The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-02 00:00:00

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THE KAFIR, WAR.
J'aeWe have received Cape Town journals to the Bth of
as The struggle with the Kafirs was still going on
1'1"g the eastern frontier, and the victory gained over
them at Fort Peddie had considerably raised the spirits
of the colonists, though no one doubted ultimate suc-
cess
see "PeniaflY as men of all ranks and occupations
ro pressing forward to aid in expelling the savage but
skilful and active enemy. The following arc extracts
'eta the Papers
(01 the South /ill. icln Commercial Advertiser, June 6.)
the following particulars of the engagements at Fort
eddio, by the Rev. G. Green, Wesleyan missionary,
're Contained in letter to him from a friend at Gra-
ham's Town :ried a
Su
e aY, 24th.—We received intelligence, by means of
ft'
of Umkye's confidential men, of the near approach
T'f several large bodies of Kafirs, with the intention.
ef attacking
Sant they the post. He bed received notice
sawat
hem,
had instructions to kill him. If they
chief utto, they were not to say, this is a
21; or if they saw his place, they were not to
sY'.ihis is the place of a chief, &c. He brought in most
'e! his family, a few faithful attendants, and his cattle.
orlielliarations made for the security of the women and
C idere,n in One of the commissariat stores of the fort,
ceuer'Z'ntisay very kindly affording all the assistance he
If' /slight comes on a ith excessive cold. Monday.—
);"ning and night .also very cold. No doubt this, under
;toe Providere, was the means of delaying the in-
-oufued attack. Tuesday morning.—Woodeutters ordered
h'aegon drivers ; some refused ; one young fellow,
treft" l'Y name, was tied up to one of the waggons,
reeeiv,d
twenty-five lashes. Wednesday.—Two
Parties of troops were sent cut at the same time, one to
fscort the wood waggons, and another to bring forage
lvtlizoitliciethbeutrolereavgien
with the Stock's place. Both returned in safety. The party
sreggons saw a body of Kafirs at a dis-
led net z g orders not to leave the waggons they
tot them battle. It is well they did
ttklie4i,aliCYlaerdil.eoebstdot(a)i),ginveoon.—A Fingo brings information
of Kafirs are approaching, from the
tee "ighbourhot,d of Stock's country. An English lad
1).4 ,e°nfirms this. Dragoons sent out, under Sir H.
se:tad, to attack them, also a six-pounder. Shepstone
071 at.returns with information that the Kafirs are coming
tliClll all sides in great force. A body of infantry
fir' to to support Sir Harry. Continued
lia,P 'Ward ; the gun rent back, one of the horses
her been shot dead; the horse was a wheeler. Troop
klitt4lit-Major Moffat, 7th Dragoon Guards, shot in
Three pounder sent to the assistance of the
110-1. A little before sunset all returned. There was
iteuct. casualty our side. The Kafirs had fought
httistreat bravery, and some had even come so near the
thin Bto give the officer in charge an opportunity of
apt ligethem two rounds of cannister shot, which levelled
opport'ew of them. At last the Dragoons had also an
an
;
pc,l=l4Y of charging, as the Kafirs had come out
the ht" "" fiat, and this appears to have been the close of
the ;atths- They fled before the Dragoons, but many of
,;e
wee eutP.v
u One got about ten inches of Sir
lestith,J's sword; it was bent in extracting it from the
th "Of the Icafir• Mr. Gore's sword was broken over
eeltld of h' most of the Dragoons' swords gave
'"Bt, thZtletdr'beenin contact with the Kafirs. It
ee2ild that 100 were killed. A party of Fingoes were
‘""'ged also We now expected that a general attack
c'tild be es The night, how-
ever Made that night on the pe •
- Passed away quietly. All hands, as well as the
in fro ,s' sleep in some defensible place. Some Kafirs
ingeT° main body came down in the dusk of the even -
lea ricov the post, and fired several Fingo
huts. A
kee',°°kets were fired at them by Lieutenant King with
es", ,skill, and it is supposed with good eact.
28th. —While at breakfast heard three
the'' "dies of Kafirs were approaching the post on
l‘h F° dies
Graham's Town, and within a few miles.
41,0 Z could be seen through the glass. About ten they
to Choy themselves on the waggon road, coming down
est 'on in two large bodies. There they remained,
ling:side the range of our guns, evidently with the
Pres"'" of drawing out the troops. This Unakye had
the "t'°usly informed us, was their plan, and as soon as
one's were fairly away from the post, in pursuit of
laeertl, the others were to rush in and destroy the
%die 4" the troops, however, did not move, other
* Eafirs showed themselves—one to the east-
ard
ittne dense mass, which must have consisted of thou-f
eetirs., These were said to be the Gaikas, including,
.o
fttltisielii,Stock's and Sontu's people, as well as black kti was stated to have been recognised riding on a
great "rse ; another chief rode on a white horse. A
