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

THE KAFFIR WAR.

ARRIVAL OF THE BOSPHORUS.

The screw steamer Bosphorus, Capt. Hall, arrived
at Plymouth yesterday at 6 p.m., from the Cape of
Good Hope, which she left on the 31st of May. The
aspect of affairs seems to have taken no definite turn
in favour of either party.
It was expected that by the time of the departure
of the next packet some more decisive movement will
have been made by. Sir Harry Smith.
The following is the monthly summary of the
Cape Town Mad of May 31:

During the past month no military movements of great
importance have taken place, but the war has been gradually
assuming an unlavourable aspect, which has given rise to
much anxiety.
Sir Harry Smith has remained during the month at
King William's Town, from which place he has continued
to send out patrolling columns in different directions, con-
stantly harrassing the hostile Ketfirs, driving them from
their strongholds, destroying their kraals, and occasionally
capturing some of their cattle. Except in one instance, the

liatlirs have avobletlan engagement With the troops, having
been rendered by frequent dekats more cautious than they
showed themselves at the commencement of the war.
_

The latest intelligence from head-quarters comprised in
our summary of last month, was of April 23. At that date
Major Wilmot, with a force of about 1,000 men, was en-
gaged in patrolling the country along the left bunk of the
Keiskanima, near its junction with the tmdezini. Ile
destroyed several kraals, and carried off sonic stores of
grain belonging to the hostile Kaffir's. The latter appeared
at a distance along the line of march, and attempted to cut
off some of the levies; but, observing that Major Wilmot
was preparing by an ingenious manoeuvre to draw them into
an ambush, they precipitately retreated, and escaped with
the loss of a few killed. The Hottentot levies, in the course
of this patrol, evinced a considerable improvement in point
of steadiness and discipline.
On the 28th of April, Colonel Mackinnon, with a force of
2,000 men, moved from King William's Town into the fast-
nesses of the Amatola mountains; and Major Wilmot, with
about 700 men, proceeded ag sin towards the Kieskamma,
near the junction of that river with the Chuntie, in order to
effect a diversion, by occupying the attention of the Kaffir,
in that quarter. Both of these movements were completely
successful. Colonel Mackinnon entered the mountains at
two o'clock in the morning, and, taking the Kettles by sur-
prise, captured about 400 head of cattle. The enemy, ex-
&operated by the loss, attacked the column with great fury,
engaging fur a time at close quarters. Alter a short but
desperate conflict, they were repulsed and routed with heavy
loss. About 250 were estimated to have fallen. The loss of

oar troops was rather severe, being three men of the 73rd
regiment, and one Dingo killed, and twelve men of the
73rd, one of the 6th, three of the Cape Mounted Riflemen,
and two of the levies wounded. The dead were brought
on to the bivouac and interred with military honours. On
the let inst. Cul. Mackinnon again entered the mountains,
and burnt the kraal of Sandilles brother. The Kaffir+ col-
lected in considerable force, but could not be brought to an
engagement. On the following day Col. blackionon re-
turned to head-quarters.
While these operations were going on, Major Wilmot
scoured the banks of the Keiskamma, near the Chumie and
Fort Wiltshire, and for five days kept the Kaffir, in that
quarter incessantly on the alert. Two =Art skirmishes
took place, in which more than thirty of the enemy were
killed. Of, Major Wilmot's detachment only three men

were wounded.'
On the Bth and 9th inst., Col. Mackinnon and Major Wil-
mot again left King William's Town, with strong detach-
ments, in different directions. The former proceeded to the
Kei River, which he reached on the 13th. The enemy as-
sembled along the line of march in considerable force, but
usually dispersed on the approach of the troops. In two
skirmishes, however, several Kaffir were cut off by charges
of cavalry, and slain ; and about 380 head of cattle were
captured. The troops, in accordance with the commandet-
in-chiefs instructions, did not cross the Kei, although
large herds of cattle were seen on the other side of that
river, having, as appeared by the traces, been driven across
it. The column returned to King William's Town on the
16th.
Major Wilmot, at the same time, advanced into the Ama-
toles by way of the Kabousie River, traversed the mountains
in various directions, and reached the Keiskantma Neck.
The 'mountains were covered with snow; the cold was ex-
treme, and the Kaffirs appeared to be cowed. They only
fired a few shots and tied before the troupe in great num-
bers. Major Wilmot, after a succession of lung and arduous
marches, returned to King William's Town on the 13th.
While these movements have been going on in British
Kaffraria, a sudden change of weather has occurred followed
by important results. On the ith inst., the drought which
had before nrevailed in and beyond the frontier districts was
succeeded by heavy falls of rain in some places, and of
snow in others. In and about Culesberg, the Orange River
Sovereignty, and the mountainous parts of Katfirland, the
ground has been covered with snow, and the weather has
been extremely inclement. The cattle and sheep in Albany
and the neighbouring districts have perished by thousands.
The Amatola mountains have been covered with snow to

