The Sun.
London, England, 1851-03-06 00:00:00

THE SUN,

IMPORTANT FROM THE CAPE
OF GOOD HOPE.

COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES WITH
THE KAFIRS.-LOSS OF LIFE.

We have received Graham's Town journals to Ja.
nuary 4. Hostilities had commenced in Kafraria.

The Graham's Town Journal of Jan. 4 says—
" O❑ the 24th Decernher a patrol of nearly 600
men, under Colonel Mackinnon, was inveigled into a
narrow and difficult pass by the native police (since
deserted), who up to that time remained faithful to-
wards the colonists. In this defile the Gaikas mus-
tered in great force, and without provocation com-
menced a most murderous onslaught upon the troops,
wherein 38 men and officers were placed hors de com-
bat. This, surely, is enough to prove that the pre-
sent is a war of the Kafirs upon the colonists. They
fired the first shot, and having obtained a slight ad-
vantage, flushed with success, rode on to greater enor-
mities. The military villages were next attacked—
Woburn, Auckland, and Johannesberg reduced to
ashes, and the whole of their male inhabitants cruelly
butchered. Within five days of the first affair another
engagement took place between 250 of the colonial
forces and the enemy, at the Chutnie Hoek, wherei❑
the British loss was 20 men and 2 officers killed, and
11 rank and file wounded—the Kafirs in this instance
also being the first to rush on to the attack, giving
still further proof of their determination to act upon
the offensive.

The following is an official dispatch from Colone
Somerset :

Fort Hare, 30th Dec., 1850.
Sir,—Having had a severe action with the enemy yes-
terday i❑ an attempt to open a communication with the
Commander-in-Chief, I felt it necessary to transmit to
you the substance of my report to him in order to pre-
vent unfounded exaggerated reports being circulated of
the facts.

Having on the night of the 28th and morning of the
29th iustAr.t, before day light, forwarded dispatches to
his Excellcncy the Commander-in-Chief by a party of
the Cape Mounted Riflemen, this party were intercepted
by the enemy, and very properly returned and made
their report to me.

Feeling the importance of holding an early communi-
cation with his Excellency, and at the same time being
desirous of ascertaining what was actually in the front,
I detailed a party of 150 91st Regiment under Lieut.-
Colonel Yarborough, 70 Cape Mounted Rifles, under
Major Somerset; accompanied by a small 3-pounder
gun Royal Artillery, ray object being to take up a
position on the ridge above the Umnaate stream while I
sent a party of Cape Mounted Riflemen forward with the
mail to Fort Cox. This object was, however, defeated
by the enemy showing themselves in considerable force
on our right on the Yellowwood river, about six miles
from this post, who attacked us as we were advancing
up the hill towards the Umnazie, whom, however,
we drove back, and for a time established ourselves in
positioa; from the large body of the enemy whom I
observed collecting, I saw at once that I could not effect
the object I had in view, I therefore directed the troops
to retire towards Fort Hare; at this time a very large
force of the enemy was also observed coming over from
the mountains of the Amatola, and others assembled in
the Chumie Hoek.

The troops continued retiring in admirable order, con-
testing every foot of ground with the enemy, whose
numbers increased out of every valley, as we passed the
successive heads of the various hoofs. The day was
most oppressive. I was able to open the gun upon the
enemy several times with good effect. After retiring
about three miles, while holding a small valley on a hill,
in firing a shot lrom the small gun, the trail unfortu-
nately broke short off, which rendered the gun com-
pletely unserviceable. I had it brought on until, when
passing a valley with rugged banks, the gun fell over,
and could be no longer got forward. At this time we
were attacked by a very superior force in a thorny
valley, the troops having a hand-to-hand encounter
with the enemy. Here, lam sorry to say, several of
our brave soldiers fell, including Lieutenant Melvin and
Lieutenant and Adjutant Gordon, 91st Regiment; En-
sign Borthwick, 91st, was wounded; also several men
91st and C. M. Riflemen were wound-d, and several
troop horses ; also Major Somerset's charger was
wounded. Having forced themselves from this difficulty,
the troops continued to retire in perfect order, when they
were met by 100 men, most judiciously 5..-nt out in sup-
port by Major Forbes, 91st, whom I had left in command
at Fort Hare.

The heat of the weather was most oppressive; nothing
could exceed the steadiness and gallantry of the troops
throughout this most fatiguing and trying service
through a most difficult country ;—I am greatly indebted
to Lieutenant-Colonel Yarborough, commanding 91it,
and to Major Somerset, commanding Cape Mounted
Riflemen, for this able assistance they afforded, and the
way in which they led their men, and to all the officers
and troops for their steady and gallant conduct.
The loss of the enemy was considerable, our fire being
steady and well•directed, having contested the ground
with the enemy fur upwards of four hours.
The gun I have had brought in this morning.
I have, &c.,
11. SOMERSET, Colonel Commanding Frontier.
FRONTIER DISTRICT ORDERS.

Fort Hare, Dec. 30th, 1850.

