The Express.
London, England, 1851-03-06 00:00:00

CAPE OF GOOD lIOI'E

WAR WITH • THE CAFFRES:

'We have Graham's Tore journals to January 4.
Hostilities had commenced is Caffraiim

Die Graham's Town Journal of De. 23th, saes:
" lktpite the forbearance of his Excellency the
Governor towards the Dallies. his anxious solicitude
to avoid au appeal to arms, and his untiring kind-
ness to them, they have by a criminal overt act cam-
pelled him to bring into hill exercise the power at
his 'command for the protection of the colony and
their condign punishment. Twelve British soldiers
have been shot dead, and several others wounded by
these lurking robbers." The details are given in the
following dispatch of Colonel Mackinnon :
sear Uniondale ("Siren's) Mission Station,
December 24,18.50.
Sir,—Having marched from Fort Cox, according to your
excellency's orders, at day-break this morning, with a force
as per margin,. I proceeded up the valley of the Keiskam-
ma, meeting with the met friendly conduct on the part of
the Kaffirs until within about three miles of this place. I
had particularly cautioned the otile,rs and men to molest
no one on the march, and not to fire unless attacked.
Whilst passing through a narrow rocky gorge of the Keis-
kamma, where the men could only proceed in single file, a
fire was opened on the column of intautrv, the Kaffir police
and Cape Mounted Rifles having already passed the
spot. The tire was moat re.olutely maintained for a
considerable period, and the nature of the ground ems such
that the troops could not dislodge the Kaffir+. until they had
suffered a serious low, and the Cape Mounted Itifies
and Kaffir police could not be used in any way to
turn the thinks of the attacking petty. Assistant-Surgeon
Stuart, Cape Mounted lilt!, s, 1 corporal and 9 privates of
the Gth Regiment, and 1 corporal of the 73rd Regiment,
were killed. Brigade-Major Bisset, Cape Mutint.ll !titles,
and Lieutenant Catty, Gth Regiment, were wounded se-
verely (not dangerously), privates, 6th Regiment, and 2
privates, 73rd Regiment, were also wounded. The trool's
at last succeeded in clearing the bush and rocks of Kaffir',
and in killing a considerable number.
I proceeded to the neighbourhood of this stations, afford-
ing a good clear ground for an encampment, and because I
was anxious to afford protection to the inis.ionary. Vike,
the headman, assured me he will protect him.

As it is imp.. ruible for me to know how far this warlike
divroition will rpread, and to your Excellency is left with
so small a number of troops to protect the colony, I shall
muse back to-morrow by the waggon road to Dailey's grave,
and then by Fort White to k'ort Cos. 1 beg to assure your
excellency that the conduct of the troops and Kettle police
was admirable, and that I received every possible aid from
the officers commanding the different corps' sir, Lieut.-
Col. Napier, commanding the Cape Mounted Ritter, C'apt.
Robertson. nth 1te.4., commanding the infantry. and Super-
intendent Davi., commanding the Kafir police. The aer-
sires of Major Birsitt, my brigade =Or, were on this °e-
casino, as on all others since 1 hose known him, most

I will communicate with Lieut.-Col. Eyre tonight, and
order him hack to Kin; William's Town, and 1 ant COD-
'incest that your eseelbney will agree with me that his re-
maining at the Cabousie is not at present advisable.
I scud this by a Kaffir of the Mission station, who I re-
quest may be handsomely rewarded.—l have, &r.,
(Signed) Geo. MACKINNON, Colonel.
His Excellency Lieut.-Gen:rul Sir 11. G. Smith,
Hart., G.C.O.
The Graham's Thum Jaarnal of Jan. 4, after allud-
ing to the forgoing affair, says:
This, surely, is enough to prove that the present is a
war of the.Kaffirs upon the colonists. They tired the
first shot, and having obtained a slight advantage,
flushed with success, rode OH to greater enormities.
The military villages were next attacked,—Woburn,
Auckland, und Joluninesherg reduced to ashes, and
the whole of their male inhabitants cruelly butchered.
Within five days of the first iffEtir another engage-
ment took place between 250 of the colonial forces
and the enemy, at the Churnie Hock, wherein the
British loss was 20 men and 2 officers killed, and 11
rank and file wounded,—the Kuflirs in this instance
also being the first to rush on to the attack, giving
still further proof of their determination to act upon
the offensive.

