Did you know that while the British army was battling the Zulus, another force of Cape soldiers was fighting in a nearby region against the BaPhuti people of southern Lesotho?
It’s now known as the Siege of Moorosi’s mountain or the Moorosi Rebellion. It was a complicated, drawn out conflict against a skilled and dedicated opponent.
My good friend Cam Simpson is writing a book on the war and was recently on the Redcoat History Podcast to explain more. You can listen to the full audio version below.
I also wanted to post the timeline of events that Cam sent to me. I think it’s an important detail that will add context and understanding to the course of the war.
Background of rebellion:
- Moorosi’s son Lehana [Doda] was arrested along with 6-others for cattle theft and was rescued from the local magistrates prison on 31 December 1878.
- Cape Government demand that Moorosi returns Doda.
- On10 Feb, local Cape commanders receive information that Moorosi is willing to fight them.
- 23 February, Austen (the local magistrate) flees from his magistracy.
Protagonists:
- BaPhuthi clan: Under Chief Moorosi who was a vassal of Letsie, son of Moshoeshoe.
- 8,000 population, probably 1,000 able bodied combatants, mounted in commandos
- under head men.
- Cape Government Forces: Cape Mounted Rifles, Cape Mounted Yeomanry, Various Volunteer units, Burghers (8 contingents), Basuto Police, Basuto Contingent & Levies.
Dates of the key engagements:
- 5 March 1879: Action at the Telle Drift against Moorosi’s Commandos–hostilities commence (Moorosi Rebellion).
- 8 April: Cape Forces first assault against Moorosi’s Mountain.
- 29 May: Moorosi’s forces raid the Cape Mounted Yeomanry camp close to Moorosi’s Mountain (Moorosi Rebellion).
- 5 June: Cape Forces second assault at Moorosi’s Mountainunder Colonel Brabant.
- 19/20 November 1879: Cape Forces third and final assault at Moorosi’sMountain under Colonel Z. Bayly where Moorosi iskilled and the BaPhuthi are defeated.
You can also view the video I made with Cam which shows the geography and characters of the battle.
redcoathistory.com 
Thank you for the update
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Hello, I wonder if you are still monitoring comments? Congratulations on your excellent coverage of little known Lesotho history. I was an adventure tourist guide for nearly twenty years, entering Lesotho via Sani Pass and other routes over the Drakensberg from KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, staying with local people in their homes in some very remote mountain villages with In the process the country taught me so much and got under my skin too. 🙂 I and more than a few of my guests made the same observation as you about Lesotho being a bit like Africa might have been if it had not been colonised. I am now lucky enough to live in Brecon, Wales, a country that is ‘same same but different’ in so many ways!
Anyway, I am preparing a talk about the Siege and Battle of Mt Moorosi, and have in my possession an account of the war written by an anonymous member of the CMR who was present. If you are interested in having a copy, you are welcome to inbox me on Messenger. Philip Grant
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Hi Phillip, many thanks. I would love to receive a copy if you are able. I am not sure what messenger is or how to use it but perhaps you could email me chris@redcoathistory.com – thanks a lot.
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