Chieftain Umberlines

Subject: Chieftain Umberlines Mon Feb 22, 2016 8:51 pm

Chieftain "Umberlines ". Does anyone have any information on this chap? If he is a chap?

Subject: Re: Chieftain Umberlines Mon Feb 22, 2016 11:47 pm

Littlehand,

Prince Mbilini waMswati born in the early 1840's, the eldest son of King Mswati of Swaziland.

Following his father's death Mbilini's right of succession was challenged. He was force to seek refuge in the Transvaal near to where the Ntombe and Phongolo rivers met.

When King Cetshwayo came to power Prince Mbilini actively courted his friendship and pledged his fealty to Cetshwayo. Mbilini became active in the disputed territories raiding along the Swazi/Transvaal border.

One of his raids would merit mention in Frere's ultimatum of December 1878, and his surrender was one of the conditions of the ultimatum.

During the Zulu War Mbilini was active against No's 4 & 5 Columns. See The Boiling Cauldron by Huw Jones as background.

Mbilini raided the convoy of the 80th at Myer's Drift on the Ntombe River, close to his Tafelberg stronghold, on 12th March 1879.

He took part in the defence of Hlobane against Wood's ill fated assault.

He was mortally wounded in a skirmish on 5th April 1879.

Sorry written in haste.

John Y.

Subject: Chieftain Umberlines Tue Feb 23, 2016 6:42 am

JY in his haste seems to have summed it up well enough . Very Happy

90th