THE RELIEF OF EKOWE.

Evening Star, Issue 5073, 9 June 1879, Page 3

THE RELIEF OF EKOWE.

The force for the relief of Ekowe started from Gingihlovo on March 28. It was composed of 6,000 men, with two Gatling guns, two other cannon, several rocket tubes, 113 waggons, and fifty-six pack mules. Colonel Law commands the advanced guard, which consists of the brigades brought by the Shah and Tenedos, two companies of the Butfs, five of the 99th Regiment, and the whole of the 91st Regiment. Two companies of mounted natives and a battalion of native foot march on either aide of the waggons. Major Pemberton commanded the rear guard, which was composed of the Naval Brigade (200 men), brought by the corvette Bparlicea, the 57th Regiment, tho 3rd Battalion of the GOth Rifles, and a squadron of mounted natives, the commodore and staff.

On April 1, at daybreak, we broke up our camp ou the right* bank of Matoeoola, and marched seven miles to this place. Hero we formed a laagar, and threw up strong entrenchment round the camp. It is situated on slightly rising ground, and the tower of Ekowe, twelve miles distant, is visible from hero. Soon after we had encamped Colonel Pearson flashed some signals to us that a force of the enemy was on the march towards Snyanzana, and that it would not be safe for us to let our cattle graze outside the laager. The night passed without alarms ; but at halfpast live in the morning larg-j masses of the enemy were sighted coining down from the north-east. They crossed the river Inyanal, and as they came on they neemed to covsj the hills all round. They formed for attack in a sort of erosent shape. The GOth iiilioa oovei-oil the front ..[ lh« ramp, sheltered behind entrenchments. Tu their right whh I Brackenlmry, of tho Shah, with ins Gat{lings placed in the corner o the entrench-

ment. Next to him came the 57th, under Clark. At the second corner were two 9-pounders ; the 91st held the rear line. At the next corner were again some Gatlings, then came two companies of the 91st, three companies of the 3rd Buffd, and the 99th. Flaced near the left rear was the rocket battery under Lieutenant Cane, of the Shah. The enemy pressed forward to the front at great speed, but were received by a tremendous fire from the GOth llifles. In half an hour the onward rush was checked at this point, and by 6.30 the COth ceased tiring, the enemy being beaten back at this point. Sweeping round to our right, the enemy then made a determined effort to force their way in on that side, but were met and checked by a tremendous fire from the 57th and 91st. Nothing could be finer than the manner in which these masses of natives, with their white shields, their head-dresses of leopard skin and feathers, and the wild ox tails hanging from their necks, advanced, assegai in hand, against our entrenchments. A few fired a shot now and then, but as a rule they advanced at a steady rush, keeping a sort of dancing step with each other, upon our line of entrenchments. Notwithstanding the tremendous musketry fire that they encountered, thej' pressed forward in the most gallant manner right up to our entrenchments, and it looked for some time as if, in spite of the hail of fire from our breech-loaders, they would force their way to the entrenchments, and bring the matter to a hand-to-hand fight. After a few minutes, however, the fire proved too much for them, axd they wavered and began to fall back. At 6.40 Barrow's cavalry sallied from the camp in front, and most gallantly charged the enemy, who, hidden in the bush there, were keeping up a scattered fire upon the entrenchments. At ten minutes past seven, tho flank attack being repulsed, the Native Contingent left the laager and fell upon the rear of the enemy, who were now flying in all directions. At half-past seven all was over, and one of the fiercest little fights that has ever been witnessed came to au end. Among our casualties are Lieutenant Johnson, of the 99th, killed; Dr Longfield, of the Shah, badly wounded, but doing well; Captain Hinxman, of the 57th, and Major Barrow, of the 19th Hussars, wounded. Five soldiers were killed and twenty-one wounded, and five sailors were wounded. A large number af the enemy who fell within a range of 500 yards have been buried. Great numbers were killed by the Native Contingent and by tho cavalry in pursuit, and'great numbers must have been wounded and escaped. Four hundred and seventy bodies of the enemy were buried, and seventy-one bodies of Zulus lie within 1,000 yards of the laager. The long grass and bushes helped their approach and also assisted their retreat. The Zulu total loss is estimated at 1,000. The prisoners state that 196 companies in all were engaged, numbering about 11,000 men. All the troops, Native as well as European, behaved well. The attack was very fierce while it lasted, and the dead were found lying in masses within thirty yards ef our trenches. It was composed of picked men of five of the favorite regiments of the King, under his brother Dabulamanz, assisted by several thousand of the Ucheguichi native tribes. The prisoners say that the old men are, for the most part, with the King at Inhlatyi. The victory was most complete. Barrow's cavalry pursued the enemy as far as Imyesant. Largo numbers threw away their arms, among which are many Martini-Henry rifles, no doubu part of those taken from the l-24th at Isandiila, At daybreak next morning a flying column, composed of the 91st, the 60th, and 57th Regiments, and some Marines, left the camp, leaving behind them the 99th, the Naval Brigade, and the Native Contingent to defend the camp. The relieving column met Colouel Pearson at twenty minutes past five, and found the garrison extremely reduced by sickuess. The garrison had plenty of food. There were 100 sick and thirty dead. Lieutenants Evelyn, of the Buffs, and Davidson, of the 99th, were dead from fever. The camp was very strong, with large earthworks and a deep trench spiked at the bottom. The whole of the garrison returned with General Chelmsford's forces the following night, entirely evacuating Ekowe, which was evidently unhealthy, and to which access by any future relieving force would have been difficult. The arrangements during the march and at the camping grounds were excellent, and great credit is due to Lord Chelmsford and his staff for their excellent management. Upon the day after the battle a flag of truce came in from the King's brother proposing a surrender. At present it is not known whether the offer is a sincere one, or was only a feint to delay our probable advance upon Ulundi. Lord Chelmsford replied that the only terms he could grant would be that all the chiefs and their men should come in and surrender themselves as prisoners.

At three o'clock this morning, while some of vhe troops were encamped in an entrenched nositil™ near Inyanzi River, one of the 'jn'-et, thinking that ne saw the enemy, S j scouts, who were lying immo'/?t'atelv ■ :>enmd him » taking the alarm, ZSZ I Sck o n the pickets of the 60th, carrushed £**£.'. them. The men of the rymg them • them for enemies, fired bOt, in camp, wounding g ve of without orders upon -Jhv. the 60th pickets and kittfog v° ne « and wound ' ing ten of Dunn's men. . ~ The following iB the official reictu . wounded :—General Chelmsford's Coiomv Staff, Colonel Crealock, 60fch, slightly wounded; Colonel Northey, dangerously (since dead). Mounted Infantry, Major Barrow, f>7th, and Captain Hinxman, slightly. 99th, Lieutenant Johnston, dangerously. Royal Navy, Dr Loagfield, dangerously. 3rd, Private Plannery, dangerously. 57th, Private Perkins, dangerously ; Deacon and Haines, slightly. 60th, Sergeant Dallard, slightly ; Privates Aylett and Franey, slightly ; Jolled and Lassieff. dangerously. 91st, Privates Wddenas, Sutton, and Gillespie, severely ; Stendre, hlightly ; Brednard, Bailey, and M'lntyre, dangerously. 99th, Privates Blackwell and Braer, slightly; Drew and Armstrong, dangerously. 88th, Private Brigan, dangerously. 90th, Private Hartley, severely. Shah—Seamen Bird and Bugler, severely. Boadicea—Cordy, slightly ; Henchley, dangerously. Marine Artillery - Bombardier Parnise, dangerously. Tenedos —Petty Officer Porteous, slightly. Nettleton's Natives, ten.