CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. [From the Melbourne Argus, August 2 ]

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 664, 25 August 1852, Page 3

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. [From the Melbourne Argus, August 2 ]

By the Ckusan we have received Cape journals to the 29th June. The Kaffir Wav is yet as far fiom being settled as ever it was, nnd seems to become moie complicated every ihy. The S. J. Advertiser says :— " The report current some weeks ago, that the Goyernor had sent for more troops from England, was

contradicted on good authority. But the intelligence received by almost every post leads to the belief that something more is requited for accomplishing the war than General Cathcart has at present in hand. For eighteen months the enemy has maintained his position, not only on his own ground but within the colony. Large bodies of troops cannot find him. Small bodies cannot escape him. He seems to have lost nothing of his strength. He every day exhibits increasing skill, activity, and discipline. It is now manifest that Sir Harry Smith fearfully miscalculated the character of this enemy at -the first. Is it not possible that his successor may still under- estimate his resources? In the meantime the Frontier Colonists suffer all the \ miseries of invasion, and the troops are wasted in movements that end in nothing. To this must be added occasional misfortunes that fill the hostile tribes with pride and confidence. Escorts are intercepted and plundered. Stations, considered strong and well defended, like Mount Coke, are attacked in open day, with complete success, with a combination of horse and foot, ovincing foresight, rapidity, and steadiness, which the best officers and the best troops could not surpass. And on the 13th of the present month, a I party of Sappers and Miners, with five waggons, containing amongst other things, a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition, was surprised and defeated within hearing of Fort Brown, and only half-way between Graham's Town and Head- Quarters. The attack was made on Suuday, the 13th. They halted at Fort Brown, and were waylaid a short distance from that Post. It is clear that tbo enemy were aware of their approach, which the time spent on the route, and the halt at Fort Brown sufficiently account for. In- ' deed he seemi to be aware of almost every movement on the British side, while his own movements are invariably eoMeeaJed with consummate address. The p irt of the country where this took place, had been patrolled by General Yorke a short time before, and nothing seen to excite suspicion, yet the attacking party was large, and consisted both of horse and foot." The Grajtam't Town Journal of June 1 5th pives a fuller account of this disaster: — " We have the pain of recording to-day one of the severest misfortunes the Colony has experienced since the commencement of the war. It appears lint on Friday last a small train, consisting of one mule and four o*-waggons, left Graham's Town for Fo-t Beaufort with 3i men of the Ro;al Sappers and Miners, under the command of Captain Moodie, R.E. A few of these men were to be left at Fort Brown, the remainder to proceed to head-quarters. Nothing particular occur^d for the first twenty-five miles, and as the patrol which had just been out under General Yorke had not discovered anything to exci'e uneasiness, no apprehension of attack was felt; md hence, after halting at Fort Brown, where a few of the men were left, the rest moved forward without anxiety and without obstruction to (he Konap. This river j was forded, and the waggons had reached a dry ravine I just at the foot of the Konnp hill, when a strong party of Hotten'ots was found lying in ambuscade, and suddenly opened a murderous fire upon them — the result being, eleven of our men shot dead and seven wounded. This reduced the number of the escort to some fifteen serviceable men, who, finding themselves entirelysurrounded by the rebels, s w that the only hope of saving themselves was by retreat to the ruins of the abandoned military post adjacent. These ruins they succeeded in reaching, and instantly barricaded themselves in as well as they were able with such materials as were on the spot, fully expecting an immediate attack by the rebel force. The latter, however, contented themselves with driving off the waggons in which were four women and ten children, and a great deal of baggage of consideiable value, not the Jeost important part of it being thirty-six of the new invented M nic muskets,— the nipples of which, however, had been very prudently taken out by order of Major Burnaby, and sent forward by another conveyance, so that they will be of little use to the captorg. The marauders, on the retreat of the military, proceeded to rifle the waggons — and went off with the whole of the fire-arms and ammunition, and whatever else they chose to appropriate. The wounded have been brought to Fort Brown. One of the waggondrivers escaped, and went forward to Leneu Fontein, whence a party was sent to the scene of attack, but without being able to do more than assist the party left with the wounded. Colonel Perceval with the Lancers had returned ; we are not in possession of any information as to whether means have been adopted to overtake the marauders. On the information reaching Governor Kops on Sunday evening, a troop of Lancers immediately started for the scene of encounter, under command ol Mr. Prior — being followed the next day by Colonel Perceval and another troop, as above stated. Besides the Minie muskets, the arm chest of the Sap perl and Miners, containing fifteen carbines, was also captured. In addition to the arms, these waggons contained toola and Implements for