William Ross King - Campaigning in Kaffirland; Or, Scenes and Adventures in the Kaffir War of 1851-52

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CAMP UNDER THE AMATOLAS.

---

CAMPAIGNING
IN KAFFIRLAND
OR
Scenes and Adventures
IN
THE KAFFIR WAR OF 1851-2.

BY
CAPT. W. R. KING,
74TH HIGHLANDERS.

With Illustrations.

LONDON
SAUNDERS AND OTLEY, CONDUIT STREET.
1853.

---

PREFACE.

The following pages make no pretension to a detailed history of the military operations of the Kaffir War. Written during leisure hours, in a lonely fort, or by the camp fire after the fatigues of the day, and mainly embracing the movements of one Division onlyoften of a Single Brigade or Corpsthey attempt merely to convey a general idea of the country, and of the scenes and passing events of the Campaign. Should any comrade who shared its dangers and hardships peruse this account, it is hoped he will also share the feeling which first prompted the Author to record them in the Field and now to present the narrative to the public

"Hc olim meminisse juvabit."

Largs, November, 1853.

---

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

PAGE

Ordered to the CapeVoyage OutBay of BiscaySimon's Bay

CHAPTER II.

State of the Country on ArrivalCauses of WarCommencement of Hostilities by KaffirsDefection of HottentotsOutrages on Settlers

CHAPTER III.

LandingMarch up the CountryCoega RiverAddo BushQuagga FlatsAssegai BushGrahams TownInsurrection at TheopolisNight MarchDestruction of Rebel CampRoute for KaffirlandEcca PassFort BrownWaggon DrivingFort HarePreparation for the Field

CHAPTER IV.

Advance into KaffirlandCamp at the AmatolasAttack on the AmatolasFort BeaufortYellow-WoodsReturn to Fort HareClu CluCamp on the Koonap RiverWaggon EscortSand Storm

CHAPTER V.

Reit FonteinMarch to SomersetKlip FonteinNight March to Attack the KrommeBivouac on Kromme HeightsStanding CampEscorting Commissariat SuppliesAction on the Kromme HeightsTorture of Prisoners by KaffirsWitch DoctorsReturn to Fort BeaufortSickness among the TroopsThe RouteBand and MessFingo Levies

CHAPTER VI.

Attack on the WaterkloofNight Ascent of the KrommeEngagement on the Waterkloof HeightsBivouac after the FightDescent into Waterkloof ValleyOperations on the HeightsHalt for Supplies

CHAPTER VII.

Fourth Attack on WaterkloofEve of the AttackAdvance of Colonel Fordyce's BrigadeBurning VillageDifficulties of GroundAdvantages of the KaffirsFall of Lieut.-Col. Fordyce and Lieut. CareyCarrying PositionKaffir SkirmishersBivouac on Mount MiseryTransport of WoundedThe FuneralHospitalDeath of Lieuts. Gordon and RickettsClearance of WaterkloofDescent from the HeightsGeneral OrdersSunday at Beaufort

CHAPTER VIII.

Cattle LiftingFingoes FeastingKaffir Habits and Religious NotionsLanguage, Customs, Dress, Ornaments, Food, Weapons, &c.

CHAPTER IX.

Night Attack on CampDisposition of Troops on FrontierRide into BeaufortAmbuscadePost RetiefMovements of General SomersetSundayLife at the PostVisit to Dutch LaagersPatrolsSkirmish with Kaffirs under MacomoRuined SettlerDeserted FarmsDutch HospitalityVintageKaffir Night SignalsCobra CapelloRiding on the Veldt

CHAPTER X.

Kaffir Hiding-placeBushman PaintingsCattle StealingPursuitLocustsFingo "Post Party"Maize ThrashingBurning PlainsSuccess of Trans-Kei ExpeditionPatrol of Koonap DistrictNarrow EscapeReturn to Fort

CHAPTER XI.

