The Sun.
London, England, 1851-11-06 00:00:00

meat on these ambuscading savages. It is to be
deplored that the insufficient amount of European forces
has neceasitated the partial employment of na-
tive levies. These are treated by the rebels
with distinguished favour, which, wo may presume,
is in many cases reciprocated. Another evil arises
out of the unobstructed intercourse of friendly natives
with the various forts and camps occupied by our troops.
It has been ascertained beyond a doubt that information
of the :strength and route of every patrol is quickly
transmitted to the enemy, who is able at discretion to
waylay or avoid us without much risk. They are evi-
dently in communication with traitors within the colony,
fir the coloured people are often found blabbing the
news they hare received several hours before the aerival
of the regular post.
"They most disastrous event of the war occurred dur-
ing Lieutenent-Colonel Mackinnon's patrol through the
Fish River bush. Two companies of the 2d, supported
by a party of levies, were detached from the centre line
of march to scour a defile, and rejoin the main body at a
specified point about two miles off. The levies managed
to sheer off, leaving their regimental comrades to be lite-
rally surrounded and massacred. In this miserable
affray Captain Oldham and a great part of the grenadier
and light companies were cut to pieces. To quote from
the general order, Captain Oldham fell as becomes a
soldier; the fame of valiant deed.: ever outlives the man,
and posterity will class Captain Oldham among British
heroes, as well as those soldiers of his grenadiers who
shared his fall.'
" Colonel Ford:ice, with a part of the 74th, made an
advance upon the Broome bush, near the Waterkloof,
where he twice sustained a formidable attack of upwards
of 2,000 Kafirs and Hottentots, headed by Macomo; and,
but for a panic of the Fort Beaufort Fingoes, while
threading a narrow bush-skirted defile, would have sus-
tained no serious loss. Many extraordinary instances
of personal valour and strength are recorded of the 74th,
while fighting hand to hand, as the lurking natives now
and then dared to emerge from the concealment of the
bush.
" Our troops are being TO Lancers and
Rifles have arrived, and proceeded without delay to the
frontier. A simultaneous withdrawal of the Kafirs from
the advanced hiding-places indicates a concentration of
their forces for some fresh effort. Some apprehensions
had been entertained at Graham's Town of an attack to
be made upon that place, as soon as 5,000 natives should
assemble in the neighbourhood; A wounded deserter
gave the information, together with the alarming intel-
ligence that nearly half the required force had been
collected. The inhabitants have, in consequence, mar-
shalled themselves into a provisional guard, convenient
localities being agreed on for mutual defence in case of
actual onset. The demonstration of their readiness to
repel any attack was expected to be sufficient; though
precautions can ever be regarded as unnecessary in
dealing with treacherous savages, aided, we lament to
say, by resident traitors within our gates.
" By the post just arrived we learn that Colonel Eyre
has been directed to occupy an important station midway
between Graham's Town and the Fish River; an ap-
pointment which has given great satisfaction to the re-
sidents of the district."

