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History: During the rule of the Republic of Natalie Captain TC Smith was given orders by the Governor of the Cape Colony, Sir George Napier, to occupy Port Natal (present Durban). On 5 May 1842 he occupied the old British fort (Victoria) on the Point and established an entrenched position at Itafa amalinde (present Old Fort). After indecisive’ negotiations between Captain Smith and Comdt General Pretorius, the Voortrekkers immobilised the British column by driving off 600 oxen into the bush on 23 May 1842. Smith decided to attack the Voortrekker village at Congella and advanced along the beach during low tide, just before midnight on 23 May 1842 in bright moonlight with 109 men of the 27th Regiment, supported by two 6—pounder guns and Royal Engineers, as well as a howitzer on a boat in the bay. He was opposed by a force of some 30 Voortrekkers hidden in the shadows firing at the clearly visible British soldiers on the beach. Smith was forced to retire after suffering heavy losses, including the two guns. As the tide had come in some men were drowned on the way back to the fortified position. This led to the siege of the fort, the ride of’ Dick King for help and he eventual annexation of Natal as a British colony.
Visual Description:
This small erf is the only remaining part of the battle site which has not been built over. There are two monuments on the site but they do not specifically indicate that the battle took pl there and are not part of the motivation. The site is in fairly good condition.
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