The Sun.
London, England, 1852-01-07 00:00:00

ORANGE RIVER SOVEREIGNTY.

The following extracts from the Friend of the Sole.
reignty, of Nov. 17, will show the unsettled state of
affairs in that quarter. The arrival of the assistant
commissioners (who must by this time havo reached
Bloom Fontein) was then awaited with great anxiety:—
" We learn that two companies of the 45th Regiment,
which came from Natal, are to be this day dispatched to
escort Moroko and his people to Thaba 'Nchu. Lieut.
Singea, R.A ~ with two guns accompanies them.
" PACIFIC DISPOSITION OF 1110SHESII.
" We have seen a communication from the Basuto
country, dated the 11th instant, from which we glean the
following information:—
" The chief Moshesh seems to continue in the same
disposition he has shown for some time past, and the
prospect of a speedy, and fair, patient investigation, may
now tend to give hopes to his people; hitherto they have
been under the impression that their doom was sealed,
and their ruin decided upon by the government, an im-
pression which their missionaries have done their best
to remove, and it is therefore no easy matter to restore
confidence in our government'

"It appears that Commandant Thomson, of the
Zoolu corps, has been the bearer of two or three letters
to and from the British resident at Moshesh. Moshesh's
first letter complained of an attack made upon his people
by the Government allies near Platberg. The Resident
replied that the complaint would be forwarded to his
Excellency the High Commissioner. He also promised
Moshesh that troops should not cross the Caledon, if
Moshesh would promise that his people should not make
an aggressive movement beyond the Caledon. Moshesh
answered that the resident must be aware that very many
of his people live beyond the Caledon, and that he could
make no promise; for they might be again attacked
as at Platberg. It will be clearly seen that Moshesh
was puzzled by the resident saying that the troops
should not cross the Caledon. Did he mean that a
movement of troops on the other side was in contempla-
tion? The last reply of the resident is to the effect that
he will forward Moshesh's letter to the High Commis-
sioner, and that Major Hogge and Mr. Owen are ex-
pected, and that they will arrange all disputes. It is
said that Van der Rolf has bid farewell to these parts,
and also several bastards who have been doing mischief
near the Caledon River are making their exit.",

RUMOURED INTRIGUES•
A report has reached us that Joshua, one of
Moshesh's principal councillors, has accompanied the
notorious Van der Rolf across the Vaal River on a visit
to Pretorius; also that messengers have been recently
dispatched by Moshesh to Sandilli and the prophet Um-
langeni. Tho truth of these reports is very doubtful.
Van der Rolf is said to have made his escape from the
gaol at Moii River Dorp, from whence he fled to the
Basuto country for protection, and if so it is not very
probable that ho would dare to pay a visit to Pretorius.

We subjoin the following from complete files of the
month's intelligence :
GRAHAM'S TOWN, Nov. I.—Affairs remain here
much as they were at the date of our last communication.
FORT BEA.IIFORT.—A private letter frond Fort Them-
fort mentions that Colonel Nisbett, of the 60th kfles,
returned there from Waterkloof with the whole of his
division on Saturday, the 25th ult., but received orders
from General Somerset to march back agai❑ immediately,
which he did on Monday morning, rho 27th. On the
same day an express arrived from Sir Harry Smith,
ordering the 60th and all the rest of Colonel Nisbett's
patrol back immediately to King William's Town. They
came into Fort Beaufort on Tuesday, the 28th, and
passed out on Wednesday morning, the 29th inet.
(From the Graham's Town Journal.)
By the military mail which arrived at King William's
Town yesterday morning, we have received letters up
to the 29th. From these wo learn that the intelligence
from the Trans-Kd is unfavourable, Kreli having called
a meeting of his chiefs, with a view of adopting a uni-
versal expulsion of the English from his country. It has
been conjectured, however, that this decision was come
to before the Amapondas were aware of the reputed
successes of the Waterkloof, which may probably sway
them into quietude. It might, in all likelihood, how-
ever, prove to the colony's ultimate advantage to have
these vacillating tribes so to commit themselves as to
render their chastisement and subjugation a work of jus-
tice. It is lamentable to think that a dependency of the
British Crown should be so much at the mercy, the
whim, and caprice of untutored and untutorable savages,
as the Cape colony now is. Its progress can never be
looked upon with certainty until its peaceful occupa-
tion is placed above the reach of chance, and beyond
the influence of this or that tribe, or any combination of
tribes.

