The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1879-05-09
THE ZULU WAR.
Fuls Particulars Of Col. Woods Recent
Fisht-The Campaixn,AgaInst
[Chicago Trihnna.l

LONDON, May 3.-Disaster and victory
alternate at the Cape. The details Of Col
| Woods recent fighting establish the Zulus'
strategic skill as well as bravery. On March
| %, prior to the relief OF Ekowe, a British
| force under Col. Wood attacked the Zuus at
Zoban mountain. Fighting brilliantly up
| the sides OF the rocky ascent under dread
fui Zulu fire, the summit Of the hill WAS
| thousand cattle, the main body retiring to
their camp, leaving an escort to bring In the
cattle. When the main force OF the British
disappeared the Zulu army was sighted as II
springlng from the earth, and cut off the
Britishs retreats barring every way leading
| to the camp. IL was handful to
an army. TIE British halted and then
| made a rush for open ground toward the
camp. Having to descend q deep gorge,
where the horses broke their legs and necks,
the retreat became stampede, the Zuius
pressing on behind. Once the officers rallied
dozen English soldiers, who covered the
fully realized the British confusion they
| made bound among them with their asse-
| gals, stabbing right and left. The British
stood, but only to fall where they stood, one
officer and six men escaping out Of sixty.
Elated by their victory, the Zulus then made
for the camp where Wood had arrived, after
leaving the above mentioned company to
bring the cattle from Zloban. At noon on the
twenty-ninth Cetywayo's forces began big
operation, advancing in thousands Wood
sent out the light horse to meet the van
guard before the entire army came up.
pretty preliminary fight took place In the
open, which was destructive to Cetywayo's
leading columns. When the others were close
up Col. Wood sounded the retreat, covering
the cavalry with shells and small arms fire
from the laagered wagons, while the cavalry
re-entered the camp. The Zulus wayered and
fell back. Then, joining the main body, they
waited until the two horns Of the army were
ready to close In, when they came on like an
avalanche, but received whitening fire which
moved them down like corn. Nevertheless
they twice got inside the cattle laager but
never In the camp. Towards evening they
began to retreat. Out flew Col Wood with
his cavalry eager to avenge the slaughter Of
their comrades of the day before. There was
bitter and bloody pursuit. Once the Zulu
runs he does not turn and fight. Woods men
smote them hip and thigh for miles, strewfnV
dead counted over thousand. Their esti-
mated loss was two thousand five hundred,
and that OF the British seventy-flve killed aid
wounded. The colonial forces have not yet
retrieved the defeat at Basutoland.
Here the Kaffirs had taken lesson from
the Europeans and, having intrenched them
selves, fought behind Qualifications upon
which the light British guns made no Inn
preston. The coIonials are now investing
the place, intending to starve the Kaffir gar
rison. This is quite new feature Of Cape
warfare which Cetywayo may practice, II It
is true that he has retreated to strong noun
famous position. All the native levies OF
Natal have been disbanded by order Of the
imperial government. Operations are going
ON In the norther portion Of the colony against
the rebellious natives. Large bodies Of bur-
ghers and volunteers have crossed the Orange
river for this purpose.
Reinforcements are still arriving. The
Duke of Cambridge says no other country
could have placed so quickly 5000 fresh troops,
travelling the same distance In the field.
Within five weeks OF the receipt Of the news