The Sun.
London, England, 1846-10-12 00:00:00

TUE KAFIR WAR.

(From the Herald.)
On Monday it st we announced the arrival of the
Maria Soames, with Cape of Good Hope papers to the
4th of August inclusive. This day we are put in pos-
session of (after Capa journals of the same date, with
later news from the set of war, of a highly interesti,
character. The last intelligence acquainted us, that en
the 16th of July Colonel Somerset, with his army, had
passed the Buffalo at Bridle Drift. The ire sent advices
supply us with the important operations of that gallant
officer since that period, as detailed by him in his
official communication to Lieut. Colonel Cioete, from
which it will be seen that in the pursuit of Pato, he
made a rapid and bold incursion into Kreli's territories,
where he had a smart engagement with the Kafirs,
thoroughly routing them, killing about forty of them,
and capturing 5,000 head of cattle, which he con-
ducted safely through the enemy's country to head•
quarters. The loss on the aide of Colonel Somerset was,
Field Captain Groenwaldt wounded, one Fingoe killed,
and one Fingoe wounded. The Fingoes di; played the
most intrepid conduct, and appear to have borne the
brunt of the action. In addition to the above important
news, we have also particulars of the successful opera-
dons of the troops under the command of Colonel Hare
and Sir Andreas Stockenstrotn, in the Amatola Moun-
tains. In these engagements it was conjectured that
150 Kafirs were killed, irrespective of many wounded.
The loss on the side of the British troops was incon-
siderable. We subjoin extracts:—
(From the Graham's Town Journal of Aug. 1.)
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.
Head quarters, Camp, Green River, Kaffraria,
July 27.
The second division having driven the T'Slambie
tribes across the River Kye, is proceeding towards the
Amatola Mountains, in order to join and co-operate with
the other divisions, against the enemy in that quarter.
On the 17th inst. the Commander-in-Chief detached
Colonel Somerset from the camp on the Buffalo with
part of the division to follow up the enemy in light
marching order. The result of this movement is detailed
in the Colonel's report of the 24th inst.
The operations of the division have been much retarded
by the deplorably inefficient state of the cattle, both
horses and oxen. The conduct of the troops is justly
entitled to commendation :
Camp, on the Memichie, July 24, 1846.
Sir, Having proceeded, agreeably to the Com-
mander-in -Chief's instructions with the several detach-
ments of the division under my command on the after-
noon of the 17th inst., in pursuit of the Kafirs, I have
the honour to acquaint you, for his Excellency's infor-
mation, that I came up with the rear of the enemy's
cattle, late on the afternoon of the 18th inst., going off
in all haste along the Genoubie Heights. Feeling satis-
fied that these cattle were those belonging to Umhalla's
tribe I did not pursue them, being determined not to
allow anything to divert me from my object in follow-
ing up Pato. I therefore continued my march to the
lower passes of the Kye River. Detaching Captain
Size's battalion by a lower route along the coast, I pur-
sued them to the Kye River, where they had crossed the
cattle late on the 19th inst., and where I arrived late on
the afternoon of the 20th inst. Having received
information that the enemy had passed over with all
their cattle to the cast bank of the Rye River, I moved
the troops up on the morning of the 21st inst., when I ob-
served large herds of cattle on the heights on the oppo-
site bank. The enemy having posted strong piquets,
both mounted and dismounted, at several points, I im •
mediately made the necessary dispositions for crossing
the river. In the course of the morning I was joined by
Captain Size's battalion, who had captured 270 head of
cattle and taken four prisoners. Having placed the guns
under Captain Barnaby in position so as to cover the
movements, I directed the Fort Peddie Fingoes under
Mr. Shepstone to move down the bank of the river to
the ford. The Burgher forces under Commandants
Linde and Muller, having also moved down to the ford,
Captain Napier, with Captain Donovan's squadron,
C.ALR., moved in support. These arrangements being
effected, I directed the whole of these troops to cross.
The movements were effected in the most spirited man-
ner by the whole of the force employed. In consequence
of the impoverished state of the horses the Burgher
forces were obliged to move on foot. Observing large
droves of cattle passing along the lower banks of the
river, I moved two companies of Captain Size's battalion
down the bank of the river to the southward, directing
Captain Melville's company to proceed up the river, and
enter a large kloof on the opposite side.
As the Fingoes advanced, I observed the piquets and
detachments of the enemy retiring, and proceeding to-
wards the large bodies of the cattle on the heights. The
troops continued to push on, attacking the Kafirs
where-
ever they found them, and I had the satisfaction in a
very short time, in observing the several detachments
acting against the enemy, returning in possession of
