Chapter I: Preface

Some apology or explanation may be deemed requisite, for delaying the publication of this "Story of the Zulu War" for more than a year after its conclusion. The little book itself was written very shortly after the capture of the king, Cetywayo, and the tardiness of its appearance has been, to a certain extent, intentional on my part.

Although it may seem ungracious and, perhaps, ungrateful to cavil at the war criticisms and descriptions which, by every post and telegram, adorn the pages of contemporaneous journalism, I would submit that the practice of writing _ex cathedrâ_ on war topics the day after an engagement, is too early to allow us to examine motives as well as facts, so that we may form conclusions to which we can only justly arrive, when "Time, the corrector, where our judgments err," has softened prejudice and exposed partisan feeling. The worst and most valueless criticisms on Waterloo were given to the world immediately after the fight of Mont St. Jean. The most unreliable, and indeed erroneous, opinions in regard to the splendid errors of Inkerman and Balaklava, appeared before the Crimean war was ended, and many a hero, elevated by the verdict of contemporaneous eulogy to a temporary pedestal in the Temple of Fame, has since been dethroned by the calmer and more honest judgment of a later generation. When the Emperor Napoleon called us a "nation of shopkeepers," he, perhaps, intentionally, paid us a compliment; for peace, commerce, and prosperity, have, as a rule, I venture to hold, been more regarded in our islands than projects of violence, warfare, or conquest; and this with us has ever been an honourable characteristic of the Spirit of our present Age.

But as Sir Bartle Frere, one of England's greatest, wisest, and most humane administrators, was well aware, the great and time-honoured law of self-defence sometimes compels a State, like an individual, to resort to arms, and the Appeal of Battle, when all peaceful modes of arrangement have been vainly tried, becomes occasionally unavoidable. Then, and perhaps only then, we may be allowed, even by the Peace Society and the Acolytes who trim the lamps for Mr. John Bright, to take an interest in and feel proud of the disciplined courage, the love of honour, and the sense of duty of which we read in the campaigns, where those who are near and dear to us have fought and fallen under the British flag. Then the commanders we may have known as subalterns, but whose names are now in all circles as veritable "Household Words;" whose careers we have watched with proud, yet kindly sympathy, and whose triumphs we have seemed as countrymen to share; whose powers of intellect and prescience array, regulate, and wield at will the grim and stern materials at command; whose daring, and yet coolness in the midst of death, acts like a talisman upon the rank and file--whose providence, when one path fails, is ever ready for fresh resources and designs--are not these the men of whom we may say with Tacitus,--

_"Ratio et consilium propriæ Ducis artes"?_

and of this class, I venture to think, were Lord Chelmsford and his lieutenants. And when we are ourselves in the "sere and yellow leaf," or have joined, mayhap, that "larger majority" which Gladstonian tactics and energy cannot hope to rival, our children and children's children, when they read of such names as Bartle Frere, Chelmsford, Wood, Pearson, Buller, and Piet Uys, may look back to English History and see that our "island mastiffs" have not become degenerate, either in courage or generosity, since the days of Harold, the Black Prince, or that knightly Sydney who fell at Zutphen!

Some experience of the Kaffir tribes and their characteristics, of the physical and geographical difficulties which attend upon a campaign in South Africa,--dating, indeed, as far back as a score of years ago, and the interest which I have since taken in colonies where, as an Adjutant, I passed some very happy years among Boers, Bôk, and Kaffirs, had at the commencement of the late war prompted me to follow its various phases, with a view to write the story of the campaign. In this purpose I was encouraged by the offers of many old comrades who were about to start with their regiments for the seat of war, and who promised me by each available opportunity the assistances of their several journals, notes, and sketches.

"But one I would select from that proud throng,
· · · · ·
And partly that bright names will hallow song,
And his was of the bravest."

And to those who have known that most accomplished gentleman and gallant soldier, young, brave, cheery, and _débonnaire_, Edmund Wyatt-Edgell, I need not say how delighted I was at his undertaking to correspond with me, and, as far as time and opportunity permitted, to keep me _au courant_ with the march of events. From the time of his arrival at Natal to the fatal day on which he fell, he fulfilled that promise, and if any merit be due to the narrative I now present to public notice, it will, I believe, come through those descriptions which I received from my dead comrade and friend--_Sit tibi terra levis!_

Another motive, or perhaps more than one, "pricked the sides of my intent," and invited me to wield the pen upon a soil where erst I had drawn a "regulation" sword. In the "unvexed silence of a student's cell," i.e., London chambers, I could only watch the progress of the campaign, without hoping to share in its toils or its dangers. I might envy, but I could not participate--

"For who can view the ripen'd rose, nor seek
To wear it?"

In default of this, I could, however, follow in spirit the adventures, by flood and field, of more than a score of old comrades and companions in arms, who were winning honour and renown in a land not unfamiliar to me. In the hasty and, with all deference I say it, somewhat ignorant criticism of those amateur mentors who tell us how battles ought or ought not to be won, and who, from the calm solitudes of Fleet Street, would make or mar a military reputation, I venture to believe, was much injustice done to the Commander-in-chief of our forces in South Africa.

