The Express.
London, England, 1851-11-06 00:00:00

The following are the reports by Cu!. Mackinn

_ -
and Col. Eyre, of their patrol operations. Tho former
writes as follows :
King William's Town, Sept. 17.
Sta,—l have the honour to report that according to your
excellency's instructions I marched from the station ea the
6th inst., with a force of 1,230 men, composed as follows :
2nd Queen's, 398; Gth Regiment, 419 ; Royal Marines, 52 ;
73rd Regiment, 152; Cape Mounted Rifles, 33; Arm-
strong's Hone, 29; Catty's Rifles, GI ; Levies and Guides,
103. Total, 1,250. I detached Lieut. Col. Michel with a
part of the force by Fort Welishire, and proceeded myself
with the supply waggons by Line Drift. On the 7th inst.
the whole force met at Fort William's.
On the Bth inst. I moved to Foonah's Kloof.
During the march I saw at a short distance to the left of
the road, the Kan driving some cattle into a deep vall.y
which leads down to the Fish River, and I made arrange-
ments for attempting their capture the following Morning.
On the 9th inst., leaving a sufficient force for the defence
of the waggons I marched at half-past 3 a.m. I reached
Lieut.-Col. Michel with the Gth regt., Catty's Riflemen,
Armstrong's Horse, and 50 of the levy, to the right of the
valley where I had seen the cattle, and proceeded myself
with two companies of the Queen's, the detachment of the
73rd Regt., and Cape Corps, to the leg of this valley.
I directed Commandant Davies, with 50 of the Levy and
the guides, supported by 200 of the Queen's, under Capt.
Oldham, enter the valley and follow the traces of the
cattle.
After detaching Commandant Davies and Captain Old-
ham, I watched their progress for some time, and saw
them burn some huts at the upper part of the valley.
I Some tiring took place, but it ceased, and the detach-
ment entered the valley on the traces of the cattle.
I then proceeded along the high ground to the left of the
valley, intending to gain • rising ground about two
miles distant, from which point I could observe their pro-
' grew I, however, soon perceived a large body of Kaffirs
and Hottentots at some distance to my left, and I moved to
attack them. I extended the two companies of the Queen's
in skirmishing order, keeping the 73rd in reserve. The
Queen's engaged the enemy with great spirit, and drove
him into a deep valley or kloof which rune dowa towards
the Fish River. As the enemy possessed • great advantage
here, in firing upwards at our men, I withdrew the Queen's
from the edge of the kloof, and formed the 73rd in skir-
mishing order behind the scattered bushes at some distance
from the kloof, retiring the Queen's through the intervals
of the 73rd. My object was thus to draw the enemy
into snore favourable ground for us. This mancenvre was
entirely successful. The enemy thought we were retreat-
ing. Ile came out, and suffered heavily. I then proceeded
towards the rising ground before mentioned, from which
I hoped to obtain a view of the detachment in the valley.
I did not reach it till 10 o'clock, when seeing nothing of
the detachment, and hearing no firing, I concluded that

Commandant Da•ice and Captain Oldham had scoured the
valley, and had effected their junctu.n with Lieut.-Colonel
Michel. . . . . .

The enemy now appeared again in our rear and flanks,
apparently' intending to oppose our progress towards tho
camp. We again drove them off, but they did not fight
with the same spirit as before. On reaching the road be-
tween Fort Peddle and our bivouack, I found Captain
Tainton with 180 }lngot% awaiting me. lie had been
accidentally detained at Fort Peddie beyond the time at
which he was directed to march.
. .

lip to this time we had had three privates of the Queen's
wounded, two of whom are since dead, and two privates
of the Evora Monitilli, and two of the 73rd wounded. It
was only at this period of the day (eleven o'clock) re-
ported to me that eight privates of the Queen's were
missing. My men were too much exhausted (they had
been marching and skirmishing incessantly fur 17) hours)
to retrace their steps in search of them, but I scut the Cape
Corps and Fingoes, with the captain of the company to
which the missing men belonged, to search tho ground near
the point where they had last been seen. The search was
unsuccessful. I returned to our bivouuck at a quarter be-
fore 1.