The Commander-in-Chief has, by proclamation dated
27th ult., strictly prohibited the importation of spirits
at East London, and has also laid restrictions upon the
trading with friendly Kafirs at King William's Town.
It appears, however, that such traffic being still per-
mitted at other places on the military lineS, the non-
supply object of the restriction is defeated, and the seat
of the communication only shifted. His Excellency
would do well (and his authority under martial law is
supreme) to put a stop to all traffic in articles that tend
to the enemy's equipment; and also to place the said-to-
be friendly tribes under somewhat stricter surveillance.
It is useless to expect that a barbarian or semi-barba-
rian can with impunity be allowed the same indulgences
and liberties as Europeans, and an over-implicit confi-
dence is to bo guarded against.
Our letters state that the Lancers are making rapid
progress iu the training of their horses.
The report of a cutter having been captured smuggling
arms and ammunition is contradicted.

OPERATIONS OF THE TROOPS.
GENERAL SOMERSET'S REPORT.
Bivouac, Blinkwater, Oct. 28, 1851.
Sir,—Since my communication to you of the 17th
inst., I have the honour to acquaint you, for the Com.
mander-in-Chief's information, that I have been inces-
santly occupied in carrying out the necessary operations
for expelling the enemy from his positions in the moun-
tains of the Kromme Range.
On the 18th inst. I detached a large force under
tcl,3faitnhdeer of the
Lieutenant-Colonel Fordyce, to the Blinkv-at
, er valley,
to bring up ammunition and supplies.
In the meantime I employed the re
intendedenaetmtayecs
force in making a strong reconntooisananeya
Colonet Fordyce's
positions,vuaproinoubsimpaorfaLtoireyutenant.
forces with the necessary supplies.
o n the returnp rpreparatory
ever, delayed by the heavy rainri
Which These were, how-
-18t1; and 19th inst., precluding th set in on the
operations with advantage,
e execution of any
In the meantime I proceeded to p
certain arrangements for thepost Retief to make
sent to that post. wounded men whom I had
On the 21st inst, the ehe
on the distant heights a my, having previously shown
threatening the passage of
strong concentrated force,
I moved, with Lieutenant-Colonel of
the convoy from Blinkwater,
dawn of that day, enant-Colonel Michel's brigade, at
Krom y' and occupied the eastern spurs of the
ceeding me
u-
p the hangs,to give protection to the convoy pro-
hill, and the c° steep
and difficult pass of the
Blinkwater
convoy was thus safely conducted to the
bivouac at 3 p AL
On the 22d instant, h •
attacking having made my dispositions for
. the enemy on the following morning, I marched
Lieutenant-Colonel Michel's brigade from the
heights to
Blinkwater, preparatory to moving Fuller's k up lloe on
the following morning.
On the 23d instant, having arranged with Lieutenant-
Colonel Nesbett that he should move his force at day-
break up the Blinkwater to the point whore the Hog's
Back range abutted on the waggon-road, and then bring-
ing his right shoulders forward work up that ridge, I
ordered the remainder of the troops, consisting of the
Royal Artillery, under Lieutenants Campbell and Field,
Lieutenant-Colonel Fordyce's brigade, and the Cane
Mounted Rifles, direct on the enemy's position at the
at the head of the Waterkloof. The fog lifted as the
sun rose.

