ISANDHLWANA HILL

Evening Star, Issue 20151, 16 April 1929, Page 5

ISANDHLWANA HILL

ZULU WAR BATTLE RECALLED ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS January 22 was the fiftieth anniversary ot the Battle of Isandhlwana, when the 24th Kegiment was massacred by the Zulu army after making an heroic stand, the prelude to the battle of Korke’s Drift on the following day, when a handful of British troops took revenge by inflicting a heavy defeat on the hordes of Zulu warriors. These arc epic incidents of the Zulu War in 1879, _ which brought security to the colonists oi South’ Africa, and finally subjugated the native tribes; and iu Natal, this great occasion was celebrated by numerous ceremonies, to which both Europeans and Natives, among whom are a number of survivors, flocked from all parts of the Union. The site of Isandhlwana Hill is about ten miles from the Buffalo River, which forms the eastern frontier of Natal.

War with the Zulus was inevitable, and before it began the question was simply whether civilisation or bai barism was to prevail in the country. The plan of operations decided upon by .Lord Chelmsford was to invade Zulnland, moving bis columns from as many different points, driving the enemy before them, ami meeting at Ulundi, where be anticipated a stand Would be made, which would enable him to strike a decisive blow. The third column was under the command of Lieutenant-colonel Glyn, C. 8., and was composed of six guns K.A., one squadron of mounted infantry, Ist and 2nd Battalions of the 24tb Kegiment, 200 Natal Volunteers, ISO Natal Mounted Police, several battalions of the Native contingent under Commandant K. L. Lonsdale, and and some Native pioneers. The rainy season was not yet over, and some difficulty and danger was experienced in crossing the Buffalo on January 11.. The broken country iu front was almost impassable, as the valleys and fiats were like swamps. Efforts were made to construct a roadway to enable the guns and transport to push forward. LAGEKS NOT FORMED.

A successful attack was made on the Usipozi Hill, but the Natives put up a stubborn resistance. On January 2(J, nil the first difficulties were overcome, and the Jrd column was encamped at the foot of Isandhhvana Hill. Tents were pitched, but there was no defence of any kind, and the wagons wore not drawn together to form a lager, although advice had been given to the British, always to be very careful to form lagers when halting on a march.

About twelve miles away on the fnhla/.tye Hills was the stronghold of a native chief Alatyaua. On January 21 two separate parties were sent from camp at an early hour to reconnoitre and, if possible, to attack the place. One of these parlies consisted of mounted men—Xatal Volunteers and police—under Major .Dartnell, an experienced soldier who had served in the British Army with the highest credit, and who had taken part in several campaigns. Commandant Lonsdale, who commanded the other party, was an old soldier of proved knowledge and judgment. At about TO o'cock that morning DartiieH’s men encountered Alatyana’s men, but it was not considered prudent to engage them without supports. An effort was made to make the enemy show their force; the Zulus advanced throwing forward their two “horns.” and trying to surround Dartnoil, for Zulu tactics were always the same. They always tried to attack in a half-circle, throwing forward both Hanks of their lighting force, like two horns, which strove to encircle and and threaten the rear of the enemy, while their centre, in successive waves of men. charged to the front with irresistible determination. REQUEST FOR REINFORCEMENTS. Alajor Dartnell decided that he and Lonsdale should bivouac for the night where they acre, and he sent a message to Lord Cliemsi'ord for reinforcements Cheinsford had attaciied himself to the third column, which was the strongest and most important. Ho received the communication about midnight, and shortly after ordered the 2nd Battalion of the 24th, the mounted infantry, and four guns to he ready at daybreak. As the information from Dartnell mentioned that the enemy were in greater numbers on the Inhlazatye hills than had been supposed, it was thought that an overwhelming force should' be brought against them, as there might he an opportunity of striking a paralysing blow against an important part of the Zulu army. By reducing the number at. Tsandldwana, the camp was considerably weakened. so the general ordered Colonel Durnford to bring a portion of the second column, now near Rorkc’s Drift, at once to Isamlhhvana with his mounted men and the rocket battery. Lieutenant-colonel Pulleine, of the 2-Ith Regiment, was left in command of the camp until Durnford should arrive, and wa v ordered to diaw in Ids line ol defence and infantry nubpo-H. hut In keep his mounted vedettes still far advanced. At about ID o'clock Colonel .Durnford arrived am 1 , being the senior uflieer, became by right the, commander. He did not. however, take the dispositions; out of Pulleinn’s hands, and the two officers worked cordially together. HAXGER NOT SUSPECTED. The outposts brought in varying information to the camp: “The enemy is in force behind the bills”; “The enemy is in three columns, one moving to the left and one towards the general " ; “ The onemv is retiring in all directions.” These messages and estimates of the enemy strength came in rapidly. Colonel Durnford determined to go out to the fioct with the remaining two troops, which wee to ho followed by the rocket battery, escorted by a company of native contingent. The impending dangc was not fully realised, and there was n.i expectation ol an attack that Jav„ A company of the 2-(tii Regiment was cut out as a picquet, I ,2Ullyds mrtl- of the camp. Durnford moved to the front al a canter, the rocket battery following ,u a slower pace. A few miles out an immense ” ini pi ” was reported to lie behind the hills; ami almost immediately the Zulus appeared iu force on his front and lelt-ii) loose order, ten to twelve deep, with heavy masses in support. Dnrniord retired" a little way to take shelter behind a “donga”; and, extending his men, commenced a steady (ire. The numbers were against him, so ho retired to .another “donga,” where lie found himself in line with the camp troops. Thirty or forty Natal Volunteers reinforced him, and here his desperate stand was made.

The position now was as follows:--The Zulus were attacking in half-circle on the camp, while a Zulu regiment was pushing round the English left to gain possession ol the wagon road and line of retreat upon Korke’s Drift. The action was la lull swing. The gnus were sending death to the enemy, the rifles ol the ‘-’tth were dealing withering volleys, the aUackcrs were falling in Hundreds, but kept on advancing. As

one rank of the Zulus was swept away another pressed forward. The .shot of the infantry told on the dense masses. Even the chosen warriors of the Zulus could not maintain an advance against the deadly hail; they wavered and lay down, seeking shelter. AMMUNITION FAILS. But the widespread horns of the Zulu army had worked their way round the Hanks, and were even now showing themselves in rear of tiie English. The native contingent became panicstricken and fled, leaving open gaps between parties of Europeans. The ammunition began to fail, which fact did not cscaue the Zulu chiefs. Pressing for-

ward, they made a last irresistible charge. They poured through the gap in the line, and closed upon the doomed men with their native shout of “Kill the white man.” A scene of direst confusion followed. “Horse and foot, English and Zulu, friend and foe. in one writhing slaughtering mass, slowly pushed through the camp towards the road to llorke’s Drift, the road of retreat to safety.” Of the 24th Regiment the battalion fell and lay by companies, surrounded by slain enemies. When the battlefield was revisited the remains of officers and men were all found on the line of then last parade. No man had. flinched, and

all had died as they had lived, shoulder to shoulder. But such a fight could not pass without the performance of many deeds of bravery. Many of the actors and spectators were left among tho dead. Tho story of Captains Melville and Coghill, of the 24th Regiment, who saved tho Queen’s colours, only to lose their lives, is well known. P.rivate Wassail, of tho mounted infantry, gained the V.C. for plunging a second time into the Buffalo under heavy lire to save a wounded comrade.