The Sun.
London, England, 1852-01-31 00:00:00

THE SUN,

THE KAFIR, WAR.

ARRIVAL OF T;tl-,, HELLESPONT.

PLTMOT_ITH, JAN. 30.--The Royal Mlll steam-
packet. Helk,pont, Captnin W. Watts, anchored in
Milibay 'his afternoon at a quarter to three o'clock,
after a splendid passage home of thirty-two days and
eighteen hours—the shortest one on record. She was
under steam only thirty days and eighteen hours, and
having left on the proper day for starting she has
reached here a week earlier than was anticipated. She
left the Cape of Good Hope at seven P.M. on the 28th
of December; Sierra Leone, Jan. 12, at eleven P.M.;
and St. Vincent, on the 18th, at eight P.M. She brings
home three passengers-=Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Holland,
and Mr. Ogilvy, 611 from the Cape ; a full cargo of
wool and oil, and thirty bales of general naerchandize,
and 1,0001. worth of gold dust. The passage home-
wards was a very rough one.
The Hellespont has been very successful in making
her passages. The previous passage home was the
shortest that had been made, and now in this passage
she beats her former- run. She also wade her run
out in thirty-five days and seven hours—the shortest
on record, and six hours under the contract time.

On her voyage home, the Hellespont only spoke
one merchant vessel, the Allegro, of Liverpool, in lat.
25 30, long. 25 45, on the 24th of January.
Tne Bosphorus left Sierra Leone on the sth ; all
well,

The postmaster here received the mails at 3 15,
and es the London mail leaves at 6 20, and his staff
is small, the bags will not be opened, but sent on to
town to be sorted there. We shall no', therefore,
get our letters here and in the west generally till
Sunday.

The news brought by this mail shows that the war
had made no advance since the last intelligence
arrived, owing to the severity and inclemency of the
weather which had prevailed preventing the troops
that had left King William's Town prosecuting their
march, and it was expected that they would have to
return to recruit. The latest intelligence, written up
to the day of the Ilellespont's leaving, will be found
in the following communication :
The South African Commercial Advertiser of the
27th December says—
" Not a word has yet been heard of peace in any
quarter, nor is it known, or even guessed,' what Sir
Harry Smith will demand of the numerous tribes who
have kept him at bay fur twelve mouths, as the condi-
tion on which he will grant even a suspension of hostili-
ties. Tee Kafir chiefs, it is said, demand' indepen-
dence.' Sir Harry has pronounced the word extermi-
nation,' by which ho means the removal of the hostile
tribes to some country beyond the Kei. These are the
two extremes. There are many strong reasons against
both, but what other course is open? It is no relief to
say that peace cannot be made with the chiefs after
what has taken place without discredit or without
affording a dangerous proof of weakness in the opinion
of native tribes; or to maintain that the Kafirs have
justly forfeited their country. The question recurs, can
you govern and keep in order a nation like the Kafirs
otherwise than through chiefs? And if you drive them,
to the number of fifty or sixty thousand, back upon other
tribes, will you not strengthen and provoke a more
powerful native combination than you have yet had to
deal with? Africa is inexhaustible. Extermination, in
the broadest sense of the word, is useless as well as in-
human, with regard to single tribes—with regard to the
whole, impossible."

