Zulu War, 1879; Zululand (South Africa) -- History -- To 1879
The _Times'_ correspondent complains of the want of a definite
plan, and speaks of orders having been countermanded, and of
general uncertainty. "What is wanted is a bolder determination."
On the 16th of June he writes, "We are wandering towards
Ulundi much as the children of Israel wandered towards Canaan,
without plans or even definite notions for the future. Plain,
common-sense plans suffice, if backed by energy, decision, and
determination." The _Telegraph's_ correspondent tells us that
Lord Chelmsford's intelligence department "has been singularly
defective throughout." The correspondent of the _Daily News_, Mr.
Archibald Forbes, thoroughly shared these opinions, and expresses
them with conspicuous power and ability. Indeed, it is almost
impossible for any one to study carefully the proceedings of
this protracted campaign, from the arrival of reinforcements in
March until the battle of Ulundi, and not come to conclusions by
no means complimentary to the general commanding-in-chief. It is
urged that carriers, such as those employed by Sir Garnet Wolseley
immediately after his arrival,[50] would have immensely facilitated
transport, and when we consider that 4000 British troops at Ulundi
defeated, in the open field, the concentrated power of Cetywayo—an
army of more than 20,000 men—it is hard to believe that a column
such as Wood's, properly reinforced and moving quickly, would not
have been able to finish the war.
[Sidenote: _Sir Garnet Wolseley._]
Sir Garnet Wolseley's proceedings were of the most prompt and
vigorous character. Disappointed in not being able to land at
Port Durnford, he had to return to D'Urban and proceed overland
to General Crealock's coast column. When near the coast, he was
gratified by receiving news of the battle of Ulundi, but was
subsequently disappointed at Lord Chelmsford's neglecting to take
full advantage of this victory. That officer almost immediately
resigned, and had an interview with Sir Garnet, whom he met at St.
Paul's. A Ulundi column was organized under Lieutenant-Colonel
Clarke, consisting of the 60th Regiment, Barrow's Mounted Infantry,
two troops of Lonsdale's Horse, and two troops of the Native
Contingent. This small movable column was ordered to operate
towards the upper waters of the White and Black Umvolosi; Oham,
with a burgher force, was to move from Luneberg. On the 21st of
July Sir Garnet had a satisfactory interview with the principal
Zulu chiefs. Dabulamanzi, the king's brother and one of the chief
leaders of his army, had surrendered at Fort Chelmsford (Crealock's
column) on the 11th of July, and numbers of minor chiefs, with
their people, came forward to declare their submission to the
British Government. Colonel Baker Russell was directed to operate
from Intabankawa, in the direction of the Black Umvolosi, lending
assistance to Oham, whose forces were situated in a more northerly
direction. Under Colonel Villiers it was arranged that the Swazis
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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