CETEWAYO'S LAST FIGHT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1162, 18 October 1883, Page 3

CETEWAYO'S LAST FIGHT.

Full particulars of Cetewayo'a last fight with the Usibepu, and his overthrow, have at length been received, forwarded from the scene of battle by a European, who was an eye witness. A special messenger sent with despatched immediately after the event was killed on his way hither, which accounts for the delay. Usibepu's impi arrived within two miles of Ulundi very early on the morning of July 21st, after marching the whole night. At Ulnn.li Cetewayo had assembled seventy companies of men, and was waiting for the arrival of Mnyamana and Abaqnalusi with their impis, intending to nuke a descent on Manhlnjnzi, in conjunction witli the Somkela and. a horde of Tongas from the const. Halting fur a few moments to allow all his followers to come up, Usibepu foirncd companies anil marched on Ulundi, without taking time for rest or food. Cetewayo's scouts soon announced the approach of the enemy, and the whole of his forces turned out to meet them. The attaek commenced on Usibepu's left wing, and after ten minutes brisk fire was up. By this time Usibepu himself had brought up his right wing, and at once led them into action. This movement, and, indeed, the whole attack, was managed throughout by.Usibepu iu a way that would have done no discredit to o European officer. The command to charae was given, and the whole impi rushed down "on Cetewayo's army in excellent style. In a few minutes all

was over. The Usutua wavered, broke, and were soon flying in all directions, and within less then than half an hour after the attack commenced Ulundi was in flames. The enthusiasm and dash of the attack could not have been excelled. Usibepu himself seemed to be everywhere, exposing himself wherever the fire was hottest, and encouraging the different companies by name. Notwithstanding the brisk fire of the Usutus, the men advanced as steadily as if on parade, quietly closing in the ranks as they were th'nned by the shots from the King's army, which was immensely superior in numbers to that of Usibepu, Cetewayo having seven thousand men to the latter's three thousand. Dabulamauzi sat at the kraal gates at first, watching the fighting, and occasionally firing shots from his rifle ; but when the Usutus broke he fled on horseback, carrying his 6on behind him. Finding, however, that the boy hampered him in flight he dropped hira, and left him to his fate. By this means Dabulamansi escaped, but the boy was killed, When the pursuit reached Ulundi Kraal, Cetewayo, who does not seem to have been aware of the full import of what was going on, fled hurriedly. He tried to mount a horse, but was unsuccessful. He then fled en foot and unclothed for about a mile and a-half, when he was spied by some of Usibepu's men, who stabbed him twice. The men then became frightened at what they had dono and left him, and immediately afterwards, meeting my correspondent, they told him that they had captured Cetewayo. He told them not to harm him, and immediately rode after Usibepu, to inform him that his victory was complete. Usibepu at once sent out a company to briug m Cetewayo, but they were unable to find him.