Supply and resupply of the campaign whilst in Zululand

This may be a bit of an unanswerable question but here goes anyway!

One of the reasons we are told why Chelmsford neglected to laager the wagons at Isandlwana was that they were due to return to Rorkes Drift for resupply suggesting perhaps that at that moment in time the Camp at Isandlwana was seen as a ‘temporary' forward supply base for the continued thrust to oNdini.

If that is indeed the case, I would guess that there would have been more supply bases as the column stopped at suitable locations and this is just for number 3 column! These bases and the escorting of supply wagons back and forth would surely effect a drain on available manpower and resources.

Do we know anything about Chelmsford’s planning for the ongoing supply and resupply of the campaign whilst in Zululand?

Posts : 947 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi NBF,

Indeed, to keep the war machine fed there were many transport nodes in the war supply chain around the region. However, this operation being just too big in volume and wide in scope, so not all the transport was by means of military transport wagons . To help, the BA contracted in many Boer transport riders who carried vast quantities of war goods, criss crossing the region, in their 16 ox powered wagons carrying supplies for the forces. Some of these Boers became quite entrepreneurial and had 5-6 wagons in their fleet. A major part of this traffic was hay and grain/fodder for the horses. Of course this trade was very lucrative for them too..
There was a very nice picture, good quality for its time, posted by John Young of a supply node on the south bank of the Tugela at the pont crossing on the main route into Zululand, which clearly showed mega quantities of ammunition boxes and sacks of grain in a storage dump there. Perhaps he will post it again.
The south bank of the Tugela was obviously a stopping point for the coastal column

regards

barry

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
The supply depot at Fort Pearson.
John Young Collection.

Note mule-drawn General Wagon in the foreground. Towards the centre near the piles of supplies is an example of a two-wheeled Scotch Cart.

I’ll try and find where the Mem’ has hidden the other views of this supply depot over the next few days.

JY

Posts : 947 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi John,

Thanks for posting, I seem to remember there are other views in this series showing the various stacks of supplies uncovered.
Seeing the background scene is quite nostalgic for me as that dry sandbank, in the middle background is where myself and others practised emergency landings in the days leading up to the Bush War.

regards

barry

Hi Barry,

I located one of the ones I was looking for the Mem’ had misfiled in an infantry folder! She’ll have to go...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
The supply depot at Fort Pearson.
John Young Collection.

I was watching a trailer the other day for documentary series on the Bush War, I assume it is for broadcast in SA.

Regards,

JY

Posts : 947 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi JY,

Thanks again for posting.

The Bush War is another one where all the stories will never be told. The episode around Bridge 14 did come out, but others will not. Pity that our good friend Ken, a past member of the forum, is not around to add to this.

regards

barry

Roxo the legend ! Salute

» Isandlwana, Last Stands
» Richard OLIVER died of fever whilst serving with the Naval Brigade in the Zulu War
» Another account of the Battle Of Isandlwana