Did the Zulu's get on their toes once they saw Chelmsford returning?

Posts : 187 Join date : 2010-02-04

I read the following from a booklet by Rob Gerrard;

"towards sunset the whole forcre moved back to the encampment of the previous night, hastened by having seen another English force approaching from the south" Eye-witness account by a Zulu warrior.

I didn't realise that the Zulu's did a runner? I thought that they would have been up for attacking Chelmsford too?

cheers

Posts : 2008 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 27

Hi Cisokid

The army that fought at Isandlwana where short of food and water, had as many as 2,000 wounded to look after. They where also weighed down by bounty they had taken from the camp. Also they would have been exhausted.

If i remember the Zulus had been leaving all afternoon, the last few certainly would have left when they saw 2500 more invadiers.

Sorry about the first post Idea

Cheers
DB14

Posts : 187 Join date : 2010-02-04

Sorry Drummer, I believe that this is from a Zulu @ Isandhlwana.

Hi Ciscokid.
Did they do a runner ?. Basically yes !. One couldnt expext much else really . They hadnt eaten except basically what they plundered from the camp , had travelled a long way to fight and then had to proceed with the battle . The likes of which they could never have imagined , the ferocity and carnage that would be dealt to them as a nation etc etc . They had done what they were ordered to do ; Time to leave and take as much as they can carry
and so they did . Many items were left on the ground during the withdrawl when the owner decided it was to hard
to proceed with it , etc etc . Only a basic answer but you will get idea .
cheers 90th. Idea

Hi Ciscokid.
Forgot to ask as seeing as you quoted from the Rob Gerrard brooklet which I also have , did you purchase the
audio Cd as well ?. I have it and find it intersting although I've only listened to the first 3 out of 5 discs ?.
cheers 90th. Idea

No.
I would reckon the Zulus knew the precise location of Chelmsford's column at all times. If they attacked the camp and not the column, that is how they wanted to play it.

Posts : 187 Join date : 2010-02-04

Thanks. I guess that they were tired and hungry, but so were the British - I personally think that they missed their chance, at the end of the day they were a warrior nation and not all the troops were involved in the battle, hindsight is a wonderful thing :-).

90th - I only bought the book, not the CD - I bought the book after someone posted a heads-up to it for sale on ebay. I really enjoyed the read, just a shame I didn't see he was in Tavistock or else I would 100% have gone.

Thanks

Guest

Happy New Year 2012 to all and to all yours, and especially a very good health.

Without logistics Zulu army could not remain more than a week in the countryside, but even without this, it is true that if they had forgotten their rigid military, he could have fewer losses and resist any longer in this war .. .

Cheers

Pascal

» THE ZULU WAR. THE BATTLE OF ULUNDI. MUTILATION OF OUR SOLDIERS BY THE ZULUS. STEADINESS OF THE TROOPS. INTENDED RESIGNATION OF LORD CHELMSFORD.
» Northey Wyatt-Edgell artillery 7-pounder guns from iSandlwana returning to England
» Returned by the Zulus ?