COLONIAL NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 88, 11 September 1852, Page 5

COLONIAL NEWS.

cape of good hope. The Chusan brought news from the Cape down to the 29th June, at which date affairs did not present a very favourable aspect. The rebels continued to maintain their position, not only on their own ground, but within the settled districts of the colony. Large bodies of troops could not find the enemy, whilst small bodies were surprised and overpowered. A severe misfortune occurred on the 14th June, and is thus described by the Graham's Town Journal : — "On. the day in question, a small train, consisting of one mule and foiir ox waggons, left Graham's Town for Fort Beaufort, with 34 men of the Royal Sappers and Miners, under the command of Captain Moodie, R.E. Nothing particular occurred for the first 26 miles, and as the patrol which had just been out under General Yorke had not discovered any thing to excite uneasiness, no apprehension of attack was felt; and hence after halting at Fort Brown, where a few of the men were left, the rest moved forward without anxiety and without obstruction to the Konap. This river was forded, and the waggons had reached a dry ravine just at the foot of the Konap hill, when a strong party of Hottentots was found lying in ambuscade, and suddenly opened a murderous fire upon them—• the result being nine of our men shot dead, and six wounded. This reduced the number of the escort to some 15 serviceable men, who, finding themselves entirely surrounded by the rebels, saw that the only hope of saving themselves was by retreat to the abandoned military post adjacent. These ruins they succeeded in reaching, and instantly barricaded themselves in as well as they were able with such materials as were on the spot, full expecting an immediate attack by the rebel force. The latter, however, contented themselves with driving off* the waggons, in which were four women and ten children, and a great deal of baggage of considerable value, not the least important part of it being 36 of the new invented. Minie muskets, the nipples of which, however, had been very prudently taken out by order of Major Barnaby, and sent forward by another conveyance, so that they will be of little use to the captors." The latest news from the frontier is in the Graham!s Town Journal of June 24 :—" Important intelligencr has been received from the Amatolas. The combined forces under MajorGeneral Yorke, Colonel Michel, and Colonel Eyre, proceeded to the camp of the rebel Hottentots, and while Colonel Eyre was engaged in posting a detachment consisting of but two companies of the 73rd, about 500 or 600 Hottentots came furiously upon them, and surrounded them. Colonel Eyre ordered the men to charge, and while the rebels were giving way before the onset of his men, a party of the Lancers arrived and completed their disorder and defeat. They fled in all directions, leaving 30 of their number dead on the spot, and one Cape Corps Sergeant, who was taken prisoner, was hung on the nearest tree. Their huts were destroyed, and part of the Minie rifles and amunition which had been taken from the mule waggon on the Beauford road was recaptured. Colonel Eyre had a very narrow escape, having his horse shot under him, and receiving a ball through the lower part of his trousers."