The Sun.
London, England, 1852-05-12 00:00:00

NIAY 12, 1852.
7

THE KAFIR W
THE RF,GAL OF SIR H. SMITE,
(Fain]. the London Gazette of Tuesday, l‘lay 11.)
Downing street, May 8, 1852.
~The Right. Ilon. Sir John S. Palcin;ton has this day. re-:
,:ceived a, :dispatch and its inclosures, ,of which the following
are copies, addressed to the Right Hon. Gre,-, by Lieu-
tenant-General Sir.Hetiry G. W. Smith,
.•

camp, Blinkwater, March 17, 1852.
My Lord,--4 hadsthe 'honour to receive on the lst inst.
at King, William's Town, your L ,rdship's diapatch, No. -^ e ,,,..,
of the 14th January last, intimating to me that her Majesty's
.Governinent had deemed it an unavoidable duty to relieve
me from my present position; that my Sovereign had ape
proved of the measure, sad that my successor was: imine-
-diately lo leave England. At that period, however, ; uch
were the peospeote" of this 'war, and se rapid the prngreiiient `
towards that sett of things which can:alone perpetuate peace
(best Shealvehythe proclamation issued by me on the (Jell of
Teliivaree- and again enclosed), that a ,senee of the duty
:which has guided eme la the .service of. my Sovereign- and
,country. foe so _nteay years induced me to persevere in the.,
'preparatory steps I had taken for the expuleion from certain
etrooghehla within the colonv of the rebel Gaikas find Hot-
tentots under the wily Chief Macon, a renegade from the
authoritY of his paramount Chief Sandilli • as also for ex-
pelling the Gaika tribes" from British Kafraria, and driving
;them, over the eireat Kei. My intention was communicated
~to your Lordship in my dispatch of the pith ult. -
' 2. I haVe the honour, therefore, to report that, on the sth
.inetet moved the 12th Lancers and a large detachment cf
the Cape Aloueted. Riff under Lieuteuant-Colonel Pole;
tWeegetis Royal Artillery, the 6th, 60th, and four companies
of the 45th Regiment, with detacnments of Hottentot and
Fingoe levies, under Lieutenant-Colonel Michel; two guns
Royal
.Artillery, the. 434 light Idantry and 73d Regiment,
and detachments of. Hottentot and Fingoe levies, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre, all well supplied with provisions,
to the general rendezvous at Fort Beaufort, where I es-
etidelistued- naylfleatleeperners. - - • -
0..0a the 4th inst..Major-General ~Somerset 'bad a tritait.
affair with the enemy in the Waterkloof, in which the 91st
Reginient greatly distinguished itself; Lieutenant-Colonel
Yarborough, of that Regiment, and Captain Brimly, of the
Cape Alounted Rifles, having, however, been severely, and
Ensign Hibbert, cf. the 01st, slightly wounded. The chief.
eMaconio fought with great determination ; but 100 head
of, cattle and- 40 horses were captured—the best criterion
of . success. Subsequently to this affair such part of
Major-General Somerset's division as was available for the
field, consisting- of the 91st Regiment, four companies of the
74th Highlanders, the Cape Mounted Rifles, and.strong de-
tachments of Hottentot and Fingoe levies, was assembled at
Illaddon's Ohl Post, on the western end of the low mountain
range forming the Waterkloof, Blinkwater, and Fuller's Hoek ;
the best position. it could occupy with reference to my in- .
.
tended operations.
4. Meanwhile Lientenant-Colonel Perceval, with a de-
tachment of Royal, Artillery and a gun, with rockets, the
12th Regiment, detachments of the 91st Regiment, Cape
Mounted Rifles, and - Armstrodg'e Horse, arid 'Hottentot
and Dope levies, and Burghers, had been ordered to act on
the enemy's position in the Fish River Bush. The various
posts of defence in the neighbourhood of my proposed scene
of action, viz., Whittlesea, Eland's post, Blinkwater, and
Post Retief, were at the same time strengthened for the pur-
pose of patrolling.
• 5. On the9th inst. the troops marched to establish them-
selves on their respective bases of operation, as set forth in
the instructions annexed; and I established my head-quar-
ters at the Blinkwater Post, a commanding and central
position; _
6., On the 10th inst. the several officers in command—
' viz„-Lieutenant-Colonels Michel, Eyre, and Napier, having
well reconnoitred the strong positions held by' the rebels,
,I moved forward to the attack. The enemy. was everywhere
I well prepared, and received them, especially Lieutenant-
Colonel Eyre, whose column I had reinforced with two addi-
tional guns Ad two coMpanies of the 74th from the Blink-
water Post,With his usual warory, and even more than corn.
mon demonstrations of defiance.
