The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-04-19 00:00:00

MESSAGE FROM LORD CUE GMSFORD

The following message has been received
for transmission from Lord Chelnasford :

"A. relieving column, consisting of 2,600
infantry, 640 Naval Brigade, and 50 mounted
Europeans, 150 mounted Natives, two 9
pounder guns, four 24-pound rockets, two
Gatling 6, and 2,150 Native Contingent,
marched to relieve the garrison at Ekowe
on the 29th by the Lower Coast Road,
which runs througl.l open country all the
way. Colonel Pearson is aware of the
march, and will come out with all his avail-
able force to meet the column, which takes
one month's provisions for new garrison.
The latest reports say that the Zulus refuse
to assemble by regiments, but that they will
defend their own districts. The number of
the enemy round Ekowe is estimated at
1:5,000. The officer commanding Lower
Tugela informs me that the column reached
Amatakila River yesterday, and that Col.
Pearson had flashed from Ekowe that he
had seen it. The roads are very heavy ;
many oxen had died, bat others had been
sent to replace them. The three companies
of the Army Service Corrs, te N Battery,
and the 21st Foat have arrive here,—March
31st, Natal.".

["WESTERN MORNING NEWS "'CABLE TELEGRAM.]
MADEIRA, Wednesday, 6 p.m.
(Delayed in transmission).

The Maritzburff correspondent of the
Western Morning gems telegraphs April Ist
that the Relief Column, led by Colonel Law,
did not fairly start until the day before
yesterday. They entrenched themselves the
first night on a plain within sight of Fort
Tenedos, whence their fires were plainly
seen. Owing to obstructions and absence
of roads seven miles only were made next
day, when it was necessary to entrench, the
river being too high for safe and speedy
crossing. A small party of cavalry attemp-
ted to make a dash for Ekowe, but came
upon anienormous Zulu army and returned.
They ascertained that the road difficnities
for our force were not formidable.

A. runner from Pearson got through yes- '
terday, but brought only a verbal message
that fever and weakness had sent 200 men
to hospital, some others being wounded in a
recent raid after cattle. Colonel. Law has
made good communication with his base,
and intends making a supreme effort on
April Ist.
Great indignation has been excited against
John Dunn, formerly Cetewayo's confidant,
by discoveries showing him to have passed
through arms and ammunition. He is now
at Durban under surveillance.
Colonel Rowland's force made a success-
ful raid, burning kraals and capturing oxen.
The independent Swazle Chief, who lately
murdered women and children, has been
attacked and punished.
Colonel Wood's column hadithree days'
fighting. Zulus were driven away with
tremendous loss, but the British loss was
eighty, including Captains Rowland, Oamp-
bell, and Llewellyn Lloyd. The bodies of
many of our killed were recovered.
Lord Chelmsford personally superintended
the crossing of the Tugela and the departure
of the column.
The disembarkation at Durban was unex-
pectedly favoured by weather, and the horses
were landed in good condition. Weather
now cool and fine.