LATEST FROM THE CAPE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5653, 13 May 1879, Page 2

LATEST FROM THE CAPE.

(PBOM THE “POST” OOBBE3PONDENT.) Sydney, May 12.

The Orient steamer Cuzco which arrived at Adelaide on Saturday brings full details from the Cape of the relief of Colonel Pearson’s camp at Ekowe, on March 23. It appears that Lord Chelmsford was obliged to start to the relief of the camp, with the comparatively small force under his command, without waiting for the reinforcements which were on their way to join him, and which were considered necessary to enable the British to attack with reasonable prospect of success, the enormous numbers of Zulus with which Colonel Pearson’s little force was surrounded. The reason that Lord Chelmsford had to march to the rescue so hurriedly was on account of his receiving intelligence that the besieged residents of the camp were in great distress owing to the want of bread.

The advancing column were twice opposed on the march by the enemy, and two short, but severe battles, lasting respectively three and six hours ensued. The sailors from H. M.S. Shah, who formed part of Lord Chelmsford’s forces, behaved with great gallantry, and the Gatling guns, being skilfully handled, wrought fearful havoc on the compact masses of the Zulus, who marched to the attack in solid bodies, instead of following the example of our soldiers, and spreading out in open order, taking advantage of the means of shelter afforded by the nature of the ground. After a desperate conflict the enemy were defeated with great slaughter in each case. It is esti - mated that no less than 5000 Zulus were left dead upon the ground. The punishment thus inflicted on the enemy appeared to have a very salutary effect, inasmuch as no further resistance was met with by our forces. Lord Chelmsford marched triumphantly forward without further conflict, and raised the siege, thereby relieving Colonel Pearson from a very critical position. News has also been received by the Cuzco of a terrible attack upon Colonel Wood’s forces, which, however, resulted in the most brilliant victory for our forces which has been recorded during the present campaign. The Zulus turned out four thousand head of cattle on the sides of the mountains in the neighborhood of where Colonel Wood was encamped, and a force of 35,000 native warriors then concealed themselves in ambush behind the hills. Two regiments of dragoons started off with the object of “looting” the cattle, and having secured a number of them were driving them to a place of safety, when the enemy suddenly swooped down ip overwhelming force from their ambuscades, and fell upon the unhappy soldiers. The dragoons fought with desperate bravery, but were overwhelmed with numbers. Only one man escaped to tell the tale, all the rest, without exception, being ruthlessly slaughtered. The refugee, on reaching the camp where the main body of Colonel Wood’s forces were entrenched, at once gave the alarm. Hasty defences were at once erected, and steps were taken to organise desperate resistance to the enemy, who, it was surmised, would speedily swoop down upon the camp. There was but little time for preparation before the storm burst, and the whole Zulu army made a sudden descent e/i masse upon the camp. Here again the Gatling guns of the British told with terrible effect upon the solid masses of the enemy, and with the steady fire from these guns, together with a constant storm of shell, whole divisions of the Zulus were swept away. The British also used their rifles with great precision and steadiness, and the well directed fire proved fearfully destructive to the enemy. The attack upon the camp was repeated again and again, but each time the enemy was repulsed with the greatest gallantry. At length the Zulus retired, baffled and discomfited, having lost 4000 of their men, killed and wounded.