The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-06-01

w AEs( WxSM ./lthey were not al
s x VMkA%ANl lowed to Cypress
y NsEsasna 80 the natives. Re-
Gently documentary evidence has been
unearthed to show that the oppression
was on the other side; that the Kaffirs
and Zulus ravaged their farms and the
government would not allow them to
take reparation. To save their rem
nant of a nation they sought the will
derness farther up the east coast.
At that time the trekkers had in view
settlement on Delagoa bay, but were
repealed by the deadliness of the climate
and pitched their camps in what is
now known at Natal. That region of
fered attractions in good pasturage and
had been depopulated of natives by the
frightful massacres of Chaka, the Zu-
lu despot The Tugela river between
Colenso and Estcourt was the scene Of
the first Boer settlement. The land
was paradise in peace and produc-
tiveness, and before setting their
stakes too deep the immigrants made
efforts to secure title from the rul-
ing Zulu, Dingaan, the successor Of
Chaka.
From among their leaders the Beers
selected PET Retief to visit Dingaan in
the capacity of an envoy. Knowing
that he had to deal with monster, he
was accompanied by party of armed
mounted men. On the march to Din
gaan's kraal the Beers rescued from a
tribe at enmity with Dingaan 1000
head of cattle that had been run off
from the pasturages of his people.
Dingaan seemed very gracious and
readily promised to grant the Dutch
the land they asked for along the Tu-
gela to the sea and north and south Of
that stream.
Retief and his party visited the Eng
fish at the nearest seaport and some Of
the lesser native tribes and returned to
Dingaans lkraal to receive the written
document of cession. This was deliv-
cred into Retief's hands, and the king
begged the Beers to larry a few days
and receive the hospitality of the Zulus,
then go and fetch their people to pos
sess the fair land he had given them.
On the day fixed for departure all as
sembled in the kraal to drink parting
cup of native beer The kraal was
crowded with troops, ostensibly to
amuse the farmers by wild, songs
and dances. Suddenly the king called
out, Seize them!' At this signal the
troops rushed upon the Beers, several
laying hold of a single man and drag
ging him from the incloalre, While the
king cried, kill the witches" 1t was
fo wit ho ri
been with ChalSa, to denounce as
witches the enemies he wished destroy
ed in order to inflame his warriors.
Retief was held and compelled to
witness the butchery Of his comrades
and then was himself dubbed to death.
This accomplished, the impis set out
with orders to massacre all the Beers
left on the Tugela. Needless, or, rath-
er, unsuspecting, of danger, the families
had scattered themselves in quiet and
isolated camps to await the return of
Retief. AS 60 men had persisted with
him, every family had some male adult
absent. The families We're in little
bivouacs of three or four wagons each.
The first attacks were on the camps
on Bushman river. The, Zulus crept
up stealthily and began stabbing right
and left with their assagais. Not all
were killed, for some survived count
less stabs. In the third camp attacked
there was a Botha, ancestor of the
present Boer commandant, Louis
Botha.
This massacre, which has been com
memorated by naming the scene of il
.'Weenen," the "Place of Weeping, car
riel off 200 children, 90 women and &c
men, The horrors of it are indescriba
BILE, but yet Dingaan's thirst for blood
was not satisfied. Some months later
he sent horde of Zulus to wipe out
the remnant. but the Beers had. the
semblance of an army under two field
commandments and two field comets
They also had carronade, which
fired nails and bullets, and with this
and their rifles they broke the Zulu
charge when they attempted, witt
linked hands, to force the passage oil
Bushman river.
After this second attack the Boel
farmers all along the Tugela saw thai
it must be Boer or black, for there was
territory. They at once organized fol
war and determined to wipe out Din
gaan or be wiped out themselves, JUS
as they have elected to die fighting
rather than be ruled by England
When mustered, the fighting eNpedi
ton numbered $50 men. They wer,
provided with 81 wagons, covered will
OK hide, to furnish shelter and serv,
as field forts. Andres Pretorious wa
chosen commandant, and this littl
force set out to find Dingaan and figh
him wherever found.
AS usual, the war was undertaken
with the deepest religious enthusiasm
and trust in God. Invocations for di
vine help We're as constant on the lip
of the Boer fighting trekker as on thos
of the Round Head or Crusader. Pre-
torious was Jealous in exhorting hi