(Form the Cape Town Mail of Sept. 30.)
" The report of the present state of affairs in our
colony is likely to be received at home with any feelings
but those of satisfaction. As regards the war, it is suf-
ficient to say that four severe engagements, besides
several skirmishes, have been fought within the space of
a fortnight, and that the losses experienced have been of
a magnitude unexampled in Kafir warfare. About 50
on our side have been killed, and as many wounded. It
is true that these disastrous losses have resulted not from
real defeats, but from accidents which are almost un-
avoidable in this species of warfare. In one case, a
small detachment has lost its way and fallen into am-
buscade; in another, a panic among a party of Fingoes
has given a momentary advantage to the enemy. In
both cases our soldiers behaved with their usual steady
bravery; and they are considered to have been ably
manoeuvred by their commanding officers. But the
result has been none the less fortunate, particularly in
its effect upon the native population, disheartening our
adherents and inspiriting the enemy. The Kafirs and
rebel Hottentots within the colony, who are chiefly con-
centrated in the Fisk River Bush and the Kegs' Moun-
tains, are supposed to number not less than 6,000 fighting
men. They appear to be as daring, as confident, and as
well supplied with ammunition and food as at the com-
mencement of hostilities. There is generally con-
sidered to be no prospect whatever of an early termina-
tion of the war.
" Our political affairs aro in an equally unsatisfactory
condition. An elective assembly, with a Government
possessing the confidence of the colonists, might be ex-
pected to provide the most effectual means that the
colony could furnish for bringing the war to a close.
Such an assembly and such a government have been pro-
mised, but, strangely enough, it is now declared that the
fulfilment of the promise must be delayed until the close
of the war. The medicine is not to be administered until
the patient is quite well. Such is the wisdom of our
State physicians. The British nation pays for the blun-
ders of these political empirics, and the unfortunate
colonists suffer the consequences of their mismanagement.
" The Frontier Post arrived yesterday afternoon,
bringing intelligence from Graham's Town to the 23d,
I and from King William's Town to the 20th inst. A few
depredations are reported, but not so many as usual.
The enemy was supposed to be concentrating his forces
for some important movement. Much satisfaction had
been caused at Graham's Town by the appointment of
Lieutenant• Colonel Eyre to command in the district of
Albany, and Major Wilmot at Fort Peddie. The former
officer, with a force of 400 infantry and 70 horse, was to
take post about 15 miles east of Graham's Town, occu-
pying Driver's-hill and Waay Pleats.
" Major-General Somerset was drawing together his
forces, and preparing, as was supposed, for another at-
tack upon the enemy in the Kaga Mountains."
(From the Graham's Town Journal.)
" GRAHAM'S TOWN, SEPT. 23.
" We have little to report as having occurred since
our last communication. If Kafirs and Hottentots are
still in this neighbourhood or in Lower Albany, they
have been unusually quiet during the last week or ten
days, but it is believed that most of them have with-
drawn themselves, and joined their countryman in their
strongholds. It is further thought, and the opinion is
partly founded on the above circumstance, that they aro
meditating mischief upon an enlarged and more exten-
sive scale than heretofore. It is certain that the warlike
spirit of the Kafirs has risen considerably sines the un-
fortunate affairs with the troops related in former com-
munications. It is a satisfaction, however, to learn that
the Governor is at length purposing to provide more
effectually for the protection of the colony. Col. Eyre is
about to form a strong camp at Driver's-hill, in the vi-
cinity of Committee Drift, one cf the most notorious
Kafir paths on the Fish River, and Major Wilmot will
take the command at Fort Peddie, where hitherto,
Captain Cahill has been stationed with a body of troops.
\Ye learn these particulars by the Kafirland post, which
arrived on Monday morning.
" By the same post, also, letters have been received
from beyond the Kei, which represent the Kafir tribes
there as in a very unsettled and turbulent state. Another
such affair as that with the 2d Regiment, and wo shall
probably have the whole force of Kafirland brought to
bear upon the colony. By an express received from
General Somerset's camp, it is ascertained that he is
gathering about him the various parties of the 91st Re-
giment, which have been stationed at detached posts, so
that it is presumed he purposes making some great
movement.
"Yesterday, a considerable number of waggons left
town, to assembe at Botha's-hill, whence they are to
proceed to-day, under strong escorts, to Trowipetter's
Drift, Fort Peddie, Fort Beaufort, and Fort Hare. It
is thought not unlikely that those for the former two
places may meet with some interruption in the Fish
River Bush.
" It is reported hero on what authority we know not,
that the artillery from Cape Town, with the men in
charge of it, has been landed at Port Elizabeth, and is
now on its way up to Graham's Town.
" We find we have been rather premature in the re-
marks made at the commencement of this letter. We
have just now heard that last night eight spans of oxen
were taken by Hottentots from Brunt Kraal, near this
town. They were the property of Mr. Goldswain and
Mr. Honey. Two of the herdsmen were wounded, the
one being shot in the leg, end the other in the foot.
Pursuit was made and about ten of the oxen were re•
captured."
The Shipping Gazette of the 26th of September
has the following :
" The intelligence received from the frontier since our
last publication is of a very melancholy character. On
the Bth inst., Lieutenant-Colonel Fordyce, with a force
of about 600 men, of whom about half were regular
troops, chiefly of the 74th Regiment, proceeded to the
Kroome heights, in the neighbourhood of Waterkloof,
with a view of endeavouring to check the depredations
of the enemy in that quarter. In an open plain, on the
summit of Kroome-ridge, he was furiously assailed by a
large body of Kafirs, estimated at no less than 2,000 in
number. After a sharp engagement, which lasted about
twenty-five minutes, the assailants were beaten off, with,
as was believed, considerable loss. The ammunition of
the troops being then more than half expended, and
their supply of provisions being scanty, Colonel For-
dyce determined to return to the camp. Unfortunately,
while marching along a narrow pass, the Fingoes, who
had behaved very well during the engagement, was
struck with a sudden panic on the approach of a body of
Kafirs, and rushed down upon the two rear companies
of the 74th, who were thus crowded up together and pre-
vented from using their arms. The Kafirs,' Colonel
Fordyce states in his report, seeing their advantage,
rushed from the bush, shooting and stabbing many of
our men while thus disabled.' Eight men of this gal-
lant corps were thus slain, and as many woueapdt up
thSeeir-
veral of the Fingoes also fell. The enemy kept
fire until the detachment had cleared the bush, bat pc,
further casualties were experienced.
"On the following day (the 9th) an accident of a
somewhat similar character, but attended with more dis-
astrous consequences, took place on the Fish River
Bush, near Double Drift. A detachment, consisting of
two companies of the 2d Regiment under Captain Old-
ham, with a party of the Levies, was seat by Colonel
Mackinnon to scour the bush in one direction. After
m
entering the forest, the epluaies of the 2d unfortu•

