That battle marked the beginning of a war that people seem to have forgotten, unlike the later British-Zulu War. In my experience, both had equal heroism, although the British awarded many more medals for fighting the Zulus. The Xhosa War was my introduction to Africa, and in it, I saw both the strengths and weaknesses of the African tribes.
With the Galeka assault repulsed, the government in Cape Town decided to reinforce the frontier.
“Here come the redcoats,” Buchan said, as a British regular regiment, the 24th Foot, marched in, all scarlet coats, sun helmets, blue trousers and Martini-Henry rifles. Augmenting them were a mixture of British settlers and great-bearded Boer burghers. At the back, chattering as they sharpened their assegais, hundreds of Fingoes joined the army, eager to
