The New York herald., 1879-12-14
MOROISI, THE BAPHUTI.
L DY CABLE TO THE HERALD
LONDON Dee IA 1879

THE BRITISH STORM THE AFRICAN cHIEFTAIN's
sTRoNaHoLD-HIs ALMOST IMPROBABLE Po-
sITIoN-HIs DEATH-sIEGE OF THE NOUN
TAIN WITH GUNS AND MoRrARs.
BIZ CABLE TO THE HERALD.1
LONDON. Dec. 13. 1870.
despatch from Cape Town says:-"The Co
lonial forces successfully stormed Moroisi's
mountain on the Goth of November. Chief
Morosi killed during the fight. On the
British side two colonists wounded and two
native allies were killed. The attack on Chief Seco-
coeni has been postponed until the 27th of Novem-
ber" After the capture of Cetywsyo the feeling Of
security in South Africa mainly disturbed by
the hostile attitude Of Secocoeni and Of the
Baphuti chief Moroisi, who, in his mountain
stronghold, persistently deAed the forces sent
against him. Major Nixon therefore despatched
by the British government to visit the latter place.
and to report as to the nature Of its position.
The mountain is an isolated rugged kop. ris-
ing abruptly on the south bank of the
Orange River. and connected with range
on the south by q narrow neck. On the top
there several water tanks, and the sides one
more caves capable OF holding forty men. To the
west there is q ledge about ten yards broad. with
perpendicular rocky face sloping down three hun
dred or four hundred feet. with similar
face twenty thirty feet from the shelf
to the top Of the mountain. There 10 only
passage leading up the mountain. very
steep and In zg-zag form, and along this there
three lines of defences. formed OF stone walls built
on natural ledges of rock forming what are termed
..schansen" Since March last Moroisi had held his
own on this position. When the news Of
Cetywayo's troubles reached him he saw
that the beginning of the end was approach
Ing. and announced his intention OF "coming
down." A deputation with white flag accordingly
went up the hill to meet the surrendering chief,
and he was seen squatting on u stone In
the distance, also with white fag "Come
down." shouted the British representatives. II
will not" retorted Moroisi. 1T have submitted; SO
send me mp some beef" Come down." was all
the reply he got; but why should I?' asked the
chief. II have submitted; go away and send me up
some baei-and fuel "Como down." repeated
the British officer. Nonsense" rejoined the
Baphuti. II have given in and confess my
self beaten. Leave this and send me up some
beef and some fuel-and some gunpowder."
There was debating the point with such
logician. Sir Garnet wolseley decided upon using
stronger arguments. Attempts made on two
occasions to storm the place, but without suo-
cess, ard it was then determined to invest
the mountain. and pickets were posted at certain
points day and night. while at the same time
patrols harassed the rebel supporters in the neigh
borhood. The Gordon OF pickets. however. so
loosely hemmed the extended base that the
Baphutis repeatedly passed through. especially ON
dark nights. aud carried up commissariat supplies
and cattle. with which they have enjoyed them.
selves in their bcsieged position. The last exploit
recorded of them was that number possessed them
solves of new blankets which were just issued to
our native forces. and dressed in these came march
ing and singing close by the main camp, palm
ing themselves of rs Fingoes. Alter receiving
Major Nixon's report aud consulting with the
highest military authorities. tho government re-
solved upon renewing the siege of the mountain
with guns and mortars aud to attempt to take tho
position at all hazards The command of the opera
tions was given TO Colonel Dayley.l