Campaigning in Kaffirland; Or, Scenes and Adventures in the Kaffir War of 1851-52

William Ross King

• Publisher: Bonhopai Books
• Year: 2025
• Topic: History
• eBook ISBN:
  9781779791009
• Subtopic: British History
• Index: History

 Campaigning in Kaffirland   by William Ross King is a vivid, soldier's-eye view of the Eighth Frontier War (1850–1853) between British colonial forces and the Xhosa people of South Africa. Drawing from his personal experiences as a British officer, King recounts the hardships, ambushes, and skirmishes that defined the protracted campaign in the rugged Eastern Cape. His narrative captures the complexities of guerrilla warfare, the difficult terrain, and the cultural misunderstandings that plagued British efforts. While written from a colonial perspective, the book is a valuable primary source for understanding both military life on the frontier and the resistance mounted by indigenous African populations. King's account is detailed, fast-paced, and revealing — a compelling window into a contested chapter of imperial history. 

Table of contents

• Title page
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• PREFACE.
• NOTICE FOR THE SECOND EDITION.
• LIST OF PLATES.
• CHAPTER I.—ORDERED TO THE CAPE—VOYAGE OUT.
• CHAPTER II.—STATE OF THE COUNTRY ON ARRIVAL.
• CHAPTER III.—LANDING—MARCH UP THE COUNTRY—FIRST BRUSH WITH THE REBELS.
• CHAPTER IV.—ADVANCE INTO KAFFIRLAND—ATTACK ON THE AMATOLAS—FORT BEAUFORT—CAMP ON THE KOOAP RIVER.
• CHAPTER V.—REIT-FONTEIN—STANDING CAMP—MARCH TO SOMERSET—ACTION ON KROOME HEIGHTS—RETURN TO FORT BEAUFORT.
• CHAPTER VI.—ATTACK ON THE WATERKLOOF—SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONS.
• CHAPTER VII.—FOURTH ATTACK ON THE WATERKLOOF.—DEATH OF LIEUT.-COL. FORDYCE, AND OTHER OFFICERS.
• CHAPTER VIII.—CATTLE LIFTING—KAFFIR AND FINGO CUSTOMS, ETC.
• CHAPTER IX.—NIGHT ATTACK ON CAMP.—POST RETIEF.
• CHAPTER X.—BUSHMAN PAINTINGS—LOCUSTS—RETURN OF TRANS-KEI EXPEDITION.
• CHAPTER XI.—DESTRUCTION OF KAFFIR CROPS—FIFTH ATTACK ON WATERKLOOF.
• CHAPTER XII.—SIXTH ATTACK ON THE WATERKLOOF—UITHAALDER—RETURN OF EXPEDITION AGAINST KRELI.
• CHAPTER XIII.—FINAL ATTACK, AND CLEARANCE OF THE WATERKLOOF.
• CHAPTER XIV.—EXPEDITION ACROSS THE GREAT ORANGE RIVER AGAINST THE BASUTO CHIEF MOSHESH.
• CHAPTER XV.—MARCH DOWN THE COUNTRY—TERMINATION OF THE WAR.