THE KAFFIR WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 5017, 14 December 1877, Page 3

THE KAFFIR WAR.

W k have received Cape of Good Hopo papers to the IStli October, from which we obtain intelligence respecting the Kaflir outbreak. The operations of the British regulars and the volunteers sent to the front from Cape Town against the enemy, the Galekas, had been uuiformly successful. The principal engagement oecured at a place called Ibeka, and the following accouut of it is given by one who was present:—

On Saturday, 29th September, the attack which we had been expecting for some days was made upon us. It began with a slight skirmish between some outlying parties of Fingoes and Galekas, but very soon the enemy came on our right front and right, in a perfect cloud of skirmishers. They were met at oncc by the Fingoes, some 2000 of whom had assembled round the post, but the onset of the Galckas was so determined, and was made in such force, that the Fingoes soon began to give way before them. We then opened lire with shrapnel and rockets, as well as musketry, and then the Galekas began to give way in their turn, but not until they had suffered heavy loss. Once the Galekas were cheeked the Fingoes took heart and attacked again, and then the Galekas began to run, and soon cleared out over the ridge. This attack had hardly been repulsed when the enemy, in six or seven dense columns, looking like close columns of battalions, appeared marching steadily up a ridge which runs from the direction of Kreli's kraal to the Ibeka. Their intention evidently was to attack our front ami left (lank this time. We wired in with shells aud rockets as soon as they came within range, but their advance was not cheeked for a moment, and scon the shoulder of a hill hid them fiom us. We knew that they would appear next on the top of a rocky rise about fiOO yards off on our left, and the guns and rockets were laid ready for them. The Fingoes were massed in rear of the post facing the left. As soon as the Galekas showed themselves the artillery opened on them. A shell burst beautifully in the midst of on<? of their columns, and at that moment Sub-Inspector Allan Maclean, whi» was in charge of the Fingo levies here, led tho Fingoes on most gallantly, and they went in with a will. We policemen blazed away with our carbines, ami iu a few minutes the grand army was muted and went pellmell back down the ridge up which they had advanced to the attack. 'ne bod>, however, that had apparently been held in reserve, appeared in the valley in front of the post, und made a feeble a» tack on our front, liufc a few shells and rockets with the steady atnl well-sustained lire of the skirmishers of the frontier police soon drove them off. My this time ?t was dark, aud the action cmue to an end. Only a very few Fingoes were killed and wounded, and not one of the frontier p dice was hurt, although every mau was hotly engaged. One artilleryman was struck in the neck, and it was a ni"re contusion. Next morning, unday. the 30th at davbr<ak we found a body of Galekas trying to get round our left Hank in a thick fog. We opened on them with shells ami rockets. The second shell fired killed eight men and two horse* on the spot. The Fingoes, again led up by Allan Maclean, and supported by about GO of the frontier police, pursued the enemy down the ridge towards Kreli's kraal for about two miles, killinr about -30 and burning huts right and left. Since then we have m»t been attacked, although we have made several raids on the Walekas. We ar* now only waiting for reinforcements and supplies to come uo(and most of th«-m are already here) to make a forward movement. The lirst tiling to do will be to burn Kreli's 44 Great I'l ice," after which we will proceed to sweep tho country from tho Kei to the Bamboo.

Tho following telegram from the scene of the war, dated October 9, is published in tho IStandnrd and Mail:—

t " 'I hree different engagements were fought in the Transkei yesterday. Commandant Griffith, with a body of the F. A.M. Police, took the enemy by surprise at Kndi's great place. They burnt his kraal, Signu's kraal, and every other kraal within a radius of several miles. About 30 Galekas were killed. 20 horses captured, and a number of ploughs, with a quantity of miscellaneous loot, taken. No casualities whatever on our side. Captain Gray with the Oonubie and King William's Town men advancing from springs, crossed the Kntterworth Kiver, and met a considerable number of the enemy. A sharp struggle ensued, resulting in a loss to the enemy of 50 killed. On our side. Private Wain right, is wounded in the head, and Private Ooghoin the thigh, neither seriously. Two hordes were killed, and thre« wounded. Major Eiliott reports that he advanced yesterday into the enemy's territory, meeting with only slight resistance. Ife burnt Sitchakas' great place and many other kraals. No casuality among his own forces."