Lot 375
Burns Hill via Alice to England: 1878 (17 Apr.) Campaign letter written just before the battle of Makabalele Ridge, a signed officer’s letter erroneously bearing 1871-76 1d carmine-red (wing margin at right) tied by small triangular obliterator on cover to his father, Revd. W. Smith, Petersfield, Hampshire, England, countersigned "Free, F. Smith, Lieut, Commanding, Burns Hill" and bears double oval ALICE AP 17 1878 town datestamp and CAPE TOWN AP 25 78 CAPE COLONY c.d.s., backstamped CAPE PACKET PLYMOUTH MY 24 78 c.d.s. and next day receivers of Diss and Petersfield, Rare., ex Dillaway. SG 29.
Estimate $750 - 1,000
The letter was delivered from the field to Alice, 15 miles west of Burns Hill and forwarded to Cape Town on postcart route No.28.
The seeds of battle had been sown many years before but the war erupted between the Xhosa and Fingo tribes when a minor Gcaleka Chief was injured during a brawl at a beer party held by the Fingo Ngcayecibi. Against his will the Xhosa Paramount Chief Sandile became involved and a full scale war between the tribes started. The Cape Government used both Imperial Troops and Colonial Forces consisting of 5,000 infantry, 200 mounted troops and the assistance of 3,700 Fingo tribesmen to finally end the war with the death of Sandile, who was killed on 29 May 1878 in the Perie Bush 12 miles from King Williams Town. The death of the Paramount Chief heralded the end of an era and a legend spread over 50 years.
So much for "Beer Diplomacy".
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| Opening Bid $350 |
