The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1879-06-14 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

THE KENILWORTH ADVERTISER, SAT URDAY, JUNE 14, 1879.  ARRIVAL OF SICK AND WOUNDED FROM THE CAPE. The Tamar, troop ship, Captain Lidoll, which was the first vessel to reach the Cape with reinforcements, arrived at Spithead late on Sunday night. She brings invalids from the Cape, together with the widows and children of those who have fallen in the Zulu war. Two children died during the passage. Several cases of chicken-pox were rsported and landed. Corporal Campbell, A.S.C., who had been invalidediliotne, was missed on the 14th of May, and is believed to have committed suicide by jumping overboard. On the 14th of the month four men belonging to the ship, one being the waiter, and the others saloon waiters, were poisoned, and William Corbett succumbed, the symptoms showing death to be attributable to autimonial poisoning. They had eaten pigeon pie two dsys previously', and it is believed that the pie had, whether inadvertently or intentionally has not yet tranerdred, been poisoned. The circumstances are to be investigated by a Court of Inquiry. The invalids were disembarked in the course of Monay and conveyed by special train to Netley Hospital. Private Hitch, of the 24th Regiment, who comes home dangerously wounded, is one of those who, with four others, when surrounded at Rorke's Drift by the Zulus, held the right front of the position and prevented the enemy from sweeping away the small body of men ensconced behind the barricade of biscuit boxes. Hitch and those who supported him were subjected to a heavy fire from the rear left flank and the front; but they maintained their position until they were incapacitated by reason of their wounds from making further active resistance, and then, after having their wounds dressed, they, with the remaining strength left, continued to serve out ammunition to their comrades during the whole of the time that the gallant resistance lasted. Private Hitch, who still wears his right arm in a sling, was unaware of the honour conferred upon him until his arrival home. On being told he, with much emotion, exclaimed, " Have they given me the cross ?" On being assured that her Majesty had been pleased to confer that distinguished recognition lf his services upon him the poor fellow was completely overcome. Private Waters, another hero of the Itorke's Drift engagement, comes home in the Tamar. He secreted himself in. a cupboard in the hospital, and shot several Zulus as they came in, but, being at last wounded in the right arm, he covered himself with a black cloak and took up refuge in the bush, where he remained all night, at times being passed in dangerous proximity by bench of prowling Zulus. Next morning he got safely into camp to receive the congratulations of his friends. The bullet with which Waters was wounded passed into his shoulder, and made its exit at his elbow, and the missile is now saved and prized by him as a memorable memento of the struggle in vhich he-took part. All agree that the defeat of the Zulus, whose approach in such dense masses against the diminutive garrison is described by eye-witnesses as being really appalling, undoubtedly saved the whole colony of Natal from utter annihilation. The wounded men arriving, home from the affair at Rorke's Drift assert tint the Zulus did not throw their assegais, but waited until they had a chance of getting within stabbing distance, and then used them with deadly effect. After discharging store a the Tamar will proceed to Devonport and prepare for farther service if required.