their bases, and the Kaffir+ have been compelled to leave
them and drive their cattle to the low grounds. Some, it
would appear, have proceeded eastward, across the Kei;
others have driven their herds northward, into Tainbokie-
land ; and a considerable number have entered the colony
across the Keiskamma. Marauding bands of Kaffirs, more
numerous and daring than they have before shown themselves,
have within the past month spread over the frontier districts,
from the Orange River to the sea. Several farmers have
been killed in the district of Albert ; others have been
obliged to quit their farms or camps and retire into the in-
terior of the colony. In Albany, several farm-houses have
been burnt, in the vicinity of Graham's Town some waggon.
trains attacked, and numerous depredations committed.
The Kat River district and the adjoining country have been
again occupied by the Kaffin and rebel Hottentots, who
have re-possessed themselves of Fort Armstrong. A body
d them was attacked and routed, with considerable loss, by
a moll force under Captain Fisher, the officer commanding
at Eland's Post. Major-General Somerset himself subse-
quently moved into that district, with about 900 men, and
took past in the Blinkwater, and afterwards at Philipbar',
in the Kat River settlement, but found himself still strahlol
to cheek the ravages of the numerous hordes of maravelmel
by whom the country was infested. The colonial patrols
had also been active and frequently successful in pursuit of
the plunderers, but were worn out by the incessant:andja-
borious exertions required of them.
In Lower Kaffmna, immediately round King William's
Town, bands of hostile Raffles have become numerous and
daring. They have twice cut off the mails between Gra-
ham's Town and King William's Town, have vigorously
attacked convoys of waggons proceeding to the latter town
from the port of East London, and have fired upon Captain
Maclean, the Slambic Commissioner, and Captain Blanekly,
of the 6th regiment, when returning from King William's
Town to Fort Murray.
On the 22nd inst., Field-commandant Joubert was assem-
bling another force of burghers in the Colesberg district, to
proceed against the Tambookic marauders. This will be
the fifth expedition of this brave and indefatigable leader,
with the burghers of Colesberg and the neighbouring dis-
tricts, against the enemy, during the present war.
In the sovereignty beyond the Orange River, the state of
affairs has become extremely critical. Hostilities have
broken out among the native tribes, some of whom claim
the protection of the local government, on the ground of
services rendered to it in suppressing other disturbances last
year. The principal tribes engaged are the Korannae, under
the chief Gert Taaybosch ; the Barolongs, under Moroko,
the Lighoyas, under Molitrani ; and, it was feared, the nu-
merous tribe of Basutus, under Moshesh. The course which
Major Warden, the British resident, would take was un-
certain, but apprehensions were entertained that much dis-
order and bloodshed would ensue in that province.
From Natal, intelligence has been received of the advance
of Mr. Shemtone (the superintendent of the native* is that
colony) at the head of a considerable body of Natal Zulus,
towards the north-eastern frontier of British Kaffraria,
where it was expected he would co-operate with the forms
under the commander-in-chief. He is reported to have
reached the vicinity of Kreili's habitation, where that chief,
since the rout of his people at havens', has been residing
quietly, and professing peaceable intentions.
11.31.5 t. Vulcan arrived in Simon's Bay on the 12th inst.
from Queenstown, bringing the 74th Regiment. After
coaling, and landing the women and children, the steamer
ed immediately to Algoa Bay, where the regiment
barked on the 17th. This fine body of
whose manly appearance and excellent state Vl=
have excited much admiration, had orders to join General
Somerset's division, which was greatly in need of each a
reinforcement. The soldiers who arrived in the Singapore,
about 300 in number, were sent up to East London in the
termer Ike, and arrived on the 13th at head-quarters,
what they were received with great satisfaction by their
menrades of the various regiments in the colony.
A report has prevailed to the effect that Sir Harry Smith
was about to repair to Graham's Town, for the purpose at
General Somerset, and arranging with that -dike,
seine psan of combined operations against the enemy.
*her positive, however, s known respecting his intentions.
On the 21st instant, his excellency was still at King Wil-
liam's Town, and was preparing to hold a general review of
the troops on her Majesty's birth-day. Major Wilmot,
with a detachment of 900 men, hid been sent to open the
communication with:Graham's Town, by the Westleyville
Ford, where the malls have lately been twice out off.
The court-martial on the Hottentot mbeb has been in
session at Fort Hare, and no less than Aftrthres priesnees
were tried in one week. The muteness had net been made
known.
A dewed' from Earl Grey was received by the Velem,
dated a aw days before the isdb outbreak was known in
England, and reed the removal ef the seat of go-
vernment to Grahame. Town, as a more esatral position.
The suggeeden Ime awakened muck surprise sad indigna-
tism as the telentits earrider that tin quietism el the mom
enbable amt _ pmemnent is one odd* the tame colonial
bgbdagem dinaM amide. There is no doubt that the great
:It:',the labsbhants of the colony would be in &mar
it:Town, which combines numerous advantages poi-
eased by no other localiq and is, moreover much nearer to
the come of the come Bas of the eakmay than any other
linra i ht. The prembee piths sistemsat brwever, in
emt lbe Ems Comosas. se as WA been seat
sellsomee Ow suggested esowevel, has (Meted the
dblinlinnt wile
JA WA less excited by the renews respest-
dssbwhich bee been generally expearel the the
at alsothriss to inqui into the mum
risilairdos aeon a portion of warehook: 110/Istls4l