nately got separated from the more experienced men of
the Levies, and fell into an ambuscade. The greater
part of them were cut off by an overwhelming force of
the enemy, and the whole would probably have been
massacred but for the advance of Lieutenant-Colenal
Michel to their aid. The loss in killed and wounded is
reported to have been upwards of 60, nearly all of the
21 Regiment, including the commanding officer, Captain
Oldham. Clonel Mackinnon, at the last accounts
(August la), was still on patrol near the Fish River
Bush, and was believed to have been again ergaged with
the enemy in that fastness.

"From the Sovereignty we have not intelligence of
the arrival of the force sent from Natal, comprising two
companies of the 45th R,giment and GOO Zulus. to the
aid of the British Reident. The use which this
officer intended to make of this reinforcement was not
known."

CAPE JO WN, OCT. 1.

Since the dopartnre of the Sir Robert Peel on the
24th ult., two frontier mails have reached this. They
add but little to the intelligence forwarded by that
steamer. Colonel Mackinnon's official report of the
affair in the Fish River Bush has been published, which,
together with Sir Ilarry Smith's general order on the
occasion, is enclosed. Tho return, giving 78 casualties,
including six officers, is more serious than was at first
supposed.
Colonel Eyre, of the 73d, has been appointed to the
command of Lower Albany, which has given great satis-
faction. No further actions have taken place, and but
few depredations have been committed. It is thought
that the numerous marauding parties have been called
together previous to some important movement on the
part of the enemy. They still hold two strong encamp-
ments in the colony, mounting together about 6,000 men
—one at the Kaga, under Macomo, and the other near
Committee Drift, under Seyolo and Stock.
From head-quarters we have intelligence up to the
20th ult. Colonel Mackinnon's patrol returned on the
17th. The loss we have sustained in this affair, and in
ono under Colonel Fordyce, has, it is feared, greatly
emboldened the enemy. There are reports that
Kreli and timbale, who have both been playing a doable
game, will now openly declare against us. One thing is
certain—the war is now only commencing, and its dura-
tion as well as successful conclusion will entirely depend
on the strength of such additional reinforcements as may
still be sent.
From the Sovereignty nothing more has been received
The troops at Natal are at 1V inburg, and the 600
Zoolas at Bloemfontein. Major Warden is said to be
waiting dispatches from the Governor before he makes
any movement. Moscch, it is also stated, has suspended
all hostile operations until he hears the result of an ap-
plication made to his Excellency for inquiry and redress.
Refreshing rains have fallen all along the frontier.
On the coast, however, the weather has been severe.
Four vessels have been lost in the different bays—
viz., the Albina, St. Helena, G. H. Harrison, and the
Foam.
The Charlotte, with the head-quarters of the Lan-
cers, has not yet made her appearance; :she is more
than 80 days out. Her Majesty's steamer Styx, which
arrived yesterday, from England, to relieve her Ma-
jesty's steamer Hermes, ordered to the East, will wait
their arrival and convey them to the Buffalo. The
Hermes leaves for Simon's-bay to-day, where she will
take in horses and the artillery, and land them at East
London, en route to the East. The Sidon steam-frigate
is expected round to-day. She will take in coals and
return to England, steaming part of the way.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Gan-
ges, Captain Marshall, arrived on the 26th, having made
the run from Southampton in 37 days and 22 hours.
The barque Royal Saxon, with coals for her, in
entering Table Bay this morning, went on shore in a
fog, but it is expected she will get off. The Styx has
gone to her assistance.

OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.
Head-quarters, William's Town, Sept. 17, 18M.
His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief directs the
publication of the following documents for general in-
formation.

11. L. MAYDWELL, Military Secretary.
(Copy.)
King William's Town. Sept. 17, 1851.
Sir,—l have the honour to report that, according to
your Excellency's instructions, I marched from this
station on the 6th inst. with a force of 1,200 men, detail

as per margin.'
I detached Lieutenant-Colonel Michel with a part o'

the force by Fort Wiltshire, and proceeded myself with
the supply waggons by Lino Drift.
On the 7th inst. the whole force met at Fort William.
On the Bth inst. I moved to Foonah's Kloof.
During the march I saw at a short distance to the left
of the road the K%firs drive some cattle into a deep
valley which leads down to the Fish River, and I made
arrangements for attempting their capture the following

morning.
On the 9th inst., leaving a sufficient force for the de-
fence of the waggons, I marched at half-past 3AN. I
detached Lieutenant-Colonel Michel with the 6th Regi-
ment, Catty's Riflemen, Armstrong's Horse, and 50 of
the levy to the right of the valley where I had seen the
cattle, and proceeded myself with two companies of the
Queen's, the detachment of the 73d Regiment, and Cape
Corps, to the left of this valley.
I directed Commandant Davies, with 50 of the levy
and the guides, supported by the 200 of the Queen's under
Captain Oldham, to enter the valley mid follow the traces
of the cattle.
After detaching Commandant Davies and Captain
Oldham I watched their progress for some time, and saw
them burn some buts at the upper part of the valley.
Some firing took place, but it ceased, and the detach-
ment entered the valley on the traces of the cattle. I
then proceeded along the high ground to the left of the
valley, intending to gain a rising ground about two
miles distant, from which point I could observe their
progress. I, however, soon perceived a large body of
Kafirs and Hottentots at some distance to my left, and

I moved to attack them. I extended the twocompanies

of the Queen's in skirmishing order, keeping the 73d in
reserve. The Queen's engaged the enemy with great
spirit, and drove him into a deep valley or kloof, which
runs down towards the Fish River. As the enemy pos-
sessed a great advantage here in firing upwards at our
men I withdrew the Queen's from the edge of the kloof
and formed the 73d in skirmishing order behind the
scattered bushes at some distance from the kloof, retir-
ing the Queen's through the intervals of the 73d. My
object was thus to draw the enemy into more favourable
ground for us. This inaticouvre was entirely successful.
The enemy thought we were retreating. He came out
and suffered heavily. I then proceeded towards the
rising ground before mentioned, from which I hoped to
obtain a view of the detachment in the valley. I did not
reach it till ten o'clock, when, seeing nothing of the de-
tachment and hearing no firing, I concluded that Com-
mandant Davies and Captain Oldham had scoured the
valley and had effected their junction with Lieutenant-
Colonel Michel.
The enemy now appeared again in our rear and
flanks, apparently intending to oppose our progress
towards the camp. We again drove them off, but they
did not fight with the same spirit as before. On reach-
ing the road between Fort Peddie and our bivouac I
found Captain Tainton with 180 Fingoes awaiting me.
Lie had been accidentally detained at Fort Peddie beyond
the time at which he was directed to march.
Up to this time we had had three privates of the
Queen's wounded, two of whom are since dead, and two
privates of the Royal Marines, and two of the 73d
wounded. It was only at this period of the day (eleven
o'clock) reported to me that eight privates of the Queen's
were missing. My men were too much exhausted (they
had been marching and skirmishing incessantly for 7i
hours) to retrace their steps in search of them, but I sent
the Cape Corps and Fingoes, with the captain of the
company to which the missing men belonged, to search
the ground near the point where they had last been
seen. The search was unsuccessful. I returned to our
bivouac at a quarter before one.
Lieutenant-Colonel Michel returned with his detach-
ment to the bivouac at a quarter before four o'clock. Ho
reported having met with no opposition. He worked
along the heights to the right of the valley (the route
being circuitous), and after twice crossing the Fish
River entered the mouth of this valley. He effected a
junction with the detachment under Captain Oldham
and Commandant Davies, about nine A.M., at a most
critical moment. It appears that the enemy attacked
the rear of the detachment soon after they entered
the valley, and that they met another body of them in
their front. The levies and guides outmarched the
Queen's, and the latter got separated, Captain Oldham
with one company leaving the path down the valley and
losing his road. lie was surrounded by Kafirs, was
killed himself, and his men suffered severely. The loss
of this detachment was 1 captain and 19 rank and file of
the Queen's, and Quarter-Master Ebden and 2 rank and
file of the Levy killed. 20 rank and file of the Queen's,
and Commandant Davies, 1 sergeant and 1 private of
the Levy, and 2 Kafir guides wounded. The opportune
junction of Lieutenant-
Colonel Michel's column enabledf
the detachment to bring away their wounded in
On the 10th inst. I proceeded to Breakfast Vetylaeyfo.r
the purpose of co-operating with Lieutenant-Colonel
Eyre, who was to have moved from Committee's that
morning. He had, however, been diverted
from
in-
tended movement, and had made a night
march byhis the
Goga upon a hill to the left of the road betweenßreak-
fast
fiVralead
ynand
Hottentots C onrat
te
posted.eCommittee's,
where
l ha
attacked found
a them body
andof
Ka
routed them with considerable loss. I inclose his report.
Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre joined me at Breakfast Viey
with 300 men of the 73d Regiment and 60 cavalry,
while my column was halted there and preparing to
move towards Committee's. I then moved to Fort Wil-
liams, sending the wounded to Fort roddie.
procured
On the 11th inst the troops rested, and I
some supplies from Fort Peddie.
On the 12th inst. I returned to Foon
ah's Woof and