Lent: Colonel Michel returned with his detachment to
the birouack at a quarter before 4 o'clock. He reported
having met with no opposition. lie worked along the
heights to the right of the valley (the route being cir-
cuitous), and after twice crossing the Fish River, entered
the mouth of this valley. He effected a junction with
the detachment under Captain Oldham and Commandant
Davies about 9 a.m., at a most critical moment. It
appears that the enemy attacked the rear of this detach-
ment soon after they entered the valley, and that they met
another body of them in their front. The Levies and guides
outmarched the Queen's, and the latter g 4 separated;
Captain Oldham, with one company, leaving the path down
the valley and losing his road. Ile was surrounded by
Kaffirs, was killed himself, and hi• men suffered severely.
The loss of this detachment was one captain and nineteen
rank and file of the Queen's and Quarter Master Ebden and
two rank and file of the Levy killed. Twenty rank and file
of :he Queen's, and Commandant Davies, one sergeant and
one private of the Levy, and two Kaffir guides wounded.
The opportune junction of Licutenant.Colonel Michel's
column enabled the detachment tobring away their wounded
in safety.
On the 10th instant, I proceeded to Breakfast \'ley, for
the purpose of co-operatin4 with Lieut.-Col. Eyre, who was
to have moved from Committee's that morning. lie had

however, been diverted from his intended movement, and
had made a night march by the (Toga upon a hill to the left
of the road between Breakfast Vley and Committee's, where
he found a body of Katlirs and Hottentots posted. Ile
attacked them, and routed them with considerable loss. I
enclose his report. Lieut.-Colonel Byre joined me at
Breakfast Vley with 300 of the 73rd Ra.gt., and 60 cavalry,
whilst my column was halted there and preparing to !novo
towards Committee's. I then moved to Fort Williams.
sending the wounded to Fort l'eddie.
' On the llth instant, the troops rested, and I procured

some supplies from Fort Peddle.
On the 12th instai.t 1 returned to Foonah's Kloof, and
made arrangements for again scouring the valley where the
division suffered so severely on the 9th.
On the 13th inst. I detached Lieut.-Colonel Michel, with
the 6th, Catty's Riflemen, and 100 of the Queen's, to the
right, over theme ound he before traversed. I sent Major
Armstrong with the cavalry, the Levy, and 100 of the
Queen's to the rising ground to the left of the kloof, and T.
proceeded myself with the 73rd, 100 of the Queen's, and
the lingoes, down the kloof. We had a drenching rain
all day, and either this or the large farce we displayed de-
terred the enemy from any serious opposition. A few shots
only were fired at us as we entered the kloof, but the troops
suffered no loss. We thoroughly scoured the kloof down
the Fish River, and formed a junction with Lieut.-Colonel
Michel near the river. On our way down the kloof we
found a number of dead Kaffirs, which confirms the account
then given by a Kaffir prisoner whom we captured, that
the enemy suffered severely from the lire of Capt. Oldham's
detachment.
On the 14th, I proceeded to Breakfast Vley.
On the 14th, 1 moved at 4 amt., in the direction of Coin
mittee's towards the point where Lieut• Col. Eyre's combat
of tho 10th was fought. A body of Kaffirs and Hottentots
drew up to oppose us, but were quickly routed by the 6th
and 73rd Regiments. We oscasioned them severe loss, but
had one private of the 6th killed, and one of the same re-
giment wounded. I moved on the afternoon of this day to
the Goya.
On the 16th, sending the waggons uuder Licut.-Col.
Michel, with the 6th Regiment, two companies Queen's,
and Armstrong's Horse, round by Line Drift, 1 proceeded
with the remainder of the diviaon by the mouth of the Qa-
lagha to the Tanialca. We captured a few cattle and eight
horses on our march, killing several Rattles.
I returned this day to King William's Town.
I annex a return of the casualties which occurred during
them operations, including Lieut.-Colonel byre's loss on the
10th inst.

