CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. [From the Sydney Morning Herald.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 808, 30 April 1853, Page 3

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. [From the Sydney Morning Herald.]

The foi'owinw summary of news from theCape Town Mail, of the 25th of January, gives a graphic account of the Dscember proceedings : Foremost in importance among the events of the fist month, we have to notice the expedition of Gpneral Caihcatt into the country of the Basoota chief Moshesh, and the sanguinary battle of Berea, followed by the submission of that chief, and the prompt return of the troops into tbe colony. Having issued the Proclamation which appeared in our last summary,— declaring ih3t his object was, " not to make war but to settte all disputes and establish, the blessings of peace/ and commanding "all chiefs and men of all classes and tribes" to remain qttiet, and abide by his judgment and decision, — General Cathcart proceeded across the Orange Riter, into tbe Sovereignty, and, on the Ist of December, enramped at Comer issie Drift, on the Caledon River, where be wns joined by Colonel Eyre, 73rd Rsgt., and Colonel Duff, 74th, witb their respective columns ; ibe whole forces including the column under Kis Excellency's immediate command amounting to about 2,500 men of all arms. Her*?, in reply to an address presented to him by the inhabitants of Ca'.edon, General Cathcart announced that be bad summoned the chiefs Moshesb, Molitsane, Sikonyelta, Moroko, and Gert Taaybosch, to meet him at Platberg on the 13th, and tbat each of those chiefs would be compelled to pay the amount of cattle which the Commissioners after dne investigation, should think fit to award. On the Btb, the camp moved forward towards Plaiberg, and was joined by a detachment of the 45tb regiment, under Lieutenant Howard, with some field pieces ; while 40 burghers of a neighbouring field-cornetcy turned out to protect the border, in the rear of the Governor's operations. Unfortunately during the first day's march, his Excellency lost tbe valuable aid of his Military Secretary, Colonel Seymour, vrho was thrown violently from bis borse, by which his left shoulder was fractured, and he had consequently to be conveyed in a cart, to the neighbouring village of Smithfield. On the morning of the 13th, his Excellency arrived at Platberg, which he found deserted by tbe natives, thF ouly person remaining there being Mr. Giddy, a Wesleyan Missionary, who has for a considerable nqmber of years laboured among the Basoutas. In the eveniDg, two young chiefs, sons of Mosbesh, came to the camp, but General Cathcart refused to see them ; and next morning they returned to their father's " great place," Tbaba Bossigo, accompanied byMr. Commissioner Owen, wbo was the bearer of a message (see Mail, January 4.) demanding that a fine of 10,000 cattle and 1000 borse be paid within three day 3. Next day Moshesh himself made bis appearance, and an interview took place between him and tbe General, highlycbaracteris'.ic on both sides. Tbe " talk" is reported, in an official notice afterwards published. (See Mail of the above date.) Oa the third day, tbe IStb, 3500 head of cattle were brought in by Moshesh's son Nehemiah; and on the 19tb, no more appearing, the ordpr was given for the troops to tdvioce. Colonel Eyre, wilb t large boty of cavalry and infantry, and two guns, moved forward and encamped on the Upper Caledon waggon drift, in order to cut off the comrnuoication betweeD the country of Moshesh and that of Molitzini, a neighbouring chief from whom tbe Basontai were expected to obtain assistance ; and on the 20th, a combined attack was made in three columns, Upon tbe Berea Mountain, were vast droves of cattle were known to be collected* Here a desperate resistance was encountered, no less than 6000 armed Basouta horsemen assai'* ing the troops in the plain,wbile on the mountain* large bodies on fdot used every effort to prevent the cattle from being captured. The first column led by the General in person appears to have drawn first fire* His Excellency rode forward, to give *n opportunity for a parley, and was saluted with a shot ; upon which tbe cavalry extended and advanced, and the enemy, who took up & position in some stony ground, were dispersed l>y a couple of rounds of shrapnel, aod fled towards the main stronghold, Thab» Bossigo. The infantry were then brought up, and the column then moved forward to tbe point where the two others were directed to meet* "Whilst ia this position," tbe report states, « the enemy were collecting in fresh patches of horsemen in all directions ; those approaching within distance were driven lack. On the clearing away of a thunder storm and rain, the enemy suddenly displayed bis whole force. Masses of horsemen tfere observed to move from the Thaba Bosigo Poort to turn oar right, whilst large bodies of them extended along oar front. These movements were conducted with the utmost order and regularity." Col. Eyre's column, in the meantime, gtlUntly swept over the summit of the mountain. Favoured by tbe rocky »nd acclivitoos ground, the enemy at first disputed the passage with great determination, but, on tbe troops cresting tbe heicrhts, they disappeared and fled io ill directions, great numbers of them being killed and taken prisoners. Here 80,000 bead of cattle were captured; but owing to the small number of mounted men attached to the column, it wts found impossible to retain possession of more than 1500. Tbus encumbered, the column wat descending to the place of rendezvous, when an unfortunate circumstance occurred. 200 or 300 mounted men wbo suddenly appeared in front, some with white bans on their beads, and bearing lances, were taken for his Excellency* escort, and before tbe error was discovered Capt. Faonce, 73rd Regt v with two or three men, fell into ibis ingeniously contrived ambuscade, and were killed. Tbe number of tbe enemy afterwards increased. and the column was pressed upon by 700 or 800 mounted men, who charged up spveral times within two or three hundred yaids, but recoiled before the steady gallantry of the covering skirmishers wbo cooolly lay down to receive them ; an'l some roekeis, skilfully sent in amongst them, by C»p«. tbe Hon. G. Devereaux, at last put

