In January 1878 Warren proceeded to the Gaika war in command of the
Diamond Fields Horse, raised at Kimberley, and was engaged for six
months in Kaffraria. He bought his mounts and drilled his men on
the way, and infused his own indomitable energy into every member
of his command. He took part in numerous engagements, among which
may be mentioned the action of Perie Bush in March, when he was
injured by the falling of the bough of a tree, and the action at
Debe Nek on 5th April, where with seventy-five of the Diamond Fields
Horse he met 1,200 armed Kafirs of Seyolo’s tribe in the open, and
gained a complete victory. The Governor-in-Chief telegraphed his
congratulations on this brilliant success. A few weeks later Warren
had another successful fight at Tabi Ndoda on 29th April, when he
was slightly wounded. He was frequently mentioned in despatches,
and his conspicuous personal bravery, no less than his skill as
a commander, was brought to the notice of the Secretary of State
for War. The Governor-in-Chief especially commended him in his
despatches for ‘energy, ability, and resource displayed under most
trying circumstances.’ He had been promoted to be Major on 10th
April 1878, and his services in the campaign were recognised by a
brevet-lieutenant-colonelcy, dated 11th November 1878, and the South
African medal.
_Native Rebellion in Griqualand West and Troubles with the
Bechuanas, 1878-9_
Early in May the whole native population of Griqualand West, west
of the Vaal river, broke out in rebellion and, joining their former
enemies, the Kaal Kafirs (refugees from Cape Colony), commenced
depredations to the west of Griquatown. In consequence of this
critical state of affairs in Griqualand West the Executive Government
telegraphed for the assistance of Warren and the Diamond Fields Horse
from the Cape Colony. The regiment left King William’s Town on 14th
May and arrived at Griquatown on 10th June.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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