Cetshwayo pleaded for peace several times

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 62 Location : UK

If this is true "Cetshwayo pleaded for peace several times during the British advance, but he was turned down." Does any one know why the King was turn down. And who made the decision on the British side to turn down these pleads.
If excepted many life’s on both side could have been saved. And at what stage of the war were the pleads made. Before or after Isandlwana. Or both.

Posts : 2593 Join date : 2009-04-24

Cetewayo had ample opportunity for peace,before the invasion commenced. He did ask for a peace settlement but even then he would not comply to the terms.

Posts : 527 Join date : 2009-02-28

Extract from a Letter from Chelmsford dated 3 March 1879.

Messengers have arrive from Cetewayo at Krantztop asking for peace and saying that our fighting against each other has been quite a mistake! I hope to give his answer next week by sending a column forward to Eksowe. Sir B. Frere in not prepared to approve of any reply but that of unconditional surrender and General disarmament, coupled with the conditions already laid down.

S.D

Posts : 1862 Join date : 2009-03-25

Chelmsford or Frere would not have excepted peace in any form, until they had given the British troops the pay back opportunity for Isandlwana.
In some of the books I have read Chelmsford keeps up the stakes in fines upon the Zulu king.
His popularity among the British public would have gone down hill rapidly. Both Chelmsford and Frere needed a victory even if it meant not waiting for Worsley.

» One of Cetshwayo's tusk peace offerings in 1931
» Military Times - Zulu issue
» Zulus do not want war