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

WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE 11, 1851.

THE KAFIR WAR.
PLYMOUTH, TUESDAY, JUNE 10.
The G-,.,neral Screw Steam Shipping Company's
steam-ship Sir Robert Peel, Captain Boxer, arrived
this morning. She sailed from Plymouth on the 15th
of March; arrived at St. Vincent's on the 29th of
March ; sailed the same day for Sierra Leone, and
arrived on the 33 of April; sailed on the 4th, and
arrived at the Cape on the 27th of April ; left there
on the 2d of May. The homeward dates are—
Sierra Leone, 19th of May ; St. Vincent's, on the
26th of May ; she remained at Sierra Leone 181
hours for water.
The accounts by her give a total contradiction to
the report brought by the Teviot of the severe loss
sustained by Sir Harry Smith, who appears to hold
his own securely until ne has disciplined his present
irregular forces, and added to them from home, when
no doubt he will be in a position to make a demon-
stration against the enemy.
The most important intelligence is the defection of
Kreili, who has openly joined the Kafirs; but this
rebel's efforts on the fidelity of Pato had been hitherto
unsuccessful. No doubt the faith of Pato and other
important allies will be greatly strengthened on the
arrival of troops by the Singapore and the expecta-
tions of more reinforcements from the mother

country.
Lieutenant and Adjutant Fletcher, of the 73d
Regiment, was killed in a skirmish on the 16th of
April. His body was found pierced by twenty asse-
gay s.
The Singapore reached the Cape three days before
the Sir Robert Peel—viz., on the 24th of April, and
her troops were to go by the Dee steamer to head-
quarters at Graham's Town.
We take the following " Latest Frontier Intel-
ligence" from the Cape Town Monitor of the 2d
ult..—

" The frontier post arrived in Cape Town at one P.M.
yesterday, bringing the latest intelligence from the seat
of war.
" Our advicea from King William's Town are so late
as the 23d, and from Graham's Town to the 26th ult.
(April).
" Communications from Butterworth had been received
at head-quarters on the evening of the 23d, showing that
the Chief Kreili had committed himself with the war
party, and had been personally engaged in conflict.
Another patrol of 800 men had been ordered out for the
purpose of following up the late successes against the
enemy.
" The remaining remount horses from Cape Town had
arrived safely and were being distributed. Thi-disarmed
Cape Mounted Rifles were being re-armed and equipped.
The corps would amount to 260 men, which, with 150
men of Armstrong's horse, would enable the Governor
to dispatch a strong force across the Kei, against Kreili,
if necessary.
" Toise continued to send useful information, and re-
ported that Mr. Gilfillan's Commando (Civil Commis-
sioner Cradock) had marched from Shiloh on the White
Kei, and severely handled Mapassa's Tambookies and
some of Kreili's people, and were proceeding to sweep off
their cattle.
" Major Wilmot's patrol was still out. A recent state-
ment in a Port Elizabeth paper, that seven Cape Mounted
Riflemen had deserted, after their arms had been restored
to many, and that 1,000 rounds of ammunition were found
rolled up in a blanket, is denied.
"By reports from all quarters the Kafirs were be-
coming heartily tired of the war. They would not
be allowed to rest in the low countries, and being
driven to the Amatola mountains they would expe-
rience much suffering from the cold and continued ha-

ressing.
" Information bad been received through one of
Kreili's great councillors that the Gaikas cannot hold
out much longer; that thirty of their great men
bad fallen, and that they could not count the inferior
victims; that they are coming in—one man with four
or five women and two or three head of cattle, &c.
" The Gaikas were in perpetual alarm, driving their
cattle hither and thither, to the great injury of the mulch
cattle and calves.
" Umhala has sent in his son to King William's
Town to seek out intelligence. He was quite un-
prepared for the news of the further patrol against
Seyolo.
" Pato remained steady and was in high spirits, occa-
sioned, it is said, by the punishment inflicted on Stock,
Seyolo, &c.
" A correspondent, whose information has hitherto
proved to be well founded, states that he had received
intelligence that Kreili had endeavoured to oppose the
Burghers and other forces at the Imvani, and had been
completely routed with considerable loss, having nar-
rowly escaped with his own life. He had retired to the
great place,' and had called on the Fingoes in his
country to join him, but without effect.
" Stock (Euno's tribe) and Seyolo still maintained
themselves in the ravines of the Keiskamma. Their
being enabled to hold out is attributed to their having
received reinforcements of many fresh men from Fundisi
and other branches of Umhala's people.
" Kreili, after his defeat at the Imvani, had been
coquetting with the missionary station at Butterworth,
desiring them to remain there in safety, &c., probably
with a view to making out a case in his own defence
should matters continue to go against him.
" Another account of the Commando against Kreili
and his allies states, that the Boers, &c., moved against
the Temboes (Tambookies) in the upper part of the
Bolota, where Kreili, with a large force, met them; that
a brisk encounter ensued, when the colonial forces re-
trograded to the Imvani neck before the vastly
mu©
numbers brought against them (stated to be more than
four to one); that they made a stand, and opened a tre-
mendous fire on the pursuing Amagalkas, who soon re-
treated in the utmost confusion, the ;flied forces of
Burghers and Bfritisn charging them and carrying all
before them—even in their ardour getting completely
within the Kafir ranks; that the Temboes stood their
ground much better, and continued to fight until the
victorious troops returned from the pursuit of the
Amagalekas and fell on thir rear, when they were dis-
persed, and fled in all directions. 18 petty chiefs have
been killed.
" It is stated that the Zula auxiliaries are not
coming."
The monthly summary of the Cape Monitor of the
2d of May says their last summary reported Sir
Harry Smith's return to King William's Town, ac-
companied by Colonel Mackinnon and the 2d division.
This expedition consisted of a series of movements
from the 18th to the 25th of March, among which
was the repulse of the enemy, about 2,000 strong,
on the 19th, and their flight into the Amatola
mountains.
To complete this account, on the 21st of March,
when the 2d division under Colonel Mackinnon
marched with his Excellency at daylight on Fort
Cox, and thence to Fort White, a detachment was
sent on to meet the enemy in full force' and a general
engagement commenced. The mounted levies behaved
well. The 73d and 6th turned the flank of the enemy,
who were routed.
On the 23d 1,000 head of cattle were captured.
The British bad four killed and six wounded. The
enemy lost a great many.
On the 24th, 25th, and 26th there was no move-
ment. On the ISth a patrol of 300 ravaged Seyolo's
country, destroyed from 30 to 401i.afirs and returned
,
on the 30th to King William's
-own with four men
'l'
wounded. The same day important information was
obtained from two Kafir Hottentot girls, in conse-
quence of which several Cape Mounted Rifles were
arrested.
On the 27th Major Somerset left Fort Hare with
1,200 men, who in the night were attacked by the
enemy, who attempted, unsuccessfully, .to turn their
flank, but were beaten at all points, and removed their
dead, unperceived, in the dark.
On the 31st all the passes of the Eland's berg were
scoured.
On the 29th of March- a great number of Kai
- -