This second affair is detailed in the following offi-
cial despatch from Colonel Somerset:
Fort Hare, 30th Dec. 1850.
Sir,—Having had a severe action with the enemy yester-
day in an attempt to open a communication with the Cum-
mander-in-chief I felt it nee.wsary to transmit to you the
substance of my report to him Monier to prevent unfounded
exaggerated report, being circulated of the facts.
flaying un the night of the 28th and morning of the 29th
instant, before day light, forwarded dispatches to his excel-
lency the Commander-in-chief by a party of the Cape
Mounted Itillemen,this party were intercepted:by theenemy,
and very properly returned and made their report to me.
Feeling the importance of opening an early communica-
tion with his excellency, and at the wane tune toeing desir-
ous of ascertaining what was actually in the front, 1 de-
tailed a party of 150 91st Regiment under I.ieut.-Colonel
Yarborough, 70 Cape Mounted. Rifles, under Major Somer-
set, accompanied by a small 3-pounder gun Royal Artillery,
my object being to take up a position on the ridge above the
Unmasie stream while I sent a party of the ('ape Mounted
Riflemen forward with the mail to Fort Cox. This object was,
however, defeated by the enemy showing themselves in con-
siderable force on our right on the Yellowwood river, about
six mils from this post, who attacked us as we were ad-
Valleing up the hill towards the Connazie, whom, however,
we drove bark and for a time establisher' ourselve, in posi-
tion ; from the large body of the enemy whom 1 observed
collecting, I saw It once that I could nut effect the object 1
had in view, 1 th,refore directed the troops to retire towards
Fort Ham ' at this time a very large force of the enemy
was also observed coming over from the mountains of the
Amanda, and others uswmfoled in the Chunne Hoek.
The troops continued retiring in admirable order, con-
testing every foot of ground with the enemy, whose num-
bers increased out of every valley, as we passed the succes-
sive heads of the various kiwis. The day was most
oppressive. 1 was able to open the gun upon the enemy
several times with good effect. After retiring about d
miles, while holding a small valley on a hill, in firing a shot
from the small gun the trail unfortunately broke short off,
which rendered the gun completely unserviceable. I had
it brought on until, when passing 1.1 %alley with rugged
banks, the gun fell over, and could be no longer got for-
ward. At this time we were attacked by a very superior
force iu a thorny valley, the troops having a humid° hand
encounter with the enemy. Here lam sorry to say several
of our brave soldiers fell, including Lieutenant Melvin and
!dent. and Adjutant Gordon, 9lst Reg.; Ensign Borthwick,
91st, was wounded; also several men 91st and C. M. Rifle-
: men were wounded, and several troop horses; also Major
Somer.t's charger was wounded. Having forted them-
! selves from this difficulty, the troops continued to retire in
perfect order, when they were met by 100 men, most
judiciously sent out in support by Major k maws, 91st, whom
I had left in command at Fort Hare.
The hest of the weather was: most oppressive; nothing
could memo' the steadiness and gallantry of the trope
throughout this most fatiguing and Irving service through
a most difficult country ;—I am greatly indebted to Lieut.
I Col. Yarborough, commanding 91st, and to Major Somerset,
commanding Cape Mounted Riflemen, for the able assist-
ance they afforded, and the way in which they led their
men, and to all the officers and troops fur their steady and
gallant conduct.
' The loss of the enemy was considerable, our fire being
steady and well-directed, having contested the ground with
the enemy for upwards of four hours.
The gun 1 have had brought in this morning.
I have, &c. 11. SOW:10M Col.
Commanding Frontier.
It may be remarked that, up to the moment of re-
! (riving the first intimation of actual hostilities, the
intelligence from the surrounding country was of a
most satisfactory character.

