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TO COKRKSPONDK.NTH.~j

--------""'FANATICISM IN THE…

THE ZULU WAR.

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THE ZULU WAR. The following letter has just been received from Sorgt. Jones, son of Mr. Timothy Jones, signalman in tho employ of the Aberdare Coal Company. Tho writer is well- known in this locality, having formerly been. a drapers' as- sistant in this town — Camp Dundee, 7th July, 1879. My Dear brother, —Your ever cheering letter j reached me yesterday evening, and I answer it by return of post, which will satisfy you again for a while that I am on the laud of the living. You cannot imagine with what pleasure I dis- covered that you, too, favour our fated Com- mander-in-chief, Lord Chelmsford. I am perfectly aware that nearly the whole of the Conservative as well as Liberal journals con- demn his mode of campaign, but what did they know of his tactics from the receipt of the brief neffs, that they should condemn him without even a trial and hear what he had to say ? Some blamed him for dividing his forces, others for going too far from camp, others for going out at all. Now, my opinion is this, Lord Chelms- ford did what any man would have done, viz., he went out to fight the enemy where he knew he could find him, (in his front) while he left his left flank where the enemy was still in greater force than in his front (but he did not know this) unguarded save by the brave 600 of the 24th, but whatever anyone may say, I snail always remain convinced that he did everything for tho best. Wo, the 24th, ought to know what he is made of. Thoro is not a man in tho 2fth that would not fignt and most willingly die for him. ever since we met him on our way back to camp where we were perfectly ignorant of the loss of so mary lives and such an abundant supply of stores, ever since the 22nd January, when he halted us and said, "My lads of the 24th, I know I can trust you, you must re- capture the camp by the point of the bayonet and work your way through to Rorkes Drift." There was not a quiver on his proud lips. and although his brief address was given in gravity, yet it was encouraging and confidential, and every man would willingly have gone through fire and water for him. Who should know bettor than us, who are the subjects of his loving care and attention ? You alluded to the hardships we have to endure here. You really have no idea what hard times it is with us. I have not slept with my clothes and accoutrements oil' for the last 6 months. I gave you a discriptive ac- count of what wo had to suffer for the first mouth or two at ilorkes Drift after the retreat from Isandula we had the most cruel weather to contend with, added to this, v/o had neither clothes, blankets, nor any shelter from the angry elements, nor vessels to cook our food in. I am sorry to have to paint the misery of war in each letter, but God help mo, my sufferings are indeed terribly hard. n 1 have no idea what 1 snail turn my hand to when my time of service expires. I am per fectly certain I shall never bo able to work at any hard employment, but I must trust to the godess Fate to rule my future, I suppose. We had news here on the 5th instant of a battle that took place between tho contending forces. Ulundi (the king's kraal) has been utterly destroyed and a thousand Zulus killed. Our losses, I believe, were about 30 or 40 killed and double that number wounded. You will perceive that we now form part of the Border Guard. Wo asked the general to go up with him to Zululand, but ho replied that any young regiment would do to go to the front, and he could not trust such important places as the border drifts to others than the 24th and others who are broken in to the campaigning out, but I don t think we need grumble at being left behind, for everybody knows that the gallant .iitu have done their duty in South Africa since the outbreak in Kalfraria. We have marched tiio country over and over again, and slept in bush and rock, have had to drink the bush filthy water, and have had to put up with very scanty food and clothing. Oh yes, talking about the condemnation of Lord Chelmsford, by the penny journals, I have read two or three articles in the Saturday Review, which charged those who were fighting in the camp with cowardice Does anyone believe that they were cowards ? No, neither does the editor of the Review beliove they wore, but I suppose he would heartlessly charge the bravo men with cowardice for the purpose of drawing more at- tention towards his journal. The sad but glorious death of those brave men imputed with cowardice and tho patient endurance of the living with incompetency and carelessness! May England regret such usage of her brave sons, is the sincere wish of, your affectionate brother, EVAN JONES, Sergeant. 2nd Bat. 24th Regiment. —I forgot to mention my further pro- motion. I vvus promoted Sergeant 011 the 3rd April last. You need not expect to learn of any further steps as I am now what is generally °j*tho top of tho tree of Non-commissioned officers. I think, if my memory fails not, that I sent you my first letter from South Africa as a Private, second as a Lance Corporal, the tnird as Corporal, the fourth as a Lance t-ergeaut, and the present as a Sergeant.

! IRON AND COAL TRADE.

€i)ttorial £ om;ipauOcnce.

THE BOROUGH ELECTION.

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-TAFF VALK ivAILW

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.LOCAL NOTES.

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ABE ii DA RE POLICE COURT.