*2d Queen's ••• —•
6th Regiment ... •••
Royal Marines... •••
73d RegiMent ... ..•
Cape Mounted Rifles •••
Armstrongs Horse ...
Catty's Rifles ..• ..•
Levies and guides ...

398
419
52
152

Total

tnadt4rrfigements for again scouring I
,the division suffered so severely on the 6th.
On the 13th inst. I detached Lieutenant-Colonel
Michel with the 6th, Catty's Riflemen, and 100 of the
Queen's, to the right, over the ground he before tra-
versed. I sent Major Armstrong with the cavalry, the
Levy, and 100 of the Queen's, to the rising ground on
the left of the kloof, and I proceeded myselt with the
73d, 100 of the Queen's and the Fingoes, down the
kloof. We had a drenching rain all day, and either this
or the large force we displayed deterred the enemy from
any serious opposition. A few shots only were fired at
us as we entered the kloof, but the troops suffered no
loss. Wo thoroughly scoured the kloof down the Fish
River, and formed a junction with Lieutenant-Colonel
Michel near the river. On our way down the kloof we
found a number of dead Kafirs, which confirms the ac-
count given by a Kafir prisoner whom we captured, that
the enemy suffered severely from the fire of Captain
Oldham's detachment.
On the 14th I proceeded to Breakfast Vley.
Oa the 15th I moved at 4 A.N. in the direction of
Committee's, towards the point where Lieutenant-
Colonel E3re's combat of the 10th was fought. A body
of Kefirs and Hottentots drew up to oppose us, but were
quickly routed by the 6th and 733 regiments. We oc-
casioned them severe loss, but had one private of the 6th
hillsd, tied one of the same regiment wounded. I moved
on the afternoon of this day to the Goga.
Oe the 16th, sending the waggons under Lieutenant-
Colonel Michel, with the 6th Regiment, two companies
Queen's, and Armstrong's Horse, round by Line Drift, I
proceeded with the remainder of the division by the
mouth of the Qnlaghts, to the Tamalse. We captured a
few cattle and eight horses on our march, killing several
Kafirs.
I returned this day to King William's Town.
I annex a return of the casualties which occurred
during these operations, including Lieutenant-Colonel
Eyre'a loss on the 10th inst.
I have to bring to your Excellency's notice the great
exertions of the troops, and to express my thanks for
the aid I received from the officers commanding the dif-
ferent corps. I beg to thank Lieutenant-Colonel Michel,
commanding the 6th regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre,
commanding the 73d regiment ; Lieutenant-Colonel
Burns, commanding the Queen's; Lieutenant Harris
commanding the Royal Marines; Major Armstrong+,
commanding the Mounted Levy; Captain Campbell,
commanding detachment of the Cape Corps; Captain
Catty and Commandant Davies, commanding the Levies.
elm;beg
rr
aa
Robinsonnl swi commanding
intlmgo Lieutenant-Colonel todh e.atnaoß ckf
h.
Ate Major: pllaQanirudetehieetnsi
:uesPinckney,
molas's I et hy
,a
73d regiment; and
m:teftdeeoennrrttt heir exertions while
Rse.Arv.i,cewshoof
actedfas staff officers to his columns. 9
I have received every possible advantage from the
energy and ability of Captain Faunce, my Brigade
Major, and Lieutenant Whitemore, Cape. Mounted
Rifles, who acting as my Aide-de-Camp, rendered
most efficient services.
The officers of the medical department deserve my
warmest acknowledgments for their attention to the
I wounded.—l have, &c.
GEO. MACKINNON, Colonel, commanding 2d Division.
His Excellency Sir H. G. Smith, G.C.8., &e.
(Copy.)
Camp, Fort Montgomery Williams, Sept. 11, 1851.
Sir,—l have the honour to report that I moved with
the force under my command, as per margin, - on the
morning of the 9th inst., from Trompeter's Drift to Fort
a,
reachingw here
hlyhal
day-
light,ted
Peddie, and being there joined by 100 Fingoes under
on the following morning, one of the enemy's
fCoarpatafienwP rwocitehedtehde
no t e thent i
nGoofg
positions on Committee's-hill.
aoeulr
Soon after daylight on the 10th inst. the enemy
