The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-18 00:00:00

THE K.AFHt WAR.

PLYMOUTH, APRIL 17.
The General Screw Steam Shipping Company's
steam-ship Propontis, Captain Glover, arrived here
this morning. She left the Cape on the 7th of March,
Sierra Leone the 24th of March, and Cape de Verde
on the 31st.
Although she brings intelligence of a successful
attack made by Major-General Somerset at the head
of 1,200 troops, and of the capture of a large number
of Kafirs, yet the general tenor of the information
derived from her passengers is averse to any ex-
pectation of a speedy termination of the war; and
the skill and caution cf the Kafirs, coupled with
their natural cunning, appear in many recent in-
stances to have baffled the efforts of the regular
forces.

Sir Harry Smith was at King William's Town,
and has, in all, about 2,000 troops under his imme-
diate command. There are only seven artillerymen
at Cape Town.
Major Somerset's attack was at Fort Armstrong,
on the Kat River settlement, whence, with the aid
of the burgher forces, the enemy was ejected with
great slaughter.
The colonists at Cape Town call the war a Go-
vernment and not a colonial war, and not one meet-
ing of the inhabitants has as yet taken place, neither
has any other public demonstration been made in ap-
proval of the movements of Sir Harry Smith.
We take the following from the Cape Town Mail
of the .sth ult :
"On the departure of the Bosphorus, on the 2d of
February, the state of affairs on the frontier, as far as
was known in Cape Town up to the 21st of January, was
as follows:- In Kafirland Sir H. G. Smith was at King
William's Town with about 800 troops, 400 Fingoes, some
companies of Cape Mounted Rifles, and he had just been
joined by the Hottentot levies and European volunteers
from Cape Town, in all 1,675 meri, who were forwarded by
the Hermes, Dee, and Pheenix steamers. The Kafirs had
just been repulsed in an attack on Fort Hare, the head-
quarters of General Somerset, and on the town of Alice,
but they surrounded Forts White and Cox, which were
in want of supplies, and large numbers were in the
neighbourhood of King William's Town, intercepting
all communication between that place and Fort Hare,
while-Seyolo was at Line Drift, on the Keiskamma, on
the direct road from King William's Town to Gra-
ham's Town, rendering it necessary to forward all dis-
datches from the Governor to the colony by sea, from
Buffalo Mouth. The Zulus, under Mr. Shepstone, were
expected from Natal to take the Kafirs in the rear, and
to overawe the Tambookies, whose neutrality was very
doubtful.
" In the colony Hermanus's band, headed by his son,
were at Waterkloof and the Blinkwater, communi-
cating with the rebel Hottentots at Fort Armstrong,
and doing much mischief in the neighbouring districts,
without any force either of troops or burghers being
near to keep them in check. Graham's Town and the
magazines there, were entirely left to the defence of the
inhabitants, who mustered nearly 1,000 men under arms.
" On the 24th some skirmishing took place between
a party of Kafirs and a small force of Fingoes and Cape
Mounted Rifles, who were sent out from Kiag VVil-
ham's Town to drive them away, which was gallantly
done with the loss of one Fingoe killed, and a Hottentot
wounded.
" On the 30th of January Colonel Mackinnon left
King William's Town with 2,150 men and one 6-pounder
to throw supplies into Forts Cox and White, which was
effected without loss; large bodies of Kafirs on the Debe
Neck made a show of opposition, but were dispersed
by a few shells. The forts were supplied for six weeks,
and the sick and wounded removed.
" On the 3d of February Colonel Mackinnon moved
against Seyolo, but, as usual, the Kafirs were not to be
found, and evaded our troops. It is said that the pro-
phet had a very narrow escape, being nearly taken by
surprise. About 800 head of cattle were captured,
100 of which, however, were afterwards lost from care-
lessness. and the troops returned on the 6th to King
William's Town.
" His Excellency finding that the burghers had not
come forward, as he expected, to join General Somerset,
was appointed General Commandant of this force, and
who much required strong reinforcements of Europeans
to enable him effectually to crush the Kat River and
Blinkwater rebel Hottentots, on the 3d of February is-
sued a proclamation regretting the apathy and unwil-
lingness which had been manifested, stating that without
their assistance the rebellion could not be checked, and
warning the inhabitants of the horrors likely to ensue
should they not rally round the authorities at Fort Hare
or Fort Beaufort. This appears to have aroused the
slumbering spirit of many of the beers, and large par-
ties were collected at Graaf-Reinet and other places.
" On the 25th of January Captain Davies left Fort
Peddle to join Sir 11. Smith with about 400 !sew levies;
to avoid Seyolo he proceeded by way of Wesleyville, and
reached King William's Town in safety. His Excellency
was also joined by 500 more men, sent by the Dee from
Cape Towa on the 11th of February, including 70 ma-
rines and seamen from her Majesty's ship Castor, in
Simon's Bay, who were placed in garrison in Fort Gla-
morgan, at East London, relieving a company of the
73d, who proceeded to King William's Town.
" On the 13th of February Colonel Mackinnon again