ward Proportion of them were mounted. To the west-
eith I understand, there was a body still larger than
the ~,erLathose I have named. There were five divisions in
Ise "'tale- Something fearful was evidently preparing, and
sight °WY:afraid lest they should wait and come upon us at
Linos Every preparation was made by Lieut.-Colonel
eset '43' for a vigorous defence. Captain Savage's men
sjeheleealled from D'Urban, where they had beer! sta-
see:eu on their arrival. The Fingo women and children
kro.ue Placed, some inside the fort, and others in the ditch
sieer"., it, where, being close under our guns, it was
epee eu they would be perfectly safe. I was not a little
Isets:nraged and struck also at that time, by the recol-
et; 'n that at the very moment when all this fearful
tiola was set against us, our friends in various parts of
aret°lony were engaged in prayer for the success of our
ts_4 I am afraid I can give you no description of the at-
'els itself. Were it not that life and death were con-
%nee
in it, I should have pronounced it a most beau-
tiftil sight. As I did not go into any of the buildings till
411 was over, I saw the whole of it, but no doubt many
l'eutnstances will escape nay memory. The Kafir com-
Ahmanders sent their aides-de-camp from one party to an-
er, just as you would see it done on a field-day
eWith European troops. The main bodies were being
_
laintioually- increased by both horse and footmen, and
n
after eleven the array was truly terrific. The
Best body of all was said to be to the west-
ed, and probably consisted of Ijrnhala's and Rili's
zo_
ste7s. As they saw their scheme of drawing out the
tui(uPs did not succeed, small parties of them bea to di:pee in beautiful skirmishing order, and then het wo
othesiclls of Pato and the Gaikas moved towards each
lettere, advancing at the same time as if intending a cora-
44de attack on some given point. The artillery was in
cetu'ass to give them a salute the moment they should
e, within range. The gun was pointed towards Pato's
latiPte, but a body of the Gaikas coming within range a
kid! sooner than the others, a shot was sent into the
°Nae4tb of them. It seemed that several were knocked
cern I,.this shot, but that was of little consequence in
to have °n to what followed. This single shot appears
thrown disconcerted their plan, and they appeared to be
then
elves'l.l Mee confusion. Rapid discharges of shot and
foil to
The Kafirs had now extended them-
six hseo round, and there was a continuous line at least
tame
n, in length. Think of these advancing at the
ea;°toent, and so filling the valley that it appeared
,nred it-ssB of asp Kafirs. Rockets and shells were
pis,
pOssible, and presently a tremendous
P, beCusketry from the Kafirs was poured, not upon
aver us, the balls whistling over our heads.
They
.'l'lll not, however, come near enough for the
Ktetl rj.„,t°,,Play upon them, and they consequently
,-;4,1 b,--" few shots, excepting from the infantry
-,1:111,:' A body of them got to Webb's store, and
shells
,ae well as Abernethy's, but a few large
„lowist,:elog thrown among them from tite short
they speedily fled. We saw them running with
,`" e-cs,°,t3e blankets, &c., and a rocket was sent after
nreeWtneti caused them to drop what they had and run.
one f,6 slaughter sheep were near the Hag-staff, and
ahet:e"r rode up and was driving them off, when a few
11e,w4 rum the fort caused him to fall from his horse.
livta,,4,s, however, only wounded, and managed to get
in se'i'll,,Quving the sheep. I expected they were corning
psis -; force on the fort itself, and was not a little sur-
boas%to find that they kept clear of that, as they had
(kiss e`-t that they would trample this place to dust. They
bead with most of the cattle, however (about 4,000
tist-e'i• They would have taken the whole but for the
torc't,alined bravery of the Fingoes. They retook a
ob;s'ckrable number. The actual fighting, you will
titierve, was with the Fingoes, as evelr3d•
eseoldditeiriewacsotiliti
to either the fort or the bar Tacks.
the fortn
to dang3er, that
have gone without exposing_
it. Presuming, as we certainly did, that they would attack
and if they had moved to any point, there were
ictses to pour in upon us from all quarters. The ra-
tts were sent out rather late, and could not overtake
(Q/* A party of Pate's men still remained on the hill
th shams Town road), and Sir H. Darell galloped after
eftetn, but they fled at his approach. The brave Fingoes
ItLiltinued the fight until late, and pursued the Kafirs
itAll'-ost as far as the Gwanga. Twelve Fingoes were
VI", including a woman and child; and 62 Kafirs were
triCd by them, independently of those killed by the
""P,es• Several were killed by the rockets and shells.
ekt.cti4he Kafirs are still about in numbers, and we are
laC,,ng a night attack. The have got the cattle, and
tile" ow come and set fire to the thatched buildings, if
oan take us by surprise."