showed himself, but not in sufficient force, as I con-
ceived, to make it worth while to attack him. I there-
tore moved on, on observing which he came forward with
great boldness and in considerable numbers, shouting
and evidently challenging U 3 to combat. I instantly
halted and determined to attack him. The Hottentot
rebels, in number at least fifty, were drawn up in two
ranks, like regular troops; the Kafirs were so scattered
that it would be impossible accurately to enumerate them,
but they were in considerable force and advantageously
posted. They were drawn up in various groups on the
brow of a hill, with a valley and dense bush in front,
between the enemy and us. Round the head of this
valley, and to our left, was a connecting ridge, over
which several paths led through an open bush that was
perfectly practicable to all arms. I directed Major
Armstrong to make a dash with his mounted force to
seize this ground, thence to threaten the enemy's right
flank, and to cut him off from a deep kloof,
into which he would probably endeavour to escape.
With the three companies of the 73d and the Fin-
goes I moved at once through the bush to attack the
enemy in front. The enemy made against us but a
feeble resistance. He evidently sided off, as we ad-
vanced, to our left flank to attack the Cape Mounted
Rifles and Armstrong's horse, as they attempted to
cross the head of the valley on our left. Major Arm-
strong dismounted his men, and in skirmishing order
held the ground with great spirit. As the main force of
the enemy was evidently there—the enemy having
changed his position as we advanced—l halted and
moved to Major Armstrong's support. I found him
warmly engaged with the enemy, who lay scattered
and concealed within a few yards' distance behind s
thick bush. On reaching the ground I immediately ex-
tended the Grenadiers of the 73d, who, led on by Capt.
Beeves, gallantly dashed into the bush under a sharp
fire, driving the enemy and pursuing him down to the
bottom of the kloof, and burning or destroying all his
numerous huts which were concealed in the bush. Se-
veral articles were found showing the luxuty of these
rebels, who were evidently living on what they could
plunder from the colony. The enemy reade several at-
tempts to steal cn our flanks, but were driven off on each
occasion with great spirit. After repulsing the enemy
and silencing his fire I held the ground for above an
hour, when, perceiving nothing further to be done, I
retired from the position, leaving a company in ambush,
in case the enemy might follow us, but he offered us no
fnrther resistance. I marched to Breakfast Vley, the
nearest point for water, where I joined the patrol under
Colonel Mackinnon.
It is with much pleasure that I am able to report the
admirable conduct on this occasion of the Cape Mounted
Rifles under Captain Campbell, and Armstrong's Horse
under Captain Tekutsch the whole under Major
Armstrong. The brunt of the affair decidedly fell upon
them, and nobly did they respond to the call; they held
thsir ground with firmness until relieved by the 73d,
wl with them speedily put the enemy to flight.
I beg.to express my thanks to the following officers:—
To Major Armstrong, commanding the mounted force;
to Captain Bewes, commanding the 73d Regiment; to
Captain Rae, commanding the Fingoes, for his per-
sonal exertions and example; and to Lieutenant Gawler,
my acting adjutant. I was much obliged also tcr Mr,
Driver, a civilian, who accompanied me from Fort
Peddie as a guide, and who gallantly assisted me in
the field.
Our casualties, I regret to state, are considerable.
Three officers wounded severely—Lieutenant Walters
(73d Regiment), Ensign Thuraby (Cape Mounted
Rifles), and Captain Tekutsch (of Armstrong's Horse);
one man killed (Cape Mounted Rifles); three men.
wounded (73d Regiment), of whom one mortally; and
three men of Armstrong's Horse, of whom one mor-
tally. The loss of the enemy must have been collat.
derable, but it is impossible to ascertain it.
I have, &c.,

