The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-06-15
HIGHLY IMPORTANT
FROM THE M
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
war WITH KAFIR TRIBES.
Details Of the Battles between the KafiH
and the British Troops.


the Cape TO the 10Th April, inclusive. The con-
tain highly important intelligence.
The Kafr Tribes have commenced hostities
against the burgher inhabitants Of the Colony.
COL Hare, Lieut.. Governor of the Eastern Dis
tricts of the Colony, by proclamation, has declared
the Colony under martial law.
We give below the details of the various en-
gagements and skirmshes between the burgher
inhabitants Of the Cape-assisted by the British
troops-and the natives, the Kafirs together with
the official dispatches of Col. Somerset, and Off
ccrs, commanding the troops in Kafrland.
lFrom the South African Commercial Advertiser.l
CARR TowN, April 80 1876.
Last post from the Frontier brought intelligence of
the commencement Of hostlties in Kafrland and Of the
published by authority in the Frontier Times with other
extracts from the Frontier papers Of the week. are given
below.
II appears that division of the troops under Lieut.
Col Somerset and Lieut. Col Richardson. marched from
the Deba river the morning Of the 10th inst towards
Burns Hill, where they were Joined by the Kat River
Burghers, under Captain Sutton.
Burns Hill is missionary station village situated
into the ravnes and wooded parts Of which Col Somerset
was informed that the Kafrs had withdraw all the
greater number of their forces Here the troops encamp
On the morning Of the 10th. leaving large amount of
baggage and ammunition under charge Of Major Gibson
of the 7h Dragon Guards the combined force entered
the gorges Of the mountains and upon the enemys
position at all points series Of desutory actions en-
sued, in of which the Kars said to have shown
force Of 600 men, all armed with muskets.
The enemy seemed to have been checked or repulsed
the troops could reach them or when the guns
herd Of cattle 800 in number, Colonel Somerset
tired down the hill about sun set and formed camp on
the fiat under the Amatola.
On the afternoon and evening Of the same day. consi
derable bodies of Kafrs attacked the encampment left at
the night his position was surrounded all Sides pro-
badly by the forces that had been engaged with the
troops on the preceding day among the mountains He
or to send strong reinforcement stating at the same
time that it would be very dangerous for him to move
with SO large aquantity Of ammunition and baggage
Upon the receipt Of this report from Major Gibson
Col Somerset Immediately proceeded with 200 infantry
Major Armstrong. and one gan, under Lieut. Hill, to
Major Gibson's support.
The encampment at Burns Hill was on the left bank
Gibson, without having received any Reinforcement,
moved upon drift of the river, being only able to form
wagons between unprotected. In this situation they
Immediately discovered and attacked by the enc
my who easily cut the line in two taking out the oxen
from of the wagons and drawing the road,
thus checking the movement of all behind it. Major
Gibson found himself with the rearguard attacked
all sides by great of Kars and compelled
to retreat Burns Hill and again put his in position
The advance guard, with the first division Of the
wagons after some hesitation proceeded to the
drift of the river and this moment Col Somerset
rived with renorcements which enabled Major Gibson
to secure and bring of his ammunition wagons; the
enemy had carried on the belonging to the baggage
wagons, which were consequently abandoned
The whole force being again united the right bank
mic, still followed and harrassed by the enemy Here,
on the left bank of the Chume, he encamped for the
night of the 18th.
On the morning of the 18th he decided on retiring to
Block Drift lower down. and the right bank Of the
err Tho enemy, to the number no says, OF 5000 men,
followed him from the time he left the ground, and made
dispositions attack him, which they did,
and on both tanks at the time Under these trying
circumstances they crossed the river bringing safely
the right bank 1900 head of cattle with their baggage
and ammunition wagons which the Ka6rs pressed
eaa.s Of this "rng %
hazardous operations afford measure Of the Kafr's
power as an enemy in battle. They amount to officer
also when Major Gibson attacked by great body
Of the enemy and compelled to fall back Burns HILL
killed And during the repeated conflicts with
the whole Of sandllas forces among the ravines and
III me ra On 'ne whole q the 10th men
jor Gibsons camp, men were killed and wounded.
The loss OF the baggage wagons, under Major Gibson's
place about hour and half too early in compliance
with Col somersets instructions. Had he been instruct
ed to wait till renorcements arrived, this misfortune,
probably, would have been avoided
Such are the Kafrs at present, when confronted
among their Observation-Disclosures in all respects to
regular troops and armed burghcrs In those situations
the musquct has not added to their strength With their
familiar weapon the assaga they would probably have
against is the entrance of parties the colony the
sake Of plunderor with the intention Of attacking in
superior numbers egers or cattle cncampments. form
and property Against this danger. which opens up
to the imagination of unspeakable horror, 60
calling out ell the dsposabe Burgher Of the Col
ony, under martial aw and the most prompt and willing
and nstructions IKE whole military and BurTher Force
Of the Colony, will in short time be distributed along
the exposed portions Of the Frontier Districts, while
force will be made to bear the hostile tribes in their
own country to which, from the trial that hes Just been
made, perfectly clear that they offer serious
resistance Untoward events however, like that
have already occurred chequer the operations Of
the first few weeks both within and beyond the border
TO meet these all minds must be prepared with patience
as well Is to surmount them with courage and persever
ance For in war with savages barbarians, there is
no alternative but ruin victory. The hostile tribes
must De conquered and put down. or the Colony is ruin
ed.
We have information from Block Drift up to yesterday
the 2oth inst His Excellency had arrived there in safety
from fos Victoria which about to be abandoned The
troops 10 expected, will remain this place for
time Martial Law had been proclaimed there, and the
to the 'front.' Capt. Donovan, c. M. r.. was to leave
Block Drift yesterday for Fort Beaufort He is bearer
Of the notice procIaimng Martial Law. The wounded.
we are happy to learn all doing we'll Lieutenant
was not quite SO well as usual yesterday but
10 stated that fears entered for his recovery Al
the wounded bearing their sufsrings with orttude
and patience Lieut. Cochrane il is stated in letter we
have seen was shot through the left shoulder the Dali
Somns out ut, q HI, chest but founa
To following is an accurate list Of the killed wound
el and missing, during the engagement" OF 'ne ioth'
Total Killed, Wounded, and MssIns.-a captains l
subatern 10 rank and fle II chargers bat horse
IS troop horses.
particulars have also reached us of the gallant
conduct of Lieut. O'Rcly, c. NJ IN routing troop Of
armed Kars in the neighborhood Of Block Drift Sat
urday night the 10th inst They follows This
officer ii appears was sent out with 40 Of his own men
and 20 Of the It'll dngoon guards and they fell in
with considerable body OF kairs armed with guns
The Kars are represented having fought with and
fred upon the troops with great bravery and determine
ton for space Of about 10 minutes, but Lieutenant
mishing order, charged them with their swords, cut
them down, and soon dispersed all who able to
Lieutenant ORelly ia spoken Of In high terms
coolness and gallantry he displayed this occasion
Ths kahs arc said to be in every bush in that quar-
tor, though not It 10 supposed in great numbers
The military and burgher forces delighted at the
presence VI His Excellency amongst them They say
ne Is deliberate in judgment and decisive in acton
On Saturday last sir Petegine's party had skirmish
with some kafrs In which IL Of the latter shot,
1--WE believe, but cannot state positively that this
red as the Governor was proceeding from Post Victoria