What I Saw In Kaffir-Land

By: Stephen Lakeman

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Synopsis: “The nineteenth century wars against the Xhosa tribes of South Africa could be as savage as any fought and there can be little doubt that imperial powers could use methods verging on genocide when they decided to take over the lands and resources of underdeveloped people. Equally, a savage foe inevitably fought a savage war and Kaffir and Zulu warriors were not given to taking prisoners. This book is by and concerns the experiences of Steven Lakeman in the wars by the British crown and settlers against the Kaffir tribes in Cape Colony in the 1850s. Lakeman was a mercenary adventurer, soldier and administrator, and it was widely recognised that his command, the Waterkloof Rangers, waged war in a fashion brutal to the point of criminality by modern standards. Some of his matter of fact statements concerning the activities of his men-and indeed his own actions-will be troubling to contemporary sensibilities, while being essential reading for those who wish to understand both the events reported and those who took part in them. Lakeman was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1853. He went on to play a pivotal role in the Victorian age both in war and as a diplomat. He was one of the earliest proponents for the discontinuation of the iconic scarlet uniform of the British soldier and its replacement with khaki and he campaigned vigorously for the introduction of the Minie rifle to replace smooth bore muskets.”-Print ed.