On approaching the forest I detached two guns Royal
Artillery and Cape Mounted Rifles to the left of my
position, on the western ridge of tho Bog's-back hill,
to cover the movement of Lieutenant-Colonel Nesbitt's
force. I opened fire on the enemy's position at that
point, where I observed the Rifles hotly engaged with
the enemy, moving up. in skirmishing order in fine style
along the face of the ridge, receiving the enemy's fire and
driving him up the hill.
I then ordered the 12th and 74th Regiments upon the
enemy's position along the edge of the forest, occupying
the flanks with the Fingoes. The enemy here being
strongly posted below rocks in the forest, opened a gall-
ing and well-sustained fire on the advancing line.
Seeing the Rifles had gained tho heights,
fire with artillery from both flanks of my position, the
enemy still holding the rocks, and firing severely from
the cover, the 74th suffering some loss. I. opened

At nine o'clock I observed Lieutenant- Colonell r iche /
brigade advancing through the belt of forest on the righ
of the enemy's position. I directed him to cros. the
front of their position, and support the 74th on their
right. As the rear of Lieutenant-Colouel Mid iel's
colinmn had cleared the forest, 1. saw it strongly attao ked
, from behind—the 91st faced about and drove the ewe vay
I back, suffering some loss ourselves, and the enetnt, si
if
fering severely.
The Rifles, having captured 59 head of cattle, rued
having now joined on my left, the enenet's posititen
being turned and driven back, I threw out three com-
panies to occupy the belt of forest at the head of
Waterkloof.
At half-past eleven I ordered the troops to halt and
breakfast, having been under arms, marching, and en-
gaged with the enemy from four Aeu.
While halting I observed the enemy retreating and
passing from the back of the Waterkloof Forest to-
wards the Kromme Range. At two P.M. Lieutenant-
Colonel Nesbitt's brigade having moved up in light
order without blankets, I desired his force to return to
Blinkwater by the eastern spur of that range, covering
this movement with the guns. At three r.si. I placed
Lieutenant-Colonel Michel's brigade in position, retiring
with the remainder down the valley for water.
Our loss this day was three men of Lieutenant-Colonel
Nesbitt's brigade wounded, one mortally; two men 74th
killed, three wounded; three men 91st Regiment
anodn hethae dl
manodren, in intersected teorfstehee te2d4 by h ,
wounded, having driven the enemy from one of the
strongest positions I ever saw, defended by large rocks
mu
pentsoeLdieeputth...
irnasvti.nlesmoofveimmense depth.
On the morning of the 24th inst. Imoved
ColJnel Michel's position, but the weather set in with
such a fog, se-
accompanied by sleet and rain, that I found
it impracticable to act against the enemy with advan-
tage. The following morning the weather becoming
more severe,with violent hell and sleet, I c, untermanded
all further operations.
On the morning of the 26th I moved Lieut.-Colonel
Fordyce's force, at 5 A et, from Mundelt's feria down to
the bottom of the Wai-Jrkloof valley, with directions to
him to march round the western spur of the range up
the valley to the southern head of the Kroom ridge, to
attack the new position which the enemy had taken up
in force. While this movement was going on I directed
Lieut.-Colonel Michel to move on their force, and occupy
the belt of bush that intersects the range between Fuller's
Hoek and Waterkloof.
This movement was executed in the most able and
spirited manner by Lieut.-Colonel Michel and his force.
In the meantime I observed Lieut.-Colonel Fordyce's
force advancing from the opposite heights and clearing
the enemy's position. I then passed the 91st Regiment
through the forest, and reinforced Lieut.-Colonel For-
dyce's with it, directing him to occupy and encamp on
the enemy's position.
A company of Captain Verity's Fingoes came across,
bringing out ten oxen and some Hottentot women frees
the rebels.
These, however, profess to know nothing of the
enemy, saying that their husbands were killed on the 23d
instant, that the enemy's loss is very great, and that Ma-
como does not know where to find security. One of
these prisoners is the widow of Christian Van Staden, a
prominent leader of the Blinkwater rebel Hottentots
from the commencement of the war.
On the 27th instant Lieutenant-Colonel Fordyce came
through the forest with his regiment. The enemy showed
some resistance at the head of Fuller's Hoek—attacking
two companies that had entered that point, and were
not driven back until I had opened a smart fire on them
with the guns and strongly reinforced the party. Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Michel's force having, according to may
previous directions, worked up the valleys of the Blink-
water.
Our loss this day was two killed; but the enemy must
have suffered considerably. I observed them retiring
from all points. I saw the women retreating down the
distant vallies with loads on their heads—thus evidently
indicating an evacuation of the country.
As I had observed yesterday, the enemy retiring to-
wards Mr. Blakeway's valley in the Kromme, I saw that
he had abandoned his position, and I directed Lieute-
nant-Colonel Fordyce to move his brigade at daybreak
yesterday, to follow the enemy down through the passes
of the forest.
Leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Michel's brigade in posi-
tion at the head of the Waterkloof, I moved the Cape
Mounted Rifles and two guns Royal Artillery down the
valley of the Blinkwater, in order to operate against the
enemy on the lower ground,
At mid-day I found Lieutenant-Colonel Fordyce had
passed down the Kromme heights and through tbo
forest, scouring it in all directions, but he had seen
nothing of the enemy, except a few straggling Kafirs.
The very important points and numerous duties that
have engaged my attention since my report of the 17th
instant, have not permitted my sending a more detailed
report of these operations until this date, which I trust
the Commander-in-Chief will excuse.
The result of these successful operations has enabled
me to dispense with the further services of Lieutenant-
Colonel Nesbitt's force.
The country recently occupied by Macomo's force
comprises a mountain range of 20 square miles of coun-
try, intersected with almost impassable forest ravines,
affording shelter for an innumerable force, and protected
by immense ridges of rocks, every one of which affords a
very strong position.
In the course of the next three or four days I shall
have fully ascertained whether the enemy has finally
abandoned these formidable fastnesses, which will enable
me to allow Lieutenant-Colonel Michel's brigade to
return to King William's Town. But the clearance of
this position is of such importance, the holding it giving
such strength to the enemy, 1 dare not venture to do so
until I have thoroughly established that point.
We have driven the chewy frkm ad his positions, and
have bivouacked on and possessed ourselreseef all his
encampments.

