LATER INTELLIGENCE FROM THE CAPE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1640, 23 May 1879, Page 3

LATER INTELLIGENCE FROM THE CAPE.

The Orient steamer Cuzco, which arrived at Adelaide on May 10th, brought news from the Cape to April 20th. The following is the principal intelligence : TUB BELIEF OF EKOWE. The relief of Ekowo, it was felt, would not bo unaccompanied by danger, and it was delayed until a considrrable portion of the reinforcements which had been despatched from England were in a position to take pert in it. In the meantime a plan had been devised by which intelligence was transmitted between Colonel Pearson and the commander-in-chief, and it was not until it was known that the supply of bread at Ekowe was almost exhausted that the relief column was strong enough to cross the Tugcla, The distance between the boundary of Natal and Colonel Pearson’s camp was only about sixty miles as the crow flies, but owing to the character of the country the progress which was made was painfully slow. At first the only obstacles which had to bo surmounted were of this character, but upon two occasions the Zulus contested the progress of the troops, and two pitched battles were fought. Profiling by the bitter experience which was gained on the fatal field of Isandnlla, the general had thrown up earthworks around Ids camp in each case; and although the enemy attacked with great courage, they were repulsed with heavy losses. In each case the Zulus advanced in compact masses, and when it is remembered that a portion of the relieving columns consisted of men from her Majesty’s ships in charge of Q-.Uling guns, the carnage which resulted may be easily imagined. The losses which the enemy sustained in the two engagements were eslimated at from four to five thousand men. The lust part of the march was got over with comparative ease. Colonel Pearson and his companions were relieved, and the return to Natal at once took place. It had been shown most conclusively that the position of Ekowo was not a favorable one for an advanced post, and it was accordingly abandoned. ■ Ekowe was occupied by Zulus a few hours after its evacuation by our forces, and a largo body of the enemy is now reported to be in the locality. The “ Times of Natal,” in its issue of 14th April, publishes the following from its special correspondent relating to the relief of Ekowo: —“It was a little after seven when the Natal Native Contingent were given the order to charge, and in half an hour there was not a Zulu within miles, except those hiding and the wounde ', all of whom, when found, were killed. Only in a very few cases were the officers able to rescue wounded Zulus from these natives.” The same letter contains the following extract Two white prisoners are at the king’s kraal. All the prisoners describe the defeat ns a groat one, but say that the young men will collect together and fight again. One man amongst them, who speaks English excellently, and who has travelled os servant to an Englishman, says distinctly that ho saw three white prisoners at the king’s kraal, and thinks they were officers. DEFEAT OF THE ZULUS BY COLONEL WOOD. Just about the time when Lord Chelmsford was mgrehing to the relief of Ekowe, Colonel Wood, in command of the column intended to operate from the north, was having a warm time of it. Colonel Evelyn Wood, who is decorated with the Yictoria Cross and has received other marks of royal favor, has distinguished himself in many ways since the commencement of the war, and to him belongs the honor of inflicting upon the enemy t he most crushing defeat yet experienced. The way this came about was as follows : —The colonel occupies an entrenchment in the direction of Utrecht in the Transvaal, and in the neighbourhood of the Kambula Mountains. Having received information that a largo herd of cattle belonging to the enemy were grazing upon the mountains in question Colonel Wood despatched as large a force as he could spare for their capture. The feat was successfully accomplished, and the men were in the act of driving the cattle to the comp when they were suddenly confronted by a large Zulu army, A desperate fight ensued, in which our men, both soldiers and civilians, acquitted themselves most bravely, but wore outnumbered, and when they attempted to descend the mountain they found that the few available passes had been secured by the enemy, and nothing remained for them but a desperate struggle for life. This took place, and some men made good their escape from the trap into which they had been The nature of the engagement may he judged from the losses h dieted upon ua. A. troop of mounted volunteers, raised by Colonel Weatherly, was literally cut to pieces, only one escaping. Another regiment of volunteers, known as the Frontier horse, suffered severely. Our losses mounted up to nearly 200 ; but the deaths of the brave men were fully avenged before sunset. The enemy, embolioned by their victory, pursued, and shortly alter our mni gained the camp it was surrounded and attacked by the Zulu array, the strength of which was variously estimated at, from 20.000 to 30,000 men. I need hardly give the details of what followed. The tactics which saved Rorke’u Drift after the fatal fight at Isandulla were again resorted to, and the shot and shell which wore delivered from behind hastily constructed e irthwcrks told with fearful effect upon the dense masses of the natives who attempted to carry them. Af er a bloody oonlest, continued about three hours, the enemy abandoned the attack, and, being immediately pursued, were utterly routed. In the course of the battle our losses wore severe, but, nothing in comparison to those indicted on the foe. Seven officers and seventy men constituted our death-roll, but whep the enemy