Colonel Somerset desires to express to Lieutenant-
Colonel Yarborough, Major Somerset, and the officers
and troops engaged with the enemy yesterday, his high
sense of their exertions and gallant conduct.

Dieply does the Colonel lihment the loss of those gal-
ant officers and soldiers who fell in the action.

The communications with Fort Cox having been in-
terrupted it became the Colonel's duty to endeavour to
communicate with the Commander-in-Chiet fur many
important reasons.

The result has proved that it was not possible to effect
this object, the troops having to contend against such
superior numbers in most difficult ground for four hours.
The troops had to contend against the enemy (retiring,
however, in perfect order) who brought large bodies of
fresh troops up on both Rinks from each successive
valley us it was passed. Notwithstanding these obstacles
and the advantage ort the side of the enemy, the steadi-
❑ess of the troops was admirable, contesting every point
of ground, and eventually reaching the post in the
highest order.
Major Forbes, 91st Reg t., commanding in Fort Hare,
having with great judgment sent out 100 men in sup-
port of the retiring force, whose timely aid was of the
greatest assistance.
Colonel Somerset also do,ires to express to Captain
Carey his thanks for the able manner in which he con-
ducted a forced march to afford aid and protection to a
weak escort, which was said to be on the road from Fort
Peddle, through the country occupied by the enemy.
This responsible duty was conducted with judgment,
energy, and success. Captain Carey, and the officers
and troops under him, merit the Colonel's thanks and
approbation.

- Colonel Somerset will not fail to bring the conduct of
all these troops under the favourable notice of his Ex-
cellency the Commander-in-Chief.

H. SOMERSET, Col. COM. Frontier.
(By command) C. D. BELL, Lieut. C.M.R., Act. Adjt.
Major Burnay, H. A., Com.
The following is from a supplement to the Gra-
ham' s Town Journal of December 31.
The following particulars, contained in letters re-
ceived this morning, could not be extracted in time
for our first edition, the post having been ordered to
leave Graham's Town three hours before the usual
time.
Extract of a letter dated

Block Drift, 27th Dec., 1850.
I doubt not you have already heard that war has com-
menced up here in earnest. On Christmas morning, at
four o'clock, we were roused and told that the Kafirs had
attacked the troops, and that we were to hold ourselves
in readiness for what might take place. In the atter-
noon we received information of an attack on Johannes-
Berg, and of the murder of three of the settlers. Shortly
afterwurds news was brought in that Woburn had shared
the same fate. Supt. Stacey and Supt. Phelps (of Ely)
were killed. Stevenson was also there to dine with
them, but on seeing the Kafirs approaching he sprang
on his horse and rode off to Gwali. Both the above
places are burnt to the ground. Auckland has likewise
been attacked, and it is reported that all ure killed; but
another report says that a few are still alive, and are
defending themselves in a small fortification made on
the night of the attack. On the same night sixteen of
the Kafir police decamped from the fort, taking their
arms with them. About three o'clock next morning
their station was in flames, and by daylight was burnt to
the ground. Yesterday morning the whole of the police
at Junction Post mutined and took possession, but they
allowed Lieutenant Walsh and his sergeant to leave un-
molested. Yesterday a company of the 91st went out to
the relief of those at the Gwali, and where engaged with
the Kafirs the whole way back; six of the enemy were
seen to !all, three of whom were supposed to have
been policemen. While I am writing the Cape corps
are engagedF with the Kafirs in sight, close to
Wynne 's house, part of which has just been burnt. A
company of the 91st have just passed the door to scour
the hills. The 91st that were out yesterday behaved
gallantly, they extended themselves in skirmishing or-
der, and called out to the Kafirs to come on. None of
our men were hurt.

We have been expecting an attack hourly. A few of
the settlers who have escaped have come in; the women,
also, that escaped have had to make the best of their way
through the bush. The scenes that have taken place are
too horrible to relate. The Cape Corps are still fighting.
I can now see a large body of liafirs on the ridge from
Wynne's house, which is still smoking.
Twelve o'Clock—The fighting is still going on very
near the fort. The whole of the police haVe deserted
Davis, and I have just heard that those at Davis's Post
have gone over to the enemy. The Kafirs say we may
expect them to-night.
Extract of a letter dated Fort Hare, 26th Dec.,

1850 :
Our Christmas has been a very unhappy one. Poor
Dr. Stuart is killed, and Major Bissett wounded; also
Catty of the 6th. 16 men of the 45th killed, and some
of the 6th; but I do not know at present how many.
They have burnt down the military villages near Fort
Hare, viz., Auckland, Woburn, and Johnnesberg—Ely
only at present being left. At Johnnesberg the scoundrels
killed 26 men, 8 women, and 11 children,* and 3 men
killed at Woburn. These numbers we are certain of;
and perhaps there are many more, but their number is
not known. The Kaffir police have deserted in this dis-
trict, with their arms, and were engaged with the C. M.
Rifles this day. You must not be alarmed, as Ido not
think many Kafirs can enter the colony at once, but they
are very saucy. The C.M.R. have behaved very well
tudeed.
J have just been informed that the 6th lost 10 men
killed and 10 wounded; also about 20 men, supposed to