The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-02-28

PavtieuIars 81 the Recent Disaster t0
British Troops In south Africa-How the
willy ZuIus Lused Their Victims 90 the
slaughter-pe..
LORD cHELNsFoRD's OFFICIAL REPORT.
LONDON, Feb. 1.-The following CON-
municAtion has been received ~ the War
Office iron Lord Chelmsford: 81 regret 20
have 70 report . very disastrous engage
menf, on the I'D Of January, between the
Zulus and portion Of No. 8 column, which
was left 70 guard the camp, about ID miles
in front Of korke's Drift. The Zulus came
down In overwhelming numbers, and In
spite OF the gallant resistance BY i've COM
pAnies Of the 1st Battalion Of the Gath Regi-
ment, one company, I'd Battalion, s4th Regf-
ment, two guns, two rocket tubes, 164
mounted men, and about 500 natives, they
overwhelmed them. The camp. containing
all surplus ammunition and transport OF
No. 3 column, was taken, and but few Of it,
defenders escaped. Our loss, fear, must
be set down II 30 officers, and about 800
non commissioned Officers, rank and ME,
missioned officers, rank and fIe,
colonial troops. A court Of inquiry has
been ordered 10 assemble, to collect evidence
regarding this unfortunate affair, which
will be forwarded 10 you ~ soon ~ receiv-
ed. Full particulars, - far as can be OBJ
tanned, have been sent In nv dispatch.
which Will reach you " tue uf&l mail ~
would seem that the troops were enticed
away from their camp, - the action took
place about . mile and aquarfer outside IL.
The remainder Of Col. Glynn's column reoc-
cupied the camp after dark the same night,
having been with me IL miles away ali day.
On the following morning we arrived At
Rorke's Drift post, which for II hours had
been attacked BY from 1000 70 1000 Zulus.
IT. defense by some - men OF the 24th Regi-
ment was NEST gallant. Three hundred
and seventy bodies lay close around the
post. l compute the Zulu loss 81 10u0 here
alone. At the camp where tie disaster oc-
cuFyed the loss Of the enemy IL computed NJ
over 90. Col. Pearson, commanding num-
Der one column, has been attacked, but he
repulsed the Zulus"
REISFORcEMESTs ORDERED.
The Cabinet Council to-day decided TO
send six bsttslions OF infantry. two regi-
ments II cavalry. two batteries Of artillery.
. company Of engineers, three companies OF
the army servics corps and . company Of the
army hospital corps TO reinforce Lord
Chelmsford.
THE GRAVITY or THE CATASTROPHE.
The Times, commenting on the news from
Cape Town, says: Nothing can exceed the
frankness OF the recital, for Il II clear that
nothing has been held back 1t would be
useless TO deny either the sadness or extreme
was or Was not any want Of vigilance on the
part Of our own force, Il n clear that the
Zulus are even more formidable than our
military forces expected 70 lind them. 1t
was already known that they are well drill
ed; that great numbers Of them are armed
with brecch-Ioadeu, and that they could
fight courageously. We now know but
too well how large : force they can mass 1t
one point Sad = the loss Of our troops IL,
still graver ID the peril which must arise
from the defeat The Zulus will be embold-
ened by their triumph and the colonists will
be exposed to fresh end formidable dangers.
In these circumstances the duty OF the Gov
eminent can not admit Of the slightest doubt,
and Il n 70 send ample endorsements 10
the Cspe without the needless delay Of .
single hour. IL may be that they can be no
more quickly sent from Mauritius or India
than from England, but At all events no
effort and no expenditure must be spared TO
save the colony from an impending disaster,
and the power Of the country from grave in
jury. II II melancholy consolation In the
meanwhile that the gallant troops Of the
Twenty fourth regiment did their duty and
died at their posts like EugIishmen.