THE ZULU WAR.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 84, 8 April 1879, Page 4

THE ZULU WAR.

On the 24th January Colonel Evelyn Wood attacked a Zulu army of about 4000 men sent against him, and totally defeated them, the enemy flying in all directions. No casualties on our side. Kewa has been received from Colonel Pearson to the 12th February. The position at Ekowe has been rendered virtually impregnable. The fort is capable of holding more than 10,000 men. The whole number oi its present occupants is 1785, of whom 1360 are combatants. The waggons, 80 in num-.\ ber, of which three-fourtha are without oxen, are all inside. Some were abandoned on th& line of march, and aome were captured by the enemy when being loaded up with wood at some distance from the fort. Great numbers of cattle have also been captured, while grazing, under an inadequate guard of three natives. The ditch surrounding the fort is Baid to be twelve feet broad and seventeen feet deep from the top of the earthworks. The bottom ia studded with assegai heads of the number of several thousands, and the foreground is mined with dynamite. At night, outlaying pickets, to the number of 300 natives, with mounted European officers, are thrown out to a distance of nearly five miles. Within the last few days very large bodies of Zulus have shewn themselves in the neighborhood, and it is understood that Colonel Pearson has made application, for reinforcements in order that he may be enabled to pursue should there be an unsuccessful attack. His position is quite impregnable, but the fort is provisioned for so short a period — what is not reliably known— as to make relief a matter of present necessity. It is said that the supplies will not hold out more than a month.