"A man must serve his time to every trade
Save censure. Critics all are ready made."

And I was the more convinced of this partisan and hostile feeling from the knowledge that, west of Temple Bar, and especially in the regions where veterans do most congregate, in the clubs and haunts alike of _vieilles moustaches_ and military neophytes, from the "Senior" to the "Naval and Military," criticism was far less pronounced, and experience, as it invariably is, was more moderate in stricture and charitable in argument than elsewhere.

Lastly, the tragic fate of England's young chivalrous and knightly guest, which formed such a terrible episode of the war and draped our colours with mourning, even in the hour of victory, made a deep impression upon my mind, and caused me insensibly to marvel at the unworthy sentiments to which a large portion of the English public and the English press at that time gave utterance. Political feeling seemed then, as it now seems in poor Ireland, to override all sense of manly honour, generosity, hospitality, or common decency. The slaughter, for it was nothing less, of the princely and noble lad, who came to the shores of his country's hereditary foe, as a messenger of hope, alliance and future friendship, who had been taught by his father to love and study our English laws and customs, and who, in his abandonment in that fatal donga, must have felt shame for the comrades to whom his safety was entrusted; the sacrifice, I say, of this pure and devoted spirit, seemed to me to call for some record, less evanescent than a passing note or a newspaper article. If I have spoken strongly of the living in my sorrow for the dead, as a soldier I can but plead in vindication, that, in all my remembrance of the records of our English army I can recall no instance, save the one I have quoted, where an officer wearing our royal uniform and holding a royal commission, galloped away in front of his escort, and allowed a comrade to be done to death in unknightly fashion!

In conclusion I may say that this little work, although written _con amore_ and from details furnished to me by my friend, Captain the Hon. E. V. Wyatt-Edgell, and others, lays no claim to historical value, but assumes to be merely the _impressions de voyage_ of those who were actors in the scenes described.

WALLER ASHE.

Hare Court, Temple,
_Nov. 1880._

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
PAGE

Origin of Zulus--Their tribes--Senzagacone--Chaka--His
wars--Innovations--Administration--Standing
army--Death--Position of Zulus amongst kindred tribes--First
contact with whites--The Boers--The English--Panda--His reign
and death--Accession of Cetywayo--His promises to the
English--Breaches of faith--The boundary question--Its origin
and nature--The case of Sirayo--Its history--The Middle Drift
affair--Other causes of war--The Ultimatum sent--Official
declaration of war--State of the British forces--Cetywayo's
army and its organization--Their tactics. 1

CHAPTER II.

Plan of campaign--Native levies--Special service officers--The
advance--Pearson's column--Glyn's column--Wood's
column--Utrecht--First brush with the enemy--Difficulties of
transport--Action on Inyezani--Pearson at Ekowe--Glyn's
advance--Durnford's failure--Isandhlwana--Description of
camp--The battle--Details--Reconnaissance and return of Lord
Chelmsford--Rorke's Drift--Causes of Isandhlwana--Remarks. 24

CHAPTER III.

Ekowe described--The fort--Guard for the frontier--Raid on
Dabulamanzi's Kraal--Another raid--Life in Ekowe--Wood at
Potter's Kraal--Capture of Baglusini--Skirmish and capture
of cattle--Destruction of Manyanyoba Kraal--Colonel
Rowlands--Capture of Makatees Kop--Junction with Wood--Camp
at Kambula--Coming in of Oham--Disaster at Intombi
Drift--Death of Moriarty--Rescue of Oham's wives and
people--Events that led to the attack on Umbelini--The
Zlobani--The attack--Details--Death of Campbell--Narrow
escape of Wood--Death of Weatherly--St. Helena and H.M.S.
"Shah." 67

CHAPTER IV.

Effects of Zlobani--Description of Kambula Camp--Desperate Zulu
attack thereon--Description of the battle--Deaths of
Lieutenants Bright and Nicholson--Gallant rescue by Captain
Woodgate--Force and commanders of the Zulu attack--Their
losses--The English losses--Fortifications at Kambula
Kop--Block House--Arrival of despatches--Exciting scene. 132

CHAPTER V.

Organization of column for relief of Ekowe--The
march--Heliographic signals--Camp at Ginghilovo--Disposition
of the troops--Zulu advance--The battle--English
victory--Death of Colonel Northey--English losses--Zulu force
and loss--Relief of Ekowe--Meeting of Pearson and
Chelmsford--State of Ekowe garrison--Barrow's cavalry raid on
Dabulamanzi's kraal--British sentry firing on British troops. 156

CHAPTER VI.

End of first period of the Zulu war--Organization of fresh
advance--Reinforcements from England--Scene in
Durban--Disembarkation of troops--Cavalry camp at Berea--Lord
Chelmsford's arrival at Durban--His reception--Review of
Lancers and King's Dragoon Guards at Cato Manor--Plan of new
campaign--Composition of No. 1 column--Composition of No. 2
column--Cask bridge over Amatikula--Forts Crealock and
Chelmsford--Wood's reconnaissance to Blood River--Description
of Blood River and its scenery--Appearance of Buller's Light
Horse--Removal of Wood's Kambula camp--Grandier's capture and
escape--His tale--Description of Dabulamanzi and
Cetywayo--Death of Dabulamanzi. 184

CHAPTER VII.