I have to bring to your excellency's notice the great ex-
ertions of the troops, and to express my thanks fur the aid
I received from the officers commanding the different corps.
I beg to thank Lieut.-Colonel Michel, commanding 6th
Regt.; Lieut.-Colonel Eyre, commanding the 73rd Regt. ;
Lieut.-Colonel Burns, commanding the Queen's,; Lieut.
Harris, commanding the Royal Marines; Major Arm-
strong, commanding the Mounted Levy; Captain Campbell,
commanding detachment of the Cape Corps; Captain
Catty and Commandant Davies, commanding the Levies.
I beg also to thank Major Pinckney, 73rd Regt., and Ma-
jor Robinson, of the Queen's, for their exertions while
commanding detached parties under me.
Lieut.-Cel. Michel mentions the service of Major Wiltnot,
R.A., and Lieut. Paley, R.A., who acted as staff officers to
his column. _ . _

I have received every passage advantage from the energy
and ability of Captain Faunce, my Brigade Major; reed
Lieut. Whitmore, C. M. Rifles, who acted as my Aide-de-
Camp, rendered most efficient service.
The officers of the medical department deserve my
warmest acknowledgments for their attention to the
wounded.-1 have, &c., GEO. 71IACKINNON,
Cum. '2nd Division.
His Excellency Sir H. G. Smith, Bart., G.C.8., &c.
The following is Colonel Eyre's report :
Camp, Fort Montgomery Williams,
Sept. 11, leol.
Sir,—l have the honour to report that I moved with the
force under my command on the morning of the 9th
instant from Tminpetter's Drift to Fort Peddle, and being
there joined by one hundred lingoes, under Cap-
tain Rae, I proceeded to the Goga, where I halted for, •
few hours, with the intention of reaching by daylight on
the following morning one of the enemy's positions on
Committee's Bill.
Soon after daylight on the 10th instant, the enemy
showed himself, but not in sufficient force, as I conceived,
to make it worth while to attack him, I therefore moved
on; on observing which he came forward with great bold-
ness, and in considerable numbers, shouting, and evidently
challenging us to combat. 1 instantly halted and deter-
mined to attack him. The Ilottentot rebels, in number at
least fifty, were drawn up in two ranks like regular troupe;
the lia.ffirs were so scattered that it would he impossible
accurately to enumerate them, but they were in consider-
able force, and advantageously posted ; they were drawn up
in various groups on the brow of a hill, with a valley and
dense bush in front, between the enemy and us. Round the
head of this valley, and to our left, was a connecting ridge,
over which several paths led through an open bush that was
perfectly practicable to all arms. I directed Major Arm-
strong to make a dash with his mounted force to Heise this
ground, thence to threaten the enemy's right flank and cut
him off from a deep kloof, into which he would probably
endeavour to escape. With the three companies of the
734 and the lingoes, I moved at once through the bush to
attack the enemy in front. The enemy made against us
but a feeble resistance, he evidently sided off as we ad-
vanced to our left flank, to attack the Cape Mounted
Rifles and Armstronis Horse. As they attempted to
eras the head of the valley on our left, Major Arm-
si dismounted his men, and, in skirmishing or-
der, I ell the ground with great spirit. As the main
forte of the enemy was evidently there, the enemy haying
changed his position as we advanced, I halted, and moved
to Major Armstrong's support. I found him warmly en-
gaged with the enemy, who lay scattered and concealed,
within a few yards' distance, behind a thick hush. On
reaching the ground, I immediately extended the grena-
diers of the 73rd, who, led on by Cap, Hewes, gallantly dashed
into the bush, under a sharp fire,driving the enemy and pur-
suing him down to the bottom of the kloof, and burning or de-
stroying all his numerous huts, which were concealed in the
bush. Several articles were found showing the luxury of
these rebels, who were evidently living on what they could
plunder from the colony. The enemy made several attempts
to steal on our flanks, but were driven off on each occa-
sion, with great spirit. After repulsing the enemy, and
silencing his fire, I held the ground for above an hour,
when, perceiving nothing further to be done, I retired
from the position, leaving a company in ambush, in case
the enemy might follow us, but lie offered us ne further
resistance. I marched to Breakfast Vley, the nearest
point for water, where I joined the patrol under Colonel
Mackinnon.
It is with much pleasure that I am able to report the
admirable conduct upon this occasion of the Cape Mounted
Rifles, under Captain Campbell, and Armstrong's Horse,
under Captain Tekusch—the whole under Major Arm-
strong. The brunt of the affair decidedly fell upon them,
and nobly did they respond to the call—they held their
ground with firmness until relieved by the 73rd, who with
them speedily put the enemy to flight.
I beg to express my thanks to the following officers:—To
Major Armstrong, commanding the mounted force; to
,Captain Bewes, commanding 73d Regiment; to Captain
Rae, commanding the lingoes, for his personal exertions
and example ; and to Lieutenant Gawlcr, my acting adju-
taut.. I was much obliged, also, to Mr. 1). leer, a civilian,
who accompanied me from Fort Peddle as a guide, and who
gallantly assisted me in the field.
Oar casualties, 1 regret to state, are considerable. Three
officers woundeseverely—Lieutenant Walters, 731; En-
sign Thunby, C.111.1t. ; and Captain Tekusch, of Arm-
strung's horse. One man killed C.M.R. ; three men
wounded, 73d Regiment, of whom one mortally ; and three
men of Armstrong's horse, of whom one mortally. The
loss of the enemy must have been considerable, but it is
impossible to ascertain it.—l have, die.
(Signed) WILLIAM Erne,
Lieut.-Col. 73d ltegt., Commanding.
Tho following general orders among others were
issued on the return of the patrols of Mackinnon and
Eyre
Head-Quarten, King William's Town, Sept. 17, 1861.
The commander in-chief has received with much satis-
faction Colonel Mackinnoa's report of tke continued opera-
tions which he was directed to carry on to dislodge the
united rebels—Raffirs and Hottentots—who had posted
themselves in the fastnesses of the Fish River Bush.