The journal quoted ahove saes :
The chief Krell, we had been assured, had withdrawn
the promise of his aid to Sandilli, and hail dispatched two
of his councillors with an ox to be presented to the governor
in token of amity. This information reach no direct from
KreWs country—while from the Tambookie frontier we
had corroboratory intelligence of a still more characteristic ,
and derisive character. The official account furnished by
Colonel Mackinnon of the affair in the Antitola seems to ,
make an impression that he had been decoyed into the in-
tricacies of that celebrated fastness. Those who know the
locality assure us that a more formidable position
than the one taken br the Katlirs can scarcely be con-
ceiveil—the only wonder being that more than half
our force escaped the musket balls of the enemy. If this
I be so, and we hare no reason for doubting the accuracy of the
statement, then notwithstanding our loss—a loss so deeply ,
regretted—there is good ground, accepting the official des-
patch in its plain import, for believing that it may not ho
quite barren of:the advantage. It has taught us at the
outset the true character of the Kaffir*. stronghold; and
moreover, that their residence there is inconsistent with the
safety of the colony. and will ever peril the lives of the inha-
bitants of the frontier. Such are the light shades of the
piece, the point of greatest moment being the fret that the
British government has now a clear ease for the exaction of
such a penalty as may secure the peace of this country on a
solid foundation. The fastnesses of the Amatola must not
remain in the occupation of the Gaika Kaffir*.
We extract the following front an account of the
events of the week preceding the departure of oar
advice 4, as given in the Graham's Town Journal of
Jan. 4 :

Monday. Dee. 30.—The town is in a ferment, waggons
coming in every hour from the surn.unding country, and
others moving their household Roods from undefeneible pre-
mises to places of greater security. Thousands of cattle nn
the surrounding slope., which arc embrowneil by the
drought and denuded of every blade of grass on which the
poor animals can browse. Letters from the inland mail
received, from which we extract as follows:
.• Burghers Dorp, Dec. 19. 18.10.
" There is nothing further of interest to communicate
front this qu irtor since my Last, beyond the reports of
continual and increasing depredations committed by the
Tambookies in the Stormberg. Subsequently to the
losses reported up to the 14th instant, there have
• it lk
eras

The tobacco raanufactureca of Glasgow hare
furmcd themselves into a society, having fur ita object the
racers, 234 roar '°-Jab. 75
detection aad expointra of any fraudulent attempt to sdul- 1.663,-6i6 cam mew,t66 ftt6.6._7Ste. 73 Bit eflistrai aism.. 167 rash lag gue.
kraut tobacco or spa. Inik robs',—.2 Gime, SO task rad No

been stolen nearly 50 bend of cattle in on week
—27 from ow: Boer. This individual has been
robbed during the last two months of 70 head of cattle !
The Boers naturally exclaim how ran we stand it ?
"The dr.ring of the Kaffir; in the district of the Krai
River has become so great that a patrol of silt+. men was
obliged to be ordered out from Ituffels \ley to scour the
country and drive them into Kaffirland. Parties of 20 or
30, armed with guns and aresigitis, and driving numerous
cattle have been seen passing towards Kaffirland, and been
allowed to pass unquestioned by the Moen who had no
means of resistance. It requires no great foresight to pre-
dict that unless the insole:lee of these barbarians is summa-
rily punished, and their honer effertuullv crushed, the
farms of this district, whirls for the rearing of all kinds of
stock are inferior to none in the colony, will be abandoned
by their owners, who have for nearly twenty years been in
possession of t hem."
The following statement has been made to us by the
party named:
"On Sunday last, about 10 o'clock, as Mr. Jeremiah
Goldswain, with his brother+ and their herds, were guard-
ing their ducks, on their farm Saxibld, about five miles
from Graham's Town, he saw a Kaffir chasing au ox, and
two other Kettles close by. lie immediately rode to acquaint
his brothers, when they all (four in number) went to the
spot where he had seen the Kattirs, and [her: they discovered
the Kaffirs still in pursuit of the ox, which he had wounded
in the head, but not mortally.. They pursued the Kaffir, who
on perceiving them sprang into the bed of the river, and
concealed himself under the rushes. They lust sight of him,
but knew he was not far off. 'They called to him to come
to them and they would not kill hum, but not seeing any-
thing of him, and he not replying to their call, they went
out into the bed of the over after him. Two of the
party had passed the spot where he lay concealed, when
Mr. Goldswain coming to the place, saw the muscle of a
gun being levelled at him, not more than a foot from his
horse. Ile had the presence of mind to wheel Isis horse
round, and thus saved his life, as a bush being in the way
the Kaffir could ant get aim at him. On his culling to
his companions to come to his assistance, the Kaffir
threw down his gun and called fur mercy. lie was
eventually brought into Graham's Town, and is now in
safe custody."
Tue.day:3l.—Thela,t day of the year—one of the saddest
and most eventful years in the history of the colony. It
found us at its commencement engaged in a struggle with
the home government against pollution by. eonvietism—at
the elo-e of it we are contending for existence with the
hordes of savages on our border. The first created disunion
and engendered irascible feelings ; let us hope that the latter
will induce u spirit of charity and forbearance, and unite all
in the general defence of our common country. Received
several communication', relative to late affairs, from which
we make the following extracts:
..... . _ _

