Campaigning in Kaffirland; Or, Scenes and Adventures in the Kaffir War of 1851-52. William Ross King
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William Ross King
Campaigning in Kaffirland; Or, Scenes and Adventures in the Kaffir War of 1851-52
Published by Good Press, 2019
EAN 4057664591258
Table of Contents
CHAPTER I. ORDERED TO THE CAPE—VOYAGE OUT.
CHAPTER II. STATE OF THE COUNTRY ON ARRIVAL.
CHAPTER III. LANDING—MARCH UP THE COUNTRY—FIRST BRUSH WITH THE REBELS.
CHAPTER IV. ADVANCE INTO KAFFIRLAND—ATTACK ON THE AMATOLAS—FORT BEAUFORT—CAMP ON THE KOONAP RIVER.
CHAPTER VI. ATTACK ON THE WATERKLOOF—SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONS.
CHAPTER VII. FOURTH ATTACK ON THE WATERKLOOF.—DEATH OF LIEUT.-COL. FORDYCE, AND OTHER OFFICERS.
CHAPTER VIII. CATTLE LIFTING—KAFFIR AND FINGO CUSTOMS, ETC.
CHAPTER IX. NIGHT ATTACK ON CAMP.—POST RETIEF.
CHAPTER X. BUSHMAN PAINTINGS—LOCUSTS—RETURN Of TRANS-KEI EXPEDITION.
CHAPTER XI. DESTRUCTION OF KAFFIR CROPS—FIFTH ATTACK ON WATERKLOOF.
CHAPTER XII. SIXTH ATTACK ON THE WATERKLOOF—UITHAALDER—RETURN OF EXPEDITION AGAINST KRELI.
CHAPTER XIII. FINAL ATTACK, AND CLEARANCE OF THE WATERKLOOF.
CHAPTER XIV. EXPEDITION ACROSS THE GREAT ORANGE RIVER AGAINST THE BASUTO CHIEF MOSHESH.
CHAPTER XV. MARCH DOWN THE COUNTRY—TERMINATION OF THE WAR.
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 only—often of a Single Brigade or Corps—they 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—
"Hæc olim meminisse juvabit."
Largs, November, 1853.
LIST OF PLATES.
| CAMP UNDER THE AMATOLAS | Frontispiece |
| STORMING THE AMATOLAS | p. 49 |
| DEATH OF LIEUT.-COL. FORDYCE | 146 |
| BLINKWATER AND WATERKLOOF HEIGHTS | 224 |
| CROSSING THE ORANGE RIVER | 295 |
CAMPAIGNING IN KAFFIRLAND.
CHAPTER I.
ORDERED TO THE CAPE—VOYAGE 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.
The church bells softened and died away in the distance; streets, villas, and shipping grew indistinct; the fast-receding shores dwindled to a narrow strip; the long blue undulating line