THE DISASTER AT THE CAPE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1568, 27 February 1879, Page 3

THE DISASTER AT THE CAPE.

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[Via Hoki'ika ] It appears that Lord Chelmsford desired to advaoce iuto Zulu land seemingly with the intention of pnshing on to attack Oetewayo’s new kraal, but fearing to leave his line of communication with Natal unprotected, ordered several companies of the first 24th regiment under Colonel Pulleine to remain a few miles on the Zulu side of York’s drift. To strengthen this force Colonel Durnford was directed to join Colonel Pulleine, who was senior officer, and whose force now numbered about 4000. On Wednesday morning they were attacked by 15,000 Zulus, The assault proved successful. Though beaten off several times, their numbers carried the day, and the Natal contingents, hastily organised and officered, as we have described, had to submit to defeat at the hands of the well disciplined forces of the Zulu King. Our Native troops are reported to have fought with a bravery that called for hosts of praise from the Europeans, but were crushed by the massive columns of the Zulu regiments, and broke into disorder. The men of the 21th upheld the honor of the English name, and were true to the traditions of the corps, whose colors bear many of the names of the most famous battles in modern British history. The gallant Twenty-fourth had to choose between death and dishonor, and as the story reaches us, almost to a man gave their lives rather than turn a back on the enemy. On Wednesday last some hundreds of British soldiers were shot down or wounded in conflict with a foe twenty times their number. While we deplore the Lss of these gallant men, we feel proud of them and their Native comrades. Colonel Durnford’s column was utterly de-troyed. Some of its members fell into Natal. Others tried to cut their way through the Zulus to join Colonel Glynn, and all its stores and arms were taken by the enemy, who pursued the fugitives to the Buffalo river. The attack made on Colonel Glynn’s column did not end so well for the Zulus. This column consisted of 1800 Europeans and 2000 natives. Against it repeated assaults were made by the bravest warriors in the Zulu regiments, whose titles have been the dread of their native neighbours Lord Chelmsford at this point is said to have been eminently successful, but the particulars are not to hand. It is certain the general had to retreat to Rooke’s Drift, leaving the country oa the Zulu side in possession of the enemy. From Colonel Wood we have heard nothing. The Zulus appear not to have placed their prinipal forces near the boundaries of Natal.