Private McNally's Letter

Subject: Private McNally's Letter Tue Jun 19, 2018 11:19 pm

'Rorke's Drift, February 2nd 1879.'

"Dear Father and Mother,

I received your last letter all right, and was sorry to hear how things were going on at home. I should have written before but we have been so put about that we could not get any writing paper, having been continually on the march. We have had a great drawback since we came in Zululand. On the 22nd of January, while we were out searching for the Zulus, our camp was attacked, and the 1st battalion 24th regiment were all slaughtered, except about six, who escaped. We* lost 134 men, our colours, and our kits. Our tents were destroyed, our ammunition stolen, our rifles broken and taken off. Our hospital waggons were torn to pieces, the sick killed, the medicine bottles all broken, bags of flour and meal - in fact, everything - destroyed. It was a horrid sight for us. When we returned at night in the dark, we had to charge our way to camp with our bayonets. We were falling in holes and over anthills, and in camp we were falling over the dead bodies of our comrades, who had been killed, and awful as it is to relate, it is true - they were cut right down the chest and across their bellies, their bowels coming out. Some had their toes, some their ears, others their arms cut off, and some in fact - dear mother and father, I cannot describe the horrible treatment they had to suffer. The little band boys were tied to a waggon and their flesh stripped off them. We had our company, B. Co., staying here** to guard our stores. The Zulus came upon them and tried to take possession of our stores, but they were repulsed, our side losing about 12 men, the enemy about 900 or a thousand. We numbered about 100; the enemy numbered about 5,000 or 6,000. But although we have suffered this loss, we hope, please God, to have our revenge when we get some more troops out from England. We have been twelve days and have never taken our boots off, always watching day and night for the enemy making an attack, which they generally do at night. Tell McDermott that lives in Weaver-street, to write to his brother in Wolverhampton, and tell him that his son James has been killed. He went sick the morning our camp was attacked. If McDermott likes he can write to the commanding officer of his regiment, and he will give him every satisfaction respecting him."

Staffordshire Sentinel, 26 March 1879.
McNally's own battalion the 2/24th.
Rorke's Drift, McNally refers here to the famous battle depicted in the film Zulu.

Source: Plotted Histories

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

Hi Admin,

Thanks for posting a most interesting account, particularly for those who know the real history of Isandlwana.
It will be interesting to hear the comment now of those supposedly knowledgable members who have persistently in the past vehemently refuted the reports of mutilation, body parts harvesting from live or dead human donors, killing of non combattants etc, etc
Remember, quote …. band (drummer) boys were found tied to the wheels of overturned wagons, spreadeagle fashion, and gutted like sheep, … unquote.
Now this would have all taken time indicating that the Zulus were unhurried in their plundering and looting bonanza.
What puzzles me greatly is why the authors of yore gave this grisly subject no attention at all, perhaps it was the sheer distastefullness of it.

regards

barry,

Subject: Re: Private McNally's Letter Wed Jun 20, 2018 8:45 am

Barry I believe Frederic is going to publish a second part to his essay on the same subject.

Posts : 2268 Join date : 2010-10-22 Location : France

Bonjour Frank,
Effectively, Julian and me are going to publish an essay on this subject.
Amitié.
Fred

Posts : 3385 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

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Staffordshire Sentinel, 26 March 1879.

Subject: Re: Private McNally's Letter Wed Jun 20, 2018 9:57 am

Hi

Does anyone know what company of the 2/24th McNally was in?

Cheers

Sime

Posts : 615 Join date : 2013-05-07 Location : Brecon

According to the list in Cpl Bassage's notebook (dated June/July/August 1879), McNally was in C Company 2/24th. He was RC so could have had an Irish background.

Posts : 3385 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

SRB1965 wrote:: Does anyone know what company of the 2/24th McNally was in?

Hi Sime

Look at the top of his letter and you will see agree

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

Just to add a little colour, here is "McDermott" that McNally refers to in his letter plus a view of what remains of Weaver Street in Hanley, Stoke on Trent.
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Steve Reinstadtler

Posts : 3385 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

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Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

McNally family living in Bagnall Square off Marsh Street, Hanley, Stoke on Trent.
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Steve Reinstadtler

Subject: Re: Private McNally's Letter Wed Jun 20, 2018 12:54 pm

1879graves wrote:

SRB1965 wrote:: Does anyone know what company of the 2/24th McNally was in?

Hi Sime

Look at the top of his letter and you will see agree

Doh........

Subject: Re: Private McNally's Letter Wed Jun 20, 2018 2:22 pm

Another 'Kilroy' moment Sime? Very Happy

Subject: Re: Private McNally's Letter Wed Jun 20, 2018 6:06 pm

Yep, I afraid so.....one day I will open my eyes or take something in.......Maybe even understand something.....

Posts : 16 Join date : 2017-08-13

I'm glad someone found my Potted Histories post of some use - mine is probably the most unvisited blog in the blogosphere, but it gives me a fix - a little outlet for my local history interests. I found the McNally letter in the Sentinel many years ago, but have only recently had a chance to make use of it in my blog.

Subject: Re: Private McNally's Letter Thu Jun 28, 2018 9:06 am

May I ask where the "Potted Histories" Post or blog can be found? I find all this most interesting although not quite my primary are of focus at the moment.

Posts : 16 Join date : 2017-08-13

Here is a link to the page: http://cooper314.blogspot.com/2018/01/last-stand-at-isandlwana.html

The whole blog is a work in progress and I hope to update the posts as time goes on, work and life permitting.

Subject: Re: Private McNally's Letter Sat Jun 30, 2018 11:03 am

Many thanks. I'll save the link in my "Favoutrites" to review periodically. Very much appreciate all the work you have done. Lots for me to read.

Posts : 1085 Join date : 2009-10-16

Hi All,
John Mcnally re-enlisted 16 April 1889 to 4th Batt North Staff Regt, No.1884, married with one child, passed medically unfit 9 May 1898 21yrs total service. 1911 census address 18 Sydney Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, married to Mary born 1869 Hanley, 5 children, he is a Forge Labourer.
I found two possible deaths for the Stoke-on-Trent [this includes Hanley] district but neither match exactly.
Died june Qtr 1917 age 52 [should be 62]
Died March Qtr 1928 age 75 [should be 71]
Rai Keynshamlighthorse

» Letter from a Private of the Royal Marines
» Private Henry Hook Letter
» Letter from Private Francis Ward, No. 1486 C Company, 2-24 Regiment