Company Of Spears

Hounslow.Sir,I have the honour to submit this my report for the first three months of the detachment’s duty at the Cape, as required by Standing Orders. Returns and accounts are attached herewith.Shortly upon disembarking, the troop’s horses were afflicted with a most virulent disease thought to be habitually present in these parts, which no quarantine was able to prevent since its nature is not properly understood. I regret to have to inform Your Lordship that in spite of the best efforts of Veterinary Surgeon Kirwan fifty-three horses succumbed to the fever. Goodish remounts have been obtained locally, however, and these are now fully trained, but the troop has been unable to take part in the active operations foreseen by General Bourke when he requested a reinforcement. These shall begin shortly and take the form of patrols along the eastern frontier of the Cape, which is called Kaffraria, and some punitory expeditions into the territory of the Xhosa, who are the native people of this part of the colony. I must observe, however, that the country is not entirely advantageous to cavalry, where it is frequently impossible to form line and to maintain it, and I have given it as my opinion to General Bourke that the Corps of Mounted Riflemen, which are now formed and ready to take to the field under their own officers, shall likely be a better force to employ in this work. This we may soon observe, and General Bourke has expressed himself entirely content that if the Rifles are steady and capable then he will release the Troop Detachment to return to England, for it is ever a draw on his resources, which accounts are already in deficit.I regret to have to inform Your Lordship also that five men have died of disease or injury since our arriving. I have, with Your Lordship’s presumed permission, authorized promotion in acting rank, of Corporal Wainwright to serjeant, and others, minor, as detailed in the attachments…

The report continued for three more sheets of foolscap, with a further four of attachments. Hervey hoped it would be deemed adequate. Not knowing his commanding officer, he found it difficult to be sure what matters might be regarded as trifling. Lord Holderness would know none of the detachment by name and perhaps next to nothing about the Cape and its condition. Of future dispositions and manoeuvres Hervey could, in truth, say very little, for these were to be of a speculative nature – patrolling, and the recovery of cattle. There was, still, no very clear understanding of what the Xhosa intended (if they intended anything at all). Despite what Gaika had promised when his son had been returned to him, his tribesmen had continued almost without let to cross the Keiskama to hunt, and of late had begun crossing the Fish again, so that the frontier settlers were once more reporting cattle losses. Fort Willshire had had to request reinforcements, and twice Colonel Somerset had travelled to Graham’s Town to judge the situation for himself. Hervey found he could bear the absence easily.