MONTHLY SUMMARY.
(From the Cape Town Mail of Dec, 27.)
The only important military movement which has
taken place during the month is the expedition across
the Km into the territories of Kreli, the paramount
chief of Kafirland. That chief has acted an ambiguous
part during the present war. While professing pacific
intentions, he has allowed his people to plunder the
English traders in his country, and has refused to make
restitution. Great numbers of the cattle captured in the
colony:by the hostile Kafirs are said to have been driven
into his country for safe keeping. The Commander-in-
Chief has at length determined to dispatch a force
against this chief, in order to bring him to account, and
to obtain restitution of the spoil.
The force employed in this expedition comprises about
four thousand men, of alrarms. They have crossed the
Kei in two divisions—the One near the mouth of the river
and the other higher up. The main division, under Major-
Generel Somerset, who directs the military operations,
consists of about 2,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry. This
division was formed of three columns, which started
respectively from King William's Town, the Blink-
water and Whittlesea, and met at the Imvani, on the
northern border of British Kafraria. These columns,
were under the command of Colonel Mackinnon, General
Somerset, and Captain Tylden. Colonel Mackinnon's
columns, consisting of about 1,600 men, and including
detachments of the 12th Lancers, 60th Rifles, the 2d,
6th, and 73d regiments, Cape Mounted Rifles, and other
corps, left King William's Town on the 27th ult., and
marched northward to the Imvani. Lieutenant-Colonels
Pole, Nisbet, Burns, Michel, and Napier, are in com-
mand under Colonel Mackinnon, At Imvani, on the 3d
inst., this column formed a junction with that of Gen.
Somerset, who had arrived from the Blinkwator, by the
way of Kat River; arid also with the force of Captain
Tylden, from W hittlesea. General Somerset's column
comprised about 1,000 men, and Captain Tyldeu's about
400 —both being composed ebb fly of burgher and native
levies, with some men of the Cape Corps.
After this junction of several forces, General Somer-
set proceeded on to the White Kei, detaching Captain
Tylden, with a force of 900 men, and afterwards Mjer
Somerset, with 100 cavalry, to scour the country about
the head waters of the KA, whither the Kafirs were
supposed to have driven their cattle. This service was
well performed, and about 2,000 head of cattle were
captured. Some skirmishing took place during these
operations, and several Kafirs were killed. On the 7th
instant General Somerset formed his camp at Kakadu,
near the White Kei; aed on the following day Colonel
Mackinnon and Lieutenant-alonel Michel started on
patrol, with a force of about 2,000 men. Nothing is yet
known of the later movements of this division. The
operations had been greatly impeded by the heavy rains
which had fallen almost every day.

While these movements were attracting the attention
of the enemy towards the Upper Kei, Lieut.-Colonel
Eyre, with his division, comprising about 1,000 men,
left King William's Town on the Ist instant, and
marched directly towards Butterworth, the mission sta-
tion near the principal residence of Kreli. In crossing
the Kei, he encountered and defeated a large body of
Kafirs, under Bookoo, an inferior chief, who. like Kreli
himself, had hither professed to be neutral. Forty-three
Kafirs were killed in this engagement, including two
nephews of Bookoo. On our sid tour men are said to
have been killed or wounded; but the official report
has not been received. After arriving at Batterworth,
Colonel Eyre made patrols into the neighbouring country,
where he captured a considerable number of cattle, and
again defeated a body of Kafirs, who are said to have
fled at the first volley from our cavalry, and to have
suffered a loss of at least twenty of their number.
While these successful operations have been going on
beyond the Kei, the hostile Kafirs within the colony
have been no less active and successful in their forays in
some of the frontier districts. The 12th and 74th
Regiments, with some colonial levies, have been able to
render but partial protection to those districts. In
Albany depredations have of late been few and unim-
portant; but Fort Beaufort, Cradock, .and Somerset
districts have suffered severely from the ravages of the
enemy, whose principal strongholds are in the Water-
kloof and the Fish River Bush. At the former place,
tie camp of the Kafirs tied rebel Hottentots, on the
Kromme Heights is reported (by a prisoner whom they
released) to occupy a space as largo as the town of Fort
Beaufort, and to be well supplied with cattle and sheep.
Since the departure of the expedition beyond the Kei,
these marauders have driven off from a single farm in
the Fort Beaufort district about 1,900 sheep (of which
450 were recovered) and 250 head of cattle. Many
other valuable flocks and herds have been swept off from
the adjoining country. In some instances, patrols of
farmers and troops have been able to recover
the spoil; but in other cases the plunderers, who move
usually in large bodies, comprising both horse and foot,
have repulsed their pursuers, and carried off their booty
in triumph.
Sir Barry Smith has remained at King William's
rown, from which post he has not moved during the
last ten months No military operations have taken
place in .that immediate vicinity. The hostile Kafirs
are said to be
seen from the
miles of Bead-quarters',
In the O°eltivating their gardens within about five
quarters', at a place where they can be
3li
ranPgever Sovereignty, and in Natal, tram quillity prevailed at
The
political
affairs
011, date of the latest intelligence.
both those settlements were, how-
ever, in an unsettled
sionetee Major Hogge aeaclate• The assistant commis-
Bloom Fontein, and were engMrae. Owen,
eel in their investigations
had arrived at
into the origin of the troubles
osh
s-tn
g t and
missionersD, utch, hwhichad
it.he Sovereignty. A
pin
nruemsebnetredo_fanthe address settlers,
to the Com
both
those troubles were ascribed to the
inter-
ference of the local authorities in the improper quarrels of th
tribes. At Natal the crops of all descriptions e
native
said to be this year unusually abundant Thecolon .s
are
had experienced much difficulty in obtaining labourers.
The native inhabitants were becoming less manageable
than formerly, and the leek of good regulations for
their government excited much complaint and appre-
hension. Mr. Benj. Moodie, secretary to the Natal Ge..
vernment, who has for some time past been at variance
with Lieutenant-Governor Pine, has received six months'
leave of absence, preparatory, it is understood, to his re-
tirement from office.
The Cape Legislative Council has been in session
during the greater part 0.7 the month. The proposed
ordinance • •
aneti.priating 40,000/. to
' the repair of prisons
has been withdrawn by order of the Governor. The Pi 1 for
the removal of squatters from Government laud has also
been withdrawn, it not being considered advisable to
proceed with such a measure in the present state of the
colony. A resolution hes been passed authorising a
joint-stock company to borrow 25,000/. on the credit of
the Colonial Treasury, for the improve went of the
Kowie River, on condition that an equal amount should
be raised by the shareholders. The estimates for the
colonial expenditure of 1852 have been sanctioned, wit -
out alteration. The second reading of the Constitution
Ordinances is not to come on before the 28th ' of January.
The course pursued by the council (which is a purely
nominated body, and does not in any degree possess the
confidence of the colonists) in thus passing imeortatit
laws and pledging the public credit for largo sum* has
excited very great and general dissatisfaction
n in all parts
of the colony.
Nene meetings have been held in Co r
Pe —own, Stel-
lenbosch, Worcester, Beaufort, and Grauft-Reinet, to

