THE ZULU WAR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5459, 13 August 1879, Page 3

THE ZULU WAR.

GREAT VICTORY OF THE BRITISH. Adelaide, August s to. The Garonne brings Cape news to July 10th, as follows : — Cetewayo, failing to comply with, Lord Chelnisford's demands, on the early morning of July 4th the British, forces, comprising four thousand Europeans and eleven hundred natives, with twelve guns, crossed the Ukyclusi river. Marching in ' hollow squares, they took up an excellent position between Nodwesgo and Ulundi. The Zulu regiments comprising twenty thousand men, personally commanded by Cetewayo, attacked our troops about 8.30 a.m. The British fought in squares, with their guns at the corners. The correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph •rives the following graphic' account of the battle : — About t™ minutes to \) tin; firing becaino general, all four sidus of the squares being simultaneously engaged, the Zulus, after their mnnuei 1 , tin-owing out the wings of their army 1o surround the British force. They csiui'3 steadily on amid complete silence, advancing with the same intrepidity they showed at Ginghilovo and Isandula. continued, their advance until they

reached a spot not more than 70 yards from the squares. Tho British infantry wore formed in four ranks, the front rank kneeling and the rear rank, . reversed, facing inwards, Avhile in tho inside of the squares Avero all the necessary arrangements for keeping up a supply of ammunition. It was impossible for any force long to face such a deadly storm of lead as poured amongst tho Zulus at such a short distance. A few now and then made an attempt to advance further, but it was no use. The main body paused a moment — a decisive moment it was. Thoy were met by a furious hail from the Martini-Henry rifles, and the artillery, continually at work, sent shell after shell through tho dark masses, breaking up every attempt of the Zulu? to concentrate their strength for a rush. It then became time for tho Lancers to bo lot loose. Hiding down with their lances levelled, they came like a whirlwind upon tho enemy, aiid tho instant their lines wore broken through the sabre was at work as well as tho lance, and the Zulus soo7i tore asunder, their confidence as an army destroyed, find they were seen flying in all directions before the advancing cavalry. The irregular yeomanry put a finishing touch to the battle, pursuing tho enemy everywhere, billing numbers, until they found refuge in tho hills. Aftcsr a short rest the British column advanced, capturing Ulundi, Cetewayo's kraal, which was deserted. It, with several important Kraals within a radius of ton miles, was burnt, the column then returning to camp. One thousand Zulus were killed. The British lost one officer— Captain Edgell, of tho Lancers — and 14 rank and file killed, and Colonel Lowe, Lieutenant Jenkins, and 30 rank and file wounded. Lord Chelmsford then fell back on Kinranganarsa, everything round Ulundi being burnt. Cetewayo, it is reported, fled north-west. Several relics of Isandula vrere found in the burnt kraals. At Ulundi a large number of Zulus surrendered, and General Greatlock finding it impossible to feed them gave them the option of settling on the coast or returning to theix- kraal. Lieut. Carey was charged with unsoldicrliko behaviour, in not attempting to rally his men after the first volley, on tho occasion when the Prince Imperial was killed. The evidence was very conflicting. Some of the troopers asserted that no orders were given, and no attempt was made to rally ; whilst Lieut. Carey himself said that he ordered the troops to halt on the further side of the Adonaga, about 200 yards distant, and that ho thought the Prince Imperial was with them. When he found that tho Prince was not there, he asked tho opinion of the troopers, who agreed that he was already killed, and that it would be useless to return. Tho Prince Imperial's sword was surrendered by Cetewayo's peace messenger. .