THE BAYONET IN ZULULAND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 119, 20 May 1879, Page 4

THE BAYONET IN ZULULAND.

-The Times publishes the following letter from "A Sergeant-Major v :~ " Sir,— We read that at Isandula ' the bayonet was found to bo no match for tbe shield and assegai.' How wes tbat ? We have been ied to believe lhat tbo bayonet has been relied upon to decide every engagement. What, then, has csqsed the change? Breechloaders taking the place of the muzzleloaders ? Not with regard to the case ip point, for it is stated that the heroic, though luckless, Ist battalion of the 24tb, after haviDg expended all their ammunition — viz., 70 rounds — had to depend solely upon the bayonet, which, however, was found to be no match for ihe shield and assegai of the Zulu warrior How, tben, is tbe falling off in the practical value of ibe bayonet to be accounted for in this particular instance ? Easily enough, though it does not appear to have been pointed out lo the authorities. Now, every soldier wbo bas fired from bis Martini Henry (or, perhaps, any other breecb- . loading rifle) only ten rounds, with any approach to rapidity, knows tbat tbe barrel is then so heated th&t be is unable to 'grasp bis rifle witb bis left hand round tbe stock and barrel,' to bring it to ' the charge.' If so, what could he do after baving fired 70 rounds. At best he could only bold bis rifle with bis right hand round' tbe email,' aod allow the wood under the barrel to reat on his left, pinching it as herd as possible to keep it steady; bat us to using his bayonet witb any hope of effect, this is out of the question, for 8 child, could almost knock it out of his hand. I think tbe noble 24 h must have been in thia unfortunate plight, for undoubtedly tbey expended their ammunition rapidly against the host of advancing Zulus. It is easy to point out an evil, not so the remedy; how ever, tbe latter in tbis case appears Bimple. Have a concaved tbin piece of wood (or Ojther material) about 3 inches long, fixed on the barrel between the back-sight and lower band, not too tbick, eo as to interfere witb its pointblank range; this, would enable the •oldier to grasp his rifle firmly, so as to be able to use tbe bayonet, with all its renowned deadly effect. Were I not confident that the material across the barrel (wbere the band grasps it) herein advocated is of great impootance and urgently needed to be applied at once, I should not have written tbis letter." February 27.