The History of the Rifle Brigade (the Prince Consort's Own) Formerly the 95th

by William Henry Cope

They continued in this camp without any material occurrence until the 20th; on which day two companies, Somerset’s and Woodford’s, started at four o’clock in the morning, carrying two days’ rations, to cover a patrol of cavalry. They arrived about ten at Crouch’s post, and halted in a large wood. As the cattle captured from the Kaffirs were brought in by the mounted parties, the Riflemen in parties of twelve or twenty taking them over, drove them to the camp, where they arrived about sundown. About 12,000 head of cattle were said to have been taken on this day.

On the 21st the tents were struck and these companies commenced their return march, in order to cross the Kei before the rains set in. The Riflemen on reaching the river were ordered to conceal themselves in ambush. About two o’clock they made a rapid dash back to the site of the camp. in the expectation that they might come upon some Kaffirs. Some men were seen in the distance, who were immediately pursued by some of the Cape Corps who accompanied the Riflemen, while they took prisoners a few women who were foraging about the place where the tents had stood. However these were afterwards released; and the Riflemen, moving off, reached Balotta about dark. The next day the column halted, as a division of the captured cattle was made among the burghers and others. On the 23rd resuming their march about nine o’clock, after ascending the high ground from which they had observed the assembling forces on the 7th, leaving their old track to the right, they struck into a valley; and after passing over an undulating country encamped on the bank of the Swart Kei, having made a march of about twenty miles. The Riflemen on this march presented a curious appearance; many of them leading colts, calves or kids.

The following day they did not march till two o’clock in the afternoon, being detained by the difficulty of getting the waggons across the river. After fording it, they ascended the steep range of the Windvogelberg. The Kaffirs still hung on their rear, occupying their camping grounds as soon as the Riflemen were out of range. They marched about eight miles; the latter part of it in torrents of rain; and encamped near the Windvogel river. On the 25th they marched at eight o’clock; and still ascending, moved forward about seven miles after reaching the top of the range of mountains, and encamped on the Thorn river. During these marches great difficulty was experienced in getting the waggons up the hills. On this night some of them did not reach the camping-ground till eleven o’clock, and as some of the Riflemen had to escort, and some to help forward, the oxen, these marches were most toilsome. After a halt on the 26th devoted to cleaning arms and accoutrements and mending clothing, they resumed their march on the 27th, and did not reach their camping-ground on the Klip-plaatz river till after dark. This day’s march was partly over snow-covered ground; and the Kaffirs knowing where they would have to halt for water, had burned the herbage, so that fodder and wood were scarce. In consequence of these wants, they started at half-past five on the morning of the 28th and refording the Klip, passed through a mountain ravine, the Klipclowberg; and afterwards marched about four miles through a bog; and after fording the Mud river, halted for breakfast under Gaika’s kop, in order to allow the oxen, who had had no food for two days, to graze. Resuming their march they passed over the range; and descending a most precipitous mountain-side about six miles in length, where the Riflemen had to hang on to the rear of the waggons to prevent their overturning, they encamped that night within about a mile and a half of Eland’s post. From hence, proceeding by the route by which they had advanced, and encamping at the same points, they reached Fort Beaufort on the 31st.

In the meanwhile the two companies and Head-quarters had left their standing camp at the Waterkloof on August 29, and had arrived at Fort Beaufort on the day following, where they occupied quarters. The four companies which formed part of the Kei expedition were encamped near the fort. These men had not shaved since they started; and their appearance and their patched and many-coloured garments contrasted strangely with the neat aspect and new clothing of the two Head-quarter companies. On the 26th Colonel Buller had been appointed to succeed Major-General Somerset in command of the 1st Division of the army; so that the command of the Battalion devolved on Major Horsford.

General Cathcart, commanding the forces, having decided on a general operation in order to clear the Waterkloof, four columns were appointed to move simultaneously from various points, and to converge to a common centre. In accordance with this arrangement the Battalion, having been re-equipped, was ready to take the field again on September 6; but the rains having rendered the rivers unfordable, they did not move until the 10th. On which day, starting early, they breakfasted at Klu-klu, and halted for the night at Yellow Wood. On the 11th they marched at five; and after halting for breakfast at McMaster’s canteen, reached Haddon’s post in the evening. At all these stations the houses were in ruins; the gardens devastated; and marks of the incursions of the Kaffirs everywhere visible.

On the morning of the 12th a strong patrol advanced into the Bushneck to select a spot for a camp; and returned to Haddon’s post in about an hour, having shot the only Kaffir who was seen. On the 13th the Battalion marched at daylight to Nell’s farm in the Bushneck, opposite the principal entrance to the Waterkloof. General Cathcart came to look at them on the march, and highly approved the appearance of the Battalion. One Kaffir and three women were made prisoners, and handed over to the Fingoe levies.

On the 14th an order was given that one company should always sleep fully accoutred, and ready to stand to their arms at a moment’s notice. The remainder of the Battalion were engaged in building a fort. On the 15th the Battalion paraded two hours before daylight, with three days’ rations, and moving up the Waterkloof reached Mundell’s Krantz, a distance of about four miles, by daybreak. As soon as it was light, they entered the Kloof and commenced burning the huts and shooting the occupants. Some of the other troops were above, pouring rockets and shell into the Kloof; and the Riflemen picked off the Kaffirs, whom these missiles dislodged from their cover. About sixty Kaffir women, besides children, and some rebel Hottentots, were taken prisoners. These last were immediately hung. The Riflemen, pushing forward through the Kloof, met the 73rd, who had penetrated from the head. These, their companions in the former war, on first catching sight of the Riflemen from the top of a rock, set up a ringing cheer, which was heartily returned by the greenjackets. The troops on the Chumie and the adjoining heights took it up, and the whole Kloof re-echoed it. The columns had met in the centre, having penetrated from all points. But the Kloof was not taken yet; the various krantzes and gorges were to be searched.

Later in the day, two companies, Somerset’s and Woodford’s, accompanied by the Grenadier company of the 73rd, proceeded to clear a krantz. The troops on the opposite side of the Kloof could see the Kaffirs gathering on the top, and shouted in warning to our men. Colonel Eyre, in command of the party, desired the men to go slowly up, and to keep their wind till they were fired on; then to give a cheer and rush to the top. On a ledge about half-way up screened from below by trees, they found a village, which they immediately burned; and the ascending flames and smoke from these burning huts seriously incommoded them as they clambered up the remainder of the cliff. When they got near the top firing commenced; and they dashed to the top amidst the cheers of the troops on the opposite heights. The Kaffirs flew before them into the adjoining bush. Lieutenant Lindsay and four Riflemen pursued them, and had penetrated some distance into the bush, before they realised the weakness of their party, and the fact that they had lost their way. After wandering about for some time, they caught the sound of the bugle, and following its direction, they eventually rejoined the Battalion, which bivouacked that night in a small clump of trees on the Iron Rock.

The 16th was occupied in searching for Kaffirs, most of the huts having been already burnt. The Riflemen, guided by Fingoes, searched the bush and the caves up the Kloof and back again to their bivouack of the night before, which they did not reach till a late hour, and in heavy rain.