What happened to all the booty taken by the Zulus from iSandlwana?

Don't know if this has been addressed before, but what happened to all the booty taken by the zulus after the battle of iSandlwana?

There was much taken, and no doubt some was discarded along the way back to Ulundi, but there must have been many 'trophies' that were taken back home to show off to the others.

It would be interesting to know if any of it was recovered, and even after the battle of Ulundi when the place was torched, I wonder if any of it survived, or if any remnants of it still survive today.

There may be the odd coller dogs, buttons, belt buckles (locket type), in fact anything may have survived. The Zulu people may even have some of this stuff, and keep it as a souvenir.

Does anyone know of any items still surviving from this battle?

Martin. Salute

Hi Martin.
As you may be aware there were two cannon found not far from Ulundi I think a couple of days or so after it was burnt .
There are other instances in books where things like this occurred . Cant for the life of me remember which book they are in .
I'm fairly certain Bertram Mitford mentions this type of thing in his book ' Through the zulu country - It's Battlefields & People '
It is the only non fiction book he wrote , and he did write 40 or so books ! .
Cheers 90th.

Hello Gary mate.

Yes, I know about the two cannons, and if I recall correctly, there were some Martini Henry rifles recovered after another battle. But there must have been loads of stuff taken back to Ulundi to show off to the other people.

:lol: :lol: You must have that many books that you can't remember which books you have read something in (I am like that mate, so don't worry).

That Bertram Milford book sounds interesting, is it available to read online, or is it a rare book?

I have often wondered if anything survives amongst the Zulu people, for instance, small items like coller dogs, numbers, buttons, belt buckles, in fact, anything from the battle, even the odd threadbare jacket (I think I might be pushing it there), :lol:

Makes you wonder though mate, the Zulu people might have the odd artifact that they don't really know what it actually is, other than it's an 'handmedown', and just look on it as a souvenir from the past. It would be very interesting to find out if anything does exist from the battle though.

Thanks for the help Gary.

Martin. Salute

Hi Martin.
I'm fairly certain Littlehand has posted the Mitford book on here and it can be read as such . I personaly like to hold the book , turn the pages etc etc . It's a great book , a must read actually , its like you are sitting in the wagon with him . I'll have a quick look and post a link . This was the cheapest I could find and I did see its post free in the uk . You wont be sorry if you get it Martin .

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Through-Country-Battlefields-Classic-Reprint/dp/B0093MSYYK/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349962367&sr=1-2

cheers 90th. You need to study mo

Hi Gary.

Many thanks for that, just ordered it. Salute

I owe you a pint when you come over to dear old England. Very Happy

Martin.

Hi Martin .
:lol: :lol: Make it two and you've got a deal !. :lol: :lol: . Enjoy the book , I'm sure you will . Salute

Cheers 90th. Salute

Mr M. Cooper wrote:: Don't know if this has been addressed before, but what happened to all the booty taken by the zulus after the battle of iSandlwana?

There was much taken, and no doubt some was discarded along the way back to Ulundi, but there must have been many 'trophies' that were taken back home to show off to the others.

It would be interesting to know if any of it was recovered, and even after the battle of Ulundi when the place was torched, I wonder if any of it survived, or if any remnants of it still survive today.

There may be the odd coller dogs, buttons, belt buckles (locket type), in fact anything may have survived. The Zulu people may even have some of this stuff, and keep it as a souvenir.

Does anyone know of any items still surviving from this battle?

Martin.

In answer to the first question and perhaps pointing out the obvious, taken away and buried i would assume???
I remember reading somewhere, sorry, can't remember where, that the Ulundi stronghold was sacked pretty thoroughly by the British and many trophies which were found in Zulu homes were recovered. The 2nd Btn 24th's colours were indeed searched for, but were never found of course.

Guest

The correspondent Charles Norris-Newman writing about the search of Ulundi on 9 August 1879 stated:

“Ulundi, as may be supposed, was thoroughly explored for objects of interest and value; but nothing of great importance was found. For one thing Lieutenant Milne's uniform case, taken from Isandwhlana, was discovered.” (From “In Zululand with the British throughout the war of 1879” by Charles Norris-Newman)

Milne had left the case behind at Isandlwana when he set out with Lord Chelmsford on the morning of January 22nd. Ironically Milne was at the Battle of Ulundi, and had the kraal be searched that day he might have recovered the case. On August 6 Milne left South Africa on the steam ship “German” to return to England.

Petty Officer Tom

Hi tasker.

Thanks for the input on this.

Yes, I had thought of that, but you never know, some of it might have been dug up and still be out there somewhere.

You are right about the colours, I don't suppose they will ever be found lurking in a hide away somwhere or other, they were probably burnt or shreaded at some time.

Salute

Hi Tom.

And also thanks for the input.

Come to think of it, I am sure I have a copy of the book you mentioned. The problem is, I have quite a few books on the AZW subject, and I have a habit of reading part way through, putting a book mark in them, then leave them in different rooms in the house, then they get moved by "Mrs Shifter" and it takes a while for me to find them again. :lol:

Not to worry, I will have a search for it, no doubt I will find it in a place where I know that I didn't leave it. Shocked

Here you go Martin. Enjoy this book it will take you on a journey....
Click Here

Don't know if you know, you can turn the pages by swiping the page itself with you finger...

Many thanks LH. Salute

Much obliged my friend. I have also sent for the book itself, but before it arrives, I can have a read through of this.

Cheers mate.

Salute

Many will agree, when you read this book, it's like walking along side Mitford himself.

» Zulus do not want war
» Fighting the Zulus
» How many rifles did the Zulus have?