WILLIAM EYRE, Lieutenant-Colonel, 73d Regiment,
Commanding.
Acting Major of Brigade, Camp, Fort
Montgomery, Williams. (True copies.)
11. L. Montgomery,,(
Military Secretary.
The following is a return of the killed, wounded, and.
missing, in the actions of the 9th, 10th, and 15th of
September, 1851, with remarks:-
2d Queen's Royals—Killed—Officer, 1; sergeants. 4;
rank and file, 19. Wounded—Rank and file, 23. kras-
sing—Rank and file, 8. Number of casualties, 55, 2
since dead. Captain Oldham killed.
W6otuhndeßdo_yalualekiaginmd efinit—e,
11.iilld— RankNeumber and
of
casualtifi, 1.
elz2.
R ooyfal
cMasaurainiteis—es, W e
2.ountideu—teßank
nsnt and
waltfielres, 2w. Num-
berwounded
severely.
73d Regiment—Wounded—Officer, 1; rank and file,
5. Number of casualties, 6, 1 since dead. Ensign
Thursby wounded severely.
Cape Mounted Rifles—Killed Rank and file, 1.
Wounded—Officer, 1. Number of casualties, 2. Cap.
tain Tekutsch wounded severely.
Armstrong's Horse—Wounded—Officer, 1; sergeant
rank and file, 2. Number of casualties, 4. quarter-
master
Guides—rgOeaffinzerl,
;1;
rank rank
andand file,fie
2.L ewv Wounded--Officer,
bnaddneednd
Oui
ilf
ride
ede
2. Number of casualties, 7. Captain Davies wounded
severely.
Total—Killed—Officers, 2; sergeants, 4; rank and
file, 23. Wounded—Officers, 4; sergeants, 2; rank and
file, 35. Missing—Rank and file 8. Number of casu-
alties, 78. _ _

GEORGE MACKINNON, Colonel,
Commanding 2d Division.

GENERAL ORDERS.

(No. 165.) Sept. 17, 1851.
Ilead•Quatters, King William's Town,
The Commander-in-Chief has, received Ywith touch
operations which he was directeduetontots
who had posted
the united rebels, Kafirs and H
satisfaction, Colonel Mackinnon 's repcaorrtryfotnliteocodnistinlodugeed
at
themselves se
Lieutenant-Colonell ve
tof the 12th Regiment, was
detschnien
Bathurst by a
co-operate with the troops under
and
- d to march
directed 3 sstnesseifi.;yl te:heupoFinshb:Riinvgerrbelnieshve.d
Colonel Diackinno.n.
operations have been well carried out, and
3. These
s in
tthe
h°aPsebreaendrtihvaent forofmhehrisi‘hisoiledsstyw,sithugrooepast lose
has
uthpeonenernY
his part, while
been severe, .
especially in the column under Captain
Oldham and Commandant Davies. The experience of
the latter officer, n
on, and
the
his unvasruiepo
dpgrat hellan ld receivetrwyoiunthebush
were much
from Captain Oldham and the renowned " Queen's"
equally so. The operations of war are always eventful,
especially so in the bush, where an excess of boldness is
occasionally as detrimental as over-caution. In this in-
stance the ability and wily nature of the enemy were not
adequately estimated, and the conspicuous gallantry and
dash of the column occasioned it considerable loss—not,
however, without the infliction of severe punishment on
the enemy in the conflict. Captain Oldham fell as be.
comes a soldier; the fame of valiant deeds ever outlives
the man, and posterity will class Captain Oldham among
British heroes, as well as these soldiers of his Grena-
diers who shared his fall. Nor will the gallantry and

300 rank and file 73d Regiment, 75 rank and file
Cape Mounted Rifles, 25 rank and file ArantroDg's
Horse.