CABLE MESSAGES.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XII, Issue 3315, 14 May 1879, Page 3

CABLE MESSAGES.

(beotke's special) I ♦ ■ Sydney, onday. By the arrival of the steamer' Ousco' at Adelaide, the details have been received of the relief of Colonel Pearson at Ekowo. Lord Chelmsford was compelled, after all, to start for the relief without ro-iuforcements, Colonel Pearson's garrisons being without bread. The advancing column was opposed twice, and severe battles, lasting from three to six hours, ensued, the sailors using the Gatling guns and making fearful havoc on the compact masses of Zulus, Five thousand were slain. The siege was raised without further conflict, Col. Wood has achieved a brilliant victory in his campaign. The Zulus turned out four thousand cattle on the sides of mountains, behind which 35,000 warriors were secreted. Two regiments of Dragoons started after the cattle, and were just returning in safety when the enemy attacked and slaughtered all the English excepting one man, who alarmed the camp. Hasty defences were erected when the storm burst. . The whole Zulu force attacked the camp en masse, The Gatling guns were used most effectively, sweeping the whole division. The breech-loading rifles told terribly. The attacks were repeated but all failed. Four thousand were killed and wounded. London, May 9. Arrived: ' Calypso,' ship, from Port Chalmers. London, May 10. News has been received from Afghanistan to the effect that the proposals of peace made the British Government, involving material rectifications of the frontier, have been accepted by Yakoob Khan on behalf of the Afghans.