THE CAPE WAR: THE VOLUN TEERS IN ACTION.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XI, Issue 2906, 19 April 1878, Page 3

THE CAPE WAR: THE VOLUN TEERS IN ACTION.

(From the Batty New,) Mobs details have come about the late severe action at Umzitanzi, in which Capetown, Grahamstown, and Port Elizabeth volunteers fought side by side with the steadiness of old soldiers against overwhelming odds. It seems that our second detachment, with the Grahamstown and Capetown guns, and a small number of Capetown Eifles, was ordered to patrol eastward of Theka. After a toilsome march, diversified by missing their waggons, which entailed extra marching, short commons, and broken rest', a message from the advanced guard to the effect that the Kaffirs Were in force ahead brought up the infantry in support. The advanced guard was driven in, a dismounted policemen cut to pieces by the enemy's assegais, and the Grahamstown gun handled with admirable steadiness, covered the retreat of the cavalry. The infantry expected an attack, but a shot or two from the Capetown gun stopped the enemy's advance. At half-past six that evening, as the oxen and horses were being brought' into the camp, the dark forms of the enomy's horsemen to debouch over the hills, and, deploying into line, steadily advanced towards our little camp. Over the heads of our horses and cattle, whioh were being driven in, whizzed Stigart's first shot, which bowled over some six or seven on the extreme right of the enemy's line. And then, on they came, horsemen and clouds of skirmishers, down the hill and up a narrow gorge, upon our handful of citizen soldiers, outnumbering them eight to one at least, Our men simply lay down in a hollow square, with the two waggons in the centre, the Capetown gun on the left, and the Grahamstown gun on the right. There was no time for shelter trenches, or to make any cover; the volunteers simply lay down on the grass, and plied their Sniders like men. They were exposed to a hot fire in front and reqr and on both flanks. Steadily and bravely the Galekas advanced. A chief is seen riding coolly up and down, giving his orders. Hotter, and hotter grows the enemies' fire as they steadily advance towards the guns. Sails rattle thick and fast upon the guns and their carriages. Gunner Hornabrook is shot through the thigh while serving the Grahamstown gun, but still works away tili positively forced to the rear. Lieutenant Wells (an 'old Soyal Artilky-inan), in command of this gun, a brass nine-pounder, issues his orders with a cool judgment that fills his volunteer gunners .with confidence, and they fire round after round of canister with deadly effect. Near the Grahamstown gun, just as the action commonced in earnest, Sergeant Stahlschmidt, of Prince Alfred's Guards, fell severely wounded,, and was carried under the waggon in the centre of the square. A little later Mr Pickering, of th& same corps, received his wound as he stood to take a snap shot at one of the enemy within 30 paces. The Kaffir and the volunteer fired simultaneously, and the Kaffir fell dead, while the wounded volunteer, unable to handle his rifle, had to seek shelter under the waggon. As he passed to the rear, he saw poor young Barron lying dead on his face, with hands outstretched. He and a great friend of his, both of Prince Alfred's Guards, were skirmishing noxt to one another, when a bullet from the direct rear struck him at the baok of the head, going out under the left eye. Death was almost instantaneous, and his comrades carried the body under cover of the waggon. This was about 7 o'clook, and the fire was as heavy as over. The Capetown gun was in hot action all the time, doing splendid service. Captain Bayley (late adjutant of the 9th foot), who was attached to the column as Commandant of Infantry Volunteers, was calm oourage itself. There he was, conspicuous in white helmet and scarlet jacket, walking, revolver in hand, behind his line of skirmishers, giving a oheery word here or a prompt order there, filling the volunteers with thorough confidence in themselves and their officers. Nor was Captain Gordon, of our volunteers, one whit behind in cool pluck. In charge of a line of skirmishers, he encouraged his men by his own example, quietly sitting down and adjusting his sights as if at a rifle match, and picking off th,e enemy one by one. Fortunately for our men, the Kaffirs shot high, or it is difficult to see how tho officers or the gunners and men near the guns escaped at all. Ser-geant-Major Walmsley, of our volunteers, had' to cross the square for more ammunition in the hottest of the fire. Eyes were turned upon, him, expecting every moment to see him fall, but he returned wihout a scratch. Soon a private of police and three more of Prince Alfred's Guards were wounded. Darkness came on, and ammunition began to run short. Captain Bayley ordered the men to be,chary of ammunition, and not to fire unless absolutely necessary. This roserving of our fire seemed to weary the enemy; their fire slackened, and at about 11 p.m. the last dropping shots ceased, and our wearied handful of men had a little breathing space. A derisive voice from the enemy's ranks called out in English, " You can go to sleep now till to-morrow;" but the savage foe had little cause for his sarcasm, occupied as he was in carrying off his wounded and securing the arms and ammunition of his numerous dead.

The men lay on their arms all night, momentarily expecting a second attack', Captain Bnyley resolved to husband his scanty score of ammunition till daylight,

and ordered the men to use their bayonets in case of a night attack. At 2 o'clock in the morning leisure was found to carry a little water to the wounded men, and after the arrival of a welcome reinforcement of mounted police from Theka, the next morning showed the enemy retiring, carrying off his wounded and the arms left on the scene of the action.