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In Zululand with the British Army

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In Zululand with the British Army
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Author(s): Charles L. Norris-Newman
Date Published: 12/2006
Page Count: 320
Softcover ISBN-13: 978-84677-121-7
Hardcover ISBN-13: 978-1-84677-122-4

Very few professional writers are fortunate enough to be ‘on the spot’ when momentous events occur. Most often we are left with accounts by amateurs. Charles Norris-Newman is different. He accompanied Lord Chelmsfords expeditionary force into Zululand as a special correspondent and, but for his decision to attach himself to the staff would have been fatefully present at the slaughter that was Isandhlwana. In the event he had the chilling distinction of being able to describe the British Camp both before and immediately after the battle. Norris-Newman remained with the Army through most of the remainder of war and left us in his writing an essential, full and immediate view of the Zulu War of 1879 that is without parallel.

How well I remember that morning, and the dejected aspect of those officers belonging to the four companies N.N.C. detained by duty at the camp! Young Bueé, the assistantsurgeon, started with us, but his pony went so lame that he was obliged to go back; unhappily, as it turned out afterwards, for he, too, was fated never to leave the camp again alive.

The cavalry force which followed us was commanded by Major Dartnell, Captain Shepstone, and Mr. Mansell, and was instructed to go round to the left of the Upindo and Isilulwane Hills, and then on the top, so as to cut off any people and cattle that might try to escape from the Native Contingent, which had to beat round the slopes to the right. After a march of three hours, we reached the banks of the Indawene stream, which flows from a kind of precipice and waterfall in the middle of hills and vallies, both sides of which are magnificently covered with foliage, dotted with Zulu kraals and mealie fields. Upon arriving at the stream, the 1-3rd advanced on its left bank, up towards its source, in open skirmishing order, and, although no Zulus were seen, several head of cattle were taken at the second kraal we came to, and traces were found of recent occupation. The 2-3rd kept on the other bank in the same direction, and when both battalions were a few hundred yards off the waterfall, the first was ordered to right-turn, cross the stream, and ascend the steep height on the opposite side, and then proceed on the top of the mountains, right round the edges, keeping parallel with the 2-3rd, which was then wheeled back, and sent in skirmishing order round the base and sides to the right, through the great Thorn Valley of the Malakata, which is the western portion of the Indhlazakazi range. In going round we had some very difficult ground to get over, which seemed to try the powers of our noncoms.— who were not mounted—very considerably. In fact, it is not to be disputed for one moment that white men cannot keep up with a Kafir in a day’s march over stony and hilly country, and, therefore, every white officer and non-com, should have been mounted. About noon a halt was made, and an al fresco sort of lunch partaken of. In the meantime the 1-3rd N.N.C. Had proceeded quicker along the top, it being good ground, and were now seen approaching us from the east, coming down an easy slope on the hills some distance off with a lot of cattle, which they had captured in some hollow on the top. Shortly afterwards two more companies of the same battalion also turned up with more cattle, and announced that they had seen many more cattle in the direction of the Buffalo, from which, at the place where we halted, we were only three miles distant. A short rest benefited us much, and after having captured so many cattle we started off again with renewed energy, and still proceeded in an easterly direction, but gradually working our way round and up the mountain side. At about 4 p.m. we reached the top, and then saw all the cavalry up there, but some distance off. We were again halted, and our Commandant and Harford, his Staff Officer, rode off to Major Dartnell to hear what they had done. A long time seemed to elapse before Harford came back with the important news that the mounted force, accompanied by Major Gossett, A.D.C., had come across a large body of the enemy (considerably over 1,500) on a neck of the Upindo Hill, due east from us,where they held a very strong position in a krantz, taunting our few mounted men, who, of course, without infantry could do nothing. They therefore rode back to the Indhlazakazi, and met the Natal Carbineers, and later on our two battalions. A hasty council of war was held by the various commanding officers, and as it was thought that either the body of Zulus were the advanceguard of a larger force, or proceeding to assist those hidden in the various caves and krantze around us, it was decided to advance our whole force to the edge of the range (only separated by a small valley from the hill occupied by the Zulus), to send the mounted men to reconnoitre, and ascertain the strength and exact position of the enemy, and then to bivouac that evening close by, so as to prevent any farther hostile advance during the night. The news that we had still to go on a few miles was not well received, but after much grumbling, for the men were tired and hungry, and a long way from camp, we marched across the top to the other (North-Eastern) edge, and could then see on the next range, three miles off, a large body of Zulus, about 2,000 strong, who were massing, and seemed inclined to come down to attack the cavalry which had descended across the valley to reconnoitre, and were halted about a mile from them. We waited very patiently, and then saw a small body of Volunteers detached and gallop up to within about 800 yards of the Zulus, when instantly, and with
beautiful precision, two companies of the enemy opened out into skirmishing order, the flanks at a double, and tried to surround the party, although they did not fire a single shot. Our men, acting up to their instructions, had seen enough, wheeled round, and joined their main body again. The Zulus did not follow far. As it was now late, nearly six o’clock, Major Dartnell deemed it advisable not to attack, and came back to us with orders to bivouac that night where we were, and attack them the first thing in the morning.