Campaigning in Kaffirland, or, Scenes and Adventures in the Kaffir War of 1851–2

Published in 1853, this book recounts the personal experience of a lieutenant fighting in the Xhosa wars in South Africa.

William Ross King (Author)

9781108032193, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 June 2011

358 pages, 5 b/w illus. 5 colour illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2 cm, 0.46 kg

First published in 1853, this book chronicles the personal experience of the 'Kaffir' war of 1851–2 (now known as the eighth Xhosa or frontier war), between the European settlers and the native inhabitants of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. Serving as a lieutenant, William Ross King (1822–90) sailed to South Africa from Cork with the 74th Highlanders in March 1851 and remained there until late 1852. His memoir was not intended as a detailed history of military operations in the Kaffir war and in fact encompasses all of King's experiences in South Africa rather than focusing solely on the conflict. The book is especially notable for its extremely one-sided account of events: King exhibits a particularly scathing attitude towards the Xhosa people, who were 'committing the most deliberate outrages and murders' and displaying 'cowardly treachery' towards the European settlers.

Preface
1. Ordered to the Cape
2. State of the country on arrival
3. Landing
4. Advance into Kaffirland
5. Reit Fontein
6. Attack on the Waterkloof
7. Fourth attack on Waterkloof
8. Cattle lifting
9. Night attack on camp
10. Kaffir hiding-place
11. Destruction of Kaffir crops
12. Sixth attack on Waterkloof
13. Final attack on Waterkloof
14. Expedition across the Great Orange River
15. March down the country.

Subject Areas: Military history [HBW]