New-York daily tribune., 1851-07-29
THE KAFFIR WAR.
{ Ertract Of Letter from kmg Williams Toun,
dated May e, ls5l)

(Erfract of a Letter from kmg Williams Towt,
dated May 6, lS5l)
Sir Harry Smith, some months since,
said that he no danger to the colony IN the
excitement known to exist among the Galka KAT
frs but below the smooth surface Of appear
ances a strong current, the most powerful which
can be used TO influence uneducated and blgoted
PEOPLE, an influence which has, more than any
other, conspred TO deluge the world IN blood
mean the influence OF religious tanatlclsm-was
secretly undermining the loyalty OF all classes OF
the colored inhabitants of this unfortunate coun-
try From the northernmsst extremity OF Her
Malestys doulnlons IN South Africa has this IN
fuence, at present velled nmystery as to It's pro-
moters, been felt and the breaking out OF the
rebellion, which look upon as a most merctul
interpositlon OF Providence, bloody and cruel as
1t was, alone prevented the sangulnary events
of San Domingo beng repeated IN country
then totally unpTepared Tor a struggle between,
not the katfr and the Englshman, but the black
man OF every nation and the white. The tempta-
ton afforded by so small body oftr0ops marching
UNEXPECTEDLY through one Of the strongest OF the
Businesses OF the Amatoa country could not be
resisted the well known object of the patrol
tending to make the adherents of Sandll despe-
rate, and the aggression which followed the at
tack of the troops In a place where 10 deter
mined men might have destroyed 100 were, they
well knew, a defiance TO the Government which
would be Immediately answered by retributlon
they fancled themselves strong enough TO defy.
But It was too soon The coalition was scarcely
cemented. The Tambookles, who subsequently
broke out, were not quite prepared The Kat
River HottentOts waited until they had success
fully tampered with the soldiers OF the Cape
corps Sir Harry, with energy and decision,
made quick and gallant dash through the enc
nv. and then. with that rapldity Of action for
which he Is so remarkable, collected from all the
districts of the west, In a space OF time almost
incredible every available soldier and a very
large force of the Swellendam and Cape Town
Hottentots He filled his stores with supplies
he collected munitions OF war, he placed ms
headquarters IN state of defense and ere the
month was out he sent large, though not over
valiant force, to relieve his beleaguered outposts
This, IN my opinion, was mastery proof OF als
energy and decision. HIS toe had gained an as
ceudancy at first but before their plans were
rlpe, so dilatory the savages, that he was
prepared 10 act on the aggressive, even before
they were prepared for effectual resistance But
many considerations weighed heavily Oh the gal
lant Old mans mind He well knew the counter
influence against him and, although he was
able 10 harass the enemy from this his strong
hold, he dared not trust the honor or the British
Arms 10 the merces Of a rabble OF but hali-loya,
half-cIyilized Hottentots So nearly had they
completed their plans that on the same day that
the first Of the new leyles Olned his camp,
the brayest of the Kaifr chiefs howled hls de-
dance little beyond his lines. small force
checked and routed this fanatics followers.
The Kat River HottentOts, unmlndful OF the gen
erous assistance which had been afforded them,
by our Government, had now raised the standard
OF rebellion Servants rose upon their mas
ters m the very heart OF the colony, many
servants even driving families naked from their
homes murders of the most atroclOus descrp-
ton were daily committed by the Hottentots,
hitherto so much trusted, and the most dreadful
alarm was felt from one end Of the colony 10 the
other. al deeds and events so unparalleled In its
annals Fort Hare, the headquarters of Colonel
Somerset, had but too slender garrison 10 afford
much aid 10 the colony the 9lst had suffered
severely IN an attempt 10 communicate with Sir
Harry, ana almost Immediately was he attacked
by mvraCs OF barDarIans Twice did our gal
liant old chief teach the Katfir d lesson in pract-
cal warfare. and with an additional argument
which they deduced from the second attack on
Fort " hlte, small garrison containing little
means Of defense other than that of the gallant
hearts within II. The Gaikas ceased 10 molest
our posts But the arbitrator Hemanus
whose desertlon Of the cause Of his countrymen
had been rewarded by location IN the heart OF
the colony. indeed. IN spot called its gardenfrom
It's lOvellness and fertility named the Blinkwater,
now took advantage OF the unprotected state OF
For Beaufort, seven miles from his residence
Fortunately for 1t, however, Col. Somerset, whose
information Is always so consplcuousiy cor
rect. heard OF his treacherous design looweaA
10 aid, he was In time but TO warn. ne Nat
River Hottentots, now first showing Their dis'
LOYALTY. formed the mass of Hermanus's follow
ers. and at daybreak he assalled the unprotected
village Here let me record the unwayenng and