Towards the end of 1834 thousands of Kafirs rushed into the colony, and commenced the work of murder, rapine, and devastation by fire, among the settlers.
1835
The SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders were stationed at Cape Town, when the news of these alarming events arrived at the seat of government, and they were immediately ordered towards the frontiers. Three companies sailed for Algoa Bay, on the 2nd of January, 1835, and arrived at that place on the 10th; the other three companies advanced up the country by horse waggons; and as the regiment approached Graham’s Town, it traversed the scenes of outrage, and witnessed the ruins of once flourishing farms bearing marks of savage vengeance; the town was found barricaded, and the houses turned to fortifications. Ten thousand Kafirs had penetrated the colony, and the smoke of ruined farms, with the cries of widows and orphans, were seen and heard on every side.
Having advanced towards the frontiers, the head-quarters were established at Graham’s Town, and detachments were employed in chasing the vengeful marauders from the confines of the British possessions.
Preparations were made to carry hostilities into the heart of Kafirland, to visit with necessary chastisement the atrocious aggressions of the tribes, and to enforce such measures as should be calculated to prevent the recurrence of similar outrages. The force assembled for this service was divided into four columns: the first was commanded by Lieut.-Colonel John Peddie, K.H., SEVENTY-SECOND regiment; it consisted of a detachment of the royal artillery with two guns, a detachment of the Cape mounted riflemen, the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders, a provisional battalion, and the Swellendaham burghers; and in the middle of March it advanced to the right bank of the Keiskamma, from whence it penetrated into the interior of Kafirland. The predatory tribes were incapable of offering serious opposition; they were chastised for their atrocious conduct, subdued, deprived of a portion of their territory bordering on the frontiers of the colony, and such additional precautionary measures were adopted as appeared necessary to ensure the safety of the British subjects.
The SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders were employed in Kafirland during the months of April and May: the head-quarters were afterwards established at King William’s Town until October, when they were removed to Graham’s Town.
In June of this year the depôt companies proceeded from Scotland to Ireland.
1836
On the death of Lieut.-General Sir John Hope, the colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on Major-General Sir Colin Campbell, K.C.B., from the ninety-ninth foot, by commission dated the 15th of August, 1836.
1837
1838