Sir,

l have the honour to report, for the information of his Excellency the Commander of the Forces, that I marched at daylight on the 20th instant from the standing camp on the Caledon, with the forces as per margin…[12th Royal Lancers 11, Cape Mounted Rifles 12, Royal Artillery 13, 43rd Light Infantry 102, 73rd Regiment 271, Rifle Brigade 90, Total 499. Note that these figures reflect ‘Rank and File’ strengths only].…and proceeded to carry out my instructions, which had for their general object the capture of cattle, and to join the column under the personal direction of his Excellency in the plains of Thaba Bossigo. Having reached the foot of the Berea mountains I observed the Basutos drawn up in considerable force; some mounted, others on foot, behind the rocks and stones that crown the summit, evidently prepared to dispute my passage. A herd of cattle was apparently presented in view, as if to entice us on, while by their war shouts and gestures they evidently defied our arms. The ground they occupied was mountainous and rocky, and most difficult of access.

     On the right I detached the light company of the 73rd under Lieut. Gawler, with directions to climb, if possible, the krantz which commanded the position of the enemy on that side, and, bringing his right shoulders forward, to turn the left flank of the enemy. To support this movement, I directed Lieut. the Hon. L. Curzon to advance with his company of the Rifle Brigade, and ascend the mountain a little on the left of the light company of the 73rd. These two young and promising officers led their companies in the most spirited manner up ground all but inaccessible, though opposed and immediately fired upon by the enemy above. Covering themselves as they advanced, they reached the summit with little loss, and drove the enemy before them in good style.

     Simultaneously with these movements, I moved up with the remainder of my force along the regular but rugged path, which seemed to lead into the centre of the enemy’s position. The enemy fired, and attempted to oppose our progress, until we reached the crest of the heights, when they instantly dispersed and fled in all directions. I immediately pursued them with the few mounted men under Lieut. Goodrich, of the Cape Mounted Rifles, and we succeeded in capturing at least 30,000 head of cattle, with many horses having saddles on them. The enemy sustained some loss upon this occasion; thirty-eight were killed by the light company of the 73rd and the company of the Rifle Brigade alone, and several were found dead in other parts of the field; and so completely defeated did the enemy appear, that some were taken prisoners, and made to drive back their own cattle. We found it, however, quite impossible, with so few mounted men, to drive on such large numbers, and in the effort to do so many thousands were driven by the few mounted Fingoes attached to my division down the opposite side of the mountain to that which my instructions required me to take; I was therefore obliged to abandon them, and content myself with some 1,500, which were all we could manage to drive.

     While thus engaged, at about one o’clock p.m., a number of mounted men, from 200 to 300, some with white caps on their heads, and bearing lances (which caused us to mistake them for his Excellency’s escort), suddenly appeared in our front. Before the mistake could be discovered, two or three of our party fell into the hands of the enemy; and I deeply regret to state that Captain Faunce, 73rd Regiment, Deputy Assistant-Quartermaster-General, an officer who has frequently distinguished himself during this war,* was of that number.

     The enemy’s force now rapidly increased until we were opposed to at least 700 or 800 mounted men, who drew up in line in admirable order, and attempted several times to attack our front and left flank. As it was necessary to present a front, in order to protect our cattle and baggage, I formed three companies in skirmishing order, two in front, and one thrown back on our left, keeping one in close order in support. The enemy charged up to us several times within 200 or 300 yards, but, daunted by the coolness and steadiness of the men lying down to receive them, dared not approach nearer. As my instructions required me to proceed to Thaba Bossigo, I directed the cattle, under charge of a company, to be driven down a path on my right, intending to follow with the remainder of my force, but no sooner was this movement discerned by the enemy, than he cheered, and again charged us, on which we halted and reformed in skirmishing order, and again repelled him; Captain the Hon. G. Devereux at the same time made some good shots with the rockets, and the result was the total disappearance of the enemy, and we proceeded to descend from the heights without further opposition.

     On reaching the plain below, I joined the column which had accompanied his Excellency, and I therefore need not report further the proceedings of the day, except the movements on the right flank, which occurred beyond the reach of his Excellency’s observation, and previously to our taking up ground for the night. The enemy appeared at this time, as his Excellency is aware, in great force, showing remarkable boldness, and attempting to surround us on all sides. Their numbers I should estimate from six to seven thousand mounted men.

     Whilst attacking our front, a number of them stole up the krantz on our right, and took possession of the kraal, which we finally occupied for the night, from whence they kept up a brisk fire, while another party galloped round, and succeeded in getting behind some rocks at the base of the mountain from 200 to 300 yards in our rear. As it was necessary to drive them from these positions, I directed Major Pinckney to move up one company of the 73rd in extended order, with another in support, and attack the enemy on our right flank. Captain Bewes, at the head of the grenadiers, effectually performed this service, and our right flank was thus secured. Lieutenant Gawler, with the light company, charged the enemy in the rear, and drove them from the position they had temporarily occupied. Meanwhile, the Rifle Brigade held in skirmishing order the crest of the krantz in our front.

     Having driven off the enemy on our right, and secured a good position on that side, I despatched two companies to our left, to reinforce the companies of the 43d Light Infantry, which under Major Phillips were warmly engaged, while escorting the guns up to the position occupied by our right; the enemy at the same time continuing to fire upon us until long after dusk. Our position was, as his Excellency is aware, most critical, but the coolness and steadiness of the men, though opposed to such an overwhelming superiority of numbers, at the close, too, of a long and most arduous day, during which we had not been able to halt once for refreshment, was all that a soldier need desire. The loss of the enemy, though impossible to estimate, I am convinced was considerable; several were taken prisoners and released.

     On our side the casualties were as follows; viz., one serjeant and one private of the 12th Royal Lancers, one private of the 73rd, two privates of the Rifle Brigade, three privates of the Cape Mounted Rifles, and one Fingo, killed; one officer and six privates of the 43rd Light Infantry, and one officer and two privates of the 73rd, and one private of the Rifle Brigade (since dead), wounded; and one officer and one private 73d Regiment missing; total, 11 killed or missing, and 11 wounded.

     Where all did their duty so nobly, it appears almost invidious to particularise; but I beg to return my thanks to the following; viz., to Major Pinckney, 73rd, commanding the brigade, Major Phillips, commanding the 43rd Light Infantry, Capt. Bewes, commanding the 73rd, Lieutenant the Honourable L. Curzon, commanding a detachment of the Rifle Brigade, Lieutenant Gawler, commanding a detached company, Captain the Honourable G. Devereux, RA, commanding the Rockets, Lieutenant Goodrich, commanding a detachment of Cape Mounted Rifles; Captain Faunce, 73rd, Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General (whose fate I deeply lament), Lieutenant & Adjutant Reeve, Acting Brigade Major, and Lieut. Arthur Ponsonby, 43rd Light Infantry, my acting aide-de-camp. I received also much assistance from Mr. J Crouch, civilian, whose activity and gallantry were conspicuous.