By reports from Kafir women, I learn that the men
who are now nmairang lurking about ure in attendatmu
on the wounded, whom they catmot get off, and who are
10 be very Lannert:.l3, but iroplicit reliance cannot be
pluced on such statement.

I have to express my warmest thanks to Lieutenant-
Colonel Michel and Lieutenant-Colonel For,:yee, com-
manding hrigkeles--as well as to Lieutenant Colenel
Nesbit:, for the active manner in which he has acted on
the enemy's flsnks—and to every otEciT and soldier en-
gaged ia this most important and arcluom.
have, &C., 11. SOMERSET, Major-General.
Lieutenant. Colonel Cloete, C.B , K.H.,
Deputy Quartermaster-General, King William', Town.

Bivouac, Blinkwater, Oct. 21, 1851.
Sir,—Having transmitted to the deputy quarter-
master general a detailed report of my operations
hjMacomo's Rafirs,
he rebel Hottentots'
against the several possessions of the enemy in the
mountainous range of the Kromme, which ho has for
several weeks held with au innumerable force, the
stlineutnhoe trhne rrann ga
end
d westernhaving boon held
by rangesand Gonahm, and the eastern by Macomo's Ksfira under
his son Namba ;
I eel it a duty incumbent upon me, /love that he hag
I trust, been expelled therefrom, to brires - ,
under your
ld
Excellency's notice the arduous duty in which
the troops
have for 17 days been engaged, and the gallant and in-
defatigable manner in which this service eehas been exe-
cuted and carried out by the force i .
Ex-
cellency orders, under my command,
by your Ex-
ile mountain range of the lir . omme is intersected by
numerous clefs, thickly studded
point of which, defended
rnid,hle position, and of by h rocks, presents a for-
force at his command,
the which, with the innumerable
enemy took advantage, by
having men strongly
posted at each defile, holding a
considerable reserve, which he evidently applied to any
point where the
struggle became the hardest. This
mountain range .
length by a is, a fastness intersected in its whole
west, studded deepwith
,!.)rest ravine, running from east to
point wuppui.
andiil fimmense rocks. This was the enemy's
driven from
ethis. be was most gallantly
every time I attached
such a Vosition
,c.
determinedly
d him with the troops.
judgment and
by an immense
force, required all the(experience I pos-
sessed in the application
of my force to command suc-
cess '.l p an., to prevent any unnecessary expenditure oflik
of our gallant soldiers,and I
although our loss has been severe, the duty has beeu
satisfactorily conducted at a much less aacrifice of life
than might have been expected.
Being aware of the feeling of confidence of the enemy,
for some time past strengthened and supported as he feels
himself by a numerous and desperate band of rebel
Hottentots, I am not sanguine that he will entirely
give up the idea of abandoning this position,
and that he may not again return to it should he End us
suddenly withdraw from the commanding position we
have taken up, and abandon the advantage we have
gained.