large droves of cattle belonging to the chief Pato.
A body of Commandant Linde's Burghers, under
Captain Groenwaldt, were sharply engaged with the
enemy, and their spirited leader was unfortunately
wounded by a musket ball through the arm. The
enemy seeing themselves hard pressed, drove the cattle
into several deep kloofs, where they were followed by
the Fingoes under Mr. Shepstone, who with his men
were twice surrounded by the enemy ; each time they
disengaged themselves in the most spirited manner, and
secured large numbers of cattle. Captain Donovan's
squadron marched on in support and secured a drove of
about 500 head of cattle.
The detached companies of Captain Size's battalion,
who had entered the deep kloofs below the ford, suc-
ceeded in capturing a drove of 1,500 head of cattle, which
they seized from the enemy.
I had directed the whole of the troops to return across
the river before nightfall, and by five P.M., I had the
satisfaction of seeing the whole of the troops (with the
exception of Captain Melville's company, which had
crossed higher up the river), returning in possession of
large droves of cattle. I took the necessary precaution
of sending a supporting force of the Cape Mounted
Rifles down to the ford to assist in crossing with the
cattle, and by six P.M., I had the whole of the captured
cattle, about 4,000 head, safe in my camp. Early on the
following morning I detached 100 men of Captain Size's
battalion to the ford in support of Captain Melville,
whom I had observed spiritedly engaged with the enemy,
and in possession of about 1,000 head of cattle and a few
horses. Captain Melville joined me with the eattle about
ten A.M., having been the whole morning engaged with
the enemy, who continued to fire upon his people, al-
though I was on the bank of the river with a large force
in support.
I decided to avail myself of the services of the pri-
soners to communicate with Kreli and Pato, the prisoners
having acquainted me that Pato and Umhalla had only
three days previously received from Kreli his permission
for crossing with their cattle over the Rye. I therefore,
in the presence of the troops, sent to each chief a mes-
sage to the following purport:—"Acquaint Pato and
Umhalla that I have seized these cattle for the use of the
troops ; that I shall take these cattle to the governor,
and I shall then return. I shall then attack them, and
give no Ast to them or their cattle. That I this day
take this ground, which I have driven them out of, for
the governor; that I shall fire three shots this morning,
one for Kreli, one for Umhalla, and one for Pato, which
is to be a warning to them; that I shall return and de-
mind satisfaction for their uncalled-for attack on the
colony. Acquaint Kreli, that I have followed Pato to
the Kye; that I found he has given Pato, the great
enemy of the colony, place for his cattle in this country;
that I fire this gun to tell him, that the Governor will
call upon him to answer for his conduct."
Having dispatched the messengers, and fired three
guns at twelve o'clock (mid-day), I commenced my re-
turn to the Buffalo River with 5,000 head of the enemy's
cattle. I returned with the troops along the main ridge
that intersects the Kye and Gonoubie Rivers. I ob-
served on the line of march that the Kafirs occupying
that part of the country, were not at all aware of my
movements, as I saw numerous bodies of Kafirs in the
neighbourhood of all the kraals, which had evidently
been very recently abandoned. These Kafirs followed
up my rear, endeavouring to disturb my encampment
each night, by firing shots at the piquets and into the
camp, in order to set off the cattle, but without success.
Had it not been for the weak state of the horses, I should
have made a severe example of those Kafirs. I regret
to add that I was obliged to destroy 100 horses of the
Burgher force, and upwards of 30 horses of the Cape
Mounted Rifles, as from the harrassing nature of the
duty they were quite unable to move forward.
I have to express my obligations and thanks to the
officers commanding corps and Burgher forces for the
assistance afforded me in the execution of this service,
and to all officers and troops for their steady conduct
under great fatigue, in the arduoui service of conducting
5,000 head of cattle through the enemy's country, and
guarding them each night against the attack of a wily
enemy, who, by setting fire to the grass, and closely
pressing my flanks and rear, lost no opportunity of har-
rassing my march, in order to get off the cattle.
The loss sustained has been alight, Field Captain
Groenwaldt of the Swellendam Burghers wounded, whose
spirited conduct I beg to bring under his Excellency's
notice ; one Fingoe killed in the Kye, and one Fingoe
wounded in the line of march.
About forty of the enemy were wounded in the
several skirmishes, many more may have fallen in the
bush, but it was not poFsible to ascertain an exact
account.
The troops and Burghers, together with the Fin-
goes, conducted themselves to nay entire satisfaction.
I have, &c.,
H. SOMERSET, Col.,
Commanding 2d Division.
Lieut.-Col. Cloete, &c.
CHAS. LENNOX MAITLAND,
Capt, Grenadier Guards, Assist, Military Secretary.

(Signed)