John Clark Collection
Langalibalele Rebellion Map and Caption
This map (published with the kind permission of R.O. Pearse, author of Barrier of Sperars) shows how the Carbineers under Major Durnford took the wrong route. Instead of taking the Giant's Castle Pass, they set out from their starting -point at Meshlynn farm and proceeded up Hllatimba Pass through the awful country of steep ridges and deep valleys. Their horses exhausted, they arrived 24 hours late at Bushman's River Pass where the Amahlubi tribesmen fought them, killing the three Carbineers and two loyal Africans. The Carbineers were forced to retreat to the Hlatima Pass. Poor maps, lack of knowledge of the Drakensberg routes, and failure to use the local knowledge of White farmers all contributed to the tragedy.