Battle of Congella

Battle of Congella
Part of the Great Trek

Congella battlefield memorials
Date23 May 1842
Location
Port Natal later known as Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Result British victory
Belligerents
Natalia RepublicNatalia Republic United Kingdom British Empire
Commanders and leaders
Andries Pretorius Captain Thomas Charlton Smith
Strength
unknown 134[1]
Casualties and losses
unknown

19

killed
29 wounded
1 missing[2]


The Battle of Congella, beginning 23 May 1842, was between the British of the Cape colony and Voortrekkers or the Boer forces of the Natalia Republic. The Republic of Natalia sought an independent port of entry, free from British control and thus sought to conquer the Port Natal trading settlement which had been settled by mostly British merchants in modern-day KwaZulu-Natal. The battle ended in a British victory due to the heroic ride of Dick King for reinforcements.

  1. ^ "DEFEAT OF THE BRITISH TROOPS AT PORT NATAL". The Manchester Guardian. 27 August 1842.
  2. ^ "DEFEAT OF THE BRITISH TROOPS AT PORT NATAL". The Manchester Guardian. 27 August 1842.