From the numerous outrages upon life and property that had for some time
been perpetrated by the Gaika Kaffirs on the settlers located along the
frontier, the Government declared war against them in the beginning of
April, 1846.
The force with which it was proposed to invade Kaffirland was organised
into two divisions; one was placed under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Richardson, (now Major-General
Richardson-Robertson,) of the 7th. Dragoon Guards, and consisted of the
following detail:—Three troops of the 7th. Dragoon Guards, part of the
reserve battalion of the 91st. regiment, two guns of the Royal
Artillery, and one company of the Cape Mounted Riflemen. The second
division was placed under the command of Colonel H. Somerset, of the
Cape Mounted Riflemen, and consisted of one troop of the 7th. Dragoon
Guards, two guns of the Royal Artillery, two companies of the 91st., and
the head-quarters of the Cape Mounted Riflemen. The total strength of
the British force, including cavalry, infantry, and artillery, did not
amount to more than seven hundred men; whilst it was to be expected that
the whole of the Gaika Kaffirs would join in resisting the invasion of
their country. There were supposed to be upon good authority nearly
sixty thousand fighting men, a considerable portion being armed with
muskets.
Captain Bambrick, of the 7th. Dragoon Guards, fell early in the
operations, namely, on the 16th. of April, 1846. This officer in the
eager pursuit of the Kaffirs, was decoyed into an almost impenetrable
jungle, where a shower of balls was discharged at his party, and he was
killed. Captain Rawstorne and Lieutenant H. D. Cochrane, of the 91st.
regiment, were wounded, the latter dangerously. Of so entangled a nature
was the bush, that several of the swords of the men were torn out of the
scabbards by its thorny branches. Captain Sandes, of the Cape Mounted
Riflemen, was killed three days afterwards.
Sir Peregrine Maitland arrived from Port Victoria in April, and a
general order, dated Block Drift, 20th. April, 1846, was issued, in
which he congratulated Colonel Somerset and the officers and troops
under his orders, on the chastisement of the enemy, which closed the
operations of the 18th. of April. The movement on Block Drift had been
successfully effected by the combined force with little loss, in the
presence of an enemy of many times its numerical amount, through a
harassing country, and against persevering attempts to impede its march.
The Kaffirs were no longer the same foe as on former occasions, when
they were chiefly armed with native weapons, but at this period they had
become more formidable, from a great increase of numbers, a considerable
mounted force, and especially through possessing firearms, an
acquisition particularly adapted to their entangled country.
Colonel Somerset, with the second division, after a series of successful
movements, discovered and fell in with the enemy in two considerable
bodies, on the 8th. of June, in the neighbourhood of the Gaika and
Gwanga streams, when he attacked and routed them, killing two hundred,
and capturing one hundred firelocks, twenty horses, and large quantities
of assagais, besides securing two prisoners. This was effected with a
loss of two men killed, and three officers and sixteen men wounded.
It being considered desirable to amalgamate the troops and Burgher
forces, which were assembling, they were formed into two divisions, the
first under the orders of Colonel Hare, C.B., and the second under
Colonel Somerset, K.H.
Immediately after the troops moving to Block Drift, the Kaffirs entered
the colonies in large bodies, and committed great destruction of life
and property. To impede the operations of the British, the enemy burnt
the grass everywhere along the line of march, and from the long and
unusual drought, it became so dry that they readily effected their
object. Active operations were however brought to a successful
termination in October, the Chief Sandilli, together with his brother,
and eighty of his followers, having surrendered. The closing services
were rendered the more arduous by the constant inclemency of the weather
to which the troops were exposed. The columns of attack against Sandilli
were commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Buller, of the first battalion of
the Rifle Brigade, and by Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, of the reserve
battalion of the 91st. regiment.
Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Smith, Bart., G.C.B., who had highly
distinguished himself in India, and had previously seen so much service
at the Cape, was appointed Governor, High Commissioner, and
Commander-in-Chief of the forces in the Colony, the duties of which he
assumed on the 17th. of December, 1847.
During this long and protracted desultory warfare great fatigue and
exertions had been undergone with the characteristic heroism of the
British soldier, and the humanity and forbearance displayed by him
towards the fickle, treacherous, and revengeful enemy, were as
conspicuous as his bravery.
The following corps shared in this campaign:—7th. Dragoon Guards, Royal
Artillery, Engineers, and Sappers and Miners, 6th., 27th., 45th., 73rd.,
90th., and 91st. regiments; the Rifle Brigade (1st. battalion,) and Cape
Mounted Riflemen.