A Famous Soldier.

Manawatu Herald, 24 July 1902, Page 2

A Famous Soldier.

THE CAPTURES OF'CETE-

WAYO.

.. The death is announced at Walton, Epping, at the ripe age of 70, of Maj.-Gen. Richard James Coombe Harter, late King’s Dragoon Guards, and A.D.O. The gallant soldier, who has been ill some considerable time, was buried on Thursday at All Saints, Epping Upland. Gen. Matter had seen much service, and it was he who captured the Zulu king on Aug. 28,1879. The story of this stirring episode in South African history may with advantage be briefly retold. When the news of the battle of Ulundi had been brought to Cetewayo he fled into the bush beyond the Mahankula Mountains. From this kraal he sent out various messages concerning terras, but making no definite proposals, as he was afraid of being killed by our patrols. After some narrow escapes he bade his wives to leave him, arid hid himself in the long grass, where he could watch the movements of the patrols, and at times could even hear our soldiers talking and laughing. He was here joined by one of his wives. Finding our troops still on his trail he now struck across country into the Ngome Forest, where news reached him that his envoy, Uranyamana, instead of making terms on his behalf, had promised to use his best endeavour to capture and deliver him up to Sir Garnet Wolseley. In order to capture the fugitive, Gen. Marter, than only major of the King’s Dragoon Guards, was ordered to proceed to the Ngome Forest. Accordingly, on Aug. 27, 1897, the officer set out with a squadron of his own regiment, together with a native

regiment of horse. • Maj. Marterdnring 'the pursuit had three of his horses';%| eaten by lions, doubtful whether he would haveWracceeded in j|| capturing the fugitive if he had not received information from a *ulu,. who made this somewhat ambiguous remark, pointing to the Forest of Ngome, “I have .heard the wind : blows from this side to-day.” Making a long detbur, the troopers of the* 'pf King’s Dragoon Guards leading their -^ i horses, a halt was called in a hollow outside Gwadawasa Kraal, which was completely surprised, and Maj. Marter riding up to the entrance, saw the King, whom he called upon to yield. “ Enter, I ana your prisoner,” Oete* ; 'f. wayo was heard- to remark, but' Maj. -Matter declining the invitation, for - £ obvious reasons, called upon the King to come forth. A trooper was about to seize him, but the King repelled him with dignity, remarking, “White soldier touch me not; I surrender to your chief.”