THE CAPE WAR.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 103, 1 May 1878, Page 4

THE CAPE WAR.

THE VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION. From the Daily News.) More details have come about the late Be cere action at Umzitanzi, in v?hich Capetown, Grahamstown, and Port Elizabeth volunteers fought side by side with the steadiness of old soldiers against overwfaplminer odds. It aeems that our second detachment with the Grahamstown guns, and a small number of Capetown rifles, was ordered to patrol eastward of Theka. After a toilsome march, diveraed by missing their waggons, which entailed extra marching short commons and broken rest, a messige from the advanced guard to the effect that tbe Kaffirs were in force ahead brought up the infantry iv support. The advanced gusrd was driven in, a poiicerann cut to pieces by the enemy's sese^ais, and the Grahamstown gun worked, with admirable steadiness, covered the retreat of the cavr-lry. The infantry expected an attact, but a shot or two from the Capetown gun slopped the enemy's advance. At half past six that evening, as the oxen and horses were being brought into the camp, the dark forms of the enemy's horsemen began to debouch over the hills and deploying into line, steadily aivanced towards our little camp. Over the. heads of our horses and cattle which were being driven in, whizzed Stigan's first shot, which bowled over some six or seven on tbe extreme right of the enemy's line. And then on they came horsemi n and clouds of skirmishers, down the hill and up a narrow gorge, upon our handful of citizen soldi. rs outnumbering them ei^ht to one at least, Our men simply lay down in a hollow square, with the two waggons in the centre, the Capetown gun on the left, and Grahamstown gun on the right. There was no time for shelter trenches or to make any cover ; the volunteers simply down on the grass, and plied their Sniders like men. They were exposed to a hot fire in front nnd rear and on both flanks. Steadily and bravely the Geiekas advanced. A chief is seen riding coolly up an J down giving orders. Hotter and hotter grows the enemy's fire as they steadily advance towards the guns. Balls rattle thick and fast upon the guos aud their carriages. Gunner Hornabrook is shot through the thigh while serving the Grahamstown gun, but still works away till positively forced te tbe rear. Lieutenant Wells (an old Royal Artilleryman), in command of this gun, a brass niue-pounder, issues hia orders with a cool judgment that fills his volunteer gunners with confidence, and they fire round after round of canister with deadly effect. Near tha Grahamstov»n gun, just as the action commenced in earnest, Sergeant Stahlschtnit, of Prince Alfred's Guards, fell severely wounded, andcarried under the waggon in the centre of the square. A little later, Mr Pickering, of the same corps, received his wound as he stood to take a snap shot* at one of the enemy within 30 paces. The Kpffir and the Volunteer dead, while the wounded volunteer, unable fired simultaneously, and tbe Kaffir fell to handle hie rifle, had to seek shelter under, the waggon. , Ab he passed to the rear, he saw poor young Barroo lying dead on his face, with bands outstreiched. He and a great friend of hie, both of Prince Alfred's Guards, were skirmishing next to ooe another, when a bullet from the direct rear struck him at the back of the head, going on, under the left eye. Death was almost instantaneous, and his comrades carried the body under cover of the waggon. This was about 7 o'clock, and the fire was as teavy as ever. The Capetown gun was in hot action all the lime, doing splendid service. Capt. Bayl_y (late adjutant of the 9th Foot), who was attached to the column as Commandant of Infantry Volunteers, was calm courage itself. There he was, conspicuous in white helmet and scarlet jacket, walking, revolver in hand, behind hia line of skirmishers, giving a cheery word here or a prompt order there, filling the volunteers with thorough confidence, in themselves and their officers. Nor was Captain Gordon, of our volunteers, one whit behind in 000 l pluck. ' In charge of a line of skirmishers, he encouraged his men by hia own example, quietly sitting down and adjusting his sights as if at a rifle match, and picking off the enemy one by one. Fortunately for our men, the Kffiars shoot higb, or it is difficult to see how the officers or the gunners and men near the^ guns escaped at all. Sergeantmajor Wesley, of our volunteers, had to cross the square for more ammunition in tbe hottest of the fire. Eyes were turned upon biro, expecting every moment to seehim fall, but he returned i without a scratch. Soon a private of the police and three moie of Prince Alfred's Guards were wounded. Darkness came on, . and ammunition began to run short. Captain Bayley ordered i the men to be chary of ammunition, and not to fire unless absolute neceesary. This reserving of our fire seemed to wear the enemy; their fire slackened, and at about II p.m. the ' last dropping shots ceased, and our wearied handful of men had a little breathing space. A deiisive voice jfrom the enemy's ranks called out in English, " Tou can go to sleep now till to-morrow ;" but the savage foe bad a little cause for his sarcsam, oc- i ciipied as he was in carrying off his wounded and securing the arms and ' ammunition of his numerous dead. j

■ _ _ : The men lay on their arms all night, momentarily expecting a &eoond attack. Captain Bayley resolved to husband his scanty score of ammunition till daylight, and ordered the men to nse their bayonets in case of a night attack. At 2 o'clock in the morning leisure was found to carry a little water to tbe wounded men, and after the arrival of a welcome reinforcement of mounted police from Tbeda, the next morning showed the enemy retiring, carrying off his wounded and the arras left on the scene of tbe action. »,i»f>nm«i I ii ■ I. — — »— M^WWgi p___,