The commander-in-chief desires to compliment Col.
Mackinnon for the perseverance displayed in his operations,
and on their seems ; aided as ho has so nobly been by
Michel, Lieut.-Col. Eyre, Lieut.- Col. Burns,
and those officers especially noticed by him and by Lieut.
Col. Eyre, in his report. The conduct of the troops has
well maintained the character of British soldiers, and the
low sustained by the 2nd Queen's Royal Regiment stands
prominent on the regimental records of the former achieve-
illenti of this gallant corps.
Co). Mackinnon expresses his thanks to Lieut.-Colonel
Mitchel, cam. 6th Regiment; Lieut.-Colonel Eyre, corn.
73rd Regiment: Lient.-Cul. Burns, corn. the Queen's Regi-
ment; Lieut. Harris, corn. the Royal Mariners; Major
Armstrong, eons. the Mounted Levy ; Capt. Campbell, corn.
detachment of the Cape Corp; Capt. Catty and Corn.
Davies, corn. the Levies; and also to Major Robinson, of
the Queen's, and Major Pinckney, 73rd Reset., corn. de-
tached parties of their regiments, and to Capt. Faunae,
brigade major, and Lieut. Whitmore, C. M. It., acting as
aid; Al•Callip. The services of Major Wilmot, R.A.,
Lieut. Tuley, R.A., acting as staff-officers, and of the
Officers cl the medical department, are alto brought to the
notice of the commander-in-chief, and his excellency de-
sires to expma his approbation of the services and exer-
tions of all these officers, as well as that of every officer
and soldier under their command.
(Signed) A. J. CLUETE, Lt.-Col., D.-Q.-M.-Gen.
- -