River rebels and Cape Mounted deserters attacked
Messrs. Crouch's trading station. This act was com-
mitted with the connivance of Kreili, who had sent
messages to Pato and Umhala bidding them to join ;
they both declined, and this refusal has bad its effect
on Kreili.
On the Bth of April Colonel Mackinnon'a patrol, in
two columns, sought for cattle unsuccessfully in the
plains and tracks of the Buffalo.
On the 10th Kafiri and Hottentots attacked Fort
Brown, and carried off 200 head of cattle. It is said
they were lost through the treachery of a sentry.
On the 15th Colonel Mackinnon, with 2,500 men,
including 100 Cape Mounted Rifles, left King Wil-
liam's Town for a patrol of six days. On the 16th
he divided into two columns. - A. skirmish ensued.
Ensign and Adjutant Fletcher, 73d, fell, and Cap-
tain Morris, of the levies, was wounded. The
columns were several times attacked in the rear and
pulsed. At five
flank, but the enemy was alwayti re
with five
P.m. Colonel Eyre joined the right wing
head of fat cattle. The day's loss was 1 officer, 1
sergeant, 4 rank and file. The enemy's loss is esti-
mated at 150 men.
The operations of the month have been confined to
patrolling, the enemy's cattle have been driven into the
Amatolas, and they are nowhere to be seen in great
force. The succours from England will greatly
strengthen the Commander-M- Chief.
On the 28th of March, on the north-eastern fron-
tier, there was a successful engagement with the
Chief Morosi. No casualty occurred on our side, and
the enemy left 200 dead on the field.
From the Tarnbookie country an account has also
been received of a victory gained by Captain Tylden,
Royal Engineers, in which the enemy, 4,000 strong,
was put to flight, leaving 300 dead on the field.
The Sir Robert Peel has a general cargo, including
ivory and gold dust.
During her voyage she spoke the Alice, bound for
the Cape, on 27th March, in lt. 21 N., long. 23 W.;
April 3, at Sierra Leone, found her Majesty's ship
Cygnet, Dolphin, Volcano, Spy, and the steamer
Singapore. The Sampson and Dolphin arrived
during the stay of the Sir Robert Peel. On the 9th
of April, in lat. 25 N., long. 2 50 W., spoke her Ma-
jesty's ship Sampson ; on the 20th of April, in lat.
33.40 S., long. 17.10 E., spoke the Swedish brig
Christian, bound to the Cape; on the 27th, in Table
Bay, found her laajesty's ship Dee, the French na-
tional steamer Cassini, the Peninsular and Oriental
steamer Singapor?, and the Malabar East Indiaman,
outward bound. The Dee sailed on the 29th to the

Buffalo mouth with troops brought by the Singapore.
In Simon's Bay found her Majesty's ships Hermes
and Orestes, and a barque, bound to England. May,
19th, at Sierra Leone, found the Cygnet, Spy, Glen-
bumen, Ellen, &c. The Spy sailed on the 20th. On
the 26th, at St. Vincent, found a United States brig
of war and her Mejesty's steamer Teviot. June 24
passed a French ship outward bound, and on the 6th
passed a Danish barque bound to the east.
The following letter, dated King William's Town,
British Kafraria, March 29, though not of the latest
date, contains details of several operations which have
not been before described:—