(EXTRACT FROM ANOTHER LETTER,)
Ititkoarli_olls estimates are given of the force which at-
Voc)o'. tala post, ranging from 5,000 to 10,000. I think
kit •''" low an estimate. I never saw anything more
taiAelacent than their appearance, and there were cer-
-1414 3.,,e,fietigh of them to have eaten (literally) Fort Peddie
4ass to it contained, and yet all the mischief they did
111 4-1"Ing away the Fingoes' cattle. 62 Kafirs were
at: Y the Fingoes, who lost 12 men. An unfortu-
dittto%eeident occurred by the bursting of a shell imme-
thil o
Yer the trench in which the Fingo women and
lyith'en had been placed for security. A poor woman,
111 .1% child about a year old, were both struck—part of
teok"ell PaS3ing through her and her infant at the same
ttvedil„t* I think Divine Providence, and not man,
was he:s in this affair. Such an assemblage of Kafirs
flt‘tay made with the mere object of getting cattle
setee. 4.heY no doubt intended to take the fort by main
have
destroy it and all it contained ; and if there
-Ise had be -
withstooden equal to their vaunts, nothing could
them."

FORCE OF TUE KAFIRS.
tht4bller° are still a few straggling parties on this side of
t.he z°lll9e,r, chiefly infesting the bushy country between
111 a
tri3erg and the Addo, and which keep that district that slat© of
alarm ; but it seems to be pretty certain
hOd t1167.8e are not in' an • great force, and that the great
there
invaders have been recalled to concert some
lixzev eriterprise and which it will be well for our
on• erliThlt,nt to' consider with the most careful atten-
7keetiralue Power of the confederated chiefs should be
"44t-"el,Y estimated, and arrangements corresponding
thcrukh° 156 at once made to meet it. The,
ifollowing following,
414.-,, a rough calculation our this force, be quite
Crevil.....(l,gh for all pracq,..al pposes •
„ 18,000 warriors.
Mnenrao, and others of the
%.1 trib
14414 es .. ••• ••. 10,000 ,
tribfe 411t1 others of the T'Slambie _ _

... 8,000 It

Pato, and the Congo tribes ... ... 2,000 „
Mapassa, and part of the Tambu tribes 2,000 „

Total

... 40,000

If we allow for all who may remain neutral of this
host, 2,000 men, it is said, we apprehend, as far as we
can go, thus leaving 38,000 infuriated savages to be re-
sisted, driven back, and, if possible, subjugated by the
power of the colony. It should also be borne in mind,
that the principal Tambu, or Tambookie Chief, Umte-
rara, is at present doubtful, but should he join in the
league he will throw an additional 12,000 men into the
scale against it. To meet this large force we have, ac-
cording to the estimates made, say 20,000 men, includ-
ing 4,000 disciplined troops of all arms. But then we
have other resources. We have several ships of war
upon our coast, and reinforcements of military may be
speedily expected. We have a right, too, to expect the co-
operation of Faku, the Fetcani or Amaponda chief, and
who, if he take the field, will at least furnish full employ-
ment for Creli, and thus diminishing by 10,000 warriors
the estimated force opposed to tho colony. Besides this, it
must be borne in mind that all the warriors in Kafir-
land cannot possibly engage, any more than all the men
among us, in the activo duties of the field. The wealth
of tl!e Kafir is cattle, and these must be tended, an em-
ployment in which the women and children are never
permitted to engage. Subtracting, therefore, all so em-
ployed, it is probable that the total amount of the Kafir
force which may actually take the field will amount to
30,000 Dien. And when we reflect that these are all
practised to the use of arms from their childhood—that
their mode of conducting warfare is extremely harassing
to disciplined troops ; when we estimate their boldness,
and the tact displayed in all their enterprises, and then
add to all this the difficulties of the country, the result
may welt make our Government proceed with the most
watchful circumspection, as well as awaken a full deter-
mination to carry forward whatever measures may be
resolved on with that determined courage and persever-
ance, without which the colony cannot reasonably hope
ultimately for decided EUCGQSS.—South African Commer-
cial Advertiser.