•
The way in which the country even between Gra-
bam'o T Town and Fort Beaufort is beset, is evidenced
by the fact that a train of about 70 waggons was
attacked midway between these two places and
robbed. The train, escorted by Fingoes and other
levies, and a party of Hottentots, was on the road
between Fort Brown and Fort lkaufort. Impru-
dently enough twenty of the waggons went on in
advance of the escort, and when passing through the
drift of the Brisk river, four or five of them were at-
tacked by Hottentot deserters from the Cape Corps,
armed with rifles. A panic seized the drivers and
leaders, and the waggons and passengers remained
tall half an hour in possession of the rebels, who plun-
dered them. The escort comingypdrove the Hottentots
away ; they were pursued, the property all found,
sod two Hottentots and one Kaffir were killed. It is
evident that the rebels lay about in small parties in
all directions. If a large force appears, they lie still
and the road is reported clear. But if a small party
come within reach they pounce upon it, and plunder
x doitroy it.
'rhs 6hippiny Ginttle thus describes a rather des-
perate engagement with the enemy by the troops
under the command of Lieut.-(A. Fordyce, 74th
Ilighlandera. on the Kroome heights:
On the soh inst. Lieutenant Colons! Fordyce, with a fore,
of about GOO men, of whom about half were regular troop',
obi fly of the 7lth Regiment, proceeded to the Kroonse
ights, in the neighbourhood of Waterkleof„ with a view
of sndeavouring to cheek the depredations of the enemy in
that gooier. In an open plain, on the summit of Kroonses
eider , be was furiously assailed by a large body of Kaffir%
estimated at nu less than 2,000 in number. After a sharp
engageristat, which lasted about 2., minutes, the assailants
were beaten off, with, as was believed, considerable loss. The
Onsraunition of the troops being then more than half ex
panted, and their supply of provisions being scanty, Cul. For-
dyce determinist to return to the camp. Unfortunately,
while marching along a narrow paw, the Fingoes, who had,
behaved levy well during the engagement, was struck with
a suilibm panic on the approach of a body of Kaffir., and
rush. d down upon the two rear companies of the 74th, who
wire thus crowded up together and prevented from using
tla ir arms. " The Kaffir'," Colonel Fordyce states in his
wools, "seeing their advantage, rushed from the bosh,
shooting and stahhing many of our men while thus disabled."
Might men of this gallant corps were thus slain, and as many
wounded. Several of the Fingoes also fell. The enemy
lint up their fire until the detachment had cleared the
bash, but no further casualties were experienced.
(From the GraAgteta's Totem Journal.)
GRAHAM'S TOWN, Sitrr. 23.
We have hut little to report as having occurred since sue
last communication. If /Coffin and Hottentots are still in
this neighbourhood or in Lower Albany, they have been
unusually quiet during the last week or ten days, but it is
Is lies .1 m.O must of them have withdrawn themselves, and
joint d their countrymen in their strongholds. It is further
thought, and the opinion is partly founded on the above
creuntstance, that they arc meditatiag mischief upon an
enlare.d and snore extensive scale than heretofore. It is
tenant that the warlike spirit of the Kettles has risen copal-
ch raid; since the onfortunate affair with the troops, related
in firmer communications. It is a satisfaction, however, to
harm that the governor is at length purposing to provide
more effectually for the protection of the colony. Colonel
Eyre is about to tort a strong camp at Driver's-hill, in
the vicinity of Committee Drift, one of the most notorious
Martir paths on the Fish Hirer, and Major Wilmot will take
the command at Fort Peddle, where, hitherto, Captain Ca-
lull has been stationed with a body of troops. We learn
these particulars by the Kalif/land l'usf, which arrived on
Monday morning.
By the same pest, also, letters have been received from
beyond the Kei, which represent the Kaffir tribes there as
in a very unsettled and turbulent state. Another such af-
fair as that with the 2nd Regiment, and we shall probably
base the whole force of Katfirland brought to bear upon the
colon. By an express received from General Somerset's
tamp, it is ascertained that he is gathering about him the
various parties of the 91st Regiment which have been sta-
tioned at detached posts, au that it is presumed he purposes
snaking some great movement.
Yesterday, a considerable number of waggons left town,
to assemble at Botha's-hill, whence they are to proceed to-
daymnder strung escorts, to 'from tiers Drift,Fort Peddle,
Fort Beaufort, and Fort Hare. It is thought not unlikely
that those for the former two places may meet with some
interruption is the Fish River Bush.
It is reported here, on what authority we know not, that
the artillery from Cape Town, with the men in charge of
it has been landed at l'ort Elisabeth, and is now on its way
up to Graham's-town.
We find we have been rather premature in the remarks
Made at the commencement of this letter. We have just
now heard that last night eight spans of oxen were taken by
Hottentots from Burnt Kraal, near this town. They were
the property of Mr. Gold/wain and Mr. Honey. Two of
the henlsmen were wounded, the one being shot in the leg,
and the other in the foot. Pursuit was made, and about ten
of the oxen were recaptured.

