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
Lord Chelmsford accompanied the Flying Column. We cannot leave
Brigadier-General Wood’s command without a word of notice. From
the beginning to the end of the campaign its work was done in
a thoroughly soldierlike manner, leaving little or nothing to
be desired. There was a thorough reciprocal confidence between
commander and men, and a total absence of those “scares” which were
occasionally heard of during the campaign.
Where all did well, it may seem a little invidious to single
one out for mention, but we will quote the concluding words
of Brigadier-General Wood’s despatch of 5th July, referring to
Lieut.-Colonel Redvers Buller, not only on account of this officer’s
merit, but “to point the moral” as to where was the neglect which led
primarily to the disaster to the Head-quarter Column in January:
“He has never failed to cover the column with his mounted men, for
from ten to twelve miles in front, and on the flanks.
“Constitutionally fearless, he is prudent in counsel, and though
resolute, is very careful of the lives of his troops in action. He
possesses, in my opinion, all the attributes of a perfect leader of
light cavalry.”
It is stated (_Standard_, August 22nd, 1879) that, on reaching
the White Umvolosi, despatches arrived from Sir Garnet Wolseley,
requesting Lord Chelmsford to fall back and meet him at Kwamagwasa—a
mission station, where it had at one time been proposed that the 1st
and 2nd Divisions should effect a junction.
On the 4th, Lord Chelmsford sent a despatch to Sir Garnet Wolseley,
in which he said: “As I have fully accomplished the object for which
I advanced, I consider I shall now be best carrying out Sir Garnet
Wolseley’s instructions by moving at once to Entonjanini, and thence
to Kwamagwaza.”
Why the blow struck at Ulundi was not followed up it is difficult to
say. If Lord Chelmsford’s instructions permitted him to advance and
engage the enemy, they would be sufficiently elastic to enable him
to follow up the victory. The king was known to have a new kraal in
a strong position at the junction of the White and Black Umvolosi
Rivers, within a day’s march of Ulundi; the Zulu army was thoroughly
beaten and dispersed, and there was absolutely nothing to prevent an
advance for the destruction of this stronghold, the moral effect of
which on the native mind would have been very great. There was an
ample force, willing hearts, and no lack of supplies. The solution of
the problem must be sought in Lord Chelmsford’s words: “I have fully
accomplished the object for which I advanced.” He withdrew at once
from the scene of his victory, and—resigned his command.
CHAPTER XXII.
SIR GARNET WOLSELEY—CAPTURE OF CETSHWAYO.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account