Any Wars during the 1855-65 period?

[Lt Dan]

Hello,
I am new to the Forum. I was interested in learning about the British Army's role in South Africa during the 1855 to 1865 or 1870 period.
I have a Colt 1851 Navy revolver (manufactured in 1855) that somehow made it's way from England to South Africa. I understand British officers provided their own weapons, and perhaps this revolver was purchased by an officer on his way to the Cape. I was just wondering what may have been happening in South Africa during the time this revolver would have been in use.
Thanks for any information,
Dan

[Mark]

Dan

There was the 8th Cape Frontier War (also known as the 8th Xhosa War) between 1850-53 and the 9th Capre Frontier War (9th Xhosa War) between 1877-79. However, I don't think there was anything of note between 1855-1870. There was the so called Cattle Killings of 1856-58 but I don't think there was any major British military involvement (if at all). The following web site cropped up when I was searching around on Google: http://www.xhosacattlekilling.net/default.asp

Mark

[Lt Dan]

Mark,
Thank you. I also read the post on this forum about the Cattle Killings.
How could I find out which regiments served in South Africa during the 1855-70 period? I saw you request for those regiments serving in 1853 and before.

Thanks again,
Dan

[Mark]

Hi Dan

That's a good question! There was a site called regimants.org which listed all British regiments and thier history of postings etc. A very useful web site which sadly disappeared a while back. There were some other web sites offering it for download but I cannot seem to find any at the moment. Perhaps another forum member might be able to help?

Mark

[Keith Smith]

Dan

As Mark has said, there were no further 'wars' following the conclusion of the 8th Frontier war in 1853, until the 9th War of 1877-78. However, also as Mark pointed out, there was the Cattle Killing episode of 1856-1857, which so sapped the strength of the Xhosa people that it is estimated that more than 60% died of starvation and many of the remainder were forced into the Cape Colony for domestic work. It is largely for this reason that there was no conflict with the white man until 1877.

KIS

[Lt Dan]

Hello KIS,
Thank you. I did not realize the impact that the Cattle Killing had on the people of South Africa.
I would like to find out more about which British regiments were in South Africa during that period.

Thanks again,
Dan

[GrantRCanada]

The old regiments.org website can be accessed through web.archive.org - here is the link I use:
http://web.archive.org/web/20060110120610/http://www.regiments.org/

[Lt Dan]

Hello GrantRCanada,

Thank you for the link. I saw that some of that site is still under construction; however, it certainly looks like some helpful information.

I found a couple of sites also.... This first one links to a manuscript that indicates the British Government wanted their colonies to handle their own wars, etc during this period. Much of this was due to economic reasons.....
http://www.jstor.org/pss/2637746

The second link refers to the Basotho Wars (1858- 68)....
http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/gover ... ho-war.htm

Thanks again for any information.....

Dan

[Mark]

:D
The old regiments.org website can be accessed through web.archive.org - here is the link I use:
http://web.archive.org/web/20060110120610/http://www.regiments.org/

Nice one, Grant! Thanks for the link

Mark