The Zulu War

The War Despatches Series

John Grehan, Martin Mace

• Publisher: Pen & Sword Military
• Year: 2013
• ISBN:
  9781473829947
• Topic: Historia
• Subtopic: Historia del siglo XIX

The events at Rorke's Drift, the iconic defence of a mission station by a small force of British and colonial troops, were immortalised in the 1964 film Zulu. In January 1879, a small garrison of just over 150 British and colonial troops successfully defended the mission against a force of 3, 000 to 4, 000 Zulu warriors. The fierce, but piecemeal, Zulu attacks on Rorke's Drift came very close to defeating the defenders but were ultimately repelled. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders.The battle at Rorke's Drift was an early engagement in the Zulu War. Lasting between January and July 1879. Noted for several particularly bloody battles, including a stunning opening victory by the Zulu at Battle of Isandlwana, as well as for being a landmark in the timeline of imperialism in the region the war ended in a British victory and the end of the Zulu nation's independence. This unique collection of original accounts will prove to be an invaluable resource for historians, students and all those interested in what was one of the most significant periods in British military history.

CHELMSFORD’S DESPATCHES PUBLISHED ON 20 FEBRUARY 1879

The Secretary of State for War has received the following Despatches from Lord Chelmsford, Commanding the Forces in South Africa:-

From the Lieutenant-General Commanding in South Africa
to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for War.

Head Quarter Camp, Helpmakaar,
9th January, 1879.

SIR,

1. I have the honour to forward for your information the enclosed notification published by His Excellency the High Commissioner, together with a copy of his letter enclosing it to me, by which it will be seen the British Government declares itself in a state of war with the King of the Zulus.

Since the date of my last despatch I have personally visited Durban, the base of supplies and port of disembarkation. Thence I proceeded to the Lower Tugela, inspecting the various posts and troops on that line, the forces of which form the column under Colonel Pearson – this will be known as No. 1 Column. I have not yet received intelligence from that officer as to his movements since the 2nd January, but I instructed him to be deliberate in his movements, as from many reasons it is not desirable to bring on any collision before the full completion of the 30 days allowed Ketchwayo for the acceptance of our demands.

2. I visited the Native Contingent assembled in the neighbourhood of Krantz Kop, under Lieut-Colonel Durnford, R.E. – known as No. 2 Column: That officer reported yesterday that an excellent spirit pervaded his native battalions, which in a few days will be complete in numbers. I had always intended this column to act in a defensive manner until our advance into Zululand was made, and our footing there well established.

From my personal observations in this district (Umainga), and from the information I have received, I have issued orders to this officer to move two regiments of his command to this direction. It would appear that portions of the Zulu forces on the frontier between Rorke’s Drift and Kranz Kop have received orders to raid into Natal. This portion of the frontier is a native location, and there is, therefore, a paucity of white persons to assist in its defence. I trust that the presence of portions of No. 2 Column on this part of the border will give confidence to our own natives, and deter such raids being made.

3. Halting one day at Greytown to communicate with His Excellency the High Commissioner, I arrived here on the 4th inst., where the head quarters of Colonel Glyn’s column – known as No. 3 – is at present located. I visited the same day the various camps which extend down to Rorke’s Drift, where this column will probably cross into Zululand on the 11th inst.

4. On the night of the 6th information came in from Colonel Wood, V.C., C.B., that his column – known as No. 4 – had crossed the Blood River from Utrecht that day, and was at Bemba’s Kop (vide Durnford’s map). He is aware of the date of advance of No. 3 Column.

5. The weather has been very wet, which has materially increased my difficulties of transport and the passage of stores up to this place.

6. Usirayo, the Zulu Chief before referred to in my despatches, resides opposite Rorke’s Drift, and there seems to be every probability that he will attack No. 3 Column on its crossing the Buffalo. I have directed Colonel Wood to co-operate, if possible, with the movements of this column, which will, before a further advance, clear this Chief from the district. Colonel Wood, from whom I have just heard, is about 25 miles from this point; his information confirms my impression that Usirayo will, with all the forces at his disposal, attack No. 3 Column.

7. The disembarkation of the reinforcements is going on satisfactorily at Durban, and if the weather does not impede their movements, I hope before a week is past to have No. 1 Column reinforced by 6 companies of the 99th and a Company of Royal Engineers, and No. 3 Column by three companies of the 1–24th and a company of Royal Engineers; and, later on, five companies of the 2–4th will move to this spot; –Greytown, Pietermaritzburg, Stanger, and Durban being also garrisoned by single companies of Imperial Infantry.

8. Colonel Pearson (No. 1 Column) has been instructed to push on at once to Ekowe, after crossing the border.

I have, &c.

(Signed) CHELMSFORD,

Lieutenant-General.

Government House, Pietermaritzburg,
4th January, 1879.

SIR,

I have the honour to forward the Notification I have felt obliged to issue, declaring a state of war between Her Majesty’s Government and the Zulu Xing, consequent on his non-compliance with the demands made on him, urging reparation and redress for violations of British territory.

I have, &c.

(Signed) H.B. FRERE,

Her Majesty’s High Commissioner.

His Excellency, Lieut-General Lord Chelmsford, K.C.B.,

Commanding in South Africa.

NOTIFICATION
By His Excellency the High Commissioner.

1. Towards the latter end of July last two large armed bodies of Zulus, retainers of the Chief Sirayo, and led by three of that Chief’s sons, and by one of his brothers, entered Natal, and took away by force and violence out of Natal territory two refugee women from two different kraals, one of them belonging to a Border Police Guard of the Magistrate of the Umsinga Division. The women were dragged across the border into Zululand, and there, it is reported, murdered.

2. These two separate acts of outrage were promptly brought to the notice of Cetywayo on the 1st and the 16th August by separate messengers from His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor of Natal; and explanation, and redress by the surrender of the offenders for trial by the Colonial Courts of Law, were then and afterwards demanded from Cetywayo.

3. In the place of complying with this just demand, Cetywayo replied excusing the outrage as a boyish excess, and offering a sum of money as a solatium for the violation of British territory.

4. This offer of money was declined, with a repetition of the demand for the surrender of the offenders, but they were not surrendered, and on the 11th December a final demand was made on the Zulu King, in the name of the High Commissioner, that the three sons and brother of Sirayo should, be given up for trial, and that a fine of cattle for non-compliance with the demands already made should be paid within twenty days from the date of demand.

5. Those twenty days expired on the 31st December, 1878, and, the demand not having been complied with, the High Commissioner entertains no hope that it is the intention of the Zulu King to afford the redress Her Majesty’s Government has a right to demand.

6. It appears clear to the High Commissioner, from Cetywayo’s omission to comply with his demands, that the Zulu King’s intentions are not friendly to the British Government, nor calculated to ensure the preservation of peace between the Zulus and the subjects of Her Britannic Majesty in South Africa.

7. I therefore hereby make known, for the information of Cetywayo and all the Zulu people, that I have placed the further prosecution of this and all other de...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• List of Plates
• Introduction
• Map of the Battles of the Zulu War
• The Despatches
• Victoria Crosses of the Zulu War