes "Messages from Home" as
follows
From Secretary of State for War to Lord Chelmsford.
.London, February 13.
"The Queen has graciously desired me to say she
, sympathizes most sincerely with you In the dreadful
-lois which has deprived her of so many gallant officers
and men, and that her Majesty places entire conddence
in you and in the troops to maintain our honour and
our, good name."
.. .i. Duke of Cambridge to Lord Chelmsford. t
o Won,
February 13. i 1
._ i
. "Have heard by telegraph of 'even oc&arred,
Grieved for 24th and others who have fallen victims.
Fullest confidence in regiment, and am satisfied that
you have done and will continue to do everything that
is right. Strong reinforcements of all arms ordered tot
embark at once."
The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the High I
Commissioner. Do wning-street, February 13.
"I have received with very deep regret your
telegram, sent from St. Vincent, the 10th inst.,
reporting the destruction, near Rorkes's Drift, of part
of the third oolumn, by overwhelming fors* of Zulus.
The Queen commands me to express her sorrow at loss
of so many brave officers and men of regular and
colonial forces, and her full confidence that you will be
able to meet the difficulties in which you are placed.
Full reinforcements of all arms will be sent with
utmost despatch."

Among the slain in the action at Kambulaki on the 29th
inst., wss Lieutenant Bright, of the 90th Regiment. De-
ceased was an officer of considerable promise, and in his
21st year. Be was the only surviving son of Mr. Tyndall
Bright, of theafirm of Gibbs, Bright, and Co., Liverpool and
London, shipowners.

Lieutenant Johnson, of the 99th, who fell in the engage-
ment on the 3rd, Is the son of Mr. W. Johnson, J.P., Cork.
He was twenty-eight years of age. Ho Joined the 99th about
six years ago, and was musketry instructor Only on Tuesday
morning the father received a letter from his son, who was
then preparing for the advance on Ekowe. Great sympathy
is felt for Mr. Johnson in hie sad bereavement. There were
other officers belonging to the locality of Cork, serving in the
relief column. *.

Her Royal Highness the Princess Louise (Mar-
chioness of Lorne) has sent a telegram to the 91st
Highlanders expressive of her interest in the corps
that bears her name. The message was brought by
the captain of the regiment, late equerry to her Royal
Highness. This officer left Canada for South Africa
on a notice of twelve hours.
In addition to the telegraph train now on its Way-ottt to
Natal, the War Office has decided to send out a complete
telegraph company. The 22nd Company, at present in the
service of the Postmaster-General, has been selected, and has
received orders to concentrate at Woolwich. The company
will comprise 50 constructors, 30 manipulators, 30 drivers,
and 10 general service men, with 300 mules.