While the war was still raging in Kaffraria, disturbances arose in
Griqualand West, to the northward of the Orange river. The Griquas are a
mixed race, descended from the Dutch Colonists, and the original
Hottentot inhabitants. About seventeen years before, they had emigrated
from Cape Colony to the territory named from them Griqualand, of which
Colonel Owen Lanyon, of the 2nd. West India Regiment was Governor, at
the time the revolt against British Authority broke out. This
insurrection was suppressed by the Colonial forces alone, after several
sharp engagements, with a hardy foe, armed with muskets, and skilled in
their use. On June 11th. their stronghold was attacked, and carried
after a contest of six hours, by a force under Inspector Nisbett; and a
large number of cattle, sheep, and horses were captured. In June and
July several skirmishes took place, in all but one of which the Griquas
were worsted, with heavy loss in men, and cattle. On July 20th., 1878,
they again suffered a severe defeat, soon after which an Amnesty was
proclaimed, and the war ended.