THE CAPE WAR.

Westport Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1644, 11 March 1879, Page 2

THE CAPE WAR.

THE GALLANT 24th REGIMENT CUT TO PIECES. The following fuller account of the Zulu disaster is to haud per Cluui Hamilton .-—lt appears that Lord Chalmsford desired to advance into Znluland, seemingly with the intention of gushing on to attack Cerawayo's new karaai, but fearing to leave his line of onnection Nntal unprotected, he ordered several companies of the 24th Regiment, under Colonel Pal tat ore, to remain a few miles on the Zulu side of'Rorke's Drift. To strengthen this force Colonel Dunsfcrd was directed to join Colonel Pallature, who was senior officer, and whose for«e now numbered about 4000 men. On Wednesday morning they were attacked by 15,000 Zulu. The assault proved successful, through beaten off several times, their numbers and discipline carried the day, and tb" Natal Native Contingent, brav organised and officered, as we 1 j described, had to submit to defeau

the hands of the well-disciplined forces of the Zulu King. Our native troops are reported to have toight with a bravery that called forth the praise of Europeans, but were crushed by -he massive columns of the Zulu regiments, and broke into disorder. The men of the 24th upheld the honor of the English name, and were true to the traditions of a corps whose colors bear many of the namts of the mot,t famous battles in modern British bstery. Tiio gallant 24th had to choose between death and dishonor, ana as the story reaches us, almost to a man they gave their lives rattier than turn a back on the enemy. On Wednesday last some hundreds of British soldiers were shot down in the conflict with >■§ many as 20 tines their numbers. While we deplore the ioss of these gallant men we feel proud of them dnd their native comrades. Colonel Dunsford's column was utterlv destroyed. Some of its members ffl'l into Natal others tried to cut their way through, the Z-ffis to join Colonel G.vynue, and ail i*s stores and arms were taken by the enemy, who pursued the fugitives to Buffalo River. The attack made on Colonel Ghvynne's column did nor end so well for the Zjlus. This column consisted til ISOO European and 2000 natives. Against it repeated assaults were uiade by the bravest warriors in Zilulaad, regiments whose titles have been the dread of their naive neighbours. 1 ord Cheiins. lord at this point is said to have be-in eminently successful, but the partiou. lars were no: to hand. If, is certain the General had to retieat to Rooke's. Drift, leaving the country on the Zulu side in possession of the enemy. From Colonel Wood wo have heard nothing. The Zulus appear not to have placed their principal forces near the boundaries ot Natal;