them to flight. At a subsequent period of the day this column was surrounded on all sides by from 6000 to 7000 mounted men, through whom they gallantly fought tbeir way. "Our position," Col. Eyre writes, " was most critical ; but ihe coolness and steadiness of tbe men, though op posed to such overwhelming numbers, — at the dose, too, of a long and arduous day, during which we have not been able to hall one« for re•freshraent — was all that a soldier need desire." ' When the operations were in progress, the third column, under Lieut.-Col. Napier, consistsisiiug of 114 of the 12ih Lanceis and 119 Cape Mounted Rifles, proceeded round the south-east base of the mountain, in order to intercept any cattle driven in that direction. Here they were not long in falling in with a large drove, wbicb they secured, the enemy making little resistance; but shortly afterwards the rear guard was sud- 1 deuly attacked and driven in by about 700 •mounted men. A desperate conflict ensued, tbe enemy striving to outrank tbe troops, who were greaily impeded by the rugged nature of the .ground. This, however, was prevented by the ateady front maintained by tbe Cape Corps ; and oo reaching open ground a splendid charge was made by the, Lancers, wbicb sent the enemy flying up tbe mountain in all directions. The cattle were again collected, and although repeated attempts were afterwards made to retake them, 5500 bead, and 55 horses were taken to the camp. The loss of life during tbe day, on both tides, is truly lamentable. The exact number is not known, but it is stated that from 500 to 700 of tbs Basutos were killed, the destructive Minie rifle, with wbicb a large proportion of tbe troops were armed, making terrible havoc among them. On tbe part of tbe British force, tbe following casualties were sustained in this bard-fought field:— 12th Lancers. — Killed, 4 non-commissioned officers and 23 privates. Wounded, 1 nou>commissioned officer. 43 Regt. — Wounded 1 officer (Lie at. the Hon. H. Annesley,) 1 non-commissioned officer, and 5 privates, severely. j* 73rd.— Killed, 1 officer (Capt. lflrance, D.A. ■Q.M* General,) and 2 privates. Wounded, 1; officer, (Capt. Wellesley, D.A.A.-Gen.) 1 noncommissioned officer, and 1 private. - . Rifle Brigade. — Killed, 3 privates. > Cape Mounted Riflemen. — Killed, 5 privates. 1 Wounded, 1 non-commissioned officer and 3 privates. Total. — Killed, 1 officer, 4 non-commissioned, officers, and 33 privates. Wounded. — 2 officers, 4 non-commissioned of-, jicer?, and 9 privates. 4 Tbe number of cattle captured by the forces is not stated, but it is believed to fall considerably short of the 10,000 demanded. Most opportunely for the prestige of the British name in South Africa, on tbe aiternoon of the following day, a messenger arrived in camp, bearing a flag of tince, and tbe following letter to General Cathcart : — " Tbaba Bossigo, midnight, 20lh December, 1852. Your Excellency. — This day you have fought against my people, and taken much caltfe. As tbe object for wbicb yon have come is to have a compensation for tbe Boers, I beg you will be satisfied with what you have taken. I entreat peace from you, — yon bave shown your power, — you have chastised,— let it be enough I pray you ; and let me no longer be considered an enemy of tbo Queen. I will try all I can to keep my people in order in the, future. Yonr bumble servant, Moshesh." To which His Excellency retur ned a reply accepting this submission.