(Postcript to the South African Commercial Advertiser.)
" Cape Town, June 8, 1846.
"By the frontier post which arrived this morning in-
telligence has been received to Tuesday, 2d June.
" Colonel Somerset had successfully effected the pas-
sage of Commatys Drift, with his convoy of eighty-two
waggons, intended, it is supposed, to relieve and rein-
force Fort Peddie, and for other services. This is de-
cided sw.icess, the Kafirs having gained nothing, and
being fairly repulsed in a country highly favourable to
their mode of action. Colonel Somerset had reached
and halted at Breakfast Vlei on the night of the 31st.
This is about half way from the Drift to Fort Peddie,
which he would reach by another day's march, by a
road running through Stock's (late Eno's) country to
the Fingo Settlement, on the border of which it stands.
" Colonel Somerset's force is estimated at 1,500.
This, with some troops, &c., that were expected to join
him, and the force at Fort Peddie, will enable him to
clear that part of the country, and cover Lower Albany.
The Kafirs will, therefore, probably direct their maraud-
ing parties against the upper part of the line, or the
Somerset district.

" Sir Andreas Stockenstrom had just arrived at head-
quarters."

" We have received the following, which may be re-
lied on as a correct account of the late attack on Colonel
Somerset's division, in Fish River Bush

" Colonel Somerset moved from Committee's Drift
with the force under his command, at daylight on the
31st, and by ten o'clock had all the waggons across the
Fish River, and formed in order about half a mile beyond.
The waggons were divided into several divisions, with
companies of troops between, and strong flanking parties
thrown out. About four miles from the river, at a steep
ascent, the advance guard was sharply attacked, and the
lire returned by Cape Mounted Rifles under Captain
Napier. The whole continued to advance under a con-
tinual fire for nearly two miles, the guns being well up
to the front, and opportunity being found occasionally
of using them with effect. The ammunition waggons
which were in front were got through the pass, and
halted on the opposite height, with a gun in position, by
two o'clock. The rest of the waggons followed, and by
five P.M. the whole train, 82 in number, was safely
formed into a camp on the height.
" During the advance the cavalry were dismounted,
and with the infantry returned the enemy's fire well and
effectually. Several of the oxen in the waggons were
shot, but by active exertions were quickly replaced from
other waggons.
" The loss of the troops was three killed and six
wounded. The latter are believed to be doing well. Six
horses were shot, among which were three of Major
Gibson's and Licut. Stokes'.

" The enemy did not attempt to molest the camp
during the night."—Frontier Times, June 2.
"By a private letter from Somerset, we learn that a
waggon has been stopped there loaded with gunpowder,
which the person in charge was attempting to smuggle
into Kafirland, by giving out that the casks in which it
v.as contained were filled with brandy and tar. The
patrol, who appear to have been desirous of tasting some,
upon being refused their request, were determined to
take the brandy by force, and one of the party, there-
fore, drove his bayonet into a cask, when immediately
the gunpowder rushed forth. We have not heard the
name of the party who has thus been found guilty of the
blackest treason against his country andagainst the pub-
lic safety. He belongs to Graham's Town, as our in-
formant states, who, however, refuses to say who he is,
as if he would not even utter the name of the base and
unprincipled wretch who could engage in such a nefa-
rious traffic. The authorities will not fail to make an
example of this party. His crime is of the blackest die."
—South African Commercial Advertiser.

