British Expedition into Basotholand 1852

Sir George Cathcart, the new British High Commissioner of Cape Colony, thought it necessary that the Sotho (Basuto) of Basotholand (Basutoland) be shown the might of the British Empire. In December 1852, having failed to intimidate Moshweshwe (Moshoeshoe or Mosheshu) diplomatically, he advanced on Thaba Bosiu with a force numbering 2000 men.

On December 20, 1852, at the Berea Heights (Belea Mountain) the troops of the British expeditionary force ascended a hill to round up a herd of cattle, and were promptly surrounded by the Sotho and trapped against the cliffs. Several small parties of Lancers were wiped out. When the Sotho pressed home their attack only a determined stand prevented them from overrunning the rest of the force. Cathcart was faced with a humiliating retreat from Basotholand.

Moshweshwe's diplomacy, however, allowed Cathcart to save face. The ruler of Basotholand, though clearly master of the field, sent a message offering his submission and promising to support British policy in the future. This gesture of friendship to the British allowed Cathcart a way out, and the expeditionary force withdrew. Cathcart's main contribution to peace in the region was his willingness to suffer this military setback at Moshweshwe's hands in December 1852, and then to accept the overtures for peace without having another go at so astute an opponent. For his part, Moshweshwe achieved friendly relations with the Imperial authorities and ensured their backing after the British relinquished the Orange River Sovereignty to the Boers (who founded the Orange Free State on the abandoned territory).

References

South Africa: A Modern History, 157, 198; Queen Victoria's Enemies (1) : Southern Africa, 11-12; Timelines of War, 334.

Category

TBD

Region

TBD

State(s)

TBD

Belligerents

TBD

Dispute

TBD

Initiation Date

TBD

Termination Date

TBD

Duration

TBD

Outcome

TBD

Fatalities

TBD

Magnitude

TBD