'
detailed
arnl
et Afters teht,es
combined
no them de
mdivisionby n e dst
last,
moved destruction
force
datedrcct ioe no
to
oof t
hßeFEuoBir
argt
nhthdAvisros mtiptashotnhar
dtot n
General
a i
om,
he
mntes brie
ehrdea
latseflol h
yy.
occupying it with the European levy, securing at the
same time eighty prisoners, and taking possession of
twenty-eight waggons and a large quantity of provi-
sions belonging to the rebel army. From this post they
proceeded to Philipton, which, instead of finding, as
hitherto supposed and proverbially stated to be, the
most loyal of all the Hottentot settlements, was disco-
vered to be the very nursery and hotbed of discontent
and rebellion. Here seventeen waggons were seized,
and property to a very great extent, evidently the pro-
duce of the wild harvest of devastation and murder which
these traitors have for some time been reaping. Break-
ing up this nest of rebels, the whole rookery, mis-
sionaries not excepted, were marched to Eland's Post.
Here a minute investigation was made by General So-
merset into the cause of the rebellion among
the Hottentots, and the consequences of its
progress, points not easily elucidated, from the circum-
stance that the enereetic measures already adopted
produced on the instant an universal display of the
most devoted loyalty and submission. 160 of them
were, however, disarmed, and forty-eight waggons con-
fiscated, the contents of which told but a lame tale either
for their honesty or loyalty, being composed of splendid
assortments of silk dresses, riding habits, fine linen, &c.,
which never could have been in use among the squalid
and filthy beings in whose possession they were found.
On the 28th of the month General Somerset returned to
Burghers' Post, where he bad left the Fort Armstrong
prisoners, his cattle, and wounded men, and where he
now mustered 46 waggons, between 400 and 500 women
and children, and 370 prisoners, independent of 12
waggons he had left at Eland. Daring his absence at
Eland, Burghers' Post had been attacked in a most de-
termined manner by the Kafirs, who were repulsed with
severe loss by Major Blakeway, who had been left in
charge with 400 men. I had almost forgotten to men-
tion that the two field cornets Andreas Botha and Piet
Bruintjes were absent with the rebels when the Ge-
neral reached Philipton, and that it was also disco-
vered that this loyal settlement bad furnished its
quota of men for the defence of Fort Armstrong. Such
was the state of affairs in that quarter up to the 3d
instant, at which time General Somerset had returned
to Fort Hare, his head-quarters, from his brilliant and
most successful: operations, carried on since the 22d
of the previous month. On the 10th instant an order
was transmitted from the Commander-in-Chief for
a general court-martial to assemble at Fort Hare,
for the trial of such rebel insurgents as might be brought
before it, and up to the last date of our intelligence from
that place, the 21st, the court-martial had been sitting
every day from nine to five o'clock, but, with whatever
results it terminates, the proceeding will give little sa-
tisfaction to those ho have suffered from the devasta-
tions of the Hottentots, or to the colonists at large, who
have addressed memorials to the Governor, urgently
seeking that a special commission may be appointed to
investigate the whole affair.
" I may now revert to the operations of. the Whittlesea
force teetlinst the Hottentots of Shilo, which had so tin-
expactebdly been pat a stop to by General Somerset's
order to Captain Tylden about the lit of February. It
will be remembered that the armistice consequent upon
the order was only on the one side, as after ita receipt
the Hottentots and Tambookies made several fruitless
attempts to take Whittlesea, and during its continuance
they aid not fail to employ themselves most zealously in
taking possession of all property, cattle, horses, sheep, and
goats they could come upon. On the 26th of the month,
however, a counter order from General Somerset was re-
ceived by Captain Tylden, intimating, at the same time,
his approbation of what had taken place, and conveying
his thanks to the officers for their gallant conduct; and
it was therefore resolved that on the following day
another attack should be made upon Shilo, to drive the
rebels from their stronghold, the church, and crush the
revolters by one decisive blow. You may imagine their
astonishment and disappointment when they discovered
that the opposing force consisted of eight old women
and one old man (Tambookies) from whom they learned
that the Hottentots and their allies, having received an
intimation of the intention of their enemies, had de-
camped on the previous night. taking with them, as a
matter of course, everything of a moveable description.
Being determined not to relinquish an attempt upon
Mapass's Tambookies and their allies, the Hottentots,
on the 4th of March, they started from Whittlesea to
beard the lion in his den, with a force of about 400 men,
consisting of Fingoes, Cradock volunteers, Colesberg
and Burghers Dorp levy, and about 170 friendly Kafirs,
mounted, under Samuel Kama. On their march they
were joined by De Witt, and his command of 500 boers;
and, in about seven hours from the time of starting, came
upon the enemy, who had entered the narrow gorge of
a mountain pass, and were waiting, far within the na-
tural basin which was formed beyond it, for the ap-
proach of their antagonists. Driven from their position
by Kama and his horsemen, they were compelled to
cross the river which intersects the basin, and in doing
so lost eleven of their number. Forming themselves
into two parties, they took up two strong positions on
the other side, from which however they were ere long
dislodged, but not before they had driven back the