THE CONVICT JOHN SMITH.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SlR,—The case of the convict John Smith is one in
which every one, even an advocate for capital punish-
ments, may interest himself, because there were ex-
tenuating circumstances in his case which induced the
jury to recommend him to mercy. Why, as is the case
in France, is that recommendation not considered deci-
sive ? Sentence of death is never passed there after the
jury have pronounced that there were extenuating cir
cumstances in the case. How is it that we who
boast of that palladium of British liberty, trial by
jury, allow a judge to unite in his own person
the judicial and executive powers, for it comes to that
if the solemn and ever-to-be-respected recommendation
of twelve English jurymen is to be overruled by the
opinion of one man. Now, how has Baron Platt's mind
been influenced in this case against Smith? It is said
he was leaning to the side of mercy until the use of the
knife was urged as a reason for hanging Smith. No
doubt that cowardly weapon has been too much used of
late, and ought to be put down by the most stringent
measures, but I deny that Smith comes under that accu-
sation, even although lie did kill Sarah Tolleday with a
knife, because the knife is almost the symbol of his
occupation. He carried it about his person for
necessary use—for professional purposes. He did
n)t go in search of it. He used it in the
heat of passion, finding it at his side or in his
hand. Ile did not think or pause to meditate the rash
act; it was the result of a sudden outburst of wrath,
which the constant provocation and annoyance to which
he was subjected naturally excited. Besides,l et us
take into consideration Smith's occupation. He, as a
cook, was necessarily exposed to a scorching fire, con-
fined in a steaming atmosphere, and no doubt anxious
about and harassed with his duties. I may say confi-
dently, as a medical man, that the occupation of a cook
must produce a greater amount of cerebral irritability
than almost any other trade; indeed, it is notorious
that cooks are extremely irascible ; their occupa-
tion is the cause. Combine, then, the provocation
with constitutional irritability, and the furious passion
is easily ace.ounted for, and ought to be considered as an
extenuating circumstance, especially when it is remem-
bered that the knife was Smith's legitimate weapon, and
was neither sought for, snatched up, nor unclasped with
premeditation.
Lord Tenterden sentenced a gentleman to be hung for
shooting
ma
anfis.herman on the banks of the Thames, be-
cause he went home for a gun and came back and shot
the poor
His Lordship said that act was the main
thing which constituted the murder, forditTpernoteverddemalics
rwigithheme
tprintdhiattaticoans.e, If,E therefore,aronFla Lttiosr
wrong
in Tenterden
for he ought, according to that interpretation
of the law, to have recommended the jury
to bring in a verdict of manslaughter, because Smith
seized a weapon which he was compelled to carry about
his person, and without premeditation or malice, but after
sufficient provocation, committed the rash deed; therefore,
I maintain that he is only guilty of manslaughter; and,
in my humble opinion, if he should be hung a legal
murder will have been committed to all intents and
purposes.
I think, Sir, in conclusion, that the solemn recommen-
dation of a British jury should, at all times, affect a
sentence. Their powers want extension. If the
chances of death were left in their hands none, save such
monsters as Burke, Greenacre, or Tawell, would suffer.
Justice would be administered with mercy, rather than
with vengeance. We would cease to be accused as a
people of possessing the most sanguinary code in Europe.
The demoralising and barbarous scaffold would be re-
moved with horror and disgust, and that dark and foul
feudal stain, capital punishments, be for ever blotted out
of the criminal code of a powerful, civilised, and commer-
cial people. Sincerely trusting that public opinion may
at least save one scandalous scene, I beg leave, Sir, to
subscribe myself your obedient servant,
P. M
6, Wellington-place, Newington . MDOWALL.
Butts.

A MONEY-DIGGERpeot, reply.inquired inquisitive
The
Yh
eawuhfkaa Yankee, e se
eing
a ,
hewas
was
a
of
dgl agbionugr er
for.di digging
no retired
was
d
course duly heralded to the curious in such matters, and the
money-digger was visited by three or four credulous fellows,
when the following dialogue ensued :—Visitors—" We are
told that you are digging for money." Labourer—" Well,
I aint digging for anything else, and if you're wise you had
better take hold also." Visitors—" Have you any luck ?"
Labourer—" First-rate luck. It pays well." No sooner
said than done,' the four fellows, thanking the generous
delver for giving them an invitation to share in the golden
harvest, off coats and went to work in good earnest, throw-
ing out many loads of earth, till at length, getting very tired,
the following colloquy took place :—Visitors—" When did
vou get any money last 1" Labourer—" Saturday night."
Visitors—" How much ?" Labourer—" Four dollars and a
half." Visitors—" That's rather small business." Labourer
—" It's pretty well; 6s. a day is the regular price for digging
cellars all over town." The visiting loafers dropped spades
and vanished, quite put cut with the man who dug money at
the rate of 6s. a day.
Last week we gave the particulars of a distressing
casualty at the powder mills, Kerry, Argylesbire, when, by
the explosion of the store, six men were instantaneously
killed, and two others received serious injuries. One of these,
we have since heard, died shortly afterwards, and the survivor
was brought to the hospital here on Tuesday, where he re•
MIR 410 procimitg areenock 4dvertior,