SOUTH AFRICA.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2912, 15 June 1878, Page 2

SOUTH AFRICA.

The following'despatch has been receirrd from Colonel Hassard, C.8., 8.E., commanding Western District, Cape ot Good Hope, dated Cape Town, February 26th:— ' / ' *, "Sir, —I hare the honor toiniSrm yon that I hare received a telegram from His Excellency Sir A. Cunynghame, that Hef Majesty's troops had an action on Satarday last (the 23rd inst.) on the Thomas' Rirer. It was a complete riotory; 128 dead bodies were counted on the field, besides numbers of wounded. Casualties ?ery small on our side. Officers and men are reported to have behared splendidly. Mantanzina; son of .Sandhill, supposed to ha?e been wounded. His Excellency the General Commanding had desired me to write in order to sare the mail tearing at four p.m. this day." Despatches hare also been receired under date Feb. 15 from the general officer commanding the troops in South Africa. The Imperial forces hare again been successful in the Transkei. The battle of Quiutana, on Feb. 7, prored to be the most disastrous to the enemy of any yet fought. General Cunynghame draws special attention to the services of General Glyn, commanding in the Transkei, and of Captain Upcher, for the excellent way in which he 1 handled his force and the perfect suoceSa .he obtained. Captain Grenfell is mentioned as having behared with great gallantry while Lieut. Carnngton has shown great zeal and energy r not only by his example to his men on this occasion, but by the good service ho Has rendered on three former occasions upraising forces for serrice. mhe ap»- ol payg a high tribute to the conduct oi.ue troops generally. Their "readiness in r action, willingness to accept priration and the rapidity with which they took up the 1 positions entrusted to their', care, hard called for his constant approbation. The transport, commissariat, and medical arrangements were all that could be desired.

A Znlulrnd correspondent of the Natal Mercury stales that in the recent fight as many as from 150 to 200 of the young men were killed, and that Ceterayo's headmen hare been consulting the witch doctors as to what should be done. The result was that the Sing ordered up all regiments, in order that an emetic might be administered to every individual, so as ! to bring out the evil in their hearts, which causes them to fi^tit and kill each other. .' News from the Cane, dated March 19, says :—" Matters uare not. improved during the past week. Sandilli and his forces are in the^famoui Amatol range, and from the nature of the country it will be difficult to dislodge them. Two companies of the 24th Jfogiment hare been marched from King William's Town to the .Jzeli forest. The Colonial Burgheri are moving to the Keikamma and other points. The operations against Macomo, near Fort Beaufort, hare been so far successful. Our troops hare possession of the Waterkloof." ■ A -later despatch says:—" Despatches from Land- ' drost at Leydenburg report that-600 of Secoooeeni's Kaffirs surrounded the forts there. One or two Europeans were killed, and assistance is asked for. To-day the Kaffirs made a fierce attack on the colonial forces at Perie Bush; ; Captains Ella and Hart, of Queenstown, were slightly wounded, and Captain Shaw was acciden--1 tally killc 1 while on picket duty. General Thesiger is personally superintending the fight at the Perie Bush. Our force now numbers 5000, half troops and half volunteers. Brabant, having attacked.without orders, was obliged by the overwhelming strength of the enemy to retreat. Kreß is anxious to surrender conditionally';" Parliament was to meet at Cape Town on May 10. The Premier had announced as the Government programme- a defence b:"l, a vigorous native policy, disarmament,' and confederation. . < ' ' . Telegrams of Cape news to March 26, received by way of Madeira, states, that continuous fighting' has been going on in - the Pine Bush since the despatch of thei" previous mail. A Times telegram says: —f' General Thesiger is concentrating his "" forces around the rebels in the Amatolas. Several lives were lost in the bush-fight- - ing last week. Among others were Lieutenant Bradshaw, of the Fingoe levies; Captain Donovan and Lieu■tenant Ward, of the DiatEo;jJr§r"Field / Horse. Major War.en, R.E . was hurt ' by a tree which had been roil a down by the enemy, and is lj ing ill : . Brabant's Camp. Lieutenant Manley lias.4ied of* .: his wounds, and Trooper £. M. Bruce, of " Albany, of fever in the hospital. The Go-, vernor and the Premier are on their way to Cape Town. The reported out- / break of Secocoeni's Kaffirs on the north-'. - east bdrder of Transvaal is confirmed, anct _. is believed to be instigated by the Zulu chief Cetewayo." Becent intelligence brings fresh rumours, - of war from the interior, and a collision ._'. between the natives and the British troops— »« appears to be imminent. ,