beers, who had engaged the party on the left, and who,
unfortunately, gave way when they should have stood
firm. However, their work was done for them, and the
intrepid assailants crossing the river, which reached their
middle, and disengaging a party round the bottom of the
mountain to come upon their front, while the remainder
pressed upon them in the rear, drove them up to the
mountain, whither the Cradock mounted volunteers pur-
sued them in a most gallant and heroic manner, and
would, there is little doubt, have made fearful execution
among them had not intelligence been sent by Kama
that a large force of the enemy were about to intercept
their passage at the ford and cut them off from the re-
mainder of their force. Too few in number to risk
being surrounded by an overpowering force, the speed of
their horses saved them, as, by a quick but orderly re-
treat, they gained and repassed the river before their
enemies came up; the first man who attempted to fol-
low being shot dead upon the spot. Meeting at a place
of appointed rendesvouz they found that they had only
lost five men, and had two wounded in the engagement,
and, to give their horses a little very necessary rest,
they off-saddled for an hour, feeling no doubt, satisfied
with their success, as they had numbered 47 of their enemy
lying dead upon the field. About five o'clock P. 31.,
seeing the country around them covered with their black
and wily foe, they remounted, and proceeded to leave
the basin by the same narrow neck by which they had
entered it. Here the enemy made a most determined
effort to prevent their passing, but Kama, having first
gained the Kopjee, kept them in check until the several
divisions passed bins. He, however, was soon after-
wards outflanked by the enemy; darkness was coming
on, and symptoms of fear showing themselves among
the Fingoes, who, by the by, fought with the most un-
flinching bravery during the whole day, and it required
the most determined steadiness and exertion on the part
of Captain Tylden and the other officers of divisions, to
prevent a confusion which would have led to a complete
massacre. The Cradock volunteers being placed in the
rear kept up an incessant fire, and the whole force was
marched through the defile with the loss of only one
man killed and one wounded. Marching direct to
Whittlesea without a halt, they arrived there about two
o'clock in the morning of the sth, having been about
twenty-four hours away. There requires no comment
on this daring affair. Without any regular soldiery or
field-pieces, the enemy wes braved and chastised in his
own fastnesses, with a determination and bravery which
reflect the highest praise upon all who were engaged in
it. So tar, then, is cur present intelligence from that
part of the country also of a satisfactory description, un-
less there may be truth in the report which is in circu-
lation, as coming from a private source, that Mapassa
has since broken into the colony and carried off a quan•
tity of stock belonging to the farmers on the frontier.
The truth of this time of course will toll.
"In the north, Field-Commandants Joubert, Olivier,
and Read have been operating most zealously against the
Tambookies. From the 26th of January to the 18th of
February they had captured 9,000 head of cattle and 400
horses, and killed upwards of 250 of the enemy. On the
Ist of the present month a strong lino of posts had been
established along the Tambookie frontier, consisting of
Albertie's and Greyling's field-cornetcies, and the camp
of Mr. Joseph Read and Commandant Joubert had then
returned home with the Colesberg burghers. On the
25th of February Mr. Read's camp was attacked by the
Tambookies during the night, but they were beaten off,
and on the following day followed by Read, who killed
38 of them, and took 700 cattle. Rather an unfortunate
affair took place in the native reserve on the 22d of
February with the chief Morosi, and a detachment of
troops under Mr. Cole, Civil Commissioner of the Albert
division, in which nine English volunteers, eleven Hot-
tentots, and eight Fingoes were killed, andsixteetn
Fingoes wounded. The misfortune seems chitefly
.o
have arisen from too much reliance being piacedin
the chief Manzi, who by his crafty villany
os
in-
veigled his enemy into his toils. The. circumstances
are are perfectly illustrative of the
_c.uhnindn
gsaffection of
displayed by these gentlemen. a
thisnan ccehdi e
severalbavi n having
robberiesbeen
committed
the Tambookies, for which neither restitution ntho
cCivil
pensation would be made, he we?
.repor d
Commissionerfortprofessedhwith htois
his
fi or
kraal,
tAo lkbehrotwdhivisissioenztimwohnots,pwrohcheenedhedo
both?. g
theh e or
su
Greatl wd e be
ee
ratahatleiachment to the Government. It
dispatched to the vi
watched,wa s , however,
and a consideredo ho r d ih
vicinity
uyi t
hynepcessary
f tkraalhloao t
River, to prevent him (rein rendering assistance to the
Tambookies, with whom Major Warden was engaged on
the other side of the river. This party, fearing no mo-
lestation, it appears, had off-saddled, and were watching
the proceedings going on across the river, when Morosi
himself, with a troop of his desperadoes, h
droapi
poppre
edhn
ieusdp
in-
terference, them, and demanded what they wanted there. By the
intercession of the Rsv. Mr. Bertram,
be there with them, they were saved, as, buto h
terference, they would in all probability have been mur-
dered to a man. At this juncture Mr. Cole arrived in the
Wittebergen, and communicating a ith Major Warden, it
was resolved that the troops, with the latter, should cross
over to Morosi's kraal, and know definitely what were
his intentions. This was done by means of a boat
which was commenced and finished in a day.
Messengers were accordingly sent to learn hie lowa-

