CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXI, Issue 2602, 20 November 1865, Page 5

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

By tho arrival of the ' Pioneer' from Mauritius, we have Graham's Town papers to the 10th Augmfc inclusive. We inako the following extracts :—: — THE FREE STATE WAR. 12,000 SHEEP, 7,000 HEAD OF CATTLE, 700 HORSES, AND 125 WAGONS CAPTCJUED FROM THG ENEMY.— ATTACK ONTHABA BOSIGO. The Friend of the Free Slnte, received on Thursday evening, August 17, givos the followiug :—: — On Thursday (last) evening about sundown ft a express arrived from his Honor the President at the drift of the Caledon River, known ai Jack Mann's Drift. This express left the camp at daylight on the 9th insb. From the extinct belo.v of our correspoudent'i letter it will be seen that a partially successful attack had bom made on Thalia Bosigo mi the Sth hist., which was to bo renewed — let us hope — with entire mccess on the 9th. Coinmaudant Wippeuor, with hii force, had joiued on Friday, 4th instant. On the authority of Basuto prisouers it has been ascertained that Molappo ii away watching the movements of the Natal troops. Moperi is said to be in the cannibal mountain im the Quathiatnba, and has tefused further help to Mosheih. BushuH and Mooiroso are both absent, the former through want of horses, and the latter being on the colouial side of the river. All the remaining Basuto chiefs and their fighting men are ' at Thaba Bosigo, prepared to fight to the last. The way in which communication was opened with the groat luager wns this : — Mr. Thomas Webster, who had repeatedly offered his services to the President for that purpose, »ai at length peimitted to call for Tolunteera to ride through, when upwaula of 30 offered theimclves, among 1 whom was Fieldcornet Mr. A. van Soelen, of Fauiesmith, with his men, all of whom were accepted. Also Bouwer, J. Niekerk, L. J. Pnpenfns, \V. Sephton, and Bender. Webster successfully accomplished his dangerous entei prise on the night of the 7th instant, and on the evening of the Bth, after the attack on Tbaba Bosigo, the 200 men came out to the President's camp on the Caledon. President Brand's Camp, Near Jack Mann's drift on the Caledon, 9pm., August 8, ISC3. At 7 p.m. 200 men m rived from Pick's lager, Webster having successfully accomplished his mission. The mon who accompanied him upeak greatly iv Ins favour as a good commandant. They also bring the intelligence that they have been all day engaged iv attacking TLiba Bobigo. It seems yesterday Fiek decided the place was to lie attacked this morning at daylight. About that time 1,100 men, with five guns, left the cimp, standing about four thousand yards from Thalia Bosigo, and inarched to the southern point of the mountain, under pi otection of the guns, which kept up a sharp and incessant fire over their head? .it thn large body of Basuto* th.vfc crowded the summit. The gun practice was beautifully executed, and protected the covering force so admirably that they succeedel in reaching the foot of the krans. Here they found the enemy had inised strong works of masonry. They diverged and got fast under the krans, when the Kaffirs— tbe guns having ceased firmg — began rolling stones on them, so that they became confused, and were compelled to retire. Ou another point, near tho mission station, a paity of our men had rushed forwai d and got possession of Job's (Mobhesh's brother) house, from which they kept up a sunrt fusilade, until the attacking force retired, when they were also compelled to retite. Our casualties are : — Ten men wounded and contused, and ten horses killed — these animals were in the rear of the attacking force. Rome of onr men are mentioned as having displayed great bravery ; young RnafF, Owen, and Kolbe having succeeded in scaling the mountain and killing several Bnsutos with their revolvers. Eaaff was severely wounded iv the heiil by a piece of rock; Captnin linnton, contusion ; Steijl, bullet through leg. The other names 1 have not heaid ; but there fire no moie Blocinfunteiu men's names mentioned. On the whole we have no causa to complain, the chpck being only temporary, us Fick intends attacking again to-moriow Our people have captured 12,000 sheep, 7,000 head of cattle, and 700 horaes. This docs not include what the Smithfield commando have taken, as they sent their capture ont. We have also taken 125 wagons, besides goods and loot of every description. We have just received orders to leave this at thiee iv the morning, so as to arrivo at Thaba Bosigo enily. I shall therefore, I hope, be enabled next express to give you a thorough account of the pi ogress made to-day, aud what may transpire to-inonow. The yells and shouts of the Kafits, when they *ayr our people retreating, are represented ai beiug something unearthly. Another writer states: "One of tho younger Raatfs hai beeu wounded, I believe, slightly. William Bee ton i> said to have lost his left thumbj and old J. Ponlton is wounded through or above one of the ankles."