The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-22
SECOCOENI DEFEATED.
BRITISH TROOPS CAPTURE THE TOWN OF THE
INDUNA CHIEFTAtN-HEAvY LOSS OF BOTH
sIDEs-PRoGREss OF THE AFRICAN WAR.
[BY CABLE TO THE HERALD
CAPE Town, via MADEIRA


[BY CABLE TO THE HERALD
CAPE Town, via MADEIRA,
Dec. 2, 1879. :
Secocoeni's town was captured by the British
forces Oh the 2Sth November. Two of Secocoe-
mis- captains were killed and two captains and
two lieutenants wounded. Secocoenis loss was
heavy. The total loss of the British was twenty
five men. lit is just two months since
British force amounting to over two thousand
infantry and cavalry and commanded by Colonel
Baker Russell prepared to march to Fort
Weber, with view Of making an attack upon
Secocoeni should that chief reject the terms
offered him. Captain Clarke sent messen-
gers to Secocoeni; these messengers were
sent back by Secocoeni next day. They had
conveyed to SecOcoeni message that he must
send an embassy to Captain Clarke if he wished
for peace. Among other things they told Sc
cocoeni that Cetywayo had beencaptured and
sent across the sea. Sccocoeni told them they
were liars, and said that if they came again
bearing such lying words they would be killed.
Next day, however, Secocoeni sent an embassy
of high distinction, of whom his brother formed
one. i The embassy said their chief desired
peace; he wished to be under the English gov
eminent, but the government made war upon
him. Among the embassy were some very old
men, for whom a days rest was necessary.
They did not, therefore, return at once, and
their mission was to bear officially to Secocoeni
the terms offered him.
THE PLAN OF ATTACK. .
After their departure nothing was heard from
the chIeftain. 1t was believed that this silence
might mean either that Secocoeni had summoned
a great council of Indunas to discuss the pro-
priety of accepting the terms or that he in
tended to treat the Generals message with ST.
lent scorn. The British troops encamped at
Mddleburg were accordingly inspected by the
General on parade They consisted of the
Twenty first and Ninety -fourth regiments, a
troop of the Kings Dragon Guards, the From
tier Light Horse, about one hundred strong
Ferrerias Horse, sixty strong; twenty
mounted infantry. and Knoxs Battery of
artillery, worked by Caffres This force
marched at once for Fort Weber, with the ex-
ccption of the Kings Dragon Guards, the
Frontier Light Horse and one company of the
Twenty first, which were to form the garrison
of Mddelburg. The plan of operations against
Sccocoen was to consist of u night attack upon
the mountain, by which it was hoped position
might DC Ealneu upon tue summit without
much loss of life. If by such surprise force
could establish itself, Sccocoeni's men, IL was
said, would advance to the attack and attempt
to cxpel the invaders. This condition of fight
ing would be favorable to the latter and would
be a fortunate exchange for the trial which
must otherwise have been undergone Of storm
ing precipitous and broken mountain side
against q numerous and active enemy accus-
toned to the cunning of fighting with the adj
vantage of shcltcring rocks and inaccessible
ridges. An attack upon the mountain aud in
the open daysw would be d severe test OF the ply
steal stamina and the individual self-rciance
and courage of both officers and men. The de-
Tending force, 1t was expected, would number
ut least z 900. There were also natural foes to
deal with in scarcity of water, great heat, and
country often very unhealthy to men, and
always at this season deadly to horses. There
seemed to be no doubt that the Beers had been
encouraging Secococni to resistance, and, al
though he knew his old and despsed enemies
too well TO dream of placing trust in any ALI
ance with them, il was probable that they had
persuaded hun that conflict was at hand be-
tween them and the British government, aud
that he hoped to maintain himself In security
among the additional difficulties Of The latter