Destruction of Kaffir CropsNews from Head-QuartersReinforcements from EnglandWreck of the "Birkenhead"Arrival of Tylden's Detachment at PostPreparations for Attack on WaterkloofDisposition of TroopsMarchSkirmishingRifle ShootingOperations in WaterkloofTaking of Macomo's StrongholdDispersion of the EnemyVisit from a friendly ChiefFarewell of Sir H. SmithShelling the KloofsChase after KaffirsPorcupinesBlinkwater CampBushneck PassCovering Rifle BrigadePublic Funerals of Officers of 74thBivouac in ruined HouseSnakesEscape from KaffirsRifle Brigade CampAttack on Captain Moody's EscortGrahams TownLakeman's Volunteers

CHAPTER XII.

Sixth Attack on WaterkloofMovement of TroopsPeep into Kaffir VillageRainy SeasonFort FordyceGallop after stolen CattleQuarters at BeaufortMovement against KreliForelaying Kaffir PassRuins of AucklandGeneral Uithaalder and StaffFalse AlarmYoung LocustsDeaths in HospitalReturn of Kei Expedition

CHAPTER XIII.

Final Attack on WaterkloofAscent of PassOperationsKaffir PrisonersFingo Notions of WarfareBush ManuvresReturn to respective CampsPig StalkingBaboonsReconnaissance of the Ground of the Kromme OperationsNight Bivouac on the top of the KrommeLieuwe Fontein and Life at a Frontier PostCattle RaidPuff AdderYoung LocustsFingo Fight

CHAPTER XIV.

Expedition across the Great Orange River against the Basuto Chief, MosheshObject of ExpeditionPreparations for the MarchFort ArmstrongElands PostTambookie HerdsmenKamastoneTwa Taffel BergVast PlainsDutch Farm-houseStormbergIntense Cold on the MountainsBurghersdorpCamp by NightFirst Sight of the Orange RiverEnglish MailFishing in the Caledon RiverHerds of Wild GameWildebeest HuntImmense FrogsReturn of a missing OfficerDung BeetlesPlatbergBarolong ChiefsInterview with MosheshRide through Basuto VillagesJerboasArrival of part of fine of CattleBasutosAction at BereaMoshesh's Letter to the GovernorDistribution of captured CattleReturn of the Force

CHAPTER XV.

March down the CountryChristmas DayFlocks of migratory StorksHerds of GameFlood in the Orange RiverNarrow Escape in crossingReturn to the ColonyFort BeaufortTermination of the WarHomeward Bound

---

LIST OF PLATES.

CAMP UNDER THE AMATOLAS
STORMING THE AMATOLAS	p.
DEATH OF LIEUT.-COL. FORDYCE
BLINKWATER AND WATERKLOOF HEIGHTS
CROSSING THE ORANGE RIVER

---

CAMPAIGNING IN KAFFIRLAND.

CHAPTER I.
ORDERED TO THE CAPEVOYAGE OUT.

The service companies of the 74th Highlanders were under orders to sail from Cork for Gibraltar early in March, 1851. Our heavy baggage had already been sent by a sailing vessel to anticipate our arrival, H.M.S.S. "Vulcan" lay at Queenstown ready to take us on board, and the all-engrossing topics were the cork-woods of Andalusia, yachting in the Bay of Algesiras, or the chances of future quarters among the olive-groves of Corfu; when, in consequence of tidings received by government of the serious aspect of affairs in British Kaffraria, and the urgent demands of Sir H. Smith for fresh troops, our orders were suddenly countermanded, and, at three days' notice, we were steaming out of harbour for the seat of the Kaffir war.

We weighed anchor on a bright Sunday morning, March 16th, after a hasty scramble in the short time left us to lay in stores for the additional length of voyage, and get an outfit of rifles, pistols, saddles, and camp equipage; with a few shirts, boots, and other articles for the use of the outer man, absolutely necessary to supply the loss of our unlucky baggage, by that time some hundreds of miles away in a different direction. No friends or relatives accompanied us on embarkation to say farewell; no pressing of hands or waving handkerchiefs. Lounging groups of Sunday-dressed sailors smoked and looked on in indifference; the bells rang out merrily, and the church-going crowds wended their way along the quiet sunny streets as usual.

The sister service, however, bade us a hearty farewell; having got steam up, and sails set, in less than forty minutes after the Admiral's signal, three-times-three lusty cheers burst from the manned yards and rigging of the "Ajax" and "Hogue," as we swept swiftly past, which were returned with such right good will, that we made but a very hoarse return to a last parting cheer from the forts at the mouth of the harbour.

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