Zulu War, 1879; Zululand (South Africa) -- History -- To 1879
[35] A few particulars connected with the gallant Schermbrucker's
movements cannot fail to be of interest. Having assumed command
on April 15th, he directed his first attention to Luneberg, where
he arrived with Colonel Bray, C.B., about the middle of May,
when he reconnoitred in preparation for an attack upon Tafelberg
(Umbellini's caves), accompanied by Captain Moore, 4th Regiment,
and an orderly. They got too far within the enemy's lines, and
with river and a dangerous donga between them, on the road back
to camp found themselves attacked by about fifty Zulus, all armed
with Martini-Henry rifles. The commandant was unarmed, except his
British bull-dog (a little revolver). His horse was shot under him;
Captain Moore's fell, also shot down dead. The orderly mounted
behind the commandant was thrown again and again, whilst the Zulus
came closer and closer. At last the orderly got somewhat confused
and could not be remounted. He went down to the river to find a
hole where he could eventually defend himself; Captain Moore then
mounted behind the commandant, and after a fearful ride through
the Zulus' bullets, which whistled about them like hailstones,
they at last gained the camp. Without a minute's delay he started
off with twenty mounted men to the relief of Larson (the name of
the orderly). Alas! the poor fellow had disappeared. All searching
was in vain, not the vestige of a spoor could be detected. On May
20th Tafelberg was attacked. One hundred Zulus in well-entrenched
positions poured in a deadly fire. Lieutenant Gown, of the 4th
Regiment, distinguished himself in a gallant charge, and the enemy
were driven back into their caves and holes.—Extract from private
letters.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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