I therefore purpose holding that position for a few
days, relieving Colonel Michel's brigade on the 30th inst.
by a force under Lieutenant-Colonel Fordyce, bkiging
Colonel Michel's brigade down to Blink water to refresh,
from whence, I trust, I may in a few days permit them
to return to head-quarters.

I must again repeat my obligations to the officers
commanding brigades, and to all the officers and troops
engaged. Though suffering many privations, and ex-
posed to a storm of snow and rain for some days, tue
finest spirit animated the troops, which it was most de-
lightful and gratifying to witness.
I have, &c.,
H. SOMERSET, major-General.
Eris Excellency Sir 11. G. Smith, Bart., G.C.8., &c.

, Oct. 31.
this day received
GENERAL ORDERS.
The ICI eoanadaunadret
re r.
in-Chief
..lci ihnige f William's
having t
from Major-General Somerset the reporti of his con-
tinued and most energetic operations in
the
Fuller's
im-
practicable country of the %ys,
. Hoak,
Blinkwater, and Kat River, it is with infinite satisfac-
Is his '
siou that his Excellency re.eort opinion that, in the
long experience of his military
__ life,.. he has never ob-
serveddi ia)ed in desultory warfare
greater abilitY_ ,
__l,) _
on the part of the General ~,,Li.dontinding, or more con-
spicuousd enterprise on that of the gallantry at. _
com-
manders of columns' la . tli
e o Lers and soldiers, as also the
The fatigue of these operations,which
_,
irregular forces._ .
. d from the 12th to the 27th instant, with little
continue
that little intermission,owing to rainy weather, is not to
be described,
animates the soldier and leads him to victory. The com-
bined encrnY, very numerous and well armed, regarded
their positions, from ono to another of which they could
easily move, as secure from the attacks which have been
50 gallantly and perseveringly made upon them, every
K3tir in liaqrland and upon its borders believing them
to be impregnable. The enemy fought each day with
most determined bravery and skill, supporting his skir-
mishers with great ability, and yielding the ground he
fought on to physical force alone. Such an enemy cannot
be defeated day after day without loss on our side, while
that upon his, from the superiority and rapidity of
the troops, is known to be vary great. Our casualties
are comparatively few.
,An extract of the Major-General's report is LOD ill*