building, &c, clothing and saddleiy. Accompanying the Sappers and Miners was a young gentleman, an amateur, recently from England u and a sergeant of the 91st regiment. The waggons "contained the stationery chest, with all the books and papers of the 9th company of R. S. and M. On the attack being made, the report of the musketry was heard at Fort Brown, on which Lieutenant Bagnpll, in command of that post, with great promptitude des. patched fifty infantry and a few mounted men to the scene of action. No information is given as towh«t loss was sustained by the rebels, but it is said that several were shot, but were carried off by their comrades." But there have been reprisals made. The C. T. Mail says: — " Intelligence has been received from the Amatolas, by the King William l s Town post just arrived. The combined forces under Major- General Yotke, Colonel Michel, and Colonel Eyre, destined for that purpose, proceeded to the camp of the rebel Hot* 'eniots ; and while Colonel Eyre was engaged in posting a detachment consisting of but two companies of the 73rd, about 500 or 600 Hottentots came furiously upon them, and surrounded them. Colonel Eyre ordered the men to charge, and while the rebels were giving way before the onset of his men, a party of ihe Lancers arrived and completed their dif order and defeat. They fled in all directions, leaving thirty of their number dead on the spot, and one C«pe Corps sergeant, who was taken prisoner, was hung on the nearest tree. Their huts were destroyed, and part of the Minie rifles and ammunition which had been taken from the mule waggon on the Beaufort road was recaptured. Colonel Eyre hud a very narrow escape» having his horse shot under him, and receiving a ball through the lower part of his trowsers. It is understood that the Uoops will not leave the Amatolas until they have completely dispersed and broken up the power of the I enemy in that quarter." Colonel Eyre is about to proceed to Cape Town for a short time on leave. He certainly is the man to fight both Hottentots and Kaffirs. " King William's Town, 22nd June. — General Yoike marched from here between 8 and 9 o'clock on Saturday night, the 19th instant, moving in three columns to attack Uithaalder's laager in the Cuenchwe heights. Colonel Eyre with his division made a simultaneous movement on the same point, and at early dawn we were cheered with a sight of the' laager in flames. Heavy filing had been distinctly heard for more than an hour, and occasional shoti were heard during the day. General Yorke had three of Toise's people *s guides. Kaffir reports soys that the Hottentots were surprised. 2, p.m. — Colonel Eyre arrived here last night indisposed. Two compunies of the 43rd attacked the rebel Hottentots at daybreak, and shot twenty-five rebels, among (hem two deserters — a sergeant and corporal of the C. M. It. The rebels are stated to have been sor 600 strong, and to have fired only one volley, after which they fled into the bush. The 43rd burned more than one hundred huts, taking a quantity of plunder of every description ; three Miuie titles were found. Only three soldiers on our side were wounded, one of them by a Minie rifle ball, evidently rammed into ihe gun the wrong way. A number of Hottentot women were Uken, who say that the rebels have a quantity of ammunition and guns concealed in a ravine, and the troops are engaged in seai clung for the stores. One Cape Corps deserter sho r , had a gold watch and chain. A soldier found a pouch full of sovereigns. Further supplies, with two guns, have been sent to General Yo.ke." Another communication states, that Colonel Eyie had liia horse shot under him, and that he was slightly grazed on the knee by the shot. Tlie journals add:— the frontier news of the week may be thought rather gloomy. The Tambookies and Ki eh's people beyond the Kei, take the present impunity and partial successes of the Gaikns for proofs of weakness on the part of tbe British. There can be no doubt that Kreii and his people sympathize with their countrymen. They only waited to see who was the strongest. Krtli may have his owu rensons, also, for supporting the Gaikas in their present position. .Regarding them aa friends while on this side of the Kei, he may view them in a different light whmduven across it into his territories. A warlike tribe seeking Innd is a most unwelcome guest to an African chief, Tbe expulsion of ijje Gaikas in that direction wonld ni fact be an equally •evere punishment on Kreli. IJe

would in the end be the principal loser in point of land. Tor this view of the case on Kerli's part, nnd Ks natural results, the Governor will have to mnko prepartition. Tt threatens a very expensive and prolonged series of hostilities. A report has been received from the Rev. W. Imppy, Wesleyan Missionary nt Mount Coke, that a party of about 50 dismounted Hottentots had attacked ilint stHtion on the night of the ?nd instant. Having made a sudden rush upon the station nnd fired a volley upon some wagon drivers and otbeis who were encamped near the kraals belonging to the station people, the enemy proceeded to cut loose the oxen (about 45^ tied to tbe wagons, but failed to get off any cattle from the kraals. Several Eiugoes were killed on both sides. The last Post from the Orange River Sovereignty brought the melancholy news of tbe death of Major Hogge, one of tbe two Assistants to the High Commissioner, appointed last year by Earl Grey. Major Hogge was well known on tbe frontier as a gallant soldier and active officer in tbe last Caffer war. A treaty has been concluded between the British Government and tbe Trans- Vaal ßoers, of whom tha well-known Pretorius ia commandant-General. A public dinner was given to this gentlemen at DUrban by the principal inhabitants on tbe occasion.