Lord Chelmsford with Wood at Kambula--Patrol by Buller--Capture
of cattle--Scene from Kambula Kop--Zulu attack on
patrol--Removal of Wood's camp to Mayegwhana--Wood's
force--Scarcity of drivers and voorlopers--Newdigate at
Conference Hill--Fort and depôt at Conference Hill--Work of
No. 1 column--Exciting incident with a convoy--Distribution
of troops--Forts on the Tugela, Inyezani, and at
Ginghilovo--System of guards and precautions against
surprises--All ready for the advance--Recapitulation of
military situation--Newdigate's forts at Landsman's
Drift--Arrangements for garrisons in rear of advance--The
Lower Tugela command--Patrol by Wood and Buller in direction
of Isandhlwana--Second patrol by Buller--Zulu attack--The
Prince Imperial on patrol--Reconnaissance in force to
Isandhlwana and burial of the dead. 221

CHAPTER VIII.

Advance of the 2nd column--Landsman's Drift to Kopje
Allein--Description of camp--Plan of campaign--Discovery of
Port Durnford--It becomes the base of 1st division--Troops
composing 1st column--Crealock's journey to Durnford. 256

CHAPTER IX.

Death of the Prince Imperial--Lieutenant Carey's
account--Discrepancies in and comments thereon--Feeling in
the camp--Expedition under General Marshall to search for the
body--Description of the spot--Recovery of the
body--Court-martial on Carey. 268

CHAPTER X.

March of the 2nd column--Kopje Allein--Climate of the
locality--Sickness among the troops--Evil effects of
Cardwell's system--Embassy from Zulu chiefs--Cavalry
skirmish--Death of Adjutant Frith--Difficulties of
transport--Reinforcement of Wood--Appointment of Sir Garnet
Wolseley--Opinion of the troops thereon--Alleged
inhumanities--The helioscope. 295

CHAPTER XI.

Advance of 1st column--Description of route--Forts Crealock and
Chelmsford--Causes of delay--Sickness of troops and its
origin--Capture of cattle--Proposals for peace by
Umsintwanga--His interview with Crealock--Surrender of
Umguelumgwizi--Advance of 2nd division--Details of troops
composing it--A fortified kraal--Fort built by Wood on the
Umlatoosi--Patrol by Buller--Burning of five kraals in the
Usipexi district--Amhlabatini--Depôt there described--Envoys
from Cetywayo--Advance to White Umvolosi--Wood's camp--Lord
Chelmsford's ultimatum to Cetywayo. 311

CHAPTER XII.

Raid across the Umvolosi by Buller--Gallant rescue of a
sergeant by Lord William Beresford--Buller's losses--Umvolosi
crossed by the main body--Formation of troops into
square--Total numbers--Firing of kraals--Advance of Zulus
from Ulundi--The Zulu attack--Repulse of Zulus--Pursuit by
Cavalry--Death of Wyatt-Edgell--Losses of both
sides--Withdrawal of English army--Effects of the battle of
Ulundi--Surrender of 700 Zulus to Crealock--Cause of retreat
after Ulundi--Resignation of Lord Chelmsford--His farewell
parade--Epitome of work done by 1st column, and why it was
not present at Ulundi--Ondini burnt by Barrow. 337

CHAPTER XIII.

Arrival of Sir Garnet Wolseley--Reception at Durban--Changes
made by Wolseley--His plans for the future--Attempt to land
at Port Durnford and its failure--Sir Garnet at St.
Paul's--Grand council of Zulu chiefs--Resignation of General
Crealock--His farewell to his troops at Camp Umlalasi--Fêtes
in honour of Lord Chelmsford--Wolseley at
Pietermaritzburg--Disturbances in Pondoland and
Transvaal--Wolseley at Rorke's Drift--McLeod and the
Swazis--Their appearance and habits--Wolseley at
Intanjaneni--Surrender of guns by Mbelebele--Adhesion of
various chiefs. 359

CHAPTER XIV.

Plans for the capture of Cetywayo--The Jantjis--Vijn's
appearance at Victoria--His narrative--Its
consequences--Despatch of Major Barrow and Lord Gifford in
pursuit of the king--Their march--Description of country
traversed--Gifford and Maurice sent on by Barrow--Marches and
countermarches--Physical characteristics of country; its
flora and fauna--Visit to kraal of friendly Zulus--Capture of
two of the king's attendants--Women of the king's household
captured--Captain and twenty Basutos join Lord
Gifford--Gifford's stratagem to obtain information of the
king's hiding-place--Cetywayo's refuge discovered--Forced
night-march--Message to Major Marter--His arrival on the
scene--Capture of the king. 379

* * * * *

NOTES 406

THE STORY OF THE ZULU CAMPAIGN