The Express.
London, England, 1851-07-08 00:00:00

MAJOR WILMOT'S REPORT.

Bir,—Having received instructions direct from the com-
mander-in-chief to patrol the Lower and Eastern Amatola
ranges, so is to divert the attention of the enemy from the
Windvogelsberg, and to intercept any cattle which might
be driven from the line of Colonel Mackinnon's patrol, I
have to report that the force, consisting of 1,060 men
under my command, marched at 6 o'clock on the
morning of the 9th May, halted for 21 boom during the
day, and b.vouacked for the night on one of the spruits of
the Kabousic. On the morning of the 10th I marched at 3
o'clock, and halted for 21 hours on the Kabousie River
then resuming my march, I crossed the mountains to the
eastward of the Kabousie Neck, meeting with but slight
opposition in this difficult pass. I halted fur the night
at the base of the mountains on the Buntelsok Flats.
Perceiving the fresh spoor of a larger number of cattle in
the direction of a secret hiding-place belonging to the
Chief Ants, on the morning of the 11th, at 9 o clock, I
marched, and followed the spoor for some distance across
the flat until I met the cavalry, commanded by Lieut.-Col.
Napier, Cape Mounted Rifles, of Colonel Mackinnon's di-
vision, to whom I pointed out the spoor, and told the pro-
bable hiding-place of the cattle. I then re-cro.wd the
Amatohis by the great cattle pass leading from the Thomas
River into the Keiskamma Hoek. I crossed without op-
position, and from the high ground perceived several herth
of cattle grazing on the skirt of the dense kloofs near the
Keiskamma lloek. I sent Captain Darnell with his troop
in pursuit of the only herd which could be intercepted from
the position I was in (Lieut. Iloskins, R.N., and Lieut.
Whitmore, Cape Mounted Rifles, accompanying this party),
and was seceesaful is capturing filly head. I bivouacked
for the night at the mouth of tho pass. On the morning
of the 12th I marched at six o'clock, and halted for three
hours in the Keiskamma Neck. The enemy collected in
force on different hills, but would not give me an op.
portunity of attacking him. I halted for the nigkt at the
base of the Kabousie mountain. I marched at half-
past six o'clock on the morning of the 13th, and
halted near Murray's Krantz for two hours. During
my descent into the open country, the Albany levy, under
Captain Griffiths, had a slight skirmish with the enemy. I
arrived at King William's Town at about 7 o'clock p.m.
I have to express my satisfaction at the cheerfulness and
willingness of the non-commissioned officers and men, both
regular and levies, notwithstanding the colds and the pre-
cipitous nature of the country through which I marched.
I have to expreseipay thanks for the co-operation and assist-
ance during the patrol, to Lieutenant Knox, commanding
73rd ; Lieutenant Campbell, commanding Royal Artillery ;
Lieutenant King, commanding 6th Regt.; Lieutenant
Pasley, Royal Artillery, in charge of the Royal Sappers
and Miners; to Commandant Davies, commanding lst
corps of levies, fur the useful assistance I derived
from his experience in the country; Captain Darnell, com-
manding Armstrong's Horse; Captain Shaw, commanding
Clanwilliam levy; Captain Griffith,, commanding Albany
levy ; Captain Badman, commanding Riversdalo levy ;
Captain Barnfather, commanding Cape Town Levy. Lieut.
Hoskins, R.N., A.D.C. to his excellency the commander-
in-chief, and Lieut. Whitmore, C.M.lt., commanding the
escort of his excellency, who accompaniedme, afforded me
every assistance I could wish. I have, &c., If, EAnDLEY
WILMOT, Major, Royal Artillery, Commanding Patrol.
Lieut -Col. Clocte, C. 8., K.IL, D.Q.M. Gen.