marched with five companies of the 73d Regiment, the
European levy of 400 men, 200 mounted Riflemen, and
the Hottentot levies, with two 6.pounders—in all about
2,750 men. He proceeded first to Fort White, again
encountering some opposition at the Deb. Neck; on the
14th the troops marched to Fort Hare, by the Broad
Drift of the Keiskamma, destroying the crops, kraals,
and huts, on their way. Upon joining General Somer-
set a movement was made up the Chumie Valley, as far
as the missionary station, the crops being destroyed and
the fields laid waste in every direction, including those
of the murderers of the inhabitants of the military vil-
lages. The troops bivouacked near the missionary sta-
tion, and returned to Fort Hare on the 16th. A division
was detached by General Somerset towards thelguniHoek,
part of the Kat River Settlement,but was recalled in conse-
quence of Col. Mackinnon's return. The European Regi-
ment (400 men) was left with General Somerset, and the
remainder of the force returned by the Middle Drift, de-
scending the stream to Fort Wiltshire, in order to lay
waste the country of Botman, Kona, and Tola. On this
day's march, through a rugged bushy country, the at-
tacks of the Kafirs on the rear guard were continuous
and resolute; pouring out of every lateral valley they in-
cessantly harrassed the line of march, and, though re-
peatedly charged and driven back, they persevered until
nightfal, causing a loss of 8 killed and 17 badly wounded.
Colonel Mackinnon states the loss of the Kafirs to have
been very heavy, and that several of the men of note
were supposed to be shot. The troops accomplished the
object of the expedition by marching no miles through
the most populous districts of Kafirland, and inflicting a
severe punishment on the enemy by destroying his means
of subsistence, the only way of bringing the war to a
speedy termination.
" Strange to say, Mr. Brown, the missionary at Chu-
mie, and ale widow of the missionary Chalmers, were
quietly residing at that station, and refused to quit it.
While the attention of the Kafirs was diverted by
the march of the troops under Colonel Mackinnon, 300
Fingoes from Fort Peddle crossed the Keiskamma and
drove off 440 head of cattle belonging to Seyolo and
Umlangeni.
" Thus, Sir H. Smith has complete command of the
whole of Kafraria, but apparently is not strong enough
to attempt clearing the Amatola fastnesses, the garrisons
in the forts much weakening his disposable force. For-
tunately the road from Buffalo Mouth to King William's
Town has been kept clear by Pato and his tribe, which
facilitates the passage of supplies. Hie Excellency will
be aware before this that the Zulus are not on their
way, and that he must look to other quarters for assist-
ance; 1,000 men could be brought from the Mauritius
in a month by the war steamers Hermes and Dee, as it
is stated that they are kept in readiness to embark. The
contemplated attack on the Blinkwater and Shiloh re-
bels, if successful, will free a valuable Burgher force for
operations in the front, much better adapted for active
service than the raw and undisciplined levies lately
raised.
"In the colony the defection of the Hottentots
caused much alarm ; those Hottentots at the Kat River
settlement have hitherto been always faithful to the co-
lonists in former wars, and their brethren from the
missionary villages of Genadendal, Groenekloof, and
others in the western districts, form the greater part of
the reinforcements which have yet reached Sir H.
Smith. The Moravian missionary station at Shiloh,
which is situated near the border of the Tambookic
country, was attacked by a large force of Mapassa's
Kafirs, and was immediately given up by the Hotten-
tots there, who joined the enemy and united with them
in attacking Wlaittlesea on the 31st of January and
following days. They were, however, beaten back and
pursued to Shiloh, where they were in turn attacked,
and after a desperate resistance forced to take refuge in
the chapel, which was too strong to be stormed ;
not, however, without the joss of one Eng.
lishman, five Fingoes, and five of Kama's Christian
Kafirs, who were killed, and many wounded, in this
gallant action. The loss of the Kafirs must have been
considerable. Commandant Joubert arrived with
party of beers from Cradock too late to take any part in
the conflict. His Excellency expressed great satisfac-
tion at the conduct of Captain Tylden at Whittlesfa,
and the gentlemen who aided him in the defence of that
place.
" The ravages of the Bliukwater people and Kat River
Hottentots in the western parts of the Fort Beaufort
district and Somerset have been most distrettshhseieniia
4gmPoerrni.Hnumgeolmte,tmenatiotteses :hmo sioer
Temple Nourse and family were drivenshfrootm;
and an Englishman in his service
Messrs. Ainslie, M'Master, Stokes, and others have been
plundered, and the . whole country devasted, notwith-
standing
jriaMlter.du"asirnrysd.diviii:d:urlmavilicd;rluheppal°a:Stidteo;;.
standieg the exertions
dan oother e p2u9btlhi
who had swept Mr. John Pringle 'e and
places of their stock, l4 waggons, 2,000
sheep and goats, and 400 head ofcattle were captured.
Sir At dries Stockenstroes farm at Meastrom had been
visited by small parties of Ratirs, and some partial in-
jury done to the furniture, &c.The cattle had been
removed.

