Zulu War, 1879; Zululand (South Africa) -- History -- To 1879
at Sandwaho, when in command of a troop of the 3rd Light Cavalry,
attacked with much gallantry, almost single-handed, a body of
rebels who had made a stand, whom he routed. Also, for having,
subsequently, near Sindwaho, gallantly advanced with a duffadar
and sowar of Beatson's Horse, and rescued from a band of robbers a
potail, Chemmum Singh, whom they had captured and carried off to
the jungles, where they intended to hang him.
[33] Captain Bradshaw, of H.M.S. _Shah_, accompanied Captain Smith
of the _Forester_. Mr. G. C. Cato, one of the oldest and most
respected inhabitants of Natal, furnished important information
with regard to a landing-place on the coast, and went in H.M.S.
_Forester_ to assist in choosing one.
[34] A resident on the Tugela, writing to the _Natal Mercury_ on
the 7th of May, 1879, says, "It is my deliberate opinion that were
the Zulus to cross the Tugela in force anywhere between Toohey's
Drift and Fort Buckingham, they might avoid the military and make a
raid into Natal easily. The general commanding has done all in his
power to protect the border, by placing native guards, under white
men, all along it; but their only use will be to give the alarm
in case the Zulus attack. I have seen many of them, and I have
asked them what they will do if the Zulus make an attack. 'Run, of
course,' was the reply; and I have heard—not from them, but from
a third person—that they have said, 'If our officers order us to
cross the Tugela unsupported by white troops, we shall tell them to
kill us in Natal, and save themselves the trouble of taking us to
Zululand to be killed.' I therefore look upon the border guard as
utterly worthless as a means of defence, and two at least of the
volunteers at Thring's Post—intelligent men they are—entirely agree
with me.
"What may be the state of affairs at Cetywayo's kraal I know not;
but this I do know, namely, that all along the Tugela border the
Zulus have returned to and occupied their kraals, and that they
sometimes shout defiance and exchange shots with the border guards."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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