THE ZULU WAR.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5682, 16 June 1879, Page 3

THE ZULU WAR.

ATTACK ON COLONEL WOOD’S OAIIP.

Latest news from Capetown, on April 1, states that Colonel Wood attacked Umbelini’s stronghold on March 28, capturing a large number of cattle. Two thousand Zulus afterwards retpok the cattle, and on March 29 attacked Colonel Wood’s camp; After four hours’ fighting the attack was, repulsed, but only with great loss on the British side, seven officers and seventy men being killed, including Capt.; the ; Hon, B. G. B. Campbell, Coldstream Guards,: Piet Uys (commanding the Boers, who joined Colonel Wood), and' Lloyd. The Colonial Secretary of Natal has telegraphed to the Colonial Secretary of Cape Colony announcing that Cetewayo had sent messengers to Lord Chelmsford making overtures for peace. It is thought, however, that, this proceeding on the part of the Zulu King was a ruse to obtain information with regard to the movements of the. British troops. The force for the relief of Eknwe started on March 28. It was composed of 6000 men, with 2 Gatling guns, two other cannon, several rocket tubes, Al 3 waggons, and 56 pack-mules. Col. Law commands the advanced guard, which consists of the brigades brought by the Shah and Tenedos, .two companies of the Buffs, five of-the' 99th' Regiment, and the whole of the 91st Regiment; Two companies of mounted natives and a battalion of native foot; march en either side of the waggons, Major Pemberton commanded the rear guard, which was composed of the naval brigade (200 men),: brought by the corvette Boadicea, the 57th Regiment, the 3rd Battalion of the 60th Rifles, and a squadron of; mounted' natives, the commodore and staff. The column were all well on March 30. ; On: the. afternoon of that day Colonel Pearson signalled that he saw the head of the column entrenching on the Amatakubi: river. He also signalled on March 27 that 150 men of his garrison were ill, and 50. of them wounded ; that 35,000 Zulus were lying in wait for the column, and that of his troops only 500 would be able to render assistance. OIfKAT BATTLE WITH THE ZOLH ARMY. Telegrams received in London on April 22 bring the following important news ; The Ekowe Relief Column, under Lord Chelmsford’s command, on. reaching Ginglelova on April! was informed of the advance of great masses of the enemy. The troops formed in laager, and strengthened the entrenchments ; the Zulus appeared, skirmishing on the right front. The Rifles and the Naval Brigade on the north-east. first engaged a' large force, 1 which appeared oh the surrounding heights. The Zulus fought bravely and advanced within thirty yards of the entrenchments. The attack lasted nearly one hour,; when the Zulus retreated precipitately, pursued by Barrow’s Mounted Infantry and the Native Contingent.

Later official accounts from Ginglelova say that the relieving column, under Lord Chelmsford, formed; in laager on the afternoon of April 1. There were very heavy rains through? out the evening, arid the Zulus were hovering about the camp.' On' April 2 the Zulus attacked the laager on each side in succession, two distinct forces being employed.' The enemy advanced in a very courageous manner, but they never got within twenty yards of the shelter trenches. Tn two hours the attack was repulsed and the enemy retreated, followed by the mounted infantry under. Barrow and Barton,’ arid Nettleton’s regiment of the Natal contingent. Our troops, few of whom had been under ’ fire before, behaved splendidly, the sabres of the mounted infantry doing great execution. The fight was 1 witnessed from Ekowe, : ’ Colonel ■ Pearson, by flashing signals, congratulating the general on his success. Colonel Northey, of the 60th Rifles, killed ; and Langfield, of the Tenedos, dangerously wounded. : Major Barrow, of the 19th Hussars, and Captain Hirixman, of the 57th Regiment,' slightly wounded; .Twentynine sailors and soldiers wounded. One native was Jailed and ten wounded. Four hundred aid severity-'orie'bodies of Zulus lie within 1000 yards, of r the laager. , The long grass and bushes holped their approach and also assisted their retreat. . The Zulu total lose is-estimated at 1000. The, following are known to have been part of eleven regiments which shared in the'attack, namely, the Monameridsi, Zwawana, Nokene, Nodwen, XTnemsilya, Unembbmambo. The prisoners state that 195 companies in all were engaged, numbering about 11,000 men.’ Dabrilamanzi, the King’s brother, led the, final attack,while'Somopri was in chief command.