LO N DON,

express the sontiments of the inhabitants in regard to
the cer,sticution embodied in the draft ordinances which
hav,- bet:a rt ceiveti from England. Resolutions have
been everywhere passed, with unanimity, gratefully ac-
cepting this constitution, and expressing the general de-
sire that it should be established nt once, and without
alteration, laving any amendments that may be hereafter
found necessary to be mode by the future Parliament. It
is generally feared that an attempt will be made, in the
present Cuuncil, to abridge, as far as possible, the privi-
leges and franchises conceded by this constitution—some
of the members of the Council being notoriously hostile
to the system of colonial self-government which these
ordinances are designed•to establish.

GRAHAM'S TOWN, DEC. 16.—Since writing you last,
there has been nothing stirring in this neighbourhood.
The Kafirland post, due on Monday morning, only ar-
rived here this morning. Many letters and accounts
have been received by it, from various parts, and these,
a 3 usual, contain such conflicting and contradictory re-
ports, that, until something wore substantial comes to
hand, it is scarcely safq to repeat them. Some letters
state that severe fighting had taken place beyond the
Kei—some, that there has la,en a mere skirmish. Some
say that the loss of life on our tide amounts to about
three or four; soma that there has been fearful destruc-
tion among te K:ifire, amongst "ahem the Lancers have
made great havoc. Some report that the troops were
most resolutely opposed on entering Kreli's country—
some that scarcely any opposition was offered! Again,
the captured cattle are reported by some to be but
1,9.00, whilst other accounts say 1,500, 3,000, 5,000, and
even 7,000. Who can judge which is the most correct
version ? Time will show.
At Mount Coke missionary station all has been again
in a state of great alarm. Seyola has renewed his former
threats of taking all, the cattle) and destroying the sta.
tion. A patrol was sent out to their assistance from ,
head-quarters, which probably prevented the contem-
plated attack. However, eiome Kafirs have stolen four
horses from the mission stables, and one horse, with
some calves, the next day from the veldt. From other
quarters around us we hear of no fresh depredations.
Much rain has again fallen, and the rivers are consider-
ably swollen. At the time of .posting this, no mail had
arrived from Cape Town, being nearly thirty hours
behind time.

THE TRANS-KEI EXPEDITION.

(From the Graham's Town Journal, Extra, Dec. 16.)

