THE ZULU WAR.

Kumara Times, Issue 922, 13 September 1879, Page 4

THE ZULU WAR.

■» THE BATTLE OF ULUNDL An interesting narrative of the battle of Ulundi has been contributed to the Times of Natal by Mr Melton Prior, the special artist of the Illustrated London News, who was present on the occasion. The Times remarks that, as Mr Prior has been in seven different campaigns, his testimony to the intrepidity with which the Zulus fought is worthy of attention. Mr Prior, with Mr A. Forbes and Lord William Beresford left for England on July 29, by the Dublin Castle. Mr Prior’s narrative is as follows : “ On the day before the battle, namely, Thursday, July 3, Colonel Duller was ordered to reconnoitre the enemy’s ground with about 500 men, and crossed the White Umvolosi in two columns, Captain Duller being ordered to cover the retreat. They had, as our readers are already aware, advanced in pursuit of a few of the enemy, who, as it appeared afterwards, were evidently acting as decoys towards a donga not far from the Umvolosi, when Colonel Duller, at the head of 300 men, chased them, but on approaching the donga Sir Thomas Hesketb, A.D.C., descried a large number of the enemy, and upon this the order was given instantly to wheel about. On seeing this the Zulus fired a terrific volley into them, bringing four men out of their saddles. It is evident that the old trick which was so successfully played at Zlobane and other places was again attempted by our wily enemy, and that but for the sharp look out kept by Colonel Duller would have been entrapped by them. The retreat was then beaten, the enemy firing continuously at them. This reconnaissance enabled Colonel Duller to choose a good position for the fight on the following day. It is a curious fact in connection with this point that it appears from the statements of the prisoners that it was part of Cetewayo’s tactics to get on to the exact spot which was chosen by Colonel Duller. While our natives were at the river getting water the Zulus used a number of defiant terms to them, saying, * You are a set of cowards, and are all

u*v m uw vi w ii muoj nuu aiw ail Very well in a laager, but don’t dare to meet us in the open. If you do we will annihilate you.’ This it seems was designed to induce us to take the course which we adopted with so much success, and it seems Cetewayo had given orders to attack us at the exact place we took tip. The war cry which was going during the night was of the most diabolical description. Although at a distance of three or four miles the unearthly yells could be distinctly heard, and some of our natives recognised what they were crying out. The refrain consisted of defiance to the English, and laments over men who had fallen that day. The ceremony was of much advantage to us, as it enabled us to take every precaution for an attack. The cries began about 11 p.m., and we expected the enemy at any moment. The order was in consequence given that all horses should be brought in, and in the course of about two hours and a half the camp was in a state of commotion. All that night we enjoyed very little sleep. “At a quarter past 5 am. we moved

**« H Kf Or* 114* TV O UiUVCU to cross the White Umvolosi, taking the form of a hollow square. The four companies of the 80th led, forming the front face, followed by two guns .{(sevenpounders) of Col. Harness’s battery. The 13th Regiment and the 94th formed the left face, the 90th and the 58th the right face, and the two companies of the 21at, numbering about 260 men, formed the rear guard. Buller’s horse were placed as advance guard and flankers on the front and two flanks, at a distance of about half a mile, to touch the enemy. As soon as we approached the kraal of Nodwengu the order was given by Lord Chelmsford in person for the whole of the square column to half-right turn,,the result of which was that our right face was towards Nodwengu, and our front towards Ulundi. The whole manoeuvre was so creditably performed as to astonish many who were with the column. No sooner had we taken up our position than Lord William Beresford rode in at a hard gallop to inform the General that the enemy was advancing. Yeiy soon after the cavalry was attacked, and drew the enemy into our position. The cavalry came into the square, and within five minutes the whole of the four sides were engaged, at a distance of 800 yards. The enemy was seen advancing in skirmishing order in the front, and large masses behind them as supports. On they rmsnort in iTia foon n 1 .‘l_ i ‘

puanea, in tne face of a perfect hailstorm of lead, steadily and unflinchingly, as only brave and determined soldiers can do. But for the coolness which was shown by our troops, from the officers in command down to the buglo boys, it would have been hopeless to stand against the intrepidity which the Zulus displayed. In the course of all the campaigns at which I have been present, I can state without hesitation'jtbat I never came across an enemy which 1 felt more pride in seeing beaten than the Zulus. For over half an hour they faced a fire so searching and so deadly that almost any other • troops would have flinched before it, and at one moment it was a grave question whether they might not succeed in a rush on one of our faces. “ As it was, from 2000 to 3000 forged up about 30 deep, and, with a piercing war cry, made a dash for the corner, which was being held by the 58th and 2lst aud two gnns. Lord Chelmsford who during the. action, was seen riding first to one point and then to another, on seeing this, rode to the corner threatened and the words from him, ‘ Can’t you fire faster !’ were answered by one contiuous rattle from the whole of the infantry in that direction. la a few moments it was

