The Hawaiian gazette., 1879-03-26
to the British troops we take from the Auck-
land Erenfnq Star of February last

to the British troops we take from the Auck-
land Erenfng Star of February last:
The following fuller account of the Zulu disaster
is 10 hand per Claud Hamilton. ii appears that
Lord Chelmsford desired TO advance into Zululand
seemingly with the intention of pushing on 10
attack Cetewaya's new krsa but fearing to leave
his line of communication with Natal unprotected,
ordered several companies OF the lst Bat. 24th Reg,
under Colonel Pulletile to remain a few mites
on the Zulu side of YOrke's Drift. To strengthen
this iorce. Colouel Burniord was directed TO join
Colonel Pniletine, who was senior officer, and
whose force now numbered about 4, 600 men.
On Wednesday morning they were attacked by
1900 Zulus. The assault proved successful.
Though beaten off several times, numbers and dis
cipline carried the day, and the Natal native con-
tingents, hastily organized and uticered, as We
have described had 10 submit 10 defeat by the we'll
disciplined forces OF the Zulu King
Our native troops reported TO have fought
with bravery that called forth the praise of Europ
cans. but were crushed by massive columns OF Zulu
regiments, and broke into disorder.
The of the gath upheld the honor OF the
English name, and were true to the traditions OF
the corps whose colors bear many of the names oi
the most famous battles in modern British history.
The gallant 24th had TO choose between death and
dishoTor and as the story reaches Us, almost 10 q
man they gave their lives rather than turn back
on the enemy.
On Wednesday last some hundreds of British
soldiers were shot down IN conflict with foe ioui
times their number While We deplore the loss ol
these gallant men, we feel proud OF them and theii
native comrades.
Colonel Burnfords column was utterly destroyed
Some of its members tell into Natal. Others tried
TO cut their way through the Zulus 10 join CClone
GlynDe, and all lis stores and arms We're taken oy
the enemy, who pursued the tugtives to the Buffalo
River
The attack made on Colonel GIynne's column did
not end so well for The Zuus. This column con
sisted Of 500 Europeans and 2, 600 natives Against
ii repeated assaults were made by the brayest war
rims in Zuiulaud-rtpimeuis whose titles have DecI
the dread of their native neighbours.
Lord Chelmsford at this point Is said TO have
been eminently successful, but the particulars are
not to hand. II il certain that the General had tc
retreat Yorke's Drift, leaving the country on The
Zulu side in the possession OF the enemy. From
Colonel Wood we have heard nothing.
The Zulus appear now to have placed their prin-
cipal forces near tue boundaries OF Natal.
In another column we publish an article
from the Auckland EUeniny Star, which take;
an English view of the state of affairs in South
Africa, but with which We do not altogether
agree; that is, we do not believe that al
Great Britain has to do is to send an army tC
Zululand and wipe the Zulus out, and make
both them ard their country tributary tt
Great Britain. We apprehend that before sucl
a consummation has been arrived at, England
will have to sacrifice many thousands OF meI
and expend millions Of money.
The zulus have given such proofs of theil
prowess, courage and tact that to conquer
them will be no easy task. The business o
fighting nomadic tribes of brave men like tht
Zulus, in their own mountain businesses, witt
foreign troops who have to be transported lonl
distances by sea to the seat of war, is no easy
affair; besides, it is enormously expensive
and always tries the patience, as we'll as th'
pockets, of the people engaged in it. Will
the expenses of the Zulu war added to thost
of the Affghanistan affair, England's treasury
must bleed at every pore and be fearful.
depleted. But there is no alternative left he
now, except to go on and see it through, re.
gardless of expense, or ingIoriously bach
down.