tiona„ and request his attendance at the camp. Perched
securely in his eyrie on the mountain top, he returned
for ens,wer that he was not for war, and that his fear of
the Tareboo'e:ies prevented his coming to the camp; but
that if Mr. Cole would approach nearer to his kraal
with a small force they could then treat, he being
willing to submit to any terms. Relying upon his good
faith Mr. Cole approached to within about a mile and a
half of his kraal, with about 100 burghers end volun-
teers, and dispatched another messenger, guaranteeing
safe escort to his Highness if he would condescend to
come down. " No, no," his answer was now, if you
want me you must come and fetch me ; it's war time,
Mr. Cole, and dangerous travelling." By this time it
might almost be surmised he had sounded his tocsin
from hill to valley, and every kloof was pouring forth
a black multitude to overwhelm the intruders on his do-
mains. A retreat was the only alternative, which con-
tinued until the party was reinforced by the troops who
had heard the firing at the camp ; when the Kafirs, in
their turn, were obliged to fly under a shower of shot
and shell, which did great execution among them. Sixty
of them were killed, and the slaughtered cattle retaken
which had been lost when the retreat commenced. On
the Ist inst. Major Warden had returned to Bloem Fon-
' teio, for the purpose of raising as large a force as pos-
sible, having arranged for an attack upon Morosi and
the Tambookies on the 17th of the month.
"On the night of the 19th, during the absence of the
patrol spoken of hereafter, we were called to arms by an
alarm given from the Fingo kraals, and in a few minutes
the few troops the camp could then muster were in arms;
some disposed for the protection of the place, and others
immediately on the spot for the assistance of the Fin-
goes. Short as the time was which had elapsed, these
intrepid fellows had driven their assailants off without
their intended seizure of cattle, and with the loss of one
man. They killed one of the enemy, Syolos Kafirs, and
wounded another, who was found the following morning
disabled, and was brought to the hospital of the 6th Re-
giment, where he died about twelve o'clock. No informa-
tion could be extorted from him, except only that there
were 50 of'them who attacked the kraals, and that they
would return again that night. On the same day a party,
consisting of Mr. Gillam, late of the 7th Dragoons, his
brother, and two others, were attacked °within a
mile and a half of the camp, on their way
from Fort Murray, by a party of Kafirs, and dread-
fully abused. Mr. Gillam was wounded in seven places
with their assegais, and still lies in a hopeless state.
One of the men escaped unhurt, but the other two were
each wounded, one very seriously, the other in the
hand. This occurred on the line of road on which we
have hitherto had safe conduct, and, if reports may be
believed, we may attribute the cause of this violence to
a spirit of revenge for some supposed insult rather than
to any falling off in the virtue of our friends and allies in
Pate's country. On Pato every reliance is still placed,
and with good reason, as with but slight escorts of the
levies we are almost daily gratified by seeing 30, 40, or
60 waggons loaded with every kind of provisions coming
safely into head-quarters, sometimes, indeed, accompa-
nied by Pato's people themselves.
" The chief Umltye also continues faithful and of great
service to us. On the 18th he brought safely into
head-quarters several hundred sheep, 200 head of
slaughter-cattle, seven waggons laden with oat lay,
and several traders' waggons with merchandise. The
intentions of Kreili and Umhala are still very doubt-
ful, the former, it is believed, having hitherto been
deterred from declaring war by the reported descent of
the Zoolas to our assistance, and the latter appears to
be entirely under the control of Kreili. Perhaps the
success which has attended the efforts of the boors and
burghers against the Tambookies, his neighbours, may
have a similar effect and keep them both quiet, although
on the 9th of the month we find some of their people
engaged with Mr. Joseph Read's patrols near the
Wagebbank, in company with those of Fedana and
Quesha and 150 Hottentots. In this instance Com-
mandant Read attacked and routed, with 80 men, a
force of the above-named parties 800 strong.
" On the 25th of the month we were greatly delighted
when we saw from the camp the patrols returning, which
had been away ever sinceethe 18th, and bringing along
with them a beautiful herd of 1,000 fine fat cattle, evi-
dence of success we had yet to be told of. His Excel-
lency the Commander-in-Chief, early on the morning
of the 18th, moved on Fort White with the 2d division
• under Colonel Mackinnon, consisting of three guns of
the Royal Artillery, commanded by Major Wilmot; two
companies of the 6th Regiment, under the command of
Lieut.-Col. Stuart; the 73d Regiment, under the com-
mand of Lieut.-Col. Eyre; a squadron of the newly-
mounted levy, under Mej or Armstrong; those of the Cape
Mounted Rifles who were retained in the service, and a
number of the different levies, amounting in all to about
1,500 men, for the purpose of anticipating a daring in-
tention of the enemy, of which he had had certain
information, to attack Fort Hare and rescue the Hotten-
tot prisoners now before a military tribunal at that
place. Early the following morning his Excellency
marched on Fort Hare, expecting to fall in with the
force of rebel Kafirs and Hottentots which had been dis-
patched from the Kat River to bring away from King
William's Town the deserters and traitors of the Cape
Corps to assist them in their intentions; and in his ex-
pectations he was not disappointed. About seven in the
morning, when the division was about crossing the
Kieskamma in two columns, by the middle drift and the
one above it, the enemy was seen in various directions
on the right, making for a mountain called the Hegu, on
the right bank of the river. Having commenced a par-
tial attack upon the right flanking column and been re-
pulsed, the enemy rapidly proceeded to occupy this
