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

9 1ST AKGYLLSHIRE HIGHLANDERS. 131on the tower reported that there were Kaffirs on 1846.the ground where the skirmish took place theday previous and about ; half-past 10 o'clock adense body of Kaffirs made their appearance onthe southern hill near the Grahamstown road,with another body some distance to the right,composed of horsemen. These moved a little waydown, as if to entice the troops out. I was aware,from the information of Captain McLean, that theenemy were in great numbers all around us, andtherefore was not drawn out to leave the postopen. All the cattle were driven below the StarFort, and protected by the Fingoes. The wivesand children of the Fingoes were in the ditch ofthe fort. About half-past 11 o'clock an immensenumber of Kaffirs, horse and foot, appearedon thesouth-west hills, arranged in three dense masses,with detached clumps of horses ;other large bodieswere also on the hills all round. The force at thefront was distributed as follows : The cavalry,with twenty artillery, were at the cavalry barracksand Star Fort, asergeant's party at Mr. Webb's,and picquets in the officers' and engineers' range.At 12 o'clock the whole of the enemy moved downto the post steadily, preceded by clouds of skirmishers.When they came within range, I directed