The Zulu War and Boer War: The History and Legacy of the Conflicts that Cemented British Control of South Africa by Charles River Editors

Author:Charles River Editors
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Charles River Editors
Published: 2020-06-11T16:00:00+00:00

An 1879 depiction of the Battle of Kambula

Before the Battle of Kambula, both sides engaged in back-and-forth raids and assaults, with the British marching deep into Zulu territory in an effort to attack their capital. On the other hand, the Zulu raided Boer lands, isolating British formations and fighting a defensive war against the British while keeping the Boers at bay. Now, after seizing the initiative at Kambula, the British were poised to continue their advance to the Zulu capital.

The result of this advance was the Battle of Gingindlovu. As a part of the advance into Zululand, the battle proved both an oddity and an early example of modern warfare. Along with traditional British troops and their native auxiliaries, sailors and Gatling guns joined the fray. One historian described the prelude to the battle:

“At the end of March 1879, Colonel Pearson’s Number One Column lay isolated in a fortified position at Eshowe, deep in eastern Zululand. Lord Chelmsford’s desperate worry was that this force would succumb before he could relieve it.

“Following the disaster of Isandlwana, the British government rushed reinforcements to Natal: two regiments of cavalry, two batteries of Royal Artillery and five battalions of infantry.

“On [the] 29th [of] March 1879, Chelmsford’s column crossed the Buffalo River and began its march to the relief of Pearson’s force. The country was covered by Zulu scouts. Signals flashed by heliograph were received from Pearson’s camp at Eshowe. It was clear to Chelmsford that his advance would be fiercely contested, progress further impeded by the terrible weather.

“On [the] 1st [of] April 1879, Chelmsford’s column reached the Royal Kraal of Gingindlovu and laagered for the night. A heavy rain came on. Chelmsford had taken careful note of the lessons from Isandlwana. At every encampment, the wagons were carefully positioned to create an unbroken laager wall and the troops required to dig sections of trench around the laager. Every camp was rendered fully defensible in case of sudden attack.

“Chelmsford’s chief scout, John Dunn, a pre-war inhabitant of Zululand for many years, scouted across the Nyezane River. Beyond the river he encountered the Zulu Army, some 11,000 warriors. Dunn returned to the British camp and reported to Chelmsford that the Zulus would attack in the morning.”[xxvi]

The British forces consisted of the following units:

Royal Artillery, including a Gatling gun and rockets.

3rd Regiment, the Buffs: now the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.

57th Regiment: later the Middlesex Regiment and now the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.

3rd Battalion, 60th Rifles: later the King’s Royal Rifle Corps and now the Rifles.

91st Highlanders: later the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and now the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

99th Regiment: later the Wiltshire Regiment and now the Rifles.[xxvii]

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