sorted, which well records the result of the various suc-
cesses:—
" The country recently occupied by Macomo's force
comprises a mountain range of twenty square miles of
country, intersected with almost impassable forest ra-
vines, affording shelter for an innumerable force, and
protected by immense ridges of rocks, every one of
which affords a strong position.
"In the course of the next three or four days I shall
have fully ascertained whether the enemy has finally
abandoned these formidable fastnesses, which will enable
me k allow Colonel Michel's brigade to return to King
Williams Town. But the clearance of this position is
of such importance, the holding it giving such strength
to the enemy, I dare not do so until I have thoroughly
established that point.
" We have driven the enemy from all his positions, and
have bivouacked on, and possessed ourselves of all his
encampments.
" By report from Kafir women, I learn that the men
who are now remaining lurking about are in attendance
on the wounded, whom they cannot get off, and who are
sal to be very numerous."
The Commander-in-Chief is well aware that no diffi-
culties, no fatigue, no danger, nor intricacies of country,
can resist her Majesty's arms, when directed with the
military skill and ability exhibited by Major-General
Somerset, whose services throughout this campaign, and
especially daring the last three weeks, will, his Excel-
lency with confidence assures himself, upon his report,
as the supreme civil and military authority in South
Africa, be laid by her Majesty's Government and his
Grace the Commander-in-Chief before the Queen, for
her Majesty's graeious consideration. His Excellency
also rests convinced that the services of the gallant officers
brought: prominently to his notice—namely, Lieut.-
Colonel Michel, 6th Royal Regiment ; Lieut.-Colonel
Fordyce, 74th Highlanders; Lieutenant Campbell,lloyal
Artillery; Lieutenant Field, Royal Artillery ;
Colonel Sutton, acting-assistant quartermaster-general;
lieutenant Green, deputy-assistant quartermaster-
general; Lieutenant Bell, field adjutant; Lieut. Jessy,
acting as staff officer; Lieut.-Colonel Yarborough, 91st
Regiment; Lieut.-Colonel Nesbitt, 60th Royal Rifles;
Lieut.-Colonel Percival, 12th Regimeat ; Lieut.-Colonel
Burns, 2d Regiment; Major Pinckey, 73d Regiment;
Major Kyle, 49th Regiment; Major Somerset, com-
manding Cape Mounted Rifles; Captain Robertson,
Royal Engineers; Captain Mansergb, commanding 6th
Regiment; Lieutenant Harris, Royal Marines; Cap-
tains Verity, Ayliff, Tainton, Musgrave, and Wynne;
Lieutenants Harwell and Davenish, commanding levies;
Surgeon Fraser, 47th Regiment, senior medical officer;
Ensign Somerset, Cape Mounted Rifles, aide-de-camp,
and of the officers and soldiers generally of the 2d, 6th
12th, 60th, 74th, and 91st Regiments; the Cape Mounted
Rifles, and detachments of Royal Sappers, 45th Regi-
ment, Royal Marines, and 73d Regiment will not fail
to be submitted in like manner. To the Irregular troops
his Excellency desires to express his admiration of their
conduct—of their devotion and loyalty, affording a bright
example to the whole colony.
A. J. CLOETE,
Lieut.-Colonel, Deputy Quartermaster-General.
Headquarters, KingWilliana's 'Town, Oct. 31, 1851.
1. Mr. Edward Driver is appointed Lieutenant in the
Fort Peddie Fingo Levy.
A. J. CLOETE,
Lieut.-Colonel Deputy Quartermaster-General,

DEATH OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FORDYCE.
(From the Cape Town Mail extra, of Nov. 17.)
The frontier poet brings the lamentable intelligence of
the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Fordyce and Lieutenant
Carey, of the 74th Regiment, as well as of several
soldiers of that regiment and other corps, who were
killed in a series of desperate engagements with the
enemy in the Waeerkloof. The subjoined letter and
extracts comprise all the important particulars which
were known at Graham's Town relative to these dis-
aster'. r:— . _

Gitasaaes TOWN, Nov. 11.—Accounts have just been
received of one of the most distressing and calamitous
evens that have occurred in the course of the war. We
have endeavoured, as far as possible, to come at some-
thing like a correct statement, but, as is usual in such
cases, the reports vary considerably; and we must wait
for official returns before the truth, as regards losses,
'an be ascertained. I just give you what I have
heard. There has been severe fighting in the
Waterkloof, and the two Commissioners it
appears were present among the troops on the occasion.
Colonel Fordyce, of the 74th, nas been killed, having
been shot by a Hottentot, who was concealed in a tree;
he lived only about fifteen minutes after receiving the
fatal wound, and his last words are said to have been,
" What will become of my poor regiment ?" Captain
Carey, of the same regiment, has also been killed; and
the men, killed and wounded, partly belonging to the
74th, and partly to the 91st, are said to amount to be-
tween 70 and 80. Lieutenant Gordon, of the 74th, has
been shot through one or both thighs, and his survival
is doubtful. Should he live, he will have to submit to
amputation. The loss of the enemy we have not heard
stated, but suppose it must have been considerable. We
are anxiously waiting for further particulars. This is,
indeed, a most terrible blow, and has thrown a gloom
upon every countenance. Col. Fordyce was much re-
spected, and, indeed, beloved by his regiment, for the
welfare and prosperity of which he seemed to live. His
brother, the major, has just left on account of his health,
so that the command will devolve upon some of the junior
officers.