Barton & Childers of Glendalough, Co. Wicklow

http://www.turtlebunbury.com/history/history_family/hist_family_childers.html

Hi Littlehand
Evelyn Wood engaged the services of Chicheeli to find Barton and Poole's remains , which he did , as Wood said he guided them initially to within a few hundred yds of Bartons Body . Here is the summary by Wood himself from his book ' From Midshipman To Field Marshall ' . I've posted it previously but it will compliment your post here .

Wood spoke to Mehlokazulu in May of 1880 about Robert Barton , this was on the trip with the Empress Eugenie . Mehlokazulu said '' I know a man named Chicheeli , who was a mounted officer of the Umcityu , and I believe saw what took plce '' . So they sent for him . Chicheeli stated that Barton's face was slightly pitted by Smallpox , Wood who had known Barton for 2 yrs while he was at Aldershot disagreed , Chicheeli , said Wood declined to be shaken from his statement and repeated that the marks were slight . Wood then took out a magnifier from his Portmanteau and had a look at the Cabinet sized photo of Barton and what he perceived to be roughness of the skin was indeed Smallpox . Chicheeli told me that on the Ityenteka Nek he followed several white men and killed them , one man , as he approached ,turning his Carbine and shooting himself . When he , with several others , got down on the plain , 7 miles from the Mtn , he overtook Barton , who had taken Lt Poole up on his horse . He fired at them , and when the horse , being exhausted , could no longer struggle under the double weight , the riders dismounted and seperated . Chicheeli first shot Poole , and was going up towards Barton , when the latter pulled the trigger of his revolver , which did not go off . Chicheeli then put down his gun and Assegai , and made signs to Barton to surrender . I asked '' did you really want to spare him ? '' . '' Yes '' he replied . '' Cetewayo had ordered us to bring one or two Indunas down to Ulundi , and I had already killed 7 men ''. Barton lifted his hat , and the men were close together when a zulu fired at him , and he fell mortally wounded , and then , said Chicheeli '' I could not let anyone else kill him , so I ran up and Assegaied him .'' Wood then asks if he could find the body to which Chicheeli replied certainly ! . Chicheeli said you must give me a horse as its a day and a half from here . Wood goes on to say , '' I sent Trpr Brown VC , with him the next day , and , with the marvellous instinct of a savage , he rode to within 300yds of the spot where 14 mths previously he had killed my friend , and then said now we can off saddle , for we are close to the spot , and casting round like a harrier , came in less than 5 mins upon Barton's body , which had apparently never been disturbed by any beast or bird of prey . The clothes and boots were rotten and ant-eaten , and tumbled to pieces on being touched . Brown cut off some buttons from the breeches , and took a squadron pay book from the pocket filled with Barton's writing, and then buried the remains , placing over them a small wooden cross painted back , on which is cut , Robert Barton , Killed in action , 28th March 1879 , and then he and Chicheeli buried the body of Lt Poole .
Well after reading that again I thought Wood was with Chicheeli but it appears not , that it was only Trpr Brown VC and Chicheeli himself that went to find the bodies .
Cheers 90th.

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Lieutenant & Captain Robert Johnston Barton, Coldstream Guards, dated 1878.
John Young Collection.

Found this today at collectors' fair in London.

John Y.

Excellent find John. You obviously had a good day!

Steve

Mr Young,
Thanks for the gift
Cheers
Frédéric

Excellent get JY , did you find any others ? .
90th

90th,

There was the odd item or three, including something to tempt you with...

It is small and red with a date of 1877 on the front of it.

I'll PM you.

John Y.

Hi JY
I'm sure you may have something to temp me with ! . Rob was off to Ladysmith Hosp on Saturday for his 2 week check up , I believe your mate , the Major , Paul Naish is supplying the Lodge with his services for a little while ? , not sure if you mentioned it or Rob did ? . I'm about to shoot Rob an email to see how he's traveling All the best JY
90th