History of the Zulu war and its originColenso, Frances E. (Frances Ellen)
History
History of the Zulu war and its origin
Colenso, Frances E. (Frances Ellen)
Zulu War, 1879
“May 16th, 1879.—General Crealock telegraphs: Messengers from king
are at his advanced post. King sues for peace. John Dunn sent to
see them. Message as follows: ‘White man has made me king, and I
am their son. Do they kill the man in the afternoon whom they have
made king in the morning? What have I done? I want peace; I ask for
peace.’ King asks for a black man or white man to return with his
messengers to say message delivered rightly. Undwana, one of the
messengers, states that he has sent to Dabulamunzi to order him to
go to the king. Message had been delivered to him by Undwana, and
he ought to have reached king yesterday. All principal chiefs have
been sent for to the king. He says army is dispersed. Chiefs have
been urging peace on king. General C. has only informed Clifford
and Lieutenant-Governor of the above. I have telegraphed back to
Crealock: ‘Tell messengers I informed king’s messenger at Etshowe
that any message must be sent to me at Colonel Wood’s camp. I am
ready to receive any messenger under flag of truce. Tell them
something more than words will be required. Supply them with flag
of truce; relax no preparations or precautions.’” End of quotation.
“I shall be glad to receive your Excellency’s early instructions. I
consider the king should not be allowed to remain on the throne, and
that the terms of peace should be signed at Ulundi in presence of
British force. I shall not make any change in my arrangements in the
meantime.”—(P. P. [C. 2374] pp. 100, 101).
To Major-General Marshall belongs the credit of performing the
long-neglected duty of revisiting the fatal battle-field of
Isandhlwana, and burying as many as possible of those that fell
there. With General Newdigate’s permission, the Cavalry Brigade
under General Marshall made a reconnaissance of the Bashi Valley and
Isandhlwana, having moved down to Rorke’s Drift for that purpose.
The left column of the brigade proceeded up the Bashi Valley,
and moving round the Ingqutu range, joined the right column at
Isandhlwana.
The reconnaissance was proposed to include burying the dead, bringing
away the waggons, etc.; but an order was received prohibiting
touching the 24th, who were to be interred by their own comrades.
The battle-field was a fearful sight—though softened much by the
kindly hand of nature. There plainly lay revealed the widely-spread
camp (or rather line of camps), the hopeless position in which it was
placed; the absolute impossibility, circumstanced as it was, of any
result but the sad one we have already chronicled. And there, too,
were the evidences of a gallant resistance, and a stand made by men
“faithful unto death.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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