mountain, where they seemed to be in great force, when
a disposition for attack was instantly made by our Com-
mander-in-Chief. Four columns were rapidly formed,
which, moving forward simultaneously, drove the
enemy before them in one continued and gal-
lant rush, while Major Armstrong's squadron of
mounted levy, a party of the Cape Corps, and
the intrepid Fingoes, pushed round the mountain
and intercepted their retreat, and the whole body in a
mass, consisting of about 2,000 men, were driven out of
the mountain at all points, and pursued across the open
country between the Hegu and the great Amatola range
and over the river Incwazi, with a rapidity which pre-
vented the slightest resistance. Upwards of 50 were
killed, among whom were three of the Cape Corps de-
serters, while on our side only one man of the levy was
wounded. On the 20th his Excellency halted at Fort
Hare and transacted business with Major Somerset. Di-
recting his route on the 21st along the foot of the
western Amatola range through the populous valley of
the Incwezi on purpose to provoke an encounter with the
enemy, the Commander-in-Chief marched on Fort Cox,
burning the villages and devastating the country on his
march. Numbers of the enemy were seen, but the con-
flict of the 19th seemed to have taught him a lesson of
caution, as the troops without molestation from him,
reached Fort Cox, where they halted for a couple of
hours, and then marched on Fort White. On approach-
ing the Debe Flats a considerable number of Kafirs were
seen on the Kwahoo ridge, which joins these flats to
the Amatolas, and were instantly attacked by
the mounted levy under Major Armstrong and
the Cape Corps, the infantry moving rapidly
forward in support, and the artillery taking
position as high upon the ridge as practicable.
A very hot engagement ensued with the mounted force,
which resulted in the enemy's being closely pursued up
the ridge to a corn-field, where they took refuge, being
well defended by a strong natural barrier of wood and
rock. In this strong position they were gallantly at-
tacked by the mounted men, who dismounted to tight,
and by the Fingoes and levy, who supported them with
the utmost intrepidity, the whole animated to exertion
by their commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Cloete, De-
puty-Quartermaster-General. Hot, indeed, was the
fight, for before the flanks of the enemy were turned
by an advance of portions of the 6th and 73d Regiments.
under their respective commanders, Lieutenant-Colonel
Stuart and Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre, up a steep and
difficult acclivity, and which was made, with a rapidity
that would hardly be believed, they bad lost thirty-
seven men and a number of stand:: of arms. Their
flanks thus turned, they were pursued by the detach-
ments above mentioned, headed by their daring
leaders, through a dense mountain forest, which ex-
tended to the distance of three-quarters of a mile.
Here they gained an open and elevated country, and
the Commander-in-Chief then moved en and
crowned the high range of the Tab' Indoda, the troops
dispersing the enemy in every direction, and burning one
lof their mountain kraals. Night earning on, lus Edx-
cellency ordered a return by the Kwahoo ridge towers
Fort White, which was reached two hours after dusk.d
On the 22d the troops were indulged with a well-earned
and very necessary day's halt; and at three o'clockthe
following morning marched towards Old Fort Wiltshire.
for the purpose of devastating the fertile country of El.noh'st
tribe and spoiling their cattle. Not long after aysigh
the spoor of cattle was discovered, leading
_towardt t e
Kieskamma, opposite the above fort, aninhdertshoo_ troops
pressing forwards, soon came upon_nnu
two f
hours the
dispersed in different directions. 1
various kloofs were swept of their bellowing inhabitants,
and a beautiful herd of nearly 1,000 head of black cattle
was collected and driven off, it is to be hoped, as a reward
for their valorous and indefatigable conduct. About two
P.M. they reached Quibighe, about ten miles from Fort
White, halted and breakfasted, and arrived at the latter
place about an hour after dusk. In the capture of
the cattle four of our men were killed and six wounded,
Is would be difficult to convey an adequate idea of the
terribly fatiguing nature of these operations, and yet
nothing can be done effectually unless they are catried
on rapidly and at distant points, coming down upon the
enemy when he least expects a visit from his foes. On
the 24th the column halted at Fort White, not only that
the troops might have a necessary day's rest, but also
that the Kafirs might have an opportunity of
the
cattlecolleet ating
themselves, and attempting a recapture o
the Debe Neck on the following day, s
Excelleney's
however, wishes on this latter point, ~
were nostdrealized;
the recent defeats of the enemy must have h
rather a
stunning effect, as the troops marched on the 25th into
head-quarters, about 2 P.M., without having even seen
a single Kafir on the day's long march. Thus ter-
minated a most laborious but most successful
patrol. During the five days the troops wero
actually on the march they travelled a distane of 126
miles under as hot a sun as ever glowed upon a human
head in any country, and suffering from a want of
water. On the 23d they marched 26 miles before halt-
ing either to eat or drink, captured 1,000 head of cattle
from the enemy, were constantly skirmishing for at
least 12 hours out of 16 they were on their feet, during
which time they had marched 116 miles, independent of
penetrating dense kloofs and s
fastnesses, end climbing
long and precipitous mountain ranges. ' Never,' ays
the Commander-in-Chief in General Orders,,' did
troops, enduring such heat and thirst, march greater
distances in higher spirits; and his Excellency trusts
that, by continuing the lessons recently taught the sa-
vage, this laborious war may speedily be brought to a
conclusion, Indeed, the engagement of the 21st, on the
Tab' Indoda Mountain, ought to teach him that neither
his bush, his mountains, nor his forests, can save him
from the sword of just retribution.

