Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1879-02-22
"a TEfFiRs# sLAFFiEER.

psIticuisr.S Sof the kscsnaFs sbrsa.tsf to
British Troops In South Africa-How the
Willy Zulus Lured Their Victims to the
Slaughter-pea.
LORD CHELMsFoRD's OFFICIAL REPORT.
LONDON, Feb. 1.-THE following COM
munication has been received at the War
Office from Lord Chelmsford: az regret to
have to report q very disastrous engage
meht, on the Ssd of -dantiart, between the
zultis and portion OF No. cpiumii,. which
was left to guard, the camp; about 10 miles
in front OF Rorse's Drift. The zulus came
spite OF the gallant resistance by five COM
panies Of the 1st Battalion of the oath Regi-
ment, one company, I'd Battalion;, oath Regi-
ment, two GUNS, two rocket tubes, 1e4
mounted men, and about 500 natives, they
overwhelmed them. The camp, containing
No. 8 column, was taken, and but few Of its
defenders escaped. Our loss, fear, must
be set down at 80 officers, and about 500
non-commissioned officers, rank and file,
Imperial troops, and 70 nQn-com :
oodsT troo Sces' sore rafh o, nSu ana s Ss
been ordered to assemble, to collect evidence
regarding this unfortunate affair, which
will be forwarded to you as Soon as receiv-
ed. Full particulars, as far As can be ob-
tanned, have been sent In my dispatch,
which will reach you by the next mail III
away from their camp, as the action took
place about a mile and quarter outside it.
The remainder of Col. Glynn's column reoc-
cupied the camp after dark the same night,
having been with me IL miles away all day
On the following morning we arrived al
Rorke's Drift post, WHICH for Ia hours had
been attacked by from 5000 to 1900 Zulus
Its defense by SOME so ifien of the oath Regi-
ment was most gallant. Three hundred
and seventy bodies lay close around the
post. 1 compute the Zulu loss at 600 here
alone. AT the camp where the disaster oc-
Cured the loss of the enemy Is computed at
oyer2 ,0OO., Col. Pearson, commanding num-
ber one column, bas been attacked, but he
repulsed the Zulus." 80 rils ha.ic .r..i
REINFoRCEMENTs ORDERED.
The Cabinet Council to-day decided tc
send six battalions OF infantry, two regi-
ments of cavalry, two batteries of artillery,
n company of engineers, three companies OF
the army service corps and company of the
army hospital corps to reinforce Lord
Chelmsford.
THE GRAVITY OF THE CATASTROPHE.
The Times, commenting on the news from
Cape Town, says: Nothing can exceed the
frankness OF the recital, for 1t is clear tha
useless to deny either the sadness or extreme
gravity of the catastrophe. Whether there
was or was not any want OF vigilance on the
part Of our own force, 1t is clear that thu
Zulus are even more formidable than otll
military forces expected to find them. /
was already known that they are well drill
ed; that great numbers Of them are armed
with breech- -loaders, and that they coult
fight courageously. We now know bu
too well how large force they can mass a
one point. Sad as the loss of our troops is
still graver is the peril which must aris'
from the defeat. The Zulus will be embold
ened by their triumph, and the colouists will
be exposed to fresh and formidable dangers
In these circumstances the duty of the Gov
ernment can not admit of the slightest doubt
and it is to send ample reinforcements t,
the Cape without the needless delay of
single hour. 1t may be that they can be N
more quickly sent from Mauritius or Indi
than from England, but at all events n,
effort and no expenditure must be spared Il
save the colony from an impending disaster
and the power of the country from grave in
jury. 1t is q melancholy consolation in tn
meanwhile that the gallant troops of tn
Twenty-fourth regiment did their duty an,
died at their posts like Englishmen.