The War in South Africa - Morosi's Stronghold in Basutoland [Wood Engraving] From a Sketch by Our Special Artist by Unknown - 1879

London: The Illustrated London News. Very Good+. 1879. First Edition. Print. The Illustrated London News; No. 2089; Vol. LXXIV; 1 pages; Image measures 14.5 X 9 inches; matted measures 22 X 14 inches. Full page wood engraving from the June 28, 1879 issue of The London Illustrated News depicting The War in South Africa - Morosi's Stronghold in Basutoland. Morosi (? - 1879) was a Baphuthi chief in the wild southern part of Basutoland. He led a revolt against the Cape Colony government in 1879, in defence of his independence south of the Orange River. The British refused to help the Cape Government. However, Letsie, the paramount chief and first son of Moshoeshoe, and many of the Sotho ruling establishment, rallied to support the Cape forces and the rebellion was put down after several months of arduous fighting. Over the course of ten years, Morosi worked on building a mountain top fortification. The mountain has sheer drops on three sides and the fourth consists of a 30° slope, which he reinforced with a series of strong walls, 8–12 feet high, impervious to artillery, with loopholes for guns. There Morosi took refuge with around 300 Baphuthi soldiers and sufficient ammunition, food and cattle to resist a long siege. Morosi was besieged by up to 800 Cape soldiers and 1,500 Sotho. The third and final assault on Morosi's stronghold took place on the night of 19–20 November 1879 under the command of Colonel Zachary Bayly. Mortar was fired over the walls of Morosi's fortifications for four days and nights prior to the attack. The storming party scaled up a fissure, known as Bourne's Crack, and reached the top before Morosi's men could regroup. At the top, the CMR cut down the enemy then set out to find Morosi. A private of the CMR named Whitehead shot and killed Morosi. After his death, Morosi was decapitated, his head then boiled and stripped down to the bone. .