7. The enemy Opposed to Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre was
Well and judiciously posted in that part of the range called
F Fuller's 'Sleek, very extensive and densely wooded, and
,where Macomo's "den," as they termed it, was so strongly
sitriated in a deep kloof as to be regarded almost inacces-
sible. By the activity of Captain Faddy, of the Royal
Artillery; the four , guns were, with incredible exertion,
dragged up a precipitous ascent, judiciously posted and
well served, aided by rockets. The Lieutenant-Colonel
,-moved -iiporethese savages in eight small columns of attack,
• and the - troops carried everything before them. Every ob-
stacle was speedily overcome, and a well-known and most
• difficult -pass, held ,stoutly by the enemy, was gallantly
carried by Captain Campbell, of the 73d regiment, with a
company of his own corps and two companies`of the 43d
Light Infantry. The troops crowned the heights, where
they burnt many-villages, destroyed some cultivation, drove
the enemy before them in every direction, and bivouacked
for the night.
8. On the following day, the 11th instant, Lieutenant-
Colonel Eyre made the most able disposition of his troops,
so as to descend the mountain and effectually dislodge the
enemy from those positions which the columns had been
able only to pass through on the previous day. His special
object also was to assl • the den and stronghold of Macomo,
it
the destruction of v. I regarded as a great step towards
the humbling of the els; for although Sandilli and the
Gaikas affected humility and a desire for peace, I well knew
that all eyes were intent on the result of these operations.
Colonel Eyre, aware of the importance I attached to this
service, headed the column for the assault of the Den, the
descent to which was found by the assistance of a captured
woman, a flight of natural steps affording great means of de-
fence This column was most successful, though stoutly
resisted; the Den was carried, the four guns firing into it
with Sanguinary effect, and 1:30 women, now prisoners, were
found stowed away in the clefts cf rock. Among them is
Alacomo's young and favourite wife, as also his great wife, a
Tambookie, much regarded among the tribe, and mother of
his great son-Natnba.- Large quantities of European 'Wearing .
apparel, provisions of different kinds, some little gunpowder,
a bullet mould and enpply of lead in bars, were found in the
Don, which was completely destroyed and the huts con- '
sumed, The, number • slain by our gone was very' great,
_eleven having-been found in one spot and seven in another,
_and many fell in the assault. Meanwhile Captain Campbell
.made his way.down the difficult pass by which he had as-
cended the day 'before, and was again stoutly resisted by
the enemy in frontand flank. Here three gallant soldiers of
the 734 Regiment fell, another being at the 'same time
wounded, and further.on Lieutenant the-Hon. Henry Wrote
tesly, of the 43de received 41 mortal wound. -
9. The carrying by our troops of this " Den," heretofore
'regarded as inacceasible, has had throughout the effect of
magic, and no positive resistance has since been offered.
Colonel Eyre continued his operations through the whole of
the extensive fastnesses of the Fuller's Hoek and adjOining
kloofs, but the enemy appeared no more. On the 15th inst,
lie again ascended the passes, and revisited Macomo's Den, to
show the enemy our determination to expel him. Not a sin-
gle Kafir was to be seen, and Colonel Eyre and the rest of
the officers, who had then leisure for observation, describe
the loss suffered by the enemy as evidently very considerable,
and much greater than they had believed. It, indeed, could
not well be .otherwise, exposed as he was to the fire of four
well-directed guns and rockets, and so hemmed in that he
necessarily suffered severely from musketry and even from
the bayonet. ' .
10. On the same day, the 10th instant, Lieutenant-Colonel
Michel's column moved from Blakeway's Farm, ascended
the heights, the guns being with great exertion brought up
an almost impracticable acclevity, and occupied the dense
bush connecting Fuller's Hoek with the Waterkloof, for-
merly the scene of considerable conflict. Every part of this
bush was well traversed, and many kraels destroyed. Few
.of therebel Hottentots or Kafirs showed themselves, until
Lieutenant-Colonel Napier's column, ascending the valley of
the Waterkloof, entered the narrow and bushy defile which
forms its head. Here he was fiercely attacked, the onset of
the enemy. being, according to his usual custom, especially
directed to the rear of the advancing column. This was,
however, judiciously anticipated by Colonel Napier' who
advantageously posted the 91st Regiment, under Major
I,Forbee, so as to resist the attack. The rebels were daring
on this occasion, and well enstaitied the fight until they saw
, Colonel Michel advancing, -when they gave way in every
direction and fled into the dense bush to escape pursuit.