" Further to the north-east, Commandant Joubert,
with a commando on an expedition to bring Captain
Read and his people from the White Kei, were eogeged
with Mapassa's Kafirs, and also with the Bitterheut
tribe. About 150 Kafirs were killed and 3,000 head of
cattle taken. Mr. Joubert's burghers have returned to
Colesberg for the pi esent.
"In the Sovereignty Mr. liaise bad also been fired
upon by Tambookies, who appeared to be upon the
march for the colony, and were about to cross the
Orange River.

W. SUTTON, Bt. Lieut.-Col., C.M.R.
BIEIFIORANDUIII Or KILLED AND WOUNDED ON THE 22D CI
FEBRUARY, 1851.
Killed —Two Burghers, four Fingoes; total, six killed.
Wounded—Five Hottentots(four C.M.R., one George),
15 Burghers, five Fingoes; total, 25 wounded.
W. C. EDDIE, P.M.O.
W. SUTTON, Bt. Lieut.-Col.
Owing to the favourable state of trade in England
the wool market at the Cape is in good condition.
Prices are ranging higher, and 13d. has been given
for the best washed wools. The ivory market is also
looking up, owing to the high quotations froul
England. Some large lots were expected at Fort
Elizabeth from the frontier, but the communications
being cut off in consequence of the war, it may be
some time before they come to hand.
The cargo of the Propontis consists of 58 bales of
wool, 4 casks of ivory, 2 cases ditto, 80 ditto tusks, 20
casks seal skins, 59 hogsheads wine, 380 bags of
guano, 20 bales of goat skins, 30 casks of oil, 1 case
of ostrich feathers, 6 cases of wine, 2 boxes of fruit,
34 packages of sundries, and 8 boxes specimens of
natural history.
For two days after the Propontis left the Cape she
made 490 miles under canvas only. The south-east
trades were very light and the north-east trades mo-
derate. Oif the %stern Islands, on the 9th instant,
she experience a very heavy, gale from north-east,
and on the 12th there was a heavy sea from the east-
ward, with no wind. (in the same day, lat. 41'37
nortb, long. 16.40 west, she spoke the barque Dublin,
from Liverpool, for New South Wales, out seven
days. Off the Scilly Islands, on Wednesday morning,
between 12 and 4 o'clock, she spoke the outward
Cape mail packet Bosphorus, Captain Hall, making
all speed with a fair wind.
Passengers by the Propontis from Cape Town
Sir Robert Stanford, Mr. Dolman, Mr. Orr, Ntr•
Mennes, Captain D. J. Howe, Nr. Cohen, Mt.