evident this had the desired effect of checking the rush, and almost immediately after the Zulus were observed to waver, turn, and finally to fly in all directions. Now was the time for the Lancers, and no sooner was the order given than they sallied forth, with cheers from the lines, at a hard gallop. We followed the Lancers for a short distance until the enemy turned, and once more showed fight. So courageously was this done that the Lancers had to right-about-wheel, but charged again with such effect that the Zulus were soon strewn in all directions under their lances. One of the Lancers, while charging, had his horse fell under him, and was immediately attacked by a Zulu, who endeavored to wrench his carbine from him. He called to his sergeant for assistance, and the latter, dashing up, made short work of the Zulu. Another wounded Zulu lying near was at the same time trying his best to assegai the Lancer, whose horse was pinning him to the ground, and a short but sharp engagement took place between sword and assegai. The sergeant again but an end to the hand to hand conflict by passing his lance through shield and body into the ground, and it was with some difficulty that he withdrew it, eventually riding off with the shield still on his lance. At this cavalry charge poor Edgehill met his death, together with four Lancers and a sergeant. Captain Drury Lowe, who it was reported had been wounded, in answer to my inquiries, informed me that he had been hit by a spent bullet on bis belt in the back, which had ‘ taken his breath away,’ and he fell from his horse, under the impression of being wounded, but in a few seconds, resting on his eibow, he passed his hand over his back, and observing, * No, no ; am I wounded ? I don’t think so,’ he decided the point in the negative, rose up, took to his horse, and joined once more in the conflict. The Zulus, who bolted up a mountain, were soon out of reach of the cavalry, and these were therefore ordered to return. While this had been going on the Dasutos and volunteers were similarly engaged, the former chasing the enemy a mile and a half beyond Ulundi. It is estimated that over 600 Zulus were killed by the cavalry. “On returning to the square, it was apparent that the attack had been pretty severe. I heard that 10 men had been killed and about 50 wounded. But the following day it was stated that our casualties amounted to 14 killed and over 80 wounded. This number, though to be regretted, is small considering that the square was opposed to the attack of the enemy on all sides. The shots which passed over the heads of the Infantry came whizzing about us in the centre, and the noise made as these missiles came into us was not exactly encouraging to the non-combatants and surgeons, who, nevertheless, unflinchingly performed their arduous and painful duties to the wounded, who were being brought into the centre by native bearers under Surgeon major Stafford and Dr Busby from all sides. The order to cease firing was given as the enemy bolted in all directions, and the soldiers in a few cases actually threw their helmets at their retreating forms. The order was now given to throw a few shells into Ulundi to discover whether the euemy were there in any force, and Colonel Duller then, with his staff and horsemen, made a dash for it, Lord Wm. Beresford being designated * Ulundi ’ Beresford, from the fact of his being the first one to enter it. As I was pushing on steadily towards the gaol, I suddenly heard the well known voice bahind me of Mr Archibald Forbes, the correspondent of the 'Daily News, who dashed by me, calling, * Come on, Prior, and a race for the King’s kraal then took place between art and literature, the latter winning by a neck. Many of the staff and other officers were in our track, and together we searched the huts, Here I had a very narrow escape, as I did not notice when the others had left, and looking up from a sketch I was making, saw the unwelcome face of a skulking Zulu, who appeared to be running away from me. This, however, seemed to be too good to be true, and as I had no doubt he was endeavoring to cut off ray retreat, with sketch book in one hand and pencil in the other, I made for the only means of exit from a perfect maze, rightly judging, as it turned out, that being only one against any number that might turn up, discretion would be the better part of valor, particularly as there was fire burning on three sides of me. Captain Shepstone later on congratulated me, saying he had seen three or four Zulus after me. On gaining my horse, which was outside, I galloped off, and on joining the column was informed that the Hon Mr Drummond had gone into Ulundi, and from this I conclude he has unfortunately incurred the fate which I so narrowly escaped. It was soon determined by Lord Chelmsford to return to our original laager across the White Umvolosi, shields and assegais taking a prominent part among our men on their return. Congratulations were freely passing between one and another on their escapes, many being able to show bullet-holes through their helmets, belts cut, and other indications of the sharpness of the contest. A ration of rum was ordered all round, aud as the days’ doings were discussed over it, all agreed vthat the Zulus had sustained a greater defeat in the open than they had from behind laager, and that they must then feel that their challenge of the morning ‘ to fight in the open’ had been fairly answered,”