Historical records of the 91st Argyllshire ... - waughfamily.ca

9 1ST ARGYLLSHIRE HIGHLANDERS. 125and the Fingoe, taking advantage of the confusion, 1846.managed to creep into the bush, and, in theirendeavours to conceal themselves under the bankto their fetteredof the Kat River, were, owingdrowned in the stream. Suchcondition, nearlywas the event which at last caused the final outbreakof the long-smoulderingKaffir War of1846-47. On Sandilla's refusal to deliver up theperpetrators of this daring and unprovoked outrage,hostile operations were immediately undertakenon our part, and it was decreed that this''war of the axe should be protracted during thespace of nearly two years, and at enormousexpense to the British public, until the appearanceof Sir Harry Smith put an end to the squabble."At the commencement of the war, the headquartersof the 1st battalion proceeded to FortPeddie, which stands on the north side of theGreat Fish River, between it and the Keiskamma,at a distance of about forty-five miles fromGrahamstown. The fort itself was only a veryinsignificant low-banked earthen fort, with twoor three light guns. The commissariat storestood in the centre. The infantry barrack,having accommodation for one company, anda separate barrack with stabling for a troop of