Organisation and uniforme of the British Mounted Infantry in each battle

Hello

As you know during the Zulu war, each squadron of British Mounted Infantry was made up of soldiers from different infantry battalions ...

The total number of Officers, N.C.O. and men in every battle of every squadron of British Mounted Infantry are well known in general...

- But not known, squadron by squadron ,how many Officers, NCO and men of each infantry battalion was provided for each squadron of British Mounted Infantry and for each battle ?

- At the battle of Gingindlovu ,the British Mounted Infantry wearing a new uniform (trousers of Oxford mixture per example) and weapons (swords per example), what was it?

- These new properties have it been worn by all units of the British Mounted Infantry for the second invasion of Zululand?

Cheers

Pascal

Hi

For those interested here is some information on the IMI in the Zulu war

March 1878 2/24th landed in South Africa – almost immediately a 30-strong mounted infantry troop was raised from its soldiers and Hulse was one of them under the command of Lieutenant William Sugden 2/24th. .



June 1878 MI troop was ordered to Natal as part of the build-up of troops for the Zulu War. It was detained en route in Pondoland (Jul-Aug) to pacify the country before arriving in Pietermaritzburg on 31.8.1878.



September 1878 Lord Chelmsford decided to create a 2nd Squadron, Imperial Mounted Infantry under Bvt. Major Percy Barrow 19th Hussars and MI troop was incorporated into it.



December 1878 The 2nd Squadron IMI was ordered to join Colonel Pearson’s Column No. 1 and it proceeded to the mouth of the Tugela River whence the Column commenced the invasion of Zululand on 11th January 1879.



22nd January 1879 2nd Squadron IMI fought at the battle of Inyezane.



March 1879 the 2nd Squadron IMI was entrenched at St. Andrew’s Mission near Fort Tenedos and formed part of the relieving force to advance on Eshowe.



2nd April 2nd Squadron IMI fought at the battle of Gingindhlovu.



3rd April 2nd Squadron IMI took part in the raid of Dabulamanzi’s kraal.



31st May 2nd Squadron IMI formed part of the second (successful) invasion of Zululand in the 2nd Brigade, Ist Division.



13-18th July 1879 2nd Squadron IMI took part in the search for King Cetshwayo.



12th September 1879 2nd Squadron IMI disbanded

Cheers

Pascal

Hi Pascal .
Also Number 1 Squadron of the IMI was present at the Battle of Isandlwana , in Julian Whybra's book
England's Sons it gives a breakdown by unit , the names of those KIA and who survived .
cheers 90th.

Hi 90 th

Yes it is time for me to receive all the books I ordered ...

I hope it has in it what I want...

Not only the history of the 24 th IMI but also a description of the new uniform and equipment for Gingindhlovu and after...

Cheers

Pascal

Pascal,

The only place that you are going to find a detailed history of the both battalions of 24th's mounted infantry is in Historical Records of the 24th Regiment..., by George Paton, Farquhar Glennie & William Penn Symons, published in 1892. I believe that there is a reprint available, however the information you require is only on two and a half pages.

2nd Squadron, Mounted Infantry, who fought at Gingindlovu, were issued with heavy cavalry swords.

kwaJimu1879

Pascal,

I've found it on line for you see [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
kwaJimu1879

Hello

Thank you for the link is too great that I have read in this book, and I would not buy it for so few pages on the subject, yet I learned a lot, so thank you again...

Cheers

Pascal

...and in this book there are also a lot about the last war against the Xhosa, it interests me too ...

It seems to Gingindlovu, the imperial mounted infantry was not the same uniform and weapons than in January ... Or find a good description

Hi Frederic

Yes he sent me this, a long time ago, but I can not find it, but I shall return it, I think ... Not true troubleshooting, is that I seem to remember they did not have the same uniform and armament that in January ...

Cheers

Pascal

It is certain that the uniforms Mi at Isandhwana were all brand new: My source for the new uniforms of the mounted infantry at Isandhwana are the memories of Their officer - Lieut. Newnham-Davis in His book-The Transvaal under the Queen - Sands & Co. (London, 1900)

The2nd Squadron of the Mounted Infantry, who fought at Gingindlovu, were issued with heavy cavalry swords.

And I think they had blue trousers with red piping as their comrades on foot...Unlike their comrades in the 1st Squadron , But I expect confirmation of uniformologues...

Rascal

Pascal
Frederic is right. I did publish a detailed article on the 1st squadron back in the 1990s. I shall be including an updated version of it in Vol 4 of Studies in the Zulu War which will include a roll for the 2nd squadron too. You'll just have to be patient!!

In Volume 4 of Studies in the Zulu War?? But that will be in 10,000 years    

In 10,000 years neither you nor I will be bothered any more....!
Volume 3 will be out April-ish. Volume 4 September-ish.

It's 10,000 years for me   

Pascal,

Looks like the 88th's contribution to the 2nd Squadron Mounted Infantry were still in the old single-loop serge frock, see the engraving based Charles Fripp's sketch of 1878:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

John Y.

John

Yes I know, it is a color illustration or we see them using swords in their output at gingindhlovu ...

Thank you for the illustration

Pascal