Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1879-02-20
SOUTH AFRICAN WAR.
Particulars of the Recent British
Disaster.

LONDON, February 1.-THE following is
the full strength of the British column, part
of which was attacked by the Zulus: No.
column, headquarters at Helpmakarr, near
Roorkes Drift, commandant Col. Glyn; first
battalion Oath regiment, artillery, N battery.
fifth brigade royal artillery with 7-pounder
gun, Infantry, seven companies, first battalion
Oath regiment, and second battalion Oath
regiment under Lieut.. Col Degacher, natal
mounted police and volunteers, natal car
bineers, buffalo border guard, New Castle
mounted rifles, all mounted and averaging 40
men each, and native contingent of 1000
men under commandant Lonsdale, late of the
74th Highlanders.
The following communication has been re-
ceived at the War Office from Lord Chelms-
ford II regret to have to report very disas-
trous engagement on the 22d Of January be-
tween the Zulus and portion of No. 3 COL
umn, which was left to guard the camp, about
ten miles from Roorke's Drift. The Zulus
came down in overwhelming numbers, and
in spite of the gallant resistance by five COM
panies of the first battalion 24th regiment,
one company of the second battalion Oath
regiment, two guns, two rocket tubes, 1854
mounted men, and about 800 natives, they
overwhelmed them. The camp, containing
all the surplus ammunition and transport of
No. 3 column was taken, and but few of its
defenders escaped. Our loss l fear must be
set down at 13O officers and about 500 nom
commissioned officers, rank and file of the
imperial troops, and 70 non-commissioned
officers, rank and file of the colonial troops
A court of inquiry has been ordered to as
semble to collect evidence regarding this un-
fortunate affair, which will be forwarded to
you as soon as received. Full particulars as
far as can be obtained have been sent in my
dispatch which will reach you by next mail.
1t would seem that the troops were enticed
away from their camp, as the action took
place about mile and quarter outside of it.
The remainder of Colonel Glyn's column re-
occupied the camp after dark the same night,
it having been with me twelve miles away all
day. On the following morning we arrived
at Roorkes Drift post, which for twelve hours
had been attacked by from 5000 to 1000
Zulus. Its defense by some eighty men of
the Oath regiment was most gallant, and $40
bodies lay close around the post compute
the Zulus loss at 1000 here alone At the
the enemy is computed at over 1900. Col.
Pearson, commanding No. l column, had
been attacked, but he repulsed the Zulus."
The cabinet council to-day decided to send
six battalions of infantry, two batteries of ar
tiller, company Of engineers, three COM
panies of army service corps, and company
of army hospital corps to reinforce Lord
Chelmsford.
The artillery for the Cape is ready at Wool
wich and it is expected to start tomorrow.
The reinforcements for the Cape ordered
from England number about 1000 men.
LONDON, February 13.-There is report
ed news from South Africa that the native
levies serving with the British have risen
en- masse and have massacred their officers.
Those natives engaged in the fight of the
21st ult. have massacred their officers, and
the most of the native officers along the
frontier are deserting. The colonial secreta-
ry, referring to the above report, says: eve
have no information in any way confirming
the rumor that the natives have risen against
their officers"