Here is the official returns of killed, wounded, and
missing. in the actions of the 9th, 10th, and 15th
September, 1961:

•
OJT&
taasea's &gala 1
Royal .
Sled ladidast
CAL Rio
Am'Wow& haw ,
Lanka sad Caddo I
.....

II

am of Olken
MUM sod
`Oisidei.

Tdi
.led-j:-
Lt. waiters, svty.
Tkasslrt,
CS. Telma, do.
Q -M.Elidea, kid.
ppt. Davies, nly.

FATAL EXPLOSION OF FlRVAVRES.—Yesterday
Mr. Payne held an inquest on the bodies of Thos. Phillips
and Jas. Prickett, the two young men killed on Sunday
lag by an explosion of gunpowder, while making fire-
works, at 7, Smith-street, Northampton-square. No mate-
rial addition was made to the facts given in Monday's
Express. The Coroner observed that the manufacture
cdtireworks was prohibited hy law, and that, being en ille-
gal act, any one who should be aceesaory to the death of an-
other, by an explosion of the composition for making them,
would be guilty of manslaughter. Some time ago, es the
occasion of a death from the explosion of gunpowder which
occurred in Southwark, he felt it his duty to state to the jury
that it was a ease of manslaughter, and when the indictment
came before the Recorder at the Central Criminal Court the
learned judge supported his view of the law. In this cue
it has unfortunately happened that all the parties con-
cerned were the sufferers, and in all probability Mr. Bull
world not live long. Red another party beta the cause of
this melancholy event he would have been answerable for
the violation of the law. 'f he jury, perhaps!, under the
prearat circumstances, would not :press the law to its ex-
tremity. Verdict, That the deceased men came to their
deaths by an explosion of firework', which they were
FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE WESTMINSTER HOCSE
or CUIMECTIUN.—Yesterday an inquest was held by_Mr.
Bedford, the coroner, in the House of Correction, West-
minster, on the body of Mary Brown, aged 38, wheels
death took place under the following circumstances
had not long been in confinement in the prison, and on Fri-
day night gave the usual signal to the female warder in at-
tendance that she wished to go into the yard, end that officer
let her out of the cell and accompanied her. To get into
the yard thete is a sort of ladder about memo feet high,
inlar to those seen at stable lofts, and without say sort of
railing; while descending the place the primmer slipped,
fractured one of the bones of the arm, sad was injured over
the eye. The warder went quickly to her mistime, and
she was taken to the infirmary, where Mr. Levies, the cur-
goon, was promptly in attendance and set the fracture. The
woman went on well until erysipelas set in, of which she
died on Tuesday. The coroner and jury remarked in
strong terms upon such a system existing in a metro-
politan prison. The jury returi.ed a verdict of Accideang
death,- at the same time expressing their opinion that Mee
ladder should no longer be used. Mr. Crae, the deputy.
governor of the prison, said he would take care their maw
mendation should be attended to.
ChILD MVIDSX—Last evening Mr. Payne bell
an inquest at the Fountain Tavern, Red•crowstreet, spas
the body of a sew born infant, proved to have been the off-
',Meg of Mary Ann Thompeon, an unmarried
last!
woman, aged 19, and resident at 5, Butler's.alley,
menet. The body of the child was found cold at the Me'
algae mother, who had retired to a closet to give It Wedse
amt the medical evidence showed that having Wm bon
healthy, it had died from pressure on the windpipe. A
verdict of wilful murder against the young woman wan
found; she lies, however, in a condition too dangerous to
be removed, but is in charge of the polite.