'll. Oa the folloWing (ley these two columns acted simul
tsneously,•driving- the enemy before them, and destroying his.
'villages in the Waterkloof. On the third- day it was neces-
sary for both to procure provisions at their respective bases of
operation. Col. Michel veryjudiciously took the opportunity to
report himself to me; and I at the same time ascertained
'that 200 Boers of the district of' Somerset and the Kouap had
-arrived at Haddon's Old Poet. • Upon this, I immediately
dispatched Major-General Somerset, whom I had retained
with me at head-quarters, to take the command of these ,
-berghersevind of Colonel Napier's column. On doing so the
Major-General at• once ascended the heights overhanging
•the•Wafetkloof, bringing up his two 'gnus by a very difficult
ascent, and then proceeded to penetrate the bush wri3tltellt;
einfantryewhile the
his mounted force watched _oP
acting simultaneously with Colonel Inthesee Opea
tions the enemy showed little resistance. On .the afternoon
of the 15th hist, observing a number of the enemy in t
dig-
session of cattle-in a deep valley, General Somerse-
s slid Burghers,
patched hie mounted force of
Gape. _Corp
-
under Lieutenant-Colonel Napier, in pursuit.
130 head, and
and
many horses were captured, several of thereleelsslair,
'some fifty women and children made prisoners.k.
e.; . a .n e
12 Oa -the 15th inet. Lieutenant-Colonel le I. papv; :g.
replenished his provisions, or "Iron
Iron
tions to the neighbourhood of the
Eisler Krantz,
moved from the base of his TA
mountainsith staid' parties,
'Mountain," in the Waterkloof, 'where he halted and cooked.
His intention Was to assail this d eeeisly conducted
According to the mode in which he hailepr
his operations; the evidently prepared
but °Nerving that
,t ers numerously
becupietf the 'rocky heights, '
ad-
for,a determined resistance?
red to turn the posi-
alieleti ' cvrollcted his troops,
variced'hiregular order, and entleavoue
al
aietained by the
tiore . A„, rocky ravine, however, ell
eneniy, posted behind bushy rocks,twpardoyhaibnioetedtoantbyesfurcocnetssibUel
attempt upon his flank, A dire
itainedlitely ordered by
dame therefore necessary, and was it It met by the
Colonel Michel; so well, o
ivh dwa elementary check ; when
fixed swords,
enemy that the troop
the column.
Captain Hope's compsaureyeeof enthtsebi,e:Osathppßairfitedes,by
charged, and carried the mou
The enemy.were driven over krantzes and rocks with great
slaughter; many cattle and horses were captured, in the
istancehad been made ; and de-
fenceMa-
of which so stout a the 60th Rifles, pursued
hieparsable, many more
jor Bedford; with two comp sailies of
the fugitives over
r The. whole capture amounted
declivities nearly
cattle falling intohis han
some of the latter being very v
to-560 bead and 75 horses;
lost', b theitm 0
r6eo, t
ofh
Ia this gallant and rapid
gaiaraCanotlroynedlis Michel re-
luable.payd by
ports that he rem
Captain .especialD c
Captain Hope and i a Lirivitenaiaonrtt
Lieuutenaannet:
Rifles ; by,..- his Br_ead
by-
Mr. De Robeck, of Armstrong's
the Cape corps;
Horse. _ Colonel Miactihdel subsequently continued his opera-
tions with every activity, and all the country placed before
him was well cleared of the enemy. On the morning of the 1
15th inst. Captain Taylor,. with leis company of Hottentot
levies; had a sharp affair with a party of the rebels, and cap-
tured 11 horses. This was the last occasion on which the
enemy appeared. Colonel Michel describes Captain Taylor's
company of levies as deserving the name of soldiers.
13. On the 10th inst. Lieuteriant-Colonel Perceval, with
his column strengthened by the force assembled from
Gralaini'a Mown and its neighbourhood, and aided by a few
burghers of that town, attacked the strong position of the
Chief Stock, in the Fish River Bush, in two divisions, under
himself and Major Armstrong. These simultaneous and
well-conducted movements, in a very difficult country, were
completelY successful and 44er a sharp cotlict, in which