THE ZULU WAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3420, 27 March 1879, Page 3

THE ZULU WAR.

The'following additional items are from the Cape papers : —

Lord Chelmsford, it is admitted, was insufficiently provided wifch cavalry, bufc cavalry would only have been specially serviceable on the day in question by bringing the general information of the powerful force concentrated in his immediate neighbourhood. Had, however, Lord Chelmsford been aware of the strength of that force, the Natal Witness doubts whether tlie course pursued by him would not have still been the very besfc to adopt. Ho had left behind in the camp a sufficient force to hold ifc against almost any odds for hours, with enough ammunition to have lasted for almost any length of time, had only the most ordinary rules of warfare been observed by the oflicer in charge of the camp. At the time tbe action commenced there were in the camp at least 800 Europeans, provided with artillery and the force which attacked the camp cannot be set down at a higher figure than 20,000. Now, on the very same night 80 men, behind a barricade of the most temporary description and without artillery, held their own for at least 10 hours against a force of not less than 2500, repulsing them with tremendous slaughter, and suffering themselves comparatively trifling loss. The question is ono of the simplest proportion, and can only be stated thus : — lf 80 men, behind a temporary barricade, and without artillery, can hold their own against 2500 Zulus, and succeed in repulsing fchem, with artillery thoy should havo been able to hold fchoir own against 20,000 Zulus, if only they were properly entivnched or sheltered behind their waggons. We will put the matter in another light. If the 80 men in Rorke's Drift had gone out in skirmishing order against 2500, 10 here, 20 there, would they nofc have been simply strangled by weight of numbers and wiped out, and must nob a similar ond havo resulted if 800 men went out in skirmishing order against 20,000 ? The Witness concludes that if the officers in charge of fcho camp had acted on the defensive, having a force sufficient fco keep the enemy in check until tho return of the rest of tho column, the Zulus would have been caught between two fires, and practically put out of the field.

In commenting upon the disaster the Cape Timts remarks there can be no doubt fchafc the whole Native mind in South Africa is agitated by tho recent misfortune, and that a decisive success is necessary to re-estwblish the impression of tho white man's superiority. It appears to bo Lord Chelmsford s intention to wait for reinforcements, especially of cavalry, before attempting to gain any advantage. We cannot doubt that the Imperial Government will now grant the forces applied for, but we have horsemen on the spot who, it seems to us, might almost show British cavalry the way in operating against a savage enemy, and we trust, therefore, to hear more of a design lately montioned for tho enrolment of some corps of mounted volunteers in the Capo Colony to undertake this especial work. News from Feb. 4 to Feb. 10 says : —

Interest is concentrated in the Zulu war. Colonel Wood has mot with bohio successes, though not of great importance, and the services of the Dutch farmers acting with him are mentioned with the highest commendation. Colonel Pearson is entrenched at Ekowe. The loss of a few waggons and oxen from his train was mado the most of by alarmists, but the column is strongly protected in the heart of Zululand, and well able to hold its own. It is reported that Zulu forces have left the King's kraal in order to operate against Colonel Wood and Colonel Pearson.

Lord Chelmsford, with his staff, has gone to visit tho camp at Ekowe. At Helpmakaar the stores are now well protected by entrenchments, the post being held by the 4th King's Own, under Colonel Bray, and by a portion of Colonel GUyn's column. It was telegraphed on Sunday tbat large bodies of Zulus were concentrating on the Tugela with tho intention of entering Natal. The river, however, was not fordable, and the report may havo originated in the obvious probability of such a measure. Cetewayo has sent a message to Mapoch, a chief bordering tho Transvaal, instructing him to make com' mon cause!with Secocoeni, and tako Pretoria, while he (Cetewayo) takes Maritzburg. Tho official lisfc of the killed at Soandhalwana has now been published. The bodies of Lieutenant Melvill and Lieutenant Coghill have been found 300 yards on thia side of the

Buffalo River, with the colours of the 24th Regiment, which fchey had succeeded in saving.

An official account has been published of His Excellenoy the High Commissioner's interview with Mr Jouberfc, the delegate of the public meeting of Transvaal people lately held at Wonderfontein. Mr Joubert assured Sir Barfcle Frere that the people would be satisfied with nothing less than their independence. Bir Bartlo Frero gave him no hope of that concession, but assorted the intention of the British Government to allow the people the largest possible amount of independence. Mr Joubert expressed his belief that Sir Bartle Frere, by a personal visit, might bo able to persuade the people to adopt his views. The interview appears to have been wholly of a friendly character, but Sir Bartle Frere wished MrJoubart to impress upon the people of the Transvaal the very serious consequences which will ensue if they stand aside in the present difficulty or side with the Zulu?, as the war was undertaken in great part on their account. It is said that the Transvaal Boers, as a body, will give no assistance in the war, although individually some have already done good service.

It is reported that the Orange Free State Government has offered to raise a contingent of 500 mounted men to serve in Zululand. The Hou Major Southey has recruited more than a hundred men for' the Northern borders, where affairs are still unsettled. These men will proceed to the Orange River under the command of Captain M'Taggart, who did good work in the Frontier war.

PIETEBMARITZBURG, Feb. 9. Some fresh uneasiness was caused on Saturday afternoon by a report from Mr Sydney, Border agent, that a Zulu army was gathering on the Lower Tugela, and had only been prevented crossing by tho height of the river, which has risen owing to heavy rains this morning (Sunday). A practical contradiction has been given to the report, which seems to hive been founded on the fact that native spies had seen watchfires. The river is still in a flood, and thero seems a likelihood of more rain. Everything is perfectly quiet along the border. Although reports have been received that armies had left the King's kraal to attack Colonels Wood and Glynn, Cetewayo, it is said, has given orders that entrenched positions are not to bo attacked in future, owing to the severe losses sustained at Rorke's Drift. This is viewed by some as serving to mako moro probable an attempted invasion of Natal.

Very satisfactory accounts have been received from Colonel Pearson, who has at least two months' provision, dating from Feb. 4. He has with him 1660 Europeans and 120 Natives, together with about 90 mules and the same number of horses. His stock of ammunition is also amply sufficient. No credence ought, therefore, to be given to attempts mado to represent his position as critical.