Details
1880 (July-Sep.) a group of six autograph letters written from Arthur Barkly in Mafeteng to Col. Griffith, the first letter begins "I heard of Molapo's death yesterday...The natives don't seem much alarmed & I find many of them don't anticipate war.", "...I shall have to send an escort to meet the post cart I'm afraid, as there are rumours to stop it..."...I am strengthening this place daily...", the final letter, dated 20th September, gives a graphic account of the battle at Mafeteng three days earlier "...unfortunately Clarke, who was in the rear, stopped to assist a wounded man, Leigh Magee, & in doing so got surrounded. He was seen fighting with his sword & once got almost clear, but then fell...when we were reinforced by a few C.M.H. the whole top of the hill by Martimus Village was black with the enemy, who must have had 1500 men out. Those who were moving down towards us were again turned back by Macmullen, who was in a very strong position, & whose men (only 15 till reinforced a little later by Carrington) opened so steady & telling a fire..." plus further account of the battle and the defences made for Mafeteng; an interesting series of letters with this account of the first British losses of this war.
Further details
Note: Arthur Barkly was the the magistrate at Mafeteng in charge of 200 Native Police, he was the son of Sir Henry Barkly, who, at this time was commissioner on defence of British posessions. There were three losses that day, the third being Pte. Bernard White. On 22nd September, Letherodi, at the head of a substantial force made a sustained attack on the Colonial entrenchments at Mafeteng