§ VISCOUNT BURYMy Lords, since the noble Earl the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies (Earl Cadogan) read the telegrams which we had received from the Cape, the following further telegram has been received at the War Office; and as it contains the names of the officers killed in the action with Colonel Wood, perhaps your Lordships will permit me to read it. It is from Colonel Bellairs, is dated from Durban, and is as follows:—
§ "St. Vincent, April 22.
§ "From Colonel Bellairs, D.A.G., Durban, to Secretary of State for War, London.
§ "Intelligence of important victories gained by Lord Chelmsford and Colonel Wood having reached mo, have taken it upon myself to arrange for mail to leave Cape Town one day earlier, and to call specially at St. Vincent, enabling you to receive the news earlier than viâ Madeira. Colonel Wood's despatches state that on the 29th the Inhlobani successfully attacked. Some thousand cattle taken by Mounted Corps and Natives; but Zulus, 20,000 strong, coming up, we suffered considerable losses, and cattle were retaken. Weather-ley's corps cut off and all killed, with the exception of Captain Denison and a few men; also three fives Frontier Horse, under Captain Barton, Coldstream Guards, only seven escaping. Eleven officers and 80 men are returned killed, including Captains Campbell and Barton, Coldstream Guards; Lieutenant Williams, 58th; Colonel Weatherley, Captain Rice Hamilton, Lieutenants von Steiten, Cronlys, Pool, Weathcrley, and Messrs. Riot Uys and Lloyd, of Colonial Corps. Colonel Wood's horse killed under him on 29th. The Zulu army, the regiment of which had come from Ulundi, attacked Kambulama camp. Action commenced 1.30 p.m.; lasted four hours. Enemy driven off and pursued by mounted troops seven miles. Their loss very heavy, 500 bodies lying close into camp; 300 firearms, including several Martini-Henry rifles, picked up. Enemy advanced close up, some even penetrating into cattle laager. Our casualties 80 killed, 2 wounded. Lieutenants Nicolson, R.A., and Bright, 90th, 832 killed; Major Hackett and Lieutenant Smith, 90th, dangerously wounded; Captains Gardner, 14th Hussars, Cox, and Persse, 13th Foot, slightly wounded. Natives nearly all deserted. Unymana, King's Minister and chief commander, did not come under fire.
§ "Relieving column under Lord Chelmsford laagered near the Gingihlovo on afternoon of 1st of April. Very heavy rain throughout evening and night. Zulus hovering about during evening. 6 a.m. on the 2nd, Zulus attacked laager, each side in. succession, two distinct forces were employed. Enemy advanced in most courageous manner, but never got within 20 yards of shelter trench. At 7.30 a.m. the attack was repulsed, and the enemy retired precipitately, followed for some miles by the Mounted Infantry Volunteers and Natives, under Barrow, and Barton's and Nettleton's Battalion of Native Contingent's sabres of the mounted Infantry, did great execution. The fight was witnessed from Ekowe, and Pearson flashed signals congratulating General on success. Casualties:—Lieutenant Johnson, Privates Smith and Law-rence,99th; Private R. Marshall, 91st; Private J. J. Pratt, 60th Rifles, killed. Colonel Northey, 60th Rifles, and Dr. Longfield, of Her Majesty's ship Tenedos, dangerously wounded. Major Barrow, of the 19th Hussars, and Captain Hinxman, 57th, slightly wounded. Twenty-nine soldiers and sailors wounded; one Native killed and 10 wounded. 471 bodies of Zulus lying within 1,000 yards of the laager, the long grass and bushes helped in approach and retreat. Total loss must have been double. Portions of 11 regiments are known to have taken part—viz., Ngoxamoski, Umamsityu, Unanbonamdi, Zulwana, Nokenke, Nodwena, and others. Prisoners state that 195 companies were engaged, which, at 60 men each, would give 11,000. Dabulemanze, mounted, led the final attack. Somapo was in chief command. Lord Chelmsford intends to abandon Ekowe, both roads being so difficult of approach. He will establish a permanent post on the coast road. Gingihlovo laager will be reduced to permit being held by a garrison. The General goes to Ekowe tomorrow with three regiments and carts. Prisoners state that messengers arrived yesterday with news of Wood's victory of 29th."
§ House adjourned at half past Seven o'clock, to Thursday next, a quarter before Five o'clock.