ceiveci,

" Rumours from the north are not of a very sada-
Factory description respecting proceedings on the Great
River. Nothing, however, authentic has yet been re-

ADDITIONAL TRACES OF Silt JOHN
FRANKLIN.

The report that a cairn of stones, raised by Sir John
Franklin's expedition, had been discovered in Jones's
Sound in 1848, by the Prince of Wales whaler, has re-
ceived within these few days very distinct confirmation,
rendering the statement by far the most important—
presumptive or otherwise—which has yet reached us re-
specting the missing expedition.
From the voluntary testimony of one of the seamen
engaged at Stromness for the Prince Albert, we have the
following facts, elicited and taken down in the presence
of Mr. Kennedy, the commander of that expedition, and
others; and the statement is attested by the seaman in
question, William Miller, who declares that, if required,
he would make the same upon oath. He states that he
was on board the Prince of Wales in 1848, when, early
in September, during very thick weather, they entered
(as they believed) Lancaster Sound, and steered west,
advancing slowly. The fog continued very heavy for
some days, when it suddenly lifted, and high land was
seen on the larboard side, over the mast head. The
captain, being at first doubtful if it were the loom of ice-
bergs or of land, sent a boat off to ascertain the fact, and
of this party William Millar formed one.
He states that on landing the marks of shoe prints
were distinctly visible in the mud, above high water
mark; close by was a small cooking place, blackened by
fire, and a little further on a well-built cairn, about four
or five feet high, of which the party pulled away a few
stones, but being recalled by a signal from the ship,
which was being driven on shore by the current, were
compelled to return on board immediately.
It was believed by the master of the Prince of Wales,
the veteran Lee. of Hull, that he had advanced in a
westerly course up this sound, a distance of nearly 150
miles, under the impression that ho was in Lancaster
Sound; bat this belief was removed on making his way
outward, and the doubt confirmed by passing (to the
southward) the wide opening, and well-known headlands
of Lancaster Sound. It became evident that he had
been in the hitherto unexplored and more northern
sound, named after Alderman Jones, a passage which, it
has long been believed, leads directly into the sea north
of the Parry Islands. William Millar further declares
that, at this point the passage widened, and that an open
sea with islands lay before them.
It is impossible to entertain any doubt that this cairn
indicated the fact that some of Sir John Franklin's
party have visited the spot in question; and we can have
no hesitation in asserting that beneath the pile so care-
fully raised is deposited distinct information of his pro-
gress and future intention. As to the period of the visit,
we may assume either of two conclusions—first, that
during the detention of the vessels off Cape Riley (evi-
denced by the relics brought home last autumn by the
Prince Albert) a boat party was sent to explore Wel-
lington Channel, and thus would arrive at the point in
question, lying, as it would appear, at the north-east
extremity of that channel—this supposition not impugn-
ing our belief that Sir John Franklin was then on his
way to the south-west, according to the first part of his
instructions. Secondly, we may suppose that having
failed in attempting to proceed in the south-west direc-
tion, Sir John Franklin had attempted the north-wes-
terley, prescribed to him as the alternative, and had gone
up Wellington Channel, with the view of passing west-
ward, leaving notice of his intention at the point in
question. The latter supposition gives a more recent
date to the shoe prints, though we are assured by Artie
travellers that similar marks endure with distinctness
during successive seasons.
We repeat, therefore, that to the point in question we
may look for further and positive intelligence of Sir John
Franklin, and we trust that a vessel specially directed
thither will be forthwith dispatched. The point lies en-
tirely out of the beat of any of those now employed upon
the search, and will most likely not be approached by
any of thorn; for although Sir John Franklin, being upon
an exploring expedition, might detach a boat-party out
of his direct course, those gone to seek him would
naturally confine their search for traces of him to the
route he was ordered to pursue, and thus necessarily be
ignorant of the existence of those of which we write.
Whatever motives may have influenced the Admiralty
in the abandonment of their intention to send a steamer
to the Arctic Sea this summer—and we will do them
the justice to believe that some other than those pre-
sented by Admiral Berkeley to the House of Commons
have itilluenced them—whatever , motives we say,
have lain at the bottom of their unfortunate
change of intention, the time has arrived for revising
that decision, and happily it is not too late to do so.
If they need such support, the aid and counsel of
such men as Parry, Richardson, Sabine, Beechey, and
Scoresby can ho obtained at a moment's notice, and to
these men can we lcok with confidence, that they will
advise no means to be rejected which can throw any
light upon a question in which our national honour, as
,well as our deepest feelings of humanity, are involved.

