[GODLONTON (R.)]
A Narrative of the Irruption of the Kafir Hordes into the Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, 1834-35.
Godlonton’s classic account of the Kafir War of 1834-5, which as well as comprising articles reprinted from the Graham’s Town Journal, reports and despatches, contains a good deal of information directly from Sir Harry Smith, and his officers, to which Godlonton was privy.
There are varying accounts of how hostilities between the settlers in Albany and the Kafirs commenced. The murder of Purcell, a trader, is often posited as the starting point, as is “the lenient methods pursued by the authorites with regard to the thieving propsensities of natives, gradually [resulting] in more daring outrages on their part” (Mendelssohn). Godlonton provides a full account of all the known crimes committed, and considers the Kafir defense, before narrating the skirmishes as they occurred.
Peace was finally reached with Kreli on May 19th and later with the Gaika tribe on September 17th. Godlonton provides a useful appendix listing the general orders issued and casualites of the war. Mendelssohn I, pp611-12; Theal, p117.