" King William's Town, 26th December.
"On Saturday night all the sawyer+ at Feria Bush were
turned out of their houses (which were all ransacked) by
a large body of Kattirs, and everything even to their axes
taken from them. They were saved from being murdered
by the intercession of a petty chief. On the same night
three waggons proceeding from hence to Fort White with
meal for the contractor were attacked, and one of the
drivers, a Portuguese, together with the three soldiers of
the tith were murdered. Seventeen of the ox waggons
out of twenty-two which took Colonel Eyres division to the
Kubousie %Try sent down last week for supplies which were
expected from Cape Town, hut were started off again for
the camp yesterday, under an escort of 20 men (eight Cape
Mounted Ititles and twelve Koval Sappers and Miners) and
outspanned at a trader's station about nine or ten miles
from this. As soon at they had lit their tires a number of
Kaffir* came up to the waggons unarmed, as though fur the
purpose of ascertaining the strength of the escort, but they
all soon went otr. Shortly afterward: the waggons started,
and had only left about half an hour when 200 Kaffir; made
their appearance at the station and plundered the trader's
store, carrying off all his goods. They then took the same
direction as the waggons, as supposed with the intention of
attacking them, although all were empty. I 11(201 •arcely
say that all the Kaffir+ were armed on this second appear-
ance, suite with guns, others with assegais. It is said that
Ante Saudithes brdher, led them."

It would appear from tin; above that the cupidity of the
Kaffir* in appropriating the traders' goods otrusioned suffi-
cient delay to enable the waggons they were fallowing to
reach their declination in safety. Theylaare returned since
to King Town with the baggage of the division
above-mentioned.
KAGA.

A cuirtsipondent sends us the following :—" On the 22nd
inst., William ltickerd and others, residing on the west side
of Cowie Forest, went in search of their oxen, and near a
fountain on the mountain the party fell in with several fresh
trace.; of korses and Kaffir spisirs. The party followed up
the spoor into the Kaga forest, where they found seven
horses fastened to a tree with Kaffir reins ; upon looking
round and talking to each other, the Klan sprang up
armed with assegais' when three of the party tired to-
gether and shot oue Kaffir dead on the spot. The party
took the horses home with them. They appear all to have
been rude by the Kuttirs. Itickenl says, from the spreir of
the Kuttirs that there must have been at least ten of them,
as the spoor of at least three or four Kaffir, were seen fol-
lowing those that were riding. On the following morning
Mr. Knott claimed all the hums, and said that he was then
looking for eleven other horses that had been stolen the
evening before from him at Raga."
FORT HARE.

The following gin" a graphic cersionnf the fight between
the Kaffir, and the det tehmenta under Colonel Mackinnon
at the Keiskanuna gorge, and Colonel Soinered between
Fort Hare and Fort Cox :

" YOU saw the beginning of the war of 1816, but it is
nothing compared with the present. 1 never in my long
service have seen the Katfirs so daring. We arrived here
in good order on Sunday, the 15th. Everything remained
quiet, and not the least own of war. On Sunday, the 22nd,
two troops of the Cape Corps marched to fort Cu,., and
remained there till :Monday. Still everything appeared
quiet. On Tuesday morning at daylight we marched front
Fort Cox up Sandalli's Poet—along a foot road with very
dense bush fur four or five miles. Our force consisted of
about 16') or 180 Cape Mounted Rifles, 300 men of the 6th
foot, a company of the 73rd, and I dare say 80 or 100 Kaffir
police, under superinteudent Davis. Altogether there were
about A3l men. When near the end of the pass, or perhaps
half a mile before the head of the volumn cleared the hush
the first shot was fired, which we thought at first might be the
officers shooting at birds. But a very few moments served to
dispel this idea. Our corps was out of the bush and also
the police, coascquentiv the 6th bad to sustain the while
attack. They lost 1 facer, 10 privates; the 73rd one pri-
vate. We lost Dr. Stewart, who happened to be in the rear
when the attack was made. Major lissfet, in riding to see
what was up was badly wounded, as was also an Aker of
the 6th, unfefour or five men, We lost 6 casks of :IMMO-
. . . . . .