retreated the troops collected and buried 2800 Zulu 4 !. Foremost amongst the nanus of those who fell fighting in the cause of civilisation stands that of Peit Uys, a bravo burgher of the Transvaal, who, while ho utterly condemned the forced annexation of,that country, throw all his i fluenco into this unhappy war, and with a small number of trusty followers did good service. MIPOI’LLANEOUS. A now fort is being formed near Amatikulu river, some miles in rear of Gingihlovo camp, and not. in advance, as originally intended. At a meeting held at Pietermaritzburg on the 7th -April, so unanimous were those present in their advocacy of Sir Barilo Prere’s policy, that no oppoeers wore allowed a hearing. Lord Chelmsford contradicts most positively a telegram received at Durban on Ifilh April, that ho had asked for recall, ile wished the Government to make provision for any casualty to him, and Sir Bartlo Frero desired the same officer to takeover his duties. General Lord Chelmsford started on 19th April for Utrecht, riding through. General Crealock started on the 16th April to take command of the L >wor Tugcla column. It was rumored that Mr Protorious had been sent by (he Boers to Cetowayo to tell him that they are not his enemies. Two thousand Zulus are burning houses and kraals, and taking cattle, in the vicinity of Pongolo sources, and from Piet Uys’ farm 1000 cattle and sheep have boon raided. Lord Chelmsford and the Prince Imperial were expected at Marilzbnrg on 17th April. THE TKANSVAAL. No action bad been taken by Boers up to 2nd April, and (hoy were still awaiting Sir B. Frerc’s arrival with the view of laying their case before him, and securing a formal promise to recommend Secretary of State to re-considcr matter of annexation ; no waggons had been taken into laager, and no intimidation exorcised. With regard to report as to Boers not taking produce into Pretoria, this has been the case with many for twelve months past. It is fearrd, however, the Administrator may precipitate matters by hasty action. Under date the Kimberley, 15th April, a telegram received states that bis Excellency the High Commissioner arrived in Pretoria on Thursday, 10th April, and mot with an excellent reception. Last day’s journey, thirty-two miles, passed through the Eoer camp, and had friendly conversation with a great many. His Excellency was to meet the Boer delegates on the 12th. There is no truth in the statement that his Excellency had been stopped on the way. THE BASUTOLAND HTIBELLION. Captain Wood, Ist Yeomanry, has just returned to camp after five days’ patrol in rain. Captured 700 cattle, 1000 sheep, and fifty horses. Had several engagements with rebels, who took up their position in caves and krantzes, with which the country abounds. Captain Connor, C.M.R, has been joined by Mr D. Strachan in Ngatsha’s Pass. They have worked for fifty miles up and fifty miles down the Orange River, clearing the country of rebels. Dislodged rebels from strongholds capable of holding 500 men ; found large preparations for a siege; cave regularly forth fieri, stored with grain and firewood, and cattle and sheep killed for food. Colonel Griffith reported to the Colonial Secretary, Capo Town, from Morisi’s Mountain, that on the morning of the BJi April ho had commenced shelling Morisi’s fortifications for a couple of hours, and then attacked the position with all the colonial forces with him, consisting of C.M.R. and 2nd and 3rd Yeomanry, but did not succeed in carrying the position, having to relinquish the attack after several hours’ hard fighting, having lost one officer killed, (Lieut. Reid, of Graaff-Reinet, 3rd Yeomanry), one officer (Capt. Snrmon, of C.M.R.) wounded, and two troopers killed, Eleven troopers wounded, and six yeomanry wounded. The fortifications were found too strong and too well defended, and it was impossible to carry them without an immense loss of life, The sovon-poundors are too light, and make no impression upon the stronglybuilt stone fortifications. Colonel Griffith now proposes closely investing the place and starving out the garrison.