Favourable accounts have been received from one
division of the force sent to operate across the Kei—
that of Major-General Somerset, the dates of whose re-
ports are up to the 7th instant. The troops were then
at Steal Flip Drift. Cotenet Mackinnon had joined the
Major-General on the 3d instant, after a somewhat te-
dious march from head-quarters, owing to heavy rains.
When the express left the troops were in possession of
about 1,500 head' of cattle, captured from the enendy.
The Major-General intended to move on.the Bth towards
the north-east, life enemy's cattle having been driven in
that direction. No official report had been received from
Lieut.-Colonel Eyre, at Butterworth, owing, it is sup-
posed, to the Kei River being full.
We regret to learn that Mr. John Crouch has received
two severe assegai wounds whilst out skirmishing on
the line of march on the Ist inst. The following letters
from our correspondents give full particulars of the
movements of the troops:—
Camp, near Kakadoo Station, Bolota.
DEC. B.—On Saturday, 29th November, we started
from King William's Town with a, party of about 1,700
men, horse and foot, under command of Colonel Mac.
kinnon, in charge of a number of mule and ox waggons
with supplies, and proceeded as far as Hangman's Bush
before outspanning, remaining there for the day on ac-
count of rain coming ou. Sunday morning proceeded
forward, and arrived at Toise's kraal about sundown.
During the night a Kafir, armed with a gun, LC, in en-
deavouring to get into the camp, was shot dead by a
Hottentot levy man. Monday early started again, and
arrived at Thorn River about sundown. Tuesday morn-
ing early again on the road, and succeeded in getting
most of the train of waggons across the Swart Kei
the same day. During this day's route Mr. John
Crouch, being out with two or three others skirmishing,
fell in with a few •Kafirs' to whom they gave chase. In
doing so Mr. Crouch had got considerably in advance
of his companions, and on coming up with the enemy
snapped both barrels. at the nearest, his gun missing fire.
Untortunately his horse swerving suddenly round threw
him off, thus leaving him to the mercy of the enemy,
one of whom iefiteted two severe assegai wounds,
from which, however, we have now the happiness to say
he is last recovering. Too much cannot be said of the
Lancer officers, who afforded every possible convenience
for his comfort. Wednesday the remuinder of the wag-
gons crossed the Swart Kei. and proceeded forward
under escort. At the ohtspanning the division was met
by General Somerset, and after a short stay we moved
on to the Imvani, where we joined his division, which
we found to consist of about 1,100 blacks, with the ex-
ception of officers and non-commissioned officers. After
some delay, we at length arrived here on the 6th inst.
A patrol has since. been out under Major Somerset, and
captured about 1,000 head of cattle and sheep, and
goats. Another patrol of about 2,000 -men, horse and
toot, under command of Colonels Mackinnon and Michel,
left this morning, but to all appearance the country is
deserted—no enemy to withstand; the cattle, chance
lots, but no question the country abounds with them.
Rumours are in circulation, founded, we understand.
on Kafir statements, that the booty on the evening of
the Bth amounted to 5,000 head of cattle, and that the
enemy had sar2red severely in a skirmish, in which the
Lancers highly distinguished themselves.

(From the Frontier Times.)
White K-i, Camp, Dec. 8, 1851.
After the most difficulty journey imaginable wo ar-
rived here all right, but dreadfully knocked up for want
of anything like comfort. Since we started from Cat
River there has been scarcely a day but we have had
rain, sometimes so heavy that the water ran in streams
through the tents (of tliose that had them) six inches
deep. We were joined on the 3d by Colonel Mackin-
non's division, and were surprised to find that Mr. John
Crouch had been badly wounded by the enemy some
days previously. We captured on the Umveni nine head
of cattle and killed one Kafir—also shot a Kafir spy that
night in casor. 13e came evidently to see what strength
we were. From Umvani we moved to the White Kei.
During the whole of the march patrols have been sent
out. Up to the present, these operations have resulted
in the capture of 1,100 head of cattle, a few sheep, gut's,
and horses, with a loss to the enemy of fourteen killed—
without any casualties on our side. The state of the
weather has greatly retarded our operations, or no doubt
a much better account would have been given of the
affair. The enemy hero do not fight with anything like
the pluck of the Gaikas. We anticipate complete success
if the state of the weather only proves more favourable.
nothing has been heard of Colonel Eyre's division hors
up to the present.

