The Sun.
London, England, 1846-10-24 00:00:00

ts 3;;.:

which a few resolute men n‘irgue-c
cupied by a numerous body of the chichi). -
CHARLES LENNOICOKAITLAND,
Captain Grenadier Guards,*si,stant Military
Seeretary.l, i

The following summary of the Week is taken from 'I
the African Journal of September 3 cz
The events of the past week confirm and deeiieneveri
impression previously made, that the Rafirs will not, in
open field or in fair fight, confront the British troops.
Colonel Hare intimates, in his official dispatch, that the
Kafirs dad broken up their masses, and were falling back
in detached parties upon the colony, an opinion which
subsequent events seem fully to confirm. Such a kind
of warfare as this requires the colonists to be unceas-
ingly
on their guard. The nim of the savage ,will not
be to fight, but to surprise and butcher. Days, and even
weeks, may pass over in unbroken tranquillity—neither
a sound heard, nor a glimpse seen, of an enemy ; caution
then becomes relaxed—prudential measures are ne-
glected—when, 10, .in an unguarded moment, the foe
suddenly springs forth and either embrues his hand in
blood, or sweeps away the property of the riready im-
poverished, and, for the moment, panic-stricken farmer.
A warfare of this character is most harassiag to
regular troops, and ought not to be thought of or treated
lightly, as the recent operations in the Amatola will
abundantly testify. It seems hardly credible that a force
of from 8,000 to 10,000 men could have invested that
celebrated fastness, could have climbai its precipices,
and scoured its kloofs, with such trifling results as these
we find recorded. But still such is the fact, and yet,
perhaps, for the time these operations lasted, no British
army ever endured a greater amount of hardship, or dis-
played more intrepidity, activity, and zeal, than our
forces on the occasion in question. Under such circum-
stances, the main object should be to secure the colony
against the inroads of this enemy, as, until this is done,
every movement iu Kafirland will be comparatively use-
less.

The march of Sir Andreas Stockcnstrom and Colonel
Johnstone upon the Kye is mentionoi in communications
before us as being not a very difficult and hazardous
operation. The former, we perceive, lays great stress
upon the moral effect of a bold forward movement.
There is great force in this, but, although we are no
advocate for retreat in dealing with the Kafirs, still it
cannot escape observation, that a failure here might be
attended with the most fatal results to the whole colony.
That the Kafirs are not so completely subdued as
many may be led to suppose, appears very evident from
recent circumstances. We refer to the slaughter of
fourteen waggoners—to the brutal exhumation of the
three Hottentots killed a few days previously—and to the
hanging of their bodies bi terrorem in the road by which •
our troops were about to march. Add to this their ap-
pearance in force in the Chumie Hoek, the capture of
the commissariat oxen at Waterloo Bay, and a variety
of minor circumstances, and the inference is unavoidable
that although the Kafir may be cowed, he is not subdued;
and that, in fact, he is only changed froin a bold, open
enemy to a cautious, stealthy assassin, and in which cha-
racter he may do more mischief, if we arc not very care-
ful, than in any other he could possibly assume.
But little faith is to be put in the profession of these
Kafir emissaries who have frequently visited the Go-
vernor's camp. There women are employed as spies,
mod they tell a plausible story of the humility and peni-
tence of the chiefs, when at the same time those very
lien cherish the most rancorous hostility towards those
whom they thus profess.to propitiate. Fortunately, the
Governor seems to appreciate all this, and he has treated
them accordingly. bell the Kafir is incredibly cunning,
and the colony must take care that it is not outwitted at
last. We place at present great dependence upon the
troops in the field. They have gained experience, and
they now know and have tried their leaders. Some of
these have approved themselves to be men of sterling
qualities for the rough work in which they are engaged;
their cause is a righteous one, and fully warrants them
in indulging a well grounded hope of speedy and com-
plete success.
The latest news from the frontier is to the 22d of
August. The Graham's Town Journal of that date
says : _ .

No movement of any importance has taken place for
the last week. A few days ago twenty-one waggon-
!rivers left the General's camp to go in search of Kafir
orn. After proceeding a few miles, seven of them re-
turned; the remainder (all Hottentots) persisted, were
surrounded by a large body of Kafirs, and of the whole
party fourteen only escaped.
" Umballa and Macomo have again sent in for peace,
but their messengers were not allowed to enter the camp.
"Sir Andreas Stockenstrom is at the Kabuzi, Dohne's
station, with his division. . _ _

Colonel Johnstone was to join him immediately, and
'hey were to proceed to Kreli's country for cattle.
"Ills Excellency remains at Fort Beresford with the
Infantry to patrol the mountains.

" Colonel Somerset has returned with his corps to Fort
Peddie.
" Four or five spans of oxen, in the employ of the
ommissariat, have been adroitly carried off by the
Kafir marauders, in the immediate vicinity of the camp. '