The Zulu War.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3127, 25 February 1879, Page 2

The Zulu War.

PARTICULARS OF ROOKE'S DRIFT DISASTER. The " Gape Times " of Monday January 27, publishes the following official notification by the High Commissioner in command: — The High, Commissioner states with regret that he has received a despatch from General Lord Chelmsford, dated Rooke's Drift, 23rd instant, and stating that JSTo. 3 column sustained a very serious loss on the previous day at the Camp near Isandala, about nine miles from Rooke's Drift. Lord Chelmsford was himself in advance with the main body of the column. His Excellency states that the mounted police and several corps under Captain Shepston's command; together with two battalions of the Natal Native Contingent, under the Commandant, Lord Lonsdale, proceeded to search in Attynas district, Major Dartnell being in command of the mounted troops. They found it necessary to bivouac on the night of the 21st, about 16 miles from Isandala camp, and on the followingmorning Lord Chelrnsford proceeded with the 2-24 th, under Colonel Degacher, with four guns ; the Hoyal Artillery, under Colonel Harness, the mounted infantry, and two companies of pioneers—the whole under the command of Colonel Glyn, to strengthen them. The troops left Isandala, consisting of five companies of the 24th, two guns Uoyal Artillery, about 20 mounted-infantry, mounted police, and 30 Natal Volunteers, besides numerous camp followers, the rocket battery under Captain Russell, Royal Artillery, and five troops of the Natal Native Contingent, commanded by Colonel Durnford, R.E., arrived at the camp in the course of the morning. On hearing that the camp had been attacked the General at once moved back, and found it had been in complete possession of the Zulus; the tents and waggons looted and destroyed, and the oxen gone. The General further stated that the camp had been defended with the utmost gallantry, but our forces were overwhelmed with numbers. His Excellency did not arrive at the camp until nightfall, and with his troops bivouacked among the bodies of his dead soldiers and the enemy. On the morning of the 23rd His Excellency the General and force with him reached Rooke'a Drift without interruption, though large bodies of the enemy were seen in the distance, and found the punt, etc., uninjured. A determined attack had been made during the night on the Commissariat station there, which was occupied by a company of the 2 26th, under Lieutenant Bromheard, the whole being under the command of Lieutenant Chardre. The officers and their men made a most gallaut stand and effectual resistence. -His Excellency states : It is reckoned the attack on the Systandal camp was made by 15,000 to 20,000 Zulus, and that he cannot, give any details of our severe losses. The latest accounts from authentic sources report that Major Dartnell and Commandant Lonsdale's forces at Rooke's Drift have had an engagement with the enemy, in which they were victorious, with ctbe loss to our forces of two natives of the Natal Native Contingent.