Camp, near the Kei, Dec. 7, 1851.
Colonel Mackinnon's division met us on the Umvarn.,
on the 3(1, as agreed.

Captain Tyklen moved on the stb, in a northerly
direction, with 1,000 men.

Major Somerset, with 50 C.M,13,,, and 280 Lancers,
made a diversion and joined Captain Tylden, capturing
from the enemy 400 head of cattle, some horses, and a
flock of sheep and golfs—killing two Kafir& and wound-
ing several others in taking .the cattle. Major Somer-
set'A party returned to camp the same evening.
Captain Tylden -had 1,000 head of cattle in his pos-
session, including those taken from the enemy by Major
Somerset.

They had experienced the heaviest rains daily. The
division from King William's Town is without tents.

THE TRANS-KEI EXUEDITION—IMPORTANT
INTELLIGENCE.—DEc. 20.
By the last military mail from the frontier we are put
in possession of important intelligence from Lieutenant-
Colonel Eyre's division, which our readers are aware
forms part of the TranteKeirtn force.
By information received at King William's Town it
appears that on Colonel Eyre's way to Butterworth, a
large force of Kreli's and Bookoo's Kafirs assembled to
oppose his passego of the Kei. The Kafirs were con-
cealed in a kloot leading to the waggon drift, and from
this cover they fired upon the troops while they were
crossing, but by the guidance of Mr. Conway a party of
cavalry was sent through the river by a bridle drift, so
as to take the assailants in the roar. This movement
was so well executed that the troops were behind the
Kafirs before they were aware of it. A skirmish ensued
and 35 Kafirs were killed at this place, many wounded,
and others drowned in attempting to mak their escape
across the river. •
Colonel Eyre then marched to Butterworth, and on
his arrival there made a movement on the kraal Umjwza,
the son of Lynx, who has been implicated in all the
cases of robbery across the Kei. Urujwza's cattle, to-
gether with many others of his neighbourhood, fell into
the hands of the troops, Umjwza himself being wounded.
Since the attack On Umj wza another expedition had
moved from Bntterwortb, in which many cattle are said
to have fallen into our hands. In this case the petty
chief Tyabo, who lays claim to a certain degree of in-
spiration, informed his people that, by coming out ;and
openly opposing the- English, they would be able to re-
pulse them. Emboldened by this assurance they mot
the troops on open ground, and the cavalry charging
them, they wore in a short time dispersed, with great
loss. Being confident of viotory Tyabo's people did not
send away their cattle; these, therefore, fell an easy
prey to our troops.
The movements across the Kei, and the capture of
cattle, are represented vs telling with wonderful
effect upon the Gaikas. Saudilli had lately sent
.a confidential messenger to Jan Tzatzoe's location,
to endeavour to ascertain his position in re-
ference to Government, and what prospect there
ShouldG
might be at present for obtaining peace.
tho-
:itrsr
nme„ge en:t rehgeteor hlissvn
ie doubtlessa ascertainedste,rv.i l the real tone of the
Il nto4 tfickoenfidv
that the movements across the Kei will beeernayttlrec.noemdxefdpoerwctitinethdg
beneficial results. Tne Kafirs have hitherto divert d
ealuTraantgteemnteionntstomthaedier
icpositionsthe
protectioni iith ecoloonfy thewhile t
cattle were in security out of our reach, but now theirthe
line, and the loss of their cattle within their own country,
will
ay ablel
ecsa.ttlelbiseitrhe
fmatobsetrvsulaneerdabbl
will soon, it is hoped, alter their tone.'
re o pointt
r brothers withm
slain by hundreds without exciting the slightest grief in
the breasts of these "biti-rnindcd people," as Mr. Rer-
the'llhi'alfiorsstr(ibf
ton Calls them; but when deprived of their cows and
oxen the springs of their feelings begin to flow, and they
get tired of war. It is a knowledge of this fact that has
induced is fo often to press earlier movements in the
direction of those now in progress.
DEATH BY DROWNING.—We regret to announce the
death, under very painful circumstances, of Mr. T. K.
Beresford, the representative of Messrs. Openshaw and
Unna's house, at Algoa Bay. Mr. DPresford was re-
turning from a business tour in the Sovereignty, and
hastening to lee a sister before her departure ter En.