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 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—

Largs, November, 1853.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

PAGE

Ordered to the Cape—Voyage Out—Bay of Biscay—Simon's Bay

1

CHAPTER II.

State of the Country on Arrival—Causes of War—Commencement of Hostilities by Kaffirs—Defection of Hottentots—Outrages on Settlers

7

CHAPTER III.

Landing—March up the Country—Coega River—Addo Bush—Quagga Flats—Assegai Bush—Grahams Town—Insurrection at Theopolis—Night March—Destruction of Rebel Camp—Route for Kaffirland—Ecca Pass—Fort Brown—Waggon Driving—Fort Hare—Preparation for the Field

18

CHAPTER IV.

Advance into Kaffirland—Camp at the Amatolas—Attack on the Amatolas—Fort Beaufort—Yellow-Woods—Return to Fort Hare—Clu Clu—Camp on the Koonap River—Waggon Escort—Sand Storm

44

CHAPTER V.

Reit Fontein—March to Somerset—Klip Fontein—Night March to Attack the Kromme—Bivouac on Kromme Heights—Standing Camp—Escorting Commissariat Supplies—Action on the Kromme Heights—Torture of Prisoners by Kaffirs—Witch Doctors—Return to Fort Beaufort—Sickness among the Troops—The Route—Band and Mess—Fingo Levies

75

CHAPTER VI.

Attack on the Waterkloof—Night Ascent of the Kromme—Engagement on the Waterkloof Heights—Bivouac after the Fight—Descent into Waterkloof Valley—Operations on the Heights—Halt for Supplies

103

CHAPTER VII.

Fourth Attack on Waterkloof—Eve of the Attack—Advance of Colonel Fordyce's Brigade—Burning Village—Difficulties of Ground—Advantages of the Kaffirs—Fall of Lieut.-Col. Fordyce and Lieut. Carey—Carrying Position—Kaffir Skirmishers—Bivouac on Mount Misery—Transport of Wounded—The Funeral—Hospital—Death of Lieuts. Gordon and Ricketts—Clearance of Waterkloof—Descent from the Heights—General Orders—Sunday at Beaufort

142

CHAPTER VIII.

Cattle Lifting—Fingoes Feasting—Kaffir Habits and Religious Notions—Language, Customs, Dress, Ornaments, Food, Weapons, &c.

161

CHAPTER IX.

Night Attack on Camp—Disposition of Troops on Frontier—Ride into Beaufort—Ambuscade—Post Retief—Movements of General Somerset—Sunday—Life at the Post—Visit to Dutch Laagers—Patrols—Skirmish with Kaffirs under Macomo—Ruined Settler—Deserted Farms—Dutch Hospitality—Vintage—Kaffir Night Signals—Cobra Capello—Riding on the Veldt

173

CHAPTER X.

Kaffir Hiding-place—Bushman Paintings—Cattle Stealing—Pursuit—Locusts—Fingo "Post Party"—Maize Thrashing—Burning Plains—Success of Trans-Kei Expedition—Patrol of Koonap District—Narrow Escape—Return to Fort

195

CHAPTER XI.

Destruction of Kaffir Crops—News from Head-Quarters—Reinforcements from England—Wreck of the "Birkenhead"—Arrival of Tylden's Detachment at Post—Preparations for Attack on Waterkloof—Disposition of Troops—March—Skirmishing—Rifle Shooting—Operations in Waterkloof—Taking of Macomo's Stronghold—Dispersion of the Enemy—Visit from a friendly Chief—Farewell of Sir H. Smith—Shelling the Kloofs—Chase after Kaffirs—Porcupines—Blinkwater Camp—Bushneck Pass—Covering Rifle Brigade—Public Funerals of Officers of 74th—Bivouac in ruined House—Snakes—Escape from Kaffirs—Rifle Brigade Camp—Attack on Captain Moody's Escort—Grahams Town—Lakeman's Volunteers

208

CHAPTER XII.

Sixth Attack on Waterkloof—Movement of Troops—Peep into Kaffir Village—Rainy Season—Fort Fordyce—Gallop after stolen Cattle—Quarters at Beaufort—Movement against Kreli—Forelaying Kaffir Pass—Ruins of Auckland—General Uithaalder and Staff—False Alarm—Young Locusts—Deaths in Hospital—Return of Kei Expedition

241

CHAPTER XIII.

Final Attack on Waterkloof—Ascent of Pass—Operations—Kaffir Prisoners—Fingo Notions of Warfare—Bush Manœuvres—Return to respective Camps—Pig Stalking—Baboons—Reconnaissance of the Ground of the Kromme Operations—Night Bivouac on the