ROYAL LONDON YACHT CLUB.
The second match of the season among yachts of this
club, for a very elegant silver cup and cover, presented
by Mr. J. Wicks, the Vice-Commodore, came off yester-
day, but owing to the unfavourable state of the weather
.was far from being so pleasurable to the company in at-
tendance as matters of this sort ordinarily are. The ar-
rangements of the club had in every respect been most
excellent, but the very lowering appearance of the wea-
ther on Monday and yesterday morning deterred many,
who in anticipation of first-rate sport would have been
spectators, from " putting in an appearance."
The following had been entered to contend:—
. Mouse, 15 tons, Mr. George E. Browne—Red, with a
mouse on white centre.
Whisper, 19, Mr. Thomas Eveleigh—Blue, white, and
red.
Phantom, 21, Mr. Samuel Lane—White, red border.
Secret, 25, Mr. Robert Bell, jun.—Blue, with diagonal
red cross.
Gnat, 4, Mr. H. J. Smith—Red and blue.
The Meteor steamer had been chartered by the club
for the accommodation of the members and their friends,
and the band of the 17th Lancers engaged for their
amusement. The steamer was well filled, considering
the circumstance to which we have alluded; besides
which the Gemini steamer, the Atalan, Cynthia, Ino,
Paragon, Lily of Devon, Fleur de Lis, Terolie, and a
number of yachts, were in attendance.
The-course to be sailed was from Erith to the Chap-
man Head and back, and the Whisper was the favourite,
the Secret being the next taken for choice; but a great
desire was expressed to see what the little Gnat, built
something upon the Whisper mould, could do, as it had
been hinted that in light winds she might be found equal
to an eight or nine-ton boat.
The boats all being at their stations, at ten
minutes to one o'clock a signal was fired to get in
readiness, which was followed by a drenching shower
of rain. The start was effected under the direc-
ti▪
on
.of Mr. Goodson, the able commodore, at 12 hrs.
53 ram. 15 sec.; the wind being at the time extremely
li▪
ght and chiefly from the northward, but after-
wards veering to tne eastward and making some beat-
ing work, which had hardly been expected in the course
downwatd. All were in trim and round in almost an in-
stant, the sails being set with more than the usual alac-
rity. The Secret and Gnat hauled to the southvard,
and the other three to the northward, but the course
taken by tho Secret put her well to windward, and she im-
mediatelyt in
h e advancew o
rofsthampered by
thet
ownh, oal
se of
ethe
little
fi e
e afterwards
The
blousewhad
moreover
brig which put her about directly after the
start. The
,
most to leeward, and was,.
Whisper was a good second, the Phantom third; and,
although the Gnat really proved herself to be a wonderful
little boat, she of course soon fell astern of yachts so
measurement.su-
Board succeeded board and
rpeearciohrreian ch,without any variations, and they rounded
the Chapman Heed as follows:

hrs. vain. sec.
Secret •.• .•• ••• 4 14 47
whisper 4 23 49
Phantom ... ••• ••• 4 35 16
Mouse ••• ••• ••• 4 43 45
They all turned very prettily, and as the wind was fa-
vourably up they set to work with flowing sheets to per-
form the return journey, but had scarcely proceeded a
mile when the Secret, which had run over to the Kent
shore, got on the Bligh muds, where she remained
nearly five minutes, but got on' helibre her opponents
came up, and thus still retained the lead. For a short
time the Whisper appeared to be so near as to place th
victor iu the balance, but the Secret shortly de afterwa! s
drew further ahead, end the yachts respectively main-
taining their position came in thus—
bre. win. sec.
7 29 50
Secret -• 7 ••• ••• 39 50
Whisper ... ... 7 '45 10
Phantom ... ••• ••• -7 58 30
Mouse... -- ***
The cup was presented in due form,hic
and received with
h the steamer
suitable acknowledgment, after which state of the re-
turned to London, and
wea-
ther, the company appeared
them-
selves, the attention of the . y _ .
the refreshments supplied b
ableness of the
was a time race, halt a maie much to have enjoyed e
stewards, the excellence of
mr Gore,_ and the reason-
giving universal satisfaction. It
charges minute- per ton being allowed.

WESTMINSTER FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY. AA
adjourned public meeting of the members and friends of this
society, resident in the neighbourhood of II #
—°ll.oll' was held
at the Rosemary Branch Tavern, Hoxton, last evening, for
the purpose of making arrangements for the transmission of
subscriptions from members in that locality • G E. Dennes,
Esq., in the chair. Mr. G. Huggeetramt,,bhteihe:she
to obtain
ex-
plained fully the objects of the society,
formed in August, 1849, and enabled m
in Middlesex! Surrey, Essex_ K eelated
land was
Cut, Sussex, Hertfordshire,
13uckinghamshire Berkshire,'
was purchased, and retailed toand Hampshire. The land
the members at the wholesale
price, the subscription being 3s. a fortnight. Two estates
had been purchased, and the committee were in treatykt_ far
others. Mr. Farley
N . was appointed agent for the oxton
district, and it
vas arranged that the members should meet
monthly, in order to organise a large branch in that popu-
lous neighbourhood.
CAPTURE or A WHALE.-A whale of very large
dimensions was taken on Friday last in Great Man's Bay, on
the coast of Connemara, and his capture was effected in
rather an unscientific manner. It appears the huge creature
pursued some fish into a narrow .creek which was not wide
enough to give him turning room, and there he stuck, and
whenever he opened his immense jaws his assailants poured
in the cavity large stones until they filled him to the teeth
with granite, an operation that took them a whole week to
accomplish. In the end, however, they got a good supply of
blubber for their labour.—lrish Paper.
LONGEVITY.—There is at present living in the
High-street, in the parish of St. Ann, Lewes,• within the
space of about a quarter of a mile, in which- the grammar
school is situate, 33 persons between 60 and 70 years of age,
. 20 between 70 and 80, six between 80 and 90, and one be-
tween 90 and 100. In ten years there have been only 101
' funerals of the parishioners, the population being 750.—
Sussex .ExPress.